vrcanaries Chapter 362: The Unforgivable Crime
Chapter 362: The Unforgivable Crime
An Lingrong bowed calmly and said calmly, "Your Majesty, Noble Concubine Hui often goes to the Cining Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager, and Prince Guo also often goes there to pay his respects. Noble Concubine Hui is concerned about Noble Concubine Xi, so she asked Prince Guo to visit her on her behalf. The Empress Dowager is also aware of this."
Anyway, the Queen Mother is dead and there is no evidence, so she can say whatever she wants.
Concubine Qi scoffed, "Prince Guo has always been arrogant and looked down upon the concubines in the harem. How could he easily agree to Concubine Hui's request? Or is there some hidden deal between you two?"
Prince Guo finally calmed down and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I've been away from home for years and haven't been able to fulfill my filial duties to my mother. Imperial Concubine Hui manages the six palaces, and while she has a multitude of duties, she has taken great care of my mother, sending her food and clothing on time. I cannot fail to repay such kindness. Qingxu Monastery is not far from Ganlu Temple. Whenever I visit my mother, I stop by Ganlu Temple and bring back some news, which I have the maids in the Imperial Concubine's palace pass on to Imperial Concubine Hui."
The Queen's gaze wandered over the few people, and then she softly suggested, "Since this matter is related to Concubine Hui, why not invite her over so we can ask her about it in person?"
Hearing this, An Lingrong was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and all the thorns on her body instantly exploded. Without thinking, she blurted out, "No, Concubine Hui is pregnant, no one can disturb her!"
A flash of anger flashed across the queen's dignified face. She had held a high position in the harem for a long time, and few people dared to contradict her so bluntly.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Hui is about to give birth. At this time, any disturbance could affect her safety. If Your Majesty has any questions, please feel free to ask me. I will tell you everything I know."
After hearing what Zhen Huan said, Yongzheng nodded slightly.
An Lingrong finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Prince Guo continued to defend himself, "Brother Your Majesty, every time I went to Ganlu Temple, Imperial Concubine Xi was accompanied by maids. There was absolutely no such shameful thing as Jingbai said. The maids can testify for me."
Concubine Qi sneered, "Does Prince Guo think we are all fools? Everyone knows that Jinxi and Huanbi Liuzhu are Concubine Xi's confidants. How can their testimony be counted?"
Jin Xi stepped forward and knelt, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have served in the palace for decades. Imperial Concubine Xi is not my first mistress, nor is she the one I have served the longest, so there is no need for partiality. I can speak calmly and impartially: Imperial Concubine Xi and Prince Guo have absolutely no private feelings."
Each side held its own opinion and was temporarily deadlocked.
Yongzheng's face was gloomy, and his eyes stared straight at Zhen Huan. His gaze was like two sharp hooks, as if he wanted to penetrate her soul and find out the truth hidden within.
He spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful, every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth: "Do you have it?"
Zhen Huan raised her head slightly, meeting Yongzheng's gaze without flinching. Tears instantly filled her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. Her voice was trembling, yet incredibly firm: "I didn't."
Yongzheng frowned slightly when he heard this. After a moment of silence, he shook the beads in his hand and said, "Forget it. I believe in Concubine Xi."
However, An Lingrong, who was sitting next to him, keenly caught the subtle changes in Yongzheng's eyes.
Although he said that he believed in Zhen Huan, there was an undercurrent in the depths of his eyes.
An Lingrong sneered in her heart, is there anyone in this world that you trust?
At this time, the Empress opened her red lips slightly and said in a dignified manner, "Your Majesty, if you really want to clear Concubine Xi's name completely, you should thoroughly investigate this matter. Only in this way can you avoid future gossip."
Concubine Zhen's eyes turned and suddenly an idea flashed in her mind. This was a good opportunity to curry favor with Concubine Xi.
She stood up and said sincerely, "Your Highness has given birth to an heir for His Majesty, and has made great contributions. Your Highness must punish the culprit and protect Your Highness from the troubles of gossip."
Noble Lady Qi quickly took over the conversation, "Noble Concubine Xi returned to the palace pregnant, which means she was already pregnant outside the palace. But according to what Master Jingbai just said, Prince Guo frequently visited Ganlu Temple before Noble Concubine Xi returned to the palace. So, the fetus in Noble Concubine Xi's belly..."
She deliberately dragged out the last word, and the implication between her words was self-evident.
As soon as these words were spoken, the concubines in the palace immediately began to whisper to each other.
The Queen frowned slightly, then put on her queenly airs and said sternly, "Noble Lady Qi's speculations have yet to be proven. You people just love to listen to gossip and follow the crowd. I hereby issue a strict order not to let you gossip around."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face darkened. He looked at the Empress with a sharp gaze and asked, "Just following the crowd? Are you saying that what Noble Lady Qi is speculating about has already been discussed in the palace?"
The Queen's heart trembled, but she maintained her dignified demeanor and explained softly, "The women in the palace are usually idle and have nothing to do. They often like to make up stories and spread rumors. The Emperor is busy with many things every day, so there is no need to take these trivial remarks to heart."
The Emperor, overcome with rage, chuckled, coldly saying, "Rumors? Then tell me clearly what exactly they are. If there really are such rumors, seeking to unleash unrest within the harem, then as the head of the harem, commanding all six palaces, why didn't you quell them early on and bring order to the palace?"
Listening to Yongzheng's rebuke, the queen felt helpless. Not to mention whether she wanted to suppress these rumors, now her position as queen was useless. Even if she wanted to, she was powerless.
The Empress sighed helplessly and spoke slowly, "Ever since Imperial Concubine Xi returned to the palace pregnant and subsequently gave birth prematurely, rumors have spread throughout the palace. Everyone says Imperial Concubine Xi's twins aren't only seven months old as she claimed. Such rumors are truly insulting and dishonor Imperial Concubine Xi's reputation, so I have never believed them."
"Noble Concubine Xi is in good health and has a female doctor taking care of her personally. The twins are a little bigger than the average seven-month premature baby. This is normal." The emperor frowned slightly and spoke slowly.
The Queen nodded slightly, her demeanor dignified. "This is why I ignored those groundless rumors. Rumors are easy to breed in the harem. If we investigate every single thing, I'm afraid it will disturb the peace of the harem."
(Thanks to DawnZjc, the handy gift of brilliance.
Because it is almost the end of the year, I am a bit busy. My book friends asked me to update more, but I really can’t write it. I will make up for it during the holidays.
Thank you for your support, fellow readers.)