Emperor Que Shaohua

The laurel outside the Lanting Palace was in full bloom, and the air was filled with sweet cinnamon fragrance. Two servants stood outside the palace gate in fear, and when they saw the emperor's chariot, they immediately knelt down.Emperor Tianyi walked in with a sullen face, King Jing got off the chariot behind him, but did not follow immediately.He looked at the cobblestone-patterned stone path in front of the palace gate, and asked the two of them, "Where did the accident happen to Empress Li?"

The two servants glanced at each other, and one of them pointed to him fearfully: "Go back to Your Highness, that's right there."

About ten feet away from the stone steps in front of the palace gate, there happened to be a pattern of plum blossoms on the ground. King Jing bent down, and a faint orchid-like fragrance came from his nose. He couldn't help frowning the viburnum dew produced in Persia, and then touched the pistil with the plum blossom pattern with his index finger, and he really felt a bit slippery.

Lanting Palace is a bit chaotic at the moment, Concubine Li fell very badly, the imperial doctor has already checked her pulse, but she just shook her head and said: "Your Majesty's body is still in good health, she has recuperated for half a year, and it will be a matter of time before she spreads the good news."

Concubine Li has been very happy since she became pregnant, and the harem is lonely. All she has to do every day is to dress up carefully and wait for the illusory grace of the king. No matter whether she can give birth to a prince, this child will be her sustenance and support.After the imperial physician diagnosed the happy pulse, the emperor was delighted, and Concubine Han was even more caring, rewarding her with a steady stream of supplements. It seemed that when the baby fell to the ground, she would be able to get a concubine no matter what.The imperial doctor came to ask for Ping An's pulse the next day, and told her to take regular walks, which were good for the fetus and herself.

Concubine Li is very cautious these days, except to go to Yunxiu Palace to greet Concubine Han Gui, or occasionally to Lanting Palace to sit with Concubine Rong, she hardly leaves the Yongxu Palace where she lives, unexpectedly, all hopes and expectations are gone like this.She couldn't help crying bitterly, and no one could persuade her.

When Emperor Tianyi entered, Concubine Han Guifei was inquiring about the imperial physician, Concubine Rong was consoling Concubine Li, there were several concubines in Lanting Palace, some were talking to Concubine Rong here, and some came to express their concern after hearing the news .

Seeing the arrival of Shengjia, everyone rushed to meet him.Concubine Han looked sad. When she saw the emperor, her tears seemed to be unbearable. She rolled down and choked up and said, "Your Majesty, it's all the concubine's fault. I couldn't take care of Concubine Li's pregnancy, which caused her to be injured in an accident." After becoming the heir of the dragon, the concubine only wished that she could take the place of her body and take the fall for her. I beg the emperor to punish me."

Her beautiful eyes were full of sadness, and tears were shining, but she could see the sincerity of her feelings. When Emperor Tianyi heard it, he knew that the fetus in Concubine Li's womb could not be saved, and he felt empty for a moment. He helped Concubine Han and said: "There are many thoughts in the harem. I do my best to manage it every day, and I don’t blame you for this matter.”

Concubine Han Guifei stood up, she was still wiping her tears with her head down, her demeanor was pitiful, but her demeanor was still very dignified, she said: "Recently, my concubine is thinking about Concubine Li's first pregnancy, her fetal breathing is not stable, so I don't need daily greetings, Let her rest in peace, why did this kind of thing happen again?"

Concubine Rong saw Concubine Han Guifei's superb acting skills, and every sentence meant something. She secretly scolded her in her 40s and still acted so well. In order to see the courtiers and concubines, I will stumble and fall."

Concubine Rong has one son and one daughter. She thinks that when Concubine Li gives birth to a child, the five-year-old little prince will have a younger brother or sister who is similar in age, and she will not be so lonely anymore. Give her some experience from people who have been there, Emperor Yi knows these days.

Concubine Li's cry came from the side, and I heard the grief in my ears. In the past 20 years, for some reason, how many times has he heard the same cry in the harem? Emperor Tianyi sighed, and went to comfort him After saying a few words to Concubine Li, she asked, "Walk well, how did you fall down?"

Concubine Li cried disheveledly, sobbed and pleaded guilty, and said: "I don't understand, my feet suddenly slipped while walking, there seems to be something on the road..." She knew that she must have been plotted, but in front of everyone He didn't dare to say much, and only begged the emperor to make decisions with mournful eyes.

