Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power -
Chapter 551 Consort Xu De’s Instigation
Chapter 551: Chapter 551 Consort Xu De’s Instigation
Ji Yunlai’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly ordered people to take Xia Liu away and had no time to attend to that matter any further as he strode toward the place where Dong Xue was being interrogated.
Zhou Yong’s interrogation of Dong Xue was not going smoothly. At first, no matter how he questioned her, Dong Xue just shook her head without speaking. It was clear that the girl was terrified to death, trembling so much that she bit her lips until they bled, but she just kept shaking her head, refusing to speak.
It wasn’t until Zhou Yong threatened to torture her that the girl’s complexion changed, turning ashen as if she knew the inevitable was about to happen.
Seeing that his tactic had an effect, Zhou Yong wanted to place her on the torture device. Just as he grabbed her, she broke free and screamed sharply, immediately confessing that it was Consort Xu De who had instructed her.
Zhou Yong was taken aback, his face filled with shock. Given the high status and power of the person implicated, he did not dare make a decision on his own. He only ordered people to keep an eye on her and not allow anyone unrelated to approach while he went to report to Ji Yunlai.
Ji Yunlai quickened his pace, his heartbeat accelerating. He originally thought Xia Liu was the most suspicious one; he never expected it to be the honest Dong Xue.
When he arrived at the place of interrogation, he saw Dong Xue kneeling on the ground as if possessed, her mouth full of blood, continuously saying, "It was Consort Xu De who instructed me to harm Beauty Lian, it was people from Huaying Hall who handed me the soup bowl to give to Beauty Lian, causing her to lose her child, it was Consort Xu De who instructed..."
In a corner, there was a figure, a young eunuch watching over Dong Xue, head lowered with an expression too obscure to read, unnoticed by others.
Ji Yunlai knew something was off with Dong Xue’s state and felt that something was amiss.
Before he could reach the crowd, he preemptively roared, "Stop spouting lies, you say it was Consort Xu De who instructed you, but have you ever met her in private? If yes, when and where? If not, how could you know it was Consort Xu De who instructed you, and not someone else framing her?"
With each question sounding forceful and decisive, the possessed Dong Xue stopped speaking and looked blankly toward Ji Yunlai.
Ji Yunlai, seeing that he had steadied the situation, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
With a stern face, he slowly walked over, exerting an air of oppressive authority as he sternly said, "The Punishment Bureau is not the place for you to slander people. Now tell me the truth, who taught you to say these things?"
Dong Xue’s eyes moved slightly, as if waking from a great dream, her focus returning.
She turned her head to look at the unfriendly gazes around her, and tears immediately streamed down her face. Her lips moved as if to say something, but no one could hear it clearly.
Then, she abruptly stood up and charged headfirst into the wall.
Ji Yunlai’s pupils contracted, and he hastened forward, shouting, "Stop her!"
The shadow in the corner, as if prepared for this moment, made up his mind and darted out.
The candlelight illuminated his face—it was none other than Xiao Shunzi!
Before long, a figure walked out from the Punishment Bureau and hurriedly made their way toward the west side of the Imperial Garden.
Soon after, a ripple of rumors spread through the palace—Consort Xu De had poisoned and tried to assassinate Beauty Lian, leading to Beauty Lian’s miscarriage and uncertain fate between life and death after severe bleeding.
The Harem was in a state of anxiety, no one daring to openly discuss the matter.
At night, inside a certain palace, a woman gently picked up a white jade chess piece and placed it on the board with a smile, then said to the palace maid opposite her, "This Consort has won."
The palace maid with the Plum Blossom Hairpin, elegant in appearance, stood up and offered her congratulations, "Congratulations to Your Highness on regaining control over the Harem, it’s only a matter of time."
Her voice was calm, as if nothing could perturb the still waters of her mind.
