Chapter 116 Chapter 116
[Chapter 116]
As the concubines listened to what Noble Lady Li said, a variety of complex emotions appeared on their faces.
Concubine De frowned and said, "Mr. Li, please don't speak nonsense. The art of witchcraft has been banned since the founding of this dynasty by the Holy Ancestor. The fall of the previous dynasty was also closely related to the art of witchcraft. Your Majesty is strict in governing the country. How could he allow such a thing to happen?"
Li Guiren bit her lower lip and said, "I have abdominal cramps from time to time, but Doctor Zhou can't diagnose anything wrong. There have always been rumors of witchcraft among the people. It is said that if a woman feels like she is being pierced in the abdomen during pregnancy, someone is behind it."
"I know this is a forbidden technique in our dynasty, but for the sake of the dragon in my belly, I have to be careful and cautious. I dare not make any mistakes. Even if I am punished by the emperor for what I said, as long as it is for the good of the child in my belly, I don't care."
The Queen looked serious. "It's a fabricated story. I don't think your empty words are that credible. Besides, Lady Li also said it was just a rumor. Abdominal pain is probably a common thing during pregnancy. Considering that Lady Li is a first-time offender and she is pregnant with a dragon, I think I should let her off this time."
Concubine De looked at the Empress calmly and said, "Although what Noble Li said is a little unreasonable, if it is true, we can't let it go. We should investigate it thoroughly and prove Ying Chongrong's innocence."
Ji Zhaoyi, who had been sitting next to the emperor, suddenly spoke up, "Ying Chongrong is pregnant. What if I disturb Ying Chongrong in order to investigate this matter? That would be a bad thing."
Concubine De smiled and said, "My sister is right. I was thinking of this as well. My sister's place is spacious and there is a lovely child like the little princess. It would be better for Ying Chongrong to live with my sister for a while. When the matter is investigated and Ying Chongrong is cleared, it won't be too late to move back to Linxuan Palace."
The smile on Ji Zhaoyi's face faded. What did it have to do with the little princess? It was just that Defei had been saying openly and secretly that Sister Ying would give birth to a little princess. Sister Ying was due to give birth in two months. If she really had a miscarriage, could it be that Defei would be the one who was sad?
Each of them had their own reasons. Yan Shiyu, who had not spoken a word, said in a deep voice, "The art of witchcraft is a forbidden art in this dynasty. How could Ying Chongrong know it? How dare you slander Ying Chongrong with such nonsense?"
When Noble Li heard the emperor say this, his face turned pale. He touched his belly in disbelief and looked up at the emperor. He called Yan Shiyu in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty..."
Yan Shiyu looked at Li Guiren with cold eyes, "You are disrespectful to your superiors and defy the laws of the country. Since you are not feeling well, you should stay in the palace and reflect on yourself!"
Nobleman Li froze and fell to the ground. When he was about to say something, a stern voice came from behind the screen.
The Queen Mother was supported by Concubine Xian and walked into the inner hall. When she saw Li Guiren kneeling on the ground, a look of disapproval flashed across her face:
"Noble Li is pregnant. No matter what she said, the emperor should not let Noble Li kneel."
Yan Shiyu's voice was not as cold as before, his dark eyes were calm, "Mother."
The concubines in the palace also hurried to pay their respects to the Queen Mother. When the Queen Mother saw Li Guiren's appearance, she frowned continuously. Aunt Jingqiao, who followed behind, went over and helped Li Guiren up personally.
Noble Li sat there in a daze, his hands placed blankly on his lower abdomen, as if all his energy had been drained away.
Yan Shiyu opened his robe and sat beside the Queen Mother, saying, "It is raining heavily today. My mother went out and caught a cold."
The Queen Mother snorted coldly and slammed her hand on the table;
"Such a big thing has happened, and there is no conclusion yet. How can I sit still?"
The queen looked calm, bowed and said, "It's all my fault. I have upset you. I will definitely take care of this matter."
The Queen Mother raised her hands, rubbed her eyebrows and feet and said, "Noble Li said that Ying Chongrong used witchcraft. Although this is just Noble Li's guess, it is not groundless. When Noble Li was in my palace today, he said that he was not feeling well. I don't think it's fake. The imperial physician couldn't figure out why. Could it be that Noble Li said this for no reason?"
Noble Li looked at the Queen Mother with tears in his eyes. There was some gratitude in his eyes, but more of it was grievance.
"What I mean is that since the emperor believes that Ying Chongrong would not do such a thing, he should produce evidence. Searching the palace is the fastest way. Just by searching the palace, we can know whether Ying Chongrong did it or not, and we can also shut up the public."
