vrcanaries Chapter 164 Processing
Chapter 164 Processing
Early the next morning, before daybreak, the concubines arrived at the Jingren Palace and waited for the queen to get up.
Time passed minute by minute, and it was almost time to pay respects, but still no one came out to invite them into the hall.
An Lingrong raised her head and glanced around, and sure enough, she did not see Noble Lady Fucha.
Just then, a sound of footsteps approached from afar. Everyone turned to look and saw Concubine Hua, holding Songzhi's hand, approaching gracefully. She was wearing a green palace dress embroidered with yellow rose leaves and leaves, and a red gold sun and phoenix headpiece on her head. Her makeup was exquisite, and she had an understated and luxurious beauty.
Although she was demoted, the expected ceremony was still held. The concubines all bowed and paid their respects, but Shen Meizhuang seemed unaware and picked a jasmine flower to play with in her hand.
The "Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica" records that jasmine "has a light, fragrant aroma, its fragrance reaching up to the head and down to the lower abdomen, dispelling all stale, stagnant qi from the chest and dispelling foulness." Simply put, it can calm the liver, relieve depression, regulate qi, and relieve pain. Jasmine flowers are pure white, smooth, and have a delicate, gentle fragrance. A poem praises them: "The emerald leaves are as lustrous as water, and the icy petals are light, unadorned."
Nian Shilan ignored them and went straight to the front row, standing side by side with Shen Meizhuang.
Shen Meizhuang moved her fingers lightly, and the jasmine flowers fell to the ground like dancing butterflies. She raised her head and looked at Nian Shilan. Their eyes met, and the air in the yard was filled with a strong smell of gunpowder.
After a moment, Nian Shilan was the first to look away. She wiped the non-existent beads of sweat from her temples with a handkerchief and said, "If the Empress is feeling unwell, she should have sent someone to let us know. This would have saved us the trouble of waiting in the scorching sun."
Shen Meizhuang smiled slightly: "It is the duty of the concubines to pay their respects to the Empress. No matter how long it takes, we must wait. This is the virtue of a concubine!"
Zhen Huan stepped forward and came to Shen Meizhuang's side, saying, "Sister, you are right. Besides, the Empress is very hardworking in managing the affairs of the harem. I, your concubine, will be grateful to you for your kindness. It won't hurt to wait a little longer."
"Tsk!" Nian Shilan rolled her eyes and ignored the two people who were flattering her.
Just as everyone was lost in thought, a voice came: The emperor has arrived.
After paying their respects, the concubines followed the emperor into the main hall of Jingren Palace.
The Empress, her face weary, sat beside the Emperor and said, "Something happened last night. Noble Lady Fucha believed that Lady Xia was the real culprit behind her miscarriage. In a fit of rage, she accidentally injured her. When the imperial physician arrived, Lady Xia had already died from her injuries!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the concubines were in an uproar, and each of them showed an incredible look.
Shen Meizhuang turned her gaze to An Lingrong, only to see her with her head lowered, fiddling with the handkerchief in her hand, looking thoughtful, as if she was thinking about something, completely different from the surprised expressions of the other concubines.
The Queen continued, "Noble Lady Fucha's mistake was unintentional. She feels guilty and afraid after hurting someone. She is now unconscious. I have ordered the imperial physician to carefully monitor her!"
Yongzheng calmly ordered, "Move her to Zhongcui Palace. It's quiet there. Let her be well taken care of!"
"Yes!"
"Mrs. Xia deserves death. I have already ascertained that not only was she responsible for Noble Lady Fucha's miscarriage, but she also bribed servants to harm Concubine Hui and the Sixth Prince during her childbirth. I have decreed that Xia Wei and his son be beheaded in public, and that all males of the Xia clan over the age of twelve be exiled to Ningguta and enslaved by armored men."
After Yongzheng finished speaking, he paused and said, "Concubine Hui."
Shen Meizhuang stood up: "I'm here!"
"The eunuchs and maids in the palace must conduct a thorough investigation. If anyone has any connection with Xia and her father, they must be expelled from the palace immediately!"
"Yes!" Shen Meizhuang thought, this is a good opportunity!
Yongzheng also wanted Shen Meizhuang to take the opportunity to promote her own people in various places, so that she would be able to handle palace affairs more easily in the future.
Yongzheng sighed and continued, "The former dynasty is now in a turbulent time, and something like this has happened in the harem. You must control the people in your palace and refrain from spreading rumors. If I hear anyone discussing this matter, I will definitely not let them off lightly."
"The minister and concubine follow the order."
"I have decided to go to the Old Summer Palace in five days. There are not many concubines in the palace now, so you all should follow me!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After paying their respects, the three of them returned to Yonghe Palace for breakfast.
An Lingrong was listless and put down her chopsticks after taking two bites.
Ever since An Lingrong returned to Yanxi Palace yesterday, Shen Meizhuang had felt that something was wrong with her, but she couldn't put her finger on what. Seeing her lethargic today, she took her hand and placed her other hand on her forehead, "Rong'er, is the food not to your liking, or are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
An Lingrong forced a smile: "Sister, I'm not feeling unwell, I'm just a little sleepy!"
"Okay, then go back to sleep!"
Liu Zhu waited for An Lingrong to lie down on the bed, and soon she began to snore softly.
Shen Meizhuang then asked Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, was there anything wrong with her when she was in your palace yesterday?"
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "Everything else is fine, except that I'm a little tired."
Shen Meizhuang frowned and asked again, "When did she wake up?"
Zhen Huan looked at Jin Xi.
Jin Xi stepped forward and replied, "Young Master Wen got up at the beginning of the Yin hour today!"
"So early!" Zhen Huan was also surprised. "Rong'er always needs to be woken up at a specific time. What's wrong today?"
After thinking for a while, he asked Jinxi again: "What did she do after she woke up?"
"I did nothing but sit on the couch in a daze until you got up and dressed."
The doubts in their hearts grew even more serious.
"Liu Zhu!" Zhen Huan called out.
Liu Zhu stood in front of the two of them, and Zhen Huan asked, "What happened yesterday?"
Liu Zhu opened her mouth, but in the end, no sound came out. She just lowered her head and looked at her toes. After a moment, she said, "The two ladies should ask Miss Wen!"
Although she was Concubine Wan's maid, she was now with Lady Wen and belonged to her. She could not reveal her master's whereabouts without her consent, even if the person asking her was the most important person in her life. This was the moral code of a maid.
"what happened?"
Shen Meizhuang understood Liu Zhu's intentions: "Don't ask her. If Rong'er wants to tell us, she will tell us without us asking. If she doesn't want to tell us, wouldn't it be embarrassing for Liu Zhu if you ask her? Others will think you are a spy next to Rong'er!"
"That's what my sister said!"