Chapter 194 The Empress's words are too sharp
Jiang Nan leaned back in her chair with a relaxed air, her gaze sweeping over Zhao Deyi.
"Tell me... was this an accident?"
Zhao Deyi replied with a cautious smile.
"Your Majesty, many things in the harem, on the surface...aren't they all accidents?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan chuckled and tapped her fingertips on the smooth rosewood table surface.
“You’re right. In this palace, there aren’t that many unexpected events. Nine times out of ten, they’re all planned out by people.”
She paused slightly, her tone carrying a hint of coldness.
"However, what does it matter if it's an accident or not? If I were to encounter such a life-threatening situation, I would eradicate the root of the threat, no matter if it's an accident or not."
Zhao Deyi felt a chill run down his spine and lowered his head even further.
"Your Majesty is right."
Jiang Nan accepted the fresh tea that Chunlan offered again, rinsed her mouth, and then slowly said.
"Looking at it this way, it's quite interesting. To pull off something like this in one's own palace is not only secretive, but also impossible to guard against. In the end, it will most likely be an unsolved mystery. As long as they stick to their guns and deny it, no one can produce any concrete evidence to prove that it was a deliberate attempt to harm someone."
A scrutinizing glint flashed in her eyes.
"This Qi Jia is quite clever. These underhanded methods are insidious and effective, killing one person after another."
Chunlan, who was standing by, spoke up at the opportune moment.
"Your Majesty, such a commotion has occurred at Yonghe Palace, aren't you going to go and take a look?"
Jiang Nan waved his hand dismissively.
"What are you looking at? The play is over, are you going to go and look at all that broken porcelain and rotten wood?"
When she spoke of broken porcelain and rotten wood, a meaningful smile appeared on her lips.
"However, you have reminded me. I am now in charge of this entire harem. Every brick, every tile, every object is made with the imperial treasury's money, the Emperor's money."
She stood up, her tone growing heavier, carrying an undeniable authority.
"I have said that I will not stop them from fighting or hinder their struggles. However, we cannot allow the Emperor to suffer financial losses just because of occasional accidents. If they all follow suit and smash up the curio cabinet today and break a blue-and-white porcelain jar tomorrow, won't they bankrupt the harem?"
She turned her gaze to Zhao Deyi and gave him instructions.
"Zhao Deyi, convey my imperial decree to summon them all to Kunning Palace for a midday audience. Also, go to the Imperial Household Department to inform Su Jing to come along as well."
"Yes, sir!"
Zhao Deyi understood immediately, bowed in agreement, and quickly left the dining hall to deliver the imperial decree.
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When the imperial edict from Kunning Palace was issued, none of the concubines in the six palaces dared to be negligent.
Although it is not a day of formal mourning, since Her Majesty the Empress has given the order, one must arrive on time even if it means being attacked.
As dusk settled, the main hall of Kunning Palace was adorned with pearls and jade ornaments, and a subtle fragrance wafted through the air.
At the head of the group were Consort Niohuru and Princess Tongjia, followed by Lady Daijia and others.
Uya and Qijia, who were trying to remain calm, also took their seats.
The hall was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop. A sense of impending doom hung in the air.
A moment later, with the soft tinkling of jade pendants, Jiang Nan, supporting Chunlan, slowly walked out from the back hall.
Today she wore a ceremonial robe with eight dragon and cloud patterns.
Adorned with kingfisher feather headdress, she possessed an elegant demeanor and an imposing presence.
Her gaze swept calmly over the people below, pausing briefly on Qi Jia and Wu Ya.
She then gracefully took her seat.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully wish you good health."
The concubines all rose in unison, curtsied, and their voices echoed in the empty hall.
Jiang Nan waved her hand casually, her voice revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
Everyone got up as instructed, carefully sat back down, and kept their eyes down, not daring to make any unnecessary movements.
Jiang Nan picked up the teacup beside her, gently stirred the floating leaves with the lid, but did not drink it.
She spoke directly, her voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"I called you all here today for no other reason than to remind you of a small matter."
She turned her gaze to the person below and called out their name.
"Qi Jia's family."
Consort Qi Jia's heart skipped a beat, and she almost jumped up from her seat, quickly walking to the center of the hall and kneeling down.
His voice trembled almost imperceptibly.
"Your Majesty, I am here. Please give your orders!"
Jiang Nan looked at her feigned composure, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, and said slowly.
"I heard that there was an accident this morning in the east wing of your Yonghe Palace? It almost... crushed Lady Wuya to death inside?"
Before Qi Jia could answer, she turned to Wu Ya.
"Wuya clan, is this true?"
Consort Wuya hurriedly rose and knelt down, respectfully replying.
"Your Majesty, this is indeed the case. Today, I went to the East Annex Hall for a short visit at the invitation of Sister Qi Jia. I did not expect that the multi-treasure pavilion behind me was knocked down by the palace maid Yunxiu, which almost caused a disaster."
She spoke calmly, without embellishing the story.
"oh?"
Jiang Nan raised an eyebrow, as if she had just heard the details.
"Was it done on purpose by that palace maid?"
Uya lowered her eyelashes.
"This humble servant...does not know."
As she spoke, her gaze seemed to casually sweep over Qi Jia Shi beside her.
Jiang Nan followed her gaze and asked directly.
"Qi Jia, tell me, did you deliberately arrange this accident?"
Qi Jia trembled all over, then suddenly slammed her head to the ground and cried out in a sobbing voice.
"Your Majesty, please understand! I am innocent. It was truly an accident. It was that foolish maid Yunxiu who tripped and fell, causing the treasure pavilion to be knocked over. I never expected it to be such a coincidence, startling Sister Wuya. If I have uttered even the slightest lie, may I be struck by lightning!"
She swore an oath, appearing genuinely sincere.
Jiang Nan watched her performance and sneered, the laughter sounding particularly clear and jarring in the silent hall.
"Oh? It was just a coincidence?"
She seemed to have heard a very funny joke, and turned her gaze to the silent crowd below.
"Tell me, is this really just a coincidence?"
The concubines had already cursed Qi Jia countless times in their hearts, so how could they possibly respond?
Saying so would be tantamount to exonerating Qi Jia, which might offend the Empress and Wu Ya.
To say no would be pointless without any evidence, and would only make them seem like busybodies.
For a moment, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and had no choice but to bite the bullet and get up, chattering amongst themselves.
Some vaguely suggested it was just a coincidence, while others ambiguously said there was definitely something fishy about it.
Chaos erupted inside the hall.
Jiang Nan was overjoyed at the chaos and raised her hand to press down.
"Alright, what nonsense is this? I think you should all go back to your seats."
Her gaze shifted to the first person on the right, surnamed Tongjia, and she called out her name.
"Sister Tongjia, you entered the palace late and are simple-minded. Tell me, do you think this is just a coincidence?"
Lady Tongjia hadn't expected the Empress's anger to extend to her, and she tightened her grip on her handkerchief.
He had no choice but to get up and carefully choose his words.
"Your Majesty, I believe... it was just a coincidence. After all... if Consort Wuya really had an accident in the East Annex Hall, Consort Qijia would also be implicated. I doubt she's that stupid..."
Her words were neither affirmative nor negative, but also implied that Lady Qijia neither had the guts nor the need to take action in her own palace.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan looked at her with a half-smile.
"Oh my, my cousin Tong Jia has become much more composed these past few days. Look at what she said, so watertight, leaving room for maneuver."
The teasing tone in her voice made Tongjia blush slightly, and she awkwardly sat back down.
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