A Mistaken Marriage Match: Mysteries in the Imperial Harem

Chapter 49: The Empress's Suspicions

The rays had lost its colour and the night drew closer. The room was not lit and the windows were closed. The few persons each were lost in their thought and neither said any more words, making the room feel bleak and filled with a significant heaviness.

"Mistress, Imperial Physician Lin send over this medication." The door was gently pushed open and Fu Ling's soft voice broke the silence in the room.

Qing Feng recovered herself and reached out to take the medication. The concoction was somewhat cool and seeing Fu Ling's serious expression, Qing Feng guessed that she had heard by the door what she and Chen Zhen talked about. This was also good, she would save energy on explanation. Fu Ling was someone by her side, there was still a lot of things that need her to deal. Seeing that the day was nearing to Xushi (modern timing: 7 – 9 pm), Qing Feng thought for a moment before softly saying, "Fu Ling, go dispose of the bloodstained things in the sedan then go get the sedan-bearers and let them wait outside the courtyard."

Fu Ling nodded her head and lit the candles in the outer chambers and the dim candlelight entered the area. Fu Ling looked at calm Chen Zhen leaning against Wu-er and the baby she was carrying, Fu Ling's brows knitted up again. She must have planned to pass her powers and problems to Mistress. Protecting both mother and child thoroughly? It was easier said than done...

Fu Ling did not move for a long time and Qing Feng guessed that she had some concerns so she sighed softly, "Go then." Fu Ling held her expression back and turn to exit.

Qing Feng's eyes swept across the utter mess in the room and called out, "Ru Yi."

Ru Yi quickly walked into the room and Qing Feng whispered by her ears, "Throw the bloody water into the begonia flowers. As for the bedsheets, linen and sorts that were stained with blood, everything must be burnt and the ashes buried in the soil. Not a trace must be left and it must be done immediately."

"Yes." Ru Yi's deft hands and legs started to clean up while Qing Feng passed the medication to Wu-er, "Feed her the medication." This time, without anyone support, Chen Zhen held the baby with one hand and took the bowl of medication with the other and drank it finished in a few mouths.

Seeing the plain sheets stained with blood, Chen Zhen's blood-soaked clothes can no longer be worn. Qing Feng brought out a set of new palace uniform and handed it over to Wu-er before carrying the child from Chen Zhen's embrace, "Wu-er, help her to change out of her clothes."

When Chen Zhen finished changing, Ru Yi also had tidied up the bed but the baby in Qing Feng's arm started to cry without any reason. Perhaps its because he is still so small and weak, his cries were very soft, like a little kitten. The child in her embrace kept on struggling and keep heading towards her chest, making Qing Feng helpless, "Why is he crying?"

Chen Zhen smile softly and replied, "Perhaps he is hungry." Finishing, she took the baby and sat on the bed before opening her robes. Qing Feng stood awkwardly at the head of the bed and cough lightly, "You have to hurry up. The evening banquet time is almost here."

Qing Feng walked out of the room and Wu-er passed the clothes that Chen Zhen just changed out from to Ru-yi. She wanted to walk in but Qing Feng stopped her, "In a moment, I will send them back. You will now go over and wait by the road in front of the Cold Palace."

Even though she wanted to accompany by her mistress's side, now she could only listen to Qing Feng's arrangements. Wu-er softly replied, "Yes." And quietly exited.

Qing Feng waited outside for a while and when the child's cat cries stopped, she then walk pass the screen to see. Chen Zhen was looking down at the small head in front of her chest and her face was still as pale as a sheet but that smile on her face showed her happiness. It indeed was a beautiful scene. Qing Feng's heart felt a weird sense of irritation and she quickly walked out of the stuffy room. The courtyard and begonia fragrance in the night breeze help to appease her restless heart.