"Who is it? Who is plotting to murder me?"
The congested brain finally woke up.
Concubine Li De's face was cold and she gritted her teeth.
She had successfully suppressed the Li family's affairs. Who was it that brought the Li family to light again?
There must be a conspiracy here.
Someone must be deliberately plotting against the Li family.
Over the years, the Li family and Concubine Li De herself have offended many people.
It can be said that the Li family’s enemies are all over the court.
However, there are not many people who are influential and able to act cautiously and successfully plot against the Li family.
The Ning Wangfu family is the first thing that comes to mind.
Don't ask her why she thought of Prince Ning's Mansion.
This is a woman's intuition.
Her intuition told her that the Ning Wang Mansion was closely related to the affairs of the Li family.
"Is it Prince Ning's Mansion? If I make a wrong judgment, my next decision will be irreversible."
The eunuch bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Young Master Zhao went to work in the Ministry of War, and soon after that, something happened in the Ministry of War, and the Ma Zheng incident was also implicated.
"And I heard that Master Zhao had secretly left the capital for more than half a month, just after Madam Zhao returned. He announced to the public that he was in another courtyard. But in reality, no one knew where he went."
Concubine Li De turned around and looked at her trusted eunuch, "Are you telling the truth? Did Prince Zhao really leave the capital secretly for half a month?"
The eunuch nodded and said with certainty, "Although I don't know Gongzi Zhao's specific whereabouts, I can be sure that Gongzi Zhao was definitely not in the capital during that period. Moreover, Gongzi Zhao went to the Ministry of War, and then something happened there. It's too much of a coincidence. I suspect that Gongzi Zhao went to the Ministry of War to work for Ma Zheng."
Concubine Li De looked confused and uncertain. "Could it be that Prince Ning knew from the beginning that the Li family was interfering in horse politics? Where did they get this information?"
"Have you forgotten, Madam? It was Steward Li who was arrested when the young master got into trouble. Steward Li has been with the young master for many years, so he might not be unaware of Ma Zheng's affairs."
Concubine Li De frowned. "I remember that Steward Li fell into the hands of the Minister of the Imperial Household and was later executed. Are you saying that the Minister of the Imperial Household has formed an alliance with the Prince of Ning's Mansion?"
The eunuch said, "Even if the Shaofu hasn't formed an alliance with Prince Ning's Mansion, he will definitely form an alliance with Madam Zhao. Your Majesty, don't forget that the Shaofu also has a stake in the Yuhua Lane Wharf. With the constant flow of goods every day, the annual profit will be very considerable."
Concubine Li De bit her teeth to pieces, it was Gu Jiu who ruined her plan again.
She had fought with Gu Jiu several times, but she had never even seen Gu Jiu's face.
The two had met at a palace banquet. But at that time, Concubine Li De didn't take Gu Jiu, a mere wife of the emperor's grandson, seriously.
She couldn't even remember what Gu Jiu looked like.
Concubine Li De paced back and forth nervously in the hall.
"Are you sure this incident was caused by Prince Ning's Mansion?"
"Prince Ning's Mansion is the most suspicious."
Concubine Li De frowned, "Could it be the work of Prince Zhao's Mansion?"
"That's also possible. Your Majesty, why don't you stick to the original plan?"
Concubine Li De struggled and hesitated, but finally made up her mind. "You will come with me to see Concubine Xue. Also, find a way to bribe the people in the Imperial Prison and send a message to the master, asking him not to say anything. For the time being, the Jinwu Guards dare not torture me. I will do my best to negotiate."
"I understand. Your Majesty, why don't you test the waters first when you meet Noble Concubine Xue?"
"I know this matter well."
…
In Ganlu Palace, Concubine Xue was listening to a singer singing.
Recently, the Music Bureau arranged several new repertoires. Since Concubine Xue loved to listen to operas, she asked the Music Bureau to bring people to the palace to sing and listen to the songs.
She listened with great interest.
She also enjoyed watching the commotion outside.
Anyway, this time, no matter who wins or loses, she can reap the benefits.
At this time, she was the most relaxed person in the palace. That was why she could listen to the music with ease.
