frightfiction Chapter 1376: All matters in the harem are decided by the Imperial Concubine
Chapter 1376: All matters in the harem are decided by the Imperial Concubine
Concubine Zhuang looked at Caiju's departing figure calmly.
Concubine Kang suffered a heavy blow today, and her reputation has been damaged. I'm afraid she won't be able to achieve anything in the short term.
This is good.
Imperial Concubine Zhuang tilted her head slightly and whispered to Ruoji beside her, "Later, please send some high-quality medicinal herbs to Chuxiu Palace in my name as a token of my appreciation."
She has always done these superficial things very carefully.
Ruo immediately said respectfully, "Yes."
……
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
Nangong Xuanyu was sitting behind the imperial desk, talking to Shen Zhinian, with a faint smile in his eyes.
"...The war IOU issue is going more smoothly than I expected."
The emperor's tone was filled with excitement: "We have raised a lot of money, which has solved our urgent needs."
"Plus, Prince Jin took the lead in donating two years' salary, and the royal family members all contributed more or less. The national treasury can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
His eyes fell on Shen Zhinian's charming profile, and the admiration for her advice in his heart became stronger. He felt that the person in front of him was not only a beautiful woman, but also his think tank and lucky star.
At this moment, an absurd thought even emerged in Nangong Xuanyu's mind -
If Nian Nian was not a concubine but a man, with her intelligence and strategy, she would definitely become his most trusted minister in the court!
Shen Zhinian smiled and said, "It's all thanks to your majesty's wisdom that the policy can be implemented so smoothly!"
The atmosphere in the hall was just right when Li Changde quietly walked in. With a hesitant look on his face, he bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, something happened in Chuxiu Palace..."
Nangong Xuanyu's good mood was interrupted. He frowned unhappily and said in a deeper voice, "The Imperial Concubine has the final say on all matters in the harem. Why are you reporting to me?"
Li Changde's heart tightened, and he became even more cautious. He secretly glanced at Shen Zhinian's expression before whispering, "Your Majesty, it's time to report this to the Imperial Noble Consort."
"It's just that... the person who came to report the news was Chu'er, who was beside Concubine Kang. She spoke earnestly, saying that Concubine Kang had a sudden emergency and looked horrible, so she was unable to attend the enthronement ceremony."
"Empress Kang is worried about this matter, and it's not surprising. She fears someone with ill intentions might endanger the Fifth Prince's safety one day... In this urgent situation, I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"
Nangong Xuanyu's expression instantly became serious when he heard this.
When it comes to the royal heir, it is no longer a simple harem dispute.
Shen Zhinian's eyes also deepened.
She spoke at the right moment, offering words of comfort: "Your Majesty, since this involves the safety of the heir to the throne, it is of no small importance."
"Sister Kangfei has always been cautious. Unless the situation is special, she would never rashly disturb the emperor. Your Majesty, why don't you go and take a look in person? This will comfort Sister Kangfei and the Fifth Prince."
Her words not only pointed out the seriousness of the matter, but also appeared generous, considerate and selfless.
Just as the political affairs were finished, Nangong Xuanyu pondered for a moment, felt that what Shen Zhinian said made sense, stood up and brushed his sleeves: "Well."
"Niannian, come with me to take a look."
"Yes."
Shen Zhinian stood up gracefully and followed Nangong Xuanyu.
……
Chuxiu Palace.
The inner room was filled with the smell of medicine.
The imperial physician had carefully applied medicine to Concubine Kang and retreated to the outer room to await instructions.
Caiju came back in a hurry, with anger and humiliation still on her face.
"My lady..."
She described how Concubine Dun acted eccentrically in Changchun Palace, and how she stretched the boundaries by saying that the emergency was a warning from heaven, and how Concubine Kang was unworthy of her position.
He reported everything, including Concubine Zhuang's seemingly conciliatory but actually tacit attitude.
"...Your Majesty, you have no idea how harsh the words of Concubine Dun are. Every word is a smear campaign against you!"
"You've already done this, and she's still trying to make things worse!"
Cai Ju became more and more angry as she spoke, her eyes reddening again: "From this servant's perspective, if it weren't for the fact that you and Concubine Dun had no enmity, I would have suspected that she was the one who caused this incident today..."
Concubine Kang leaned on the pillow. The itching all over her body was slightly reduced by the effect of the medicine, but it was still piercing.
Listening to Caiju's narration, she felt an irrepressible anger surge in her heart!
It turns out that Concubine Dun can't spit out ivory from a dog's mouth!
But no matter how angry she was, Concubine Kang still remained rational.
Concubine Dun was always outspoken, and even dared to criticize the Imperial Noble Concubine, either openly or covertly. It wasn't particularly surprising that she'd say some sarcastic things about her.
Besides, she really had no grudge against Concubine Dun, so there was no reason for Concubine Dun to use such a vicious method to harm her.
The motivation really doesn't make sense.
The most important thing right now is not to argue with Concubine Dun, but to restore his reputation immediately.
Unlucky, unworthy of the position... Once such rumors are confirmed in the palace, the status of her, a concubine who could not even attend the enthronement ceremony, will be shaky, and it will be even more difficult for her to take a step forward in the harem in the future.
Concubine Kang took a deep breath, suppressed her turbulent emotions, and said decisively, "Cai Ju, now is not the time to argue with Concubine Dun. Who in the palace doesn't know her big mouth?"
"The most urgent thing is to make sure people don't think that I'm truly unlucky, or that I've done something sinful and am being punished by heaven."
"Immediately find a few trustworthy and articulate people and spread the news. Tell them that I was targeted by a villain today. Make sure everyone in the palace knows that I am the victim, that someone is ruthless and will not tolerate my good fortune!"
Upon hearing this, Caiju immediately understood Concubine Kang's intention.
This is to set the tone first and shift public opinion.
But she still had concerns in her heart, and said, "My Lady, I understand what you mean."
"But...if, if the murderer can't be found in the end, then..."
How could Concubine Kang not know the risks involved?
If there is no evidence, it may make her appear guilty or incompetent.
But she had no way out now and could only give it a try.
"Just do as I say!"
Concubine Kang's tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt: "I must not live up to this ominous reputation! Go now!"
"Yes! I'll do it right away!"
Seeing that Concubine Kang had made up her mind, Caiju did not dare to hesitate any longer and immediately turned around to carry out the verbal battle that would determine Concubine Kang's future fate.
Concubine Kang lay on the couch, listening to the faint noises outside, and closed her eyes.
She knew it was a risk.
But rather than sit and wait for death, she would rather take the initiative.
The harem has always been a place where people are eaten without leaving any bones. One step back is a bottomless abyss...
Concubine Kang was anxiously pondering what was to come when Li Changde's clear and respectful voice suddenly came from outside: "Your Majesty has arrived--!!!"
"The Imperial Concubine has arrived!!"
His Majesty has really come!
Concubine Kang was delighted at first, like a drowning person grabbing a piece of driftwood.
Your Majesty’s personal presence signifies importance.
It means that the words she conveyed in the name of the Fifth Prince worked!
But when she heard the voice behind her, Concubine Kang froze for a moment.
The Imperial Noble Consort...why did she come along too?