Chapter 176 The Cannon Fodder Concubine in the Harem - A Trap
Yao Yao is living very comfortably at Showa-gu Shrine. But even though it's not remote anymore, Yao Yao still rarely goes out.
Even when they went out, they would only wander around the vicinity of the palace and never go far.
She hadn't even finished admiring Showa-no-Miyako yet.
That day, Yaoyao was swinging on the swing in the yard when she suddenly heard a commotion.
"You can't go in! This is Showa-no-Miya!"
Yao Yao quickly went over and saw several palace maids trying to stop a group of people.
"How dare you! Who gave you permission to trespass into Showa-gu Shrine?"
"We are here to search Showa Palace on the orders of Consort Li!" one of the leading palace maids said.
Yao Yao's temper flared up instantly, and she said in a serious voice:
"Without His Majesty's permission, I will absolutely not allow any outsider to enter Showa Palace!"
Yao Yao composed herself and continued, "What evidence do you have to prove that Consort Li sent you? I don't believe that the dignified Consort Li would do such a thing!"
The leading palace maid produced a token and said, "This is Consort Li's token; we are acting under orders!"
Yao Yao examined the token; it was indeed Consort Li's token. Yet, she still did not back down.
Just then, Consort Li and Consort Shu arrived at Showa Palace together.
"Consort Jia, why don't you dare let the palace servants search? Could it be that you have a guilty conscience?"
Consort Li coughed as she spoke, and looked very weak.
Before Yaoyao could speak, Consort Li preemptively complained, "Your Highness, look, this Consort Jieyu is truly arrogant because of the Emperor's favor. She really doesn't respect us old folks at all! Alas!"
Consort Shu glanced at Yao Yao, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes, but she spoke gently on the surface:
"Consort Jia, Consort Li has been unwell recently, and the imperial physicians have been unable to find the cause of her illness. Master Hongyuan said that Consort Li was stabbed with voodoo dolls, which caused her weakness. We have searched all over the palace, but Zhaohe Palace has not been searched yet. I hope you won't refuse, Jia-meimei."
Consort Shu's expression was well-disguised, and her words were eloquent.
Instead of answering Consort Shu's question, Yao Yao slowly asked, "Your Highness, is His Majesty aware of this matter?"
Consort Li said impatiently, "His Majesty is busy with state affairs all day long, how could he have time for such trivial matters? If Sister Jia has something to hide, she can naturally refuse!"
Yaoyao understood the implication in Consort Li's words: the Emperor was unaware of these matters!
Yao Yao knew perfectly well that this was definitely a complete trap, and that Consort Li was absolutely involved.
The other party just wants me to obediently jump into this trap!
Now, she has been driven to a dead end and has no other choice.
If you don't do as they ask, it will confirm that you have something to hide.
But if we actually let them search, and they find something bad, wouldn't that be playing right into the enemy's hands?!
Yaoyao didn't have much time to hesitate, and could only say:
"Since Consort Li can search the palaces and run them upside down with just one word from her, then I, as a younger sister, naturally cannot refuse."
Yao Yao said coldly, "Do as you please."
As soon as she finished speaking, Consort Li gestured for the palace maid beside her to go inside.
Consort Shu looked at Yao Yao, who had no expression, and pretended to comfort her, saying, "Although Consort Jia is young, she has a strong sense of the big picture."
Yao Yao slowly curved her lips into a smile and said, "Thank you for your praise, Consort Shu. I don't think you look old at all."
Consort Shu's smile froze instantly: "..."
"Consort Jia's words are truly interesting," Consort Shu said with a half-smile.
Yao Yao: "Really! So it's true that I have interesting things to say. No wonder Your Majesty enjoys chatting with me!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Shu immediately lost her composure, turned to look at Consort Li, and ignored Yao Yao.
Having won the verbal battle, Yao Yao also looked inside, a fleeting glint in her eyes.
Even before the palace servants had gone in to search, Consort Li couldn't wait to go in as well. Looking at the scene in Showa Palace, Consort Li was no longer angry, but instead showed a happy expression.
After a long while, a palace maid came out carrying a rag doll with several needles stuck in it and the words "Consort Li" written on its clothes.
"It really is you!" Consort Li pointed at the rag doll and said angrily to Yao Yao.
Yao Yao stared at the rag doll in surprise. "Where did you find this? I've never seen anything like it before!"
"Hmph! You still dare to argue!" Consort Li said angrily.
Having watched the spectacle unfold, Consort Shu stepped forward to take charge. She looked at the palace maid holding the doll and asked, "Where did you find this?"
The palace maid knelt down and said calmly, "Your Highness, this baby was found in the soil next to the big tree in the backyard!"
"Consort Jia, do you have anything to say in your defense?" Consort Shu's expression changed, her eyes sharply fixed on Yao Yao, and she asked in an icy voice.
Yaoyao looked at Consort Shu without fear, her voice completely flat:
"Your Highness, I reiterate, I did not bury this thing, and I have never seen it before!"
Consort Shu's anger flared when she saw Yao Yao openly provoking her:
"You say it's not yours, but do you have any proof? The item was found in your yard!"
Yaoyao retorted, not to be outdone, "Your Highness, there's a term called 'framing someone.'"
Upon hearing that Yao Yao was making a veiled attack, Consort Li angrily retorted:
"Consort Jia, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Are you implying that I'm framing you? You're just a lowly Consort, why would I frame you?"
Yao Yao laughed directly: "Your Highness, you must testify for me that I never said that Your Highness Li framed me."
"Your Highness is absolutely right. You have no reason to frame me, and likewise, I have no reason to harm you! I have no grudge against you, so why would I want to harm you?"
Consort Li rolled her eyes gracefully: "Who knows why you want to harm me? Or maybe you're so ambitious that you want to take my place!"
Yao Yao smiled faintly and said, "Your Highness, Consort Li, you are overthinking this!"
Before Consort Li could speak again, Yao Yao said aggrievedly, "I beg Consort Shu and Consort Li to investigate thoroughly and clear my name!"
Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice trembled slightly, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Yaoyao continued, "Since entering the palace, I have always been dutiful and loyal to Your Majesty. Now I am being unjustly accused, which is extremely wrongful!"
As she spoke, she knelt down and kowtowed, her forehead hitting the ground heavily with a crisp sound.
Just then, a sharp voice came from outside: "The Emperor has arrived."
Upon hearing that the Emperor had arrived, several people displayed different expressions. A truly fascinating scene!
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