vrcanaries Chapter 524: Lady Xiao Requests to See Empress Dowager Liu (82 Votes Plus)
Chapter 524: Lady Xiao Requests to See Empress Dowager Liu (82 Votes Plus)
Cining Palace.
Empress Dowager Liu usually does not show her emotions, but at this moment, her face is so gloomy that water can drip out of it: "Not enough to accomplish anything, but more than enough to cause trouble!"
The palace maids all knew who she was talking about, and they were so scared that they knelt on the ground and dared not say a word.
Nanny Yuan stood by and advised, "Queen Dowager, calm down!"
"This time, Concubine Shu was also framed by someone else."
If it weren't for the fact that Concubine Liang was too cunning and the ink stick she used was not specially made, Concubine Shu's plan would have succeeded soon.
Empress Dowager Liu snorted coldly, "If you want to be the final winner, you must leave nothing out. No matter what the reason is, Concubine Shu has lost!"
Useless stuff!
Nanny Yuan continued, "Now that things have come to this, it's no use for you to blame Concubine Shu."
"Empress Dowager, let's think about how to win back the emperor's favor for Concubine Shu."
Otherwise, it would be in vain for Concubine Shu to raise the Third Prince...
His Majesty despised her and even stopped going to Yongshou Palace. How could the Third Prince see His Majesty? If this continued, I'm afraid her importance in His Majesty's heart would become less and less...
Empress Dowager Liu sat in the main seat without saying a word.
Everyone thought that Concubine Shu was disliked by the emperor because she framed Concubine Liang.
However, Empress Dowager Liu saw things much more deeply than they did.
If Concubine Liang had such an important position in the emperor's heart, she would have been the most favored one in the six harems.
The reason why Concubine Shu was demoted was simply because the Emperor was dissatisfied with Duke Dingguo's Mansion and made her a victim.
If what happened in the court recently was really done by the Duke Dingguo's Mansion, Empress Dowager Liu would admit it.
But...the Duke Dingguo's Mansion was being plotted against!
However, the emperor did not trust the Duke Dingguo's Mansion at all. He would never believe their explanation. Instead, he would think that the Duke Dingguo's Mansion was still restless.
The Zhuang family and Concubine Liang got the greatest benefits!
Although Concubine Liang seemed to be quiet on weekdays, she actually climbed up by stepping on Concubine Shu, and won the emperor's heart and gained power in the harem.
If they were not in a hostile stance, Empress Dowager Liu would really admire her.
Of course, Nanny Yuan also knew what Empress Dowager Liu knew, and her eyes suddenly became dark: "Empress Dowager, Concubine Liang behaved like this, do you want to..."
"Do not."
Empress Dowager Liu shook her head: "The emperor is angry. If the front court and the harem continue to quarrel, it will only make him more unhappy."
"Send someone to tell Concubine Shu to stay at home and avoid Concubine Liang's attention for the time being."
"Let my brother control the officials of the same faction as Duke Dingguo's Mansion and make them behave themselves these days."
Ordinary people would be lucky if they didn't retaliate against their opponents after suffering such a huge loss. Empress Dowager Liu actually held back her anger and retreated for the time being.
This kind of mentality is indeed incomparable to that of ordinary people.
However, Nanny Yuan had served her for so many years, so she naturally knew that the Queen Mother would never suffer any loss. When the storm was over, the Zhuang family and Concubine Liang should be prepared to bear the consequences!
……
Although Shen Maoxue failed to overthrow Concubine Liang, he succeeded in bringing down Concubine Shu. He also caused a huge feud between the Zhuang family and the Duke Dingguo's Mansion.
At this point, it's time to stop doing this.
The banker and the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion, one got real benefits, and the other received a warning from the emperor. In the short term, neither of them continued to stir up trouble.
Therefore, the court gradually calmed down.
The matter of requesting the appointment of an imperial concubine just came to nothing.
