Chapter 068 Chapter 68
Chapter 68
Shen Chongyi's smile froze on her face. She bit her lower lip to keep herself calm. Then she said, "I will go see the little princess again. I will go after I see her. It won't take too long. Miss Liujin, please go back to the palace first."
When Liu Jin heard Shen Chongyi say this, he naturally could not refute Shen Chongyi anymore. After bowing slightly, he left Yaozhu Garden.
Wanmo waited until Liujin had completely left, and hurriedly poured all the medicine in the bowl into the flowerpot, saying, "My lady, could it be that Mr. Meng discovered something?"
Shen Chongyi was also panicking, but still shook her head and said, "Probably not, don't scare yourself."
Although she said this, the tight grip she held on Wanmo's hand also revealed her emotions.
"Let's go see Xin'er first."
When we walked to the side hall, we saw the little princess sleeping soundly on the couch.
Shen Chongyi touched the little princess's forehead and said calmly, "Take good care of the little princess and don't let anything go wrong."
The nurse quickly said, "I know, Madam, don't worry."
Only then did Shen Chongyi walk out of Yaozhu Garden, get on the ceremonial guard and head towards Meng Guiren's Jiangxue Tower.
As soon as he entered the main hall, Mr. Meng laughed coldly and said, "You are finally here. If you didn't know, you would have thought that I couldn't invite Madam Shen Chongyi."
Mr. Meng had no intention of greeting Shen Chongyi. Shen Chongyi was supported by Wanmo and sat on the soft couch. She said softly, "Why did you ask me to come here so late? What's the matter?"
Suddenly, he threw the silver fork in his hand onto the table, and the fruits on it were thrown out. "Can you see the fireworks that are set off tonight?"
Shen Chongyi certainly saw it, but unfortunately she was too tired to enjoy the fireworks.
"Yes." Shen Chongyi pursed her lips and smiled, "I'm afraid someone's family has a happy event, or a young man from a noble family wants to make a beautiful woman smile."
When Mr. Meng heard Shen Chongyi's words, he found them particularly harsh.
But the most important matter today was obviously not this. Mr. Meng patted his belly and said, "I heard that your brother was not ambitious enough and actually fell in love with a married woman. He gave the man 20 taels of silver and wanted to take the woman away. The man came out to chase him, and your brother was so angry that he...beat him to death?"
The family scandal was suddenly exposed, and Shen Chongyi had no choice but to admit, "Yes... my brother's temper is indeed a little impatient."
Mr. Meng laughed out loud, waving his round fan and said slowly, "Has your brother ever done well? Every time he got into trouble, you had to cover up for him. I've been tired for you all these years."
Shen Chongyi lowered her head, looking extremely embarrassed, but she was unable to refute Mr. Meng's words.
Seeing Shen Chongyi's expression, Meng Guiren knew that his words had worked, and then continued: "The emperor has already implemented the performance evaluation of officials with thunderous means. If your father does not want to lose his official position, how can this matter be settled? I heard that the man's wife has already prepared a lawsuit to sue your brother in the Shangjing government office. When the performance evaluation is held, your father is not strict in managing the family and raised such a disaster as your brother. How can he keep his official position?"
Shen Chongyi panicked when she heard this. Her brother was not very capable, and the fact that she entered the palace and gave birth to a little princess and was able to sit in this position was already a sign that the emperor was very good to the Shen family. He even asked her brother to help her sort out classics in the Ministry of Rites.
Unfortunately, her brother relied on his status to bully others outside. His father had scolded and beaten him many times, but he never changed. Now, if Mr. Meng did not help her, the Shen family would probably be finished.
Shen Chongyi knelt in front of Mr. Meng. Although her position was higher than Mr. Meng, she had to humble herself when she had something to ask for.
"I know that your father is the current imperial tutor and is highly regarded by the emperor. I will pay you whatever money you want. I only ask... I only ask that you give my brother and father a chance to survive."
If her father lost his job and went to another place, and her brother was exiled because of this, then the Shen family would be completely finished. From then on, who in the harem would still look up to her and the little princess?
