sbdcsierra Chapter 1769 The image of Consort Zhuang in his heart was no longer what it used to be.
Chapter 1769 The image of Consort Zhuang in his heart was no longer what it used to be.
"Fortunately, they discovered it in time, and the Third Prince's body has not been damaged by these sleight of hand. This is truly fortunate!"
As soon as Tang Luochuan finished speaking, Consort Zhuang's eyes, which always held a look of compassion, were instantly filled with unbelievable humiliation!
Disregarding her composure as a noble consort, she rose and, in front of all the other concubines in the hall, knelt down before Nangong Xuanyu with a thud: "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
"What does this matter have to do with Changchun Palace?"
"I have been in the palace for many years and have always served my subordinates with kindness and treated the young with compassion. Who in the palace does not know this?"
"The Third Prince is frail, and I feel sorry for him. I often consult with the imperial physicians, fearing that the palace servants might not take good care of him. How could I possibly do such a heinous thing?!"
At this point, Consort Zhuang looked up at the Emperor, her pale face filled with sorrow.
In the past, Nangong Xuanyu would never have believed that his mentor's daughter, the always compassionate Consort Zhuang, would do such a thing.
But in the past two or three years, Consort Zhuang's image in his heart has long since changed...
The emperor asked with a cold laugh, "Then tell me, why is your little Yizi in the palace in contact with the physician surnamed Qin?!"
Consort Zhuang said aggrievedly, "Your Majesty, palace servants are not qualified to have the imperial physicians examine them when they are sick. It is common for them to occasionally associate with familiar physicians in order to make good connections."
"This does not prove that Xiao Yizi instructed Physician Qin to murder the Third Prince. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and clear my name!"
That's true.
Indeed, there were many palace maids and eunuchs who would try to curry favor with the physicians, hoping to obtain a prescription or two of medicine when they fell ill.
Nangong Xuanyu looked down at Consort Zhuang, his deep eyes devoid of any warmth.
Shen Zhinian sighed softly and looked at Consort Zhuang, saying, "Consort Zhuang has always been dignified in her conduct and compassionate in her heart, as everyone in the palace has witnessed. I... I also do not believe that you would do such a thing."
"Perhaps there is a genuine misunderstanding, or perhaps subordinates are deceiving their superiors and acting on their own initiative..."
Shen Zhinian's words seemed to be an attempt to exonerate Consort Zhuang, yet they also left endless room for interpretation...
Consort Zhuang knelt on the ground, and upon hearing these words, her heart tightened rather than relaxed.
Isn't this the same tactic the Imperial Noble Consort often uses: first show weakness, then stab her in the back!
Consort Xuan glanced at Shen Zhinian and said softly, "Imperial Noble Consort, you are kind-hearted and always think the best of people. But... you can know a person's face but not their heart..."
"Some compassion is written on one's face, but it may not be put into practice. Having lived in the palace for so long, what haven't I seen?"
She didn't name names, nor did she even look at Consort Zhuang, but her meaningful tone made everyone know who she was implying.
After all, the Imperial Concubine used to worship Buddha every day, with her prayer beads always in her hand.
There is also the scandal of Fatu Temple, which is kept secret by many.
If even royal temples can harbor filth and corruption, how much genuine compassion can there be in the palace?
If it were any other day, Consort Mei would have jumped up and rebuked Consort Xuan for daring to make veiled accusations against the Noble Consort.
But at this moment... Consort Mei was feeling guilty, so how could she dare to make a sound?
She wished she could be invisible.
Consort Zhuang frowned upon hearing Consort Xuan's words, which were soft yet barbed, and asked, "Why do you say such a thing, Consort Xuan?"
"Your Majesty, I..."
Shen Zhinian looked at Nangong Xuanyu and interrupted Consort Zhuang: "Your Majesty, it is precisely because this matter is of great importance, involving Consort Zhuang's reputation and the safety of the imperial heir, that I dare not make a decision on my own and have specially invited Your Majesty to come."