Concubine Han suppressed her tears and said, "Your Majesty, my concubine has watched carefully the place where I fell." She paused for a while, looking at Concubine Rong just right, "the ground is spilled." Qionghualu is very slippery."

Emperor Tianyi's face was as heavy as water, Qionghua dew was a high-grade cosmetic, and Concubine Rong loved it very much. She once laughed and said that osmanthus oil was too sweet and greasy, and she loved the elegant fragrance even more.How could the dew on the side of the dressing table be spilled for no reason on the stone path where people often come and go?He said angrily: "What did the servant in front of the palace gate do? Did no one see who did it?" His tone had turned cold.

The two servants outside the palace who were guarding the gate had already been called in and knelt down, they were so frightened that they didn't dare answer a word.

"I asked just now, and everyone in Sister Rong's palace said they didn't see it." Concubine Han said softly, and then glanced at Concubine Rong. Well, no matter if you want to, you need to find out the truth, otherwise the harem will be restless, and the concubines will explain to His Majesty what they are. Qionghua dew is distributed to every palace, so it is better to send someone to count, or you can find out the clues. Sister Rong The Orchid Pavilion Palace is the closest to the place where the accident happened, and it is also an example for the harem, so I think there will be no objection."

Concubine Rong was trembling with anger, Qionghua dew was scarce, because she preferred to use it, the other concubines didn't want to use it the same way, so they used it less, as time went on, the Ministry of Internal Affairs distributed far more to Lanting Palace every quarter than other places, Most people know about it.If Concubine Han is staring at her for investigation, she makes insinuations in every sentence, which makes it impossible to refute. In addition, Concubine Li had an accident outside the gate of her palace, so it is a scapegoat.

Luo Xuening was standing beside her mother and concubine, her face was also pale with anger, she took a step forward and said: "What's the use of Cha Qiong flower dew? No one in the palace knows that my mother and concubine often use it. It's not a rare treasure. Whoever spends some time and money will still not get it? For example, if the imperial concubine wants it, someone will definitely give it to him."

Emperor Tianyi always valued rules, and said in a deep voice, "Xue Ning, don't talk nonsense."

Concubine Han did not argue with her, but just sighed: "The quantity of Qionghua dew provided by Persia is limited, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has all records, and there is only a small bottle at the concubine's place each time. The stone path seeped a full piece, and the dosage There are quite a few, and some traces can always be traced, and sisters who have not been used can also prove their innocence. The ministers and concubines are stupid, and only think of this bad plan, and I hope the emperor will learn from them."

Emperor Tianyi was silent, and Concubine Yi said from the side: "The imperial concubine is kind-hearted, and she doesn't want to be suspicious of the sisters in the palace, so she just wants to count Qionghualu. According to my concubine, this matter is too coincidental. Find out who in the palace knows that Concubine Li will go to Lanting Palace in the afternoon, and compare it with Qionghualu, maybe you can find out the person who designed it to harm you."

Emperor Tianyi frowned, Concubine Yi's words sounded somewhat reasonable, unless Concubine Li did it on a whim, other people might not know about her coming to Lanting Palace, but Concubine Rong should have known in advance.Thinking of this, he also became somewhat suspicious of Concubine Rong who had always been his favorite.

Concubine Rong knew his temper, and seeing the change in the emperor's gaze towards her, she knew that she had been cast under suspicion, and she was worried and angry at the same time. Clutching and pointing at her.

King Jing could see clearly from the side, there is no need to add three words to him, if Concubine Rong can't find proof, even if she won't be recognized as the main envoy, as long as she loses the emperor's heart, it will be difficult for her to move forward in the harem in the future.

At this moment, a small figure ran out. It was the five-year-old little prince Luo Yunxiu. He wore a small gold crown on his head, a five-bat holding longevity lock around his neck, and a small embroidered robe. With brand new tiger-toe shoes on her feet, she ran towards Emperor Tianyi with her fat legs.

"Why did the wet nurse let Yueyue run out?" Although Concubine Rong was in a serious situation, Aiko was eager, and when she saw this, she hurriedly made a noise, wanting to send him back to the inner room as soon as possible.

Yueyue's black grape-like eyes looked around, hesitating, he wanted to hug Emperor Tianyi's leg, but the father seemed in a bad mood and didn't seem to care about him, and the mother and concubine were the same, with a small head Turning around, he ran to King Jing who was standing in the corner: "Brother Huang, Yueyue wants to hug."

