Chapter 72
[Chapter 72]
The matter has not been clarified yet, and no one even knows how Lady Du escaped. Mr. Meng does not want to find out the truth about this matter, but clearly wants to take this opportunity to meet the emperor.
Concubine Xian's face was covered with tears. The palace maids approached with lights on and saw the horrific palm prints on Concubine Xian's neck, as well as the blood marks accidentally left by Concubine Du's fingernails. It looked extremely scary.
Perhaps because she knew she didn't look good now, Concubine Xian cried and covered her face. Her waist was in great pain from bumping against the sedan chair just now. She said, "Empress Dowager, please don't invite the Emperor."
Meng Guiren pressed the issue further, saying, "Even after such a big incident, Concubine Xian still wanted to not invite the Emperor to come. Could it be that she thinks she is too ugly now and is afraid that the Emperor will be disgusted with her after seeing her? Or does she have other motives and is afraid that the Emperor will return the Second Prince to Concubine Du's care in order to appease her?"
At that time, she did not ask for the Second Prince. Instead, the old woman, the Empress, brought Concubine Xian back from Mount Putuo, resulting in Concubine Xian having a prince by her side. The Emperor would go to Concubine Xian's palace from time to time because of the Second Prince, and she could only watch the Emperor favor other concubines but could do nothing.
When she woke up in the middle of the night, she couldn't help but think that if the Second Prince could be raised under her name, the Emperor would certainly come to see her more often.
Concubine Xian vomited so much that she almost vomited blood. Her fair neck was in so much pain that she could hardly speak. She just stared at Mr. Meng with pain on her face.
Yinli knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, my queen has been having nightmares and palpitations recently. Now she has seen blood, and I am afraid it will not be good for the emperor to see it. Please ask the emperor to come now, my queen..."
The Queen frowned and looked at the pleading look in Concubine Xian's eyes. It was she who suggested that Concubine Xian return to the palace. If there was really something wrong, she would be slapping herself in the face.
Seeing that the empress was hesitant to make a decision, Concubine Ji stepped forward, bowed, and said softly, "It is getting dark now, and there are still so many things that have not been clarified. If the emperor comes now, I am afraid that he will make a fuss all night. The emperor will definitely be in a bad mood tomorrow. If the court officials know about it, I am afraid that the royal family will really lose face."
When the Queen heard what Concubine Ji said, she was somewhat surprised that she would say that, and there was a hint of approval in her eyes.
Jipin continued, "Besides...it's just one night, it's okay even if the emperor is not here."
Mr. Meng stood up, raised his hand, and was about to strike.
Concubine Ji took a step back, her eyes fell on the armor of Lady Meng, which was wrapped with gold threads and gems, and she said softly, "I don't know what I did wrong to make Miss Meng want to attack me in front of so many people?"
Mr. Meng said coldly, "You insist on contradicting me no matter what I say. Do you think that after I have had a chance to succeed and have been promoted, I can be compared with you? People from small families are not worthy of being on the stage."
Concubine Ji was not annoyed by being humiliated by Lady Meng, and said, "I am of higher status than Sister Meng, and the palace rules are clear, so I cannot overstep my authority. Sister Meng has been in the palace for so long, she won't do that, maybe she has forgotten."
These words made everyone forget what had just happened. One concubine, who was curious about the topic, couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Lady Meng was so angry that her face was filled with shame. She entered the palace early, but her current position was not as high as that of Concubine Ji.
The Queen also took the opportunity to speak up, saying, "Mr. Meng, I see that you don't look well. You should go back and rest early."
Meng Guiren sneered and said, "Sister, you know you are not feeling well, and you don't need to remind me. You should take good care of your health."
After saying this, Mr. Meng walked towards his ceremonial staff with an air of superiority.
Seeing this, Shen Chongyi had to say, "Your Majesty, I have been very tired recently. I have nothing to do right now. How about going to see the little princess first?"
The queen frowned, then a gentle smile appeared on her face. She said, "Get well soon and take the little princess back to your palace."
