0p0 Chapter 304 The Bitter Meat Scheme
Chapter 304 The Bitter Meat Scheme
After Shen Meizhuang and Feng Ruozhao finished handling palace affairs, they walked towards Yongshou Palace while talking. As soon as they turned a corner, they saw Yongzheng in casual clothes.
The two of them walked quickly to the front and saluted: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"
"Get up!" Yongzheng's lips curled up into a faint smile, his eyes revealing a barely perceptible joy. "It seems you are also going to Yongshou Palace!"
Shen Meizhuang replied, "Yes, I and Sister Jingfei went to visit Huan'er."
Yongzheng glanced behind them and said, "Why don't I see Rong'er? Aren't you two inseparable?"
"Rong'er took Wanwan to Yongshou Palace early this morning, saying that she wanted Wanwan and Huan'er to bond more."
"Rong'er is the most thoughtful!" Yongzheng's face was full of praise. "Her canonization ceremony will be held in a few days. When she was canonized as a concubine, there were some matters in the palace, so the ceremony was not properly organized. This time, you must treat her with respect."
"I obey your command!" Shen Meizhuang responded and said, "Speaking of the enthronement ceremony, I remember something!"
"you say!"
"Now that Rong'er has been promoted to the rank of consort, according to the rules, her mother's title should also be elevated accordingly. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
"If you hadn't reminded me, I would have forgotten. I will issue an edict on the day of her canonization ceremony."
Shen Meizhuang's face immediately showed a touch of joy and gratitude, and she bowed again: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Seeing Shen Meizhuang like this, Yongzheng couldn't help but laugh and jokingly said, "Why are you the one thanking me? Shouldn't Rong'er be thanking me?"
Feng Ruozhao said cleverly, "Your Majesty, Concubine Hui and Sister Wen are like sisters. It doesn't matter who thanks you. How about adding me as well? I also thank Your Majesty. Later, Concubine Xi will also thank Your Majesty on behalf of Sister Wen. Anyway, Your Majesty will not suffer any loss!"
Yongzheng laughed heartily at Feng Ruozhao's clever words. "Haha, it's worth it to have the four of you thank me for my imperial decree!"
"Your Majesty, please!"
The three of them entered Yongshou Palace together.
When I entered the main hall, I found an unusually cold and depressing atmosphere.
Zhen Huan, who was sitting on the couch, quickly stood up and tried to bow, and Huanbi beside her immediately stepped forward to support her.
Yongzheng said, "No need to be so polite!"
As he said this, he sat down on the couch.
Zhen Huan walked towards Shen Meiyu and Feng Ruozhao with a smile on her face, and An Lingrong, who was standing beside her, hurried to support her.
"Sister Mei, Sister Jingfei, you're here, please sit down! Jinxi, serve the tea quickly, Huanbi, go get some snacks!"
However, Shen Meizhuang's eyes keenly caught An Lingrong's gloomy expression. She frowned slightly and asked softly, "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, nothing. I'm glad you're here. Come and sit down." Zhen Huan seemed to be deliberately avoiding the question. As she spoke, she looked at Feng Ruozhao, "Sister Jingfei, Princess Xinyue is very cute. I like her very much. You must bring her here more often in the future!"
"Okay!" Feng Ruozhao replied with a smile.
Only then did Zhen Huan turn around and sit back on the couch.
An Lingrong followed her closely and supported her. She waited until she sat down before letting go of her hand and sitting next to Shen Meiyu.
Yongzheng asked curiously, "What's going on? I see that you seem to have difficulty walking. Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine! Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Zhen Huan said as she took the tea brought by Jin Xi and handed it to Yongzheng personally.
Yongzheng took the teacup, took a sip, and then put it down and said slowly, "I heard that you went to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager. Did the Empress Dowager give you any trouble?"
Zhen Huan bowed her head slightly, her expression respectful. "The Queen Mother is so kind and has instructed me to serve the Emperor and the Empress with all my heart and soul. I will definitely follow her instructions."