Xin'er is still so young, she must strive to create a good future for Xin'er.
Meng Guiren seemed to have guessed what Shen Chongyi would say, and she stood up and helped Shen Chongyi up, "Sister, your position is higher than mine now, how can I let you kneel to me?"
"Sister, you also know what has been bothering me. Not having an heir is my biggest pain. There is nothing wrong with my body. I have changed many doctors but none of them could find out the reason. I saved your child because we have a good relationship..."
Meng Guiren raised his eyebrows and looked at Shen Chongyi fiercely, "But, I don't want someone I don't like to give birth to the emperor's child. If that happens, that bastard will really step on my head. If you make friends with me, will that bastard let you go?"
Shen Chongyi immediately knew who Mr. Meng was talking about. A hint of hesitation flashed across her face, but Mr. Meng saw through it very well. "Didn't you do very well in Zhaiyue Pavilion? What are you afraid of now?"
Shen Chongyi lowered her head and murmured, "That incident scared the little princess a lot, I..."
She didn't want to say that, but when she said that, Mr. Meng would never believe it.
Now that she has decided to stand on Mr. Meng's side, there is no turning back. But if she can survive, why should she get her hands stained with blood and risk scaring the little princess by doing such a harmful thing?
Meng Guiren was so surprised to hear these words that he was unable to react for a moment. Then he laughed and said, "Why didn't I see that you are such a kind person before? You spilt the red flowers in Jipin's palace and ordered people to release the honey wax in Qingxuan Palace. Why? Now you tell me that you had no choice but to do these things. I forced you to do them."
Tears welled up in Shen Chongyi's eyes, but she couldn't utter a word. She had indeed done all these things, and the emperor knew it clearly. He also understood that it was Meng Guiren who was behind all this.
She had not forgotten the emperor's warning in the Zichen Palace that day, but the emperor would not protect her brother, nor would he help her settle the matter.
Shen Chongyi slowly let go of her tightly clenched hands, her voice choking a little, "What do you want to do?"
Liu Jin placed a packet of medicine in Shen Chongyi's hand and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this contains summer grass. Just a little bit can make a person infertile for life. Your Majesty, use it as you see fit."
Shen Chongyi took the herbs with trembling hands. Perhaps because she was too nervous or unwilling to take it, she didn't hold the medicine bag firmly and dropped it on the ground.
Wan Mo quickly squatted down to take it, and knelt in front of Mr. Meng and said, "My queen has not been able to rest well recently because of the little princess. Please forgive me, my lady."
As the master and servant Shen Chongyi were preparing to leave, Meng Guiren suddenly said, "I haven't seen the little princess for a long time. Since you are not feeling well, leave the little princess here with me. When you are better, I will definitely send the little princess back to you safely."
Shen Chongyi couldn't hold back her tears no matter what she did. She turned around and pleaded, "I raised the little princess by myself. If she leaves me, I'm afraid she will disturb my sister's peace."
Mr. Meng held his forehead and calmly put down the teacup in his hand, "Don't worry, sister. I just want to feel what it feels like to have a daughter sitting in your arms."
Shen Chongyi didn't know how she walked out of the Jiangxue Tower, nor did she know how she returned to the Yaozhu Garden. When she arrived at the side hall, the wet nurse was still guarding the bed.
Quickly wiping away her tears, Shen Chongyi moved away and said, "You go down first."
The wet nurse bowed and left, leaving only Wan Mo to accompany the empress in the side hall.
Seeing the queen's eyes full of reluctance but trying hard to hold back tears, Wan Mo knelt beside her and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, please think twice. Lady Meng is not sincere in her treatment of the little princess. Even if you really give up your mother's family, you can still raise the little princess well."
Shen Chongyi's eyes were dull, and he laughed at himself, "Abandoning your mother's home?"
These four words are so easy to say, but how can they be so easy to actually do them?
Her mother died early, and her father had a deep relationship with her and never remarried. Her brother and she were both raised by her father.
