Before getting married, spend a few more days of filial piety
The eldest princess also knelt, and spoke earnestly, "I beg Your Majesty to intervene between Haitang and me. Although Haitang is an insignificant palace maid, she fought for the harm she suffered on my behalf."
In fact, the injuries on Haitang's body were not caused by these three palace maids. It was all the eldest princess's plan. No one could have expected that Haitang would not hesitate to hurt herself to frame these three palace maids.
If Haitang had not volunteered to suffer this crime, there would have been no evidence to prove that it was Queen Qi who was behind it. The three palace maids only followed Queen Qi's orders and did not leave any substantial evidence to prove that it was Queen Qi who was behind it.
This incident was enough to create a rift between the emperor and the empress. Princess Changle could no longer enjoy the emperor's exclusive favor, and the emperor's already incomplete trust in the Qi family was reduced.
"Your Majesty, please thoroughly investigate who sent these three palace maids to the Princess's residence. The Princess is your eldest daughter. How dare someone murder her right under your nose? How audacious!"
The Minister of Personnel Tang Baichuan stepped forward. As the head of the six ministers, he had the authority to hold people accountable, but since it involved the royal family, he had to get the emperor's approval.
"Aren't they the Empress's maids? In my humble opinion, this matter is closely related to the Empress."
Minister of Works Cui Chengjing remembered that these palace maids said they were ordered to come and purchase items. The harem was under the jurisdiction of Queen Qi, so it was obvious whose orders they were following.
Cui Chengjing was non-partisan and was an official selected by Tang Baichuan, but he did not like to curry favor with others. He often discussed the matter with his colleagues based on the facts and did not take sides.
"Don't slander me. There are so many maids in Her Majesty's Fengluan Palace. Just because they say they were assigned by Her Majesty, does that mean they were definitely assigned by Her Majesty?"
Minister Qi refused to give in. His old face turned red and he angrily scolded Cui Chengjing, trying his best to defend Queen Qi.
Cui Chengjing smiled meaningfully, "Minister Qi, don't get excited. The Empress is your eldest daughter, so it's only natural for you to protect her."
Qi Jinqian calmly explained, "Minister Cui is wrong. My father trusts the Empress. She is my father's daughter. The Qi family has strict upbringing and a pure family tradition. There is no way the Empress would do such a thing!"
Qi Jinqian then cast a sharp look at the three palace maids kneeling on the ground, "Were you three sent by the Empress?"
Several people flatly denied it: "It has nothing to do with the Queen, we were sent by the Imperial Concubine..."
"What nonsense! The Yibao Palace couldn't possibly have raised slaves like you. Why would the Imperial Concubine harm Her Royal Highness the Princess? Why don't you all confess the truth?"
General Xie pointed at the palace maids who suddenly turned around and attacked Concubine Xie, and was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. He had occasionally visited Yibao Palace recently, but he had never seen them there.
Besides, Concubine Xie was too lazy to even compete with the emperor, so why would she target the eldest princess who was as unpopular as her?
Nonsense!
"Father, they are indeed maids in the palace of this son and mother, but I never instructed them to target my sister. This is due to my poor management. Please punish me, Father."
Princess Changle walked over gracefully, knelt down beside the three palace maids and bowed to the person on the dragon throne, lowering her brows and bowing her hands, taking all the blame.
"Since it wasn't the Empress's doing, then it's the Empress' fault for not exercising strict control. Your Highness is only a princess in name, and the Empress is the head of the harem. Therefore, the Empress should bear the brunt of the punishment."
Fu Xuechen knew that he was taking the blame for Queen Qi, so he pushed the culprit, Queen Qi, to the front and let her receive the punishment she deserved.
"The Queen has arrived."
The eunuch at the palace gate shouted in a shrill voice.
Queen Qi donned a phoenix robe and walked into the throne room with her head held high. She confidently dismissed her own doubts, "Your Majesty, these three palace maids were not sent by me. Although I am not the eldest princess's biological mother, I have always treated her as my own."
The princess did not expose Queen Qi's disguise. She stared at her with a half-smile, "I also believe that your majesty has no intention of harming me. These servants must have lied."
"I'm glad the Princess didn't misunderstand me. You and the Prime Minister were disrespectful before your wedding, and the marriage should be completed as soon as possible. However, these gossipers shouldn't spread it around. Only I and His Majesty have the right to intervene."
After going around in circles, Queen Qi still felt that the rumors were true. If this continued for a long time, the eldest princess's innocence would be in jeopardy.
The eldest princess was stunned. Her eyes widened, her hands half covering her open mouth as she stared at Queen Qi with a hint of disappointment. "Mother, do you also believe the rumors in the palace?"
"People's words are terrible. Princess, do you have a way to prove your innocence? Otherwise, your reputation for premarital misconduct will be confirmed."
Queen Qi was a fair-minded woman who did not show partiality to any of her children, and a strict mother who was cautious in her words and actions.
"Queen Mother, Emperor Father, please look!"
The eldest princess scratched her arm fearlessly, and the toad's blood was clearly on her body.
All the court officials looked at each other in shock, and Queen Qi was so surprised that her mind went blank. This was completely beyond her expectations. Only the eldest princess looked calm and composed.
"Have you all seen clearly? My eldest princess is innocent. If these false rumors are spread in the harem again, I will investigate it thoroughly!" The emperor defended the eldest princess in front of everyone.
All the ministers in the palace knew about his daughter being bullied. It would be unreasonable for him, as a father, not to show his affection and responsibility to protect his daughter at this time.
"This son and I are just close friends. We have never done anything inappropriate. These people are lying with their eyes open. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your insight. This son will be more restrained in the future and keep a certain distance from Fu Lang so as not to cause trouble to Your Majesty and Your Majesty."
The eldest princess kowtowed to the emperor sitting in front of her with tears in her eyes, then raised her head and wiped the sticky and hot traces on her cheeks with a wronged look.
"I, your humble servant, must remember today's lesson, adhere to established rules, and maintain my distance from Your Highness, so as to avoid misunderstandings and causing Your Highness to suffer unjust consequences."
Fu Xuechen stood respectfully in the court, lowered his head slightly and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I think that if the Prime Minister and the Princess set a wedding date as soon as possible, they can consummate their marriage openly and legally. There is no need to worry about those gossips." Qi Jinqian suggested that the two get married as soon as possible, and everything would be solved.
"Your Majesty, the time that this son and Fu Lang have been together has been short. Please allow this son and Fu Lang to spend more time together. Moreover, I have a grudge against my mother because of her early death, and my father and I have been estranged. Before I get married, this son would like to spend a few more days in front of your father to show his filial piety."
The eldest princess resisted with all her might, saying that her words were well-reasoned and no one could object.
The emperor was moved by the princess's convincing words and said, "Princess, you are so thoughtful. I approve your marriage with the Prime Minister and we will discuss it later."
Although the eldest princess proved her innocence, the atmosphere in the court had already become tense. The emperor announced the end of the court, and the court officials left the throne room with their own thoughts.
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