Shen Chongyi's eyes warmed up when she heard that. She bit her lower lip tightly and lowered her head to hide the tears in her eyes so that others would not notice. She said, "Thank you, Her Majesty."
Helped by Wanmo, Shen Chongyi left with Meng Guiren. Shen Chongyi looked unhappy and even a little dazed.
Concubine Ji's beautiful eyes flickered and she retracted her gaze, then looked at Concubine Du, who had her mouth covered and looked extremely ferocious.
Today's Concubine Du is no longer the legitimate daughter of Marquis Pingyang, nor is she the emperor's favored concubine who can be trampled upon by anyone in the palace. Now, someone is grabbing her arm, and her body is constantly moving forward. Her eyes are ferocious and she looks at Concubine Xian with viciousness.
When the queen saw Consort Du's appearance, the smile on her face disappeared. She turned around, flicked her sleeves, sat back on the ceremonial staff, and said in a calm voice, "Take her back to Lanhui Palace."
In such a scene, all the concubines had to follow the Empress. Concubine Xian was also carried to the Lanhui Palace, with tears rolling down her eyes.
…
Jiangxue Tower.
Mr. Meng threw the teacup in his hand at Shen Chongyi, and the cold tea flowed down the hem of Shen Chongyi's skirt. Shen Chongyi's eyes were dim, and she didn't dare to wipe the tea stains with a handkerchief. She said with a sad face, "Calm down, sister."
Mr. Meng sneered, "Calm down? Now you know how to let me calm down? Why didn't you say a word just now? Are you dumb?"
All the snack plates on the table were swept to the ground, and the snacks fell all over the floor. The sound of porcelain breaking could be heard.
Shen Chongyi smiled bitterly and said, "Sister, you saw what happened just now. The Empress clearly didn't want the Emperor to come. Even Concubine Ji followed the Empress's lead, not to mention that Concubine Xian also thought the same way. The Empress..."
Mr. Meng said in a stern voice, "How dare you mention Consort Xian to me?"
Standing up and pushing Shen Chongyi back, Meng Guiren had a sly smile on his face, "It was you who came up with the idea and tampered with the Zhaiyue Pavilion. It was also you who said that you asked the imperial physician in advance that if it was Jipin's body, only one could be saved. But Jipin, that bitch, actually survived. Today, she even dared to step on my head. What are you going to do!"
Shen Chongyi's face froze, and she said, "I didn't expect Ying Chongrong to plead for Ji Concubine at that time. Maybe Ji Concubine had noticed it earlier, so she deliberately passed the news to Ying Chongrong."
Meng Guiren looked at Shen Chongyi, "Didn't you say that all the doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau had been arranged, and that all the doctors who helped Concubine Ji with her pregnancy said the same thing? How could Concubine Ji know that?"
Just as Meng Guiren finished yelling at Shen Chongyi, a faint cry suddenly came from the door, "Mother, mother is scared."
Shen Chongyi raised her head and looked behind the screen. The little princess ran towards her barefoot without shoes. Shen Chongyi wiped the tears from her face and held the little princess in her arms. She looked her up and down and asked nervously, "Xin'er, why are you the only one taking care of your wet nurse?"
The little princess looked at Shen Chongyi but didn't dare to speak. There was timidity in her eyes and a little fear in her eyes when she looked at Shen Chongyi.
Shen Chongyi panicked for a moment, "Xin'er, it's... it's mother."
But as soon as Shen Chongyi finished saying this, the little princess suddenly left Shen Chongyi's arms.
Mr. Meng was already upset, and seeing this, he slammed the table and said impatiently: "Why don't you take the little princess away? What is the wet nurse doing?"
The wet nurse who had hurried over held the crying little princess in her arms. Shen Chongyi wanted to follow her, but Liu Jin blocked her in front of her and said, "Madam, our young master's affairs have not been resolved yet, and you are leaving like this. What should we do?"