The palace attendant came to her side and whispered, "Your Majesty, Concubine De wishes to see you. She is outside the palace gate."
Concubine Xue sneered, "She's a rare guest. The Li family has been imprisoned, and instead of trying to rescue them, why is she coming to see me? Do you think I can agree to her help rescue the Li family father and son? How ridiculous."
"Does the Queen want to see her?"
Concubine Xue thought for a moment and said, "Let's meet her. It's a rare opportunity for her to come here, so it would be inappropriate not to meet her. Besides, I also want to know what her intention is in coming to see me at this time."
The palace maid took the order and left. After a while, Concubine Li De was invited into the hall.
She looked at the singing and dancing girls in the hall, frowned slightly, and felt very annoyed.
At this time, what she couldn't bear to hear and didn't want to see the most were these beautiful women.
She walked to the front, smiling, "Sister Imperial Concubine, how are you these days?"
At first, Concubine Xue kept staring at the singer, and only when Concubine Li De came closer did she pretend to have suddenly realized something.
"It's Sister Li. The magpies were chirping on the branches early in the morning, and I was wondering what happy event it was today. I didn't expect it to be Sister Li. What a rare visitor."
A thousand alpaca horses were running wildly in Concubine Li De's heart.
My family members were imprisoned, and you actually said that magpies were chirping on the branches and that there was good news.
Is this a sarcasm or a mockery?
Slap in the face or slap in the face?
This is clearly a naked mockery.
Li Defei was filled with anger, but she suppressed it forcefully.
"Sister Xue, I came here today because I have something to say. Why don't we go somewhere quieter?"
Concubine Xue looked at her with a half-smile, "Sister Li, if you have anything to say, feel free to speak directly. These people should be fine."
Concubine Li De's eyes turned cold, and then she laughed again in an instant.
"I want to talk about Concubine Xiao Shufei. Sister Xue, are you sure these people can listen?"
Concubine Xue stared at her suspiciously, with a thousand thoughts running through her mind.
Then, Concubine Xue waved her hand, and all the singers, dancers, musicians, and palace maids withdrew, leaving only a few trusted confidants to serve her.
Concubine Xue chuckled softly, "Sister Li just mentioned Concubine Xiao Shufei, and I'd like to hear your opinion."
Concubine Li De had thousands of thoughts in her mind, which finally turned into a sigh.
"Today, my Li family suffered a disaster. My father and brother were imprisoned. I am filled with grief and sorrow."
As she spoke, Concubine Li De lowered her head and wiped away her tears, looking very sad.
Concubine Xue raised an eyebrow. "Sister Li, I'm so sorry. Good and bad fortune happen to everyone; this is normal. You must trust His Majesty and the Jinwu Guards. They will handle this case impartially and clear your father and brother's name."
Concubine Li De nodded softly, "Thank you, Sister Xue, for your kind words. Sister Xue may not know that the case against my Li family had been suppressed. I don't know who is stirring up trouble behind the scenes, deliberately framing us, and causing my father and brother to be imprisoned. I only regret not knowing who is behind this. If I knew, I would never let her go."
Concubine Xue laughed. "Sister, I don't like what you said. Think about your Li family. Your prosperity has only happened in the past two or three years. In just two or three years, you have accumulated a fortune of millions. During this period, you must have offended many people."
With so many enemies, as the saying goes, many hands make light work. The Li family's doom was foreshadowed long ago. Sister Li, you need to be more open-minded. Our ancestors said that those who do evil will eventually perish. Consider this a lesson."
Li Defei wiped away her tears and said, "Sister, you are right. Our Li family is facing this disaster, which is unavoidable. However, I have also heard a saying that good people do not live long, but evil deeds last for thousands of years.
I admit that our Li family is not a good family. Precisely because we are not good people, we do all the dirty and tiring work without any aversion. Sister, what do you think?
Ouch, that’s interesting.
Concubine Xue looked at Concubine Li De with a half-smile, "Sister Li, you keep saying one heresy after another. I am really old and cannot compare to you young people."
