Seemingly realizing his words were too irresponsible, Yinzhen added, "National affairs come first, family affairs second. Look at these dozens of ledgers piled up, how can I leave?"
Yinzhen only cared about the accounts, and Su Peisheng slunk away, taking the opportunity to change the tea.
Tong Wanle waited for Yinzhen to come and rescue her, but after an hour, two hours passed, and she knew he would not come again.
Tong Wanle knelt for a long time, her eyes were numb, and she could no longer feel her knees.
Even if she doesn't die, her legs are probably not far from being crippled.
"This servant only asks for a dignified death." Tong Wanle knelt before Consort Yi, her mind set on dying.
To die with dignity? What a joke.
How noble must a person be to die with dignity after harming the imperial heir?
Consort Yi looked at Tong Wanle with a strange expression, as if she were a fool.
After the servant who went to inform Yinzhen returned, he relayed Yinzhen's words to Consort Yi verbatim.
She was just a concubine, someone who wouldn't even be listed in the imperial genealogy after her death. There was really no need for Yinzhen to neglect state affairs for her sake.
If they don't want to come, they don't have to. It's a matter for the harem, and she can handle it all.
“Death is unlikely. You are also a member of the royal family. Even if your status is low, I have to consider the Fourth Prince’s feelings. We will decide on this matter when the Emperor returns. For now, take him to the Ministry of Justice.” Consort Yi made the final decision.
Tong Wanle had heard of the cruelty of the seventy-two punishments imposed by the Shenxing Division even before she entered the palace.
Rather than suffer inside, it's better to drown yourself in a pot of poison.
Consort Yi raised her eyes and immediately saw through Tong Wanle's little scheme.
"Dislocate her jaw, but don't let her die. I still have some doubts about this matter, and this case needs to be investigated carefully." Consort Yi looked towards the side hall where Consort Wuya lived.
Regardless of whether this matter has anything to do with Consort Wuya, kicking someone when they're down is something everyone would do.
Over the years, the scandals among the four concubines have been countless.
Wang Changzai, lying on the bed barely breathing, astutely understood Consort Yi's meaning.
She said, "Consort Wuya, how cruel you are! You already have both a son and a daughter, why do you have to harm me as well?"
Wang Changzai's voice was shrill and could be heard easily from afar, even though the window in her room was open.
Wu Yapin sat in the chair, her dignified face like that of a living Bodhisattva, with a hint of pleasure.
He was pregnant with the emperor's child in her palace, and he flaunted his belly in front of her all day long. He deserved to miscarry.
Thanks to that idiot Tong Wanle, who lent her a helping hand.
If Consort Yi wants to investigate, then investigate. In such a chaotic situation, who can possibly find out?
Consort Wuya remained calm and composed, her heart unmoved. Without concrete evidence, no one could do anything to her.
Consort Wang cursed Consort Wuya repeatedly, but Consort Wuya was very patient and shut the door tightly, pretending to be deaf.
Seeing this, Consort Yi stopped Consort Wang: "Don't worry, sister, I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter. You've just been feeling unwell, so you should rest well."
Consort Wang obediently shut her mouth, following Consort Yi's lead.
"Take Consort Tong away." Consort Yi will not forget the instigator.
Suddenly, Tong Wanle wanted to see someone: "Your Highness, Consort Yi, I beg you to let me see Consort Tong. My father and mother are both in Shengjing, and my elder brother is not allowed to enter the palace. I only have this one younger sister. Please make an exception for me."
If you say it's a deep sisterly bond, Consort Yi would never believe it.
But then she thought again that Jia Rong and Princess Shuo would soon marry Tong Qinian, and this marriage relationship could indeed save face for them.
"I can ask for you. But whether Consort Tong is willing or not, I will not make a promise," Consort Yi said.
When Consort Yi agreed, Tong Wanle was overjoyed and wept: "Please ask the eunuch who delivered the message to pass on a message to me. Just ask Consort Tong if she wants to know about her origins."
Consort Yi raised her eyebrows slightly, wondering if there was more to this than met the eye.
Not long after Princess Jiarong and Princess Shuo left the palace, Tong Wanyan was listening to a little tune, feeling utterly bored.
Consort Yi suddenly sent someone to invite her, conveying a message concerning the mystery of her origins.
She was eager to try something so interesting.
"Granny Ling, shall we go?" Tong Wanyan trusted Granny Ling completely.
Seeing her nod, she got up to change her clothes and followed the eunuch out.
Tong Wanle was tied up in the house, with guards outside.
Family secrets should not be heard by outsiders, especially by people of high status.
When Tong Wanyan arrived, Consort Yi led everyone out.
"How could you be so stupid as to plot against the imperial heir? You must have a death wish." Tong Wanyan stood by the door, just in case Tong Wanle suddenly went mad.
Tong Wanle sneered: "If I'm stupid, does that mean you're smart? No, I should say, was the former Tong Wanyan smart? You imposter, occupying Tong Wanyan's identity, do you have any respect for the Tong family!"
Her gaze was intense, and she spoke with certainty.
Tong Wanyan stood in front of her, looking at her as if she were a fool.
"If I'm not, then who are you?" Tong Wanyan said disdainfully.
Tong Wanle growled, "Tong Wanyan is naturally thoughtful and sentimental. You, on the other hand, are heartless, act on your whims, and have no scruples. Outsiders praise you for being magnanimous, but I know you don't care about anything. Tell me, who exactly are you?"
She stared intently at Tong Wanyan, looking extremely terrifying, like a demon crawling out of hell.
Tong Wanyan laughed out loud, showing no fear: "I am broad-minded, but that doesn't mean I am myself. Where does that logic come from? You are not allowed to judge others with your petty mind and misunderstand people because you are blind."
Tong Wanle glared at her, ignoring her nonsense: "Then do you dare to swear on Prince Hongzhao?"
Tong Wanyan looked at her mockingly, never expecting her to say such a whimsical thing.
“I am different from you. My child is a treasure, not an object for me to prove myself. You are both pitiful and hateful.”
"Oh, right, you told Consort Yi that my background is not right. Could it be that I am actually my mother's biological daughter, and you are the illegitimate daughter?"
Tong Wanyan made a casual joke, but Tong Wanle burst into a crazy laugh.
"Yes. You've all been fooled. Look at what your supposed blood ties are really like. I just said a few nonsense words and fabricated some dubious evidence, and they started to suspect you. You're clearly mother and daughter, yet she framed you for my sake. Isn't that ridiculous?" Tong Wanle said.
“Once is enough of this farce. Do you think I’ll hate the Fujin (wife of the deceased) for saying this to me? Her treatment of me was solely out of love for her daughter. I was raised by her, and the injustices I suffered later are nothing to her. You, even on the verge of death, still scheme like this, what’s the point?” Tong Wanyan said.
To be honest, Tong Wanyan didn't believe her.
Tong Guozhu and his wife were not the type to believe everything they heard; without verification, how could they have taken it all at face value?
"Whether I'm legitimate or illegitimate is not important to me now. It's laughable that you're saying this to me at a time like this, with filthy intentions. You're both stupid and wicked; may you never be born into a wealthy family in your next life. I'm leaving; take care." Tong Wanyan turned and left.
Tong Wanyan left, and Tong Wanle stared at the empty room with a gloomy look in her eyes.
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