frightfiction Chapter 629: Confrontation in the Hall (3)
Chapter 629: Confrontation in the Hall (3)
Concubine Qi was impatient and urged impatiently.
"Master Jingbai, if you have anything to say, please reply quickly so as not to delay your cultivation."
Jing Bai withdrew her gaze from Zhen Huan, "Yes. When Concubine Zhen first came to Ganlu Temple, she ignored everyone, so we had no choice but to keep our distance."
"At that time, there was an elderly aunt in the palace who often came to visit the Empress. Apart from her, there was only one imperial physician named Wen who often visited her."
"I have passed by the Empress's residence several times and noticed that her door was sometimes closed during the day, with two maids standing guard outside."
"I felt something was amiss and tried to offer some words of advice, but was scolded back by the Empress. I was then unable to say anything more. Later, to avoid rumors within the temple, Concubine Zhen feigned illness and moved out of Ganlu Temple, living alone with her maidservant on Lingyun Peak."
"Whether we have had any contact since then, I don't know."
"But later, Empress Zhenfei moved down from Lingyun Peak. That day, the earth dragon turned upside down, and Imperial Doctor Wen soon appeared in the Zen monastery on the mountain behind Ganlu Temple. I heard from people that the horse he rode was so tired that it was panting heavily."
Concubine Qi nodded in satisfaction and asked directly.
"Excuse me, is the Doctor Wen that Master mentioned in the palace right now?"
Jingbai slowly raised her head and looked at the person who was also kneeling beside her.
"Amitabha, this is the one in front of me."
Concubine Qi continued to ask.
"Master, won't you admit your mistake?"
Jingbai calmly shook her head. "Ganlu Temple has few men visiting, except for Prince Guo, who is extremely filial to Concubine Shu and occasionally goes to the back mountain a few times a year. Only Imperial Physician Wen comes in and out frequently. I will never make a mistake."
An Lingrong took over at the right time and asked in a gentle voice.
"Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Wen's frequent visits to Ganlu Temple were instructed by Your Majesty. If so, then this matter is understandable."
The emperor remained silent. He didn't want Wen Shichu to have any contact with Zhen Huan from the bottom of his heart, let alone visit Zhen Huan many times in Ganlu Temple.
Wen Shichu knew that it was not the time for him to keep silent, so he replied respectfully.
"Your Majesty, the place where Concubine Zhen lives is indeed remote, but with the testimony of the two girls, Bai Zhi and Jin Xi, I and the Concubine are indeed innocent."
Concubine Qi snorted coldly, "Doctor Wen, do you think we're all fools? Everyone knows that Jinxi and Baizhi are Concubine Zhen's confidants. How can their testimony be counted?"
"Wen Shichu and Zhen Huan have been childhood sweethearts. After entering the palace, they exchanged glances. After Zhen Huan left the palace, Wen Shichu visited her privately, and the two began to have an affair."
"Zhen Huan then schemed to move to Lingyun Peak to live alone, and they had private affairs, just like they were husband and wife. Even after Zhen Huan returned to the palace, the two of them shamelessly engaged in an affair in the inner court."
Cui Jinxi stepped out and knelt heavily on the ground.
"Your Majesty, I have served in the palace for decades. Concubine Zhen is not my first master, nor is she the one I have served the longest, so there is no need to be partial."
"I am speaking calmly and impartially. There is absolutely no personal affection between Empress Zhen and Lord Wen."
Su Peisheng rolled his eyes in his heart.
This shameless Cui Jinxi really risked her dignity to serve Gao Changjin so that Concubine Zhen could return to the palace.
If Gao Changjin had not died early, Su Peisheng would have dragged people into the palace to expose Cui Jinxi's true face!
It's a pity that when he ordered the silencing, he didn't expect that there would be a warrior like Concubine Qi in the harem who dared to shout in front of everyone that Concubine Zhen was defiling the palace.