Concubine Li De lowered her eyebrows and looked submissive, "Sister, you have been immersed in the harem for decades and have walked more bridges than I have eaten salt. In your opinion, this time when our Li family is in bad luck, isn't it your opportunity?"
Concubine Xue raised her eyebrows.
I thought to myself, no wonder this woman could climb to such a high position at such a young age, she is indeed quite capable.
She asked, "What opportunities do I have? How could I not know? If you don't mind, please tell me about it."
Li Defei held her handkerchief and smiled, "Sister, you are really good at joking. Everything is under your control, so why do you need me to show off my skills?"
Concubine Xue looked at her with a smile but didn't say anything.
Concubine Li De coughed lightly and could only continue, "Sister, you have fought with Concubine Xiao Shufei your entire life, but you have never been able to defeat her. Are you willing to accept this?"
Concubine Xue laughed heartily. "This palace and Concubine Xiao Shufei are old sisters. Whether you are willing or not is up to you young people. We are old, and we only hope that our children and grandchildren are safe."
"Your Majesty is right. Prince Ning is safe, but can Prince Zhao be safe? I'm afraid not! If one day Prince Ning were to take that position, Sister Xue would be forced to bow down to Concubine Xiao Shufei and kneel before her to kowtow. Would Sister Xue be willing to accept that?"
Concubine Li De stared at Concubine Xue with a sharp gaze.
Concubine Xue scoffed, "Your Majesty named the little prince Hao, what a noble name. Instead of being on guard against Concubine Xiao Shufei and her son, I'd rather be on guard against my sister and the little prince. What do you think?"
Concubine Li De looked aggrieved. "The little prince is still a baby, how could he be qualified to aspire to that position? All the rumors are just rumors. I have never entertained such thoughts. When the little prince grows up, I will not allow him to have any unreasonable aspirations."
Concubine Xue laughed, "Sister, who would believe what you said? Can you expect me to believe you?"
Concubine Li De took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Sister Xue, you don't have to believe me. But if you don't help me this time and let Concubine Xiao Shu and Prince Ning succeed, they will jump up and suppress the Empress and her son.
The next time, Prince Ning will reach out to Prince Zhao and the Xue family. Then, what will Your Majesty rely on to fight them?
Our Li family has been severely weakened by this incident and is no longer a threat to Your Majesty. How about Your Majesty help me? You and I can take this opportunity to join forces and, while Concubine Xiao and her son are off guard, give them a hard shove from behind and teach them a lesson about being stabbed in the back.
By then, the harem will be ruled by Your Majesty. Your power will be at its peak, and it will be just around the corner for Prince Zhao to ascend to that position. My sister would like to congratulate Your Majesty first."
"Don't!"
Concubine Xue raised her hand to stop him.
She said slowly, "You want me to help you, haha, your father and brother interfered with horse administration, embezzled money from the horse administration, and bought and sold horses privately. Each of these crimes is punishable by death.
If I help you, I'm afraid I'll get caught up in it and get into trouble. Concubine Li De, please go back. I'm a person who keeps myself clean and don't want to be involved in these dirty things. "
Concubine Li De's blood boiled with anger. Concubine Xue was really unwilling to be involved in dirty affairs.
She smiled and said, "Sister Xue, if I were to tell Concubine Xiao Shufei what I just said in a different way, do you think she would make a completely different decision from you?"
Concubine Xue frowned and stared at Concubine Li De with an unfriendly look.
Concubine Li De had a tough look on her face, as if she had everything under control.
Concubine Xue chuckled coldly. "You've already figured it out, right? You can't fail to see who's behind the scenes trying to harm your Li family. If you have the guts, go find Concubine Xiao Shu and tell her what I just said. I'd like to see how Concubine Xiao Shu will devour you skin and bones."
Concubine Li De didn't believe it, "Concubine Xiao Shu must be happy to suppress Sister Xue."
Concubine Xue raised an eyebrow and smiled, "This palace and Concubine Xiao Shufei are also very happy to suppress Sister Li. Look, Sister Li is young and beautiful, and she even gave birth to a little prince. How hated she is! This palace and Concubine Xiao Shufei have been fighting for a lifetime, and I don't mind fighting for a few more years."
