0p0 Chapter 22 Furious (1)
Chapter 22 Furious (1)
Qin Yaoyao slowly returned to her own courtyard from her mother's. She had barely stepped through the gate, not even having a chance to catch her breath, when she caught sight of her fourth brother rushing towards her anxiously. He went straight to her, circling her repeatedly, carefully checking her for any injuries or ailments. Only after confirming she was unharmed did his anxious heart finally calm down.
He asked anxiously, "I heard something happened in the palace. Are you alright? Are you hurt? Tell Fourth Brother quickly!" Qin Yaoyao looked at her brother's concerned and nervous expression, her heart warmed, and she quickly comforted him, "Fourth Brother, don't worry, I'm fine, nothing at all."
Next, she recounted in detail to her fourth brother how He Mingwen and Liu Xiaoyu had attempted to harm her, including how they set the trap and their eventual downfall. She also mentioned the demotion of Consort Ning to Consort Ning and the caning He Mingwen had suffered, while sharing with her fourth brother her joy at receiving compensation. After telling all this, Qin Yaoyao couldn't help but reveal a hint of smugness.
Qin Yunqi silently memorized the names of those who had bullied his sister, thinking that merely compensating them with some money was not enough. There was no such thing as a free lunch! He secretly resolved to find an opportunity to teach these people a lesson, to let them know the consequences of offending his sister. They had to pay the price! Although he was somewhat worried, he spoke gently to his sister, "Little sister, it's so good to see you safe and sound! You did the right thing. Those with ulterior motives and ill intentions must not be tolerated, nor should they be shown mercy. They must be dealt with without hesitation. Remember, our Duke's Mansion is your strongest support. No matter what happens, you don't need to worry too much; just do it. Your brother will bear all the consequences, so you can rest assured."
Looking at her brother, whose eyes were filled with concern, Qin Yaoyao felt a lump in her throat and happily replied, "Okay, brother, I understand, thank you!" Qin Yunqi gently hugged his sister and comforted her, "Silly girl, why are you crying? If anyone dares to bully you in the future, be sure to tell your brother immediately. Your brother will get justice for you, even if the other party is powerful. From now on, if anything unpleasant happens, you can share it with your brother, okay?"
Qin Yaoyao nodded obediently, indicating that she understood, and then said, "I understand, brother." Qin Yunqi smiled with relief and said softly, "Well, that's good. I'll head back first then." Qin Yaoyao smiled and replied, "Okay, brother, drive carefully on your way."
After a hurried farewell to his sister's courtyard, Qin Yunqi turned and headed towards his younger brother's room. Pushing open the door, he saw his brother sitting safely at the table, and the huge weight lifted from his heart. With a long sigh of relief, the fourth brother silently left his brother's room and walked towards his own courtyard.
Meanwhile, Consort Ning stormed back to Ningyuan Palace. Upon entering, she began smashing and destroying the items inside, cursing incessantly: "Qin Yaoyao, you little slut! If it weren't for you, how could I have ended up in this state? How could my son have been punished? And that vixen Liu Xiaoyu, if it weren't for her, my son wouldn't be confined! Even more hateful is that fox spirit An Ran, who knows what kind of bewitching potion she gave the Emperor, that he has favored her for so many years! Absolutely despicable! One day, I will definitely put you all to death! An Ran, you just wait and see, one day I will repay you tenfold for all the suffering you have endured today!"
Before the words were finished, the Empress led a group of attendants into Ningyuan Palace. The Empress looked coldly at the mess on the ground and the furious Ning Pin, and sneered, saying, "What a short-tempered and irritable Ning Pin! I have come today to collect some items, so quickly open the storeroom."
Qi, the dowry maidservant of Consort Ning, exchanged a glance with Consort Ning and secretly rejoiced: "Fortunately, we usually keep precious items and ordinary items separate. Otherwise, if the door were opened now, wouldn't they all be taken? In that case, how will the mistress win over the people for His Highness in the future?" Qi replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, that's right." After speaking, she turned and walked outside.