Shen Chongyi's tense expression finally broke down when the little princess appeared. She ignored her status and knelt in front of Mr. Meng, saying, "The little princess is very smart and intelligent. I'm afraid she has heard it just now. Let me go and accompany the little princess for a while."
Meng Guiren showed impatience on his face and said, "How old is she? How can a five-year-old child remember things? She will be fine after a good sleep tomorrow. Besides, can you change what you did? If you insist on going, don't blame me for not being able to do what I promised you before."
Shen Chongyi's eyes were filled with loss. After wiping away her tears, Wanmo helped her queen up. She felt particularly distressed when she saw her queen's appearance.
After hearing this, Mr. Meng had no more energy to talk. He sat back on the couch, propped up his head with his hands, closed his eyes, and asked, "Why haven't you taken the medicine I gave you yet?"
Shen Chongyi stood there and said sadly, "Although Ying Chongrong lost the emperor's favor a few days ago, the Ministry of Internal Affairs still dared not treat Ying Chongrong harshly. I just couldn't find a chance."
Mr. Meng had no patience to listen to Shen Chongyi's excuses, and said, "You have time to visit the little princess every day, but no time to do your work?"
Tonight, the Emperor has appointed that vixen Ruan Yun as his companion. Seeing that Ruan Yun's favor has surpassed hers, how can she be willing to accept this? Moreover, now Jipin and Ruan Yun, two bitches, are coming together to deal with her. They are truly not worthy of being in the same situation. They dare to use tricks on her in secret!
If she doesn't take action now, then... when the emperor takes a new wife, it will be too late.
Meng Guiren glanced at Shen Chongyi and slowly took off the armor on his hands. "Okay, it's getting late, you should go back first."
Shen Chongyi showed some joy and hurried to walk out of the palace. Meng Guiren said slowly, "Since the little princess has been afraid of you in recent days, you'd better not meet her, so as not to scare the little princess. If the little princess gets sick, the emperor will inevitably blame me for not taking good care of her."
Shen Chongyi froze, not knowing what to say. She wanted to speak, but Meng Guiren got up and went into the bathroom. Liu Yu stopped Shen Chongyi, bowed and said, "Your Majesty is tired today, so you should go back early."
There was a hint of pity in her eyes when she looked at Shen Chongyi, which Shen Chongyi saw clearly. She grabbed Liu Yu's arm and said, "Miss Liu Yu, I know you are a kind-hearted person. Could you please talk to Mr. Meng?"
Liu Yu hesitated for only a moment, and quickly pulled her arm out of Shen Chongyi's hand, "Madam, please don't embarrass me. You know, no one can change the decision made by the young lady."
Shen Chongyi's hand slowly slipped and her body staggered. Wanmo hurriedly helped her mother to steady herself.
After leaving Jiangxue Tower, Shen Chongyi cried and said, "For so many years, I have obeyed her in every way, but she refused to let me see Xin'er. Tonight, Xin'er ran out alone. It must be that the wet nurse didn't care about her."
Wanmo was also in great pain, and she supported Shen Chongyi and said, "My queen, there is only one solution now."
Shen Chongyi smiled bitterly, "She thought it would be very easy to put Xia Cao in Ying Chongrong's meal, but if it was really that easy, why would she ask me to do it?"
Wan Mo was very worried, biting her lower lip and said, "I am willing to give it a try for you, Madam. At least, we need to bring the little princess back and let her grow up by your side."
Shen Chongyi shook her head desperately and tightly grasped Wanmo's arm, "No! You are someone close to me, it's too risky for you to go."
Seeing Wanmo wanted to say something, Shen Chongyi said, "I know you won't get me into trouble, but no matter what, I can't let you take risks."
Turning sideways and looking towards the side hall, it seemed as if I could still see the little princess crying.
The little princess's unfamiliarity just now, and the way she refused to let her hug her, deeply pierced Shen Chongyi's heart.
Shen Chongyi bit her lip and said softly but firmly, "Now, there is only one way."
