vrcanaries Chapter 1267 This fire must not burn even a fraction of Zhongcui Palace
Chapter 1267 This fire must not burn even a fraction of Zhongcui Palace
What is the Imperial Noble Consort's background?
She is just the daughter of a minor official of the sixth rank. If it were not for the favor of Your Majesty, how could she be where she is today?
She was the daughter of the Grand Tutor, and had been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood and was familiar with government affairs.
If I can't even handle this little palace affair and am outdone by the Imperial Noble Consort, wouldn't that be a huge joke?
What will others say then?
They would only say that the Zhuang family did not educate their daughter well, and that although they had a good family background, they were not even as good as the daughter of a minor official.
Rather than speaking to Ruoli, it would be more accurate to say that Concubine Zhuang was warning herself.
The Imperial Noble Consort's move was both a challenge and a test.
She must not show any weakness, let alone admit defeat!
"Order someone to go to the Imperial Household Department and find out the detailed allocations for each palace during the spring and autumn of last year and the year before last, especially those involving flower expenses."
Concubine Zhuang's voice became calm again, with a hint of desperate determination: "Also, as for those old stewards in the Imperial Household Department, which ones are just currying favor and which ones are truly capable of doing things? Find out for me."
"Since the Imperial Concubine has thrown this difficult question at me, I must make it flawless and leave her speechless!"
Ruoli said respectfully, "Yes!"
The sedan chair moved forward steadily. Concubine Zhuang straightened her back and looked towards the direction of Changchun Palace.
For the first time, her undisguised fighting spirit emerged so clearly between her gentle brows.
She wanted to see whether the position of the Imperial Noble Consort in Zhongcui Palace was really as solid as an iron barrel without any flaws.
And as the daughter of the Grand Tutor, am I really not as good as Shen Zhinian?
……
The inner room of Shuixi Pavilion.
The doors and windows were closed, and the candlelight cast a gloomy light on Concubine Chun's beautiful yet calculating face.
She leaned against the soft pillow, stroking her bulging belly with one hand, her eyes very cold.
This look is completely different from the stupid and arrogant look she shows in front of outsiders.
"Want to overthrow Concubine Zhuang..."
Concubine Chun twitched a cold smile at the corner of her lips and analyzed rationally, "She couldn't have deliberately murdered the child in my womb. That would be too untrue."
"She holds the position of Imperial Concubine, and Her Majesty relies heavily on Imperial Tutor Zhuang. But what am I? In their eyes, I am just a foreign tribute that can be discarded at any time. Even if she gives birth to a prince, it won't threaten her position."
"What reason does Imperial Concubine Zhuang have to risk the wrath of the world to harm this young lady? This reason is untenable, and Your Majesty would not believe it."
Yingxiang knelt on the footstool, her brow furrowed, and she looked worried: "My lady is right."
"If we don't have a strong motive, even if we risk everything to accuse Concubine Zhuang, we won't be able to hurt her at all. Instead, she will bite us back and accuse us of framing a high-ranking concubine."
"That would be a catastrophe!"
A hint of admiration flashed in Concubine Chun's eyes, and she seemed quite satisfied that Yingxiang could think of this.
She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice: "So, Concubine Zhuang couldn't have done it 'intentionally', but it had to be an 'unintentional mistake'."
Yingxiang was startled: "An unintentional mistake?"
"Yes."
The sneer on Concubine Chun's face deepened. "Hasn't Concubine Zhuang just been given the power to assist in the management of the six palaces? She's looking to show off her abilities and make some achievements to show everyone. Then let's give her a chance to show her abilities."
"If a minor mistake were to occur in the affairs she was handling, and I happened to be passing by and was caught in the act, thus endangering the succession to the throne..."
"Who do you think should be blamed for this?"
At this point, Concubine Chun paused, a malicious glint in her eyes: "An unintentional mistake is still a mistake, and it is also a serious crime that will lead to the loss of the royal heir!"
"Although this effect is not as severe as a deliberate murder, it is enough to shake Concubine Zhuang's newly ascended position as a noble concubine!"
"Your Majesty, even if you continue to rely on Grand Tutor Zhuang, can you still maintain trust and respect for a woman who is so incompetent that she can't even handle such a small matter, thus harming his offspring?"
"The Zhuang family's good reputation will also be tarnished."
Yingxiang's eyes gradually lit up when she heard this, and she nodded repeatedly: "My lady is wise!"
"That makes perfect sense!"
"Noble Concubine Zhuang is a new official, and her foundation is not yet stable. The most feared thing is making mistakes."
"If something went wrong with the work she was handling and it disturbed your pregnancy... anyone would think it was due to her incompetence and negligence."
“This is a godsend!”
The more the master and servant talked, the more they felt that this plan was feasible.
The two of them put their heads closer together, lowered their voices, and began to carefully plan every link and every detail that might lead to an accident.
Make sure all suspicions are firmly pinned on Concubine Zhuang!
……
Zhongcui Palace.
Xiao Mingzi lowered his head and reported in a low voice the latest findings from his surveillance of Shuixi Pavilion: "...Noble Lady Chun has recently been sending Yingxiang to inquire about the various assignments, paying particular attention to those handled by Noble Consort Zhuang."
"From my perspective, it seems a little unusual."
Shen Zhinian raised his eyes and instantly saw through the sinister plot hidden behind Chun Guiren's seemingly ordinary inquiry.
Fuqiu, who was standing by, reacted very quickly, taking a deep breath and saying, "Your Majesty, could it be that Concubine Chun is trying to use the child in her belly to frame Concubine Zhuang?!"
The thought was so horrifying that her voice trembled.
Handan subconsciously covered her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief and fear. "That...that's her own flesh and blood! Even a tiger won't eat its own cubs. How could she...how dare she?!"
"He is indeed not of my kind, and his heart must be different! His heart is so vicious!"
Shen Zhinian listened to what the two said without much expression on his face.
In her two lives, she had seen far more darkness and filth than Handan and Fuqiu.
After the initial surprise, Shen Zhinian was left with only a cold understanding in his heart.
She once said that she would maintain her bottom line in the deep palace and would never harm pregnant women or children.
She remembered and kept these words.
But this does not mean that Shen Zhinian will become a living Bodhisattva who saves people from suffering.
Concubine Chun herself did not consider the child in her womb as her own flesh and blood, but only as a bargaining chip to frame others. Even if Shen Zhinian knew about this, she would not rush to protect Concubine Chun.
The unborn child was destined to be a victim of power struggle. From the moment Concubine Chun chose to embark on this path, it was irreversible.
This matter concerns the royal heir and is of great importance. Shen Zhinian does not intend to add fuel to the fire.
If the emperor's sharp eyes caught any clues, it would be a disaster for him.
She wouldn't put herself in danger.
Shen Zhinian said indifferently: "Xiao Mingzi."
"The slave is here."
"Tell me to keep a close eye on Shuixi Pavilion and Changchun Palace. How they fight is their business."
Shen Zhinian's voice was devoid of emotion, only calm and measured. "You only need to ensure one thing: no matter how much noise they make, this fire must not burn even a little bit of Zhongcui Palace."