The Queen has arrived: An Lingrong does not want to fight in the palace after her rebirth

On the first day of November, Zhen Yuandao was promoted to the second-rank Minister of Personnel and Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.

At the same time, Zhao Zhiyuan explained in the Ministry of Justice the reason why he was reinstated after being dismissed. It turned out that he sent 50,000 taels of silver to the Yikun Palace in order to get an opportunity to meet Nian Gengyao. He spent 300,000 taels of silver in the Nian Mansion before Nian Gengyao agreed to his request. He then forcefully obtained the official position of the Minister of Works for him in front of the emperor. Afterwards, he gave an additional 50,000 taels of silver notes to Concubine Hua as a tribute.

He recorded the evidence of buying the official position in an account book which was buried in a hidden place. This time, in order to clear himself of the guilt, he confessed everything clearly.

This matter was exposed by officials from the Ministry of Justice during the court reign, and the ministers launched another fierce attack.

"I originally thought that the Nian family sold official positions and titles because Nian Gengyao was greedy, but I didn't expect that the concubine in the harem would dare to interfere in the administration of the court in order to live a luxurious life. It seems that Zhao Zhiyuan is just an exception. I don't know how many officials got their official positions through Concubine Hua's connections. These people have bad intentions and cannot fulfill their duties. I hope the emperor will investigate them strictly."

"I have heard that the Nian family sells official positions for a starting price of 100,000 taels of silver. This silver comes from the people's hard-earned money. After they gain high positions, they will only exploit the people more. In the long run, this will inevitably cause resentment among the people and affect the reputation of the court and the prestige of the royal family."

"I second the motion. The powerful officials bought titles and sold official positions for their own selfish desires, which undermined the foundation of the imperial examination system. This trend must not be allowed to continue. I request that the emperor thoroughly investigate how many people in the Nian family's group have obtained high positions and generous salaries through this behavior. These people should be severely punished to restore the discipline of the court."

"Women in the harem should abide by their duties and must not interfere in the affairs of the court. I request the emperor to severely punish Concubine Hua."

"..."

The emperor looked at the angry ministers expressionlessly and spoke in a deep voice:

"Zhao Zhiyuan's one-sided statement is not credible. Maybe he is forcing himself to get away with it?"

There was an old fox in the court who understood the emperor's intention to protect Concubine Hua. The dispute in the harem was only a matter of thought for the emperor. Their family did not need to rely on women to win the emperor's favor, so they immediately kept silent and watched the situation develop.

But the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice was a straightforward person, and he thought that the emperor just wanted more conclusive evidence, so he quickly opened his mouth and said:

"Your Majesty, back then, the eunuch Zhou Ninghai, who was in charge of the Yikun Palace, received three thousand taels of silver to help Zhao Zhiyuan get involved, and the maid Song Zhi, who was in charge of the Yikun Palace, also took the opportunity to gain benefits. Zhao Zhiyuan recorded all these expenses in the account book. Now that Zhou Ninghai is dead, we can search Song Zhi's residence to check the gold and silver she received, and the truth will naturally come out."

These words made the emperor feel powerless. He glanced at the courtiers in the court who had their own calculations. If he showed favoritism today, it would be difficult to convince the courtiers in the future. The emperor and the ministers sometimes had to restrain each other. The emperor thought about it for a while and finally issued an order to strip Hua Fei of her title and demote her to a noble lady. Song Zhi was detained in the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation, and if the evidence was conclusive, she would be punished.

When Jiang Fuhai arrogantly barged into the Yiku Palace to deliver an imperial edict, Songzhi was serving Concubine Hua lunch. The imperial edict was like a bolt from the blue, separating the two of them.

Songzhi didn't even have the time to say goodbye to Concubine Hua properly before she was dragged out of Yikun Palace.

Concubine Hua slumped on the ground without any image. Jiang Fuhai looked down at her and laughed contemptuously:

"Empress Hua, bah! I was wrong, Noble Nian, the Emperor has said that you are not a good person. You should reflect on your mistakes in Yikun Palace from now on, and don't show off in public for no reason."

