Zong Zhengjin indeed proved with his actions what he said that day, to work harder, not just the number of times at night, but also almost every day staying in Guan Yu Palace, and his favor towards her reached a peak.

  But despite this, the palace wives and concubines had many complaints. Openly and secretly, they let the empress advise the emperor to share his favors equally. Unfortunately, the empress dismissed those wives and concubines on the grounds that the dowager hoped that Zhen would give birth to a royal heir. So others could only watch as the emperor went to Guan Yu's palace every day.

  It is said that after hearing the news, Cining Palace smashed a set of fine Jingtai blue and red coral tea cups. It is even said that Cining Palace summoned the imperial physician twice. However, rumors are just rumors. The empress dowager would not do something that would slap her own face. Others naturally wouldn't dare to touch that sore spot either.

  No matter what others think, Su Jing is always content and carefree. Her daily life is quite comfortable and leisurely. The Empress Dowager, citing her own poor health, has suspended the morning greetings ceremony for the imperial consorts. As a result, after rolling in the sheets with Zong Zhengjin every night, she can still sleep in a bit longer in the mornings.

  It was daytime. Su Jing slowly got up from bed, glanced at the hourglass and saw that it was almost noon. She cleared her throat. "Jingyu."

  Xiang Yao walked in and said, "Master, you're awake."

  "What are you talking about outside?" Just as she fell asleep, she heard faintly that they were discussing something outside.

  Xiang Ya's expression didn't change. She walked to the side and picked up her skirt. "Master, did we disturb you? We servants were just discussing what dishes to prepare for your lunch."

  Su Jing nodded in response, not suspecting anything else. Ever since Zong Zhengjin clearly expressed his desire for her to have a child, the servants in the Guan Yuge Palace were far more excited than she was. Led by Ting Yao, they deliberated every day on what kind of nourishing food to prepare for her to supplement her body, and basically didn't repeat any dishes.

  Su Jingxiang is also very cooperative. After all, she herself needs to grow up too. Moreover, if the mother's body is not healthy, the child born may also have some defects, which is absolutely not what she wants to see.

  "Wait upon the queen and help her with her toilette."

  Su Jinglian put on her clothes and sat in front of the dresser after a simple wash. "Where's Daiman?"

  Every morning it's basically Dai Man who combs her hair. Now suddenly it's changed to Ting Yao, and it feels a bit unfamiliar instead.

  Yao was startled. She picked up the white jade comb with floral patterns from the dresser. "Master, your hair has always been so smooth and shiny black. I've combed it for you countless times. Yet, you only remember that Dai Man Ni Zi."

  Su Jing let out a soft laugh. "Why must you be like that? Ben Pei was just asking casually, and you've answered already. If you hadn't answered, Ben Pei wouldn't have done anything to you either. Where did all this resentment come from?"

  "The master dotes on Daiman. Servants always have something to complain about." Yao's hands moved swiftly as she scolded.

  Su Jing smiled faintly and said, "Alright, alright. Help Ben Pei go have a meal."

  The portion of the meal is different from before, but there are also two more side dishes. In total, there are now four dishes, one soup, and two desserts that can be eaten, as well as three main courses. Especially some of the more precious dishes, because she is now considered a favored concubine, the people in the imperial kitchen also bring some extra ingredients each time they deliver food.

  Although it may be out of line, as long as it's not the emperor, empress or empress dowager's portion, others won't easily offend her over such trivial matters. So everyone just turns a blind eye.

  After eating a simple meal, Su Jingzhen lay on the couch for a while, then suddenly sat up and realized that something was wrong. "Where's Daiman?"

  "Master, Daiman has gone out. He said he was going to see if the peach blossoms in Taoyuan have bloomed." Yao walked over and said in a low voice.

  Su Jing observed her expression carefully, and after a few moments of silence, said: "Is that so? Then let her come see Ben Pei. Is one quarter of an hour enough time, or should it be two quarters?"

  Jiao's face turned pale with anxiety. She knew she couldn't escape. Hurriedly, she knelt down on the ground. "Please forgive me, Master."

  "Listen, Yao. You should know what kind of person Ben Pei is. You may have deceived me for a moment, but you can't deceive me forever." The cool tone was like jade, cold and unfeeling.

  Ting Yao knelt on the ground, but struggled for a few seconds, bumped his head and said in a low voice, "Return to Master, Dai Man has been poisoned."

  Her face showed concern, and she hastily said, "I've already treated her, there's no danger to her life, nor does she need any medicinal soup to aid her. She'll recover naturally in a little over half a month."

  "What is the toxicity? Are there any side effects."

  "The toxicity... is quite special. Only during the poisoning period, the face will gradually become swollen and red spots will appear all over the body with edema. Apart from affecting appearance, some people may have difficulty walking. Otherwise, it's harmless and not contagious to others."

  "Why did I get poisoned? How long has it been?" Su Jing got up and walked out.

  Xiang Yao followed closely behind him. "The poisoning won't last more than two days. It just became apparent this morning, and that's when I noticed it. As for why he was poisoned, he must have touched something he shouldn't have."

