Chapter 30 Chapter 30 Palace Maid Thirty Days
Qingyu personally watched over the preparation and decoction of the medicine, and then after getting the approval of Imperial Physician Liu, fed it to the Queen.
Imperial Doctor Liu has already controlled the toxins in the Queen's body. After feeding her this bowl of medicine and the Queen vomiting out the filth, that means she's almost done. She only needs careful nursing in the future and she will be able to recover to a large extent, but according to Imperial Doctor Liu, it's unlikely for her to be completely well.
The queen knew that her health was damaged. She looked sad and angry at the mastermind, but she was very satisfied with the result. Her health would never recover, which meant that the emperor would think of what happened today as soon as he saw the symptoms she left behind.
Even if she couldn't overthrow Concubine Xian for the time being, she wanted the Emperor to have a deep estrangement from Concubine Xian. In this way, Yan Shi would not be able to make any further progress.
Ji Chen had already sat down beside the Queen's bed again. The Queen was still weak, and her tears could not stop flowing into her hair. She only said to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, our child is fine. I have not failed your trust."
Saying this at this time would only make Ji Chen feel more guilty.
How could the Queen not understand? She understood too well, so she said something that hit Ji Chen's heart.
She saw the sinister look in the emperor's eyes and he tightened his grip on her hand. She didn't feel any pain, only pleasure.
Ji Chen let go of the Queen's hand as if waking up from a dream. He did not tell the Queen that the clues had been broken. He said, "I have some clues about this matter. After collecting the evidence, I will give the Queen an explanation."
If there is no evidence, then create evidence.
The queen looked at the emperor, as if full of reliance, and nodded: "I believe in the emperor."
Ji Chen talked about another matter: "Your health is seriously damaged, so don't worry about palace affairs these days. I want to appoint Qingyu, the senior palace maid beside you, as the third-rank palace commander to command the female officials in the harem to assist you."
When the queen heard the first half of the sentence, her heart tightened. If she lost her power in the palace because of this, it was definitely not what she wanted to see. But she was relieved after hearing the emperor finish his words.
The rank of the third-rank Sigongling was lower than that of a third-rank concubine, only below the main empress. She was in charge of the female officials in the harem. She was only established at the founding of the Great Yin Dynasty, and was abolished after several dynasties because of her excessive power.
The queen agreed with a smile. Qingyu was her confidant. Although the power seemed to have been transferred, it was still firmly in her hands.
It would be easy for her to abolish the position of Si Gong Ling later, but as long as Qingyu was loyal, she would let Qingyu stay in the position of Si Gong Ling longer.
Now that Qingyu has become the Palace Master, there is one less maidservant by her side, so she said to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I want to promote Shen Qing, the second-class maid, to be the first maidservant. Although she has less experience, she is very popular with me and often makes me happy."
Shen Qing is already very closely tied to the Queen. Although the Queen believes that Shen Qing will not betray her, she will promote him when necessary to consolidate his loyalty.
Ji Chen had a good memory, so how could he forget that little palace maid? However, the little palace maid must have had some merits that made the Queen favor her to this extent.
The queen is pregnant, and at this time, her happiness is the most important thing. What's more, Ji Chen still feels guilty.
Ji Chen agreed, but the position was no more than that of a palace maid.
The Emperor and the Empress spoke a few more words. The Empress looked tired, so the Emperor asked the Empress to have a good rest and then left Kunning Palace.
On the way back to the Qianqing Palace, Wang Jigui said, "Your Majesty, you haven't had your meal yet. I have already asked the imperial kitchen to prepare another table and send it over."
Ji Chen wasted time reading the memorials, and just after eating two bites, he was called away by the palace servants of Kunning Palace. As the emperor, he didn't care about this matter, but Wang Jigui was concerned about the emperor's health.
Ji Chen nodded. He was still frightened by what happened in Kunning Palace. When he heard Wang Jigui's voice and thought about how strictly Wang Jigui managed Qianqing Palace, he ordered: "Wang Jigui, go to Kunning Palace these days to help the Queen's maid to clean up Kunning Palace inside and outside and get rid of the rotten fish and shrimp. I don't want anyone to blatantly poison and endanger the body of the mother of a country."
"I obey your order."
Ji Chen stepped into the Qianqing Palace.
Inside Kunning Palace.
Even though Qingyu and Shen Qing were promoted, there was no joy on their faces.
Only Qinggu knew about the Queen's actions, and the other three palace maids kept it a secret because the Queen felt that the fewer people who knew about it, the lower the risk of exposure.