Yan Shiyu sneered, causing the Queen Mother's face to turn purple:
"My son never believes in supernatural things."
The Queen Mother's eyes widened. "Does the Emperor mean that he doesn't want to search the palace?"
The emperor and the empress dowager were at loggerheads, and the concubines around them could only stand there and watch quietly, no matter what they said.
The Queen spoke up at this time, saying, "It is my son who failed to manage the harem well and caused you to worry. I will investigate this matter and I hope you will not be angry."
The Queen Mother glanced at the Queen, but did not soften her tone. "The Queen has failed in her duty and should reflect on this."
The queen closed her eyes and sighed softly.
The Queen Mother added: "Concubine Xian has always been by my side. I know what kind of personality Concubine Xian has. Your Majesty is tired. Take a good rest. Let Concubine Xian handle this matter."
Upon hearing this, Concubine De's face suddenly changed. She had always been helping the Empress to manage the six palaces, but now the Queen Mother asked Concubine Xian to take care of this matter. This was a slap in the face of her and the Empress. Now who could fail to see the Queen Mother's thoughts?
Ji Zhaoyi winked at Yicui behind him, and while everyone's eyes were not on her, Yicui took the opportunity to run out.
"The emperor has few children. For the sake of the emperor's succession, this matter must be made clear to avoid causing panic in the harem."
The Queen Mother spoke again, seemingly giving the Emperor room to choose, but in fact she was forcing the Emperor to order a search of the palace.
"Have you forgotten that Ying Chongrong is pregnant with a dragon child? I promise to investigate this matter, and you can rest assured. If you feel that the palace is not peaceful enough for worshipping Buddha, I will ask the Yulin Army to personally escort you back to Mount Putuo."
The Queen Mother was so angry at the Emperor's words that her eyebrows were throbbing. She was furious, but she would not be controlled by the Emperor. "Since I have returned to the palace, I cannot sit idly by and do nothing about this."
"It is true that Ying Chongrong is pregnant with a dragon, but if this matter gets out, how will the emperor give an explanation to the civil and military officials of the Manchu court, and how will he give an explanation to Taizu? By then, I am afraid Ying Chongrong will not be able to rest assured and take care of the baby."
"I think what Concubine De said just now is right. Since Ji Zhaoyi is on good terms with Ying Chongrong, let Ying Chongrong live in Ji Zhaoyi's palace. Once the truth is revealed, things will be easy afterwards."
…
Yicui hurried to Linxuan Palace. Tingxu was familiar with her. Seeing Yicui panting, she covered her lips with a handkerchief and said, "What are you doing? You are running so fast. Aren't you afraid of falling down?"
Holding Tingxu's arm, Yicui didn't bother to talk to Tingxu and asked, "Is Ying Chongrong here? Something happened to Noble Li, and the Queen asked me to tell Ying Chongrong."
Tingxu's expression changed instantly, and he led Yicui as he walked away, saying, "My queen has someone guarding there. Just now they said that the emperor and the empress had gone there, but what happened later?"
Yicui nodded anxiously, "I'll talk to the queen first."
Ruan Yun sat in the corridor with a restless heart. Ying Ning put a cloak on the queen and said, "Don't worry, queen. Everything will be fine."
"I always feel like something is not right." Ruan Jun replied.
After Concubine Li was diagnosed with pregnancy, she felt something was wrong when she came to find her. At that time, Concubine Li and Yuan Baolin appeared together in the palace, probably because she wanted to seek protection.
But Li Guiren is an old man in the palace, and she usually keeps her friendships to a certain extent. After seeing so many intrigues in the palace, why would she not be more cautious after getting pregnant and come to her place?
Unless, Li Guiren is waiting, that means she refuses.
Only after being rejected, could Li Guiren proceed with what he wanted to do next.
The concubines in the harem who had children wanted to protect their children and let them grow up, and those who didn't also wanted to have a child. What Li Guiren did was not meant to protect the child at all. She...
"Ying Chongrong!" Yicui suddenly appeared and interrupted Ruan Yun's thoughts.
Opening her eyes and looking at Yicui, Ruan Jun saw that she was anxious, and asked with a frown, "Did your mother ask you to come? What happened?"
Yicui nodded and said, "Yes, Li Guiren said that the queen used witchcraft to curse the dragon in her belly. The queen said she wanted to search the palace to investigate the matter. The emperor and the queen did not agree at first, but the queen mother suddenly came and insisted that the emperor search the palace."
Ying Ning stood nervously beside the queen, but Ruan Yun waved and said, "I'm fine."
