0p0 Chapter 275 Entering the game
Chapter 275 Entering the game
After Yongzheng left, the queen, who had been silent all this time, also showed a puzzled expression in her eyes.
Isn’t the emperor making a big deal out of nothing?
However, it was a good thing for her that Concubine Hui was punished and her power in the palace was restored. She quickly put on a kind face and looked at Shen Meizhuang, saying earnestly, "Concubine Hui, you are still young and you must learn from this lesson. But don't worry, when the emperor's anger subsides, I will plead with him on your behalf!"
But although these words seemed to be concerned, they were actually a bit hypocritical.
How could Shen Meizhuang not understand the meaning behind this? She just responded coldly: "Thank you, Queen!"
Here, several young eunuchs were already waiting for Shen Meizhuang.
Shen Meizhuang stood up, helped An Lingrong and Feng Ruozhao up, and shook their hands vigorously. When their eyes met, it seemed as if there were thousands of words to say, but nothing came out.
An Lingrong understood what she meant, and when Shen Meiyu turned around, she quickly caught up with her and silently followed her all the way back to Yonghe Palace.
After Shen Meizhuang entered, the gate of Yonghe Palace slowly closed. Seeing her figure getting thinner and thinner, An Lingrong shouted, "Sister, don't worry!"
As she spoke, the door closed tightly, isolating the two of them.
Listening to An Lingrong's words, Shen Meizhuang's nose felt slightly sore as she fought back tears of grievance. Then came a wave of uncontrollable anger. She had worked diligently and without slacking off since taking over the harem. The fire in Shufangzhai was merely an accident. Why had the Emperor so easily convicted her, stripped her of her authority as assistant to the Six Palaces, and imprisoned her here? Was there not even a shred of understanding and fairness in this palace?
Then, a wave of sadness welled up in her. She had thought she had secured her position, but now she realized that everything was but a bubble beneath the imperial power. Her efforts, her dedication, seemed as light as a feather, insignificant in the face of the emperor's wrath.
On the other side, An Lingrong returned to the Yanx Palace.
Fortunately, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department was Zhao Yingjiu. After receiving the news, he quickly decorated the main hall of the Yanx Palace, and the fire basket was already burning fiercely!
She sighed softly, and with Su Ye's support, she walked to the couch and sat down, looking at the jumping flames in front of her with somewhat empty eyes.
While she was pondering, Xiao Luzi entered the palace and reported: "Your Majesty, Concubine Jing is here!"
An Lingrong stood up.
In a flash, Feng Ruozhao walked in. Her eyebrows were knitted tightly together, and her face was full of anxiety. Without even a word of greeting, she asked directly, "Sister, what should we do now?"
An Lingrong shook her head slightly, a hint of confusion on her face: "I'm a little confused for the moment."
Feng Ruozhao's eyes flickered, as if he had thought of something, and whispered, "Could it be related to the Queen?"
An Lingrong hesitated for a moment, then denied it, "Not really." She continued tapping her temples with her fingers. "When the Emperor dealt with my sister, I noticed the Empress's expression. She was also surprised. That expression didn't seem fake!"
"I am also responsible for this matter. The fireworks were prepared by Concubine Hui and I. I am going to the emperor to plead for mercy and see if I can help her share some of the responsibility." Feng Ruozhao sighed and blamed himself.
"Sister Jingfei, this is not right. The emperor has always believed in celestial phenomena. I have already said that, so he shouldn't be angry even if he is just pretending!"
After saying this, An Lingrong continued, "Even if he was really angry about the fire, the Imperial Household Department and the Construction Department should be held accountable. But they're both fine. Even Zhao Yingjiu, who has the closest relationship with us, is still sitting in his position as the head of the Imperial Household Department. Yet, they chose to punish my sister so severely."
Not only did he punish Shen Meizhuang, but he also sent her back to the Yanx Palace. She would not think that the emperor was kind-hearted and did not want to involve her.
Feng Ruozhao's heart trembled, and he blurted out: "Could it be that the emperor has other purposes?"
"Anyway, I'm going to the Yangxin Palace now to see what the emperor means!"
Feng Ruozhao heard this and stood up as well, saying with a firm look, "I'll go with you."
"Sister Jingfei, you can't go. It's best not to involve you in this matter!"
"Sister, I'm not someone who's afraid of trouble. Ever since I became pregnant, I've been in the same boat with you!"
"Sister, that's not what I meant. This matter is full of strangeness. Whether the person behind it is the emperor or not, I'm afraid he has other tricks up his sleeve. Even if I'm caught, you can still take care of me outside."
Feng Ruozhao was a little anxious: "But, sister..."
"I still have Longyue, and I feel most at ease only when I leave her to you."
After saying this, An Lingrong ordered, "Su Ye, go and bring Long Yue here!"
Su Ye took the order and left.
An Lingrong stepped forward and grabbed Feng Ruozhao's hand. "Sister, please take Longyue back and look after her for a few days. No matter what happens, you must stay out of it. As long as you take good care of Longyue, it will be the greatest help to me."
Feng Ruozhao gently patted An Lingrong's hand, his eyes filled with worry, but he also replied, "Don't worry, I will take good care of Longyue, but you..."
An Lingrong quickly smiled and pretended to be relaxed, saying, "It's okay, sister. Maybe I'm overthinking it. The emperor is just angry for a moment. Maybe nothing will happen."
Soon, Su Ye brought Longyue over. An Lingrong quickly reached out to take her. Looking at Longyue's rosy little face, which looked like a ripe apple in spring, full of cuteness and charm, she said gently, "Wanwan, mother has some things to take care of right now. Would you like to go play with your sister for a few days?"
Longyue blinked her big watery eyes and responded softly, "Sure, I love playing with my sister. But you have to pick me up early, mother!"
An Lingrong smiled and patted Longyue's head, softly promising, "Don't worry, Mother will come pick you up as soon as she's done with her work. You must be a good girl and listen to what Mother Jing says."
"Okay!" Upon hearing this, Longyue immediately revealed a smile as bright as the sun, then moved forward and gave An Lingrong a sweet kiss on the cheek.
"Wanwan is awesome."
After Feng Ruozhao took Longyue away, An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief, "Su Ye, let's go to the Yangxin Palace."
When the master and servant arrived, Su Peisheng invited her in without informing anyone.
At this time, An Lingrong realized that something was wrong. She had not been to the Yangxin Palace many times, and each time she had to report before entering. Being able to enter directly was a privilege only for the favored concubine. But she knew her limitations!
Why did she feel that Yongzheng was waiting for her!