So Shen Qing could only pretend not to know and felt sorry for the Queen.
When the queen woke up, she heard that the emperor would send Wang Jigui to investigate the people in Kunning Palace. Even though Qinggu had already wiped out the clues and Xiaozhuzi had volunteered to die, she still felt uneasy.
So she had no choice but to call Shen Qing over. Seeing Shen Qing's aggrieved look, she felt relieved and amused: "Now that you have become a senior palace maid, you should be more stable."
Shen Qing softly retorted: "If I can only be promoted if the queen is killed by thieves, then I would rather be a little maid forever."
"Silly talk." The queen scolded, but there was no rebuke on her face. Then she seemed to have thought of something and said, "Shen Qing, are you familiar with Wang Jigui?"
Shen Qing: "I met him a few times in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. He seemed to be a very gentle eunuch."
The queen seemed to be thinking about something.
[Gentle? Wang Jigui is definitely not such a person. He looks kind but is cruel, and his methods are sinister and cunning. Compared with him, Qian Quanzhong can be considered upright. But it's good this way. Shen Qing won't be so scared when she comes into contact with him. Let her stay away from Wang Jigui after this matter is over. ]
The Queen did not correct Shen Qing's impression of Wang Jigui: "Wang Jigui will be sent to Kunning Palace by the Emperor. Then you will help him to reorganize Kunning Palace. How about that?"
Shen Qing naturally had no reason to refuse: "I obey your orders."
At this time, Qing Gu also came in with medicine and presented it to the Queen: "Your Majesty, it's time to take the medicine."
Since Shen Qing had nothing to do with her, she walked out.
Wang Jigui came with some young eunuchs on the second day. Shen Qing greeted them at the gate of Kunning Palace early. Seeing them, he called out, "Eunuch Wang."
Wang Jigui nodded slightly and began to investigate whether the palace servants in Kunning Palace were planted by others.
Although the Queen did not say it explicitly, Shen Qing knew that the Queen wanted her to check whether all traces of the small pillar were really cleared away, so as not to leave any handle for Wang Jigui.
So Shen Qing watched diligently. Although the Queen's behavior was inappropriate, it would be too passive for her to swallow the grievances given by the Concubine, so she felt a little sorry for the Queen.
Wang Jigui was touched by her stare and turned to look at her. Shen Qing would smile sweetly and fool him: "Eunuch Wang, look at me, is there something wrong with my face?"
"none."
So it was only natural for Shen Qing to follow Wang Jigui like a little tail.
During lunch, Shen Qing tried her best to persuade Wang Jigui and the others to stay, but they had their own rules and had to leave. After trying, Shen Qing did not force them to stay. She just asked the kitchen to make some pastries and put them in a lunch box, which she then handed to Wang Jigui.
"Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Wang. Here are some pastries. They are not very greasy and have a light fragrance. Please try them, they are really delicious."
When Wang Jigui heard this, he knew that this was Shen Qing's favorite pastry. He thought that if the little palace maid asked the kitchen to make more and send some to them, she could keep some for herself.
No, she is now a senior palace maid.
Wang Jigui reached out and took the food box: "Thank you very much, Miss Shen Qing."
Shen Qing was surprised for a moment. She thought Wang Jigui would refuse, but the cook had done a lot, so she just took it.
She stretched out her hand at her collarbone and waved goodbye to Wang Jigui and others.
But in the afternoon, or even in the past few days, Wang Jigui would come to Kunning Palace. Such a separation was only for a meal.
After watching them disappear, Shen Qing returned to the palace to report what happened in the morning to the Queen.
The queen's brows relaxed slightly when she heard this, and she praised generously, "You did a great job."
It didn't take much explanation to understand what she meant.
The queen was finally relieved of her worries.
Wang Jigui led his men to check the palace maids in Kunning Palace, and they actually found people from other palaces. Naturally, they were taken away from Kunning Palace, and he personally selected palace maids with clean backgrounds to fill the Kunning Palace.
A few days later, the emperor specially sent someone to ask the queen to go to the Cining Palace with him to pay his respects.
The Queen's health has improved, but she is still weak, so it is okay for her to go to the Cining Palace.
Since the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, Concubine Xian has been going to the Cining Palace every day to talk to the Empress Dowager. It is inevitable that she would run into Concubine Xian in the Cining Palace.
Thinking of this, the Queen understood the Emperor's intention and took Shen Qing and Xuancao to pay her respects to the Queen Mother.
The Emperor and Empress entered the Cining Palace together. The Empress Dowager said in surprise, "It's strange. The sun rises from the west today. Why did the Emperor and Empress come together?"