Seeing Qi Mama's expression, the Empress immediately understood her thoughts and gave a wink to Xu Mama beside her. Xu Mama nodded in understanding and followed closely behind. Xu Mama was calculating in her mind, determined to seize all the valuable treasures. This would not only delight Miss Qin but also cut off their source of income, leaving them penniless and unable to recruit others—truly killing two birds with one stone!
Not long after, Xu Mama returned to the Empress's side. After exchanging a glance with the Empress, the Empress spoke first, asking, "Why are you back so soon? Did you already reach the storeroom?" Xu Mama replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, this servant did indeed go to the storeroom with Qi Mama. But..." Halfway through her sentence, Xu Mama suddenly became hesitant.
Seeing this, the Empress became suspicious and pressed, "What exactly happened? Tell me quickly!" Xu Mama then continued, "Your Majesty, I saw that the storeroom was filled with ordinary items, nothing valuable. I'm afraid... a thief has broken in."
Upon hearing Xu Mama's words, Qi Mama, who was standing nearby, quickly and respectfully interjected, "Your Majesty, please understand. Our mistress only has these things on a daily basis and has no other treasures. Our mistress is quite poor!" The Empress turned her gaze to Consort Ning, only to see that Consort Ning's face was calm and unmoved.
The Empress's lips curled slightly, a half-smile playing on her lips, as she said, "Oh? I had no idea that Ningyuan Palace was so impoverished. Back then, the Emperor bestowed countless rare treasures upon Consort Ning, and even the gifts she received on her birthdays were all extraordinary. Now, judging from this, could it be that, as you say, it was all stolen by thieves?"
Consort Ning opened her mouth, about to speak, but was abruptly interrupted by the Empress. The Empress's eyebrows furrowed, her phoenix eyes widened, and she said sternly, "The Imperial Household Department keeps detailed records of all the gifts bestowed by the Emperor. Xu Mama, go to the Imperial Household Department immediately and retrieve the list of items sent to Ningyuan Palace over the years. Compare it with the stolen items one by one, and make sure the truth is uncovered!" Xu Mama dared not delay, and immediately bowed, replying, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
However, before Xu Mama could take a step, she was stopped midway. Upon closer inspection, it was Consort Ning. Her face showed displeasure, and she loudly questioned, "What is the meaning of this, sister? We have already made it clear that no thieves broke in. Why do you still need to make such a fuss?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression changed slightly, but she quickly recovered, a cold smile playing on her lips. She said, "If there were no thieves, how could so many precious items in my sister's palace have vanished without a trace? Moreover, they are all priceless. In my opinion, someone must have done this intentionally. Could it be… that someone within my sister's palace stole them? Hmph! As the ruler of the six palaces, how can I tolerate such a disgraceful act! Guards, search thoroughly! We must find the whereabouts of these stolen items!"
As soon as the Empress finished speaking, a group of fully armed guards rushed into the room. They lined up in a disciplined row, respectfully awaiting the Empress's further instructions. Once their mission was clear, the guards scattered like arrows, launching a tense and exciting search operation.
However, faced with the Empress's sudden action, Consort Ning was clearly caught off guard. She hurriedly stopped the palace maids and eunuchs who were trying to stop the guards and angrily questioned the Empress: "No! Although you are the Empress, I have not committed any serious crime. Even the Emperor has not indicated that he would search my Ningyuan Palace. What right do you have to act like this? I will inform the Emperor and make sure he upholds justice for me!"
The Empress smiled slightly and replied calmly, "Please calm down, sister. I do not intend to search your Ningyuan Palace. I have only heard that your palace was burglarized and many valuables were stolen. As the head of a palace, it is only right that I find the thief to uphold palace rules. Otherwise, wouldn't your possessions become the thief's property in the future? Even if this matter is brought before the Emperor, I will have a clear conscience."
