sbdcsierra Chapter 481: A Clean Recruitment (75 votes plus additional content)
Chapter 481: A Clean Recruitment (75 votes plus additional content)
Everyone is now eager to distance themselves from Concubine Hao, for fear of being suspected of being her accomplice.
If anyone else stood up to speak for Concubine Hao at this time, they would definitely be questioned.
But everyone in the palace knew that Concubine Liang was a good person. She would help even the concubines she had no friendship with when they were in danger, not to mention Concubine Hao who had rescued her?
Not only did Concubine Liang's actions not arouse suspicion, but under her influence, some palace concubines who remembered her kindness also spoke up for Concubine Hao: "I also think that Concubine Hao should not be such a person."
"Yes, how could a person who is grateful for the kindness put a baby in an unjust situation for no reason?"
"My Lady Xianfei, there must be something behind this! I hope you can understand and not misunderstand Lady Hao."
"..."
Concubine Liu had long disliked Concubine Hao, and now that she had finally gotten the chance, of course she wanted to trample her into the dirt!
However, before Concubine Liu could say anything, Empress Dowager Liu frowned and shook her head at her.
Today's affairs are already complicated enough. There would be no benefit for the imperial concubine to get involved, and it might even cause dissatisfaction among the emperor.
Now that they have started fighting, the best option is to sit back and watch the fight.
My lady, please keep calm!
Although Concubine Liu did not want to miss this great opportunity, she did not dare to disobey Empress Dowager Liu and had to continue to watch from the sidelines.
Shen Zhinian didn't know Concubine Hao, so she naturally didn't trust her. But she really didn't believe that Concubine Hao had done what happened today.
Does Concubine De think that she can clear herself of all responsibility in this way?
Whether Concubine Liang wanted to win over Noble Lady Hao and make her more loyal to her, or wanted to take the opportunity to suppress Concubine De, it was exactly what Shen Zhinian wanted.
She looked at Nangong Xuanyu and continued along the lines of Concubine Liang's words: "Your Majesty, I think Concubine Liang is right."
"A person who knows how to repay kindness is not a bad person by nature."
"I have no grudge against Concubine Hao in the past or in the present. She has no reason to harm me and Ah Xu."
"Besides, Concubine Hao is only a concubine. She doesn't even have a child, let alone a prince. She's not even pregnant. Even if you dislike Ah Xu, what good will it do her?"
"I also don't believe it. This was done by Concubine Hao."
Lady Hao looked at Shen Zhinian, with a hint of complexity in her eyes...
She had always thought that since she was favored by Concubine Xian during her confinement, Concubine Xian would be somewhat unhappy. Concubine Hao never expected that Concubine Xian would speak for her at this time...
De Fei pressed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice full of grievance: "Xian Fei said that she believed in Concubine Sun, and then she said that Concubine Hao would not do such a thing. You are clearly saying that you think what happened today was caused by me?"
Although the four concubines were ranked in order, their ranks were the same. Therefore, they could all call themselves "this palace" in front of each other.
Shen Zhinian met Concubine De's gaze and said firmly, "Yes!"
"From a mother's perspective, I do think that Concubine De is more suspicious than Concubine Sun and Concubine Hao!"
"After all, they don't have any children, and you are the mother of the Third Prince. If Ah Xu is disliked by His Majesty, the Third Prince will be the biggest beneficiary!"
"De Fei, the Third Prince is already the eldest son of His Majesty, and he is extremely noble. Ah Xu has never thought of competing with him for anything. I really don't understand why someone would not let him go."
"I don't know whether you were the one who did what happened today. But my child is my mother's bottom line. If anyone dares to plot against my Ah Xu, I will pursue him to the end!"
Shen Zhinian had always shown herself to be kind, weak, pitiful and helpless in front of Nangong Xuanyu. This was the first time she had revealed her sharp thorns without any disguise.
But Shen Zhinian was not worried that this would affect her image in Nangong Xuanyu's mind.
After all, a mother would do anything for her child. And the greater the contrast, the more it can touch people's hearts.
As expected, many royal relatives who were mothers were moved when they saw this scene.
I heard that Concubine Xian is the most gentle and kind person, but today she is so harsh. It is really not easy for a woman to do this for her children!
Nangong Xuanyu had the same feeling in his heart. While he felt sorry for Shen Zhinian, he was even more dissatisfied with the person behind the scenes!
If the other party hadn't plotted against Ah Xu, how could Nian Nian have been forced into this state?
"Nian Nian, don't think too much. Ah Xu is my biological son, how could I hate him?"
He didn't want to see blood today, but these people have touched his bottom line!
The emperor looked at Su Quanye and said coldly, "Take Qingdai and Kui'er to the Ministry of Punishment. No matter what method you use, I want to hear the truth from them today!"
Su Quanye immediately said: "Yes!"
Several strong eunuchs immediately dragged the two men down!
Not to mention Qingdai and Kui'er, even Concubine De didn't expect things to develop to this point.
The two of them kept begging for mercy, and Concubine De also knelt weakly in front of the emperor.
"Your Majesty, Qingdai was my dowry, and she accompanied me through thick and thin in Gyeongbokgung Palace. Moreover, she is in poor health after being bitten by a poisonous snake. I beg you to…"
Nangong Xuanyu looked at her with a chilling look in his eyes and interrupted her coldly: "Anyone who dares to plead for those two slaves will be sent to the Ministry of Punishment!"
Defei was so frightened that she immediately shut up.
Naturally, Concubine Hao would not feel sorry for the traitor. Instead, she hoped that the Ministry of Punishment could clear her name.
Zhu'er knelt on the ground, almost paralyzed by fear, but she breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.
Fortunately! Fortunately, my young lady has the protection of the virtuous concubine, otherwise, she would probably have the same fate as Qingdai and Kui'er...
Shen Zhinian had completely broken off relations with Concubine De, and a sneer flashed in his eyes at this moment.
The various schemes of Concubine De were indeed endless. But unfortunately, she understood conspiracy and intrigue, but she did not understand human nature, let alone men's hearts.
The harem is not a place to solve cases, nor is it a place where evidence and reason are required for everything. To survive in the deep palace, the most important thing is the emperor's favor!
The interrogation lasted from the afternoon until sunset.
Although the royal family members wanted to know the truth, they could not stay in the palace and left in front of the key to the palace gate.
Empress Dowager Liu was old and easily fatigued, so she returned to the Cining Palace accompanied by Concubine Liu.
But everyone could see that when the imperial concubine left, she was reluctant to leave and seemed to want to stay and watch the show...
The emperor has issued a death order, and the result must be known today. Su Quanye naturally did not dare to be careless, and used all the eighteen kinds of torture of the Ministry of Punishment!
Because Qingdai was in poor health, several imperial doctors were on standby, fearing that she would not be able to withstand the torture and die!
Even a tough guy would not be able to withstand such inhuman torture, let alone Qingdai and Kuier, two weak women?
In the end, they confessed everything.