Zhongcui Palace.
Fuqiu came in and reported, "My lady, Qiangwei sent someone to deliver the message."
Qiangwei was the nail that Shen Zhinian had planted in Changchun Palace a long time ago.
Concubine Liang was cautious, so she could only work as an ordinary maid in the outer room. Although the information she could get was limited, it was better than nothing.
Shen Zhinian put down the account book in his hand and asked calmly, "What did she say?"
Fuqiu said, "Your Majesty, Qiangwei said that Concubine Liang went to Shuiyuexuan to visit Concubine Hao yesterday and even invited an imperial physician for her. When she came back, Concubine Liang had a smile on her face and looked very happy."
This is what they found strange.
It was because of Concubine Liang that Concubine Hao was slapped by Concubine Shu. It was perfectly normal for her to visit Concubine Hao and to invite an imperial physician for her.
But what could be worth making Concubine Liang so happy that even her eyes and brows showed joy?
They didn't think that a mere noble lady like Hao could have such great abilities.
Shen Zhinian pondered and said, "This is indeed an unusual place. Thanks to Qiangwei's carefulness, she was able to discover such a trivial matter."
"Let her continue to watch in Changchun Palace."
"Xiao Mingzi, send another person to keep an eye on Shuiyuexuan and pay attention to Concubine Hao's recent movements."
Fuqiu and Xiao Mingzi immediately said, "Yes!"
In the evening, Xiao Mingzi suddenly came in and reported, "Madam, there's news from Ruixuexuan that the palace maid who serves Xiao Guiren went to Xinzheku and had contact with the eunuch who emptied the toilet, and the other party seemed to have given her something."
Shen Zhinian curled his lips and smiled: "It seems that Lady Xiao's revenge plan is about to begin!"
"This matter has nothing to do with us. Have someone keep an eye on it. There is no need to intervene for now."
If the critical moment comes, she doesn't mind lending a helping hand to Concubine Xiao!
"Slave, you obey!"
……
Changchun Palace.
Because of the handwriting forgery incident, Concubine Liang did not write any more letters to the Zhuang family. Instead, she asked her confidant to leave the palace with the eunuch who was in charge of purchasing goods and go to the Zhuang family to deliver the message.
After this episode, Ruoli asked in confusion: "Wasn't what happened in the court a game between the Zhuang family and the Duke Dingguo's Mansion? Why did you ask the Zhuang family to be careful of the Shen family and secretly investigate the matter?"
Concubine Liang put down the teacup in her hand and said, "Duke Dingguo's Mansion believes that it was the Zhuang family who took the lead in requesting that the one in Yongshou Palace be made the Imperial Noble Concubine, which made His Majesty dissatisfied with Duke Dingguo's Mansion."
"But doesn't this palace know whether the banker has done this?"
"So... who is the mastermind behind this?"
After hearing this, Ruoli and Xiao Caizi understood!
There were only a few high-ranking concubines in the palace, so of course only...
"…Is it the Concubine Xian?!"
Only Concubine Xian and the Shen family knew how wronged the Zhuang family was!
They were hated by the Duke Dingguo's Mansion for no reason, but no one would believe them if they told others about it.
Concubine Liang said quietly, "That's why I ordered my brother and uncle to investigate this matter secretly."
Even if no evidence can be found, it would be good if we could make trouble for the Shen family in other places.
Xianfei wants to use her to attract the hatred of Empress Dowager Liu, Concubine Shu and Duke Dingguo's Mansion. Let's see who will win in the end!
……
Time slowly came to mid-November.
During these days, the emperor never set foot into Yongshou Palace.
The Empress Shufei, who was once the most favored concubine in the harem, has now completely fallen out of favor.
But both Concubine Shu and Empress Dowager Liu were very calm, and the harem remained peaceful for a long time.
That day, a young palace maid walked into the inner room and said, "Empress Dowager, Concubine Xiao wants to see you."