Chapter 34

In the harem, the treatment of those with and without offspring is vastly different.

Even giving birth to a princess is far better than not bearing any children at all.

Favor is what they strive for, but offspring are the foundation of their survival.

Ning Fei is now in her thirties. Compared to the young and fresh new concubines who have just entered the palace, she is already considered old and less attractive. The emperor has rarely spent the night in her palace in recent years.

However, even so, others do not dare to underestimate her. Her share of everything must not be reduced, and her life in the palace is quite comfortable. Even the Empress has to give her some face.

All of this is because she gave birth to the Fourth Prince.

When Ning Fei learned that the Empress had summoned her, she did not think much of it. After a brief dressing, she took a sedan chair to the Pepper Room Palace.

The palace maid carefully helped Ning Fei step down from the sedan chair.

Ning Fei looked at the grand entrance of the Pepper Room Palace, clicked her tongue, and felt a mix of disdain and jealousy.

Empress Qin, as the head of the six palaces, appears to be in a glorious position, and everyone wants to curry favor with her. However, everyone knows that Empress Qin is like a hen that doesn't lay eggs. For so many years, apart from a pregnancy in her early years, she has never conceived again.

The emperor and the empress dowager do not allow anyone to discuss this matter, but everyone is not foolish. They can guess that Empress Qin must have been injured during a miscarriage, which prevented her from conceiving again.

Ning Fei has thought more than once that Empress Qin is just occupying the toilet without defecating.

Clearly unable to bear children, yet she still clings to the position of empress without any self-awareness!

The palace maid whispered, "Madam, be careful of the threshold."

Ning Fei stepped over the high threshold of the Pepper Room Palace, entered the hall, and knelt to pay respects to Empress Qin.

Empress Qin was wearing a black wide-sleeved long dress. The deep color made her appear even more cold and distant.

The head palace maid, Pearl, stepped forward with a silk handkerchief, which held a round jade pendant.

Empress Qin asked, "Is this something from Ning Fei's palace?"

When Ning Fei saw the jade pendant, her pupils dilated slightly.

She instinctively clutched her sleeve, forcing a smile to appear on her face, trying to look more composed and natural.

"This was given to me by the Empress Dowager last year. I didn't see it when I was organizing my things recently, and I thought I had lost it. I was just about to report it to the Inner Affairs Office to help me find it, but I didn't expect it to end up in Your Majesty's hands."

Empress Qin said coldly, "This jade pendant was found on a palace maid named Tanchua."

Without hesitation, Ning Fei quickly replied, "I do not know this person."

"I do not care whether you know Tanchua or not. What I know is that Tanchua attempted to poison the Crown Prince, and she had your jade pendant."

Ning Fei was shocked and pale, "I have never thought of poisoning the Crown Prince. I am innocent!"

"Innocent?" Empress Qin laughed coldly, "In this harem, no one is innocent."

"I am truly being wronged. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly!"

Ning Fei knelt and bowed, cold sweat already breaking out on her back.

Empress Qin looked at her coldly, "This jade pendant is evidence of your attempt to harm the Crown Prince. Even if you refuse to confess, I cannot let you off today. Bring Ning Fei down and give her thirty strokes of the cane."

Ning Fei screamed in terror, "Your Majesty, spare my life!"

Two strong nurses walked in, grabbed Ning Fei's arms from either side, covered her mouth, and dragged her out roughly.

Immediately, Ning Fei's screams of pain could be heard from outside.