Zhao looked at Zhong Zhiheng's expression, and then hurriedly added: "Also, the persimmon cakes were tributes sent by the Shaanxi Governor's Office. Not to mention a mere palace maid, even concubines of lower status would definitely not be able to eat them. How could that little palace maid have the audacity to secretly take the persimmon cakes under the name of Concubine Shu and eat them all for herself? I have been in the palace for many years, but I have never seen such a daring palace maid!"
Zhong Zhiheng's face suddenly darkened: "Are you saying that the young palace girl received the persimmon cakes under the title of Concubine Shu?"
"It's absolutely true!" Zhao said hurriedly, sizing up Zhong Zhiheng's expression. She continued hurriedly, "I think someone must have been behind this. I don't know who the little palace girl Cui Qing got the favor from. She dared to ruin the reputation of the Concubine Shu and almost endangered the baby in Concubine Hui's belly. It's really abominable! I think this matter should be thoroughly investigated!"
"No need for that," Zhong Zhiheng said slowly, "Since that palace girl is stubborn, I guess we won't be able to get anything out of her. Just kill her."
Zhao was startled, and hurriedly asked in a low voice: "If Sister Huipin asks..."
"It's okay, I'll go talk to her." Zhong Zhiheng said in a deep voice. He then looked at Zhao. "Let's just forget about this matter. There's no need to worry the Queen Mother."
"Yes. I understand." Zhao responded hurriedly.
"Okay, go down."
"Yes. I'll take my leave." Zhao bowed and took her leave.
"Madam, what did the Emperor say?" As soon as she left the imperial study, the maid who had been waiting outside hurried forward, lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, helped Zhao get on it, and asked in a low voice.
"When we get back later, you will personally oversee the handling of Cui Qing." Zhao said in a deep voice.
"Just... just execute Cui Qing like this?" The maid was startled, and hurriedly asked in a low voice, "Didn't His Majesty think of Concubine Shu? Why did he just execute Cui Qing without any punishment?"
"Isn't this good?" Zhao said slowly, stroking the gorgeous armor on her hand, and sneered, "It is much better to plant doubts in the emperor's heart than to kill him with a stick."
The maid was startled for a moment, then she understood and hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
"Notify the right prime minister and tell him that he can take action," Zhao said in a deep voice, "Tell him to take his time and not to rush."
"Yes, I obey your command." The maidservant bowed and agreed, while lowering the curtain of the sedan chair.
…
Yanxi Palace.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!" The maid ran in in a panic. Before she could calm down, she said to Concubine Shu anxiously, "Your Highness, this is bad! The Imperial Concubine just ordered Cui Qing to be executed!"
"What?" The white jade fan in her hand suddenly fell to the ground. Concubine Shu stood up with a pale face, looked at the maid, and asked with trembling lips, "Did she execute Cui Qing on her own, or... or did she get the order of His Majesty?"
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine gave the order to execute Cui Qing only after she came back from the Imperial Study," he said anxiously, "She must have received His Majesty's order!"
“Plop!”
The next second, Concubine Shu sat back down again. She stared at the dazzling sunlight outside the window. After a long while, she gritted her teeth and said, "Zhao is so vicious and cruel. She only wishes she could put me and Prince Hui to death!"
"Your Majesty is right! In front of His Majesty, Prince Hui has always been more respectable than Prince Rong. Although the Imperial Concubine and Prince Rong don't say it on their faces, who knows how much they hate your Majesty and the Prince in their hearts!" The maid was also indignant. "This time, they used such a despicable method to frame your Majesty. It's really abominable! Cui Qing is just a rough maid. It is impossible for her to serve your Majesty closely on weekdays. How could she get the order from your Majesty to get some persimmon cakes? She must have been bribed by the Imperial Concubine to do this desperate thing! Your Majesty, you can't forgive the Imperial Concubine. You must get back at her!"
"Now is not the time to talk about this," Cui gritted her teeth and clenched her fists tightly, saying in a deep voice, "Your Majesty allowed Zhao to deal with Cui Qing without asking any questions. It is obvious that he has doubts about me. It's fine for me, but if Your Majesty suspects Prince Daohui, then it will be very bad."
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