Chapter 125 Conferring the Title of Imperial Concubine
Yinzhen's expression had been less than pleasant ever since Su Peisheng entered. The three women in the room were all exceptionally intelligent, so they naturally noticed this.
Cao Qinmo was now hoping the Emperor would be even angrier. If he knew that it was Nian Shilan who had caused the Crown Prince to almost contract smallpox, even if he didn't immediately banish that poisonous woman to the Cold Palace like Consort Qi, he should at least take away her right to care for the child and return Wenyi to her as soon as possible.
However, Yinzhen didn't see it that way at all. Over the years, Nian Shilan had indeed committed many evil deeds, each and every one of which was clearly written in her testimony. But none of them were specifically set up to target Hongzhao; she had no sons. Moreover, given her current predicament, she had no need to do such a thing.
However, if it were said that one of the concubines in the harem had been poisoned and fallen into the water, then Yinzhen would still believe that she was capable of doing it. This matter would certainly need to be investigated further.
Seeing that the Emperor's expression was not good, but he still did not mention Wenyi at all, Cao Qinmo became even more anxious. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Consort Wan, and the words that the Empress had asked her to convey came to mind again.
Hongzhao inside is fine now. The Emperor is just worried about him, so he gave him a day off to rest. Everyone sat outside and started chatting. Consort Cao cleared her throat and deliberately looked at Consort Wan and said, "Consort Wan looks a bit thin. I suppose you lost a lot of weight because of all the worry and hard work you had recently. Does Your Majesty think so?"
Zhen Huan was surprised that the topic had suddenly turned to her. She glanced at Consort Cao beside her, but seeing her usual inscrutable expression, she couldn't discern anything amiss. She decided to take this opportunity to bring up the topic herself.
After listening to Consort Cao's words, she belatedly reached out and touched her face, lowering her head more somberly than usual, and said softly, "I've been worried these past few days and haven't been able to sleep well. I suppose that's why... I look a little haggard."
Seeing that Hongzhao was alright, Yinzhen no longer felt the worry he had yesterday. Upon hearing this, he looked up and carefully examined Zhen Huan, who was standing in front of him with her head down and only the top of her head was visible. After looking at her for a long time, he nodded and said, "Yes, you have lost a lot of weight. You must have suffered these days."
Although he punished Zhen Yuandao, it had nothing to do with Zhen Huan. Because of the matter of Prince Dun, she and the Imperial Noble Consort were both confined to their quarters, which was truly a grievance. He must have been very busy these days and had not been able to take care of her, so she must have been feeling uneasy for a long time.
"Since Your Majesty says that my sister has suffered, then you must make it up to her properly." Cao Qinmo saw the reassuring look in the Emperor's eyes and knowingly added fuel to the fire.
"That's natural." Yinzhen nodded. "Wanpin was promoted to this rank last year when she was pregnant, right? It's been a year now, so it's time for a promotion." Whenever Yinzhen saw Zhen Huan's strikingly similar appearance and demeanor, he couldn't help but want to treat her even better.
"Isn't that right, Imperial Noble Consort?" Since he had spoken, Lü Jiaying naturally wouldn't be the bad guy who would stop others from doing good things. The worry in her eyes hadn't faded yet, and she nodded with a forced smile when she heard this. "Good, now that there's one missing in the four positions of Consort, the promotion of Consort Wan will fill that vacancy perfectly. It's a good thing."
"Becoming a concubine is a major event. Your Majesty should have the Imperial Observatory calculate an auspicious day for my sister to make up for the fright she has suffered these past few days," Cao Qinmo quickly added.
The Emperor naturally had no reason to refuse such a request. After all, in his mind, Zhen Yuandao's punishment was not light, and the people in the harem would inevitably look down on Consort Wan as well. Promoting her rank at this time also represented his attitude.
Although Zhen Huan didn't understand why Cao Qinmo was speaking up for her so repeatedly, she figured this shrewd fox was only acting out of self-interest. She couldn't quite see through Cao Qinmo's scheme today; after all, she had gained the benefits of being promoted to the rank of concubine. Her father wouldn't have to worry about not being promoted back then. Seeing this, her anxiety eased somewhat.
Zhen Huan didn't understand, but Cao Qinmo understood perfectly.
The Empress was right. The Emperor still cares about Consort Nian. Such a big matter cannot be allowed to be punished by the Emperor in public. If Wenyi is to be returned, Nian Shilan must be brought down. Since the Imperial Noble Consort is unwilling to get involved in this mess, then let's support someone who has a blood feud with Nian Shilan and let them fight each other to the death before we call it quits.
For her Wenyi, she was willing to do anything and feared nothing.
For some reason, the Empress insisted that the Imperial Astronomical Bureau calculate the date for Consort Wan's investiture as a concubine...
...
The Imperial Household Department interrogated them for several days, but they couldn't get any information out of them. The methods of the Censorate were certainly not to be underestimated. The fact that they couldn't get anything out of them could only mean that these people really didn't know anything.
They naturally had no idea that the smallpox scabs had never been handled by anyone else, but were personally added by Jiang Zhongmin, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, who received a message from Consort Cao, and that he himself was not even among those being tried.
The Crown Prince's framing was no small matter. Yinzhen sent people to investigate while simultaneously dealing with Nian Gengyao's case.
“Previously, Nian Gengyao transferred all the fire-fighting soldiers on duty, which led to a fire in the palace that went unextinguished. I already showed him extra leniency by demoting him to a dismissed minister, but I did not expect him to be so ungrateful and insatiable.”
Holding Nian Gengyao's memorial of defense and the evidence of his crimes submitted by the ministers, Yinzhen's face was so dark it seemed like water could drip from it—"Now he has committed even more heinous crimes. If I do not punish him, how can I quell the people's anger and restore order to the court?"
"Several years ago, Nian Gengyao was removed from his post as Governor-General of Sichuan and Shaanxi, demoted from a low-ranking official to a junior officer, and sent to the Jiangnan region. Any of Nian Gengyao's associates who still remember past favors, betray the country's kindness, or feel indebted to the government for personal gain, shall be executed on the spot once discovered!"
The voice was majestic and solemn, carrying outwards into everyone's ears, and naturally reaching Yikun Palace as well.
Nian Shilan sat blankly in front of the incense burner, smelling the rich fragrance of the Huan Yi incense, but felt a chill run through her body. "The Emperor really won't let my brother off the hook... No, I need to find paper and pen. I need to write a letter to my brother. Lü Jiayingfeng is right. As long as I obediently apologize to the Emperor, he won't punish me any more!"
At this point, she no longer cared about the prince's sleeping robes or smallpox scabs. She would naturally not admit to anything she hadn't done. Nian Shilan urged her on repeatedly, and the servants hurriedly prepared paper and pens.
At the same time, An Lingrong received news of Nian Gengyao's demotion. She glanced at Baoque beside her, who was in a good mood, and said, "The weather is nice today. Why don't you come with me to Suiyu Pavilion to see Sister Wan? I have some fun things to tell her."
Her smile was innocent and cunning, but her eyes conveyed a completely different meaning.
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