Chapter 322 This is about a man’s dignity
The veins on Emperor Mingcheng's hand bulged as he held the mandarin duck jade pendant.
There was no need to check the heart knot. He put the jade pendant back into the sandalwood box and closed the box with a snap.
Then he stared at the sandalwood box.
His hands groped over it, as if trying to confirm something.
This is a piece of lacquerware, which can remain intact even if buried in soil or water for thousands of years. Today, it still feels as smooth as new. The only way to tell that it was newly unearthed is from its color.
"Put the things away, and no one is allowed to look. Anyone who dares to peek will be killed." Every word of Emperor Mingcheng's words was almost squeezed out from between his teeth, with hatred and anger intertwined.
Concubine Shu has another love.
He did not ask anyone to investigate the matter.
The person is already dead.
The results of the investigation, whether true or false, will only embarrass him.
Emperor Mingcheng didn't investigate who the man with the jade pendant was, but that didn't mean he wouldn't investigate what happened tonight. "Someone, go find out what happened to those cats. Let the people from the Imperial Hospital take a look. I want the results before dawn."
The visitor immediately took the order and left.
There must be someone behind this.
The purpose is to make him dig out the box.
Whether the people behind the scenes were targeting the Yang family or the Yuan family, it can be said that they were successful.
This incident was like a thorn that instantly pierced the fantasy that Emperor Ming Cheng had long woven. Ordinary people might think that there were many suspicious points in this matter and it was clearly a frame-up by others.
The buried box may not be real.
The mandarin duck jade pendant might also be fake, and the love knot that symbolizes the married couple might have been intentional by someone behind the scenes. However, Emperor Chengdi of the Ming Dynasty had rich life experience and told him otherwise.
The adulterer is most likely real! He must be real and can withstand the investigation of the Royal Guards.
This one truth alone is enough! Emperor Mingcheng did not allow anyone to investigate. This was his last act of stubbornness as a man, to preserve his face and dignity.
"Go back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity!"
Emperor Mingcheng gave an order.
One after another, the inner temple servants came in to help him dress and then left Changchun Palace without any reluctance.
Standing at the gate of Changchun Palace, Emperor Mingcheng suddenly stopped.
He turned around and said to the chief eunuch: "Take the sandalwood box with you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The matter of Changchun Palace is not difficult to investigate.
After Emperor Mingcheng returned to the Qianqing Palace, Changchun Palace was sealed after he left.
The guards surrounded the palace gate and began to investigate one by one.
The imperial physician on duty tonight was also called over to help, one to check why the cats were acting abnormally, and the other to search the scene for clues.
The result came before dawn.
"Nepeta, someone sprinkled Nepeta powder on the soil. It is a medicine that can attract cats." The imperial physician knelt in front of Emperor Mingcheng and reported tremblingly.
Nepeta is a medicinal herb, commonly known as camphor grass, cool mint, etc. It has a smell that can make cats excited and happy.
The cats originally lived in the cold palace, and were led there tonight. It was found that a young eunuch had done it. After the guards searched, they found the young eunuch's body in the cold palace. Not long after he hanged himself, the clues ended here.
Emperor Mingcheng sneered: "My palace has become a sieve, everyone get out. If any word of what happened tonight gets out of the palace, all those who know about it will be executed."
"As you wish."
The others wiped their cold sweat and left.
They were lucky tonight, as Emperor Mingcheng did not kill people. However, he was sitting in front of the imperial desk at this moment, with murderous intent in his eyes, but he endured it.
Even if Emperor Mingcheng issued a gag order, as he said, the palace had already become a sieve.
The sealing of the mouths is also to stop those who have no one behind them. Those who have someone behind them will always find a way to spread the matter out of the palace. Thanks to the fact that Emperor Ming Cheng did not let anyone except himself see the contents of the sandalwood box, and did not let anyone investigate, there are currently almost no people who know the specific details.
The only person who knows about this is the person who did it behind the scenes.
For example, the Qin family in Cuihua Hutong.
Before dawn, Old Man Hong received news from the palace.
The message was delivered to Qin Chi again.
After seeing this, Qin Chi raised his lips slightly and said, "This matter has been settled. No need to pay attention to it anymore. Let others pay attention to safety."
"Yes, sir."
Old Man Hong knew what Qin Chi had done. "The person in the palace actually tolerated it and did not send the Royal Guards to investigate."
"I wouldn't do that either."
Qin Chi threw the message into the brazier, "This is about a man's dignity."
The corners of Old Man Hong's mouth twitched.
He really couldn't understand it, probably because he didn't have a woman.
There were three thousand beauties in the palace. Many years after Concubine Shu's death, the Changchun Palace where she lived remained vacant and maintained the layout she had during her lifetime. Only Emperor Mingcheng would occasionally go there.
There is no wrong version in the 1619 book forum!
This is enough for people to know.
The status of Concubine Shu in Emperor Mingcheng's heart.
It would be strange if Emperor Mingcheng felt comfortable when he suddenly learned that Concubine Shu had another lover. If it got out, wouldn't he become a huge joke?
"When do you plan to return to Huizhou, sir?"
Old Man Hong knew Qin Chi’s plan.
Qin Chi said, “Once the disaster relief reward comes, I will discuss it with my wife.”
Qin Chi was promoted in the palace that day. It was Emperor Ming Cheng's temporary decision. There would be some material rewards later. Qin Chi said that the rewards had not come down yet. It was the personnel who went to the disaster relief. As long as they went, they could get some credit.
The rewards for these people had to be discussed by the cabinet, and then written into a memorial, which was then submitted to Emperor Mingcheng for approval.
At this moment, familiar footsteps were heard coming from the corridor outside the door.
Qin Chi and Old Man Hong stopped talking.
The footsteps approached, and without the other party speaking, Qin Chi's seriousness disappeared and a faint smile appeared, "My wife is coming to call me for breakfast. Uncle Hong, is there anything else?"
"No more, uncle, I'm going to eat too."
When Old Man Hong said this, he felt a little sad for some reason.
He turned around and walked out the door, and sure enough he ran into Song Jin in front of the door.
Old Man Hong stepped aside and let Song Jin go first, bowing and greeting, "Meet the Madam."
"Uncle Hong, you're welcome. Breakfast is ready in the kitchen. Go and eat it while it's hot." Song Jin said with a warm smile.
"Oh, okay."
Old Man Hong waited until Song Jin entered the study before he stood up and left.
Song Jin stepped into the study room, and Qin Chi was the first to come forward. He naturally reached out to support her, and said with concern: "Just let others tell them, why do you have to come here in person?"
"Mr. Jing told me to walk more often, saying it's good for my health."
Song Jin said gently.
Qin Chi helped Song Jin walk out while whispering something in her ear, which made her smile.
After having breakfast together, rinse your mouth with tea.
Qin Chi helped Song Jin take a walk in the yard on the pretext of helping with digestion after the meal.
Obviously he did nothing, but Qin Chi was by Song Jin's side. In the eyes of others, he seemed to have done everything. The two of them seemed to be in their own world, and no one else could interfere.
Yinlong stopped the maid.
Tell them not to disturb the two of them.
Qin Ba and the others also tactfully avoided it.