A palace maid standing on the side hurriedly added, "Congratulations to Your Highness, the Harem is best managed by you. That Consort Xu De really seemed kind to Beauty Lian but turned out to be so ruthless to commit such a heinous act. Our Consort, however, is beautiful and kind-hearted. When you managed the Harem before, such wicked deeds never happened."
Noble Consort Xue swept the chess pieces on the board with her sleeves and glanced at her with reproach, "Stop talking nonsense. Whether it was Sister Xu who did it or not is still uncertain. I only wish for harmony in the Harem and sisterly affection among us. It’s all the same who manages the Harem."
Cai Xia bowed her head and bent her knees, responding with a smile, "Consort is right, this servant knows her mistake."
A casual glance was thrown toward Cai Qin, a hint of triumph in her eyes.
Noble Consort Xue was in a good mood, she picked up a white piece from the chessboard and put it into the bowl, sighing softly, "Convey my decree, starting from today, Huaqing Palace shall observe fasting and chanting in prayer for Sister Lian’s well-being. This is all I can do for Sister Lian, I hope she can safely get through this calamity."
Her father hadn’t deceived her, she didn’t have to do anything, and what she desired would naturally be offered to her on a platter.
Consort Xu De’s fate was sealed, Beauty Lian was severely weakened, and Liu Lingyi was about to die, wasn’t she?
After this, with no one to compete against her, she might feel lonely.
Cai Qin and Cai Xia both responded in unison, "Yes."
Late at night, within a certain grand mansion in the Capital.
A man sat in the study on an armchair, wearing a smile of someone certain of success, and gave orders to the servant who had brought news, "Go tell those lords, now that things have fallen into place, it’s their time to shine. Think about how to draft the memorial to execute the Treasonous Consort and officials who plotted against the Imperial Heir."
"Yes, my lord," the servant accepted the command.
"You may leave. Call the steward to prepare some fine wine and dishes; I shall have a small drink to celebrate. Go on, get it done."
"This servant is on it," the servant withdrew with a bow.
The man sitting in the armchair, abandoning his usual humble demeanor, started laughing with an air of self-satisfaction, feeling as though years of pent-up frustration were being released, his whole body feeling relaxed and invigorated.
Did Yuchi Zhao really think that by bogging him down in the trivial affairs of the Ministry of Revenue, he would be hindered?
How naïve!
He had been playing the game of power when Yuchi Zhao was still a sniveling child playing with mud.
As night deepened, frost began to cover the Capital, enveloping it entirely, yet Canglan Court remained as warm as ever.
The next morning during the early court, the Emperor’s expression was unpleasant, his eyes were bruised, and he wore a murderous look, repeatedly glancing in the direction of those coming from the Harem.
At the court meeting, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive; all the court officials sensed something was amiss with the Son of Heaven upon the Dragon Throne, as if he were desperately holding back a raging storm.
Aside from the ministers who had business to report, having no choice but to steel themselves and present their reports, no one else dared to so much as breathe too loud.
The Minister of Rites was half-closed his eyes, as if meditating, standing to one side like an old monk in deep contemplation.
A minister from the Ministry of War, with great reluctance, reported the memorials he had received one by one. Due to the affair of Shen Ming, the soldiers who were called to the Capital to meet Chen Bian would arrive before the Longevity Festival to celebrate His Majesty’s longevity.
The Emperor’s face was already impatient, and he coldly approved, "It’s just a minor matter concerning Chen Bian. Have the generals at the borders forgotten their duty to serve their sovereign? Now they even dare to procrastinate under the guise of formalities. Command the generals to come at once, and if they are late, do not bother with Chen Bian; just sentence them directly."
The military general who had initially wanted to clear Shen Ming’s name immediately rejoiced, exclaiming His Majesty’s wisdom.
Xue Ping’s people were startled and quickly a few stepped forward, repeatedly saying, His Majesty must not.
The Emperor looked impatient and, with a wave of his hand, shouted angrily to stop the two groups, "Step back! Does anyone else have matters to raise?"
Indeed, he wasn’t in the mood to be lenient with anyone.
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