Chapter 794: Sit in the Well and See the Sky
The next day, the news of Concubine Jing's sudden death spread throughout the harem.
One stone can cause a thousand ripples.
No one could believe this was true.
Concubine Jing usually seemed to be in good health and rarely fell ill, so how could she suddenly pass away? This must be a rumor.
It was not until the emperor issued an edict saying that Concubine Jing accidentally fell into the water last night and suddenly died of an acute illness.
Only then did everyone believe that the Concubine Jing, who always looked gentle and generous, was indeed gone.
Normally, concubines would be posthumously honored, but the emperor had no intention of posthumously honoring Concubine Jing. Even her funeral was kept simple, without any of the glory that a second-rank concubine should have.
Such an ending can only be described as sad.
In the splendid palace.
Concubine Li was drinking tea and eating melon seeds, and a little palace maid was kneeling beside her massaging her legs.
Yao Jieyu hurried in, bowed first, and then said excitedly.
"I have heard that Concubine Jing suddenly fell into the water last night. I heard that people said she committed suicide."
Princess Li waved her hand.
The little palace maid stopped, stood up and quietly walked out.
Concubine Li gestured to Concubine Yao to sit down and speak slowly.
Yao Jieyushi sat in the empty seat next to Concubine Li, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement.
She said this in the excited tone that is unique to spectators.
"I heard that Yingfu Palace was very lively last night. First, Concubine Jing fell into the water, then the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine rushed over, and then all the maids and eunuchs in Yingfu Palace were sent to the Ministry of Punishment."
Concubine Li paused while eating melon seeds and asked, "Were they all sent to the Ministry of Punishment?"
Yao Jieyu nodded vigorously: "Yes, there are more than 40 people, not one was left out, all were sent in, and no one has come out yet. I don't know how many of them will survive in the end."
Thinking of the vicious reputation of the Ministry of Punishment, Concubine Yao felt a little scared.
Concubine Li was thoughtful: "If the emperor wanted to punish the people in Yingfu Palace because of Concubine Jing's fall into the water, there is no need to send everyone to the Ministry of Punishment."
Although the current emperor has a cold temperament, he is not a bloodthirsty tyrant.
What's more, the emperor did not have much favor for Concubine Jing, so he would not vent his anger on the entire Yingfu Palace just for Concubine Jing.
There must be something else going on here.
Yao Jieyu said in distress: "I also feel that this matter is suspicious, but everyone in Yingfu Palace is in the Ministry of Punishment, and outsiders cannot find out the inside story."
The most painful thing for the spectators is that they can only eat half of the melon.
She really wants to know what the truth is!
Concubine Li: "Now, apart from those people in the Ministry of Punishment, only the emperor and the concubine know the inside story of this matter."
Yao Jieyu's eyes lit up: "Why don't we go visit the Imperial Concubine?"
Princess Li hesitated and said, "Okay."
She originally had no good impression of the Imperial Concubine, but after observing for a period of time, she found that this Imperial Concubine not only looked somewhat similar to Concubine Xiao, but also spoke and acted quite similarly.
Every time when she was with the imperial concubine, Concubine Li had an eerie sense of familiarity.
As a result, Concubine Li's aversion to her was reduced a little, and curiosity arose.
If it was just a similar appearance, it could be said to be a coincidence.
But if their personalities are similar as well, then it is definitely more than just a coincidence.
Before leaving, Concubine Li specifically asked Su Mei to take down the small wooden box on the antique shelf.
When Yao Jieyu saw the wooden box, she asked in surprise.
"What did you do with it?"
Princess Li opened the wooden box and found a set of playing cards inside.
This was given to her by Concubine Xiao. She would take it out to play with it occasionally. Because it was well protected, it still looked like new.
Princess Li took a look at the cards and closed the box again.
She said, "We have to have a reason to go see the Imperial Concubine. It just so happens that we haven't played cards for a long time. The two of us plus the Imperial Concubine can just play a game of Landlord."
Yao Jieyu didn't think much about it and praised sincerely.
"Your Highness is really thoughtful."
When Concubine Li and Concubine Yao arrived at Yunxiu Palace, they found that someone had arrived before them.
Concubine Min stood up and bowed to Concubine Li.
"I pay my respects to Concubine Li."
Princess Li looked her up and down and asked, "Why are you here?"
Concubine Min: "I am here to pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine."
Concubine Li had heard that Concubine Min came to pay her respects to the imperial concubine every day, rain or shine, and she didn't expect it to be true.
Princess Li smiled and said, "You are really diligent. You didn't forget to come and pay your respects to the Imperial Concubine even during the New Year."
Concubine Min: "Your Majesty, I am too kind. This is what I should do."
Baoqin served tea and snacks to Concubine Li and Concubine Yao, and said respectfully.
"The Imperial Concubine is still dressing up and will be out soon. Please wait a moment."
Concubine Li glanced at the sky outside and asked in surprise, "It's already this late, and the imperial concubine hasn't gotten up yet?"
Baoqin said calmly: "It's been cold lately, so the Imperial Concubine got up a little late."
Princess Li clicked her tongue.
It's already noon, isn't it just a little late?
The three of them waited for about a cup of tea, and the imperial concubine finally walked in slowly, holding the hand of a palace maid.
The three of them stood up and saluted.
"Greetings to the Imperial Concubine."
Xiao Xixi sat at the top and motioned for them to sit down.
"What day is today? Why are the three of you here together?"
Concubine Li: "I came here with Concubine Yao, but I just happened to run into Concubine Min here."
Concubine Min: "I am here to pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine."
Xiao Xixi was still very sleepy. She forced herself to ask, "Apart from greeting you, is there anything else? If not, let's go."
Because of Concubine Jing's matter last night, she had to get up in the middle of the night and didn't go back to sleep until dawn. Now she hasn't woken up at all.
She is really sleepy!
Concubine Li smiled and said, "I have been staying in Yingfu Palace every day recently. I am really bored, so I thought of coming to talk to the Imperial Concubine and play cards at the same time."
When Xiao Xixi heard the word "playing cards", her sleepiness dissipated a little.
She looked at Concubine Li and asked with pretended curiosity.
"What cards are you playing?"
Concubine Li took the wooden box from Su Mei, opened it, and found a stack of cards neatly placed inside.
Xiao Xixi recognized it at a glance. These were the playing cards she had given to Concubine Li and Concubine Yao.
I didn't expect that Concubine Li still kept it.
Concubine Li had been observing the changes in the imperial concubine's expression and keenly noticed that she seemed a little surprised and a little nostalgic.
Xiao Xixi picked up a card and said with a smile.
"I have seen this kind of cards before in Nanyue, but I didn't expect that you guys in Dasheng also have this way of playing."
Concubine Li's eyes flashed: "Nanyue also has this kind of card?"
Xiao Xixi began to talk nonsense in a serious manner.
"Yes, but Nanyue can't make such fine paper. In Nanyue, people usually use dry bark or leaves to make cards, so the people of Nanyue call them leaf cards."
Princess Li heard her speak so seriously that she couldn't help but believe her lies and said with a smile.
"So this kind of cards has been around in Nanyue for a long time. I thought you had never played it before, so I came here specially to show you my treasure. It seems that I have been sitting in a well and looking at the world from afar."
(End of this chapter)
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