Yongzheng nodded: "That's good!"
Huanbi, standing by, couldn't help herself and took a step forward to speak: "Your Majesty..."
But she had just uttered two words when Zhen Huan interrupted her sharply: "Huanbi, go to the kitchen and see if dinner is ready. The Emperor must be hungry after a busy day."
Huanbi had no choice but to bow and leave.
Seeing their actions, Yongzheng frowned, his eyes wandering over Zhen Huan: "What's going on? I smell the scent of medicinal oil in your palace, but where are you injured?"
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I'm fine!"
An Lingrong hummed softly, and her subtle nasal sound seemed to conceal some unspeakable emotions. Seeing Yongzheng's lightning-like gaze shooting at her, she was startled and quickly lowered her head, avoiding his gaze, not daring to look at Yongzheng.
Yongzheng's face was stern as he began to call out orders: "Rong'er, you speak!"
An Lingrong trembled slightly, her lips parted slightly, and after much hesitation, she finally uttered only a few words: "Since Sister Zhen says it's okay, then it's okay!"
This is more like a temper tantrum.
Yongzheng's doubts grew even stronger: "Just tell me what I tell you to say. This is an imperial decree!"
An Lingrong stood up suddenly and came to Zhen Huan's side. She raised her delicate hands and slowly lifted the hem of Zhen Huan's dress, then gently pulled up her trouser legs, revealing Zhen Huan's knees.
When Yongzheng saw this scene, his face suddenly changed and he became furious: "What is going on?"
At the same time, Shen Meizhuang and Feng Ruozhao also stood up and looked over here.
On Zhen Huan's knees, deep purple bruises dug deeply into the skin, surrounded by circles of dark blue, revealing subtle pain. Tiny scrapes, dotted among the bruises, faintly oozing blood, looked particularly hideous on her fair legs.
When Shen Meizhuang saw her injuries, her eyes reddened and she almost cried: "Huan'er, does it hurt?"
"Sister Mei, I'm not hurt." Zhen Huan grabbed Shen Meizhuang's hand, comforted her with a smile, and blinked mischievously.
Unfortunately, Shen Meizhuang's eyes were fixed on Zhen Huan's knees and she didn't receive her signal.
Yongzheng stared at Zhen Huan's bruised knees with a sharp gaze and asked coldly, "Huan Huan, tell me the truth. Who did this?"
Zhen Huan looked embarrassed, hesitant to speak, just biting her lower lip lightly, tears glistening in her eyes.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Yongzheng looked at An Lingrong again.
"I don't know. Sister Zhen was fine before she went to pay her respects to the Queen Mother, but she became like this when she came back!"
She seemed to have said nothing, but also seemed to have said everything!
Yongzheng understood instantly and looked directly at Zhen Huan and asked, "Did the Queen Mother punish you by making you kneel?"
"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother misunderstood me and believed I was trying to deceive you. I had no choice but to refute her. It was not disrespectful to her."
"I'll go ask the Empress Dowager." Yongzheng's expression was stern, and his words were filled with unquestionable majesty. He stood up as he spoke.
"Your Majesty!" Zhen Huan was anxious and hurried to stand up to stop him. However, the pain in her knee was like a sharp arrow piercing her body, causing her to stumble and almost fall. Fortunately, An Lingrong was quick-witted and quickly reached out to support her.
When Yongzheng heard the noise behind him, he turned around abruptly, his heart tightened, and he hurried back to Zhen Huan.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager taught me reasonable and legal ways. If you hold me accountable, firstly, I will be accused of being arrogant due to my favor. Secondly, how can I face the Empress Dowager in the future?" Zhen Huan tightly grasped Yongzheng's sleeve, her face full of pleading.
(The weather and human affairs are urging each other, the winter solstice brings spring. The winter solstice has arrived, I wish you good health, and book friends, don’t forget to eat dumplings~)