Chapter 194 The Truth About the Harem (Part 1)
"The Dowager Consort Tongjia probably didn't expect to see her concubines again, did she?"
Yuan Yuxiu stood up, her pale face bearing a mocking smile.
“I truly did not expect that Consort Yuan would be brought back to life.”
Consort Tongjia smiled faintly, her expression much calmer than the concubines sitting on either side.
"Your Majesty, what exactly is going on?"
Nian Shilan was the first to be unable to hold back, as too many things had happened today. First, Yikun Palace was suddenly sealed off by "rebels," and just as she was worrying about the safety of Galudai and the Emperor, Prince Yi arrived with his men and successfully quelled the troublemakers in the palace.
Knowing that Garudai and the other princes and princesses were together and had not been harmed, Nian Shilan had no time to breathe a sigh of relief before Yixiu sent someone to invite her to Jingren Palace.
Seeing Yixiu sitting perfectly well at the head of the table, she couldn't help but realize that her previous claim of serious illness was all an act. But the facts were simply too great and too unbelievable. So she refrained from asking any further questions and waited with the others for the arrival of the Dowager Consort Tongjia.
Nian Shilan was no fool. How could so many "rebels" have entered the harem so quietly? Who would believe that it had nothing to do with the Dowager Consort Tongjia, who had been managing the harem during this period?
Seeing the Empress Dowager Tongjia's nonchalant demeanor, Nian Shilan wanted nothing more than to rush up and tear her face off. However, because she didn't know the specifics of what had happened, and out of respect for Yixiu, she held back for the time being.
But seeing Yuan Changzai, who had supposedly died during childbirth, standing alive and well in front of her, Nian Shilan couldn't help but ask the question.
"Why don't you, the Dowager Consort, enlighten Consort Hua and everyone else present?"
Yixiu smiled calmly. At this point, even the Dowager Consort Tongjia couldn't cause any more trouble, so Yixiu was naturally able to treat her indifferently.
"I have nothing to say."
Consort Tongjia has no habit of playing the clown. Since the ending is already predetermined, why should she suffer humiliation here?
"Your Majesty, then let me speak."
Yuan Yuxiu respectfully bowed to Yixiu, and after receiving Yixiu's permission, she stood up and looked at the Dowager Consort Tongjia: "Let's start with the connection between this concubine and the Dowager Consort Tongjia."
"At that time, I had just entered the palace and was not favored by the Emperor. In addition, my elder brother accidentally offended a member of the imperial clan, causing unrest in the whole family. I was so frightened that I hid in a corner of the Imperial Garden and cried secretly. That's when I met Consort Tongjia."
Yuan Yuxiu gave a bitter smile: "That was the first time I realized the benefits of power. The important person who kept my whole family from sleeping soundly was dealt with so easily by the Dowager Consort Tongjia. From that moment on, I made up my mind to climb up, even if it meant being the Dowager Consort's knife."
Yuan Yuxiu turned to Consort Shu, Song Wan'er, and bowed slightly to her: "Let's talk about Princess Wenjia falling into the water first."
Song Wan'er suddenly looked up, her sharp eyes fixed on Yuan Yuxiu: "It's you!"
"It was me, but it was an accident." Facing Consort Shu's angry glare, Yuan Yuxiu remained unmoved and continued to explain, "Bulhe was someone I watched grow up since she was a child. How could I bear to take her life? I just used Bu'erhe as an experiment."
"At that time, the Dowager Consort Tongjia gave me a secret formula for having a child, saying that it could help me give birth to the Emperor's first son after his ascension to the throne. How could I not be tempted? But Consort Hui was pregnant first. Even if the Dowager Consort hadn't said anything, I would have taken action anyway."
Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but frown and stare intently at Yuan Yuxiu.
"The eldest princess is young and quiet, and she is never used to wearing tall platform shoes. Consort Shu can't bear to force her. But the eldest princess is exceptionally sensible. She doesn't wear them in Yanxi Palace, but she always dresses properly when she leaves the palace."
"Therefore, I used the same method I originally intended for Consort Hui on the Princess. I changed one of her shoes. I just wanted to see the effect. Besides, the Princess is not used to wearing platform shoes, so even if she fell, no one would suspect anything."
"Who would have thought that, by such a coincidence, the Princess would fall into the pond? Things have blown up, so this method has to be abandoned by me."
Yuan Yuxiu spoke casually, but Song Wan'er's eyes reddened with anger: "I have always treated you well..."