…
Over at Lanhui Palace, the imperial physician came to see Concubine Xian and then left. Everyone was tired today, and it was not appropriate to arrest someone with great fanfare. Only at 11 p.m. did the empress let everyone disperse.
When Concubine Ji came down from the procession, the eunuch waiting in the palace said nervously, "My lady, the emperor has been here for a long time."
Raising her hand slightly to stop the eunuch from speaking, Concubine Ji showed no trace of surprise on her face. She lowered her eyes and said softly, "All of you go down first. You don't have to keep watch today."
The eunuch took the order and left, and Yicui helped her young lady into the inner hall.
Yan Shiyu was sitting on the couch, his arms on his knees, holding a book in his hands.
Jipin had a faint smile on her face, "Greetings to the Emperor, may the Emperor be well and safe."
Wei Maoyuan carefully took the book that the emperor handed over. Yan Shiyu's eyes were light and he moved slightly to the side, "Sit down."
Concubine Ji followed the Emperor's instructions and sat beside him, telling him what had just happened. "The Empress has ordered people to investigate who released Concubine Ji. Concubine Xian was also quite shocked. I'm afraid that what Concubine Du did tonight has already spread throughout the palace."
Yan Shiyu spoke calmly, picked up the teacup and said, "You did a great job."
Concubine Ji was praised by the emperor, and she was no longer as she was at the beginning. She just smiled gently, "Concubine Du is full of dirty words and flatters Sister Ying. Sister Ying suffered a lot when she was in her palace. The way Concubine Du behaves now is the path she chose herself."
Yan Shiyu had already stood up and said in a cold voice: "You are a smart person. You should know what to say to her and what not to say."
Concubine Ji knelt down and saluted, "Of course I don't want to disturb Sister Ying, but Sister Ying is smart and I'm afraid she can't keep it secret."
Yan Shiyu walked out of Ningfangzhen without saying a word. The emperor's whereabouts became a mystery, and no one knew that the emperor had visited Ningfangzhen overnight today.
…
Jingqi Palace.
Ruan Yun slept particularly soundly tonight.
Early in the morning, the palace maids in Jingqi Palace removed the burnt-out incense burner on the table and replaced it with agarwood that could dispel dew and refresh the mind in the morning.
The water fragrance slowly diffused from the multi-story incense burner in the hall. Ruan Yun was suddenly dazzled by the light outside, and her almond-shaped eyes slowly opened.
His hand inadvertently pulled the golden bell at his side, and the curtain was quickly opened.
Ying Ning's face was filled with anxiety, not caring that she was still in Jingqi Palace at the moment, and she said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Du is in trouble."
…
Ruan Yun's charming face had long lost its former smile. When she stepped into the Lanhui Palace, everyone's eyes were more or less fixed on Ruan Yun.
He walked to the front and saluted the queen. The queen looked a little tired, but still said gently, "You are here."
Ruan Jun didn't expect the Queen to ask this, as if she knew from the beginning that she would come.
Most of the people in Lanhui Palace today are the concubines from last night.
The queen put down the jade ruyi in her hand, tilted her head and asked Ran Xia, "Have you gone to invite the emperor?"
Ran Xia nodded, "I have already asked someone to invite him. The people in front of him said that the emperor still has some affairs to deal with, so he will come later."
The Queen rubbed her forehead and said, "In that case, my sisters, please have some refreshments first."
One concubine said in a flattering tone: "Your Majesty is the one who has worked so hard. You brought Concubine Du back to the palace last night. I'm afraid that Concubine Du might say..."
The concubine covered her lips with a handkerchief and did not say anything further.
The queen said in a gentle voice: "I am the master of the harem. Bringing Concubine Du back to the palace is also for the stability of the entire harem."
The concubines all stood up and saluted the empress.
When Ruan Jun was helped to sit down, she looked at everyone in the hall with suspicion in her almond-shaped eyes. She had never expected that the matter of Concubine Du would break out so quickly.