It seems that her guess was right. There is indeed a problem between the Emperor and the Queen Mother. Even if the Emperor did not agree to search the palace today, the Queen Mother would punish her for this matter later. It would be better for her to go alone now. A person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear. She wants to see who is behind this and what kind of witchcraft she uses.
Ruan Jun stood up, put her hands on her belly, her almond eyes were round and angry, and her tone was soft but firm, "Let's go to Jiefang Pavilion."
Ying Ning immediately said, "Your Highness is pregnant and should rest. If you go to Jiefang Pavilion now, what if something happens?"
Ruan Yun glanced at Ying Ning and said, "If I don't go to the palace today, I will be doomed. The people behind this have calculated this. If I don't go, and the emperor doesn't order anyone to search the palace, rumors will spread that the emperor is protecting me. If the dragon offspring in Lady Li's belly lands safely, it will be fine. If not, the whole court will just make the unfounded thing come true."
With her hands on her lower abdomen, Ruan Yun's expression was particularly firm:
"Since you are my child, being too cowardly will only make you vulnerable to abuse."
Yingning and Tingxu understood what the queen meant and said, "We will have someone bring the ceremonial staff over now."
Tingxu tied the cloak on Ruanyun's shoulders more tightly. Ruanyun patted Tingxu's hand and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
"I won't let anything happen to the Majesty." Tingxu looked at Ruan Yun firmly, "I remember that time in the flower room, the Majesty was the only one who treated me well. I would repay the Majesty even if I worked like a slave."
Ruan Jun laughed out loud, "It's not as serious as you say."
The emperor's thoughts were clearly revealed to her. Even if she was slow to understand, she could still understand the emperor's attitude. In the harem, it was not the empress dowager who had the final say.
Ruan Yun sat on the ceremonial staff, her eyes were dark and bright, her lips were red and her teeth were pomegranate-shaped, her charm was intoxicating.
Ying Ning walked aside and said, "Li Guiren's pregnancy has always been handled by Imperial Physician Zhou. No other imperial physician has ever handled Li Guiren's pulse. When a concubine is pregnant, two imperial physicians are supposed to work together to consider medication and take the pulse for diagnosis. But Li Guiren begged the Empress, saying that she was nervous when there were too many people around. So the Empress asked Imperial Physician Zhou to check Li Guiren's pulse every day."
Ruan Jun touched the golden armor on her finger and said, "For her, the fewer people who know about it, the better."
Ying Ning reacted quickly, "Your Majesty, do you think that there is something strange about the pregnancy of Noble Li?"
"She can't help it even though she's only three months pregnant." Ruan Jun's voice was gentle yet firm. "It's obvious that she can't hide what she wants to hide any longer. We need to act quickly."
Tingxu couldn't help but say, "Mrs. Li is like this. Isn't it that she doesn't value the dragon descendant in her belly, unless..."
She had said this casually, but suddenly realized what she was going to say next and looked abruptly at Ruan Yun on the ceremonial staff.
Ruan Yun paused, curled her lips and said, "So that's how it is."
…
Jiefang Pavilion
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor sat at the top, neither of them willing to give in. The concubines standing in the outer hall did not know what to do in such a situation.
Ji Zhaoyi looked towards the outer hall from time to time. Defei saw everything Ji Zhaoyi did, and she also discovered that Ji Zhaoyi's personal maid was not serving her.
Concubine De calmly withdrew her gaze and looked at Li Guiren with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
The Queen Mother waited for a long time but Yan Shiyu did not say anything, so she said:
"The Emperor hasn't made up his mind yet?"
Yan Shiyu looked at the Queen Mother and said calmly, "The harem is managed by the Queen, and Concubine De is helping to manage the six palaces. This is just one-sided words from Noble Li, how can you take it seriously?"
The Queen Mother said in a sharp voice: "Public opinion can melt gold. Doesn't the Emperor understand?"
Ji Zhaoyi's eyes were filled with anxiety. Just as he was about to stand up, the eunuch came in hurriedly and said:
"Ying Chongrong is here!"
After hearing these words, Yan Shiyu and the Queen's faces changed.
Yan Shiyu ignored the fact that the empress dowager was still there and strode towards the outer hall.
Ruan Jun walked slowly, and the people around him were even more careful. When they saw the emperor coming out, before Ruan Jun could bend his legs, Yan Shiyu grabbed Ruan Jun's arm:
"It's not good to be born in the palace..."
Before he could finish his words, Ruan Yun grabbed the emperor's hand and boldly pinched it:
"I am fine, and he is fine too."
