Chapter 150 Tragic Death
On the second day, Xiao Heng announced Ruan Fei's crimes to the world, took back his military power, imprisoned all nine relatives of the clan, and executed them three days later.
His daughter, Concubine Yu, was demoted to a commoner and lived in seclusion in the cold palace for the rest of her life.
The King of Shu could not escape death.
On the tenth day of May, the entire Ruan family was taken to the execution ground. The guillotine was covered in blood and flesh, which was a shocking sight.
In the cold palace, Ruan Yuxiao's heart was broken as if by a knife. She clutched her clothes to her chest and cried out heartbreakingly, "Father!"
"How can you leave your daughter alone?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a mouthful of blood gushed out of her throat, staining her white clothes bright red.
Then his body went limp and he collapsed to the ground.
In a trance, she seemed to be back in the Ruan Mansion.
At that time, my father was still a low-ranking general. Although he had no power or influence, our family lived in harmony and happiness.
My mother is gentle and virtuous. She makes all kinds of snacks by hand every day to make me happy.
My mother said, my daughter doesn’t need to follow the three obediences and four virtues, or take care of her husband and children. I just want her to live a happy and fulfilling life.
On the day of the audition, she originally wanted to be rejected, but the moment she looked up and saw the emperor on the throne, she was completely unable to extricate herself and fell deeply in love with him.
She decided that she must be selected. She would walk towards the man in front of her, stand by his side, and become the woman he loved most.
But when she entered the palace, she found that there were too many women in the palace that the emperor cared about.
Concubine Zhao, Concubine Ming, and the deceased Concubine Ru were all concubines favored by the emperor.
Especially Concubine Zhao. Even though she worked hard for five years, she was never able to surpass Concubine Zhao's status in the emperor's mind.
She is unwilling to accept it!
She was really unwilling to accept it. She had given her love to the wrong person, and the man beside her had killed her entire family!
All the affection I feel for myself is just an act!
As the vision gradually blurred, Ruan Yuxiao's blood-stained red lips moved slightly: "Xiao Heng! Shen Qingtang! If there is an afterlife, I will never let you go!"
When she closed her eyes, she seemed to see a pair of men's feet walking in.
Those steps were very much like his father's.
Ruan Yuxiao stretched out her hand to grab it, but she couldn't open her eyes and fell into darkness.
At this time, the concubines were paying their respects in the Weiyang Palace.
The Jade Concubine on the right was deposed, and the Chu Concubine who had the royal heir sat in the first seat.
The queen looked at the two rows of concubines and suddenly felt a lot emptier.
If you count carefully, the number of people who died or were dismissed in the past two years is five.
She glanced around at the concubines and asked, "Isn't Concubine Mei here?"
Fu Liu quickly replied, "Just now, the maidservant beside Concubine Mei came to ask for leave, saying that she was not feeling well."
The Queen nodded slightly and looked at the concubines, saying, "Concubine Huilin has just passed away, and the Emperor has no interest in the harem. You should all behave yourself. Do not cause trouble at this critical moment, and do not disturb the Emperor by going to Chengming Palace. If you anger the Emperor, I will not be able to protect you."
The concubines nodded in agreement.
Liu Yuetang felt amused. Xiao Heng seemed to be enjoying himself so much in Chengming Palace at the moment, but everyone thought he was very sad.
At this time, Li Cheng, the eunuch beside the queen, came in with a serious expression and reported: "Your Majesty, news just came from the cold palace that Ruan has died."
Everyone's expression changed.
The Queen was shocked and asked, "Didn't the Emperor pardon her from death?"
"It is said that upon hearing the news that the Nguyen clan had been exterminated, Nguyen became so angry that he vomited blood and died."
After a pause, he continued, "After Ruan died, the madman in the cold palace slashed her face. The young eunuch who threw her into the mass grave said that her face was a bloody mess, and the blood kept flowing. It was very scary."
