frightfiction Chapter 1772 This is interesting
Chapter 1772 This is interesting
But at this moment, even Shen Zhinian could not voice her objection.
Because Consort Zhuang's request was perfectly reasonable, if she opposed it, it would only arouse suspicion and make people think that she had something to hide.
However, Shen Zhinian set up this scheme to lure Consort Zhuang and Consort Mei into a trap, so how could she just stand by and watch them escape?
When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it.
She wanted to see what tricks Consort Zhuang would play next!
Xuanfei glanced at Shen Zhinian, her gaze gradually hardening.
She had already understood what the Imperial Noble Consort meant: she wanted to deal with the two Zhuang sisters.
No matter what decision her elder sister, the Imperial Noble Consort, makes, she will always follow her!
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked down at Su Quanye: "What do you think?"
Su Quanye respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the people involved have been placed under separate custody and have not colluded to give false testimony."
"Confrontation in court may reveal contradictions in their statements, making it easier to ascertain the truth."
Nangong Xuanyu said, "Bring him up."
"Yes!"
Su Quanye accepted the order and gave a wink to the eunuchs behind him.
They immediately returned to the Censorate to retrieve the person.
Many people's hearts were on edge again.
No one in the palace was more anxious than Consort Tong.
This is the kind of scenario she fears most; she really doesn't want to get involved in any trouble.
But things have developed to this point, and it's no longer something she can interfere with.
Consort Tong could only wait anxiously...
Soon, Physician Qin and Xiao Yizi were brought over by the people from the Censorate.
Both of them clearly suffered.
Doctor Qin's robes were wrinkled and stained, and he had several obvious red marks on his face and disheveled hair.
As soon as he entered, his legs went weak and he could barely stand, relying entirely on the eunuchs on either side to support him.
Xiao Yizi was in an even worse state, his clothes disheveled, and his exposed wrists and neck revealed horrific wounds.
He walked in with his head down and unsteady steps.
But when he was led into the hall and made to kneel, Xiao Yizi raised his eyelids and glanced in the direction of Consort Zhuang.
His eyes darted around, as if he felt guilty.
The two men bowed respectfully: "Your humble servants/slaves greet Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"
"Greetings to Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort! May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
Su Quanye stepped forward and said coldly, "Recount your confessions again in front of His Majesty. If there is even a single lie, or if there are any contradictions, you know the consequences!"
Physician Qin trembled and blurted out, "Your Majesty, spare my life!"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty confessed everything! It was... It was Xiao Yizi from Changchun Palace who came to me and said, said it was the Imperial Concubine's idea to make the Third Prince's pulse look more dangerous."
"It would be best...it would be best to use some special medicine..."
"At first, I dared not, for he is a prince!"
"But...but Xiao Yi said this is the Imperial Concubine's order, there will be a great reward if it is done well! If it is not done well..."
"My entire family is in the capital... I'm truly afraid!"
"Your Majesty, please have mercy! I was truly forced into this! I haven't dared to touch the silver; it's all hidden under the mat on my kang at home!"
As he spoke, Physician Qin kowtowed, appearing pitiful, as if he had been coerced by those in power and deeply regretted his actions.
After Xiao Yizi finished crying and shouting, he took a deep breath and said hoarsely, "Your Majesty, this servant... this servant was only acting under orders."
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is implying to this servant that the Third Prince is physically weak and wants to make his illness worse."
"That's why I sought out Physician Qin. I deserve to die!"
"But this servant... this servant was truly only following orders! I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"
Consort Mei could no longer contain herself and pointed at Xiao Yizi, saying, "Absurd! Utter nonsense!"
"What kind of status and character does the Imperial Concubine possess? How could she speak such ambiguous words to a mere eunuch like you? And how could she possibly plot against the Third Prince?"
"It's clear that you've been bribed and conspired together to frame the Imperial Concubine!"
Consort Zhuang listened to their testimonies with a look of astonishment on her face: "Your Majesty, I just said that I had no reason to do this."
"The physician Qin said I coerced and bribed him, and Xiao Yizi said I hinted at it. But can either of them explain why I did it?!"
"What good would it do me, a concubine without children, to harm the Third Prince? This is completely illogical!"
"It's obvious someone is trying to frame me, but they can't even come up with a decent reason!"
Seeing that Nangong Xuanyu remained silent, Consort Zhuang turned to Physician Qin and Xiao Yizi, frowning as she asked, "Physician Qin, Xiao Yizi, you keep saying you are acting on my orders, but do you have any proof?"
"If you can produce solid evidence, I will immediately confess my crimes and submit to the law!"
"If you cannot produce it... then you are lying and framing me, and you deserve to die!"
Physician Qin shrank back in fright when Consort Zhuang questioned him sharply, muttering repeatedly, "Silver...silver is the evidence..."
"Her Imperial Concubine wields great power; this humble subject dares not disobey..."
Xiao Yizi said sullenly, "How could Her Majesty leave obvious evidence when she gave such a secret order?"
"This servant...this servant is merely following orders, how dare I ask any further questions?"
"I have confessed everything I need to. Please, Your Majesty, spare my life!"
His words, though seemingly weak, actually highlighted the key point of keeping secrets hidden without leaving a trace.
On the contrary, Consort Zhuang's demand for concrete evidence seemed somewhat unreasonable.
After all, who would leave behind written evidence when they harm someone?
Xuanfei suddenly let out a soft "heh," her gaze falling on Xiao Yizi, and asked curiously, "This is quite interesting."
"Doctor Qin said he accepted money, and Xiao Yi also admitted that he gave the money himself."
"I would like to ask, where did Xiao Yizi, a mere eunuch, find such a large sum of money to bribe a physician, enough to make him risk such danger, even though he works in Changchun Palace and has some extra income?"
"We should probably investigate the source of this money thoroughly."
"Your Highness, what do you say?"
Consort Zhuang's eyes were somewhat cold.
Sun Qixian was once just an insignificant concubine in the Prince's residence, who only knew how to play the pipa with her head down.
After entering the palace, she saw him as a nobody who couldn't be brought to the table and had to depend on her.
In the past, when people enjoyed flowers and tea at Changchun Palace, Lady Sun didn't even have the right to serve them.
But now, this woman, whom she had never even looked at properly, dared to question her in such a tone in front of all the concubines in the palace!
Also.
Having climbed the social ladder by associating with the Imperial Noble Consort and assisting in the management of the six palaces, he naturally thought he had become someone important. He felt he could boss her around and kick her when she was down.
However, on the surface, Consort Zhuang still looked suspicious: "I also want to know about this matter. Where did Xiao Yizi's money come from?"
Xiao Yizi said in a panic, "The silver...the silver was all given by Your Highness, Your Highness, you can't deny it!"
"Otherwise, as Consort Xuan said, where would a mere eunuch like me get so much money?"