As she spoke, Ruan Yun's face turned red, and she lowered her head unconsciously: "I don't want Your Majesty to be embarrassed, Your Majesty, please don't stop me. If I feel uncomfortable, I will definitely tell you."
Shaking the emperor's arm, Ruan Yun said coquettishly, "Okay?"
The concubines who followed behind were so angry at Ying Chongrong's unruly and bold behavior that their teeth were almost broken.
In the whole palace, only Ying Chongrong dared to treat the emperor like this. They were all girls from noble families, how could they learn the behavior of a coquettish woman like Ying Chongrong!
Miss Zhang's eyes became increasingly moist, and her body swayed as she fell backwards unconsciously.
Liu Jin quickly supported Lady Zhang and said worriedly, "My lady."
Lady Zhang closed her eyes and opened them quickly again. She straightened her back and wiped away her tears. Her background and all her identities would not allow her to do such a thing.
Wen Baolin, who had not been seen for a long time, twirled the handkerchief in her hand tightly when she saw the scene. Only today did she truly understand that the emperor had never shown her any warmth or kindness.
Yan Shiyu grabbed Ruan Yun's forehead, and the Queen Mother saw that her chest was rising and falling. Concubine Xian immediately stepped aside to calm the Queen Mother and whispered, "Aunt."
The voice was not loud, and only the Empress Dowager could hear it. After Concubine Xian finished shouting, the Empress Dowager held Concubine Xian's hand tightly and did not let go. She watched the Emperor and Ruan Jun walk to her.
Ruan Yun followed the rules and paid her respects to the Empress Dowager, holding her waist, "May the Empress Dowager be well."
The Queen Mother frowned as she looked at Ruan Yun. Although she was unhappy, her eyes fell on Ruan Yun's belly. She left a word and went in first, "Follow me in."
Ruan Yun did not dare to delay, and Yan Shiyu held Ruan Yun's waist.
She didn't want to be so intimate in front of others, but Yan Shiyu showed no intention of letting go, so Ruan Jun could only let the emperor do as he pleased.
Noble Li was resting on the bed. When he saw the Queen Mother come in, a look of joy appeared on his face. But soon, he saw Ruan Jun following in from behind. His eyelashes trembled violently and he dared not raise his head.
Ruan Yun looked at Li Guiren with clear eyes and asked in a gentle voice, "I heard that Sister Li had a miscarriage today. I think she should be feeling better now?"
Li Guiren had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree to Ruan Yun's words, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am much better now."
As she spoke, her brows were slightly furrowed, and her hands were kept on her waist and abdomen, not daring to move away. Even when facing Ruan Yun, she felt indescribably nervous.
Ruan Jun looked at her like this and sneered in her heart.
The Queen Mother coughed, and Concubine Xian spoke quickly, not paying any attention to the Queen standing beside her. "Since Sister Ying is here, Noble Li, why don't you ask her in person?"
Li Guiren raised his head with fear on his face, his lips trembling as he glanced at Ruan Yun. He quickly retracted his gaze and bit his lower lip. When he raised his head again, his face was full of tears:
"I really don't dare. As soon as I see Ying Chongrong's face, I always feel uncomfortable."
Concubine Xian comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Sister Li. The Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Queen Mother are all here. They will definitely make the decision for you."
"Since Noble Li is so scared that he can't speak..." Concubine Xian's eyes moved slightly, with a different light flashing inside, "Why don't I tell Ying Chongrong first?"
When Concubine Xian said this, Yan Shiyu's eyes fell on Ruan Yun and did not leave.
Ruan Yun's face was filled with confusion. "I wonder what Sister Xianfei wants to tell me? I was in a hurry on the way here just now, and the palace maid was also vague. I only know that this matter is related to me, so I dare not not come."
Concubine Xian has been with the Queen Mother for a long time, and her temperament has been educated by the Queen Mother, so it is much better than before. The way she speaks now is really a bit like the Queen Mother in the past.
Pressing the corner of her lips with a handkerchief, Concubine Xian said, "Lady Li said she was not feeling well. She felt that her current state was very similar to the witchcraft she had read in the book. Do you have anything to say, sister?"
Ruan Yun turned her head in surprise, her eyes met the tears on Li Guiren's face that were about to fall. When she looked at the emperor, her almond-shaped eyes were filled with tears. She wanted to stand up and kneel in front of the empress dowager, but was stopped by Yan Shiyu.
"Ying Chongrong is still holding the Dragon Descendant in her heart. I think you don't need to kneel."
Using the words the Queen Mother had just said to stop her, the Queen Mother was so angry that she didn't want to look any further. Thinking that Ruan Yun was pregnant with the heir, the Queen Mother said calmly, "Sit down, be careful."
