sbdcsierra Chapter 148 The Arsonist
Chapter 148 The Arsonist
"If it weren't for Sister Rou's meticulousness, the cold palace would have been engulfed in flames by now. Although those living in it are all abandoned concubines, they are also living lives. If the fire spreads to other places, it will be even more terrible..."
"From this, we can see that Sister Rou is not only gentle and charming, but also has outstanding abilities. She has just learned about the affairs of the six palaces. In time, Sister Rou will surely become a good helper to me and the Imperial Concubine. Then we will have an easier time."
Shen Zhinian looked at Concubine Liang with a scrutinizing look in his eyes.
Concubine Liang's tone was gentle, her smile was genuine, and her words revealed her admiration for her. However, Shen Zhinian keenly felt that these words were suspected of flattery!
Concubine Liu held great power in the harem. When Queen Jiang asked Concubine Liang to help manage the six palaces, she felt threatened and repeatedly targeted Concubine Liang.
If Shen Zhinian and Concubine Liu had not formed an alliance in private, would Concubine Liu still tolerate her after hearing Concubine Liang's speech?
"You are too kind, Concubine Liang. I am grateful for the trust of Your Majesty and Concubine Gui. I am only doing my part and I dare not take credit for it. How can my ability compare with those of the two ladies? The harem cannot do without Concubine Gui and you."
The smile on Concubine Liang's face became more genuine, and she praised: "Sister Rou's little mouth is really as sweet as honey. Not to mention that His Majesty dotes on you, even I like you very much!"
Concubine Liu snorted coldly: "That's enough. Everyone knows that Concubine Liang is always a good person. Which woman in the harem don't you like?"
Concubine Liang said respectfully: "Since we have entered the harem, we are all sisters. It is only natural for us to love each other."
In Concubine Liu's view, Concubine Liang did not compete for His Majesty's favor and never offended her. Even though Concubine Liang was always displeased with her and made things difficult for her because she helped manage the affairs of the six palaces, Concubine Liang never resisted and was as respectful to her as always.
No matter how domineering Concubine Liu was, she had let out the anger in her heart and was too lazy to continue targeting Concubine Liang.
The first thing Shen Zhinian did when he arrived at the cold palace was to order Xiao Zhouzi and the steward to go and investigate the fire. Now the two of them finally came out.
After the ceremony, Xiao Zhouzi said, "Your Majesty, we have investigated the matter. The one who set the fire was Shangguan Shuren, who was banished to the cold palace not long ago. The steward found kerosene and a fire starter in her room and has brought the person here."
Shangguan Shuren's clothes were so dirty that the color could not be seen. She was covered in dirt, unkempt, and smelled bad. This was a sharp contrast to her former beauty.
Concubine Liu covered her nose with a handkerchief, her bright and beautiful face full of disgust.
Shangguan Shuren stared at the emperor infatuatedly: "Your Majesty, you finally came to see me... Do you know that I really missed you during these days in the cold palace..."
Even the emperor couldn't remember all the concubines in the harem, let alone a commoner who was banished to the cold palace: "Li Changde, who is she?"
Shangguan Shuren was stunned on the spot, and all the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat.
She thought that after meeting His Majesty, His Majesty might recall the good times they had spent together when he doted on her. And seeing her current state, he would definitely feel sorry for her and take her out of the cold palace.
Or he might get furious and ask her why she set fire to the cold palace. Then she could tell him all her grievances, and even death would be better than being locked up in this dark place all day.
But I never thought that... His Majesty had completely forgotten her...
Li Changde was no longer surprised by this situation. "Your Majesty, this is the noble lady Shangguan who lived in Lixuan Pavilion before the lady from the Qian Palace."
"She was good friends with Concubine Liu. She knew that Concubine Liu was pregnant and was allergic to the pollen of hibiscus flowers. So she put the pollen on Concubine Liu, intending to put the blame on Concubine Rou."
"After the truth was exposed, you demoted her to a commoner and sent her to the cold palace. Her father, Shangguan Ming, was also demoted from the position of Minister of the Imperial Household to the position of county magistrate in Lingnan."
The emperor finally remembered this person and looked at Shangguan Shuren with disgust: "I spared your life because you once served me, but you still don't repent!"
"Why did you set fire to the cold palace? Where did you get the kerosene and the fire starter?"
Knowing that the evidence was irrefutable, she could no longer deny it. Shangguan Shuren fell to the ground and laughed sadly. He looked at Shen Zhinian with deep hatred: "I didn't know that Concubine Liu was allergic to the pollen of hibiscus flowers, nor did I know that she was pregnant with the royal heir, and I didn't do anything to her!"
"It's you! It's you, you bitch! You did all this! You hurt me and my father so badly, how could I let you go?!"
"So I asked the guards who were guarding the cold palace to buy me some kerosene and a fire starter. I'm going to burn the cold palace down and make sure you can't get away with it, bitch!!!"
Shen Zhinian was not afraid of the defeated opponent's impotent rage, and even felt like laughing.
But in front of the emperor, she had to pretend, otherwise how could she arouse the pity of this man?
Shen Zhinian covered his chest and staggered back several steps, looking as if he was frightened by Shangguan Shuren: "The evidence of what happened that day is irrefutable. Although I feel a little pity for you, you have brought this upon yourself. How could you, how could you..."
Having said that, Shen Zhinian turned around and looked at the emperor. There was a layer of mist in her autumn-water eyes, and her charming face was three parts uneasy and seven parts aggrieved: "Your Majesty, I didn't know that Shangguan Shuren hated me so much..."
"Not only does she live in the cold palace, but there are also many abandoned concubines. Just like what Concubine Liang said, no matter what, they are also living lives."
"If Shangguan Shuren burns so many people alive in order to avenge me, then... I will never be able to atone for my sins even if I die a thousand times..."
"I only hope that the harem can be peaceful and live in peace. I really don't want to cause so many disasters because of me... I beg Your Majesty to revoke your order and let me no longer learn about the affairs of the six palaces..."
Little did he know how distressed the emperor must have felt seeing her so kind to others and to the peace of the harem even though she had obviously suffered a great injustice!
Sometimes Nangong Xuanyu really hopes that this woman can be a little more selfish, and not always be so naive and kind, taking all the blame for other people’s mistakes on herself.
"What nonsense are you talking about? It's obviously Shangguan who is as vicious as a snake, what's your fault?"
"On the contrary, you managed the matter at hand extremely well and saved a possible disaster. Not only was there no fault, but you also achieved merit!"
Shen Zhinian's eyes sparkled with a touch of emotion: "As long as it can make Your Majesty less worried, I don't mind what happens to you."
Shangguan Shuren was almost going crazy: "Bitch, stop pretending here!"
"Your Majesty, please don't be fooled by her again!"