Miss Zhang?
Xuan Ling ordered:
"Commander Xue, immediately arrest Lady Zhang and bring her to Jingren Palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He then ordered: "Notify all concubines to go to Jingren Palace."
Originally, he came here alone today to deal with Concubine Xian, to conclude the case, and to clear Sheng Xiyan's name.
Unexpectedly, Concubine Zhang was found, so naturally everyone had to witness that Sheng Xiyan did not murder the concubine.
After one stick of incense, we arrived at Jingren Palace.
After receiving the imperial edict, all the concubines hurried over, all panting.
Xuan Ling and Queen Duan took the seats.
The guards brought Concubine Zhang here.
She lowered her head and lay on the ground.
"Miss Zhang, is this jar of lip mud the one you gave to Concubine Xian?"
Lady Zhang said softly, "Yes."
Concubine Xian angrily asked, "Why do you want to harm me?!"
Concubine Zhang did not answer, so Empress Duan asked:
"Miss Zhang, you want to disfigure Consort Xian and make her unable to sleep with you so you can be in the first place? But you forgot that you are third, and there is second Consort Rong in front of you."
Rong Guiyi stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Empress, the other day Concubine Zhang gave me a bottle of magnolia essential oil, but I haven't used it. Is there something wrong with that?"
Xuan Ling immediately ordered: "Hurry to Liuyun Palace to get the magnolia essential oil and have it examined by the imperial physician."
Sheng Xiyan wondered if Lady Zhang had the guts to take such a risky action simply to sleep with him. Perhaps the reason was more complicated than that.
After a cup of tea, Commander Xue and Imperial Physician Li came to report.
"Your Majesty, I have discovered that the magnolia essential oil also contains Five Poison Powder, which is the same ingredient as the lip mud."
Empress Duan said, "That's right. Concubine Zhang has disfigured Concubine Xian and Concubine Rong, making them unable to sleep with the emperor. This way, she can take over first."
Xuan Ling said sternly, "Lady Zhang, the evidence is irrefutable, but I'm curious why you are so cruel as to harm two concubines in a row?"
Lady Zhang kowtowed respectfully and said with tears in her eyes:
"I was born out of wedlock and entered the palace as a legitimate daughter under the name of my stepmother, Zhang. My family has always urged me to become a favorite concubine, but I am incompetent and cannot catch the emperor's eye.
The other day, my aunt sent me a letter saying that she and my brother had been bullied in the mansion, and I wanted her to stand up straight and live a better life.
Xuan Ling said coldly, "Just because you're doing it out of filial piety doesn't mean you should harm others. Beat him to death."
The palace was quiet, with only the emperor's majestic voice audible. The concubines did not dare to whisper and all secretly looked at Emperor Xuanwu's expression.
Lady Zhang did not beg, but kowtowed respectfully.
Then the emperor said solemnly:
"I hereby decree that Zhang Zhixing, a fifth-rank councilor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has neglected to maintain a clean house, and shall be demoted to a seventh-rank official. I also order that Zhang's wife be demoted to a concubine, and that Zhang Meiren's mother be promoted to the principal wife."
Lady Zhang listened and burst into tears. She couldn't believe that she could let her mother live a good life before she died.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. Thank you, Your Majesty... Long live the emperor."
He kowtowed several times reverently, wiped his tears, and followed the guards out of the inner hall to be beaten to death.
Empress Duan took the lead in standing up and knelt with all the concubines, "The emperor is wise, long live the emperor."
Xuan Ling said majestically: "Stand up.
This time, Consort Chen was wrongly accused and is frightened. I will select some rewards and have them sent to Guanju Palace."
Sheng Xiyan bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Empress Duan smiled and said, "Yes, Sister Sheng has suffered so much, and I will give her some rewards. Your Majesty, Concubine Xian is still injured. Would you like to arrange for Concubine Rong to sleep with you first?"
Xuan Ling looked at Sheng Xiyan and said, "Let's talk about this in a few days."
Le Wen ran in, and the nanny came in carrying Le Yun.
The concubines knew that the time would come for the Emperor and Empress to enjoy their family life, so they bowed and said, "Your servants (concubines) will take their leave."
They left Jingren Palace in groups of three or two.
Xuan Ling held Le Yun in his arms, and she cried incessantly, making Queen Duan anxious.
I finally got close to my father, why am I so disappointing?
I became increasingly disgusted with my daughter.
Xuan Ling stood up and held and rocked her for a while before Le Yun calmed down.
"Your Majesty, Le Yun is so well behaved in your arms. She loves you the most."
"Le Yun has lost weight again."
"On the one hand, she's not eating well, and on the other hand, she's grown taller, so she looks thinner."
Xuan Ling returned Le Yun to Queen Duan and took Le Wen out.
Empress Duan carried Le Yun to the door and said, "Your Majesty, we respectfully send you off."
After a while, he turned around and stuffed Le Yun back into the wet nurse's hands.
"How do you feed the child? Why is the Second Princess getting thinner and thinner?"
The nurse felt wronged and wanted to cry, "The princess was born prematurely... I will do my best."
Xuan Ling did not get on the imperial carriage, but took Le Wen for a walk to the South Garden.
After a while, I saw Jiang Jiang running towards me.
"So the emperor has called for the general."
Running over at the speed of a 100-meter sprint, Xuan Ling picked him up.
"Father, I want to fly again!"
Xuan Ling supported himself with his arms and flew him around before putting him on the ground.
"You guys go have fun, Father is busy."
Le Wen took Jiang Jiang's hand and they both waved, "See you again, Father."
After watching the imperial carriage leave, Le Wen whispered, "I also want my father to carry me and fly."
The general said, "Then tell the emperor father."
"I don't dare. My father would kill people. I saw Lady Zhang being beaten to death earlier. It was so scary."
He placed his hand on her shoulder, acting like a grown-up, and said solemnly:
"The Emperor is very good. Don't be afraid of him. My mother said that the Emperor only kills treacherous officials and bad people."
Le Wen smiled sweetly and said, "You're right. I'll try it next time."
"Shall we go catch dragonflies?"
"OK."
The two ran hand in hand toward the green grass.
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