King Jing was thinking about the ins and outs of the matter, when he saw the little emperor rushing towards him, he bent down and picked him up: "Why is Yueyue dressed so beautifully today?"

Everyone in the room looked over, Luo Yunxiu hugged King Jing's neck with his chubby hands, since the last time he saw him, he liked the fresh and soft breath of this elder brother very much, and naturally began to act like a baby: " Concubine Mu said, Yueyue is celebrating her birthday today, and she has to wear nice clothes, and there will be several beautiful ladies who will come to see Yueyue and give gifts." He didn't understand why everyone looked unhappy and didn't play with him .

The custom in the palace is that the prince and princess do not celebrate their birthdays until they are eight years old, in order not to be jealous and to grow up safely, so at most a few sisters who are close to each other will come to sit and have a little time together. lively.

"It turns out that this is the case. The girls made an appointment in advance to see Yueyue." King Jing patted his head and said softly.

Everyone was silent for a moment. Since Concubine Li came to visit the little prince, besides Concubine Rong who knew she would be there, other people could also know in advance, such as the other concubines who came to give gifts to Yueyue, and the concubines in Yongxu Palace. The maid of honor who serves.Therefore, the method Yifei said might not work well.

I only heard Jing Wang ponderingly said: "If there are indeed people in the palace who have ulterior motives and want to harm the dragon's heirs, they choose to arrange them outside the gate of Lanting Palace. What is not good to sprinkle on the stone path, why bother to sprinkle the Qionghua dew commonly used by Concubine Rong, isn't it for fear that others will not suspect it? I don't know how my father will be deceived by such means?"

There was silence in the palace room, Concubine Rong slowly lowered her head, her eyes covered with mist.Most of Emperor Tianyi's doubts about Concubine Rong dissipated, he never thought that today is the little prince's birthday, looking at Yueyue in Prince Jing's arms, he felt a little apologetic.

Concubine Han Guifei stepped forward at this time, her voice was still very gentle: "Your Majesty, I don't want to suspect any sister in the palace, let alone wrong sister Rong, but after all, the emperor's heir that Concubine Li was pregnant with is gone, how can I be ignorant?" Bai has nothing to say, but I hope the emperor will allow his courtiers and concubines to conduct a thorough investigation, so as to rectify the trend in the harem. In addition to Qionghualu, I think, I also need to investigate the maids and servants in the nearby palace."

Concubine Rong was angry, and said coldly: "The nearest one is my Lanting Palace. The imperial concubine has already asked the guards at the gate and the maid who helped Concubine Li. Search the palace, and then take all the people who serve me and the sixth prince to interrogate?"

"Where did my sister say it? It's just a little questioning. I have a duty to do it as a last resort. It's also to help my sister prove her innocence." Concubine Han said calmly, "There is nothing else right now. The clues can only be obtained from Qionghualu, and other palaces in the harem should also be checked, and Yunxiu Palace in this palace is no exception."

Concubine Yi said: "The concubine also agrees, taking advantage of His Majesty and many younger sisters being present today, how about asking people to check everywhere now, the concubine's palace is nearby, so I can be innocent."

From what she said, the rest of the people couldn't object.Emperor Tianyi was a little annoyed when he heard that, Concubine Han Guifei's words made sense, but it would take a lot of fighting, it's hard to say whether there will be any results, I don't know how long it will take.

King Jing hugged the ignorant little brother, that kind of soft and trusting dependence made him a little distressed, much like Luo Pingyuan when he was a child.

Children are good at detecting whether adults like him or not. The sixth son of the emperor, who has just turned five years old, is very satisfied at the moment, and starts to ask: "Brother Huang will go out to play with Yueyue."

King Jing smiled and said: "You can't go out, the ground outside the palace gate is slippery, if you don't do it well, you will fall and get injured."

"No way, the tiger-toed shoes made by my concubine for Yueyue are very good." The little prince stretched out his feet flamboyantly, but he was a little unconvinced, "And the emperor didn't drop it when he walked in?"

"Yueyue is so smart." King Jing smiled, "Okay, let Brother Huang take a look at your new shoes and see if they are afraid of slipping."

Emperor Tianyi's heart moved, there were a lot of ladies and maids coming and going to Lanting Palace today, why didn't anything happen when they walked through the palace gate, only Concubine Li fell down?He slowly asked: "Concubine Li, your legs and feet have been inconvenient recently, what kind of shoes are you wearing?"

