"This humble concubine greets the Imperial Noble Consort and all the other ladies."
The Imperial Noble Consort Tong, seated at the head of the table, seemed to have no intention of making things difficult for her, and simply said, "Get up, sit down and talk."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Youqing sat silently in an empty seat on the right.
Consort Yi smiled and said, "Imperial Noble Consort, you've made such a grand spectacle today, even inviting Consort Shu, who rarely shows her face. I wonder if something major has happened, or if you have any instructions?"
Those who came today probably all know why they came, but someone has to start. Consort Yi is known for her straightforwardness, so it's normal for her to speak first.
Consort Tong put down her teacup, the sound of the porcelain cup clinking against the pear wood making the entire main hall even quieter.
"This matter is neither a big deal nor a small one, but its impact is truly egregious. Therefore, I have invited all of you sisters to come here to discuss how to handle it."
The fact that they're using the word "handle" suggests the problem is quite serious.
Consort Hui looked surprised, as if it were true: "I wonder what kind of thing could be considered so heinous?"
"Consort Cheng, you speak."
Instead of speaking directly, Consort Tong asked Consort Cheng to explain the whole story.
At this moment, Consort Cheng spoke up with a wronged tone: "To be honest, it was my fault. Some time ago, I was not strict with my subordinates and caused the maid of Consort Shu in Jingyang Palace to suffer. It was indeed my fault, but I sincerely apologized, and Consort Shu accepted my apology."
I thought the matter was over and that was the end of it. At the time, I secretly admired Consort Shu's tolerance and magnanimity. But not long after, the food sent to me by the Imperial Kitchen was all spoiled. I found it hard to swallow, so I asked the Imperial Noble Consort for help.
After the Empress's fair and kind investigation, it was discovered that a young eunuch had died inexplicably in the kitchen. After several twists and turns, it was found that the young eunuch was from the same hometown as Chen Tian, who served Consort Shu, and the two had a close relationship.
The Empress then investigated Chen Tian and, after some interrogation, learned that Consort Shu had instructed Chen Tian to bribe a fellow villager working in the kitchen to deliver spoiled food to her. She couldn't understand why Consort Shu would do such a despicable thing. She was also one of His Majesty's concubines, and her father was also an official in the court; she would not tolerate such insults.
In the end, Consort Cheng looked at Youqing with humiliation in her eyes, as if Youqing had committed a terrible crime against her.
Watching Consort Cheng's singing, recitation, acting, and fighting, Youqing genuinely felt that if such a person were born in modern times, she would at least be an award-winning actress.
Before she could speak, Consort Tong looked at Youqing with a cold expression and asked, "Does Consort Shu have anything to say?"
Youqing scoffed, "Your Majesty summoned me here today just to condemn me, didn't you!"
Consort Tong frowned: "What, the evidence is conclusive. Do you have something to refute? It's alright if you took a wrong turn for the moment. Just copy some Buddhist scriptures, learn the rules, and if you learn them well, you can correct your mistakes. I think Consort Cheng is a magnanimous person and won't blame you."
Youqing raised an eyebrow and looked at Consort Tong: "Your Majesty, I dare not accept your words. I did not bring any money with me when I entered the palace. After entering Jiangxue Pavilion, His Majesty bestowed some money upon me, but I have not touched it except for the daily rewards. Consort Cheng said that I asked Chen Tian to bribe the eunuchs in the kitchen, but I do not have any extra money."
Furthermore, Chen Tian is merely a lowly eunuch sweeping and cleaning in Jiangxue Pavilion. He rarely even sees the concubines. Who would hire a lowly eunuch to do such a clandestine task as bribing someone? I urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and not to believe everything you hear.
These words infuriated Consort Tong, who said with a furious expression, "What, do you suspect that I am slandering you?"
Youqing slowly said, "I didn't say that. It's just that Your Majesty's judgment based solely on Chen Tian is too arbitrary. I'm only doing this for Your Majesty's own good. After all, His Majesty entrusted Your Majesty with managing palace affairs because he trusts Your Majesty's abilities. But if Your Majesty doesn't have these abilities, Your Majesty will have failed His Majesty's trust."
Upon hearing this, even Consort Niohuru, who was sitting and watching the show, couldn't sit still. She wanted to manage the palace affairs too, but there was already an Imperial Noble Consort ahead of her, who was also the Emperor's cousin. She was willing but unable to do so.
In March, His Majesty issued an edict to promote Consort Tong to Imperial Noble Consort Tong, thus elevating her from Consort Niohuru to Noble Consort. However, although the edict was issued, the necessary procedures had not yet been followed.
In short, from the perspective of outsiders, neither Consort Tong nor Consort Niohuru were considered to have a legitimate title.
She wanted to perform well and hopefully get a good title.
Furthermore, Consort Tong values palace affairs most, and it would be even better if she could annoy her. Consort Niohuru is the younger sister of Empress Niohuru, the second empress of Emperor Kangxi. The two sisters have a good relationship. When Empress Niohuru was still alive, Consort Tong, who was then a concubine, did a lot of things to trip up Empress Niohuru, and Consort Niohuru remembers them all!
"Sister Tong, now that I hear this, Sister Shu's words make sense. It is indeed too hasty of you to conclude that Sister Shu bribed the kitchen based solely on Chen Tian. Why don't you investigate further?"
This clearly shows that they are on Youqing's side.
If Youqing's innocence can be proven, then Consort Tong will inevitably be labeled as someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong, acts rashly, and is impulsive.
Another point is that Youqing is His Majesty's favorite. If she is wronged, His Majesty will naturally feel sorry for her, and she will naturally be able to take the opportunity to get her hands on the palace affairs in the hands of the Imperial Noble Consort.
Consort Tong naturally knew what Consort Niohuru was planning. This Consort Shu was quite quick-witted. No wonder His Majesty favored her; if she didn't have some ability, His Majesty probably wouldn't have taken a liking to her.
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