sbdcsierra Chapter 1279: Taking Back the Power of Assisting the Six Palaces
Chapter 1279: Taking Back the Power of Assisting the Six Palaces
When she heard the words "beaten to death with sticks", the last trace of blood on Ruoli's face faded away completely, and fear made her collapse instantly!
She could no longer care about anything else and rushed to the kneeling Concubine Zhuang, hugged her arms tightly, and begged, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, save me! I know I was wrong! I will never dare to do it again!"
"Please, Majesty, for the sake of my years of service, even if I have no merit, at least I have worked hard, please save me! Majesty——!!!"
Concubine Zhuang was swayed by Ruoli's embrace. Looking down at her face, which was distorted by extreme fear, a trace of extremely complicated emotions flashed in her eyes...
But soon, this emotion was replaced by coldness.
Concubine Zhuang pushed Ruoli away with force and said sadly, "This is the sin you have committed."
"What did I teach you all the time? To be compassionate and kind to your subordinates. You actually pretended to obey me but secretly disobeyed me. You deserve what you've gotten yourself into today!"
Having said this, she paused, looking at Ruoli's instantly despairing and dejected eyes, and her tone slowed down a bit, but it was even more chilling: "As a master and servant, I will take care of your family...for you."
The word "family" instantly calmed Ruoli down...
As Concubine Zhuang's most trusted confidant, Ruoli knew most of her secrets.
A person's desire to survive when they are dying is very terrifying. You can't say for sure what Ruoli will yell out in order to save his life.
But... she was a born slave in the Zhuang family. The deeds of her parents, brothers, nephews and nieces, and the entire family were in the hands of the Zhuang family.
If she bites her master at this moment, not only will she be killed, but her entire family will be buried with her!
All the struggles, unwillingness and resentment eventually turned into complete silence.
Ruoli collapsed to the ground and allowed the eunuchs from the Ministry of Punishment to drag her away.
From outside the hall, there was a faint sound of dull blows from sticks and extremely shrill screams.
Before long, everything fell silent.
Only the invisible smell of blood wafted from the yard, filling everyone's nose.
In the last moment before being beaten to death, Ruoli's eyes were filled with extreme fear and unwillingness...
She practiced the dance for so long, pondering every turn and every look, imagining that one day she would be able to dazzle the emperor and fly to the branches...
How could she die like this before she even had the chance the Empress had arranged for her, before she even became a true mistress?!
But no matter how much resentment one feels, it cannot withstand the merciless blow of the Punishment Minister...
Ruoli eventually became a corpse like Eunuch Zhang and Xiao Liuzi, unable to speak again.
Her wide eyes were filled with unresolved resentment.
Many low-ranking concubines heard the faint noise outside and felt a little relieved.
Ruoli relied on the fact that she was the head maid of Changchun Palace. When had she ever been kind to these unfavored ladies?
Not only was she often sarcastic, she was also ruthless when it came to secretly withholding their share.
Now seeing Ruoli end up like this, it is really gratifying!
Shen Zhinian lowered his eyes, hiding the cold smile in his eyes.
One of Concubine Zhuang's right-hand men and left-hand men was completely broken today.
After this incident, the prestige of Changchun Palace plummeted, and Concubine Zhuang would probably be more restrained in her future actions.
In the inner room, Concubine Chun was still lying on the couch, crying sadly, as if her grief would never end.
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze fell heavily on Concubine Zhuang who was kneeling on the ground.
The emperor's eyes were complex and difficult to read.
He was truly filled with grief and anger at the premature death of a fully grown prince.
However, when the matter was thoroughly investigated, all evidence pointed to the accident being caused by corruption and dereliction of duty by the servants, and no evidence was found that Concubine Zhuang had instructed Ruoli to murder the royal heir.
Her biggest mistake was indeed not being strict with her subordinates.
The execution of Ruoli was already a heavy blow to Concubine Zhuang's prestige.
She was the assistant to the Six Palaces, and she made such a big mistake right after taking power...
Nangong Xuanyu was silent for a moment, then said coldly, "Your Highness is lax in managing your subordinates, which has led to the chaos in the palace and the premature death of the imperial heir. You are to blame!"
"Since you are incapable of assisting with palace affairs, from this day forward, your authority to assist the six palaces will be revoked. You will reflect on your mistakes in Changchun Palace."
This decree was like another invisible slap in the face of Concubine Zhuang!
The power that she had just grasped in her hands and hadn't even warmed up yet was taken away so easily!
Along with her dignity as a royal concubine and the reputation of the Zhuang family, they were all trampled into the mud!
The immense humiliation and blow caused Concubine Zhuang's eyes to go dark and her body to sway slightly.
At this moment, her suspicion towards Shen Zhinian reached its peak!
If it weren't for the Imperial Noble Consort, how could these things be such a coincidence?
As it happened, Concubine Chun met with an accident not long after she took over the palace affairs.
But in the end it turned out that her people were the ones who took the blame.
But the one who benefited in the end was the Imperial Concubine who took back the power from her!
But she couldn't say anything.
Without evidence, any defense at this moment will only make His Majesty more disgusted.
Imperial Concubine Zhuang could only swallow all her suspicions, kowtow deeply, and speak in a very suppressed voice: "Your Majesty... accepts your command and thanks you!"
"I have failed the grace of Your Majesty and am willing to accept the punishment."
Her lowered head concealed all expression. Only her fingers, firmly digging into the golden brick floor, revealed the turbulent waves in Concubine Zhuang's heart.
She lost miserably in this battle.
Not only did he break his arm and lose his authority, but he also damaged his foundation!
And all this stems from the imperial concubine who always sits firmly on the Diaoyutai!
The emperor's gaze finally fell on Concubine Chun, who was still sobbing, and his tone softened a little: "Your body is damaged, take good care of yourself, and do not grieve too much."
"I will give you two ginseng roots, ten hu of pearls, and fifty pieces of brocade to nourish your body and calm your nerves."
Concubine Chun struggled to stand up and express her gratitude, but Nangong Xuanyu raised his hand to stop her.
She could only lean on Yingxiang's arms, tears welling in her eyes, and choked out weakly, "Your Majesty, thank you for your grace!"
"My concubine... My concubine..."
Before she could finish her words, Concubine Chun choked up again, as if she was so grief-stricken that she could hardly control herself.
Nangong Xuanyu said no more and turned to leave.
Everyone immediately bowed and saluted: "Farewell, Your Majesty!"
The emperor's procession quickly disappeared outside the palace gate, leaving behind a hall full of women with different thoughts.
Shen Zhinian took a few steps forward and walked to the side of Concubine Chun's bed. He said in a gentle voice, "Concubine Chun, since His Majesty has generously rewarded and comforted you, you can rest assured and take care of yourself."
"You are still young. Take good care of yourself. There will always be another heir to the throne."
Concubine Chun lowered her head and said with tears in her eyes: "Yes..."
Then, Shen Zhinian turned her gaze to Concubine Zhuang, who was still kneeling on the ground with a pale face, and said in a fainter voice: "Concubine, His Majesty has given you a lenient sentence considering that this is your first offense."
"I hope that in the future, while you are in Changchun Palace, you will truly reflect on your mistakes, strictly manage the palace servants, and do not let down the emperor's grace again."
In just a few words, the criticism is obvious, but it is difficult to find the fault.