sbdcsierra Chapter 1458 Shen Zhinian guesses who the person who made the move is (203 million reward points)
Chapter 1458 Shen Zhinian guesses who the person who made the move is (203 million reward points)
But in this life, many things have taken a different turn.
The Prince of Jin has been suppressed step by step, and now he is just a prince who has lost the emperor's favor and is cautious and timid. His power is not as great as before.
The value of the pawn he planted in the palace naturally plummeted.
For some, Bab may have become a hidden danger that needs to be eliminated in time, or a discarded pawn to cut off the trail.
It's not surprising that a spy who has fallen out of favor and is no longer of any use can disappear silently in the cannibalistic harem.
Bahargul was able to live so long in her previous life because the Prince of Jin was powerful and the emperor needed her to spread false information.
Given that Prince Jin himself is in dire straits, it is only natural that she, as a pawn, was removed prematurely.
Having figured this out, Shen Zhinian felt a sense of sudden enlightenment, and most of the doubts in her heart instantly dissipated.
She could even vaguely guess who had done it...
"There's no need to dwell on this anymore."
Shen Zhinian spoke slowly, her voice regaining its usual composure: "Whether it was an accident or not, since the Censorate has already reached a conclusion, we don't need to investigate further."
She looked at Xiaomingzi and ordered, "Have your men withdraw. This matter ends here."
Although Xiao Mingzi still had questions, seeing Shen Zhinian's resolute expression, he dared not ask any more questions and quickly bowed and replied, "This servant obeys."
……
Chuxiu Palace.
When news of Bahargul and Yingxiang's drowning in Taiye Pond arrived, Consort Kang was holding a teacup and nearly dropped it upon hearing the news.
She tried to keep her composure, waved away the palace servants, leaving only Caiju in the inner room.
"...Bahargul and Yingxiang...are both dead?"
Consort Kang's voice trembled as she gripped Caiju's arm, her strength unconsciously tightening: "This... how could this be an accident? What a coincidence..."
Caiju was also filled with surprise and doubt: "Your Majesty, we haven't even had a chance to make a move, how could they..."
Consort Kang released her grip, stood up, and paced back and forth on the ground, her brow furrowed: "Who beat me to it?"
"Is it Consort Dun? Or..."
The eternally compassionate face of Consort Zhuang and the unfathomable Imperial Noble Consort of Yongshou Palace flashed through her mind.
Caiju composed herself, helped Consort Kang to sit down on the soft couch, and said, "Your Highness, think about it, how many people did Madam Ba offend in the palace in the past, relying on her looks and cunning?"
"She has lost the emperor's favor, and it is not surprising that some people will take advantage of this opportunity to kick her while she is down and completely eliminate this scourge."
"Consort Dun hates Ba Shi to the bone. Although Consort Gui doesn't show it on her face, she may not tolerate her in her heart. And then there's Imperial Noble Consort... her mind is deep and unfathomable."
"There are plenty of cases in the palace where everyone pushes a wall when it's about to fall."
Consort Kang listened, and her heartbeat calmed down a little.
Caiju is right. Bahargul has made many enemies, and now that she's fallen on hard times, it's perfectly normal for someone to want her dead.
"yes……"
Consort Kang seemed to be convincing herself, murmuring, "That makes sense."
Seeing that her expression had eased slightly, Caiju quickly seized the opportunity to comfort her, saying with relief, "Your Majesty, think of it this way: we've already retrieved that deadly Buddhist scripture. Now that Madam Ba and Yingxiang are both dead, there's no way to verify anything! Isn't this a wonderful thing?"
"It neither dirties the Empress's hands nor causes any future trouble."
"What does this mean? Heaven still favors Her Majesty!"
Consort Kang took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down: "It's a good thing."
"But for some reason... I always feel uneasy..."
This feeling was not pity for Bahargul, but rather unease about unknown dangers.
Who in the palace could eliminate Ba Shi and Yingxiang so cleanly and efficiently, without even the Censorate finding any clues?
That person's methods were truly chilling...
……
Changchun Palace.
The eldest princess's cries were intermittent, filled with heart-wrenching pain, making everyone's heart clench.
A few scattered items left behind by Bahargul were spread out in front of her.
A brightly colored shawl with an exotic style.
A small, embroidered pouch containing unknown spices.
There are also two small cloth dolls that Bahargul makes for her by hand in her spare time.
"Why...why is it always like this..."
The eldest princess clutched the two small rag dolls tightly, large tears falling onto the fabric as she cried, almost unable to breathe, her small body trembling incessantly.
"The people Yun'er loves... why do they always leave Yun'er..."
She raised her tear-streaked face and looked at Consort Zhuang sitting beside her, her eyes filled with confusion: "First, all the nannies and matrons who took care of me, they're all gone..."
"Then came my mother, who was given death by my father..."
"My maternal grandfather is dead..."
"The Empress Dowager has also passed away..."
The eldest princess counted on her fingers the figures that had disappeared from her life, growing more and more heartbroken with each count.
"And Sister Xiyan...she clearly said she would always draw with me..."
"Now, Guliye..."
The eldest princess choked back tears, unable to continue, burying her face deeply in the shawl that carried Bahargul's scent, and sobbed, "Why couldn't Yun'er be kept...why..."
Consort Zhuang looked at the eldest princess in this state, her face still showing that compassionate and gentle expression.
She reached out and gently embraced the eldest princess, carefully wiping away her tears with a handkerchief.
"Yun'er, don't be too sad, or you'll hurt yourself by crying."
Consort Zhuang sighed, "The coming together and parting of people in life is all due to fate. Some people are destined to have a shallow connection with you and can only accompany you for a short while."
"Perhaps Lady Ba was unlucky and couldn't bear the riches of the palace, so she went to the Pure Land early. For her, it might not have been a bad thing."
As she spoke, she gently patted the eldest princess's back, her tone full of pity: "You still have your mother, and your mother will always be with Yun'er."
The eldest princess was sobbing in Consort Zhuang's arms, perhaps because she was tired from crying, or perhaps because Consort Zhuang's gentle comforting had an effect.
Her trembling body gradually calmed down, her heavy eyelids slowly closed, and glistening tears still clung to her long eyelashes. Finally, she fell into a deep sleep amidst extreme exhaustion and sorrow.
Consort Zhuang held the eldest princess quietly for a while until she was sure she was asleep, then carefully laid her down on the bed.
She then instructed the palace servants to take good care of the eldest princess before returning to her own bedchamber, the sorrowful expression on her face vanished.
Xiao Caizi frowned and said, "Your Majesty, the matter between Madam Ba and Yingxiang... this servant feels there's something strange about it."
"Even if it was dark and the road was slippery, and someone accidentally fell into the water, how could it be such a coincidence that two people fell in at the same time without even a cry for help? That doesn't make sense."
"And the Censorate's investigation was far too hasty, hastily closing the case as an accident, as if they were afraid someone would ask another question."