sbdcsierra Chapter 1779 Do you admit it or not?
Chapter 1779 Do you admit it or not?
"I originally thought that the Noble Consort was a person of great virtue and could understand His Majesty's good intentions and my difficulties."
At this point, Shen Zhinian shook her head, her disappointment growing stronger: "But I never expected... that the Imperial Concubine would harbor such resentment, and even, even because of this, instructed Consort Kang to pay attention to the mistakes of Consort Xian and Consort Xuan."
"The sisters in the harem should live in harmony, serve His Majesty wholeheartedly, and raise the imperial heirs. Isn't the Consort's behavior disrupting the harmony of the harem and creating unnecessary trouble?"
"I...I really..."
Shen Zhinian couldn't continue speaking and sighed again.
It's like suddenly discovering that the most sensible person in the harem is actually stabbing you in the back.
She was so disappointed!
The Imperial Noble Consort obeyed the Emperor's will, considered the overall situation, and longed for harmony in the harem.
Consort Zhuang, on the other hand, became someone who harbored resentment due to power, secretly engaged in underhanded tactics, and disrupted harmony.
Comparing the two, a judgment is made.
Nangong Xuanyu sat at the head of the table, listening silently, the low pressure emanating from him was quite frightening!
Consort Zhuang felt the Emperor's gaze upon her and grew even colder.
The Imperial Noble Consort's words were absolutely ruthless!
Did she lose?
No, not yet.
Consort Zhuang closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, the tears in her eyes had disappeared: "Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort, this concubine... has nothing to say."
"As for the accusations made by Consort Kang, I have no way to defend myself. I can only await Your Majesty's judgment."
She stopped arguing and handed everything over to the emperor.
This is a strategic retreat.
Consort Zhuang knew that saying more at this moment would only lead to more mistakes.
Nangong Xuanyu said expressionlessly, "Noble Consort, since you say you will leave the judgment to me, then I ask you, Consort Kang accused you of ordering her to monitor Consort Xian and Consort Xuan in order to find fault because you were dissatisfied with the loss of power in the palace."
"Do you admit to this, or not?"
Consort Zhuang quickly weighed the options in her mind.
To admit it is to acknowledge that one is narrow-minded, abuses power, and lacks moral character.
If they don't admit it, then they will have to continue their entanglement with Consort Kang.
Although Consort Kang had no concrete evidence, the entire palace knew that she had sided with them and had frequently visited Chengqian Palace and Yanxi Palace.
Besides, His Majesty isn't stupid. If she denies it, will His Majesty believe her?
In the current unfavorable situation, this will only make her more embarrassed.
In a flash, Consort Zhuang made her choice.
She took a deep breath and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I... dare not deceive you."
"What Consort Kang said... is partly true."
A collective gasp filled the hall!
The Imperial Concubine... she actually admitted it?!
Consort Zhuang continued, "I did feel somewhat disappointed because of the gossip in the palace."
"During a casual conversation with Consort Kang, we mentioned that Consort Xian is aloof and reserved, while Consort Xuan is still relatively inexperienced. I'm worried that their sudden takeover of palace affairs might lead to some oversights..."
"But I had no intention of instructing Consort Kang to deliberately provoke or frame her, nor did I ever say anything about regaining power."
"Perhaps my words were inappropriate and caused Consort Kang to misunderstand."
"However, I am truly innocent in the matter concerning the Third Prince! I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and not to assume that I harbor malicious intentions simply because I misspoke!"
Consort Zhuang admitted to her minor mistake, but vehemently denied any major crime.
This tactic of retreating to advance is undeniably brilliant.
Shen Zhinian looked at her quietly, a cold smile playing on her lips.
Zhuang Yumin, even at this point, you still want to play word games and distance yourself from the issue.
Little did they know that a thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant hole...
For some reason, Nangong Xuanyu was not surprised at all when Consort Zhuang admitted that she had complained about not getting palace power.
The former Consort Zhuang was the daughter of the Grand Tutor, and was kind and virtuous. Although he had no romantic feelings for her, he respected her greatly.
When did Zhuang Yumin begin to change beyond recognition in his mind?
Shen Zhinian took in the subtle changes in the emperor's expression, looked at Consort Kang, and asked in confusion, "Consort Kang, you just said that you knew someone was harboring evil intentions, intending to harm the imperial heir and disrupt the palace, but you hesitated to report it because you were afraid of powerful figures."
"What's going on here?"
As Consort Kang raised her head and her eyes met Shen Zhinian's, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her...
Strictly speaking, this is the second time they have joined forces to fight an enemy.
A few years ago, she was still living in a side hall of Changchun Palace. At that time, the Imperial Noble Consort was not yet an Imperial Noble Consort, but a newcomer who had just entered the palace and was enjoying great favor.
Their victory over Liu Ruyan was brilliantly executed!
Liu Ruyan was disgraced and sentenced to death by the Emperor, thus eliminating a major threat.
Now, the situation is similar, but the enemy has changed to Consort Zhuang.
But everything has changed...
At that time, the Imperial Noble Consort was still cautious and inexperienced when she first entered the palace, and she needed to plan carefully.
Now, she is the Imperial Noble Consort who holds the Phoenix Seal, and she is carrying the lucky star that the Emperor himself acknowledges. The Fourth Prince is intelligent and healthy, and the Emperor's favor is so strong that it cannot be dissolved.
And what about yourself?
Still without favor or power, he was a pitiful creature who could only depend on others.
Consort Kang lowered her eyes, concealing the fleeting self-mockery in them.
There's nothing to fuss about.
She's willing to risk anything to bring down Zhuang Yumin!
"Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort..."
Consort Kang resolutely replied, "What I want to talk about is the matter of the Third Prince!"
"Your Majesty, I have visited Changchun Palace many times to pay my respects to the Noble Consort. On one occasion, I happened to overhear some conversations..."
Consort Xuan immediately pressed, "What did you say?!"
Consort Kang closed her eyes briefly: "Your Majesty, I overheard the Noble Consort and Consort Mei discussing how to worsen the Third Prince's illness..."
"They said that all we needed to do was keep things clean and point the finger at the Imperial Noble Consort's stepmother's family."
“If something were to happen to the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince would be the eldest son, and the Imperial Noble Consort would be the prime suspect. Even if no concrete evidence is found, this suspicion alone would be enough to put her in a very difficult position.”
"But... but at that time, I was really scared, and I thought that perhaps the Noble Consort would not take any action, so I didn't dare to say it."
"Today, today I truly dare not fail to report this..."
Consort Mei retorted sharply, "You're talking nonsense!"
"You, you're spouting nonsense!"
"When did Your Highness the Imperial Concubine and I ever say such things?! It's clearly a fabrication! A frame-up!"
Consort Kang looked at her calmly.
How could Consort Zhuang and Consort Mei tell Consort Kang such a thing? Of course, she was just making it up.
But for Consort Kang, as long as she could bring down Consort Zhuang, what did it matter if she was spouting nonsense?
“Sister Meipin, that day at Changchun Palace, you were wearing a light green dress and a white magnolia hairpin in your hair.”
Consort Mei's pupils suddenly contracted, and she subconsciously raised her hand to touch her hair.
Today, she is wearing... the same white magnolia hairpin.
"you you……"
Consort Mei gritted her teeth and said, "You're just guessing!"
"Everyone knows that this hairpin was a gift from the Imperial Concubine to me, and I wear it almost every day. What kind of evidence is that?"