mtl008 Chapter 140: Exposed
Chapter 140: Exposed
The next day was sunny and the emperor was in a good mood. Zhen Huan's gentle care and kindness were still by his side.
The emperor put down his red brush and smacked his lips.
Su Peisheng understood the meaning of the music and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, Miss Huanbi, who is beside Concubine Wan, sent some milk and bird's nests. She said that Your Majesty is very busy with government affairs and asked Your Majesty to take care of himself."
The emperor waved in a good mood.
After a while, Su Peisheng removed the bird's nest bowl and complimented, "I can't speak any medical terms, but I know that a good appetite is a sign of good health."
The emperor laughed cheerfully and scolded him.
Su Peisheng asked, "Your Majesty, who is the person who just came from the Imperial Household Department..."
The emperor stood up and strode out, "Fang Fei's birthday is coming soon, I will go to see her."
At this time, Yongshou Palace
Yuan Beishan used his hands and feet to describe in detail the process of capturing the palace maid, which made Shu Dong and the other two laugh.
Until he had no strength left in acting and was gasping for breath, Shu Dong restrained his smile and asked Jiang Ruyin.
"The witness has been captured. When will Your Majesty hand him over to Concubine Hua?"
Jiang Ruyin leisurely swung the clattering beads on her jade hairpin.
"No rush. I heard that the Emperor is planning to renovate a palace for Wanpin. We have to wait until he makes a decision and starts construction. Let's give the Emperor a surprise."
After a while, the emperor came to Yongshou Palace and mentioned the matter.
Jiang Ruyin just held up her face and looked at the emperor.
The emperor had no choice but to pull her hand, "I am asking for Yin'er's opinion."
Jiang Ruyin blinked, "Wanpin is well-read, Jingyang Palace is perfect for her.
However, Chengqian Palace and Yikun Palace sit opposite each other. Chengqian Palace, Cheng means obedience, and Qian means heaven. Yikun Palace, Yi means respect, and Kun means earth. The two sides represent the concept of "obeying heaven and respecting earth," signifying a place of great nobility. Concubine Wan is intelligent and can help relieve the emperor's worries, so Chengqian Palace is not incompatible.
Yonghe Palace was the former residence of the Empress Dowager, and I think it would be better to preserve it.
Suiyuxuan is my former residence as well as Wanpin's. Why not ask Wanpin where she wants to live?
After saying this, Jiang Ruyin looked at the emperor expectantly.
The emperor nodded in approval, "Yin'er has thought it through. Yonghe Palace belongs to the Empress Dowager, so it won't be given to anyone else. Chengqian Palace is the former residence of the Empress Dowager Tongjia."
The emperor's eyes were blank, revealing a bit of longing and sadness.
"Tong Jia's mother is virtuous and virtuous, and no one can match her. Wanpin is not as good as her.
As for the Suiyu Pavilion," the emperor nudged Jiang Ruyin's cheek with his knuckles, "leave it empty unless absolutely necessary. Let's go to the Jingyang Palace!"
Jiang Ruyin's fair face flushed, "Your Majesty is wise."
The emperor suddenly approached Jiang Ruyin, and the rich aroma of ambergris filled Jiang Ruyin's nostrils.
"Has Yin'er taken a bath?"
......
......
The renovation of Jingyang Palace officially began in mid-March.
Construction of other palaces and halls in the Forbidden City had not yet begun. After half a month of hard work by the craftsmen, the Jingyang Palace was completely renovated. Even the plaque on the outer wall of the library in the rear hall was renovated.
In Xianfu Palace,
Ruyi opened the window and complained, "After arguing all morning, we're finally done moving. Now it's April and the weather is getting hot, so I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
Jingpin casually picked up an account book and looked at it carefully. "Okay, it's fine if you talk about it here, but remember to hide your thoughts outside. Go to the imperial kitchen and ask for some of the cakes that Wanpin and Hui Guiren like to eat. I think the account book is still too slow, so I won't go to Jingyang Palace."
Ruyi curled her lips and said, "Hanzhu, you are also the Empress's senior maid, so go ahead."
Hanzhu had the best temper. Seeing that Jingpin did not say anything to stop her, she left quickly.
Ruyi came close to Concubine Jing and said, "I heard that Concubine Hui has started to show disrespect to the emperor again."
"Anyone who almost lost his life would feel resentful, so let her be." Jingpin didn't care.
Ruyi continued:
"Whenever Concubine Hui was in trouble, Your Majesty always stayed by her side and comforted her carefully. But when has Concubine Hui ever cared about Your Majesty? When she first entered the palace, Your Majesty shielded her from so many attacks, both open and secret, from the Empress and Concubine Hua. That day when Concubine Hua punished Concubine Wan and others, Your Majesty spoke up for Wan several times, and when you were humiliated by Concubine Hua, she remained silent. Please be careful, Your Majesty, and don't be fooled by her appearance!"
Her knuckles gradually turned white, and Jingpin finally could no longer maintain her composure.
After scolding Ruyi, Jingpin covered her face.
Unexpectedly, after a while, Hanzhu came back in a hurry.
"What's wrong? Why are you so irritable?" Jingpin asked tiredly.
"Princess Wan has been moved out of Jingyang Palace and returned to Suiyuxuan! Concubine Hui has also been ordered by the Emperor to return to the palace."
"what!"
Two hours ago,
Concubine Duan dragged her frail body and slowly walked into the Yangxin Palace.
Her face was pale, but she showed determination. She bowed to the emperor and told him in detail about how someone had seen Suxi frequently appearing near Chunxi Palace. Her words emphasized the intricate and suspicious connection between Suxi and the Nian family outside the palace.
Upon hearing this, the emperor remained expressionless, but in fact he had already begun to consider confining Nian Shilan to his home and severely punishing the Nian family outside the palace.
At this moment, Nian Shilan stepped into the gate of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity on the day when Zhen Huan moved to the palace. Behind her, besides Zhou Ninghai and Song Zhi, there was also a palace maid with a sharp face.
Feiyan's body trembled as she knelt timidly on the ground, "This servant pays homage to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor."
Concubine Duan had a calm expression, as if she was indifferent to the matter.
Nian Shilan saluted the emperor, then stood up and sneered, "You'll know once you capture Suxi's Japanese palace. Whatever conspiracy you have, I'm waiting for it."
Nian Shilan turned around and said, "Your Majesty, this palace maid is Feiyan from Chunxi Palace. On the day of the fire, someone reported seeing her sneaking around the corner tower, so I ordered her to be arrested."
The emperor's cold gaze swept across Fei Yan, staring at her until her heart trembled, and then he spoke softly, "What do you want to say?"
After hearing the emperor's words, Fei Yan finally spoke, her voice filled with fear and sorrow. "Your Majesty, I saw it with my own eyes that day. My aunt set fire to Chunxi Palace. I wanted to take her away, but she said she was helping Concubine Wan and wanted to make things easier for her in Chunxi Palace. She even told me to go somewhere safe. When Cui Jinxi arrived, she didn't see me, but I actually saw Cui Jinxi push my aunt into the flames. I was so scared that I fled Chunxi Palace overnight. I ran away in a panic and didn't know where I was. I was knocked unconscious and when I woke up, I was locked in a room until I saw Concubine Hua."
Concubine Hua raised her head slightly, her expression solemn, and continued, "Your Majesty, I have been delayed for a few days in order to obtain irrefutable evidence. I have specially brought Fei Yan with me today, and I dare not hide anything."
The emperor sat on the dragon throne with a frown on his face, his eyes shifting back and forth between Concubine Duan and Concubine Hua, lost in thought.