"So, it's not that I really want the Princess to die."
Yuan Yuxiu showed no remorse whatsoever, though perhaps she had felt some at the time. But after doing so many things, her heart had hardened to the bone.
"Then it was Consort Hui's turn. Consort Hui is truly lucky." Yuan Yuxiu couldn't help but sigh, then turned to the indignant Shen Meizhuang and continued, "First, there was that clever and shrewd woman, Cao Qinmo, who thought that by hiding behind Fei Yunyan, no one would find out. She instructed the palace maids around you to drug you."
"That medicine was supposed to be effective only after long-term use, but I thought it was too slow, so I helped them out. I originally thought that I could successfully abort your pregnancy and have Cao Qinmo and Fei Yunyan take the blame, which would be perfect. But who would have thought that there would actually be such deep sisterly affection in the palace? It was such a coincidence that you had a Consort Zhuang who was sincere to you and had a keen sense of smell, and you made a mistake. I regretted it for a long time."
“You…” Shen Meizhuang trembled with anger, unable to understand how Yuan Yuxiu could say such vicious words with such a calm expression.
"Consort Hui, don't be angry. I almost forgot to tell you, Yu Ying'er is actually my person, or rather, the person of the Dowager Consort Tongjia. I rescued her from the care of the old woman in Yimei Garden and sent her to the Dowager Consort Tongjia's people for care before she was brought to your side."
"Speaking of which, Consort Hui, the management of your palace is really like a sieve. There are only three new recruits. Apart from the nanny who was specially appointed by the Emperor, the other two maids are all spies of others."
Yuan Yuxiu couldn't help but laugh, but her laughter was tinged with a hint of jealousy. She was jealous of Shen Meizhuang's good fortune, jealous that she knew nothing yet was able to sit on the throne of a concubine so innocently and peacefully.
"Speaking of which, Consort Hui should thank me. If it weren't for my permission, how could Consort Hui have learned Zhen Huan's true colors from Yu Ying'er? How could she have found a true confidante?"
"However, Consort Zhen is indeed useless. She spoils Huanbi, that palace maid, all the time. In the end, she is of no use at all. She only caused you to have a premature birth and ended up being demoted herself."
"Did you instruct Yu Ying'er to give Huanbi the drug?"
"It's a pity that Huanbi is too useless. Fortunately, she helped Cao Qinmo clean up the mess before, which is why she was able to take the blame. Well, it's not exactly taking the blame, since she really did do what happened before."
“Yuxiu, you…” Mei Qiyue began with difficulty, as if she were meeting this little sister who had been with her for many years for the first time.
"Why does Consort Ning have to put on this act? Just because the Dowager Consort has lost, does that mean you're unwilling to admit that you once sided with her?"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Mei Qiyue's expression changed drastically. She looked at Fang Yixiu's expression and became restless.
“Nonsense,” Yuan Yuxiu laughed. “If you ask me, you are the one who is the most disguised in this palace. You are clearly full of greed, but you always show a gentle face. You always have various reasons and are forced to do things. Have you forgotten how Consort Fang died?”
Everyone was shocked, not expecting that Fang Jiayi's matter was related to Consort Ning.
"It was you, you did it on purpose..." Mei Qiyue looked up in horror, her whole body trembling as she looked at Yuan Yuxiu.
"Yes, I did it on purpose. Fang Jiayi always pretends to be naive and runs around aimlessly, stupid without realizing it. That day, she overheard me and my maid plotting against Consort Hui, and thought she could control me. She then made no attempt to bump into the Emperor here."
“I was originally going to deal with her, but it just so happened that when you came to see me that day, Sister, and complained that Consort Duan was not doing her job well, Fang Jiayichun was standing outside the window and heard it. On a whim, I deliberately gave myself away so that you would discover that she was eavesdropping.”
"Sister, you haven't disappointed me at all. Fang Jiayichun drowned the very next day. During that time, she suddenly stopped coming to see me, saying she had something on her mind. But actually, she was just feeling guilty. She even pretended to bring up Fang Jiayichun by accident to test my feelings. She was putting on an act right in front of me. How ridiculous..."
As Yuan Yuxiu spoke, tears welled up in her eyes as she laughed.
"You're spouting nonsense! Don't even think about framing me without evidence!" Consort Ning rebuked sharply, trying to remain calm.
"You're spouting nonsense, sister! You're quick and ruthless, but you don't know that Fang Jiayi can swim. How could she possibly drown?"
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