mtl008 Chapter 441: Enraged and Framed
Chapter 441: Enraged and Framed
Concubine Hua had just finished speaking with great confidence, but unexpectedly, a few days later Songzhi personally brought her bad news.
"Empress Shu, when the Emperor was having dinner in Yikun Palace yesterday, he mentioned that the bright red peony on my mistress's uterine ornaments was too bright in color and violated palace etiquette. He then ordered her to copy the palace rules as a punishment."
"I privately asked Chief Steward Su about this, and he only said that Huipin was kind and that she had taken Princess Longyue to the Yangxin Palace to visit the Emperor yesterday after her afternoon break."
Songzhi's words revealed her deep resentment towards the injustice suffered by Concubine Hua.
His queen has been kind to the people in the harem in recent years, especially the three pregnant concubines. Unexpectedly, Shen Meizhuang not only did not know how to be grateful, but also harbored malice towards her master.
An Lingrong understood the implication of Songzhi's words, and knew that Concubine Nian's punishment this time must be related to Shen Meiyu.
"Is Sister Nian okay now?"
She asked with concern. An Lingrong was worried that Concubine Hua would be depressed about this matter and hurt herself.
Songzhi shook her head with a stern face.
"Your Majesty, my master doesn't take this matter to heart at all. I just regret not following your advice and informing the Emperor in advance that Huipin's relatives would be visiting the palace."
"The master said she would copy the palace rules carefully. As for Concubine Hui, there is still a long way to go."
Songzhi didn't understand why her master didn't let her make trouble for Chuxiu Palace right away, but as she had always been loyal to Concubine Hua, she knew that her master must have some plans that she couldn't express publicly for the time being.
An Lingrong knew that Concubine Hua had taken her previous words to heart, so she whispered to comfort her.
"The Emperor's order to Sister Nian to copy the palace rules should have been a private one. As long as you don't spread the news, others will naturally not know about it."
"Please let Sister Nian relax. I will not sit idly by and watch this matter."
She paused for a moment and whispered another instruction.
"Songzhi, send someone to keep a close eye on Chuxiu Palace. I think Huipin will use her unborn child to cause trouble. Concubine He and Xiying must not let down their guard either."
We cannot take action against pregnant women for the time being, but we can take this opportunity to remove the thorns left in the palace by Prince Guo and his mother.
An Lingrong thought that when Shen Meiyu's old friend returned to the palace, she would not just focus on Concubine Hua.
She thought for a moment in the main hall and called Baoque to her side.
"Has there been any news from Wei Lin regarding Chenpi?"
"Reporting to the Empress, Imperial Physician Wei said that Imperial Physician Chen frequently visited Chuxiu Palace. He took advantage of his night duty to look through Imperial Physician Chen's pulse records, and all of them showed records of Concubine Hui's unborn child."
Baoque reported in a low voice.
"The pulse diagnosis indicates that Concubine Hui's pregnancy is not going well. Imperial Physician Chen is doing his utmost to protect her pregnancy."
"Imperial Physician Wei said that Imperial Physician Chen was an expert in gynecology. He suspected that Concubine Hui had not used the pregnancy-preserving medicine prescribed by Imperial Physician Chen, which was why her condition had not improved."
An Lingrong tapped her fingers lightly on her knee, savoring Baoque's words.
She secretly speculated in her heart that Shen Meizhuang might have known that the child in her belly was not the emperor's blood, so she did not intend to keep the child!
Did she know that the baby in her belly was Prince Guo's?
If Shen Meizhuang doesn't know yet, then...
"Bao Que, have Wei Lin continue to secretly monitor Chen Pi's movements and report any unusual activity as soon as possible."
In the past, Concubine Hua was full of flaws. An Lingrong was not sure why Shen Meizhuang had tried to flatter her in front of the emperor.
She originally wanted to ask Baoque to contact Xiao Xiazi to find out what Shen Meizhuang had said to the emperor that day, but then she changed her mind and felt that this was too risky.
The Emperor's Palace of Tranquil Longevity is guarded openly by guards and monitored secretly by secret guards, so it is better to contact them as little as possible.
An Lingrong was lucky enough to choose Baoque's family and get in touch with Xiao Xiazi.
Only she and Baoque knew of Xiao Xia Zi's existence. The Xia family only knew that Xiao Xia Zi was still alive in the palace, but they had no idea where she was on duty.
An Lingrong thought about it carefully and thought of the flower and plant room. The beginning of summer was the time when flowers and plants were in full bloom, and it was time to replace the flowers and plants in each palace.
The greetings in the following days were as smooth as usual, and Concubine Hua did not give Shen Meizhuang any coldness for trying to please the emperor.
Under An Lingrong's suggestion, Concubine Hua not only greeted all the princes and princesses in the palace when she paid her respects every day, but also mentioned her unborn child.
Those concubines who did not have children were the ones she gave special instructions to. She hoped that the concubines in the harem who did not have children would give birth to children for the royal family as soon as possible.
It's just that she suffered a loss last time and learned her lesson this time.
Words of concern flow out like water, but there is no concrete action at all.
Shen Meizhuang was confused by Concubine Hua's performance. While jumping rope in her bedroom, she secretly wondered whether the emperor who went to Yiku Palace had ever reprimanded Concubine Hua?
The child of unknown origin in the womb is a sword hanging over the Shen family's head. After meeting her grandmother and aunt, Shen Meizhuang feels that she must not implicate her relatives.
She pondered it for a long time and finally made up her mind to give up this destined child.
And Concubine Hua, who had an old grudge against her, was the best target for framing her.
