vrcanaries Chapter 1701 It's hard to guarantee that the Imperial Concubine won't be put in a difficul
Chapter 1701 It's hard to guarantee that the Imperial Concubine won't be put in a difficul
"Qilu is a prosperous land, and salt, iron and grain transport all pass through its hands. The Qin family has been operating in the area for many years, and its influence is deep and widespread."
"Otherwise, Consort Qin wouldn't have been granted the rank of Consort and given residence in the main hall of Yonghe Palace immediately after entering the palace to serve the emperor last year."
"This honor is not only due to her appearance and character, but also to the power and influence of the Qin family."
Han Dan nodded in agreement: "Yes, Your Highness, the Qin family is quite powerful."
"If that weren't the case, Consort Qin's past words and actions were... well, to put it nicely, straightforward and direct; to put it bluntly, somewhat arrogant. But there aren't many people in the palace who dare to openly show her any disrespect."
Shen Zhinian nodded slightly, her gaze slowly sweeping over her trusted confidante: "Since the Qin family is quite powerful, if Consort Qin really intends to do this, to slander me and plot against the imperial heir, how will she act?"
"They will be extremely cautious and plan carefully before acting. When using family influence, they will most likely seek the safest, most secretive, and least traceable path and manpower."
"Even if they were to do it, they would wipe away all traces. Why would they leave behind so many obvious clues that the Jingzhao Prefecture, the Five Cities Garrison, and even Xiao Mingzi could easily uncover in just two or three days?"
A look of realization flashed across Fuqu's eyes.
Han Dan opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to refute, but then felt that what the Empress said made perfect sense.
Xiao Mingzi scratched his head, looking thoughtful.
Shen Zhinian continued, "His Majesty is furious and has given three days to solve the case. The Prefect of the Capital and the Five Cities Garrison are naturally taking it seriously and dare not be negligent."
"But precisely because time is so tight and the pressure is so great, what they urgently need is not a complex truth that has come to light and has far-reaching implications, but evidence that they can quickly gather to satisfy His Majesty and appease his anger."
"Therefore, as long as all the clues vaguely point in the same direction, such as the Qin family, which has enough power, a motive, and whose daughter holds influence in the palace, then for them, this case can be considered solved."
"As for whether these clues were deliberately arranged, accumulated by coincidence, or if there is something else going on behind the scenes..."
"The emperor is furious and sets a deadline for solving the case. Who has the time to investigate it thoroughly?"
Fuqu's expression turned serious: "Does Your Highness mean... that Consort Qin was likely pushed out to take the blame, and the real mastermind is still hiding in the shadows?"
"I have no confirmation."
Shen Zhinian shook her head and said cautiously, "I just feel that this matter is progressing in a way that defies common sense."
"Consort Qin may be arrogant, or she may be jealous of me. But given her temperament and the Qin family's capabilities, if she were to actually take action, it shouldn't be in such a crude, clumsy, and flawed manner."
At this point, Shen Zhinian paused, then looked at Fuqu and asked, "Does Madam have any other opinion?"
Fuqu said, "The message sent from the manor says that the madam has used all the people in the Xia family to investigate, and the clues they have been able to find... do indeed all point to the Qin family, or people related to the Qin family."
"It's just that time is short, and what we've found so far is only on the surface; we haven't had time to dig deeper yet."
really.
Shen Zhinian thought to herself that Xia Lingshu was shrewd and capable, with a keen sense of smell, and had also noticed that something was wrong.
Han Dan was confused and a little scared: "Your Highness, if it really isn't Consort Qin, then... then who could it be?"
"Who has such great skill as to make the clues look so realistic?"
Xiao Mingzi shrank back and added, "And they can even get the people from Yonghe Palace to relay the message. Their reach is incredibly long..."
Shen Zhinian was also thinking about this question.
It is possible that the Qin family did indeed do this. They were trying to create a false impression to clear themselves of suspicion, but they backfired.
But it could also be other people.
Consort Zhuang?
Or is it someone else, lurking deeper, who fears her and the imperial heir in her womb?
Or perhaps... certain forces from the previous dynasty who were at odds with the Shen family used the concubines in the harem to launch attacks?
It's all possible.
After all, there has never been just one person in the harem and the court who wished for her misfortune and the downfall of the Shen family.
Shen Zhinian withdrew her gaze and said, "In any case, since His Majesty has already issued an edict to punish Consort Qin, the matter of the rumors has been settled. To question the result is tantamount to questioning His Majesty."
"No one in Yongshou Palace is allowed to discuss this matter further, nor is anyone allowed to show any dissatisfaction with His Majesty's handling of the matter."
Even the closest and most distant relationship between husband and wife... No matter how much Nangong Xuanyu doted on Shen Zhinian, she could not lose her duty as a concubine in front of an emperor.
The trusted men responded in unison, "Yes!"
"but……"
Shen Zhinian changed the subject and looked at Xiao Mingzi: "You still need to keep an eye on your people in the shadows."
"Those servants who were the first to relay the message from Yonghe Palace, try to find out their backgrounds discreetly. See who they usually associate with and whether there is anything unusual about them?"
"But remember, do not alert the enemy."
Xiao Mingzi perked up: "This servant understands!"
He knew that the Empress was going to dig deeper into the clues.
Shen Zhinian continued, "Fuqu, when you report back to Madam, mention that the Xia family is continuing their investigation, but it must be done with even greater secrecy."
"Don't just focus on the Qin family. Look at where those clues first appeared. Are there any other forces around there?"
Fuqu understood immediately: "Yes, this servant has remembered."
Shen Zhinian gently stroked her lower abdomen.
The gun is easy to hide, and the dark arrow is hard to prevent.
This rumor, though seemingly dangerous, is actually crude and more like a test.
Or... a move to muddy the waters.
The real killer move might be yet to come...
The imperial harem has always been a place of truth and falsehood, reality and illusion.
Sometimes, what people see is just what someone wants everyone to see.
……
Yonghe Palace.
Li Changde unfolded the imperial edict and read it expressionlessly: "...By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Consort Qin, relying on the Emperor's favor, has become arrogant and wicked, making unwarranted remarks about the palace and cursing the imperial heir. She is hereby demoted to the rank of Noble Lady and moved to a side palace to reflect on her mistakes. This is the imperial decree!"
The imperial edict did not specify which side hall Consort Qin was to be moved to.
However, according to palace custom, when a concubine is demoted, unless otherwise specified, she is usually moved to a side hall of the palace.
However, during last year's imperial concubine selection, twenty new women entered the palace, and the left and right side halls of Yonghe Palace were already full, with no vacancies.
Currently, among the six palaces in the East and West, only Changchun Palace, Chengqian Palace, Yanxi Palace, Taiji Hall, and Chuxiu Palace have vacant side halls.
Li Changde knew exactly what was going on.
Consort Xuan resides in Chengqian Palace, and Consort Xian resides in Yanxi Palace. Both of them are on good terms with the Imperial Noble Consort and are raising the imperial heirs.
If we were to send Consort Qin, who was demoted for framing the Imperial Noble Consort, to the new position, wouldn't that upset both of the ladies and embarrass the Imperial Noble Consort?
Li Changde isn't that stupid.
The side hall of Taiji Hall was empty, but Jiang Wange was imprisoned inside, and no one else lived there.
Changchun Palace… The Imperial Concubine holds a very high position, and the Zhuang family is very powerful. Sending Consort Qin there might put the Imperial Concubine in a difficult position.