  "Uh..."

  "Master, rest assured. This morning, the servants have thoroughly inspected the entire Guan Gong Palace. The wing where you reside has been checked inside and out at least three times. Nothing unusual was found. Therefore..."

  "So the poison was applied from the outside and it's specifically targeted at Daiman." Su Jing walked towards the ear house on the side.

  This is almost certainly a deliberate and targeted conspiracy.

  Like Yuhe and Daiman, such a big palace maid has her own separate room.

  "The slave has seen the master." Xiang and others stood at the door, seeing her coming over, hastily saluting in a flurry.

  Su Jing waved her hand. "Get up. You open the door."

  Dai Man leaned against the door inside and said loudly, "Master, I'm not presentable. Master, you'd better not come in, lest your eyes be tainted."

  Su Jingxi was somewhat angry and said loudly, "Ben Pei said to open the door."

  The people around her were shocked. Obviously, they didn't expect her to get angry. After all, it had been so long since she had ever seen her lose her temper. Even the previous incident with Qing and Xia hadn't made her this angry. While being afraid, they also felt a little moved.

  Being a slave is just like being a humble servant, life is as fragile as grass. Many times whether one can live or not depends on the master's single word. Being able to serve a master who clearly distinguishes between rewards and punishments is already a great fortune, let alone serving a master who considers the well-being of his slaves.

  Dai Man couldn't help but shed tears. Slowly opened the door from inside. Kneeling on the ground. "Master..."

  She never thought that the master would personally come to the palace maid's room to see her. No matter how angry she looked, the concern in her eyes could not be hidden. There was even a posture of wanting to seek justice for her.

  Su Jing even without seeing her face clearly, could feel that she had gained a lot of weight through her figure, at least her figure was out of shape. He walked over and helped her up personally.

  "I can finally figure out what's going on."

  Dai Man wiped away her tears, her voice choked with emotion. "As for Master's words... I've thought about it over and over again. It was just two days ago when I went to Yanqing Pavilion to deliver gifts. When I came out, I bumped into one of Princess Qi's palace maids face-to-face. But at the time, I didn't feel anything unusual. As for anything else... I really can't think of anything..."

  This matter Su Jing knew. A few days ago was Du Wanru's birthday. Didn't hold any banquet. It's just that the concubines in the harem looked at the Empress Dowager and the flesh in her belly. Sent some gifts.

  After casually asking Zong Zhengjin for his opinion, she sent a not-so-outstanding gift through Dai Man the next day, but didn't know what would happen afterwards.

  "Have you two started arguing again?" Su Jing asked, "Has she bullied you?"

  Dai Man shook her head. When their eyes met, she pursed her lips. "She just said a few words to me, I didn't respond and came back."

  Although that's what she said, Su Jing could easily guess that things wouldn't be so simple. Dai Man was indeed a bit careless by nature, but he was also very discerning and knew what was appropriate and what wasn't. He wouldn't cause trouble for her.

  It wasn't until now that she realized she had been making a huge mistake all along. This time, the opportunity was just right to correct it.

  "Your humble servant greets his master." Little Fu ran in from outside and bowed.

  "Get up." Su Jing walked out and stood at the door.

  "The master, I've just found out that the palace maid beside Consort Qi went to the Taiyi Hospital a few days ago to fetch medicine. Among them was one item that contained the same fragrance as the perfume in the powder used by the palace maid, which is the poison that killed Dame Dai."

  "You must have solid evidence." Su Jing didn't want to ask how he had found out, but instead asked directly.

  Xiao Fu nodded. "The lower courts of Tai Hospital all have records. They can be consulted. It's just that she might not admit..."

  The imperial hospital is divided into two departments, the upper and lower courts. The upper court serves these masters exclusively. As for the lower court, it refers to the eunuchs and palace maids in the palace. Compared to each other, they are different by a whole lot.

  "Whether she recognizes you or not is one thing, as long as you're certain it's her, that's all that matters." Su Jingfan shook his head and let out a sigh. "You just focus on recovering for now. If you need anything, just tell Tingyao directly."

  Su Jing stepped forward two steps. "Find a small palace maid to attend to Dai Man first. She's not convenient to move around. Let people help her more. Only when the injury is healed will it be alright."

  "Yes." Yao listened and bowed. Ying replied.

  "Besides, you have done something that greatly displeases me. Daiman is my senior palace maid. Whatever happens to her also affects my reputation. Keeping this from me will not help. I hope you can take this as a warning." Su Jingyan didn't want to look at them anymore and shifted her gaze to the distance.

  "This queen doesn't want to bother with who came up with this idea. This time, Yao will be punished by having half a year's salary deducted. Everyone else will be fined three months' worth. A minor punishment serves as a warning. If there's a next time, just leave the Guan Yun Palace directly."

  Everyone was shocked in their hearts. Hurriedly kneeling on the ground. "I know I'm wrong, please forgive me."

  Su Jingxiang let them kneel on the ground and directly returned to the side hall.