Nian Shilan could no longer bear to hear Jiang Fuhai's ridicule. Songzhi had followed her since she was a child. Although she had a spoiled temper, she had long regarded Songzhi as her sister in her heart. She was only worried that Songzhi would face inhuman punishment in the Ministry of Punishment. As for whether Songzhi would confess something that was unfavorable to her, she was not afraid at all. Her family was broken up, and her closest relatives were separated from her by the Yin and Yang. Now she could not even protect Songzhi. Instead of suffering like this, it would be better to give her a quick death. She would just bear with it whether she was killed or cut.

But before she died, she had to give Zhen Huan a big gift to avenge her brother.

Jiang Fuhai looked at the dazed Nian Shilan and wanted to make a few more sarcastic remarks to vent the Queen's anger, but he saw Xiao Xia Zi looking at him with a faint smile. He was still afraid of his master in his heart, so he glared at him unwillingly and left.

After Jiang Fuhai left, Xiao Xia Zi winked at the stunned Lingzhi, indicating that she should help Concubine Hua up.

The two men helped Noble Nian up, one on each side. Lingzhi was usually silent and didn't know what to say to break the heavy atmosphere in Yikun Palace.

Xiao Xiazi was also racking her brains to think of something to comfort Nian Shilan. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Nian Shilan's calm voice:

"Go and ask Concubine Cao to come over. If she doesn't want to, don't force her. I understand the principle that monkeys scatter when the tree falls."

Her voice was surprisingly calm, not like someone who had just been demoted. Xiao Xiazi couldn't help but feel a little worried. She bravely looked up at Nian Shilan, but met her half-smiley eyes:

"Why are you worried that I will commit suicide? That is the behavior of a shrew. I will live well and make those who want me dead sleepless all night, and also let you do your job well."

Xiao Xia Zi hurriedly said that she dared not, and went to Qixiang Palace to invite Concubine Cao.

The news that Zhen Huan's father was promoted for impeaching the Nian family and that Concubine Hua was demoted for accepting bribes spread throughout the harem, and everyone applauded.

At this time, Zhen Huan had just made arrangements for Concubine Qi and Concubine Li.

As soon as the two entered the palace, they heard such explosive news. Concubine Qi quickly congratulated Zhen Huan, while Concubine Li followed suit a step later.

Zhen Huan smiled and kept the two people's reactions in mind. There was still a long time in the palace, so there was no rush to see whether the two could get to know each other.

In Jingren Palace, Jianqiu smiled happily and complimented the Queen: "Your Majesty, you are truly a prophet. The events of the previous dynasty were indeed as you predicted."

The Queen smiled confidently, "I just know my opponent better. Wanpin has been in the harem for a long time but no one has stepped forward to expose Huafei, so she can only exert her power in the front court. She thinks she is being subtle, but what I can see through, the Emperor can see through too."

Jian Qiu continued, "That's why I admire you even more, Your Majesty. I heard that the Emperor wanted to protect Nian Shi in the court today, but even so, Nian Shi was still punished. This shows that Your Majesty's strategy is better."

This was also what the Queen was proud of. Although she had no confidants in the court, as long as she was the Queen, there would be loyal people to protect the interests of the palace. She only needed to gently persuade them to speak for her and achieve her goal. Thinking of this, the Queen couldn't help but smile:

"Although the emperor wants to protect Nian Shilan, he can't resist the calculations of people. A little Xiazi can't protect Nian. You have followed me all these years and have seen with your own eyes how the emperor treats Nian. From now on, there are some things that I can't do. I will wait for the right time to lead people over."

Jianqiu knew who the queen was talking about, and nodded in agreement with a smile.

On that day, Concubine Cao stayed in the inner room of Yiku Palace for a long time. This time, even Xiao Xia Zi could not hear what she said to Concubine Nian.

That night, the emperor summoned Concubine Qi to sleep with him.