Concubine Li De laughed sarcastically, "Sister Xue, why do you have to say such insincere words? The Li family is in trouble, and Sister Xue wants to crush me, it's as easy as crushing an ant. So Sister Xue doesn't need to be on guard against me like you are on guard against fire and theft.
But it won't be easy for Sister Xue to crush Concubine Xiao Shu. Without me, how can Sister Xue check and balance Concubine Xiao Shu? Why don't you and I join forces to get rid of Concubine Xiao Shu first. After that, I will let Sister Xue order me around and respect her as my superior.
Concubine Xue laughed heartily. "Sister Li is so eager to cooperate with me. It seems you are truly desperate. Unfortunately, you don't have enough leverage to cooperate with me."
Concubine Li De's face darkened and she became very angry, but she tried to hold it back.
She spoke bluntly and asked, "What does Sister Xue want?"
Concubine Xue looked at her with a half-smile, "You know what I want."
Facing the other party's gaze, Concubine Li De suddenly realized, "Sister Xue wants Jiang Shuyi's life."
Concubine Xue said lightly: "I am a kind person and I don't want anyone's life."
This is clearly a lie, even a three-year-old wouldn't believe it.
Concubine Li De gritted her teeth and said, "If I let Jiang Shuyi die suddenly, what can Sister Xue give me in return?"
"How about I keep your father and brother alive?"
"Not enough!" Concubine Li De shook her head.
It's useless to just save her life. She wants to protect the wealth of the Li family and the status of the little prince.
Concubine Xue shook her head slightly. "Sister Li, I advise you not to be too greedy."
Concubine Li De said, "I am a bad person. Once something goes wrong, I will definitely end up in an irreparable situation. It is natural for me to ask for more."
Concubine Xue sneered, "Sister Li, you must understand that you are not qualified to bargain now."
Concubine Li De gritted her teeth and said ruthlessly, "If I can't keep the Li family rich and prosperous, I would rather they die."
The "they" that Concubine Li De mentioned naturally refers to the Li family.
Death has its drawbacks, but also its advantages. At least he will no longer be a burden to her.
From now on, she is the purest person in the emperor's eyes. The emperor no longer needs to worry about the Li family, the in-laws, abusing their power.
As long as she can make it work, she will not only be able to get out of this matter, but also gain certain benefits.
Concubine Xue looked at Concubine Li De with new respect.
This is a ruthless person!
Without enough benefits, he was willing to watch his mother's family die.
Concubine Xue became defensive.
She thought for a moment and said, "Deal with Jiang Shuyi first, and I will help you."
Concubine Li De shook her head. "No. I have to make sure my father and brother are safe before I can do anything for Sister Xue."
Concubine Xue laughed sarcastically, "Sister Li, I've already made concessions one after another, so don't push your luck."
Concubine Li De gritted her teeth and said, "Sister, you must at least let me see your sincerity, otherwise I can't take the risk to deal with Jiang Shuyi. You know, Jiang Shuyi has come this far, she is not a simple person. I am afraid that she has already noticed my intentions before I even take action."
Concubine Xue thought about it for a moment and nodded, "Okay! I'll show you my sincerity."
Concubine Li De smiled with satisfaction.
Her trip was not in vain.
As for Jiang Shuyi, she was just a chess piece. Now that she couldn't protect herself, what was the point of giving up Jiang Shuyi?
Anyway, if this chess piece is gone, there will be the next one.
Concubine Li De left Ganlu Palace.
The trusted eunuch asked Concubine Xue, "Your Majesty, do you really want to help Concubine De?"
Concubine Xue laughed. "I did agree to help her, but I didn't say to what extent. Please go to the Xue family on my behalf and try to pressure the Jinwu Guards to delay the Li family case as much as possible."
"What should we do next?"
"Wait! Wait for Concubine Li De to take action against Jiang Shuyi."
If Jiang Shuyi, this ungrateful person, is not punished, people inside and outside the palace will still treat her as a toothless tiger.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
