sbdcsierra Chapter 1375 Concubine Kang is not worthy of the title of Concubine
Chapter 1375 Concubine Kang is not worthy of the title of Concubine
"Perhaps Concubine Kang really has something urgent to do. Please wait a moment."
As soon as Concubine Zhuang finished speaking, there was a burst of hurried footsteps outside the palace.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Concubine Kang's personal maid Caiju, with a pale face. She hurried to the palace door, knelt down with a plop, and kowtowed heavily in the direction of Concubine Zhuang and the other concubines.
Her voice was filled with tears and fear: "Your servant Caiju, kowtows to the Imperial Concubine! Kowtows to all the ladies!"
"This servant comes to apologize on behalf of Concubine Kang!"
"Her Majesty...Her Majesty has suffered a sudden emergency. A horrific rash has broken out all over her body, and the itching is unbearable. I truly cannot come to the enthronement ceremony. I beg the Imperial Concubine and all the other Majesties to forgive me!"
As soon as Caiju finished her confession, Concubine Dun covered her lips with her hands at the perfect moment and uttered a low cry of feigned surprise, "Oh! How could such a thing happen?"
"This...this is too coincidental. Concubine Kang didn't develop the rash earlier, nor did she develop the rash later, but it happened just at the auspicious time for the enthronement ceremony?"
Her eyes darted around, scanning the crowd with a hint of confusion, her tone provoking speculation: "Could it be that what I just said really came true?"
"Does Concubine Kang really think... that the position of Concubine is already in her pocket? She even dares to find an excuse not to attend such an important ceremony?"
This statement may seem like a question, but in fact it is arbitrarily accusing Concubine Kang of disrespecting etiquette and being arrogant due to her favor.
Everyone knew Concubine Kang wasn't a domineering person, and certainly not one foolish enough to deliberately act out of place during the enthronement ceremony. But after Concubine Dun's public speculation, it was inevitable that some people would harbor suspicions...
When Caiju heard this, her face turned even paler than paper. She kowtowed in a panic and tried to defend herself, her voice tinged with tears: "No!"
"Your Majesty, Concubine Dun, understands clearly! My queen would never have such intentions!"
"Your Majesty has suffered a sudden illness. Her entire body is red, swollen, and itchy, making it impossible for her to wear her court attire and perform the ceremony... Your Majesty is extremely anxious and terrified. She would never dare to be disrespectful to the enthronement ceremony!"
She was anxious to clear herself of the suspicion that Concubine Kang had deliberately not come, but she didn't realize that she had fallen into the trap set by Concubine Dun's words...
Upon hearing this, Concubine Dun's face was filled with surprise. As if she had just understood, she spoke in a long tone, "Oh...it turned out to be a complete accident..."
She deliberately emphasized the word "unexpected", and her eyes slowly swept over every concubine in the palace, finally falling back on Caiju who was trembling on the ground, and a meaningful arc appeared at the corner of her lips.
"That's really intriguing..."
"It's not like Concubine Kang should have had an accident earlier or later, but it just happened today during the canonization ceremony..."
"I think this might not be an accident, but rather... it might be God's will!"
Concubine Dun paused, admiring Caiju's worried face and the various expressions on the surrounding concubines' faces before she slowly continued, "Why did Heaven choose to send such an emergency upon Concubine Kang on the day of her enthronement?"
"Could it be that they feel... Concubine Kang's virtue is lacking, unworthy of the position of Concubine, and therefore they won't even allow her to complete the canonization ceremony smoothly?"
"Otherwise, why are there so many sisters present, and everyone else is safe and sound, while only Concubine Kang has such an ominous thing happen to her?"
Most people in the world believe in ghosts and gods and respect the laws of nature.
Concubine Dun's words cleverly twisted a human calculation into a judgment of heaven, implying that Concubine Kang was unworthy of her position and was therefore punished by heaven.
At that moment, several timid palace maids turned pale and subconsciously took a step back. They looked at Caiju with a bit of surprise and taboo, as if she was also tainted with that ominous feeling.
Caiju was so anxious that she was shaking all over, her forehead banging against the cold floor tiles. However, she felt she had no way to defend herself and could only cry out over and over again, "No! It's not like that!"
"The Queen was murdered! Please, Queens, please investigate! Please investigate!"
But Caiju's flimsy defense seemed so pale and powerless compared to Concubine Dun's words.
The yard was silent for a moment, with only Caiju's desperate sobs echoing.
Concubine Xuan opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but seeing the secretive expressions of the people around her, she swallowed her words back.
Concubine Zhuang saw all of this.
Every word Concubine Dun said was pushing Concubine Kang into the abyss of being unworthy of her position and angering the heavens, which was exactly the result she wanted to see.
The Imperial Noble Consort had to be wary of her, a Noble Consort, who threatened her position. And as a Noble Consort, she also had to suppress these concubines who were eyeing her covetously.
The more fiercely Concubine Dun and Concubine Kang fought, the more secure her position as Imperial Concubine became.
Although Concubine Zhuang was satisfied, she frowned with her delicate eyebrows and said in a dignified voice, "Sister Concubine Dun, please stop talking."
"Sister Kangfei is absent due to illness, and she must be extremely distressed. You and I should be sympathetic to each other. How can you make unwarranted assumptions and only add to your bad karma?"
Her tone was not harsh, but she successfully stopped Concubine Dun from continuing to fan the flames.
Concubine Dun glanced at Concubine Zhuang, and seeing that her gentle expression was tinged with majesty, she stopped talking in annoyance, but there was still a sarcastic curve at the corner of her lips.
Concubine Zhuang stopped looking at Concubine Dun and instead set her gaze on Caiju, who was shivering on the ground. Her tone instantly softened, her usual gentle tone: "Caiju, get up and answer."
"Since Concubine Kang has suddenly fallen ill, can you summon the imperial physician?"
Cai Ju felt like she had grabbed a life-saving straw. She quickly stood up and reported tearfully, "Your Highness, I've already sent for the imperial physician."
Concubine Zhuang nodded slightly and said calmly, "Since the imperial physician has been summoned, please serve him well."
"The enthronement ceremony is a major national event, and the auspicious time cannot be delayed. Sister Kangfei is unwell and cannot come. It is truly helpless. This palace and the sisters can understand."
Her words seemed magnanimous and considerate of her sister, but in reality, they simply downplayed the fact that Concubine Kang had suddenly fallen ill and could not attend the canonization ceremony, thus confirming it as a foregone conclusion.
Whether this matter is true or false, whether it is man-made or God's will, it no longer matters.
Caiju lowered her head and said, "Yes..."
Concubine Zhuang looked at the officials from the Ministry of Rites who were waiting nearby and said, "The time has come. Let's begin according to the rules. Don't miss the auspicious time."
"The minister obeys the order!"
The official from the Ministry of Rites bowed and accepted the order, and immediately signaled the eunuch in charge of ceremonies to prepare.
Caiju listened to Concubine Zhuang's gentle but irrefutable arrangement and knew that the matter was beyond redemption and that the Queen was destined to miss the enthronement ceremony today.
She was filled with grief and indignation, but dared not say anything more. She could only kowtow and say, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration. I...I will take my leave."
Caiju supported herself with her weak legs and staggered to her feet. Amidst the sympathetic, pitiful, gloating, and secretive gazes of the crowd, she hurriedly left Changchun Palace with her head lowered.
Behind him, solemn and festive music began to sound.
The enthronement ceremony, which was missing one person, officially began.