Chapter 44 Implicated and Punished
Dan Ying seemed to smile slightly. "Your Majesty, we do not have such a screen. However, this servant remembers that the Imperial Treasury, which is managed by the Bureau of Eunuchs, once had a double-sided gauze as a tribute from the Western Regions. The gauze was as thin as paper, with one side gray and the other white, and was also known as 'yin-yang gauze'. When the face was covered by the white gauze, one could see clearly, while when the face was covered by the gray gauze, it was like a wall blocking one's vision. I do not know what technique was used to weave it."
Xiao Qing's eyes lit up.
She had thought that it would be impossible to find privacy glass like the kind that existed in her time and space, but now there was gauze that could achieve the same effect through a special weaving technique.
This kind of gauze is much better than ordinary screens.
"Could I bring it over to try?"
Dan Ying said, "If Your Majesty wishes to take it, then of course you may. This servant can go to the Inner Palace Bureau to fetch it right away."
Zhao Youchen also thought this was a good idea, so he and the three imperial physicians accompanied Xiao Qing to wait for the gauze.
The hall was silent when Xiao Qing remembered something. "Why isn't Ying Ying here?"
She sensed something was wrong.
Zhao Youchen was also taken aback, realizing that he hadn't reported this matter to His Majesty.
However, you can't blame him for this.
The scene was chaotic, and Zhao Youchen, worried about Xiao Qing's safety, did indeed scold Ying Ying. However, Ying Ying was already a palace servant. Palace servants were under the jurisdiction of the Inner Palace Bureau, and he could only detain her. Unless the young emperor spoke up, he could not punish her on his behalf.
It's obvious that His Majesty wouldn't allow him to punish Ying Ying on his behalf.
The matter was resolved when Mei Shu arrived.
Mei Shu is a regular attendant to His Majesty, and since Ying Ying has made such a big mistake, it is naturally more appropriate for her to handle it.
So Zhao Youchen watched helplessly as Mei Shu ordered his men to take him away to receive punishment, without saying a word.
Yingying, that kid, probably knew he was guilty, so he obediently let them take him away without any resistance or pleading.
"General Zhao?" Xiao Qingxin asked.
According to the rules of this world, since the emperor was injured, shouldn't everyone around her be punished? Ying Ying and she went there secretly together, and who knows how badly they've been punished now.
Zhao Youchen was at a loss, wondering how to answer, when Mei Shu came in.
He quickly and secretly winked at Mei Shu.
Mei Shu didn't understand why, but she also felt that something was off about the atmosphere.
Just as she was about to ask, Xiao Qing said, "Mei Shu, where is Ying Ying?"
She knew it in her heart.
"In prison."
Xiao Qing's heart skipped a beat again, and her expression darkened.
"How could you go to a place like that?" Ever since the two palace servants at the Palace Prison Temple, Xiao Qing has had an instinctive aversion to that place.
The head eunuch, Huang, who was on duty at the palace prison, spoke flawlessly, always finding fault with everything he said. But this could not conceal the cruelty and cold-heartedness in his heart.
Mei Shu was also present at the time.
“According to palace rules, Yingying incited His Majesty to engage in dangerous activities, resulting in His Majesty's serious injury. He should be punished in the palace prison.” Mei Shu’s voice was extremely calm.
But to Xiao Ting, her voice was as annoying as the palace prison.
She looked at Mei Shu, who had lowered his head slightly and was in a respectful posture. A fire was burning in her heart, but when that fire reached her throat, it turned into a cold smile at the corner of her lips.
“I’ve experienced the palace prison firsthand. If you handle it according to palace rules, I can’t say anything. However, this matter wasn’t caused by Yingying’s instigation, but rather I ordered Yingying to do it. If anyone is to blame, it’s not him.”
She emphasized the word "command".
"I suspect that if I were to trouble Attendant Mei to go to the palace prison, Yingying would probably have to go with those two palace attendants. So, I will go myself today. I want to truly experience how the palace prison enforces its rules."
Mei Shu was startled and immediately knelt down. "This servant is guilty, Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
Zhao Youchen and the others also knelt down.
At this point, what's there to be angry about? It's a waste of time.
"Call Mingxiu over and put her on the stretcher." Xiao Qing knew that Mei Shu always took palace rules very seriously. She was too lazy to waste any more time arguing with her about whether right or wrong or life and death were more important.
In short, her impulsive act implicated Yingying. She couldn't just stand by and watch her die.
Let them go and apologize while clinging to those cold, rigid rules.
Xiao Qing struggled to get up.
Mei Shu was terrified and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Please rest and recuperate. This servant will go to the palace prison immediately and bring Yingying back!" She vaguely realized that this young emperor was unlike any other emperor in this dynasty. He lacked something in his bones, yet possessed something else entirely.
She got up quickly and walked out like the wind.
Because she was walking too fast, she almost tripped over the threshold at the door, stumbled forward hard before regaining her balance, and then walked even faster.
Xiao Qing was still worried and couldn't help but struggle to get up.
Zhao Youchen quickly said, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. Attendant Mei is familiar with the situation in the palace prison. She will definitely be able to bring Yingying back safely if she goes there herself. Please take care of your health, Your Majesty. I will need Your Majesty's help at the South Training Ground tomorrow."
Xiao Qing was helpless.
Huang Rui, the chief executioner of the palace prison, is a minor boss. Tomorrow, almost all the civil and military officials will be at the South Training Ground, and she still has to take on the big boss...
Has even the right to be willful been stripped away to the extreme?
Grand Tutor, have you received the hostage? Shouldn't you be heading back now?
Unlike the quiet waiting in Chengde Palace, Mei Shu's heart was often filled with a mixture of anxiety and fear as he walked towards the prison.
She gave a bitter smile and sighed inwardly.
Your Majesty assumed you'd learned your lesson simply from hearing the fates of two palace maids. Does Your Majesty even know who Mei Shu is...?
Her mind was filled with all sorts of chaotic thoughts, and the road seemed to stretch into an endless darkness in her eyes.
The palace prison was a place that collected and concealed all darkness.
She forced herself to stay alert and was about to send someone to announce her arrival when she saw a man standing at the entrance of the palace prison. The man had his eyes slanted to the side and was watching her walk by indifferently. His dark and deep eyes seemed to reflect the anxiety and unease deep in her heart.
Huang Rui!
She subconsciously slowed her pace, trying to appear calm and indifferent.
Huang Rui scoffed and waved his hand, ordering the palace servants on either side to step back.
Mei Shu stopped and also told the people following behind her to step back for the time being.
"Chief Steward Huang, Mei Shu obeys the imperial edict..."
Huang Rui stretched out one hand and waved it gently from side to side, tilting his head and smiling, "Attendant Mei, how have you been?"
Mei Shu looked at him coldly, and continued.
“I know why you’re here. I can take the person back to you. But you also know the rules of the palace, don’t you?” His smile had a hint of sinister cruelty and a touch of roguishness.
"Thank you." Mei Shu prepared to call someone inside to find the person.
Huang Rui leaned closer at that moment, speaking in a low, slow voice: "Your absence today has put me in a difficult position. Now that you've come, you must remember the favors you've shown me in the past. Do you see clearly who His Majesty's favorite is? Don't harbor any unrealistic expectations, lest you cause His Majesty trouble in the future, and I will be in trouble too..."
A cold smile played on his lips, his eyes like venomous tongues in the cold night. He slowly raised one hand and pinched Mei Shu's waist.
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