Chapter 300 Wei Yanwan 40
"Do you think this was a deliberate plot by someone with ulterior motives?"
Although Hongli did not respond to her words just now, his eyes were not as cold and piercing as before.
"Because all of this is too coincidental, too coincidental, it's a bit unreasonable."
Wei Yanwan pointed at Fang Sheng and the beeswax bracelet and said sincerely, "Take that guard for example. He was so flustered after picking up something, why didn't he present it to the Emperor? Similarly, Ai'er knew Concubine Jia's secret. Instead of looking for me, a concubine with a humble family background, why didn't she go to the Imperial Concubine, who is in charge of the six palaces? Isn't this a waste of time?"
"I'm afraid the person behind this is thinking that I've only been in the palace for a short time and have no grudges against the Imperial Noble Consort and Consort Jia. They're using me to tell the Emperor about this, which will naturally help him gain his trust. Secondly, they want me to be the bad guy and use this to sow discord between me, the Imperial Noble Consort, and Consort Jia."
Ruyi disagreed, saying, "This matter may not be solely the work of one person. I see that these matters involve a wide range of people. Your Majesty needs to conduct a thorough investigation and get to the bottom of this matter."
Hongli frowned. To be honest, he didn't really care who was responsible for this incident.
Just as Wei Yanwan said, for the sake of his and Ruyi's reputation, this kind of dirty thing should be suppressed and never spread out.
Secondly, he recalled that Master Anji subconsciously held Ruyi's hand that day, and his narrow mind made him start to doubt.
Of course, he didn't doubt that Ruyi had a relationship with that master, but what about spiritually? What about emotionally?
Hongli knew that the Imperial Noble Consort had been visiting Master Anji quite often recently, and that they had a pleasant conversation and their behavior was indeed more intimate than that of ordinary people.
And as for Concubine Jia, it would be fine if this bracelet was fake, but if it was really Concubine Jia's personal belonging, how could someone else get it?
However, it was not easy to ask these thoughts now, so he had to focus on this matter.
"Where are Ai'er and the guards?"
"I know this matter is of great importance, so I ordered them to be detained. I told everyone that I lost some valuables near the ice room and I suspected they stole them."
"These things are only known to my personal maid to prevent any leaks."
"You have done well, saving the reputation of me and the Imperial Concubine. Since those two men stole your things, I will send them to the Ministry of Punishment for a thorough interrogation."
Hongli glanced at her approvingly and said to Ruyi, "This kind of matter shouldn't be investigated publicly. I will send someone to investigate secretly. Also, those masters are indeed outsiders. Recently, because of their entry into the palace, I have noticed that many palace maids are indeed agitated. Ruyi, you still have to be careful. As my Imperial Consort, you must keep your distance from these men to avoid misunderstandings."
"Master Anji and I are only discussing Buddhism. We are innocent with each other and should avoid suspicion. Since there is no suspicion between me and him, why should we avoid it?"
Hongli's already suppressed dissatisfaction was also provoked by her words: "Of course I believe that you two are innocent, but everyone in the palace did see you often go to Anhua Palace and behave intimately with Master Anji."
"Ruyi, you are my Imperial Consort. If this gets out, both you and I will be criticized. What do you want me to do then?"
"After all, the emperor still cares about your face."
Hongli slammed the table and stood up: "Am I not protecting our common reputation?"
Seeing Hongli's anger, Wei Yanwan found it amusing. Even though Ruyi was a love-brained person, her stubbornness and straightforwardness always drove Hongli half to death. Wei Yanwan saw this as simply because Ruyi had exposed his inner thoughts, and so he was furious.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine was so upset by the slander against her innocence that she lost her composure in her words. You and the Imperial Concubine have been married for many years. Why are you so angry over such a thing? It hurts your relationship."
Wei Yanwan saw that he was still sitting down after thinking it over again. She turned her head away from the Imperial Noble Consort and knew that something was going on. She turned to Ruyi and said,
"Even a concubine like me who has only been in the palace for a short time can tell something about the Imperial Concubine's character. Otherwise, I wouldn't have immediately invited you and the Emperor to give these things to her."
"If even I am like this, how much more so is His Majesty? It is precisely because of his trust in the Imperial Noble Consort that His Majesty is only concerned with preserving your reputation. I know that Your Majesty believes that those who are innocent will be innocent, but you are now the Imperial Noble Consort. As the saying goes, you should do your job and protect the reputation of both His Majesty and yourself."
Seeing Ruyi sitting there with a look of obvious contemplation on her face, Wei Yanwan knew that her brain had returned and quickly handed her a ladder:
"Besides, Master Anji will be leaving soon, and the Emperor will send someone to investigate secretly, and he will definitely clear your name. The Emperor's birthday is coming soon, you see..."
As he spoke, he poured a cup of tea for Ruyi and signaled her with his eyes.
Ruyi took the teacup, smiled gratefully at Yanwan, and stood up and walked over to Hongli. "Your Majesty, I was rude just now. Please don't be angry, considering how hard I worked to organize your birthday celebration."
Hongli turned around and glanced at Yanwan. He saw her pursing her lips and covering her face with a handkerchief, secretly laughing. He then looked at Ruyi, who was kneeling on the ground with her head tilted up, looking at him ingratiatingly with her still clear and bright eyes.
The anger in his heart couldn't help but dissipate. He took the tea handed to him by Ruyi and placed it on the table. He raised his hand to help her up and sighed, "Ruyi, I'm not angry with you. I'm angry with this harem. There's never a day of peace."
Seeing that the two had reconciled, Wei Yanwan naturally sent them both out of Yongshou Palace.
On the second day, the palace knew that Concubine Ling, who had invited the Emperor to dine at Yongshou Palace yesterday, had been intercepted by the Imperial Noble Concubine herself.
Although all three of them denied it, because the real reason had to be kept secret, many people showed ambiguous expressions as if they knew the truth when faced with the excuse of the Imperial Concubine and the Concubine Ling that they were discussing matters related to the Longevity Festival.
"So she really didn't intercept on purpose."
After Wei Yanwan finished her explanation, Concubine Mei and Concubine Shu both showed expressions of heartache and resentment.
The two of them comforted each other in unison: "It's okay, we all understand."
Similarly, Ruyi felt a headache and helplessness when she saw Concubine Yu, who always felt that Wei Yanwan had deliberately called her there that day to ruin her sister's reputation.
For a time, Concubine Jia was the only one in the palace who had a different opinion on this matter.
But she also had doubts in her heart. If Wei Yanwan really presented the evidence to the emperor, why did the imperial concubine just do what she was supposed to do as if nothing had happened?
Concubine Jia felt a little uneasy and subconsciously went to look for the blessing bracelet that the prince had given her.
"Jung-sook, go get me the bracelet."
Zhenshu quickly picked up the brocade box enshrined in the Buddhist temple and handed it to Concubine Jia.
Jin Yuyan slowly opened it, and inside was an eight-treasure bracelet.
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