Now that Yue Chen was protected by the Prince Regent, ordinary charges couldn't be pinned on her. That's why they came up with this scheme of accusing her of poisoning the imperial heir. Whether it was true or not, once this matter leaked out, it would more or less affect Yue Chen's position as empress. It was normal for concubines in the harem to vie for favor, but the imperial heir was a different matter. Yu Qian had just ascended the throne not long ago, and the imperial bloodline was scarce. Once this incident occurred, the memorial from the Ministry of Rites requesting a conviction would be placed on the emperor's imperial desk tomorrow.

　　He Jieyu was so eager today because this matter couldn't wait. The longer it was delayed, the more changes there would be. There were so many ways to frame someone, yet she chose the one with the highest risk and the greatest potential gain. After all, the words of a Jieyu or the servants in her palace didn't carry as much weight as the diagnosis of an imperial doctor from the Imperial Hospital.

　　If a Jieyu could bribe an imperial doctor from the Imperial Hospital, how could she, as the empress, the sole mistress of the harem, be inferior? With her rank clearly visible, anyone with eyes could tell who was more worthy of allegiance.

　　After leaving the palace garden, she originally wanted to go to He Jieyu's residence. Looking at the long and solemn palace walls, she sighed helplessly. She didn't know the way. So she casually stopped a passing eunuch and had him lead her to He Jieyu's Zhilan Palace.

　　Chen Zhi stood guard at the entrance of Zhilan Palace. She had rushed here directly, surely arriving faster than the palace maid who went to invite the imperial doctor. Waiting here, she could just catch the imperial doctor when he came.

　　“Your servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager,” said the visitor, Imperial Doctor Chen. He was nearly fifty years old, with a long, white beard, and had a kind and gentle appearance. One could still vaguely make out some of his youthful handsomeness from his wrinkled face.

　　Chen Zhi sized him up quietly. This was the imperial doctor bribed by He Jieyu. If she let him in easily, she would lose the initiative. In a short while, the news of He Jieyu's miscarriage could spread, and the palace maids and eunuchs around her would insist that it was the empress's doing. That's how all the palace intrigue scripts went, right?

　　Chen Zhi remained silent, and Imperial Doctor Chen could only keep his bowed posture. After all, he was getting on in years. In less than three quarters of an hour, his old back couldn't take it anymore, and it started to ache.

　　Imperial Doctor Chen's eyes darted around. He already knew very well what he was here for, but he didn't expect to be stopped at the palace gate by the Empress Dowager before he even entered. The longer the time passed, the more flustered and terrified he became.

　　Falsely accusing the empress was, of course, a serious crime. If it succeeded, all would be well, but if it failed, his entire family would be wiped out. At this moment, he deeply regretted why he had been greedy for the gold, silver, antiques, and calligraphy and paintings sent by He Jieyu. If the palace maid who came to invite him hadn't implied that the emperor knew about this matter, he wouldn't have dared to do such a treasonous act that would implicate his nine - generation family, no matter how bold he was.

　　It would be better if the Empress Dowager said something, but she just stood there quietly, letting Imperial Doctor Chen guess wildly in his heart. This was the most deadly part.

　　The palace maid who led Imperial Doctor Chen here saw Chen Zhi standing at the palace gate, neither speaking nor allowing them to pass. She was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan but didn't dare to overstep. Her mistress couldn't get the better of the Empress Dowager in words, let alone her, a mere palace maid. If she overstepped the bounds, a single word from the Empress Dowager could cost her life. Moreover, since her mistress was doing such an evil thing, she felt a bit guilty and didn't dare to look up directly.

　　Just when they could no longer bear it and were about to collapse to their knees, Chen Zhi finally spoke. “A few days ago, I injured my head and stayed in the Imperial Hospital for a few days. Imperial Doctor Chen should remember that, right?”

　　Imperial Doctor Chen quickly replied, “Your servant dare not forget. Of course, I remember.”

　　“The Prince Regent's treatment of me was seen by everyone in the Imperial Hospital. The day the Prince Regent carried me, with blood all over my head, the entire Imperial Hospital witnessed it clearly. My maternal family committed such a heinous crime of treason. I should have cut my own throat to atone for my sins. But there were those who were reluctant to see me die. Even at the celebration banquet, someone single - handedly protected my position as empress. These things, Imperial Doctor Chen, being in the palace, must have heard of them, right?”

　　Imperial Doctor Chen nodded repeatedly like a pounding garlic.

　　“Imperial Doctor Chen has lived to such an old age. There must be many beautiful concubines in your family, and you surely have children. Why involve yourself in the whirlpool of the harem? You surely understand the meaning of 'preserving oneself by staying away from trouble' better than I do.” Chen Zhi's gentle tone and casual words set off a huge wave in Imperial Doctor Chen's heart. In the past, he had also diagnosed and treated Yue Chen, but he had never felt such an unprecedented pressure as today. The Empress Dowager in front of him seemed like a completely different person from before. There was not a single word of coercion in her words, but when they reached his ears, they were full of intimidation.

　　“Your servant understands,” Imperial Doctor Chen quickly agreed. This was his last chance. If he missed it, he would offend both sides.

　　“He Jieyu is suffering from severe abdominal pain and is waiting for Imperial Doctor Chen in the inner hall. Come in with me quickly,” Chen Zhi said, turning around neatly and entering the inner hall. Even if Imperial Doctor Chen was so unwise as to oppose her, she wouldn't be angry. After all, there were more than one imperial doctor in the palace.

　　Chen Zhi sat beside the table, listening to the continuous cries of pain coming from the inner room. The act was really well - done, but unfortunately, besides her, there would be no one else to watch this show.

　　Since she had sent Rong Quan to ask the Prince Regent for help, she naturally believed in the Prince Regent's ability. I'm afraid the messenger sent to inform the emperor wouldn't even be able to enter the palace hall. The most important person in this play, the father of the child, wasn't coming. She really wanted to see how He Jieyu could continue this play.

　　Imperial Doctor Chen diagnosed the patient through the screen and soon came out to report, “He Jieyu fell and hit a hard stone, causing a large red and swollen area on her abdomen with bruises. However, it's not serious. After I prescribe a medicine, she will recover after taking it for a few days.”

　　“Good. Go and decoct the medicine,” Chen Zhi said, waving her hand to dismiss him.

　　“Your servant takes his leave,” Imperial Doctor Chen said, picking up his medicine box and hurrying away.

　　He Jieyu sat up on the bed in disbelief. The palace maid who had gone to invite Imperial Doctor Chen came to whisper in her ear. Hearing this, her eyes widened in shock.

　　Even if Yue Chen was different from before, she never expected such a huge change. The person in front of her couldn't be Yue Chen. If she was really so calm in the face of changes and decisive in her actions, how could she have been so easily tricked by Concubine Yun? Could it be that she had been pretending all along? But the price for that would be too high.

　　Chen Zhi removed the blocking screen and looked at her leisurely.

　　He Jieyu felt that the smile on Yue Chen's face at this moment was an extreme mockery of her. She had wanted to frame her with the crime of murdering the imperial heir, but she had so easily gotten away with it. Even if Imperial Doctor Chen had defected at the last moment, so what? The emperor hadn't come yet, and everything was just beginning.

　　Chen Zhi saw what was on her mind, sneered, and spoke, cutting off her last hope. “Who is He Jieyu still waiting for? The emperor? Unfortunately, he can't come.”