He immediately pinned the blame on the Empress. Qian Shengyan didn't dare to reply, but just smiled slightly and sat down with Yinzhen.
"What's going on? That..." Yinzhen frowned, because Qian Shengyan was not used to being served by eunuchs, and he couldn't remember for a moment. He glanced at Su Peisheng, who immediately replied, "Wang Baoen."
"Your servant is here!" Wang Baoen had followed along long ago. He was already on tenterhooks, and when he saw the Emperor arrive, his legs were trembling. Now that he had been called by name, he didn't struggle at all. He knelt on the ground and recounted the whole story.
"Only the side hall was ransacked, nothing was lost?" Yinzhen glanced at Qian Shengyan.
Qian Shengyan frowned and nodded: "It seems like she's looking for something, but even I don't know what it could be in this side hall?"
Yinzhen nodded slightly, and after a moment he flicked his sleeve: "Su Peisheng, stay and investigate this matter." After speaking, he looked at Qian Shengyan, "They were still discussing matters in front, and I heard that you were here, so I came to take a look. With the servants taking care of things, don't be too anxious."
“Okay,” Qian Shengyan replied with a smile.
Yinzhen nodded and looked at Hongli: "Take good care of your mother."
"Yes." Hongli stood up and bowed.
After giving his instructions, Yinzhen hurriedly left. That same afternoon, the Council of Princes and Ministers, along with the Ministry of Justice, presented a memorial listing ninety-two major crimes committed by Nian Gengyao, including five counts of treason, nine counts of deception, sixteen counts of usurpation, thirteen counts of arrogance, six counts of unauthorized use, eighteen counts of corruption, fifteen counts of embezzlement, six counts of jealousy, and four counts of cruelty. Among the most serious crimes were plotting treason with Daoist Jingyi and Zou Lu, hoarding military supplies, and forging prophecies and seditious pronouncements. In addition, there were various other charges such as wearing inappropriate clothing, abusing dragon motifs, excluding dissidents, embezzlement, corruption, and illegal business operations.
On the same day, Yinzhen dispatched Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard Marsai and Commander of the Infantry Aqitu to pronounce Nian Gengyao's death sentence. He stated that among the ninety-two major crimes, more than thirty should be punished with the death penalty or beheading. However, considering Nian Gengyao's merit in pacifying Qinghai, he granted him the grace to commit suicide in prison.
Regardless of the affairs of the previous dynasty, the peace and tranquility in the harem is also a facade.
Ulanara rushed over, and after learning what had happened, she was speechless, seemingly thinking that Qian Shengyan was making a mountain out of a molehill. It was just a small thief in the palace, yet it had caused such a commotion that even the Emperor was not at peace.
She frowned and gave a few instructions: "His Majesty is busy. If Consort Xi or Imperial Noble Consort have any matters to discuss, they can consult with me first."
Qian Shengyan listened with her head down and replied, "Yes."
But during this time, she carefully observed Ulanara's expression. The other party was extremely natural and calm, and her gaze towards her even carried a faint disdain, as if this round after round of events really had nothing to do with her.
So who else is in this harem?
Qian Shengyan knew that her position was now secure, the credit for saving the emperor had not yet been forgotten, the edict of conferring the title of Imperial Noble Consort had already been issued, and her son had taken over both the eldest and youngest sons. Now, the emperor had entered the harem, and it was also to find her.
Wu and Song have always been silent, Geng and Guo have long since pledged their allegiance, Nian is dead, Li is in the cold palace, who else is there?
However, Qian Shengyan also felt that Ulanara's actions were of no benefit to her. Whether it was delaying her recovery or causing trouble in her side palace, what good would it do her?
Yinzhen probably thought the same way. Since the matter of Huang Qin had not been resolved, he did not exert any influence in the inner palace, but only made the Imperial Hospital more strictly managed.
This incident is even stranger...
What are you looking for, stranger?
Seeing Ulanara's slightly dissatisfied expression, Qian Shengyan fell into deep thought.
After returning from Yongshou Palace to Changchun Palace, Ulanara took off her cloak and went straight to the side hall.
Shushen sat there, head bowed, embroidering a handkerchief. Hearing the noise, she looked up, stood up, bowed, and smiled, "Your Majesty."
"Hmm, doing needlework again? Take a break," Ulanara said gently.
Shushen nodded with her head down, but did not put down the taut string in her hand.
After waiting for a while, Ulanara couldn't help but speak first: "She probably didn't notice."
"Then Your Majesty will just wait," Shushen said with a light laugh. "And the other preparations can also be started now."
“You’re right,” Ulanara nodded in approval, then frowned slightly. “It’s a pity that the Imperial Medical Academy is now very strict.”
"Why can't Your Majesty do things that are inconvenient for you to do? Why not ask someone else for help?" Shushen said softly with her head down. "In my opinion, there are plenty of people in the palace who are willing to help Your Majesty."
"Ha, who else is there in this harem? Wu and Song only know how to live their own lives, and Guo and Geng are now just Qian's lackeys. Where is there anyone else?" Ulanara pinched her forehead in frustration, getting angry just thinking about it.
She's clearly the rightful mistress of the harem, isn't she? Those people ignore her and only fawn over Qian Shengyan, isn't it just because she doesn't have a son…
As Ulanara gritted her teeth, Shushen's gentle voice rang out: "Your Majesty is still missing one person."
"Who?" Ulanara was taken aback and frowned. "Folgochunhe..."
"The Cold Palace is also within the inner palace," Shushen said with a light laugh.
Ulanara was taken aback: "You mean Li?" After saying that, she shook her head, "She used to be Consort Qi, so she couldn't do anything to Qian. Now that she has nothing, what can she do?"
"Your Majesty, you must know that it is only those who have lost everything who have the courage to take such a desperate gamble." A flash of hatred crossed Shushen's lowered eyes, but she quickly masked it, raising her head to smile innocently at Ulanara. "My own mother passed away early, and it was only after coming to Your Majesty's side that I understood how good it was to have you. I... truly hope that Your Majesty can live a more comfortable life."
Ulanara's eyes were filled with emotion, and she couldn't help but grasp Shushen's hand: "Shushen..."
Shushen smiled shyly at her and lowered her head to continue embroidering.
On the other side, the side hall of Yongshou Palace had been restored to its original state, and Qian Shengyan also learned that everything in the hall was intact.
"Everything on the list is there, plus some extra jade trinkets," Qingxue reported in a low voice.
That's normal. Usually, if Yinzhen or she had something fun, they would give it to Hongshan if he wanted it. Perhaps it wasn't on a list or recorded.
Qian Shengyan rubbed her forehead, feeling increasingly uneasy about the situation. How could someone infiltrate the Imperial Concubine's palace and supposedly search the princes' quarters without any apparent purpose?
She simply said, "Bring everything except what's on the list, and make a separate file about it."
"Yes." Qingxue had already packed the things that weren't recorded separately, and now, in front of Qian Shengyan, she took out the records one by one for comparison.
Qian Shengyan could recall when and where she or Yinzhen had given most of the jade pendants to Hongshan to play with, but there was one small jade pendant with two fish on it that she couldn't remember ever seeing before.
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