0p0 Chapter 495 Fulfilling the Promise
Chapter 495 Fulfilling the Promise
the other side.
After turning a corner and walking a long way forward, Concubine Zhen dared to let out a long sigh, and gently patted her heaving chest with her slender hands.
"Sister Zhen, what's wrong with you?" Concubine Kang asked as she moved closer.
Concubine Zhen looked around and lowered her voice, saying, "Last time I ran into Concubine Wen and Concubine Shun in the Imperial Garden, there was such a big commotion. Today I ran into Concubine Wen and Noble Lady Sun again... I'm really afraid of becoming a witness again."
Concubine Kang nodded repeatedly: "That's right, luckily nothing happened this time!"
She suddenly tilted her head in confusion, "But... Concubine Wen has now been demoted to a Chengyi, so why is Sister still so respectful?"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhen sighed and lowered her voice. "A few days ago in the Yangxin Palace, I almost angered the Emperor. If it weren't for the Imperial Noble Consort's timely intervention, I would have incurred the Emperor's dislike. And Concubine Hui was so kind to us. No matter how big our mistakes were, she only fined us our monthly allowance."
At this point, she shuddered with lingering fear. "Now that the Imperial Noble Consort is in trouble, it has also implicated Noble Consort Hui and Noble Consort Wen. Although we can't help, we can't be the ones to kick someone when they're down."
She paused and continued, "Besides, Concubine Wen is such an intelligent person. Sooner or later, she will find out the truth and rescue the Imperial Noble Concubine. Even if..." Her voice faded and was almost inaudible, "Even if we can't find the truth, we are just paying our respects. It doesn't matter."
Concubine Kang suddenly understood, and her eyes showed admiration: "Sister, you are thoughtful. I will learn from your advice."
Concubine Zhen gently patted the back of her hand, a smug smile on her lips: "There is still a lot to learn in this deep palace. Just follow me and learn slowly."
"Then my younger sister will rely on me!"
After parting with Sun Heyin, An Lingrong no longer had the heart to wander around, so she took Juqing back to Yonghe Palace. As she reached the palace gate, she saw Shen Meizhuang standing in the corridor, looking out. Seeing her return, she hurried forward and said, "Rong'er, I was just about to send someone to look for you."
Seeing her serious expression, An Lingrong's heart tightened: "But what happened?"
Shen Meizhuang looked around and said in a low voice, "There's news from my second brother." Then she pulled her and walked quickly into the hall.
As soon as they entered the inner hall, Shen Meizhuang pulled out a wax-sealed letter from her sleeve and handed it to An Lingrong: "He sent this to me at full speed. Take a look."
An Lingrong took the letter and opened the wax seal, revealing a thick stack of papers. She flipped through them carefully, becoming increasingly frightened. By the time she reached the last few pages, her face had flushed crimson.
"What a big borer!" She slammed the paper on the table.
Shen Meizhuang also looked solemn. "No wonder she dared to take such a risk and use such a self-torture tactic to win the emperor's pity. If these evidences were presented to the emperor, not only her father himself, but also her entire family would be in danger. The emperor hates corrupt officials the most. Hasn't he dealt with enough of them over the years?"
As the two were talking, a eunuch came in and announced, "Your Majesty, Concubine Shun requests an audience."
An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang exchanged a glance before handing the letter to Caiyue. She straightened her sleeves and said calmly, "Let her in."
A moment later, Mu Jingqiu walked into the hall gracefully and bowed politely: "I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine and to Sister Wen."
Shen Meizhuang sat still, only nodding slightly: "Sister Shunfei, there is no need to be so polite."
Although An Lingrong had been demoted to a concubine, she didn't even move when she saw Mu Jingqiu. She just took a sip from her teacup and asked knowingly, "Sister Shunfei has just been out of confinement for a few days. Are you feeling well?"
"Thank you for your concern, sister. Everything is fine!"
"Then why did you come here today?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Jingqiu knelt on the ground and said, "I promised to give Your Majesty an explanation for what happened that day, and I have come here today to fulfill my promise."
An Lingrong put down her teacup and looked at her with interest. She remained silent for a long moment before saying, "Oh? What do you want to tell me?"
Seeing her interest, Mu Jingqiu smiled confidently, "I know that the ladies are in trouble right now. Perhaps... I can help them solve their problems."
"What do you mean?" Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but interrupt.
"I have heard about the Empress' passing." Mu Jingqiu raised her head and looked at An Lingrong with a burning gaze. "I believe the Imperial Concubine is innocent!"
"But it's no use if you believe her!"
"Your Majesty, you might as well check on Concubine Duan."
An Lingrong raised an eyebrow at this and asked with a half-smile, "What does this have to do with Concubine Duan?"
Mu Jingqiu lowered her voice and said, "It was Concubine Duan who instructed me to frame you that day. This time, I think she must have been behind the incident as well."
"Oh," An Lingrong finally sat up straight and said seriously, "Do you have any evidence?"
Mu Jingqiu looked embarrassed and shook her head: "Ever since she asked me to frame you last time and I didn't listen to her, she no longer trusts me. I don't have any evidence against her."
An Lingrong's eyes flickered with disappointment when she heard this. She had thought Mu Jingqiu could provide some useful clues, but she hadn't expected him to offer such perfunctory words.
Her armor tapped lightly against the table, and she asked calmly, "Then tell me, why did Concubine Duan frame me? I have no grudge against her!"
Mu Jingqiu raised her eyes slightly, and said in a gentle but deliberate voice, "I thought... she was jealous of the ladies being favored and valued by the Emperor..."
"Snapped!"
An Lingrong suddenly slammed the table and stood up, causing the teacup on the table to bang with a loud noise. A few drops of tea splashed out, forming a few brown flowers on the rosewood table.
She looked at Mu Jingqiu who was kneeling on the ground, with a cold light in her eyes.
Does this self-righteous woman really think she is so easy to fool?
She didn't believe that Mu Jingqiu, with his scheming and means, was unaware of what Qi Yuebin had done. Whenever she mentioned Nian Shilan's name, she would think that this person came with some sincerity.
But the current words clearly aimed to sow discord between them and Concubine Duan so as to profit from it.
Mu Jingqiu was stunned into silence by her sudden anger and raised his head in confusion.
"Shun Fei," An Lingrong's voice was as cold as ice, "Do you know who I hate the most?"
Mu Jingqiu shuddered: "Your Majesty, what I am saying... I don't understand..."
"I don't hate smart people, nor do I hate stupid people," An Lingrong slowly walked around to her.
"I only hate those... people who are so smart and treat others like fools." She looked down at the person in front of her with a cold tone, "And you happen to be that kind of person."