Fengxian then went to the Eastern Palace and informed Qin Sishan that medicine had been found mixed into the green salt at Phoenix Arrival Pavilion, though it was still unknown who had added it. The Second Great King was thoroughly investigating the source of the seasonings in Qinghua Pavilion and had ordered the palace attendants of the Bureau of Palace Provisions to work through the night to identify any abnormalities. To ensure the Crown Prince's safety, the Second Great King suggested that the Eastern Palace conduct a similar thorough investigation as soon as possible.
Upon hearing this, Qin Sishan did not dare delay. She immediately summoned the relevant palace attendants of the Eastern Palace to inspect the seasonings and, in accordance with regulations, reported the matter to Wang Muze, the Eastern Palace Supervisor.
"In this way, if Imperial Physician Zhou has long been colluding with Wang Muze, Wang Muze, seeing the matter exposed, will inevitably take action," Fengxian explained to Zhao Ai and Zhenzhen. "He will go, or send someone, to find Imperial Physician Zhou to discuss how to respond... Of course, if he suspects that Imperial Physician Zhou can no longer escape, he might also silence him to protect himself."
Zhao Ai understood immediately and contacted Yin Ti, asking him to lead Imperial Guards from the Imperial City Department in plain clothes to rush to Zhou Zhiqi's residence overnight.
The next day, as soon as the palace gates opened, Yin Ti entered and informed Zhao Ai of Zhou Zhiqi's situation: "Last night, two people indeed sneaked into the Zhou residence. After whispering with Zhou Zhiqi for a moment, we suddenly heard Zhou Zhiqi scream, so we immediately rushed in. The two were holding daggers and stabbing Zhou Zhiqi. As soon as they saw us, they turned and fled. We chased them for a while and captured them, but when we returned to check on Zhou Zhiqi, we found he had actually taken a knife and committed suicide."
Zhao Ai asked, "Where are those two now?"
Yin Ti replied, "They are detained at the Imperial City Department, awaiting judgment... From their appearance, they are two eunuchs."
Zhao Ai sent someone to invite Feng Jing's parents into the palace, asking them to accompany him to the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility to see the Emperor after the morning court session. He also invited Consort Li to bring Zhenzhen along.
He also dispatched someone to the Eastern Palace to invite the Crown Prince to the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility. However, as the Crown Prince, dressed formally, was about to leave, Wang Muze, kneeling before him, grabbed hold of him.
"Your Highness, this old servant can no longer continue to serve you and witness Your Highness ascending the throne to become a wise ruler... Please accept this old servant's final bow." Wang Muze said with tears streaming down his face, performing a solemn kowtow to the Crown Prince.
Zhao Xi helped him up with both hands, frowning as he asked for the reason. Wang Muze confessed the truth: "This servant deserves death for deceiving Your Highness... In the past, Consort Li did not switch the children, and Feng Jing is not the Consort's daughter."
Zhao Xi was stunned, then his anger flared. He pushed Wang Muze to the ground with a flick of his sleeve. "Why would you tell such an enormous lie?"
Half an hour later, Zhao Xi finally arrived at the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility with heavy steps, his demeanor desolate. Seeing that everyone had gathered, Zhao Ai had Yin Ti recount the events at the Zhou residence the previous night in front of everyone. The two eunuchs were brought in, and they admitted to being instructed by Wang Muze. The Emperor, surprised, asked why this had happened. At Zhao Ai's signal, Zhenzhen stepped forward and explained in detail the circumstances surrounding the green salt incident at Phoenix Arrival Pavilion. The Emperor understood most of it and lowered his gaze in silence.
"Zhou Zhiqi has been secretly harming the Consort for many years, which shows he was acting under Wang Muze's orders. However, this matter is Wang Muze's personal doing and has nothing to do with the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was also deceived and was unaware," Zhao Ai then clarified, before fully disclosing how Wang Muze had deceived the Crown Prince with Feng Jing's background."The palace attendant Wu Zhenzhen discovered that when the Consort's son and Feng Jing were born, the Inner Treasury had not yet begun using bamboo-woven Food Hampers for gifts, thus casting doubt on Wang Muze's claims. I also had someone investigate the whereabouts of the maidservants who left the Prince's residence after the Consort gave birth, and found two of them. They have been brought to Lin'an and can enter the palace to testify at any time if Your Majesty deems it necessary. Here are their testimonies." Zhao Ai presented the testimonies to the Emperor and explained to everyone, "They both stated that the Consort indeed gave birth to a young prince that year, but unfortunately, he passed away on the day of his birth. Fearing they would be held accountable for failing to serve their mistress properly, they voluntarily resigned and returned to their hometowns. It was not as Wang Muze claimed—that they fled because they witnessed a child-swapping incident and were feared by the Consort."
"My wife and I indeed gave birth to a daughter that year," Feng Jing's father, Feng Shuo, immediately stepped forward and bowed to present a scroll to the Emperor. "This is the bathing record for my daughter Feng Jing, recorded by Imperial Physician Zhang on the day of her birth. It clearly states her name, her parents' names, her birth date and time, the location of her birth, her height and weight, her physical condition, and even a red birthmark hidden in the hair at the back of her head, invisible to ordinary eyes. If necessary, female officials can be asked to verify this."
