Xiao Shunzi was so frightened that he shuddered.
He hurriedly stepped out of the crowd and knelt before Emperor Yuanwu: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I am just a lowly eunuch. How could I have such great power to dare to bribe and accept bribes in matters such as the imperial concubine selection?"
Having said all that, the Empress could no longer worry about such things and directly stated her purpose.
“You certainly don’t have that much power, but that doesn’t mean your master doesn’t have that much power either. Maybe they just want to use your residence outside the palace as a convenient means, but in reality, they want to give that gold and silver to Consort Shu.”
The corners of Consort Shu's lips curved into a faint smile, almost imperceptibly.
She knew something was amiss.
Since Meng Wanying originally intended to marry her second brother.
Even if she were to participate in a talent show now, those seeking connections and favors would naturally not come to her.
After all that effort...
The empress is waiting for her here.
The next second.
Consort Shu knelt on the ground with a sob in her voice: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I only learned about it this morning from Xiao Shunzi. What Prime Minister Meng? I have been in the palace for many years. How could I possibly know this Prime Minister Meng?"
"Heh." The Empress sneered, "You, Consort Shu, naturally don't know this Prime Minister Meng, but back when the Seventh Princess was celebrating her 100th day, Prime Minister Meng's wife pulled Consort Shu aside and talked for quite a while in the courtyard of Qiluan Garden. Many people saw it at the time."
After speaking, the Empress turned and bowed to Emperor Yuanwu: "Your Majesty, Consort Shu is now deliberately concealing her feigned relationship with Prime Minister Meng's family. I urge Your Majesty to investigate the matter thoroughly!"
Emperor Yuanwu's brow was now furrowed into a deep frown.
He stared at the Empress for a few seconds in silence, then turned to Consort Shu and asked, "Is this true?"
"That is indeed true," Consort Shu said truthfully.
The Empress's lips curled into a smug smile: "Your Majesty, since my sister has already confessed, I think there's nothing more to interrogate. Guards, seize Xiao Shunzi."
Xiao Shunzi trembled with fear: "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
His voice hadn't faded yet.
The guards, who had been assigned by the Empress to carry swords and were stationed at the palace gate, had already stepped one foot into Consort Shu's palace.
"Who dares?" Consort Shu turned her gaze and said coldly to the Empress, "Since the Empress knows that Madam Meng and I talked for quite a while in the courtyard of Qiluan Garden that day, does Your Majesty know what we talked about?"
The Empress's eyes trembled: "Back then, there were so many people in Qiluan Garden, with constant noise coming and going. How could I possibly know?"
"If I remember correctly, Her Majesty the Empress was unwell and did not come to Qiluan Garden for the Seventh Princess's 100-day celebration. So how did the Empress know about my conversation with Madam Meng?" Consort Shu's eyes were sharp, showing no sign of backing down.
"Even if someone else told me, so what?" A hint of panic flashed in the Empress's eyes. "This matter is not important at all. Consort Shu should explain properly what your relationship is with Prime Minister Meng's family."
"Your Majesty, as the head of the harem, how could you possibly listen to the idle gossip of these people in the palace?" Consort Shu retorted.
"Consort Shu, you don't need to waste time with your high-sounding words. I think you'd be better off using this energy to properly explain to the Emperor your relationship with Prime Minister Meng's family, and about that chest of gold and silver jewelry." The Empress sneered.
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