Chapter 24: The Scapegoat Princess Sentenced to Death

Driven by an overwhelming instinct for survival, Consort Guang proved herself uncharacteristically reliable. Upon entering, she didn't even dare to look at Emperor Tianwu before dropping to her knees and wailing loudly:

"Your Majesty, I have been wronged!"

"Someone in this palace has cast a witchcraft curse upon me. They have cursed me with... with something unknown growing in my belly. It appeared in an instant; it is absolutely not a pregnancy."

"Your Majesty, you must seek justice for me!"

Having already heard the mysterious voice earlier and knowing of the strange changes to his own body, Emperor Tianwu understood exactly what had happened to her. He did not doubt her claims, accepting that her belly had indeed grown inexplicably.

However, the two other people present were completely in the dark. They were struck dumb, terrified by the implications of what they were hearing. Could they even survive after learning such secrets? Had the Emperor summoned Consort Guang because he already knew of this? But was this truly the right time for such a revelation?

Their minds were in chaos, filled with swirling thoughts, yet they had to remain composed and restrained, not daring to let a single expression flicker across their faces. They didn't even dare to speak, trying their best to shrink into the background.

"Stop that pitiful display. Find a place to sit. The imperial physicians will be here shortly to consult, and they shall examine you then!"

Though Consort Guang looked wretched, Emperor Tianwu could muster no sympathy for her, especially since he himself was in an uncertain state. If his suspicions were correct, the culprit behind this curse was undoubtedly linked to his own beastly son, Prince Lu. Before the prince had begun his studies in the Imperial Study, he had been raised entirely by Consort Guang. Given the mountain of sins the boy had committed, she clearly bore a significant share of the responsibility. He felt he was the one being dragged down by that mother and son. How could he possibly pity her?

Emperor Tianwu genuinely felt his reasoning was sound, as he had never raised or tutored Prince Lu and rarely saw him. Between managing the affairs of the state and occasionally tending to the Crown Prince, he had no time for his other sons.

Consort Guang was puzzled as to why the Emperor was not in the slightest bit angry, but she knew that at a time like this, silence was golden. She obediently found a cushion nearby and sat down.

A heavy silence fell over the room as they waited. They waited for the imperial physicians and the Taoist masters to arrive.

Efficiency at such an hour was naturally limited. Even with the Emperor’s urgent decree, they could not simply fly. Moreover, horses were forbidden on the long approach to the palace, and once inside, unless specifically permitted, even palanquins were prohibited. They had to rely on their own legs, sprinting and jogging toward the Zichen Hall.

The group of imperial physicians included the youngest, who was in his early forties, and the oldest, who was nearly eighty. Before the elderly ones even reached the hall, they had already lost half their vitality.

By the time they arrived, dawn was beginning to break. After performing the mandatory rites, those who knew the Emperor’s usual appearance or had seen his medical records were stunned. How could the Emperor have grown so rotund in just a few days? Many of the physicians glanced at Zhou Yan, their eyes silently demanding an explanation. Though he dared not speak, Zhou Yan used his eyes to signal that the matter was treacherous and that everyone should look out for themselves, before retreating into a corner to play the mute. He prayed the Emperor would not remember him as the physician on duty and would instead vent his temper on the senior officials of the Imperial Medical Academy.

Despite their inner confusion, they knew the pulse was the final authority. The high-ranking officials—the Chief of the Academy and the two senior inspectors—stepped forward to take the Emperor’s pulse. The results were essentially consistent: aside from the sudden obesity, there were no major issues. As for why he had gained so much weight overnight, they had no idea. Daring not to speak the truth, they merely stated that they needed to investigate further and asked to withdraw to a side chamber to deliberate.

Emperor Tianwu refused. He ordered them to examine Consort Guang as well.

It was only then that the newly arrived physicians noticed her and her distended belly. Those who were uninformed and slow-witted found it strange that a pregnant concubine would be waiting for physicians at such an hour. Those who were sharp-witted were instantly struck with terror, knowing full well that Consort Guang had not been favored by the Emperor for a long time and had recently been under house arrest—pregnancy was impossible.

Only Physician Zhu was completely bewildered, starting to doubt his own senses. He had treated Consort Guang for a cold half a month ago and she had shown no signs of pregnancy then. How could her belly grow so large in two weeks? It defied all reason!

Because of the disparity in their information, the expressions and states of mind among the group varied wildly.

They had no choice but to proceed with the pulse examination. The senior physicians found their confusion deepening: Consort Guang’s pulse felt like that of a pregnancy, yet not quite a normal one. Typically, a belly of that size should reveal a second pulse, but here, only one could be felt. It felt as if she were carrying a stillborn child.

As for further examinations, such as listening for a fetal heartbeat, they dared not even attempt it. They could only state that they were uncertain and needed to deliberate. Fortunately, Emperor Tianwu understood that the bizarre condition affecting both him and the Consort was likely beyond the reach of conventional medicine, so he did not press them. He quickly granted them permission to discuss the matter in private.

Next, he summoned Zhang Jing, the second-rank Master Ziyun of the Celestial Master’s Mansion, and Xu You, the Director of the Imperial Observatory, to see if they had any solutions.

Meanwhile, outside the palace, the hundred officials arriving for the morning court were stopped by eunuchs and informed that the Emperor was indisposed and court was canceled for the day. They departed in small groups, whispering and speculating about what could have happened within the palace walls. Since the events had occurred under the cover of night, no news had yet leaked, and they could conclude nothing. Only a few officials, who happened to be neighbors with certain imperial physicians, noted that their neighbors had been urgently summoned to the palace over an hour ago. Perhaps the Emperor was truly ill.

The bold, the high-ranking, and those already aligned with specific princes stayed behind, scrambling to gather intelligence. They wanted to know if the Emperor was merely slightly unwell or suffering from a grave, life-threatening illness. The latter would be a disaster for those not in the Crown Prince's faction, but a stroke of good fortune for those who were.

Soon after, the Crown Prince and the few princes who had not yet been sent to their fiefs arrived at the palace, ostensibly to express their deep concern for Emperor Tianwu. Whether their worry was genuine or feigned, the Emperor was ill, and as sons still in the capital, they had to make a show of filial piety.