Chapter 867 The Emperor's Scheme
He Lan Yanran's eyes were filled with hatred after losing her child.
Wuxin added, "Since Consort Lan has already entered the palace, she should stay and recuperate. His Majesty has specially allowed Lady Changping to stay in the palace for a short time to take care of Consort Lan."
Lady Helan quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
She never expected that even though her daughter's body was impure and she was pregnant with another man's child, the Emperor would forgive her and allow her to stay in the palace and be promoted to the rank of Consort.
Before entering the palace, Lady Helan had already decided that if the emperor could spare her daughter's life, she would take her daughter and leave Shengjing.
But now that her daughter is staying in the palace as a concubine and her husband hasn't lost his official position, it's still a good thing.
Jiang Fenghua said to Wuxin, "Eunuch Wuxin, please step down and let Consort Lan calm down."
Wuxin said, "This servant will take his leave now. Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself."
He knew that although Helan Yanran had been granted the title of concubine, she would never receive the emperor's favor in her lifetime. Her staying in the palace was merely to save face for everyone.
After leaving without a thought, Jiang Fenghua didn't know what to say, but said lightly, "Consort Lan, please take good care of yourself. I will have someone send you more tonics. Getting better is the most important thing. Don't think about anything else."
"Your Majesty, I beg you, please let me see Shang Hong one last time," Helan Yanran pleaded.
Jiang Fenghua said, "What's the point? What good will meeting him do? He's going to marry the Shen family girl. You two will never be together."
Her voice was icy as she continued, "The child is already formed, it's a boy, and I want to ask him if he regrets it."
“He wouldn’t want to see this child, because he has other children in his household. He never expected your child, so how could he regret it?” Jiang Fenghua asked. “I think what he regrets most now is that mistake he made with you back then!”
He Lan Yanran felt as if her heart was being torn apart. "He said he would let me have the child, that he would love us well, and that he would treat me well. How could he not have any expectations? You lied to me."
He Lan Yanran became agitated, "You've all lied to me..."
"Helan Yanran, wake up!" Jiang Fenghua said coldly.
Seeing her daughter in such pain, Lady Helan also began to cry. "Your Majesty, please stop. Ran'er is already heartbroken enough."
"Her current state is enough to plunge your Helan family into an abyss. If she wants to die, I won't stop her. But if you die and your family suffers infamy, then you truly deserve to die." Jiang Fenghua then said coldly to Madam Helan, "She is very weak right now and cannot be stimulated. I will not hold it against her. If she wants to live, let her live for the Shang family to see. If she wants to die, let her die for your Helan family to see. I am not a savior and have no time to comfort her."
After Jiang Fenghua finished speaking, she left the side hall.
Helan Yanran and Madam Helan were both dumbfounded. Empress Jiang was right. Even if she died, it would be for the Helan family to see. The Shang family couldn't wait for her to die.
He Lan Yanran is still grieving the loss of their child. In reality, the merchants were simply afraid that once the child was born, her love would be unforgettable, and no one else would care.
She stopped crying, clutched her stomach, and said coldly, "Mother, I will make Shang Hong and the Shang family pay the price. They killed my child."
Lady Helan was also heartbroken, "I will not let their family have an easy time."
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The merchants were not released from the palace either, and Xie Shang met with Shang Hong alone.
Xie Shang said, "General Shang is a great general who followed my grandfather in his campaigns. The men of the Shang family have always been pillars of the Great Zhou Dynasty. I have always trusted you. Before my father passed away, he instructed me to treat the people of the Shang family well. But this time you have put me in a difficult position."
Shang Hong knelt on the ground, filled with remorse. "Your Majesty, I... was momentarily bewitched. I am guilty."
"No need to say more, I understand. It's normal for men to have a few women. Marquis Changping has also made contributions. If I punish your two families for this matter, I won't be able to explain it to my father and grandfather." Xie Shang continued, "You were threatened and released thieves into the palace, which is a serious mistake. You also had an affair with the concubines in the harem. These are capital offenses. I still can't bear to punish you. I listened to the excuses you made up and let it go."
Shang Hong knelt on the ground, realizing that the Emperor had already seen through his words.
"Get up. I'm temporarily revoking your position as commander of the Imperial Guards and handing it over to your subordinate, Shangguan Li. Go to the Western Suburbs Camp. I'll recall you when the opportunity arises," Xie Shang said.
Shang Hong said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will swear to serve you with my life and will never betray the trust of Your Majesty and the late Emperor."
"The Shang family has always been the right-hand man of the royal family," Xie Shang said. "The Great Zhou Dynasty needs the Shang family. Would you be willing to go with General Peng to garrison the northwest?"
"Your subject is willing." Shang Hong knew that although going to the garrison was arduous, it was also an opportunity. He served as the commander of the Imperial Guard because of the protection of his family. Without the Shang family's foundation, he would not have been promoted to such an important position as the commander of the Imperial Guard by the late emperor.
He betrayed the late emperor's trust.
"Once you've thought it through, report to the Western Suburbs Camp." Xie Shang composed himself. "Since you've agreed to the marriage with the Shen family, hold the wedding as soon as possible! I'll drink your wedding wine before you set off."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will get married as soon as possible." Shang Hong agreed readily. He did not expect the Emperor to let him go. He thought he was really finished.
Only after Shang Hong left did Xiao Yu emerge from the side hall, where he stood respectfully before the emperor.
Xie Shang looked at him and said, "The idea you came up with for them is indeed excellent. I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
"It is my duty to share the Emperor's burdens." Xiao Yu became even more respectful, knowing that the Emperor could not be kept in the dark that the Empress had helped Consort Lan and Commander Shang.
Xie Shang curled his lips and said in a deep voice, "It is truly a waste of your talents to appoint you to a position in the Ministry of Rites."
Xiao Yu said, "No matter what position I hold, I will always be loyal to Your Majesty."
Xie Shang probed, "So last night the Empress asked you to help her solve this problem. Why does she trust you so much?"
Xiao Yu calmly replied, "I went to the Jiang residence to discuss the rumors about the Empress of Yinchuan with Minister Jiang. I happened to run into Her Majesty the Empress returning to the Jiang family. Her Majesty the Empress probably felt that the matter of Consort Lan could no longer be kept secret and wanted to return to the Jiang family to ask Minister Jiang for help. That's why Minister Jiang asked me to help think of a solution."
He had already told Jiang Jinyan about this, and they had no choice but to tell the Emperor themselves, otherwise allowing the Emperor to speculate would affect the relationship between the Empress and the Emperor.
Xie Shang smiled and said, "Minister Xiao and Jiang Jinyan have always been my right-hand men. As for the rumors about the Queen of Yinchuan, investigate them secretly. Who is spreading these rumors and what is their purpose?"
Xiao Yu respectfully replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."
"The envoys will be staying in Shengjing for a while. The Ministry of Rites should come up with a plan to hold a banquet. This banquet is of utmost importance. Vice Minister Xiao should go and discuss with Minister Jiang how to organize it." Xie Shang added, "Why didn't Jiang Jinyan come to court today, and why didn't he ask for leave?"
Xiao Yu said, "Minister Jiang seems to be ill."
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