Upon hearing this, Consort Ning was startled and quickly explained, "I can investigate this matter myself; there's no need for you to trouble your elder sister." The Empress gently shook her head and said calmly, "I have always been in charge of matters in the inner palace, and catching thieves is within my duties. Moreover, this thief has probably been lurking for many years, so well concealed that I'm afraid you, sister, will find it difficult to uncover any clues in a short time. In my opinion, it would be more appropriate to leave it to professionals. What do you think, sister?" The Empress slowly approached Consort Ning, her lips slightly parted, and she spoke in a low voice that only the two of them could hear, "I heard clearly all the insults you hurled at me just now! And I'm afraid I wasn't the only one who heard them... Perhaps many other ears also heard your disrespectful words. Just think, if I told the Emperor about this, how would he treat you?"
A hint of cunning and threat flashed in her eyes, followed by a cold laugh: "Even if you really didn't curse me, if I were to tell the Emperor that you did, do you think he would choose to believe you or listen to what I have to say?" After saying that, the Empress gently patted Consort Ning's cheek, as if mocking her naivety and overestimation of her abilities.
Upon hearing this, Consort Ning's face turned deathly pale, and her body trembled violently. She knew full well that the Empress's words were true; regardless of whether the Empress's account was genuine or false, the Emperor would choose to trust her without reservation. Even knowing it was a lie, the Emperor would still feign ignorance. Faced with this situation, Consort Ning had no choice but to helplessly order a search. She had initially thought the worst-case scenario would be simply recovering the stolen items from the storeroom, but the reality far exceeded her expectations, leaving her filled with deep regret.
When the search party presented the items, Consort Ning nearly fainted. What she saw was not a search for lost items, but a complete looting! Rare treasures and ordinary objects alike were all brought out. Just as Consort Ning was heartbroken by these losses and almost couldn't stand, something even more remorseful followed.
Seeing the group return with numerous items, the Empress inquired, "Where were these things found?" One of them replied, "Your Majesty, they were found in the first room on the north side." The Empress looked at the pile of items before her, her eyes revealing doubt and displeasure. She turned to the surrounding palace maids and questioned, "Whose room is this?" Before she finished speaking, Granny Qi hurriedly stepped forward.
Granny Qi knelt down and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, this is my room. But please be clear, Your Majesty, I have absolutely not stolen anything! How could my room possibly contain so many items?" She pondered to herself, these things were clearly stored in the storeroom, so how could they suddenly appear in her room?
The Empress sneered and said sternly to Granny Qi, "Oh? So you've already tried to put these things in your room? Otherwise, how would you know they couldn't fit? You know, these things were found during a search of your room!"
Granny Qi turned pale and cried out in terror, "This is impossible! Someone must be framing me on purpose! Please, Your Highness, investigate thoroughly!" Her voice trembled, clearly terrified by the sudden accusation.
The Empress slowly approached Granny Qi, lowering her voice so only the two of them could hear each other. A slight, mocking smile played on the Empress's lips as she said, "That's right, I framed you. So what? Even if the Emperor finds out, would he turn against me for a mere servant? No. Even your mistress—Consort Ning herself—might not break ties with me because of you, let alone a lowly servant like you!" Granny Qi knelt on the ground, stunned. "Don't even think about turning things around. No one can save you today. This is the price you pay for daring to scheme against Qin girl."
The Empress slowly rose, her eyes coldly fixed on the astonished Qi Mama. Her voice authoritative as she addressed the surrounding servants, "Guards! Drag this treacherous servant out and beat her to death!" Hearing the Empress's command, Qi Mama felt a chill run through her body, as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground. She knew in her heart that she had no chance of escaping this time. After exchanging a desperate glance with Consort Ning, she was silently dragged away by the guards.
From that moment on, Granny Qi was no longer seen in Ningyuan's palace, and Consort Ning had lost an arm forever. Only now did Consort Ning realize that the Empress's visit to retrieve the item was merely an excuse; her true purpose was to cripple her power!
Consort Ning collapsed to the ground, utterly dejected, as if struck by a heavy blow. The Empress glanced coldly at Consort Ning, a barely perceptible smile playing on her lips. Then, without looking back, she turned and left with her belongings, leaving Ningyuan Palace in a deathly silence.
Today, Ningyuan Palace is deserted and impoverished, its former glory long gone.