Chapter 846 You're Finished
Although it seemed that the imperial concubine destroyed the book accidentally, Concubine Lao was already convinced that the imperial concubine did it on purpose!
She destroyed the book on purpose!
Because she felt guilty and was afraid of being exposed, she brought the teacup with her at that time.
After sending away the other concubines, Concubine Tuber sat alone in the room, staring at the book in front of her whose words could no longer be seen, her expression changing unpredictably.
She was almost certain that the Imperial Concubine and Concubine Xiao were the same person.
But why?
Why did Concubine Xiao leave suddenly?
After leaving, he returned to the emperor with a new identity?
There must be some unknown secret hidden in this.
Concubine Lao tried hard to recall everything related to Concubine Xiao.
She remembered that the last place Concubine Xiao stayed before she left was Weiyang Palace.
Weiyang Palace was where the emperor lived.
Emperor Sheng Yong was still alive at that time, and it was he who kept Concubine Xiao in the Weiyang Palace.
However, after Emperor Sheng Yong passed away, Concubine Xiao also disappeared.
Some people in the palace once suspected that there was a connection between the two.
But because there was no evidence and Concubine Xiao had disappeared, there was no place to investigate and the matter had to be dropped.
If Concubine Xiao really had a clear conscience, she could come back openly.
However, she chose to change her appearance and came back with a brand new identity.
By doing this, she proved one thing from the side.
She feels guilty.
Because he felt guilty, he dared not reveal his true identity and could only hide it.
A bold idea gradually emerged in Concubine Lao's mind.
The death of Emperor Sheng Yong might really have something to do with Concubine Xiao.
Assuming that Emperor Sheng Yong's death was not due to natural causes but man-made, then what role did Concubine Xiao play in it?
Is she an insider? Or an accomplice?
No matter which one it was, it was enough to ruin her.
The more Concubine Lao thought about it, the more frightened she felt, and at the same time, she also felt a secret sense of excitement.
Her eyes gradually brightened, her fingers gently stroked the wrinkled book, and the corners of her mouth rose a little.
"You're done."
…
After returning to Yunxiu Palace, Baoqin immediately asked someone to bring clean clothes and helped the imperial concubine change.
Xiao Xixi looked normal, and it seemed that she didn't take what happened in the Misty Rain Palace to heart.
However, Baoqin felt uneasy.
After changing clothes, Baoqin asked everyone else to leave, leaving only her and the imperial concubine in the room.
Baoqin asked nervously, "Madam, was Concubine Lao deliberately testing you just now? Did she doubt your identity?"
Xiao Xixi: "She's not doubting me, she's definitely sure there's something wrong with my identity."
Baoqin became even more anxious: "What should we do? If she runs out and tells nonsense, won't your identity be revealed soon?"
Xiao Xixi: "It would be better if she ran out and started talking nonsense. Anyway, she has no real evidence. Everything is just her guess. I can turn the tables and say that she framed me maliciously. I'm just afraid that she will keep silent and prepare to make a big mistake."
Baoqin lowered her voice and said, "How about we take the initiative?"
Xiao Xixi: "Let's discuss this with the emperor first."
She went out again and took a carriage to the imperial study.
Luo Qinghan is currently discussing tax reform with Li Qingyan in the imperial study.
After continuous improvement and adjustment over this period of time, the specific content of the tax reform has been determined.
After all, tax reform is no small matter, and it is almost impossible to fully implement it in the country in a short period of time, so they plan to first select a place as a pilot point for tax reform.
After much deliberation, they finally chose Fengyang County.
On the one hand, Fengyang County is not far from Shengjing City, so it would be helpful to have someone to take care of it if anything happens. On the other hand, Fengyang County had just suffered a snowstorm, and the people needed to recuperate. The tax reform would greatly reduce their burden, which was killing two birds with one stone.
But Luo Qinghan did not trust the local officials in Fengyang County. He was afraid that those officials would secretly collude with the local powerful families and deliberately set traps for the tax reform.
So he planned to send a trusted person to Fengyang County to supervise local officials in implementing tax reforms.
Li Qingyan took the initiative to take on this task.
He is still single and has not married yet. His parents are in good health and are taken care of by servants, so he does not need to worry about them. He can go on business trips without any worries.
Most importantly, he can use this to avoid being pressured to get married.
Although the Empress Dowager has moved to the Taimiao and will not target him for the time being, he is still a little afraid that the Emperor will suddenly bring up the matter of marriage again one day.
He really hasn't met the right person yet, and he doesn't want to be pressured into getting married, so he might as well hide away and have some peace and quiet!
In order to make it easier for Li Qingyan to act, Luo Qinghan temporarily gave him the position of Supervisory Censor, so that he could inspect the local officials in Fengyang County more legitimately.
Upon hearing that the imperial concubine had arrived, Luo Qinghan said to Li Qingyan.
"Let's stop here for today. When you go back, pack up and leave tomorrow."
Li Qingyan bowed and responded: "Yes."
He left the imperial study and met the imperial concubine at the door.
The imperial concubine was now wearing a water green long-sleeved skirt with long hems trailing behind her. Her golden hairpins swayed gently at her temples, making her neck look even whiter and more slender.
She smiled at Li Qingyan.
"Minister Li."
Li Qingyan bowed to her and said, "Your humble servant greets the Imperial Concubine."
Xiao Xixi's gaze stayed on his face for a moment, and she suddenly asked.
"Are you planning to go on a long trip soon?"
Li Qingyan was quite surprised: "How did the queen know about this?"
He had just decided to go on a business trip to Fengyang County, and no one knew about it except him and the emperor. How did the imperial concubine know about it? This was too strange.
Xiao Xixi did not answer this question, but just smiled.
Just then, Eunuch Chang came out to invite her in, so she nodded to Li Qingyan and passed him by.
Li Qingyan watched her enter the imperial study, still feeling strange in his heart.
Although he had only met her a few times, he always felt that this imperial concubine was very similar to Concubine Xiao, not only in appearance, but also in the tone of her voice and the style of her dealings with people.
If Concubine Xiao had not said those words to him before she left, making him sure that Concubine Xiao was indeed no longer alive, he would have suspected that this imperial concubine was Concubine Xiao.
Li Qingyan shook his head, shook off the unrealistic thoughts in his mind, and strode down the stairs.
In the imperial study.
Xiao Xixi sat down next to the desk.
The desk was piled high with memorials. Although there were a lot of them, they were not messy at all and were all neatly arranged.
It’s just like the feeling of Luo Qinghan, always neat and tidy.
There was an open memorial book next to Luo Qinghan.
But he did not read the memorial. Instead, he turned his head to look at Xiao Xixi and asked.
"Why did you come here suddenly?"
(End of this chapter)
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