"Although Physician Tang confirmed that someone in the Imperial Hospital was causing trouble and detained the person involved, he was ultimately just a medical officer and had no right to interrogate."
Moreover, everyone in the palace knows that Tang Luochuan is a highly skilled physician who has devoted himself to treating Shen Zhinian's pregnancy.
If he were to conduct the trial, even if he uncovered something, it would likely be difficult to silence public opinion.
Some people may think that Shen Zhinian used this as an excuse to frame Consort Zhuang and eliminate dissidents.
Nangong Xuanyu listened silently, naturally understanding Shen Zhinian's concerns.
It is also clearer that this matter must be thoroughly investigated!
"The Imperial Noble Consort's concerns are very valid."
"The affairs of the inner palace are governed by palace rules. Since interrogation and torture are involved, it is not the duty of the imperial physician."
The emperor looked at Lee Chang-deok: "Lee Chang-deok."
Li Changde immediately stepped forward, bowed, and obeyed: "This servant is here!"
Nangong Xuanyu said, enunciating each word clearly, "Issue my imperial decree, ordering Su Quanye, the chief of the Censorate, to come to Yongshou Palace immediately. I wish to personally hear the case."
"Yes!"
Li Changde immediately turned around and gave a few instructions to a young eunuch.
The young eunuch's expression hardened, and he quickly left.
Many of the more timid concubines showed fear in their eyes.
The Imperial Penal Division was the most feared place in the palace, specializing in punishments and interrogations. Su Quanye was a notorious iron-faced devil!
There's almost no one he can't pry open.
It seems there is no room for maneuver in this matter.
As things developed to this point, the concubines showed varying expressions.
The virtuous concubine remained indifferent.
Consort Xuan's gentle demeanor conceals a sharp edge.
Consort Qin watched coldly from the sidelines.
Consort Su was gentle and weak.
Consort Yue remained calm.
Consort Kang's eyes held a complex expression...
Consort Mei forced herself to remain calm.
It seems that everyone who was supposed to come has come.
But Consort Tong was not there.
Given her timid and fearful nature, and her tendency to avoid trouble, she would never take the initiative to gather information. Even if she heard that something big had happened, she would immediately close the palace gates.
But today's events are inextricably linked to her.
As a mother, no matter how timid or indifferent she may be, she still has the right to know the truth.
Shen Zhinian turned her head slightly and looked at Xiao Zhouzi: "Go to Jingyang Palace and tell Consort Tong what happened here."
“Just say that someone is plotting to harm the Third Prince, and His Majesty is investigating thoroughly. She is the Third Prince’s foster mother, and she should have been present at the scene.”
Xiao Zhouzi bowed and said, "This servant understands!"
……
Jingyang Palace.
Consort Tong sat beside the Third Prince's bed.
He had just taken his medicine and gone to sleep. His small brows were slightly furrowed even in his sleep, and his face was unhealthy and pale.
Consort Tong held a warm handkerchief and gently wiped the thin layer of sweat from the Third Prince's forehead, her eyes full of pity.
Everyone in the palace knew that the Third Prince was an abnormal child. He had been frequently ill ever since Consort Tong began raising him.
Recently, the Third Prince's health has weakened again, but Consort Tong didn't think much of it and just took good care of him.
"Miss."
Shuangjiang said, "I just overheard palace servants passing by whispering that something big seems to have happened at Yongshou Palace, even alarming His Majesty."
"Many of the ladies-in-waiting and concubines from the six palaces have already gone there."
Consort Tong subconsciously shook her head: "Don't inquire about things that have nothing to do with us. A-Jing needs to rest."
These are the big things she fears most.
With little influence and no favor from the emperor, every upheaval in the harem could become a tidal wave that engulfs her.
She just wanted to keep her peaceful little world and get through each day as it came.
Shuangjiang nodded in agreement and was about to leave.