sbdcsierra Chapter 884: Having to Hand Over the Power in Hands (58 Reward Value Plus)
Chapter 884: Having to Hand Over the Power in Hands (58 Reward Value Plus)
Madam Xiao asked with concern, "Madam, are you still thinking about that craftsman?"
Shen Zhinian nodded.
Handan stood beside her and said, "Madam, didn't you say last time that there are only a handful of people who have the ability to tamper with the imperial seal and know the news on the border?"
"The mother's family of Concubine Kang is not prominent, and she has no connections in the army. Could she have done this?"
"Besides, what good would it do her to hurt you?"
Shen Zhinian didn't expect that this matter was related to Concubine Kang.
Until the truth comes out, she won't completely trust any suspect!
"After all, everything is just my guess."
"Perhaps the seal broke and the news of the defeat came on the same day. It was just a coincidence. The original intention of the person behind the scenes was to use the seal incident to destroy my reputation."
In this way, Concubine Kang can do this.
Handan still couldn't believe it: "Your Majesty, do you also doubt Concubine Kang? But isn't she... your ally?"
Shen Zhinian's eyes deepened: "The harem is dangerous and people's hearts are hard to predict. Even sisters may stab you in the back, let alone allies?"
Nanny Xiao nodded in agreement.
Your Majesty is right not to completely trust others.
Only in this way can you go further in the harem!
If you form an alliance, it would be imprudent to completely treat the other party as your own.
Handan's eyes were full of surprise: "So, this could really have been done by Concubine Kang?!"
"You've helped her so much, how can she be so ungrateful..."
Shen Zhinian shook her head: "Although I don't completely believe Concubine Kang, I didn't say that she did it."
"Perhaps she secretly had some hidden intentions when I was unaware."
"Or maybe the person who really planned this has seen through the alliance between me and Concubine Kang in secret and wants to alienate us."
"Or maybe...Although the fifth prince will not live past the age of twenty, he is still a prince after all. Concubine Kang raised him and has a high status in the harem. Someone wants her to fight with me so that I can benefit from it."
"Let's wait for the results of the investigation by the Ministry of Justice to find out the specific situation."
Handan and Fuqiu looked at each other, their expressions somewhat solemn.
Although they have accompanied the Empress all the way and witnessed countless conspiracies and intrigues, they still have to sigh at this moment that the deep palace is really thrilling!
Even if they are allies, we cannot trust them completely and we must even be on guard against them...
The confinement in Zhongcui Palace has been lifted, so it is much easier for Shen Zhinian to send people out.
She looked at Xiao Mingzi and said, "Send someone to keep an eye on the movements in Chuxiu Palace."
"Remember, be quiet and don't let anyone find out."
Xiao Mingzi nodded heavily: "Please rest assured, Madam, I understand!"
……
There were countless people in the harem who were paying attention to the cracking of the imperial seal, so naturally, the results of this investigation spread in the palace at an extremely fast speed!
For a while, there were many more voices of discussion in the palace.
However, due to the order issued by Concubine Xue before, the palace servants were cautious and did not dare to say anything too extreme even when discussing Concubine Kang.
Changchun Palace.
Ruoli couldn't hide the surprise in her eyes, and then she turned to gloating: "...It turned out to be Concubine Kang?!"
"That's great!"
"You took care of Concubine Hao for so long, and waited until she gave birth to the fifth prince, but you didn't expect that Concubine Kang, who did nothing, would take all the credit. I have long disliked Concubine Kang!"
"If this crime is proven true, and she dared to plot against Concubine Chen, even if Concubine Kang is not sentenced to death, she will be banished to the cold palace!"
"When the Fifth Prince loses his mother, you will be the most qualified person to raise him!"
Looking at the excitement on Ruoli's face, Concubine Zhuang said nothing.
Seeing that she remained silent, Ruoli asked curiously, "Madam, what are you thinking about?"
Concubine Zhuang's eyes flashed with contemplation: "I was just wondering, was this really done by Concubine Kang?"
Ruoli blinked her eyes and said in surprise, "The Ministry of Punishment, the Ministry of Justice, and the Dali Temple have all found out that the craftsman who tampered with the imperial seal is related to Concubine Kang. If she didn't do it, could it be someone else?"
Concubine Zhuang narrowed her eyes slightly. "Others may not know, but I know it clearly in my heart. Concubine Kang was able to raise the fifth prince thanks to Concubine Chen's contribution."
"Since she has already secretly surrendered to Concubine Chen, why did she want to stab her in the back this time?"
"She is just a concubine, and the fifth prince she raised will not live past the age of 20. Even if Concubine Chen falls, it will not be her turn to take the throne. I can't think of any reason for her to do this."
Ruoli was stunned for a moment: "...Perhaps, Concubine Kang was bribed or threatened by someone?"
"In the palace, it's very easy for powerful people to get others to do things for them."
This makes sense.
Concubine Zhuang smiled slightly: "Anyway, whether the murderer is Concubine Kang or not, it has nothing to do with us. This should be Concubine Chen's concern."
"Take the account books and seals related to palace affairs and go to Zhongcui Palace."
The topic changed so quickly that Ruoli didn't react for a moment: "Huh?"
Concubine Zhuang didn't mind and patiently explained, "Before, it was because Concubine Chen was imprisoned that His Majesty ordered me and Concubine Xue to handle the affairs of the six palaces. Now that the truth is clear and the confinement in Zhongcui Palace has been lifted, I should return the palace power to Concubine Chen."
Although Ruoli understood, she was still a little unwilling: "...The account book and seal are not even warm in your hands yet."
"Your Highness, it is His Majesty's order to let you handle the affairs of the six palaces. Since His Majesty has no new order, do you really want to return the things to Concubine Chen so quickly?"
Concubine Zhuang shook her head at her: "Silly girl."
"Noble Concubine Chen did nothing wrong. Why would His Majesty deprive her of her power over the six palaces? Since the account books and seals will have to be returned to Zhongcui Palace sooner or later, why wait for others to speak up?"
"Then my face won't look good..."
Ruoli lowered her head and said, "I understand."
"Just let the palace maids do these things. It's very sunny outside, be careful not to get too hot."
Concubine Zhuang had a gentle smile on her face: "If not, how can I show my respect for Concubine Chen?"
"How can I make everyone, and His Majesty, understand that I have absolutely no intention of coveting the power of the palace?"
Although Ruoli was unwilling, she could only say: "My queen, you are so virtuous!"
"Empress Xue has to take care of the Second Princess, so she will definitely not be able to get away this time. With you as a comparison, people might think that she is greedy for power and is reluctant to hand over the power in her palace!"
"Even if she knew the news and sent the things to Zhongcui Palace, she would be one step too late for you. Everyone would still think that she had to hand over the power because she saw you do this."