Ji Chen did not respond to the Queen Mother's words, but only said: "Your son pays respects to the Queen Mother."
The Queen also said, "Your son respectfully wishes you the best of health."
The virtuous concubine was accompanying the empress dowager. She stood up and saluted the emperor and empress. She noticed that the emperor's attitude was different. Although she didn't quite understand it, she still kept this attitude in mind.
The Emperor had already sat down next to the Empress Dowager. Seeing Concubine Xian, he asked calmly, "Is Concubine Xian here too?"
The virtuous concubine stood up again and said yes softly.
The queen then sat down in her seat and picked up a cup of tea. Shen Qing and Xuancao stood behind her.
There were not many people in the palace, and Ji Chen did not say anything to ask them to leave. He just suddenly asked, "Xian Fei, do you admit your guilt?"
The Emperor was angry and everyone was on edge, except the Empress Dowager who frowned, not understanding what he meant and her eyes fell on the Concubine who was already kneeling.
The virtuous concubine was even more confused. Thinking back on what she had done, she had no idea what had angered the emperor and made him say that she was guilty.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I don't understand what you mean."
Ji Chen said coldly: "Poisoning the queen and murdering the heir, the evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say?"
The virtuous concubine's face turned pale: "I am innocent!"
"You don't repent." Ji Chen turned his face away in disgust.
The Queen took in Concubine Xian's expression, trying to find her flaws.
Xianfei became even more panicked and looked to the Queen Mother for help: "Your Highness, I really didn't do anything! No matter how brave I am, I would never dare to murder the Queen and the heir. I am only eighteen years old, how could I have such a cruel heart? Please, Your Majesty, the Queen Mother, re-investigate this matter."
The Queen Mother looked at the Emperor in embarrassment: "Perhaps the Concubine was really wronged. I have watched her child grow up. She has a very gentle and filial nature. How could she do such a wicked thing?"
Ji Chen handed the evidence to the Queen Mother.
After a long while, the Queen Mother sighed, "It's just the confessions of some palace maids. Haven't you seen enough of the cases where the emperor turned against his master? Back then, the late emperor and his harem teamed up to frame Concubine Zhao, and those servants turned against her again and again. Doesn't the emperor know about this?"
Ji Chen lowered his eyes: "It is precisely because of what happened back then that I can see the harem more clearly. I know whether it is a human or a ghost."
"Your Majesty!" The Queen Mother scolded, "How can you say such things to Consort Xian? She is your concubine, your cousin!"
The virtuous concubine continued to express her grievances, waiting for the outcome of the battle between the emperor and the empress dowager.
"But I am also your son."
The Queen Mother's expression softened instantly.
Ji Chen followed suit and asked, "Xian Fei?"
The Queen Mother compromised and said, "Since Consort Xian is not strict with her subordinates, she should stay in the small Buddhist temple in Kunning Palace to reflect on herself."
Since the Empress Dowager still called her Concubine Xian, it meant that she was determined to protect her honorable position.
The Yan family cannot be without a high-ranking concubine in the harem.
Just as Concubine Xian's expression eased, Ji Chen continued, "Since Queen Mother does not want Concubine Xian to be demoted, then she will stay in the small Buddhist temple until Queen Queen gives birth successfully. During this period, she needs to pray for Queen Queen and the heir every day. I will send a nanny to watch over her. If Queen Queen's pregnancy is unstable, as long as one of Queen Queen and the heir has problems, it will prove that the prayer is not sincere, and she will not have to come out of the small Buddhist temple. Queen Mother, do you think this is okay?"
The virtuous concubine opened her eyes wide, not understanding how the emperor could mention such a cruel result in his soothing words. Wouldn't this be forcing the empress dowager and her to protect the queen and the fetus in her belly?
This is even more frustrating than demoting her and depriving the Yan family of their respectability.
The Queen Mother remained silent. Seeing that the Emperor was not in a hurry, she knew that she could not persuade him: "I will take good care of the Concubine Xian."
Even though the queen was not satisfied with the result, she knew it was the best solution. Whatever, the most important thing was to give birth to the heir safely.
She looked at Concubine Xian with a certain interest.
[My virtuous concubine, do you have to shed tears when you cry out for injustice, or is your heart so hard that you can't even shed tears? ]
Shen Qing listened silently and couldn't help but sigh, in the game between mother and son, the one who is soft-hearted first is bound to take a step back first.
The Emperor is too good at manipulating the Empress Dowager. He has completely understood her psychology. No wonder she is a filial son.
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