frightfiction Chapter 530 Shen Zhinian and Concubine Shu completely fall out (83 votes plus more)
Chapter 530 Shen Zhinian and Concubine Shu completely fall out (83 votes plus more)
Of course, not all concubines came to target and attack Shen Zhinian.
First, with her current identity and status, there are many people willing to fight for her.
Secondly, since Shen Zhinian took over as the assistant manager of the six palaces, he has been fair and considerate in everything he does, and he has unknowingly won the hearts of some people.
"…Mrs. Xiao has always been scheming. How can we trust her one-sided words?"
"Yes. If the virtuous concubine falls, the fourth prince will certainly be affected. Then won't the third prince benefit? In my opinion, Concubine Xiao deserves death!"
"The Concubine Shu raised the Third Prince, so her interests are aligned with those of Concubine Xiao. How could she not want to use this incident to put the Concubine Xian down?"
"..."
For a time, the concubines of the two factions each held an opinion.
The remaining neutral people watched the show quietly.
Nangong Xuanyu sat behind the imperial desk with a gloomy look in his eyes.
He naturally believed that Nian Nian would never do such a thing, and someone must be trying to frame her and A Xu!
However, the matter has already been exposed. If the truth is not found out, it will only cause trouble in the harem. Tomorrow morning, countless ministers will criticize Nian Nian in the court.
Nangong Xuanyu said in a deep voice: "Tell Consort Xian to come to Yangxin Palace."
Li Changde responded "yes" and immediately sent someone to Zhongcui Palace.
Shen Zhinian had just finished hearing the whole story from Xiao Mingzi when the eunuch who delivered the message came over.
She had already prepared for this matter and was not panicked at this moment. After dressing up and changing her clothes, she got on the warm sedan chair and went to the Yangxin Palace.
"The virtuous concubine has arrived --!!!"
The moment Shen Zhinian walked in from the door, everyone's eyes fell on her.
She was wearing a gilded brocade dress today, with a gorgeous brocade background and intricate and delicate embroidered patterns on the hem.
Shen Zhinian walked forward slowly, the pattern on her skirt swaying gently with her steps, which was extremely beautiful. She wore a belt of the same color around her waist, which made her waist look even slimmer and her temperament more elegant.
Those beautiful and lively eyes have slightly upturned corners, and their movement brings with it a charming charm, as well as a hint of majesty!
She deserves the title of the first among all concubines!
When Concubine Shu saw Shen Zhinian, she clenched her hands under her sleeves, and her eyes flashed with a sinister light. I don't know if it was more hatred or jealousy.
This slut, who used to be just a small maid working for her, has now become a virtuous concubine and is stepping on her head!
Whenever she saw Shen Zhinian, Concubine Shu really wanted to tear her smug face apart!
Shen Zhinian didn't even glance at Concubine Shu, but stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live your Majesty!"
Nangong Xuanyu said in a gentle voice: "Stand up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
No matter what the concubines thought in their hearts, even if they were jealous of Shen Zhinian, at this moment they could only bow respectfully: "Your humble concubine/your humble concubine greets Her Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed with good fortune and safety!"
Although she already knew the whole story, Shen Zhinian still asked, "I wonder why Your Majesty summoned me to the Yangxin Palace today?"
Although the emperor's heart was biased, he understood that in public, being fair and just and clearing Shen Zhinian's name was what was truly good for her and the Fourth Prince.
He ordered Li Changde to hand over Concubine Xiao's confession, and his tone was emotionless: "Concubine Xiao said that she conspired with you to murder the Queen Mother. What do you have to say?"
Shen Zhinian took the confession and glanced at it, then looked up at Nangong Xuanyu and said slowly, "Your Majesty, what Concubine Xiao said is completely nonsense!"
"But I also understand that people's words are scary. In this case, I am willing to confront Lady Xiao face to face. This way, we can find out who really murdered the Empress Dowager. Was it her alone, or was I also involved?"
Although the emperor wanted to protect Shen Zhinian, if she was frightened by the charge of murdering the queen mother and kept crying, he would feel powerless even if he wanted to exonerate her.
Shen Zhinian's calm and composed character is exactly what the emperor appreciates.
She is worthy of being the woman he cultivated!
Nangong Xuanyu said: "Bring Concubine Xiao here."
"Yes!"
Not long after, Concubine Xiao was brought to the Yangxin Palace.
To be precise, it was dragged here.
Because her health was not good to begin with, and she was tortured for a day and a night in the Ministry of Punishment, she was almost unrecognizable...
Many palace concubines covered their mouths tightly with handkerchiefs to avoid screaming in fright.
His Majesty was not a cruel person towards his women. Even if he was angry with the concubines who had served him, he would only sentence them to death. There were only a handful of people who were tortured in the Ministry of Punishment.
Who made Concubine Xiao plot to murder the Empress Dowager, which touched His Majesty and even the bottom line of the national law!
At this moment, Concubine Shu looked at Concubine Xiao with a very complicated look.
She hated Xiao Yueying for harming her aunt to that extent, which caused the Dingguo Mansion to lose an arm.
She was secretly happy in her heart. If it weren't for Xiao Yueying, how would she have had the chance to overthrow Concubine Xian?
There has been an imperial physician in the Ministry of Punishment keeping Concubine Xiao alive, otherwise, given her physical condition, she would have died long ago.
At this moment, the imperial physician stepped forward, took out silver needles, and pricked several acupuncture points on Concubine Xiao, and she slowly woke up.
Seeing that this was the Yangxin Palace, Concubine Xiao instantly revealed a look of horror, kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy: "Your Majesty, I confess! I confess everything!"
"It was because I harbored a grudge against the Empress Dowager that the Concubine Xian used me to go to the Cining Palace and poison the Empress Dowager!"
"I have really said everything. Please, for the sake of the Third Prince, give me a quick death! I don't want to be tortured anymore!"
Concubine Shu pointed at Shen Zhinian and asked sternly, "Concubine Xian, do you have anything else to say?!"
Shen Zhinian met Concubine Shu's gaze without fear.
All along, the two had been allies and had pretended to be friendly with each other, but this was the first time they had openly fallen out.
Shen Zhinian is no longer the newcomer who could only be manipulated by others. Even though the Duke of Dingguo was standing behind Concubine Shu, she did not back down at all!
"If you want to incriminate someone, why bother?"
"For the sake of the Third Prince, it is not impossible that Concubine Xiao wanted to use me as a scapegoat before she died."
"Shufei was once a noble concubine. When did you become someone who only follows others' lead and believes whatever others say?"
Many palace concubines gasped when they heard this!
Shufei has been the imperial concubine for so long, and everyone in the harem knows about her arrogant and domineering temper!
Although she has been demoted now, the remaining influence she left in the past still makes people feel a little scared when facing her.
How dare the Virtuous Consort be so bold as to say such impolite words to the Shu Consort? !
Concubine Shu could never have imagined that one day Shen Zhinian would actually turn the tables in front of her!
"……you!"