Chapter 24 The whole family was sentenced to death
"May the emperor be blessed with good health."
Everyone in Chengqian Palace knelt down.
Emperor Qingling glanced at Concubine Shu, and after confirming that she was safe, he walked to the Queen and said in a deep voice: "Queen, there are Jingshifang for severe torture, why are you torturing in Chengqian Palace? In addition to Concubine Shu, there is also my princess in Chengqian Palace, how can you see blood?"
The Queen knelt on the ground, listening to the Emperor's voice, with a trace of regret in her heart.
She has been in control of the harem for so long, but because of jealousy, she was instigated by Mu Guiren, so that the Emperor questioned her like this.
For now, the only way is to retreat in order to advance, in order to keep her position and the glory of the Wuya family.
However, if she bows her head this time, she is afraid that Concubine Shu will have more power in the harem in the future.
But she has no choice but to bow her head.
Could it be that she had to watch helplessly as the Emperor promoted Shufei to Shuguifei or Huangguifei again out of pity for her?
If Shufei was promoted to Huangguifei, who in the harem would still remember her as the empress?
I'm afraid that by then, the former court and the harem would only remember that the clan had a Huangguifei and gave birth to a beloved princess, and that in the future there would be sons and daughters around their knees and princes who would inherit the throne.
Thinking of this, the empress gave up the struggle, knelt down and kowtowed, with a hint of regret in her voice.
"Your Majesty, I listened to the instigation of a villain and mistakenly believed that Concubine Shu condoned the servants to harm the concubines and played tricks. I was really scared that there was such a cruel person in Chengqian Palace. I felt sorry for the princess and was so angry that I executed her in Chengqian Palace. I hope Your Majesty will give me a lighter sentence in consideration of my loyalty to the princess and to Your Majesty."
The coldness between Emperor Qingling's brows eased a little.
His voice was a little deep: "Forget it, with your temper, it's already difficult for you to admit your mistakes. Who misled the Queen's judgment? How dare you openly spread rumors in the harem! I know Shufei's temper best. She is gentle and docile, graceful and elegant. Even if everyone is a bad person, my Shufei is a clean sheet of paper! Stand up now, and I may be able to spare your life!"
The voice of Emperor Qingling made everyone present feel depressed.
Before, everyone thought that the emperor was the same as before, but he just put some of his love on Shufei, but now it seems that Shufei is clearly the one in his heart.
Whether it is the indiscriminate protection or the preference that ignores the truth, it is enough to make people all over the world envious.
Concubine Shu knelt on the ground and glanced at the corner of the dragon robe.
She thought that the emperor showed up because he heard about what happened in Chengqian Palace and blamed her for missing the morning and evening visits, but who knew that he came to protect her?
This time out of the cold palace, she was even more confused about the emperor's arrival.
Everyone trembled and dared not speak.
Behind the crowd, a palace maid stood up and walked forward, with her head down and her steps unsteadily.
Emperor Qingling looked up at her.
The maid stood in front of Emperor Qingling, knelt down suddenly and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I am Xia He from Concubine Shu's palace. The Ministry of Internal Affairs sent me to serve Concubine Shu's palace that day. I thought I must serve my master well, but Concubine Shu already has Nanny Chen and Mi Chun by her side. I think I can't compare with Nanny Chen's experience and loyalty, so I thought I could stay by the side of the queen instead of Mi Chun, but I don't have Mi Chun's cleverness, and I am always a step behind others, so..."
Emperor Qingling He angrily scolded: "So you had evil thoughts and killed Cuiju, and then put the blame on Michun?"
Xia He kowtowed her head loudly: "Your Majesty, I didn't do anything. It was just that when Noble Mu punished Cuiju to kneel last night, I came out and dressed as a ghost to scare Cuiju. Later, I stuffed the ghost mask and black robe under Michun's bed. But why Cuiju hanged herself, and where did she get her white silk from, I really don't know."
Before Emperor Qingling could react, Noble Mu stepped forward and slapped Xia He in the face.
"You are such a lowly and shameless person! I only punished Cui Ju to kneel for half an hour, but you took advantage of it and killed her on the spot. You also frightened Concubine Shu and Princess Ying'an. What crime should you be punished for!" After
beating her, without waiting for Xia He to react, she knelt directly in front of Emperor Qing Ling.
Tears fell on the spot, and she was so pitiful and adorable, with a bit of the pitiful and seductive power between the beds.
"Your Majesty, I had a headache last night and felt dizzy, so I asked Cui Ju to go find the imperial physician, but Cui Ju refused me with ridiculous reasons. People in my palace also heard that she cursed me behind my back just to win your favor, so I pretended to be weak and pitiful. But Your Majesty, I really just like you, so I acted coquettishly and showed my love in front of you. I was so angry that I asked her to watch the time herself. After half an hour, she could go back to her room to rest. But who knew that this would happen? If I had known that Cui Ju would die, and even frightened Concubine Shu, I deserve to die. I ask Your Majesty to punish me severely. I have no complaints."
As she spoke, tears filled Mu Guiren's eyes.
Kneeling on the ground and looking up at Emperor Qingling, she wiped away the tears that fell at the right time, and gently stroked her cheeks. The just right blush and fingertips were like a feather caressing Emperor Qingling's heart.
It was like a drop of water falling into the calm spring in his heart, rippling layers of waves.
Emperor Qingling remained silent and pondered for a long time. He stepped forward to help Mu Guiren up, and regardless of the eyes of everyone present, he held her in his arms.
"I am sorry for you. I have ignored your feelings in recent days. I know you best. Although you are a little bit coquettish, you are kind-hearted. You definitely don't want to kill Cui Ju, and you definitely don't want to frame Shu Fei and Ying An."
Mu Guiren nestled in Emperor Qingling's arms, tears falling even more fiercely.
Her shoulders twitched, and she said in a faint voice, "Thank you for your consideration, Your
Majesty. With Your Majesty's words, even if Concubine Shu wants my life, I will give it to her." Emperor Qingling laughed for a moment, "What kind of childish talk are you talking about? Concubine Shu is gentle and demure, why do you want to kill her? Concubine Shu, although this matter started with Noble Mu punishing the palace maids, fortunately you are safe and sound, and Ying'an is also safe, so don't pursue Noble Mu's fault, after all, she is also a victim." Concubine
Shu lowered her eyes and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
There was no emotion in her voice, as if the emperor's favor was not worth mentioning to her.
"Someone come!"
Wei Weiran stepped forward and knelt down and replied, "Your Majesty."
"Xia He's entire family, shall be put to death!"
Wei Weiran paused slightly.
Emperor Qingling was suspicious, but he never took anyone's life lightly. If there was room for maneuver, he would definitely give them a chance to survive.
But he killed the entire Xia family just because a palace maid died.
This was truly unheard of.
But even though he was suspicious, Wei Weiran still lowered his head: "I obey your order."
Then he stood up and said: "The entire Xia family shall be put to death! You guys, take Xia He away, don't dirty the eyes of the masters!"