News of Concubine Zhuang's elevation spread like wildfire through the palace, as did feelings of jealously. Palace staff were soon complaining about Consort Zhuang's domineering ways. She was using her pregnancy as an excuse to boss people around. The Emperor indulged Consort Zhuang's tantrums, on account of her delicate condition. Everyone in the palace followed his lead, which only encouraged her to greater and greater heights of unreasonableness.
Xiu Ying: Whatever. Let's just give her a wide berth. Let her enjoy her good fortune, while it lasts.
You try to make light of it, but in reality you feel deeply despondent. Just as your investigation was beginning to make headway, you have to put it on hold. After all, Consort Zhuang could make life very difficult for you now, if she so wished.
Xiu Ying: That's right! We can always drop in on Shu Xian. A problem shared is a problem halved.
On the way there you bump into Hui Xin who looks very distressed. A shadow passes over you.
Hui Xin: [Running towards you] Help us, please! Something has happened to Shu Xian!
You swallow the bile in your throat and do your best to calm Hui Xin down.
Hui Xin: Yesterday Consort Zhuang admired the perfume in Shu Xian's scented sachet, so Shu Xian made a gift of it to her. This morning guards arrived at Shu Xian'a quarters and put her under house arrest. They said the scented sachet contained musk, and musk is known to make women miscarry. The Emperor is incandescent with rage.
Xiu Ying: I know Shu Xian! She would never do such a thing! It's a set up!
Hui Xin: [Shaking head] Something doesn't add up. She's being held under guard. They won't let me see her... I know, I'll go and get my brother!
Xiu Ying: No, you're still on duty. You can't just run off. I'll go find Fu Heng.
To your surprise Fu Heng isn't on duty. You can't find him anywhere, so you turn tail and run to the garrison house. As you step inside, you spot him feeding the pigeons. When he sees how flustered you are, his brow creases with worry.
Fu Heng: [Hurrying over] Has something happened? Slow down, breathe... I'm here.
His gentle voice smooths your nerves. You take a deep breath and tell him exactly what happened to Shu Xian.
Xiu Ying: Shu Xian is being held under house arrest. I'm afraid she'll come to harm. Can you go and keep an eye on her?
Fu Heng: Don't worry. I would have kept an eye on her even if you hadn't asked me to. She won't come to harm.
Xiu Ying: There's another thing. We both know what Shu Xian's like! She wouldn't hurt a fly - I've got to prove her innocence! But first I need to find out if anything else happened in the meantime. I have to see her.
On hearing you, Fu Heng frowns slightly. He does not approve.
Fu Heng: I know you're worried about Shu Xian, but I can take care of it. I'll get to the bottom of it and prove her innocence. You sit tight.
MC: Sit tight? How can I "sit tight"? The palace is in uproar. Even the Noble Consort is confined to her quarters. Whoever is behind it all cannot be underestimated! Of course I trust you, Lord Fu Heng, but I'm worried sick about Shu Xian. The one thing I can't do is "sit tight".
You look at him anxiously, Finally he relents.
Fu Heng: [Thoughtfully] Shu Xian is accused of a very serious crime. She will closely guarded. Your best chance to see her will be after sundown.
Xiu Ying: [Excited] Thank you, Lord Fu Heng!
Fu Heng: You're impossible.
UNUSUAL MEDICINE
It is night. You disguise yourself as a guard and follow Fu Heng to Shu Xian's building. Fu Heng steps forward boldly. He is widely respected in the palace. With a word, he sends the guards away and leads you inside. Shu Xian has only been confined for one day, but her face is pallid and withdrawn. One look at you and she seems ready to burst into tears. You get straight to the point, asking her how musk came to be inside the scented sachet.
Shu Xian: I don't know! I made it myself and I know there's no musk in it. I don't know what happened once Consort Zhuang took it or who touched it after that. But Consort Zhuang claimed no one touched it and the Emperor said it was unlikely she would try to hurt herself... so blame falls on me.
Xiu Ying: Shu Xian, have you fallen out with Consort Zhuang before?
Shu Xian: [Shaking head] No, never. Two days ago I ran into one of her maids who was carrying a tray of medicine. It was very pungent.
Xiu Ying: [Frowning] Did you recognize the smell?
Shu Xian: I assumed it was something to prevent miscarriage and didn't think anything more about it. But thinking about it now, the maid panicked when I saw her. Do you think it could have been something else?
You think Shu Xian's onto something. She is a very nice, easygoing girl. Consort Zhuang would have no reason to attack her, unless, that is, she thought Shu Xian discovered something she wanted to keep secret.
Xiu Ying: Don't worry. I'll get to the bottom of it!
Shu Xian: [Shakes head] Consort Zhuang is with child and can do no wrong! She's very shrewd. Don't get involved. I'm confined to my quarters for now. It's no big deal...
Xiu Ying: Nonsense! If I was the one trapped in here, you'd do everything in your power to help me. I'm just doing what you'd do for me.
Shu Xian is about to object, but you're already on your feet. You wave and make a swift exit.
YOU ARE READING
LoT Phoenix 1
RandomThis is not my story. Post it here from a game for offline reading. PS: I wish they will make a drama out of this.
