Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1377: Found something problematic (179 million reward points plus more)

Concubine Kang felt a rare sense of guilt.

Because harem affairs should have been reported to the Imperial Noble Consort for her decision first, she, in a moment of desperation and a hidden distrust, went directly to His Majesty.

This undoubtedly surpassed the Imperial Noble Consort.

Is the Imperial Noble Consort coming here now because she's dissatisfied? Or...

Before Concubine Kang could think about it, two footsteps stepped into the inner hall one after another.

Concubine Kang hurriedly gathered her thoughts, got off the couch and bowed, her voice trembling: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live Your Majesty!"

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine, may Her Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness!"

"I was ill and unable to come to greet you. Please forgive me, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine..."

Nangong Xuanyu raised his hand, his eyes fell on Concubine Kang, and his brows knitted slightly: "Since you are ill, there is no need to be polite."

Shen Zhinian didn't say anything immediately, but stood quietly beside the emperor. Those charming fox eyes fell on Concubine Kang's rash-covered face, with a slight scrutiny, as if weighing something.

Concubine Kang felt the gazes of the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Concubine, and remembered that the red rashes all over her face and body had not yet subsided, and she must look very ugly.

A strong sense of shame surged in her heart, and she subconsciously raised her hands and hurriedly covered her cheeks with the wide sleeves, wishing she could hide her entire body.

Only when the emperor's gaze turned away did Concubine Kang breathe a sigh of relief, still maintaining an attitude of apology: "I am in a terrible state and have lost my manners in front of you. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Nangong Xuanyu sat down in the main seat and waved his hand. His tone was indistinguishable from joy or anger. “Tell me, what exactly is going on?”

Concubine Kang then reported in detail how she discovered red rashes all over her body in the morning, how it itched unbearably, and how she missed the enthronement ceremony.

At the end, her voice was choked with sobs and fear: "...The imperial physician diagnosed that it was due to contact with something that caused the rash."

"I think back to last night until now, and my diet and daily life have been no different from before. I really don't know where I went wrong..."

The imperial physician bowed and recounted Concubine Kang's pulse, symptoms, and the diagnosis of urticaria.

Nangong Xuanyu listened without commenting, and first asked, "Where is the Fifth Prince? Is there anything wrong?"

Concubine Kang quickly said, "Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince is fine and has been cared for by his wet nurse in the side hall."

"Your Majesty... I'm glad that I'm the one who suffered this time. If I had used this trick on Sui'an, how could his small body withstand it..."

As she spoke, she raised her tearful eyes and pleaded, "Your Majesty, what happened today was absolutely no accident. Someone must have done this to prevent me from attending the enthronement ceremony!"

"This time it was me who did it. If the plot is against the Fifth Prince next time... I simply cannot imagine it!"

"I beg Your Majesty to intervene for me and the Fifth Prince and find the person harboring these evil intentions!"

Shen Zhinian sat quietly by the side, listening to Concubine Kang's tearful accusations.

Her gaze fell on Concubine Kang's red and swollen face, and an indescribable complex look flashed in the depths of her eyes, but she remained silent.

Nangong Xuanyu's face was solemn, and Concubine Kang's worry obviously touched him.

The emperor pondered for a moment, then ordered Li Changde, "Go, call Su Quanye over."

Li Changde bowed and said, "I obey your command!"

Upon hearing this, Concubine Kang felt a little relieved.

Su Quanye is the Chief of the Ministry of Punishment, in charge of the palace's prisons. He is ruthless and meticulous. With him investigating, the truth will surely come to light.

It only took a cup of tea for Su Quanye to arrive.

He was thin and had an ordinary face, but his eyes were very sharp, as if they could see through people's hearts.

After entering, Su Quanye saluted neatly: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort, and the Consort Kang!"

"Get up."

Nangong Xuanyu raised his hand. "I'm sure Li Changde has already told you about Concubine Kang's case. I order you to immediately investigate what caused Concubine Kang's narcotic rash and whether there is anyone behind it."

"The slave obeys the order!"

Su Quanye didn't say much. After receiving the order, he began to investigate.

He did not rush to ask Concubine Kang, but first quietly inspected the inner and outer halls of Chuxiu Palace.

Su Quanye's movements were extremely light, but his eyes scanned every corner carefully.

He first checked the pajamas and bedding that Concubine Kang had worn yesterday, gently twisted the fabric with his fingertips, and then leaned in to smell it carefully.

Then, Su Quanye walked to the dressing table, picked up the rouge, powder, hair oil and perfume one by one, opened the lids and looked at their color or smelled their scent, her movements neither hurried nor slow.

Then, he looked at the palace maids who attended to Concubine Kang's daily life and began to ask them one by one: "When did Concubine Kang take a bath last night? When did she receive the perfume and flower petals she used? And who gave them to her?"

"When was the court dress that Your Majesty was supposed to wear today retrieved from the Imperial Household Department? Where was it placed after it was retrieved? Did it pass through anyone else's hands?"

"Her Majesty, besides your daily meals, have you consumed anything else since last night? A cup of tea, a piece of pastry, all require careful consideration."

"besides……"

Su Quan and Ip Man were extremely detailed, even including details such as whether there were new decorations and potted plants added to the house recently.

Under his cold gaze, the palace servants were all trembling with fear and trying hard to recall every detail.

Su Quanye listened quietly, his sharp eyes lingering for a moment on the face of a palace maid who was answering, and then moving away without leaving a trace.

He paid particular attention to the court robe that he had not yet put on, and checked it carefully inside and out, even the seams of the lining.

Then, Su Quanye asked someone to bring the bath beans and moisturizing cream that Concubine Kang usually used. He picked up a little with a small silver spoon, put it to the tip of his nose and sniffed it, his eyebrows moving slightly.

He was very patient and did not miss any possible smell or trace.

Concubine Kang watched intently, hoping that Su Quanye could find out the truth as soon as possible. She was also worried about what kind of people and things would be involved behind the truth...

Su Quanye narrowed his eyes, took the box of moisturizing cream in his hand, and did not make a statement immediately.

He had been immersed in the Ministry of Punishment for many years and had witnessed too many dirty tricks hidden under the fragrance of cosmetics. He had some ideas about the properties of some unconventional and strange things.

But Su Quanye knew very well that making rash judgments was a taboo in the harem.

He turned around and handed the porcelain box in his hand to the imperial physician waiting beside him. "I'd appreciate your careful examination of this item."

The imperial physician did not dare to delay and took it over quickly.

He first looked at its color, which was different from usual.

When I smelled it closely, I could smell the familiar elegant floral scent at first.

The imperial physician fetched a silver spoon, scraped off a little, placed it under his nose to sniff more deeply, then pinched it open with his fingertips to examine it carefully, his brows gradually furrowed.

After checking it several times, he turned to Nangong Xuanyu and Shen Zhinian with a serious expression: "Your Majesty, Royal Noble Consort, this ointment has indeed been added with something extra."