After becoming rich overnight, I handed over the system.

Chapter 487 Physician Lin

"And..." Imperial Physician Li stammered, "His Majesty issued an edict today, promoting Consort Shen to the rank of Noble Consort, placing her on equal footing with the Empress..."

"What?" Liu Rumei stood up abruptly, her face ashen.

Just then, an announcement came from outside the palace: "Consort Shen has arrived—"

Liu Rumei quickly composed herself and put on a dignified and appropriate smile.

Shen Qinghe, dressed in the court dress of a noble consort, walked slowly towards them, surrounded by palace servants.

Although she was only three months pregnant, she was already being carefully supported by others.

"Congratulations, elder sister." Shen Qinghe nodded slightly, her smile gentle, but there was no smile in her eyes. "His Majesty has bestowed upon me the title of Imperial Concubine, and I have come to pay my respects to you, elder sister."

Liu Rumei dug her nails into her palms, but her smile grew even warmer: "Sister, you're too kind. Now that you're carrying the emperor's child, you're the most precious person in the palace. Please, have a seat."

The two exchanged insincere pleasantries, their words laced with hidden barbs. Suddenly, Shen Qinghe changed the subject: "Speaking of which, a strange thing happened in my palace a few days ago. A bowl of medicine meant to prevent miscarriage actually poisoned the peony by the window. Isn't that strange, sister?"

Liu Rumei's smile remained unchanged: "There are many troubles in the palace. Now that you have a different status, you must be even more careful."

“Sister is right,” Shen Qinghe gently stroked her abdomen, “That’s why the Emperor specially assigned more people to protect me and my son. Even our food and medicine are handled by trusted confidants, and no outsiders are allowed to handle them anymore.”

Liu Rumei's heart sank, knowing that Shen Qinghe was warning her.

After seeing Shen Qinghe off, Liu Rumei dismissed everyone around her and stood alone by the window for a long time.

Jinxiu cautiously stepped forward: "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Liu Rumei suddenly laughed, a laugh that sent chills down Jinxiu's spine: "What could possibly happen to me? Shen Qinghe thinks this will keep me at bay? How naive."

She turned and took out a small jade bottle from the depths of her dressing case: "This is a secret medicine that my father obtained from the Western Regions. It is colorless and odorless. It will not take effect immediately after taking it, but will slowly accumulate in the body. When the time comes for childbirth, the patient will bleed to death. At that time, no one will be able to find out the cause."

Jinxiu turned pale with fright: "Your Majesty, this is too dangerous! What if it's discovered..."

“We can’t find anything,” Liu Rumei said, her eyes flashing with madness. “This medicine comes from a secret recipe in the Western Regions, unknown to anyone in the Central Plains. Besides, I’ve already decided on the person who will deliver it.”

She whispered a few instructions to Jinxiu, who became increasingly alarmed as she listened.

"Go, do as I say." Liu Rumei placed the jade bottle into Jinxiu's hand. "Remember, if this matter is exposed, neither of us will escape death."

Jinxiu accepted the jade bottle with trembling hands, bowed, and withdrew.

Looking at her beautiful face in the mirror, Liu Rumei murmured to herself, "Shen Qinghe, do you think you can win? The mistress of this harem can only be me."

The woman in the mirror smiled alluringly, but her eyes were full of malice.

Outside the window, dark clouds suddenly gathered, and a storm was about to break.

Thunder roared and rain poured down, as if even the heavens were cheering on this palace intrigue.

Jinxiu, holding an oil-paper umbrella, hurried through the rain and arrived at the side hall of the Imperial Pharmacy.

This is the residence of Lin Yuan, the newly appointed imperial physician. He is another pawn planted by Consort Liu, and he is even more well-hidden than Imperial Physician Li.

"Imperial Physician Lin, Her Majesty has given an order." Jinxiu lowered her voice and handed over the jade bottle, "Mix this medicine into Consort Shen's food in small amounts each time, so that it is undetectable."

Lin Yuan took the jade bottle, his hands trembling slightly: "What kind of medicine is this? What if it's discovered..."

