Chapter 886 The concubines in the harem all wanted to vie for the emperor's favor.
When Jiang Fenghua saw Song Qing, the image of her when she first entered the palace suddenly flashed through her mind. How innocent and carefree she was back then!
Whether it's an act or that's her true self, she's completely changed now, even resorting to suicide.
Whether Xie Shang sees through it or not, at this moment he will choose not to see through it.
Song Qing lay weakly on the bed, trying to get up to pay her respects to the Emperor and Empress. Her face was streaked with tears, and her pitiful appearance was quite heartbreaking.
Her left wrist was wrapped in bloody gauze. If she really wanted to commit suicide, wouldn't it be easier to just grab a knife and slit her throat? How much blood could flow from a small wound on her wrist? How could it be life-threatening?
Xie Shang expressed his concern briefly and promised to have the Song brothers' case investigated. If they were indeed framed, he would definitely clear their names.
Gao Qingtong and the other concubines rushed over upon hearing the news, only to find the Empress calmly sitting to one side, "drinking tea."
Gao Qingtong was stunned. Why didn't the Empress go in?
She quickly led the concubines in bowing: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
After everyone had exchanged greetings, Jiang Fenghua said in a deep voice, "No need for formalities!"
Everyone stood up again, and after exchanging pleasantries, Gao Qingtong walked inside. She saw the Emperor sitting upright to one side. She stepped forward, bowed to the Emperor, and said gently, "I wonder how Consort Shu is doing, whether she is alright. I have come to visit you."
Jiang Fenghua listened from the side. Just now, she saw that Consort Gao's lips and eyebrows were full of joy. This was not a visit, but clearly a visit to see someone make a fool of themselves.
Song Qing is really unlucky. She wanted to make a good impression, but Qin Yunyan caused her to fall off her horse and break her leg. Now her brother has been used and imprisoned. No wonder she tried to attract Xie Shang by threatening to kill herself.
Xie Shang said, "Your Highness, you may dispense with the formalities!"
Gao Qingtong said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xie Shang added, "Since the Imperial Concubine is here, let her stay and keep the Imperial Concubine company!"
"Yes..." The Emperor is probably looking for an excuse to leave!
Other concubines also blocked the entrance. They all had ulterior motives, knowing that visiting Consort Shu would allow them to see the Emperor. They all bowed and greeted the Emperor.
In just a few years, many of the concubines who entered the palace died or were injured, and only a few remained. Xie Shang has not selected any more concubines to enter the palace in the past few years.
The few who remained were all of impeccable character and could certainly produce heirs for the royal family.
Jiang Fenghua thought so.
Just then, as Xie Shang was about to walk out, a woman dressed in light blue flowing sleeves seemed to trip over something, and a cry of surprise rang out.
The group looked in the direction of the sound and saw her suddenly squat down, as if she had twisted her ankle.
Xie Shang heard the sound and looked at her: "What's going on?"
She held a round fan in her hand, her almond-shaped eyes filled with shyness. She smiled awkwardly at the Emperor and quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I'm fine. I just tripped and fell."
She covered her ankle with her fingers, looking like nothing was wrong. Xie Shang noticed the broken porcelain shards all over the room and frowned. Was this the very broken bowl that Consort Song used to cut Wan?
He solemnly instructed the palace maid, "Have someone clean up the tents so that the master doesn't get bumped."
After saying that, he stepped out the door.
Fang Changzai stared at Xie Shang's back for a long time, only to see the Emperor take the Empress's hand and walk outside.
He suddenly clasped Jiang Fenghua's fingers tightly together.
Jiang Fenghua was still lost in her thoughts. She looked down at herself, a faint smile playing on her lips, but said nothing.
Gao Qingtong saw through Fang Changzai's actions but said nothing. She had someone help Fang Changzai up and instructed her, "Be careful when you walk in the future, and don't be disrespectful in front of His Majesty."
Fang Yao nodded slightly, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."
The group entered Consort Song's tent and showed her all sorts of care and comfort. Most of the concubines who entered the palace had some background, and now that they were in the hunting grounds, any gossip or news would quickly reach their ears.
Consort Song's two brothers were merely imprisoned and interrogated personally by the commander of the Imperial Guard. In principle, the Song brothers should have been sentenced to death, but the Song family had powerful backers, and the emperor spared their lives out of respect for General Peng.
The conversation then turned to the newly appointed commander, Shangguan Li, saying, "Commander Shang has been transferred away from the palace."
"I heard he's been promoted. The Shang family has a long history of generals, so Commander Shang will definitely become a Grand General."
Song Qing thought to herself: Who said Shang Hong was promoted? Would a promotion lead to being exiled to the border? He was clearly demoted.
Another concubine changed the subject, "It's strange that Consort Shu disappeared from the palace without any reason!"
"Shu Ronghua has been imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, along with Consort Chang and Vice Minister Shu..."
"Consort Lan has also suddenly returned, and she's now known as Consort Lan..."
Gao Qingtong coughed coldly, and Consort Wen, realizing she had said the wrong thing, quickly shut her mouth.
Gao Qingtong said, "You can eat more, but don't talk too much."
The group quickly replied, "Yes."
Song Qing knew that they had been gossiping about it in private, but Shu Yan's disappearance was indeed suspicious. She had heard a lot of rumors, but since it involved a royal scandal, she couldn't say much. Even Empress Jiang hadn't brought up Shu Yan's matter, so she certainly wouldn't.
The Shu family has fallen, and her father has been imprisoned and will be executed in the autumn.
Song Qing got the answer she wanted from the Emperor: her two brothers might be saved. She became gentle and pitiful again. Her injuries made her feel terrible, and she didn't want to talk to the concubines too much.
-
Xie Shang led Jiang Fenghua out of Consort Song's tent and said, "Ruan Ruan, send someone to take Consort Song back to the palace first. I will have Jiang Jinyan investigate the case of the Song brothers. That poison is definitely not something the Song family can afford. The Song family would not dare to plot against me. General Peng is someone I promoted myself. He will not betray me."
Xie Shang explained so much because he was afraid she wouldn't remember. General Peng went to the Northwest on a military order.
Jiang Fenghua will not completely trust Peng Fei. He will only be loyal if his own interests are not involved. Once his own interests are involved, all trust will collapse. Shang Hong is a living example of this.
She only trusts herself in this life.
After Xie Shang left, Ao Xue said, "I heard from Hong Xiu that the matter of Consort Lan was not kept secret."
Jiang Fenghua reminded her in a deep voice: "She is now Consort Lan. After falling off the cliff, she was fortunately rescued by an old woman. After regaining consciousness, she was sent to the Marquis of Changping's residence. Now she has returned to the palace. Just pretend you don't know anything else!"
Looking at the Empress's calm and reserved demeanor, Ao Xue felt as if she were seeing the former Empress Jiang.
Jiang Fenghua tapped her forehead. "Don't overthink it. The Emperor doesn't want anyone to bring up what happened back then."
Ao Xue replied, "This subordinate understands."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
