The people brought by the Queen Mother were very efficient and cleaned up the scene silently.
Nanny Xin also considerately took out a small incense burner and handed it to Concubine Hua.
"Empress Hua, the bloody smell in this palace is strong. Please use this to block it out. This is a spice specially prepared for you by the Imperial Hospital some time ago. It has the effect of helping you sleep and nourishing your mind. Please smell it. Do you like it?"
"Thank you, Queen Mother, for taking the trouble to think about me. What you give me is naturally the best."
Concubine Hua was in a very complicated mood, and the look she gave the empress dowager was also very complicated, but she still suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, took the incense burner, and thanked her obediently.
Although everything in the hall had been cleaned up, there was still a faint smell of blood. When the small incense burner was brought over, Hua Fei felt that a sweet floral fragrance covered the bloody smell. In addition, the small incense burner was exquisite and small, and everything was just to her liking.
Just now, the Queen Mother used a chef to exonerate the Queen from the blame. This matter really wronged her. Now she took out this special spice, and her intention was obvious, which was to appease herself.
But now that things have come to this, they are a foregone conclusion and cannot be changed, so it is better to be patient for now.
Seeing that she was obedient, the Queen Mother showed a satisfied smile on her face.
"Lan'er is indeed a sensible and good child. I like her more and more."
"Lan'er is indeed sensible, so she has suffered so much injustice."
Feng Yinzhen looked at the small incense burner in Hua Fei's hand, his handsome brows were furrowed, and his dark eyes were silently churning.
He regretted his impulsiveness just now. He originally wanted to seek justice for Lan'er, but now he couldn't get it.
Feng Wanwan rolled her eyes.
[Yo yo yo, the sun is rising from the west! You big pig's hoof know that my mother has suffered a lot of injustice, so why do you team up with others to bully her?]
[I'm so angry! I seriously doubt that your kick to Liu Sijiang just now was intentional. Did you kick Liu Sijiang to death on purpose so that you and the Queen Mother could help the Queen get away with it? You bastard, I almost thought you had a conscience!]
[Bah! Men's words are never worth trusting! I'd better take my mother out of the palace and find some fresh meat!]
Feng Yinzhen: My dear, I'm saying that you're too suspicious. If it weren't for the fact that Cao Cao was a man in history, I'd suspect you were Cao Cao's reincarnation! Can't you see that I'm working hard to seek justice for your mother?
The Queen Mother frowned slightly and her expression became serious.
"Lan'er not only served the emperor wholeheartedly, but also gave birth to a princess for the royal family. I will never let such a good child suffer any injustice. Liu Sijiang has already pleaded guilty and accepted death, but no one in his nine clans can escape punishment.
Also, Madam Xin, pass down the order that all servants in the harem must be carefully screened. Such incidents must never be allowed to occur again!"
"I will obey the imperial decree! I will do my best to get this done!" Nanny Xin responded immediately.
She moved quickly and went downstairs with a group of maids, eunuchs and palace maids.
The Yiku Palace suddenly became much quieter and more spacious, and the queen who was kneeling on the ground finally felt her presence.
The Queen Mother seemed to have finally noticed her, her expression grew more solemn, and she cried out in a deep voice.
"The Queen."
"Mother, I am here!"
The queen's knees were sore from kneeling, but she didn't dare to relax at all. Her back was tense. She looked up when she heard the voice, but her body was still kneeling upright.
The Queen Mother's gloomy gaze fell on her face.
"Do you admit your guilt?"
"I acknowledge my guilt. My mother and the emperor trusted me and entrusted the harem to me. However, I failed to manage it carefully enough and nearly injured Concubine Hua. I am deeply horrified and feel a wave of guilt."
The Queen's tone and expression were extremely sincere.
At this moment, Feng Yinzhen spoke.
"The Queen has indeed failed to manage her harem properly. Otherwise, such incidents wouldn't have happened one after another."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am reprimanding you, and I dare not argue."
The queen still knelt upright, admitting her mistake seriously and showing no sign of evading the situation.
The Queen Mother's long brows furrowed slightly, and her expression became more serious.
"You are indeed guilty of dereliction of duty, but considering that you have always been weak, the harem is so large and the affairs are so heavy, it is inevitable that you will overlook some things. After all, who could have imagined that Pingpin, who usually does not compete with others, would actually poison Huafei in order to win favor.
Who would have thought that the craftsman from the Liangjiangsi would dare to do such a thing to the jewelry of the imperial concubine?
But even if you have a reason, you can't let it go easily.
Queen, I ask you, do you accept the punishment?"
"Your Majesty, what you said is absolutely true. Even if there are extenuating circumstances, it is true that I have failed in my duty. I should not and do not wish to evade responsibility. I am willing to accept the punishment!"
The queen straightened her shoulders and knelt down in worship.
The Queen Mother was very satisfied with her performance and attitude and nodded slightly.
"Alright, then I will punish you by making you hand-copy ten copies of the palace regulations and fine you three months' salary. Your maid Songchun also deserves punishment for offending Concubine Hua with her words, so she will also be fined three months' salary."
"Yes, thank you for your teachings, Mother."
"Thank you, Queen Mother, for the punishment."
The Queen and Songchun received the punishment together, but they both secretly breathed a sigh of relief, their bodies visibly relaxed.
Feng Wanwan rolled her eyes again upon hearing this, and clenched her chubby little fists tightly.
[You almost prevented my mother from giving birth to a sibling for me. Such a serious matter, yet you let it go so lightly? Just copying the palace regulations and you're done? Three months' salary? Is this punishment a trick, Queen Mother?]
[What a great actress! This vicious queen is such a great actress! Her acting skills are far better than my mother's. No wonder my mother has never been able to defeat this vicious woman! This vicious woman may look guilty and sincere, but she must be very proud inside!]
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