"Her Majesty said that the secret medicine from the Western Regions is unknown to anyone in the Central Plains." Jinxiu looked at him coldly. "Don't forget, your sister was able to become a maid in the palace entirely because of Her Majesty's connections. If things go well, not only will your sister be able to leave the palace and marry into a good family, but you will also be promoted to Imperial Physician."

Lin Yuan's face showed struggle, but he finally lowered his head and said, "Your subject obeys."

"Be careful, Consort Shen is heavily guarded now." After saying this, Jinxiu turned and disappeared into the rain.

Lin Yuan gripped the jade bottle tightly in his hand and stood there for a long time.

Inside the Huicao Palace, Shen Qinghe was talking quietly with her trusted maid, Qing'er.

"Is Yun'er settled in?" Shen Qinghe asked.

Qing'er nodded: "As Your Majesty instructed, her mother has been taken out for treatment. Yun'er is extremely grateful and said she is willing to do anything for Your Majesty."

Shen Qinghe sighed softly: "She doesn't need to do anything. Just protect yourself. Consort Liu is ruthless. If she finds out that Yun'er failed and was exposed, she will definitely not let her go."

"Your Majesty is kind and benevolent." Qing'er's eyes were full of admiration. "However, Consort Liu will never let this go. We need to be even more careful."

Shen Qinghe looked out the window at the torrential rain, her gaze deep: "Although the Emperor has promoted me and increased my manpower, in this deep palace, it is easy to dodge open attacks, but difficult to guard against hidden arrows."

She gently stroked her lower abdomen. "For the sake of the child, I must be more vigilant."

Just then, a voice came from outside the door: "Imperial Physician Lin has come to take your pulse."

Shen Qinghe and Qing'er exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

Lin Yuan bowed and entered, then took Shen Qinghe's pulse.

Throughout the process, his eyes flickered, glancing occasionally at the teacups on the table.

"Your Highness's pulse is steady, though slightly weak, likely due to recent mental strain." Lin Yuan withdrew his hand. "I will prescribe a calming and invigorating formula for Your Highness to take as prescribed."

Shen Qinghe said gently, "Thank you for your trouble, Physician Lin. Qing'er, please serve Physician Lin some tea."

When Qing'er served tea, she deliberately let her hand slip, causing the teacup to fall and shatter on the ground.

Lin Yuan subconsciously took a step back, his expression flustered.

"This servant made a mistake, please forgive me, Imperial Physician," Qing'er quickly apologized.

"It's alright, it's alright," Lin Yuanqiang said, trying to remain calm.

Shen Qinghe took everything in, but remained expressionless: "Imperial Physician Lin's clothes are wet. Why don't you go to the side hall to change before you return?"

Lin Yuan repeatedly said there was no need and hurriedly took his leave.

After he left, Qing'er whispered, "Your Majesty, this Physician Lin is indeed suspicious. When he was serving tea just now, his first reaction was not to avoid the hot water, but to protect something in his sleeve."

Shen Qinghe's gaze turned slightly cold: "Send someone to keep a close eye on him. All prescriptions and medicinal herbs that pass through his hands must be secretly inspected before use."

A month later, Shen Qinghe's pregnant belly had begun to show.

During this time, Consort Liu made several attempts to test her, but she skillfully defused each one.

On this day, the Emperor held a banquet in the Imperial Garden, inviting the concubines of the harem to admire the newly opened peonies.

Consort Liu deliberately dressed in a dignified and luxurious manner, which contrasted sharply with Shen Qinghe's simple and elegant style.

Midway through the banquet, Consort Liu suddenly smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Sister Shen is pregnant, which is a great joy in the palace. I have specially ordered someone to prepare a congratulatory gift, and I hope Sister Shen will accept it with pleasure."

She clapped her hands twice, and two palace maids presented her with a brocade box containing a jade carving of Guanyin, the goddess of fertility, with exquisite craftsmanship and a warm, lustrous texture.

The Emperor praised, "My beloved concubine is so thoughtful."

Consort Liu personally presented the jade carving to Shen Qinghe, saying, "This Guanyin statue has been blessed by a high-ranking monk to ensure your safe delivery."

Just as Shen Qinghe was about to take it, she suddenly smelled a very faint, exotic fragrance emanating from the jade carving.