Concubine Li still had tears on her face, and said in a low voice: "Return to Your Majesty, my concubine...the concubine walks and moves as usual, but her feet are a little swollen these days, and she has changed into a new pair of bigger shoes. Immediately, everyone's eyes fell on a pair of embroidered shoes beside her couch.

Emperor Tianyi gave a signal, and Wu Yong went over in person, took the pair of embroidered shoes in his hand to check.The upper of the shoe is really new, with delicate irises embroidered on it, and a round pearl on each toe of the shoe.When he turned over the sole of the shoe to take a closer look, his expression was a little strange.

Emperor Tianyi asked: "Are these shoes weird?"

Wu Yong bowed and replied: "Miss Li's embroidered shoes are exquisitely made, but, the front part of the sole is very...smooth."

Emperor Tianyi took a careful look at the shoes presented in front of him, but saw that a pair of soles and soles of each shoe had a small piece as smooth as a mirror, obviously worn by someone, and it would be difficult for ordinary people to notice unless they pay attention deliberately.He said coldly: "Very good, there is no need to search for Qionghualu, each palace uses more and less, how can there be a fixed number? It will disturb the harem, so if you want to check, start with this pair of shoes."

Luo Xuening said: "Father, in my daughter's humble opinion, it seems that there is something wrong in Yongxu's palace, all you need to do is interrogate the maid who usually manages the clothes, shoes and socks of the concubine Li."

The two maids serving Concubine Li were so frightened that they knelt on the ground, and one of them tremblingly said: "The shoes and socks are all under the care of Yingzhu, the servants really don't know, if they don't take good care of the empress, they deserve death."

"Go and take down the Yingzhu, I will personally interrogate it." Concubine Han immediately said, "This concubine will definitely find out the truth and give Concubine Li justice!"

"Interrogate well, just a little court lady can't do such a big thing, there are really talented people in my harem." Emperor Tianyi said coldly, with deep meaning in his eyes.

King Jing had already put the little prince down on the ground, and was pulled back by Concubine Rong. Emperor Tianyi saw that the two tiger-toed shoes were really delicate and cute, and he believed that Concubine Rong had made them herself.He also understands now that Concubine Rong loves Luo Yunxiu so much, so how could she plan a wicked trick on his birthday.

He also said to Concubine Han: "The concubine's palace affairs are complicated and sometimes difficult to take care of. Let Concubine Rong assist in handling this matter, and it will be more comprehensive to deal with it together."

"The concubine obeys the order." Concubine Han bowed her knees and saluted. She was extremely annoyed in her heart, but her superficial skills were perfect, and she did not show anything on the outside.

Luo Xuening breathed a sigh of relief. She was very grateful to Brother Huang. Seeing his complexion, she couldn't help but said, "Brother Emperor, are you feeling unwell? Sit down and have a cup of tea."

Emperor Tianyi noticed that Luo Yanhua's face was pale, and remembered that the medicine had not been given yet.After spending almost an hour in the palace, he had already lost the mood to go back to Qingliang Palace to talk. He had just lost a child, so he wanted to stay with the little prince for a while, so he said to Wu Yong: "I am resting in Lanting Palace. Let the First Prince go to Xinuan Pavilion to rest for a while, and then send him out of the palace."

King Jing felt a little tired at this moment, it was already getting late, he saluted, said goodbye to the worried imperial sister, and then retreated out with Wu Yong.

Concubine Han had no choice but to leave with a group of concubines. She watched Luo Yanhua's leaving back, and her beautifully manicured nails slipped into her palms.Today's plan was originally intertwined, the first was to deal with King Jing, and the second was Concubine Rong, but there were changes from the very beginning.She thought that Prince Jing would enter the palace in the evening, but she was going to trip the emperor in the harem in the afternoon, and had no time to give medicines. Unexpectedly, for some reason, Emperor Tianyi summoned Prince Jing in the afternoon, and allowed him to come to Lanting Palace, and have a good time All plans were disrupted.She didn't intend to put Concubine Rong to death directly, she just wanted Emperor Tianyi to be suspicious of her, but the emperor became suspicious, but not towards Concubine Rong.

She boarded the phoenix chariot, thinking about how to end up, she wasn't worried that a little maid would tell the truth, Yingzhu's body might be cold by now.As for Prince Jing, she prepared the last move, since she had already launched a difficult situation, how could she allow him to leave Chonghua Palace safely?