After letting Danxing stop drinking the bitter cold tea, she couldn't find another opportunity to take action. But after hearing what Yingning said, Concubine Du seemed to have gone crazy, and her mind started to become weird. She could only remember two things.
Concubine Ji asked with concern: "Sister Ying is not feeling well?"
Ruan Yun smiled and shook her head, "No, I slept so soundly last night that I didn't even notice anything was wrong."
Jipin smiled secretly and said, "Sister Ying drank a lot of wine last night. I think it was because she was drunk."
Ruan Jun didn't have the energy to think about why. What she wanted to know more now was about Du Xuanshi.
…
Yan Shiyu sat at the head of the table with a sullen expression. Pingyang Hou knelt down tremblingly, wiping away his tears and saying, "Your Majesty, I have failed to teach my daughter well. Please punish me!"
Yan Shiyu said with a half-smile: "You are a meritorious official, why do you need to say this?"
Pingyang Hou choked up and said, "Miss Du has been talking nonsense in the palace, disturbing the emperor's peace and even damaging the royal family's reputation. Although she is a daughter of an aristocratic family, since she has entered the palace, she is the emperor's concubine. Although I am Miss Du's father, I am very frightened. Today I come to beg the emperor to punish Miss Du and restore the royal family's reputation."
Yan Shiyu glanced at Wei Maoyuan with his dark eyes, and Wei Maoyuan immediately helped Pingyang Hou up, "You are too kind, Miss Du is the biological mother of the Second Prince, how can you punish her like this?"
Pingyang Marquis' legs went limp and he was about to kneel down again, saying, "Ms. Du is crazy. How can you believe a madman's words? How can the second prince's biological mother be Miss Du?"
Wei Maoyuan held Pingyang Marquis tightly, so that Pingyang Marquis had no chance to kneel down again.
Yan Shiyu suddenly laughed heartily, "It is a blessing for the country to have an old minister like you!"
Pingyang Hou wiped the sweat off his forehead, clasped his fists and said, "I dare not do that. I will bow my head and do my best."
…
"The Emperor has arrived!"
The concubines in the Lanhui Palace stood up to pay their respects to the emperor. After the empress knelt briefly to salute, the palace maid behind her put the chair on the other side and Ran Xia helped the empress sit down.
Yan Shiyu lifted his robe and sat down. His eyes first fell on Ruan Yun, and then he asked in a deep voice, "Has the Queen found out anything?"
The Queen glanced at Qiyue, and Qiyue immediately walked out of the hall and brought everyone to the inner hall.
The maids knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.
The Queen asked coldly, "I ordered you to keep an eye on Miaoranju. How did Concubine Du escape?"
The maids apologized, saying, "We didn't know. It was meal time. When we went in to deliver the meal, we found that Lady Du's door was open. But we were guarding outside the whole time and would never let Lady Du escape!"
At this time, a eunuch raised his head and then hurried down. Zeqin saw it and quickly grabbed the eunuch by the collar and asked, "Do you know something?"
The eunuch kowtowed and said, "I... I am a sweeper near Miao Ran's residence. Last night, I was on duty and had finished my work, so I thought of hiding under a tree. Unexpectedly, I saw a man running out of the dog hole in Miao Ran's residence. I thought I had seen a ghost and didn't dare to stop him, let alone make a sound. Now it seems..."
The eunuch hadn't finished his words, but everyone present knew what he meant.
She is a concubine after all, but she did such a shameful thing. Moreover, she is from a noble family. It is really shameful.
The Queen continued to ask, "Du Xianshi was fine when she came to the palace, why is she so crazy now?"
The maids begged for mercy, saying, "Qingling was the only one who was close to Lady Du, and we didn't know."
Yan Shiyu changed his sitting position and saw that Ruan Jun's face was calm, as if she had avenged herself. A smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his lips.
What they did was so obvious that they were not afraid of being discovered.
If it was accidentally leaked, how would the Pingyang Marquisate let it go?
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