Ruan Yun wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, and Yingning and Tingxu hurriedly protected Ruan Yun from behind.
"The art of witchcraft is a forbidden art. I am of humble origins. Fortunately, the emperor has shown me mercy and I can barely recognize a few words. How can I know how to use forbidden arts?"
These words were spoken with sincerity, and corresponding to what the Emperor had just said, the Empress had some worry in her eyes. Seeing that Ruan Yun's exposed hands were shaking, she knew that she was afraid.
Ran Xia, who was beside him, whispered, "Please ask the female doctor to come over as well."
For a moment, everyone in the palace looked at the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother remained unmoved and continued, "It seems that you are not afraid at all?"
Ruan Yun took a deep breath, looked at the Queen Mother, and said, "I have done nothing, so I am not afraid."
The Empress Dowager paused and pressed the beads on her knees, "The Ai family believes that only by searching the palace can they prove that there are no such dirty things in your palace, and your innocence will be preserved. The rest..."
The Queen Mother looked towards Li Guiren. Her cold eyes frightened Li Guiren so much that she trembled and could not help but clutch her skirt tightly:
"Even if Li Guiren climbed to the top by corrupt means and did not abide by the palace rules, everything will be decided by me."
Although Ruan Yun's voice was gentle, her words were not gentle at all:
"I will obey the Queen Mother's order."
With the empress dowager's words, Wei Maoyuan had no choice but to lead people to Linxuan Palace, and along with them was Su Shengfu, the chief eunuch in the empress dowager's palace.
Instructing his men to move more quickly, Su Shengfu said with a smile, "We won't let Eunuch Wei's men work hard. We will take care of this matter."
Wei Maoyuan smiled, "I am here to watch over the emperor. After all, Ying Chongrong is the apple of his eye. If we mess up Ying Chongrong's things and Ying Chongrong sees what happened, neither you nor I can bear the consequences."
Su Shengfu's expression remained unchanged. After he waved his hand, a young eunuch ran over and asked flatteringly, "What do you want, eunuch?"
Before he could finish his words, the eunuch was slapped hard on the face. Su Shengfu said in a shrill voice, "You clumsy fellow! Don't you see where you are? This is Ying Chongrong's palace! Do you still want to keep your head after messing up Ying Chongrong's things?"
The young eunuch covered his face but did not dare to beg for mercy. Wei Maoyuan frowned when he saw this.
Su Shengfu was very angry after the slap and said, "Don't blame me, Eunuch Wei. It's because you have been lazy under my command for too long that you are not as skillful as before."
Little Muzi was watching from the side, feeling extremely sympathetic towards the young eunuch. Following such a fickle master like Su Shengfu, life must have been difficult for him.
Seeing Su Shengfu's fat face, little Mu Zi thought of the recent rumors in the palace, and felt the hair on his body stand on end. He couldn't help but move closer to his master.
Several people were standing in the courtyard. The young eunuchs did not dare to relax. Every time they moved a piece of furnishings, they put it back intact.
At this moment, a palace maid from the side room sneaked out and looked around. Su Shengfu did not let her sneaky move go and screamed, "Someone! Capture her for me!"
The eunuchs rushed forward to hold the person down. Wei Maoyuan and Su Shengfu walked forward with sullen faces, and saw a very unfamiliar palace maid.
Wei Maoyuan saw the box in Nianqin's hand and asked coldly, "What is this?"
Nianqin glanced at Su Shengfu, held the box closer to her own arms, lowered her head and hastily denied, "No... nothing, it's my own stuff."
Su Shengfu sneered, "Your own? Why are you hiding it everywhere? Is it something shameful? Is it from one of your lovers?"
Nianqin panicked instantly, and even held the wooden box closer to her bosom, "My Lord, this... this is something that belongs to the Empress, that's why I treasure it so much, how dare I give it to others privately?"
Nianqin held the wooden box very tightly. Su Shengfu thought that it must be something important, otherwise why would Nianqin cherish it so much?
He said to the person behind him, "Bring it here! I want to see what this is."
Two eunuchs stepped forward and grabbed Nianqin's arms, forcing her to let go. The wooden box fell from her arms and was picked up by another eunuch and presented to Su Shengfu.
Su Shengfu glanced at Nianqin, and his hand had already touched the buckle. Nianqin shouted, "This thing really belongs to the queen. If it is damaged in any way, the queen will be angry!"
However, Su Shengfu ignored Nianqin and opened the wooden box directly.
Originally he thought the wooden box contained something needed for witchcraft, but when he opened it, Su Shengfu was dumbfounded.
There was nothing but a silver hairpin inside.
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