Since she was young, she could see that her father had a difficult time. She was selected to become a concubine by the emperor, who was still a prince at the time, in order to make a future for the family, to make her father's life easier, and to help her maternal grandparents.
Her brother's failure to live up to expectations not only drags down their father, but also affects her in the palace.
She gave away all the money and rewards she earned in the palace. There were countless times when she wanted to scold her incompetent brother and let him fend for himself.
But when she thought of her father's gray hair, she couldn't bear to do it.
Shen Chongyi stood up and said in a very calm voice: "Send Xin'er to Lady Meng's palace tomorrow, and let the wet nurses go with her. Pick out a few good jewels from the middle layer of my makeup box and give them as rewards."
Wan Mo knew that Xiao's persuasion had no effect on the Empress, so she could only respond and agree.
Now if the wet nurse can be nicer to the little princess, even if Mr. Meng doesn't know how to raise a child, he will not let anything really happen to the little princess.
…
Shuohan Pavilion.
Concubine Ji arrived early in the morning. When she heard that Ruan Yun was still asleep, she said, "No need to wake up Sister Ying. I'll wait here."
Yingning nodded and ordered someone to serve tea and snacks to Master Ji.
Concubine Ji looked at Ying Ning and asked calmly, "Your Majesty, were you angry with Sister Ying last night?"
Otherwise, why would he leave Shuohan Pavilion and go to Jiangxue Tower last night, and not stay in Jiangxue Tower for too long before returning to Jingqi Palace.
This matter had spread throughout the palace early in the morning. Upon hearing the news, she did not dare to delay and came to Shuohan Pavilion.
Ying Ning's expression was normal, and she didn't feel anything wrong because of this incident. "Everything was the same as usual last night, and the emperor didn't look angry at all."
Concubine Ji nodded and picked up the tea beside her and was about to drink it.
Suddenly, a coquettish voice came from the inner hall, "You came to me so early in the morning just to get information from my maidservant, right?"
There is a bit of anger in the tone, but it is not really blame. If you listen carefully, you can feel a bit bitter and jealous.
Concubine Ji stood up quickly, worry in her eyes.
Ruan Yun was only wearing an apricot-colored nightgown, and it was obvious that she had just woken up and got up to talk to Concubine Ji.
Pulling Jipin into the inner hall, Ruan Yun was served by the palace maids. Jipin sat aside and said, "Sister Ying, the emperor last night..."
Ruan Yun paused and raised her hand. The maid wiped the water stains off her hand with a handkerchief and asked, "Has this spread throughout the palace?"
It was late yesterday, and logically speaking, not so many people would know that the emperor had left.
Concubine Ji was very worried, "Sister Ying, don't be sad."
Ruan Yun laughed out loud and wiped Jipin's forehead with a handkerchief. "Why should I be sad? But you, when the emperor went to your place, noble Meng also called the emperor away. How come you didn't feel anything at all?"
Concubine Ji said gently, "My place is not important, but Sister Ying is different. Sister's favor has long been envied by others. If you lose the favor, I don't know how many people will want to step in and trample on you."
Ruan Jun didn't really care whether anyone would take the opportunity to ridicule her, but what happened last night spread quickly.
I'm afraid some people can't wait to see her climb to the top and fall, never to rise again.
"Okay, I won't talk about me anymore. How are you these past two days?"
Jipin took a sip of tea and said, "What could be wrong with this?"
Then, as if remembering something, she specifically reminded Ruan Yun, "Sister Ying, please don't go near Miao Ran Residence recently, and don't let the palace maids go there either."
Ruan Yun pulled the handkerchief in her hand tightly and put down the cakes in her hand. "What's wrong?"
Concubine Ji said: "Du Xuanshi's mind is not normal. I heard that she wanted to rush out that day. If she hadn't been stopped by the nanny at the door, I'm afraid she would have run out."
"She hates Sister Ying to the core and regards Sister Ying as a thorn in her side. It is inevitable that servants will make mistakes. Sister, please be careful and don't let her hurt you."
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