Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 973 Let the Ministry of Internal Affairs select a few more clever ones for you

In the past, before Shen Zhinian had even finished her ceremony, Nangong Xuanyu would step forward and personally help her up.

However, today, Nangong Xuanyu did not make any move, and there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes when he looked at Shen Zhinian.

Only after she finished her greeting did he say calmly, "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Shen Zhinian didn't seem to notice this detail, and he looked a little absent-minded.

When Nangong Xuanyu's gaze fell on her, his deep eyes narrowed slightly.

They were very close, so he could naturally tell at a glance that the woman was distracted today.

Every time he came to Zhongcui Palace, she would dress up in different ways, either charming and attractive, or as beautiful as a lotus emerging from water.

But today, she was not wearing any makeup and looked as if she was worried.

Is it because of Xiyan’s matter?

Is this woman feeling guilty after all?

Somehow, Nangong Xuanyu's mood actually improved a lot at this moment.

It turned out that she was still worried that he would find out about this.

Does this mean that Nian Nian actually cares about him very much?

Nangong Xuanyu walked calmly in front of Shen Zhinian and took her into the inner room.

Bingqiao brought over some tea and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please have some tea."

Nangong Xuanyu didn't pay attention to her, but just looked at Shen Zhinian with a deep gaze.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries before Nangong Xuanyu calmly asked, "...I heard from Yun'er that there is a maid in your palace who used to serve in Yongshou Palace. Yun'er and she have a good relationship. I think her name is 'Xiyan'."

"Why didn't I see her tonight?"

Shen Zhinian's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and some tea spilled out and dripped onto her hand, but she was completely unaware.

Fortunately, the tea was warm and not scalding.

Nangong Xuanyu naturally noticed this detail and couldn't help but feel that Nian Nian was indeed abnormal tonight.

Fuqiu bit her lip, and seemed to muster up great courage, and stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, please stop mentioning Xiyan. The Queen is very sad because of this matter..."

"Oh?"

Nangong Xuanyu asked inquiringly, "Why are you upset because of a palace maid?"

Shen Zhinian shook his head and smiled reluctantly: "Nothing..."

"Your Majesty has been dealing with government affairs for a whole day. You must be tired. How about I play a few rounds of chess with you?"

The two of them have been together for so long, how could Nangong Xuanyu not see that she was absent-minded at the moment.

Seeing that Shen Zhinian was unwilling to speak, Nangong Xuanyu looked at Fuqiu: "Tell me, what's going on?"

Fuqiu glanced at Shen Zhinian subconsciously, seeming a little hesitant.

Nangong Xuanyu frowned and said, "I asked you a question, why are you hesitating?"

Fuqiu was so scared that she knelt on the ground and lowered her head and said, "Yes..."

"Yesterday, Concubine Zhuang suddenly came to Zhongcui Palace to question the eldest princess, asking why she met Xiyan while she was playing in the imperial garden and ended up going back crying. Did Xiyan disrespect the eldest princess?"

"After hearing about this, the Empress took this matter very seriously and promised Empress Zhuang that if Xi Yan really committed an act of disobedience and offended the Grand Princess, she would be severely punished!"

"Finally, we found out... Xi Yan really didn't have the guts to offend the eldest princess. It was the eldest princess who said she wanted to be friends with Xi Yan, but Xi Yan knew she was of low status and was very scared, so she asked the eldest princess not to embarrass her."

"The eldest princess was probably sad about this and ran back to Changchun Palace crying."

"Her Majesty Zhuang feels that regardless of whether Xiyan was disrespectful to the eldest princess in public, it is an indisputable fact that the eldest princess cried because of her. She strongly demands that Her Majesty punish Xiyan!"

"Although the queen thinks that this matter is not Xiyan's fault, the eldest princess is of noble status. She was sad because of a palace maid and asked the queen Zhuang to come to Zhongcui Palace to inquire about this matter..."

"In order to vent the anger of the eldest princess and to give an explanation to Concubine Zhuang, so as to prevent rumors from spreading in the harem and causing people to look down on the eldest princess, the queen ordered Xi Yan to be fined twenty feet."

"Who would have thought, who would have thought that Xiyan was so young and weak that she couldn't bear it and passed away just like that..."

At this point, Handan and Fuqiu both wiped their tears.

"Your Majesty, you also know that the Queen has always been lenient to me and rarely punishes anyone in Zhongcui Palace, let alone beats anyone to death..."

"Xiyan's death has made Her Majesty feel very guilty and sad. We, the servants, all hope that Her Majesty can be happier and stop worrying about this matter..."

Hearing this, Nangong Xuanyu frowned.

If Shen Zhinian wanted to beat Xiyan to death, he would definitely think that she was suspected of murder to silence her.

After all, similar things are not uncommon in the palace.

When Nangong Xuanyu first learned about this, he did have some doubts in his heart, but soon, he figured out the twists and turns.

First, Nangong Xuanyu thought he knew Shen Zhinian very well.

Although this woman is not as kind as she appeared at the beginning, she has principles and bottom line and will not kill innocent people indiscriminately.

This can be seen from the fact that everyone in the palace says that Concubine Chen is kind to her subordinates.

Secondly, if Nian Nian really conspired with Xi Yan to plot against Liu, then after the plot was accomplished, in order to prevent the news from leaking out, she should have killed Xi Yan. Why would she keep her alive until now and let her serve by her side?

What's more... Nian Nian felt that Xi Yan was not at fault in this matter, and it was Concubine Zhuang who insisted on punishing Xi Yan. In order to avoid any disturbance in the harem, Nian Nian issued the order.

Putting all the things together...it seems more like Concubine Zhuang had known about Xiyan's background for a long time, so she deliberately went to Zhongcui Palace to stir up trouble, and in the name of Yun'er, let Nian Nian execute Xiyan.

In this way, there will be no evidence, and no matter what she wants to frame Nian Nian with, Nian Nian will have no way to defend herself.

Maybe it was Concubine Zhuang who instigated Yun'er to go to the Yangxin Palace and tell him about Xiyan's life experience.

Thinking of this, a cold light flashed in Nangong Xuanyu's eyes!

If it were in the past, with the emperor's trust in Concubine Zhuang, he would definitely not have believed Shen Zhinian so easily.

However, the things Shen Zhinian had done since entering the palace gradually exposed Concubine Zhuang's true colors. Her image in Nangong Xuanyu's heart had already plummeted.

When Concubine Zhuang and Shen Zhinian stood on opposite sides, the emperor's trust would naturally be more inclined towards the latter.

Nangong Xuanyu's eyes softened when he looked at Shen Zhinian. He squeezed her hand and said gently, "She's just a palace maid. Why should Nian Nian feel sad because of her? If you like, I'll ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to pick a few more clever ones for you."

Shen Zhinian sighed, as if she was talking to Nangong Xuanyu, or as if she was expressing her own thoughts: "When Lady Liu was still alive, she was so arrogant and domineering! Every time I see her taking human lives lightly, I feel sad in my heart."

"Although palace maids and their masters are born with a world of difference, they should be punished or even executed for their mistakes, but they should not kill people without any reason."