Chapter 94
Awakening

After a few days of spreading rumors about Huan Yan Zhai in the capital, there was still no response. Song Wan was preparing to approach the Tan family herself when she suddenly received an imperial decree from the Empress, summoning Lin Jiayue to the palace.

Only then did she realize that her aunt’s casual remarks had been taken to heart by the Empress.

“Have someone fetch a new set of clothes from the embroidery room. You two come with me to Xiu Yan Pavilion.”

“Miss, if Concubine Lin goes to the palace, won’t she cause trouble for you? What about the Marquis? Is he going to the palace? What if Concubine Lin…”

Heng Wu kept muttering. She wasn’t afraid of entering the palace or meeting the Empress, but she was terrified of being with Concubine Lin. If she went mad in front of the Empress, who knew what trouble she might cause?

“Miss, I’m afraid she’ll have another episode.”

Song Wan sighed silently. “We must obey the Empress’s decree. As the main wife of the Marquis’s residence, I can’t let a concubine enter the palace alone.”

Heng Zhi, being quick-witted, immediately instructed a second-class maid to go to the embroidery room.

When they arrived at Xiu Yan Pavilion with the clothes, Song Wan saw Lin Jiayue sitting in the corridor, lost in thought.

She had just lost her child and hadn’t fully recovered. Although it was autumn and not too cold, her weak body couldn’t handle it. Not to mention, they didn’t know what kind of ordeal awaited her in the palace.

Song Wan felt pity and said to Qian Bi, “Why didn’t you give Concubine Lin a cloak?”

Hearing her voice, Lin Jiayue slowly looked up. “Why are you here? What’s the matter?”

“The Empress has summoned you to the palace. I’ll go with you.”

Heng Zhi and Heng Wu helped Lin Jiayue into the room and changed her into new clothes.

“Bring some food and prepare some hot soup.”

“I can’t eat.”

Song Wan said calmly, “You should eat something. Who knows if you’ll have another chance to eat later.”

Lin Jiayue finally came to her senses. “Why does the Empress want to see me?”

Song Wan frowned. “Lead powder is toxic. Did you know that?”

“What is lead powder?”

“……” Song Wan’s eyes widened as if she had never expected such a question.

“The cosmetics from Huan Yan Zhai use lead powder from the Yanshan workshop. Didn’t you know?”

“What is lead powder?”

Song Wan was stunned. She prided herself on being intelligent, but every time she faced Lin Jiayue, she felt disoriented and dizzy. After a moment of contemplation, Song Wan said, “You didn’t know what it was, yet you used it in your shop and sold it to others?”

Lin Jiayue’s eyes were empty. “It’s just a branded product. High profit, high efficiency. I don’t need to know what’s in it.”

Not understanding what she was rambling about, Song Wan could only tell her that lead powder was toxic and that someone in the palace might have discovered it.

At this, Lin Jiayue began to panic. She had no fear of imperial power before, but that was in the past, before Jiang Jing, Madam Zhou, and her unborn child had died.

Now, she knew pain and fear.

Song Wan watched as Lin Jiayue became lost in thought again. It wasn’t until Heng Zhi and Heng Wu had dressed her and done her hair that Lin Jiayue finally spoke. “A few days ago, I couldn’t sleep and asked Qian Bi to get me some calming medicine. The physician didn’t give it to me.”

This ambiguous statement made Song Wan clench her handkerchief. After a long pause, she said, “The physician needs to check your pulse, write the diagnosis and prescription on a red slip, and send it to the pharmacy for the attending doctor to record. Only then can you get the medicine.”

“I see…” Lin Jiayue’s eyes reddened, and she murmured softly.

Seeing Heng Zhi and Heng Wu prepare everything for her, Lin Jiayue lifted her overly wide skirt and followed Song Wan.

When they were alone in the carriage, Lin Jiayue suddenly asked, “Did someone die from lead poisoning?”

“Lead powder harms the skin and, with prolonged use, can be fatal.”

Her Huan Yan Zhai had not been in business long enough to cause fatalities. Seeing her guilty expression, Song Wan remained silent.

With most people, Song Wan could gauge their thoughts, but Lin Jiayue was always an enigma.

The carriage fell silent. As they neared the palace, Lin Jiayue asked, “Am I doomed?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is there any way I can survive?”

Song Wan lowered her gaze, quickly calculating.

If there was trouble, Consort Jiang would likely blame Lin Jiayue entirely, which was not the desired outcome.

“Those in power are suspicious, and those below…”

“I don’t understand. Speak plainly.”

Song Wan pursed her lips and paused. “Those in power are highly suspicious. The more you deny, the more suspicious you seem. If you take all the blame, you might escape.”

“You’re not tricking me?” Lin Jiayue laughed bitterly. “You wouldn’t deceive me. You probably think I’m foolish to end up like this.”

Her eyes reddened, tears threatening to fall, but Song Wan saw a glimmer of clarity in them.

If the old Lin Jiayue was like a pearl covered in dust… now she seemed a bit smarter.

Turning her head, Song Wan lifted the curtain slightly and looked outside. “People fight for credit when things go well and shirk blame when they don’t. This is human nature. The palace is full of cunning people. The more you act contrary to expectations, the less they’ll let you have your way.”

Whether the lead powder had reached the palace was uncertain. Lin Jiayue was insignificant. Neither the Empress nor the concubines would care about her. Their target was Jiang Man. Summoning her was just a formality.

But the consequences of this formality were unpredictable. If she played her cards right, she might survive.

Song Wan released the curtain.

Upon entering the palace, they were taken to the Empress’s quarters. Inside, Song Wan saw over a dozen concubines, including Consort Jiang and her aunt, as well as the rarely seen Noble Consort Rong.

Frowning, she led Lin Jiayue inside.

After paying respects, Song Wan stood aside while Lin Jiayue stood alone before the group.

“Are you Concubine Lin? Did you make the cosmetics from Huan Yan Zhai?”

“Do you know how many people you’ve harmed? Sending such toxic items into the palace, what were you thinking? Do you know the punishment for poisoning the consorts?”

Lin Jiayue, eyes red, glanced pitifully at Jiang Man, who was infuriated and nearly broke her nails gripping the incense table.

“Your Majesty, it was me. I made them.” With a thud, Lin Jiayue knelt. “It’s all my fault.”

“I love the Marquis. It’s all my fault. I just wanted to help the Marquis’s residence earn some money…”

Before the palace officials could ask more, Lin Jiayue took all the blame, never mentioning Jiang Man. Moreover, she spoke endlessly of her love for Jiang Xingjian, recounting their love at first sight and vows of eternal love, appearing utterly devoted.

Already ill, Lin Jiayue shamelessly spoke of her love for Jiang Xingjian, her madness causing the concubines to frown and squint.

Song Wan was surprised by her actions, realizing Lin Jiayue wasn’t as foolish as she had thought.