"Imperial Physician Zhang..." the Emperor mused thoughtfully. "Yunqiao?"
"It is Zhang Yunqiao of He'an," Feng Shuo confirmed, explaining, "At that time, the Qi family was searching for him everywhere, so he took refuge in my residence. Coincidentally, my wife was in labor, and he took meticulous care of her. After my daughter was born, he wrote this document."
The characters on ordinary bathing records are typically written in small regular script, but the writing on this one resembled galloping snakes and ancient vines, flowing like drifting clouds—it was written in wild cursive script.
Upon closer inspection, the Emperor smiled faintly. "Indeed, it is his handwriting."
He showed the document to everyone and deliberately looked at Zhao Xi as he said, "Yunqiao would not forge anything."
Zhao Xi glanced at the document and silently lowered his head.
"As for the matter of delivering gifts at an unusual hour, I hope you can also explain that," Zhao Ai then said to Feng Shuo.
"I will speak on this," Consort Li suddenly interjected, looking calmly at the Zhao Xi brothers as she recounted the past. "That child—I carried it with immense difficulty. Throughout the pregnancy, I experienced countless symptoms. As I neared childbirth, I contracted a severe case of yang-pattern typhoid fever. The two physicians treating me dared not administer typhoid medicine for fear of harming the fetus. So, before giving birth, I endured the dual torment of labor and typhoid fever, suffering greatly. On the day of delivery, I fainted several times. When Imperial Physician Zhang learned of this, he prepared medicine at the Feng residence and had the Feng family deliver it to the Prince's residence. However, my attending physicians were appointed by the late Emperor. If I disregarded their treatment plan and used someone else's medicine, word would reach the palace, and the late Emperor would surely be displeased. Therefore, my brother-in-law sent someone to consult with my mother, who was caring for me at the Prince's residence. They decided to hide the medicine inside a gift box under the guise of exchanging presents and secretly bring it in. Given the urgency of my condition, they could not wait until dawn, so they went to great lengths to deliver it late at night. Unfortunately, by then, my child had already passed away..." At this point, she could no longer suppress her sobs. Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, she forced herself to continue, "Imperial Physician Zhang's medicine was very effective. After taking it, my typhoid symptoms quickly subsided."
Feng Shuo then added, "Imperial Physician Zhang said that as childbirth approached, typhoid medicine would no longer affect the fetus, and it was entirely appropriate to treat the symptoms accordingly. The medicine he subsequently administered to the Consort was twice the usual dosage."
The Emperor nodded. "Such boldness is indeed his style.""The truth is just as stated. Wang Muze knew that my elder brother, being overly concerned, would not delve into every detail to verify the authenticity, especially since he usually avoids interactions with Consort Li's family. That is why Wang Muze dared to frame Consort Li in such a manner. I, however, have no such concerns. To clear Consort Li's name, I will pursue this matter to the very end." After speaking, Zhao Ai bowed deeply to the Emperor. "I dare not ask Your Majesty to forgive me for acting without authorization, but once this matter is clarified, I am willing to accept any punishment."
The Emperor sighed and ordered everyone to withdraw, leaving only the Crown Prince in the hall. When they were alone, the Emperor asked the Crown Prince, "Do you understand now? Do you still believe Wang Muze's one-sided account?"
Zhao Xi knelt before his father. "Before coming to the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility, Wang Muze had already confessed the truth to me, admitting that he lied... I was foolish and gullible, believing in rumors. I beg Your Majesty to punish me severely."
The Emperor pressed further, "How did Wang Muze explain his motives to you?"
Zhao Xi remained silent for a moment, unable to answer.
The Emperor then inferred, "He must have told you that after serving Empress Anshu for many years, he could not stand Consort Li's seductive ways, which captivated me. Even when Empress Anshu was bedridden and ill, I spent every night in Consort Li's chambers, unable to care for your mother, leading to her melancholy and eventual death. Later, seeing you also tempted by Consort Li's niece, he resolved to do everything in his power to prevent Feng Jing from becoming the Crown Princess, and eventually, the Empress."
Zhao Xi prostrated himself, saying nothing, as if silently acknowledging the truth.
"Very well, since this troubles you so deeply, let me tell you how Consort Li came to receive my 'exclusive favor' back then." The Emperor's gaze fell on the shadows cast by the window lattice on the floor, lost in sorrowful reminiscence. "At that time, Grand Tutor Qi Xun monopolized power, purging dissidents in the court and holding sway over everything. Even the late Emperor had to be cautious of him. Young and impulsive, I opposed him several times, and he regarded me as a formidable enemy, repeatedly attempting to frame me. Fortunately, with the help of wise mentors and friends, I served the late Emperor with utmost caution, leaving him no room to find fault. Later, when your mother fell gravely ill, he devised another plan, recommending the daughter of one of his faction members to the late Emperor, urging me to accept her. How could I allow someone he planted to be by my side? Therefore, I deliberately spent every night in Consort Li's chambers and made sure everyone knew she was the woman I favored, leaving no room for others."