Mingpin felt indescribably relieved when she heard this, and sneered, "Serves her right! She was so cruel in life, and now even her mutilated body is not enough to wash away her sins."
Concubine Chu also echoed, "It seems that God can no longer bear to see this and is eager to take her away."
"That's great. The palace can finally have some peace and quiet for a while."
The queen closed her eyes slightly, and there was no emotion in her heart at this moment. She was neither happy nor sad about it.
One after another, the concubines came as beautiful as flowers and left in a hideous and miserable manner.
Hateful, yet pitiful.
Even if I sit on the throne now, I might end up like them in a few years.
Half an hour after Liu Yuetang returned to Yaoyue Palace, Concubine Rong arrived.
As soon as she came up, she was about to bow, but Liu Yuetang quickly stopped her: "Sister, there's no need to be so polite. Let's just proceed as usual."
Hearing her still calling her sister, Concubine Rong relaxed her brows and looked around the luxurious and spacious hall with a smile.
"This main hall is much more spacious than Jinxiu Pavilion, and it has better sunlight."
Looking at the rows of porcelain and antiques, all of which were gorgeous and exquisite, some of which she had never seen before, she said embarrassedly, "I said I would give my sister some gifts for moving to the palace, but it seems she won't be able to use them."
At the signal, the palace maid behind him slowly presented a pair of glass cups, a Xiuyan jade Ruyi ornament, and an amber cup.
Although it is not rare, it is very valuable, especially the amber cup, which has a pure texture and color, is warm and translucent, and flashes a soft halo when moving.
Liu Yuetang smiled and said, "Who said it's not needed? I'll have them put out the ones my sister sent later."
"I only got some good things after I got pregnant. I hope my sister doesn't mind."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Concubine Rong picked up the teacup beside her and held it in her hand but was reluctant to drink it, as if she was brewing something.
Liu Yuetang saw through her thoughts at a glance: "Sister, you can say whatever you want."
Rong Jieyu lowered her eyes and smiled: "If there is really nothing I can hide from my sister, then I will tell you directly."
She put down the teacup and placed her hands on her bulging belly.
"Sister, you know that I had no choice but to rely on Ruan and help her with her plans. Everyone knows that I belong to Ruan. Now that she is dead, I am afraid..."
She sighed deeply, her face melancholy.
"Sister, are you afraid that the fire will burn yourself?"
Rong Jieyu nodded slightly: "It's okay to be a concubine, but I care about the emperor's thoughts. Emperors are always suspicious. I'm afraid the emperor will also think that I have secretly harmed many people."
Liu Yuetang thought for a moment, if Xiao Heng could guess who was behind Ruan Fei, how could he not know what Concubine Rong had done?
Seeing Liu Yuetang remain silent, Rong Jieyu looked a little excited: "Sister, I have never harmed innocent people. Only when it comes to people like Yan Jieyu and Yu Shi will I help Ruan Shi with advice."
"Sister has always been favored and thoughtful. I wonder if she can guess what the emperor is thinking?"
Liu Yuetang raised her hand and brushed the glass earrings dangling from her ears. She said gently, "How could I possibly guess what the Emperor is thinking?"
"But sister, don't worry too much. If the emperor really wants to investigate, he would have done it when he dealt with Ruan. Sister, you are now pregnant with the emperor's heir, and you have made an indelible contribution. For the sake of the heir, the emperor will not blame you."
Rong Jieyu's heart gradually relaxed, "Thank you for your good wishes, sister."
"Speaking of Ruan, her death was a little too sudden." Concubine Rong frowned slightly.
Liu Yuetang picked up the tea lid and slowly skimmed off the foam. "Sister, are you surprised too?"
"I just ordered someone to check, and it turns out that a concubine has indeed died in the cold palace, and she was wearing the same clothes as Concubine Yu."
Rong Jieyu smiled slightly: "Perhaps it was because two concubines died suddenly in the palace, and it felt a little too fast."
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