The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 56 - Someone Took Action

The emperor was turning the beads in his hand, lost in thought.

When the female physician came out, Lan Guifei was already asleep.

Tan Momo wanted to inquire about the specifics of Lan Guifei's condition, but seeing the emperor seated there, she didn't dare speak.

"Imperial Physician, how is Guifei?" The emperor, hearing footsteps, opened his eyes and glanced at the pale figure sleeping on the bed. Her complexion was ashen, and her lips had turned purplish—clear signs of poor health.

The Imperial Physician nervously withdrew his hand.

It was unlikely Lan Guifei's pregnancy would go as the emperor wished. Previously, he had managed to help her sustain the pregnancy up to five months, but now, it seemed even reaching three months would be difficult.

"Your Majesty, Guifei suffered from anger overwhelming her, which caused a reverse flow of blood and energy. With proper rest, she should recover. However, she must not allow herself to become agitated again, or it may harm the child in her womb." The Imperial Physician directed these words not only to the emperor but also to Tan Momo.

"Anger overwhelming her?" The emperor raised his eyebrows. "What made Guifei so angry?" His sharp gaze turned to Tan Momo. "I was unaware anyone dared provoke Guifei."

Though usually calm, Tan Momo felt a jolt of fear under the emperor's glare. She quickly knelt, trembling. "Your Majesty, ever since Guifei became pregnant, her temperament has changed. Today, after returning from greeting the Empress, she developed a high fever and wished to touch the ice bowls. However, when the servants stopped her, she grew angry. It was my failure to serve her properly. This old servant is at fault."

She dared not mention that Lan Guifei had become furious upon learning that the Empress was also pregnant, so she pushed the blame onto the servants.

"Hmph, if a servant cannot properly attend to their mistress, they should be executed. Guards!" The emperor didn't ask further questions and accepted Tan Momo's explanation without hesitation.

"At your command." De Zhong stepped forward.

"Go find out which servant angered Guifei and have them beaten to death. Let all those who serve Guifei witness it so they know how to properly serve their mistress."

Tan Momo had intended to offer up a random servant as a scapegoat, but she hadn't expected the emperor to instruct De Zhong to investigate. For the sake of Lan Guifei, she would have to sacrifice someone. She figured she could send in a couple more attendants later to make up for the loss.

The emperor's decree sent shockwaves through the ranks of Guifei's first- and second-tier maids.

Although Tan Momo had spoken carelessly, the incident she referred to had indeed occurred—Hua Dong had warned Guifei earlier that day.

Kneeling on the ground, Hua Dong realized what was happening. She glanced at Tan Momo, their eyes meeting briefly. Tan Momo mouthed something to her, though no sound emerged. Even so, Hua Dong turned pale.

The emperor approached the bed, gently stroking Lan Guifei's pale face before touching her flat abdomen. After a long moment, he withdrew his hand. "Serve Guifei well. If anything else happens, I'll have all of you buried with her and the prince."

With that, the emperor left. However, as he passed the Imperial Physician, he paused momentarily but said nothing before leaving the room.

De Zhong remained behind. Glancing at the kneeling servants, he sighed. "Tan Momo, I must trouble you with this task."