Zhao Xi remained prostrate, his expression unreadable.
The Emperor continued, "Why did I choose her? Because she was bestowed upon me by the Empress Dowager, originally a maid in her service, deeply trusted and favored by the Emperor and Empress. By showing favor to her, the Emperor and Empress would not be displeased but rather pleased, while Qi Xun could say nothing and dared not accuse me of being infatuated with women. After your mother passed away, when Qi Xun recommended another candidate for my principal wife, I still declared my exclusive favor for Consort Li, deciding not to remarry for the time being for her sake. The Empress Dowager was pleased with my stance and advised the late Emperor to allow me to postpone taking a new wife."
"In truth, I cannot say I loved her," the Emperor sighed. "The woman I loved most in my life was your mother. All three of my sons were born to her. As for Consort Li... back then, although I spent every night in her chambers, my mind was preoccupied with state affairs and concern for your mother. Often, we would sit in silence throughout the night. The moments of true intimacy between us were few and far between."
Zhao Xi's shoulders trembled slightly. After a moment, he slowly raised his head, looking at his father with surprise."But she truly can be described as gentle and virtuous. No matter how I treated her, she harbored no resentment. Even when her heart was wronged, she still tried her best to cooperate with my act, silently playing the role of the favored concubine on the surface, enduring the scrutiny and attacks from both the household and the court, including your resentment."
Zhao Xi bowed again, two tears falling as he did so: "Your subject knows his mistake. For many years, I mistakenly believed rumors, harming both others and myself. Please punish me, Father."
The Emperor shook his head and personally went over to help his son up: "You were too quick to believe rumors, but I am also at fault. I always felt that such private matters were too shameful to mention to others, and even harder to discuss with my own son. I never imagined that Wang Muze would repeatedly use this to frame Consort Li and deceive you. This is intolerable. The one I intend to punish severely is him, not you."
The Emperor immediately raised his voice and called the Chief Eunuch outside the door to come in, ordering him to command the Imperial City Department to arrest Wang Muze. Upon hearing this, Zhao Xi knelt before him again: "Father, I have already released him from the palace just now... Please, in consideration of his diligent service to me for over twenty years, spare his life."
However, the outcome was surprising. Wang Muze did not flee the palace to seek survival as Zhao Xi had hoped, but instead escaped to the mountain in the Rear Garden. When discovered by the palace attendants, he had hanged himself from a tree with a white silk cord and had been dead for some time.
The Emperor ordered a thorough investigation into Wang Muze's associates. Many eunuchs in the Eastern Palace were implicated, and numerous physicians in the Imperial Academy of Medicine who had private connections with Wang Muze or Zhou Zhiqi were also demoted. Han Suwen was originally on the list of those to be charged, but fortunately, Zhenzhen asked Consort Li to speak to The Emperor, explaining that Han Suwen's duty was to prepare medicine for all physicians, not just for Zhou Zhiqi alone. He could not be judged as a member of Zhou Zhiqi's faction simply because he had prepared green salt. He was completely unaware of Zhou Zhiqi's actions and had honestly revealed the details of the green salt to Zhenzhen, inadvertently exposing Zhou Zhiqi's misdeeds. He should not be held accountable.
The Emperor agreed and no longer pursued Han Suwen's responsibility, allowing him to remain in the Imperial Academy of Medicine.
With Feng Jing's background clarified and Zhao Xi's heart at ease, the Emperor discussed with Consort Li the idea of having the Crown Prince take Feng Jing as a concubine, so that the two lovers could be together forever. Consort Li smiled and said: "I previously did not want Feng Jing to become the Crown Princess because I knew the Crown Prince resented me. I feared that after Feng Jing married into the Eastern Palace, over time, they might develop discord because of me and gradually become an unhappy couple. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared, and they are in love with each other, and Your Majesty is willing to let Feng Jing serve the Crown Prince, I naturally have no reason to continue opposing it."
Thus, the Emperor and Consort Li summoned Feng Jing and informed her of the matter. Unexpectedly, Feng Jing immediately knelt and bowed, pleading with The Emperor to revoke the order.
The Emperor asked in surprise if she no longer loved the Crown Prince. Feng Jing shook her head and said: "My feelings for the Crown Prince have never changed. Even when he abandoned me, I never resented him. I am grateful that Your Majesty uncovered the truth, allowing the Crown Prince and me to remember each other as we were when we first met. But now, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are deeply in love, and I have also found something I wish to do in the Bureau of Palace Provisions. Therefore, please allow us to maintain the status quo. Rather than entering the Eastern Palace and facing the possibility of becoming hateful in the competition for favor among wives and concubines, I would prefer to find lasting peace in my duties. I also hope the Crown Prince can cherish the one before him and not harm the Crown Princess who loves him because of me."
The Emperor and Consort Li exchanged a glance, momentarily unsure how to respond.Feng Jing raised her hands to her forehead and bowed solemnly once more: "I beg Your Majesty to grant me this wish—let him and I remain perfect in each other’s memories."
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