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The next morning, Imperial Physician arrived in front of Emperor Han Yu and Empress Chen with a solemn expression, carrying an important investigation report.
Imperial Physician took a deep breath and began to report: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, after carefully examining the tea consumed by Consort Su, we did not find any obvious toxins. However, we did find a trace of sweetness in the tea, which is due to the presence of a large amount of persimmon calyx in the water."
The Emperor and Empress Chen exchanged a glance, both showing a look of doubt.
The Imperial Physician continued, "We further investigated the source of the water fetched by the eunuchs in the palace and found that each barrel of water contained persimmon stems, and there are particularly many of them this year. This is originally a natural phenomenon, after all, it is currently the season when persimmons are ripe, so it may have drifted down from upstream."
Empress Chen asked softly, "What impact does the persimmon calyx have on the body?"
Imperial Physician replied, "The persimmon calyx itself is a type of medicinal herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to reduce qi and stop hiccups. It is generally healthy and harmless for most people. However, for pregnant women, it is forbidden. Long-term consumption of water containing persimmon calyx may pose a risk of miscarriage for pregnant women."
Emperor Han Yu's brows furrowed as he asked in a deep voice, "So, is Consort Su's condition caused by this persimmon calyx?"
Imperial Physician nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. Consort Su has been drinking water with persimmon calyx for a long time, combined with her daily consumption of hot tea, causing the accumulation of persimmon calyx components in the water to a dangerous level during the boiling process. This also explains why she suddenly developed symptoms of miscarriage."
Another imperial physician added, "But it's not easy to drink a sufficient amount to cause a miscarriage. Prostitutes in the brothels often grind persimmon stems into powder and brew it into water to prevent pregnancy. Consort Su must have been drinking it for a long time to reach this level."
Empress Chen's face turned serious, "Does this mean it was all just an accident, not intentional?"
Imperial Physician hesitated for a moment, then said, "From the current situation, it does seem like an accident. But if someone knew in advance about the effects of persimmon seeds on pregnant women and deliberately let Consort Su drink it, then it's no longer just an accident."
A cold light flashed in Emperor Han Yu's eyes, "This matter must be thoroughly investigated. If someone dares to harm the palace with such intent, I will not forgive them."
Empress Chen pondered, "This matter may seem natural, but there are hidden currents within the harem. Who can guarantee that this is not a carefully planned conspiracy?"
Emperor Han Yu nodded, "I will order stronger monitoring of the harem, and at the same time, we must enhance the protection of the pregnant concubines to ensure that similar incidents do not occur again."
With the orders of Emperor Han Yu and Empress Chen, the investigation in the palace has begun. The focus this time is on the palace maid, Xiaolian, who is close to Consort Su.
Xiaolian, a seemingly ordinary palace maid, played an unusually important role in this incident. She is an indispensable part of Consort Su's daily life, responsible for Consort Su's food and daily life. Therefore, she knows everything about the tea that Consort Su drinks.
Shortly after the investigation began, the emperor's trusted eunuchs and palace maids brought Xiaolian to a secluded palace for questioning. Xiaolian looked both nervous and scared, knowing that if found guilty, she would face unimaginable punishment.
The eunuch's voice was stern and direct: "Xiaolian, how do you handle Consort Su's tea? Have you added anything special to the tea?"
Xiaolian's voice trembled as she replied, "In response to the eunuch, I have never added anything foreign to the tea. The daily tea is made according to the usual practice, using water from the designated source in the palace, and then boiled."
The palace maid interjected, "However, we found that there was a large amount of persimmon calyx in the tea consumed by Consort Su. How could this have happened?"
Xiaolian's face turned even paler. "I... I really don't know. I just followed the rules and fetched water from the eunuch. I had already removed the persimmon calyx from the water when it was being boiled."
The eunuch furrowed his brow, seemingly unsatisfied with Xiaolian's response. He continued to inquire, "Have you noticed any unusual changes in Consort Su's recent physical condition?"
Xiaolian lowered her head, her voice even weaker, "Indeed, Consort Su has been feeling unwell, but I thought it was just common symptoms during pregnancy."
At this moment, Empress Chen suddenly appeared in the interrogation room.
Her gaze was sharp as she stared directly at Xiaolian: "Xiaolian, you have been in the palace for a long time, and you should know that pregnant women need special care. Did you really not notice any abnormalities in Consort Su? Or were you deliberately ignoring these abnormalities?"
Xiao Lian was overwhelmed by the imposing manner of Empress Chen and finally broke down in tears, saying, "Your Majesty, please spare me. I really didn't know. I'm just a palace maid and never intended to harm anyone. I truly know nothing about Consort Su."
Empress Chen fell silent for a moment, then said to the eunuch, "Continue the investigation. We must uncover the truth behind this. Whoever is involved in this matter must not be let off."
Consort Su slowly woke up in her own palace and felt thirsty. She called out softly, and a palace maid quickly brought her a cup of warm tea. Consort Su took the cup, only to find that it was not her personal maid Xiaolian who had handed her the tea.
She frowned and asked, "Where is Xiaolian? Where did she go?"
The palace maid lowered her head, her voice tinged with hesitation. "According to the mistress, Xiaolian was summoned to undergo some questioning regarding the mistress's recent health issues."
Consort Su's eyes flashed with a hint of unease: "Interrogation? What question led her to be summoned?"
The palace maid replied, "Your Highness, it is said to be about the tea you have been drinking recently. But the specific details, this servant is not very clear about."
Consort Su's heart sank, and she suddenly realized that things might not be simple. She set down her teacup and spoke with a hint of seriousness in her voice: "Go, find out for me what the situation really is. And also, let me know about Xiaolian's situation."
The palace maid responded with a sound and quickly left the room. Consort Su sat alone by the bed, feeling a sense of ominous foreboding in her heart.
Before long, the palace maid hurried back with a hint of anxiety on her face: "Your Highness, it is said that the persimmon calyx was found in the tea you drank, which is harmful to pregnant women. The palace is now investigating the matter, and Xiaolian is involved."
Consort Su became even more uneasy after hearing this. She knew the complexity of the harem, and once involved, even the innocent would find it hard to extricate themselves.
In her eyes flashed a hint of determination: "Go, tell the Mrs. Wang that I have something to say to her in person. Xiaolian is innocent, she couldn't have caused me to miscarry. Don't torture Xiaolian."
Empress Chen received the message and immediately went to Consort Su's palace. Her steps were firm, and her eyes revealed deep contemplation. She knew that this matter might involve deeper conspiracies within the harem.
Upon seeing Empress Chen, Consort Su immediately stood up and bowed, with a pleading look in her eyes: "Your Majesty, Consort Lian is innocent. She has never been disrespectful to me, nor would she do anything to harm me."
Empress Chen nodded gently and gestured for Consort Su to sit down. "Don't worry, Consort Su, I will not wrong a good person. But this matter involves you and your miscarried child, so we must handle it carefully."
A hint of gratitude flashed in Consort Su's eyes. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your discernment. But I am worried that the other three pregnant concubines may have also consumed too much persimmon stalk water. Your Majesty, please send the imperial physician to examine them as soon as possible."
Empress Chen, after hearing Consort Su's words, furrowed her brows slightly, feeling even more worried in her heart. She immediately ordered someone to notify the imperial physician to examine the physical condition of the other concubines, just in case.
Afterwards, she turned to Consort Su and said, " Consort Su, I will personally supervise the investigation of this matter. You just need to rest assured and not worry about anything else."
Consort Su nodded gratefully, a hint of complex emotions flashing in her eyes.
She knew very well that the scheming and intrigue in the harem were far more complicated than they appeared on the surface.
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