A few days ago, Shen Meizhuang took Longyue to the Yangxin Palace to ask for an audience with the emperor, using the excuse that Longyue missed her father.
During the conversation, she inadvertently mentioned that Longyue was lonely and the baby in her belly was just right to keep her company.
Shen Meizhuang saw the emperor's face darken as Longyue looked forward to it.
She knew that her reminder reminded the emperor of the child that Longyue's biological mother had lost.
Concubine Hua regarded Zhen Huan as a thorn in her side, so it was impossible that she had not tampered with the chaotic palace banquet.
Shen Meizhuang mentioned a few words about Concubine Hua's current care for her, and with Longyue's support, it was natural for her to be the emperor's anger directed at her.
She did this just to provoke the impulsive Concubine Hua to cause trouble.
As long as the Yiku Palace reveals any intention to make things difficult for the Chuxiu Palace, Shen Meizhuang will take the opportunity to cause trouble to the child in her womb, or even let the emperor watch the child disappear.
But now, she took advantage of light sleep to keep the night watchmen away from the bedroom, and secretly acted according to the taboos mentioned by Doctor Chen. She already felt a slight pain in her abdomen, but the Yikun Palace was not as vindictive as she had imagined.
Faced with the silent Concubine Hua, Shen Meizhuang panicked.
No, she must find a way to anger Concubine Hua again!
Shen Meizhuang rolled up the flying rope and hid it in a box, then lay on the bed and carefully felt the pain in her abdomen.
With tears welling up in her eyes, she repeated Concubine Hua's name hatefully in her heart.
This time, she must pay for the life of the child she once lost!
The next morning, when Caiyue lifted the curtain, she found deep teeth marks on her master's chapped lips.
she asked in a panic.
"My Lady, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell? I'll send for Doctor Chen right away."
Shen Meizhuang raised her hand with great effort and grabbed the corner of Caiyue's clothes, reminding her weakly.
"Don't forget to send someone to Yikun Palace to ask for leave from me. Remember to have someone be respectful."
"My Lady, I understand. I'll send someone right away."
Caiyue agreed with red eyes. Her master's face changed with unhappiness. She was still thinking about the unimportant greetings from Yiku Palace.
Before leaving the palace, the old lady gave her many instructions, asking her to take good care of the royal heir in the Empress's belly.
But she failed to live up to the old lady's trust and ensured that the master's medicine never ran out.
Caiyue felt that it was because she was not there to serve that she failed to notice that the empress was unwell in time. Blaming herself deeply, she decided to guard her master all the time from today on.
The young eunuch she sent to the Imperial Hospital was the most agile one in Chuxiu Palace. The pregnant master in the palace was unwell, and the young eunuch did not dare to delay.
When Chen Pi heard that the eunuch from Chuxiu Palace had an invitation, he quickly put on his outer robe, carried his medicine box, and hurriedly followed the visitor out.
Concubine Hui's pregnancy was very strange. Both the Concubine and the heir in her belly were normal a few days ago, but suddenly she began to have frequent symptoms of miscarriage.
Although he tried every possible means to protect Concubine Hui's pregnancy, the effect was minimal.
Chen Pi nervously placed his fingertips on Shen Meizhuang's pulse, and the pulse showed that she was having a miscarriage.
"Your Majesty, this pulse is the same as before. I suspect someone may have secretly attacked you."
He expressed his guess with concern.
Otherwise, why would Concubine Hui have miscarriages so often?
Infighting in the harem happens from time to time, so it's no wonder that Chen Pi is thinking about other things.
"Doctor Chen, could you please investigate the palace?"
Caiyue shouted anxiously.
She was afraid that someone would harm her master and the royal heir, so she was eager to find out the truth.
The master's fake pregnancy was a trick tricked by someone else. Now that she is really pregnant, it is inevitable that someone will take action against the child.
"Miss Caiyue, I..."
"Doctor Chen, there's no need to investigate further. I have full control over Chuxiu Palace, so there won't be any trouble."
"Her Majesty Hua is always concerned about pregnant women. If word gets out that Imperial Physician Chen is investigating the palace, it will likely lead to further misunderstandings."
Shen Meizhuang spoke weakly to stop him.
"Ever since I miscarried after being attacked by a raccoon in the Imperial Garden, I haven't felt well. I wonder if this pregnancy has triggered some hidden illness."
"The prescription prescribed by Doctor Chen is perfect for my condition. Every time I drink the medicine, I feel a lot more relaxed. I'm really grateful to Doctor Chen for this time."
As Shen Meizhuang spoke, she gestured to Caiyue to take out a purse to reward Chenpi for his hard work.
Her trust made Chenpi even more frustrated, and he repeatedly refused the reward.
"Empress Hui, you are weak. It is best to stay in bed for the next few days. I will adjust the prescription right away."
Caiyue sent Chenpi away to get medicine, and returned to the bedroom with a lot on her mind to guard her master.
When the young eunuch reported that the flower and plant room had delivered newly cultivated varieties, Caiyue selected several pots of flowers and plants in full bloom according to Shen Meiyu's preferences.
Later, when the young eunuch said he wanted to take away the withered flowers and plants, Caiyue, who was only thinking about her master, didn't take it to heart.
Shen Meizhuang woke up again and noticed at a glance that the familiar potted plants by the window had been replaced.
When she learned that the flower and plant room had sent flowers and plants to all the concubines in the palace, she secretly laughed at herself for being too suspicious.
After dinner, Caiyue approached with a bowl of thick black medicine, and Shen Meizhuang covered her nose.
"Caiyue, this medicine is sour and bitter. Go get me a plate of candied fruit!"