pdf-ebookys Chapter 143 Xiao Zhouzi is back
Chapter 143 Xiao Zhouzi is back
Concubine Liang smiled and said, "That's good. I have something else to do in the palace, so I'll go back first."
Shen Zhinianfu said, "Go slowly, Madam."
In a blink of an eye, most of the palace concubines had left.
After all, it was freezing cold, and if it wasn't for seeing His Majesty, who would be willing to come here and get involved in a murder case? His Majesty had left, so there was naturally no need for them to stay.
Concubine Kang and Concubine Sun surrounded Shen Zhinian on the left and right.
"Luckily, Sister Rou has been cleared of suspicion. Otherwise, how could I feel comfortable if someone falsely spread my words to frame Sister Rou..."
Concubine Kang held Shen Zhinian's hand, with a hint of guilt in her eyes.
Shen Zhinian patted the back of her hand and said, "It's the person behind the scenes who has evil intentions. What does it have to do with Sister Kang?"
Sun Changzai said in fear: "In broad daylight, someone dared to kill the concubines in the harem and set up such a vicious trap. If it weren't for your majesty's trust in Sister Rou, I can't even imagine the consequences..."
"We won't be able to rest in peace until the murderer is found..."
After seeing His Majesty's favor towards Concubine Rou, Su Ye's attitude became even more respectful: "Please rest assured, the three young ladies, the Ministry of Punishment will do its best to investigate this matter!"
The Ministry of Punishment was under the Imperial Household Department and was responsible for trials and punishments in the imperial palace.
Although Shen Zhinian was specially granted by the emperor to learn to assist in the management of the six palaces, she was only in charge of the cold palace. In order to avoid being criticized, she naturally could not interfere with the investigation of the Ministry of Punishment.
"Thank you, Eunuch Su. If you find any clues, please send someone to inform me in time."
Su Ye said respectfully: "Of course."
He couldn't help but sigh in his heart that Chen Da Ying was unfortunate, but also lucky.
Power struggles have always been ruthless. There are countless unjust, false and wrong cases in the palace, not to mention the people who died unjustly.
The death of an unpopular concubine would not cause much stir. No one would go to the trouble of clearing her name. The case would be hastily closed in a few days.
However, this matter involves His Majesty's favorite Concubine Rou, and everyone in the Ministry of Punishment will be fully prepared to investigate!
Chen promised that if his spirit was in heaven, he could rest in peace.
After bidding farewell to Concubine Kang, Shen Zhinian and Sun Chang walked towards Zhongcui Palace together.
Sun Changzai had been forgotten by the emperor, but because she lived in the same palace with Shen Zhinian in the past few months, she had seen the emperor more often than before. In addition, Shen Zhinian taught her a piece of music, and the emperor favored her several times, and she was able to gain a firm foothold in the harem.
But Sun Changzai understood that all the favors she received were because of Sister Rou. If anything happened to Sister Rou, she would fall to the bottom again.
The murderer has not been found yet, and Sun Changzai is more anxious than Shen Zhinian!
But she had a low position and no manpower in the palace, so she could only comfort Shen Zhinian with a few words in a gentle voice. After returning, she immediately ordered the palace servants who served her to help find the little eunuch.
Tingyu Pavilion.
Seeing Shen Zhinian coming back, Madam Xiao and Yuanbao came over quickly. One of them put the freshly filled soup bottle into her hand, and the other brought ginger soup over.
"It's so cold outside, my lady, drink some ginger soup to warm yourself up, or you'll catch a cold."
Shen Zhinian has always taken good care of her body and is not pretentious. She took the ginger soup and drank the whole bowl.
Handing the empty bowl to Handan, she asked, "Is Xiao Zhouzi not back yet?"
They had heard what happened outside and said respectfully, "My lord, not yet."
"It was my fault that I failed to serve you well and didn't notice the abnormality of that young eunuch, causing you to be almost framed. Please punish me!"
Seeing Nanny Xiao and Yuanbao kneeling down to apologize, the rest of the palace maids also knelt down.
"Although you are the elders in the palace, it is impossible for you to know every young eunuch. Besides, there are so many things to do in Tingyu Pavilion that even gods cannot be able to take care of everything. This matter is my own carelessness. What does it have to do with you? Get up."
They had served in the harem for a long time and had seen many masters who would get angry at the palace maids when they were unhappy. It was rare for someone like the young lady to treat the palace maids as human beings.
Everyone thanked him and said, "Thank you, my Lord!"
Handan sat down and massaged Shen Zhinian's legs. She asked angrily, "My dear, who do you think did this?!"
If anyone dares to plot against the young lady, they will never let that person go!
Shen Zhinian's slender white hand was pressed against the hot water bottle to absorb its warmth, but her eyes were cold.
"I am favored by His Majesty, and the harem hates me. There are countless people who want to trample me into the mud. But the one who wants me dead the most... is Liu Ruyan!"
"I heard that His Majesty lifted her confinement today, and this happened just then. It's not too much of a coincidence!"
Handan hesitated and said, "Noble Lady Liu has long been disliked by His Majesty. If she hadn't been pregnant with the royal heir, she might have been banished to the cold palace. At this time, shouldn't she keep a low profile and give birth to the child before planning for the future? How could she be so stupid as to cause such a big commotion right after being released?"
Shen Zhinian's eyes flashed with contemplation: "Logically speaking, it is indeed what you said. But Chen Da Ying died suddenly, there may be some hidden reasons that we don't know."
"Xiao Mingzi, go find out where Liu Ruyan went today, who she met, and what she did."
Xiao Mingzi replied "yes" and immediately went out in the severe cold.
Shen Zhinian's eyes fell on Madam Xiao and Yuan Bao: "Liu Ruyan is nothing to be afraid of. If her cousin was not the concubine of the previous emperor and had not left many hidden chess pieces for her in the harem, she would not have been able to stir up trouble so many times!"
"Whether this matter is related to Liu Ruyan or not, in order to avoid future worries, you should compile a list of palace maids who served Liu Taipin in the past or had any connection with her."
The two of them are veterans in the palace, and their connections in the harem are incomparable to Handan and Fuqiu, so they are the perfect people to do this.
"Yes!"
Madam Xiao said respectfully: "My lady is very thoughtful and far-sighted. Even if Concubine Liu has a backup plan left by the Liu family, she will not be your opponent!"
Shen Zhinian chuckled.
In her previous life, Liu Ruyan relied on her outstanding looks, gentle temperament, deep scheming, and the hidden chess pieces left by Concubine Liu to ascend to the position of the first of the Four Concubines step by step!
In this life, if she had not exposed Liu Ruyan's true face in the repeated confrontations, she would probably still be the emperor's favorite concubine.
Although Shen Zhinian's goal was to be the queen, she would eliminate all those who stood in her way! But it was indeed Liu Ruyan who felt threatened and attacked her first.
In that case, why should she be polite!
If Liu Ruyan wants to blame someone, she should blame her bad luck. Having met her in this life, she is destined to never become the virtuous concubine praised by everyone!
Qiuyue ran in quickly from outside and said happily: "My lady, little Zhouzi is back!"