"I really don't know about this, Your Majesty, please understand. I have never been partial or bent the law. When I found out that there was something wrong with the flowers in the Forest Garden Department, I immediately sent the eunuch who purchased them to the Criminal Court to find out the truth." Concubine Kang knelt down and explained word by word.
Helian Qi said calmly, "I believe you have no intention of accepting bribes, but you have mismanaged people and failed to supervise and fulfill your responsibilities. You don't have to worry about the work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs anymore. Go back and take good care of the eldest prince."
Kangpin felt upset and could only bow and thank the emperor:
"I thank your majesty for your grace."
In fact, she does not value the power of assisting the six palaces.
Ever since the emperor gave her this position, she has been working diligently day and night. She knows that her abilities are limited, and is always ready to retire when the emperor has found a suitable candidate.
Unexpectedly...
She did retreat.
But I had to withdraw with faults, which is really uncomfortable.
But this eunuch in charge was promoted by her, and the orchid also appeared in her palace. The emperor did not hold her accountable for taking bribes, which was already a respectable treatment for her.
Xiao Yunyao was shocked. "Your Majesty, Sister Kangpin was just careless for a moment. Please give Sister Kangpin another chance. Sister Kangpin has worked hard and made great contributions..."
When Lin Yuansi got into trouble, she immediately came to pay her respects and apologize.
"No need to say more. My words are golden and cannot be changed." Helian Qi said coldly.
"The eunuch in charge of the Forestry and Garden Department enriched himself and embezzled public funds. He was beaten to death."
Wu Mi accepted the order and said, "Yes!"
Xiao Yunyao looked hesitant. "I and Sister Kangpin have been learning to manage the six palaces. Everything is thanks to Sister Kangpin's teaching... Now that she is gone, I..."
What he meant was that these twelve departments were all under the control of Concubine Kang, and she was not aware of the affairs of the Linyuan Department.
"You take over all matters in her hands." Helian Qi stared at her, his eyes showing no emotion:
"Do your job well."
Xiao Yunyao nodded with a serious and hard-working look on her face, "I will definitely do my best."
…
Yonghe Palace.
"Master, something happened in Linyuansi! His Majesty has removed Concubine Kang's power to assist in managing the six palaces." Bongqi came in and reported what happened in Ganxin Palace.
Lian Rui's eyes widened. "This sounds like... a trap? What do you think, Master?"
Purchasing and making money is a very common thing.
But it's just an ordinary profit, it's just an item worth one thousand taels, you negotiated the price and saved fifty taels by buying it.
As long as you buy the correct things, the higher-ups won't investigate you too closely for the fifty taels you embezzled.
After all, if the water is too clear, there will be no fish. It is impossible to expect everyone to be honest and selfless.
When it comes to purchasing, as long as there is nothing wrong with what you deliver to your superiors, no one will mind you if you make a little money.
But it is hard to come across such a thing even if you try a hundred times, as you can buy it at 30% of the price.
This was the first time the eunuch had done this, and he thought he had gotten a good deal.
It's hard to say that this wasn't a deliberate setup by someone.
Moreover, Concubine Kang was originally guilty of negligence, but with this orchid, she was even charged with bribery...
I don't know whether it was his own idea or someone was behind it.
It seems that the eunuch did not intend to harm her.
Because the idea of corruption is that if the people below are corrupt, they must give a share to the higher-ups. If you only take your own share, why would the higher-ups protect you if something happens to you?
He probably bribed Concubine Kang sincerely, rather than framing her.
So this matter...
No matter how innocent Concubine Kang was, there was sufficient evidence to prove her crime of corruption.
The emperor only removed her assistant authority on the grounds of employing the wrong people, which was already a way to save her face.
Now Xiao Yunyao has directly replaced Concubine Kang's position.
She is the beneficiary.
If someone set up this trap, she would be the most likely suspect.
This is too hasty.
The emperor originally planned to let Concubine Kang take care of her for a period of time and then let Concubine Kang withdraw.
She didn't have to do anything to get it all.
certainly……
His Majesty did not say it clearly, so Xiao Yunyao might not be able to guess it.
It would not be surprising if she did this in order to seize power.
The emperor always judges people by their results.
He must have had some suspicion towards Xiao Yunyao.
But no matter whether someone set it up deliberately or not.
As long as it does not involve the royal heir and does not involve matters that the emperor cares about.
The emperor would not interfere in the fights between concubines.
In the eyes of those in power, ability is the most important thing. Useless people should give way.
So even if the emperor suspected Xiao Yunyao, he would just continue to use her.
"It does seem like a setup, but His Majesty has already made a judgment, so we don't need to say anything more." Ning Wanyin said calmly.
Lian Rui said worriedly, "I am worried that the person who set up this trap will use the same old tricks against you again."
"If we guard it tightly, she will have no way to start." Ning Wanyin said calmly:
"If she is smart, she will keep what she has. If she is greedy, the emperor cannot tolerate her."
What the emperor wants is checks and balances, not someone monopolizing power.
No matter who of Ning Wanyin and Xiao Yunyao attacks the other, it will step on his taboo.
…
March 20th is the eldest princess’ birthday.
This was originally planned by Concubine Kang. Because the first day of April was the Fourth Prince's first birthday, and the two banquets were close together, Ning Wanyin and Concubine Kang each arranged one.
Now, this banquet is taken over by Xiao Yunyao.
In addition to sending people to teach her music, chess, calligraphy and painting, the emperor also sent people to teach her how to manage household affairs and keep accounts.
Of course, he didn't necessarily plan to let Xiao Yunyao enter the palace at that time, but even if she married someone else and became the mistress of the house, she still had to learn it.
The Xiao family was originally a small family, so Xiao Yunyao had only talked about it on paper at home before and had never actually held such a large banquet.
But Concubine Kang had already prepared everything, so she just had to follow it, and everything went smoothly without any mistakes.
All the concubines came to Linlang Palace to congratulate.
"Oh, it's so lively, there are so many new people." Concubine Lin looked around with a big belly.
In the previous few times, pregnant concubines were exempted from paying respects, and according to convention, Concubine Lin was also exempted from paying respects.
But she couldn't stay in the palace. Although she didn't have to pay respects, she had to attend various banquets.
Since she had been safely pregnant for eight months without any problems, she was no longer afraid to go out.
"Jieyu Lin is pregnant, so she should go in and take a seat first. Don't let anyone mess with her." Xiao Yunyao looked at her and said with concern.
Concubine Lin couldn't help but look at Xiao Yunyao.
The maid beside her whispered, "This is Consort Hui."
"Thank you for your concern, Concubine Hui." When Concubine Lin heard that this was the first new favorite this year, her face became much more enthusiastic:
"I see that this birthday banquet is well organized. Concubine Hui is truly outstanding in both talent and beauty. No wonder His Majesty has granted you the power to assist in managing the six palaces!"
Xiao Yunyao smiled lightly, "Jieyu Lin, you are too kind."
As the two were talking, there was a sudden commotion in the palace, and a eunuch ran out and shouted:
"The second prince is in a coma! Call the imperial physician!"
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