Su Peisheng wanted to slap his thigh hard to show his regret.
So angry!
He could only watch helplessly as the master and servant, a pair of snakes and rats, argued with each other.
The emperor's expression was uncertain, and he looked at Zhen Huan deeply.
"do you have?"
Zhen Huan looked up and met the emperor's gaze, showing no sign of timidity as she replied firmly.
"I don't have any..."
Just as she was about to explain, Shen Meizhuang suddenly coughed.
Shen Meizhuang was seen covering her mouth with a handkerchief, her face flushed red, and her body trembling slightly.
Qingju patted her back anxiously to calm her down, while Concubine Jing looked at her with a worried look on her face, holding a teacup in her hand.
Shen Meizhuang coughed lightly for a long time before stopping.
An Lingrong spoke kindly.
"Empress Hui, you're not feeling well. Why don't you go back and rest early?"
Shen Meizhuang looked at An Lingrong gratefully and said weakly.
"I thank the Imperial Noble Consort for your consideration. I will take my leave now."
When Shen Meizhuang was supported by Qingju and walked out, she looked at Zhen Huan apologetically, as if to say that she was useless and could not help.
The emperor looked at Shen Meizhuang leaning weakly on Qingju, and recalled her conversation with her personal maid at Jixiang Gate.
For a moment, he couldn't figure out whether there was an affair between Zhen Huan and Wen Shichu.
He was sure that Wen Shichu had always been in love with Zhen Huan, and this Zhen...
Wen Shichu suffered in Ganlu Temple for more than four years. If he had not transferred Wen Shichu out of the capital for two years, the two of them might have been together a long time ago, right?
The emperor glanced at the people sitting in the hall, and his gaze lingered on Concubine Jing for a few breaths.
Concubine Jing followed the emperor's gaze and stopped at Wen Shichu.
What does the emperor mean by this?
When Concubine Jing saw him looking at her again, she looked up and accidentally saw that the Imperial Concubine's armor was sinking.
She thought about it and understood what the emperor meant.
Concubine Jing coughed lightly and spoke gently.
"Your Majesty, this matter concerns the reputation of the royal family. I believe that this matter must be thoroughly investigated to determine right and wrong."
"When the time comes, everyone will judge what is right and wrong."
Concubine Qi thought that Concubine Jing was speaking for her, so she quickly followed suit.
"The Concubine Zhen returned to the palace pregnant, which means she was pregnant outside. The Emperor is not able to visit Concubine Zhen all the time. According to Master Jingbai, it is Doctor Wen who visits frequently."
"Your Majesty, I heard from the elderly maid that the Imperial Concubine was also pregnant with twins, but compared to the two pregnant at the same month, Concubine Zhen's belly was obviously bigger."
"Then the outcome of Concubine Zhen's pregnancy will be decided by Imperial Physician Wen. Regarding this..."
Wen Shichu's heart skipped a beat, and he asked sternly.
"Are you implying that the prince and princess aren't Dragonborn? This is a matter of state and country, how can you make such random assumptions?"
He kowtowed heavily.
"Your Majesty, you must not listen to Noble Lady Qi's speculations, Your Majesty!"
An Lingrong keenly noticed that after hearing Wen Shichu's words, the emperor tightened his grip on her hand.
She glanced down and spoke slowly.
"Noble Lady Qi's speculations are unfounded. You all just follow what others say. I won't allow you to gossip about them."
The emperor was stunned for a moment. "Just following the crowd? You said that Concubine Qi's speculations have already been discussed in the palace?"
An Lingrong nodded.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Zhen entered the palace pregnant and gave birth prematurely. There are indeed rumors in the East Six Palaces that Concubine Zhen's twins are of unknown origin and are not your blood. Such rumors are offensive to the ears, so I do not believe them easily."
"So he ordered the palace servant who spread the gossip to be arrested and beaten with a stick to deter others."
"I just didn't expect that the matter of paying respects would be brought up again today."