frightfiction Chapter 1649 Will the Imperial Noble Consort intervene in this matter?
Chapter 1649 Will the Imperial Noble Consort intervene in this matter?
Caiju continued, "The Imperial Guards are just standing guard; they haven't driven anyone away."
Consort Kang felt a slight sense of relief upon hearing this.
If His Majesty truly intended to harm Master Xingchen, the situation would certainly be even more dire. The current situation, however, seems to offer room for maneuver.
"Caiju..."
Consort Kang was still worried and asked anxiously, "Do you think... Master Xingchen will be alright?"
Caiju pursed her lips and said carefully, "In my humble opinion, Master Xingchen's reputation in the Great Zhou is too high. If Your Majesty really wants to touch him, I'm afraid you will lose the support of the people."
"Besides, Master Xingchen is a person outside the secular world and has nothing to do with court politics. Your Majesty shouldn't make things too difficult for him, right?"
Her words were uncertain, and Consort Kang was not reassured either.
Consort Kang sighed: "If Master Xingchen's reputation is truly tarnished by Chu Shuxian, how will His Majesty deal with it?"
Caiju was startled and quickly stepped forward, whispering, "Your Highness, please be careful what you say! You mustn't say such things!"
"It's just the two of us here, what are you afraid of?"
Consort Kang's eyes held a complex emotion that Caiju couldn't decipher: "I was just wondering if Chu Shuxian and Master Xingchen had any special relationship..."
"Miss!"
Caiju turned pale with anxiety: "The Chu family has been dead for a long time. These things have nothing to do with us."
"Now that Master Xingchen is in trouble, we should be avoiding him, not getting involved!"
Consort Kang smiled bitterly and remained silent.
Why doesn't she understand this?
But she was lonely and destitute in the deep palace, and Master Xingchen was her spiritual sustenance.
Now His Majesty is unwilling to let go of even this last bit of hope...
……
"...Everyone outside says that Eunuch Li, along with palace guards, directly 'invited' Master Xingchen from Fatu Temple into the palace. There were quite a few commoners gathered outside the temple, and some of the bolder ones were even kneeling on the stone steps chanting Buddhist prayers!"
As the palace maid spoke, her eyes widened, full of amusement: "My lady, how did someone like Master Xingchen get involved with the rebellious king's affairs?"
Seele bit her lip: "Don't say things like that again."
"Go down."
The palace maid shrank back and said respectfully, "Yes..."
Seele maintained a calm expression, but only she knew that her heart was in complete turmoil...
Xingchen is in trouble!
how could be?
He was perfectly fine when they met before he entered the palace.
He always wore a pure white monk's robe, spoke with his eyes slightly lowered, and had a serene and otherworldly expression.
How long has it been, and Xingchen has already been arrested?
Everyone in the palace says it's because it's related to the rebellious king.
Seele knew that anyone involved with the rebellious king would be demoted or exiled at best, and their property confiscated or they would be executed at worst!
His Majesty shows no mercy in this matter!
But that incident happened a long time ago. How could Xingchen, a person outside the secular world, be involved in this matter?
No.
wrong!
A bold idea suddenly popped into Seele's mind—
Could it be... that someone has found out about her relationship with Xingchen?!
But then she thought it was impossible.
If that were really the case, how could she still be sitting here so calmly?
Given His Majesty's temperament, if he knew that she had inappropriate dealings with the eminent monks of Fatu Temple, he would have executed her long ago.
She must have misunderstood.
Regardless, Xi'er refused to believe that someone like Master Xingchen would be involved in a rebellion.
Perhaps someone framed him.
There are many people in the world who believe in Master Xingchen, but there are also quite a few who want to drag him down with them.
Master Xingchen's high reputation among the people sometimes becomes a shackle.
His Majesty respects him, the imperial family relies on him, and countless high-ranking officials and nobles want to curry favor with him.
Many people resented him.
Seele understood the principle that a tall tree catches the wind.
Even so, she was still very worried about Master Xingchen.
If we're talking about the harem, who else can speak up for His Majesty? It's only the one in Yongshou Palace.
Although His Majesty has not visited the inner palace for a long time, the Imperial Noble Consort is deeply favored by the Emperor and manages the six palaces. If she were willing to intervene on his behalf, Master Xingchen's situation might improve.
But... will the Imperial Noble Consort care about this?
Xi'er recalled the Imperial Noble Consort she had seen at the palace banquet; her beauty was beyond compare, and her eyes sparkled with laughter. She possessed both the charm of a beautiful woman and the majesty of a high-ranking concubine.
Such a woman has a mind as deep as the sea, which ordinary people simply cannot see through.
Moreover… Xi'er had never heard that the Imperial Noble Consort was a Buddhist. Since she wasn't a follower of Master Xingchen, why would she interfere in this matter?
I've heard that the Imperial Concubine is a devout Buddhist and spends a long time chanting Buddhist scriptures in the small Buddhist hall every day.
If the Imperial Concubine is willing to plead for Master Xingchen, there might be room for maneuver in this matter!
However, given the current unclear situation and the serious crime of treason involved, Seele dared not act rashly for the time being.
We can only wait and see.
……
Yongshou Palace.
Shen Zhinian leaned against the soft couch by the window, a silver fox fur blanket draped over her, looking incredibly charming.
She is more than three months pregnant, but her pregnancy is not yet showing.
Both Han Dan and Fu Qu knew that the Empress's appetite had improved considerably these past few days, but she had become increasingly lethargic. She often sat slumped like this for most of the day.
Fuqu came in carrying a tray: "Your Majesty, the medicine for preventing miscarriage prescribed by Physician Tang is ready."
Shen Zhinian glanced up and waved her hand gently: "Let's put it aside for now, I'll drink it when it cools down."
"Yes."
Fuqu placed the medicine bowl on the small table beside the couch, and carefully placed a dish of candied fruit next to it.
Shen Zhinian noticed this and smiled slightly: "You're so thoughtful."
Fuqu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is now pregnant with both children, so this servant naturally has to take even better care of you."
Shen Zhinian suddenly remembered something and asked, "Did you send some of the bird's nest that the Imperial Household Department sent the day before yesterday to Consort Xian? The Second Princess is weak and needs to be nourished."
“It was sent over yesterday.”
Fuqu said, "Her Majesty the Virtuous Consort declined a few times, but I told her what she had been told, and only then did Her Majesty accept it."
Shen Zhinian nodded.
As the two were talking, Yuanbao's voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, Xiaomingzi is back."
"Let him in."
The curtain was lifted, and Xiao Mingzi came in, bowing slightly, with a clever smile on his face.
He bowed respectfully and, before Shen Zhinian could ask, began to report: "...Your Majesty, this servant has heard many interesting things outside."
Shen Zhinian raised her eyes and said, "Tell me about it."
She already knew that there were believers praying for blessings at Fatu Temple, and that officials in the imperial court were writing letters on behalf of Master Xingchen.
Xiao Mingzi was talking about something else: "I heard that His Majesty summoned people from the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review these past two days to investigate the old case of the rebellious prince."
"However, we can't find out exactly how far the investigation has progressed because the Hall of Mental Cultivation is tight-lipped."
Shen Zhinian understood.
Nangong Xuanyu was so proud that he wouldn't let anyone know he'd been cuckolded. But since he was handling this under the guise of investigating traitors, he would definitely put on a good show.