lcionline Chapter 568 Exile to Ningguta
Chapter 568 Exile to Ningguta
"I admit my fault in this matter and have nothing to say."
"But there is one thing...I really don't understand."
"Since the Ministry of Internal Affairs collects and throws away the milk that has passed its use-by date every day, where does the spoiled milk in Liangyun Office come from?"
At this point, Shen Zhinian paused for a moment, and then told what she had asked Su Quanye to investigate: "As far as I know, Liangyun Office went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to collect milk to make milk tea on New Year's Eve. The last time they used milk was on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month."
"On the night of the 15th day of the twelfth lunar month, Liangyun Bureau had handed over all the unused milk to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Why did spoiled milk appear on New Year's Eve and mix into milk tea?"
The emperor looked at Concubine Liang.
Concubine Liang said calmly, "Your Majesty, the milk purchased into the palace that day can only be used that day to ensure that the food and drinks produced are fresh."
"But cow's milk is not harmful, so the supervision is not so strict. It is normal for other people in the palace to use it."
Shen Zhinian instantly put on an aggrieved expression: "Your Majesty, in that case, someone deliberately mixed the spoiled milk into the fresh milk from Liangyun Office."
"This is not an accident, but a man-made thing. Someone is trying to harm me on purpose!"
Nangong Xuanyu looked at Concubine Liang and Concubine Xue with a cold look in his eyes: "I asked you to investigate, but there are still so many doubts that have not been clarified. Is this how you fool me?"
The two knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, please calm down!"
There was still an indifferent expression on Xuepin's face.
She had no power in the palace and did not interfere in the affairs of the harem, so she was indeed powerless to intervene in the struggles between concubines.
She understood this, and so did His Majesty.
Concubine Liang lowered her head with a look of panic, but a look of confidence flashed in the depths of her eyes.
She said that no matter how the matter was investigated, it would not involve her. Next, it was time for someone else to fight the virtuous concubine!
Nangong Xuanyu looked at Su Quanye who was kneeling at the back: "What about you? What did you find out?"
Su Quanye said respectfully, "Your Majesty, on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs did take away all the unused milk from Liangyun Office. The spoiled milk that appeared in Liangyun Office on New Year's Eve is really strange."
"I followed this point and found out that in the twelfth lunar month, Lady Xia of Lanxin Pavilion bathed with milk every now and then. And, and the chief of Liangyun Office is Lady Xia's distant uncle..."
Nangong Xuanyu did not have a very deep impression of Concubine Xia. He only remembered that she was Concubine Shu's most loyal supporter and often followed her around and flattered her.
It seems that Lady Xia's father and brother both work under Duke Dingguo.
So...it was actually Concubine Shu who hated Concubine Xian and took away her power to assist in the management of the six palaces. So she instructed Concubine Xia to have the Minister of Liangyun Office mix spoiled milk into fresh milk on New Year's Eve, causing the milk tea to go wrong?
No wonder Concubine Liang only found out some superficial information.
It's not that she is incompetent, but she doesn't want to offend Concubine Shu, nor does she want to get involved in the conflict between Concubine Shu and Concubine Xian.
Anyway, the Ministry of Punishment will report all these matters to him.
Nangong Xuanyu said in a deep voice: "Send Lady Xia over here!"
"Yes!"
Soon, Concubine Xia came to the Yangxin Palace as ordered.
Until now, she is still a little confused.
Seeing the high-ranking concubines kneeling on the ground, Concubine Xia was both curious and nervous.
She knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully: "I pay my respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"
"I wonder why Your Majesty summoned me here today?"
Receiving the emperor's eye instruction, Su Quanye immediately told the story again.
After hearing this, Concubine Xia shook her head repeatedly: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I am really innocent!"
"I just heard someone say a while ago that bathing with milk every day can make your skin smooth and tender. When you sleep with me, you will love it so much that I will try it..."
"What happened at the palace banquet on New Year's Eve has nothing to do with me! I have never instructed my distant uncle to mix stale milk into milk tea. I hope Your Majesty can see clearly!"
The emperor has so many political affairs to deal with every day, how can he waste his energy on these trivial matters? If this matter had not involved Shen Zhinian, he would not have made such a big fuss.
If they investigate further, Concubine Shu will also be implicated. By then, it is unknown how long the fight between the high-ranking concubines will last.
Today is only the third day of the New Year. Are we going to have a miserable New Year?
It doesn't matter whether it's Lady Xia or not. Nangong Xuanyu's eyes flashed with annoyance, and he really couldn't bear to continue pestering her.
"…Noble Lady Xia was jealous of Consort Xian and deliberately framed her, causing many concubines to get into trouble and causing the New Year's Eve palace banquet to be disrupted. Her crime is unforgivable! From today on, she will be demoted to a commoner and banished to the cold palace!"
Dealing with Concubine Xia is also a warning to Concubine Shu!
Nangong Xuanyu continued: "The Minister of Liangyun Office aided and abetted the tyrant, and he shall be beaten to death!"
"Although Supervisor Wu Yaozu was not an accomplice, he was also responsible for failing to supervise properly. He will be severely punished with fifty lashes and exiled to Ningguta!"
When his eyes fell on Shen Zhinian, he softened a little: "Although Concubine Xian failed to notice the problem with the milk tea in time, it is indeed difficult to guard against the deliberate framing of the villain. Considering that you have also been wronged in this matter, I will not punish you."
Shen Zhinian bowed her head and said, "I thank your majesty."
Xia collapsed to the ground, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Your Majesty! I am innocent! I am truly innocent!"
"I have never done these things. Please, Your Majesty, please understand!"
Seeing Li Changde's eyes, Xiao Huizi and another young eunuch immediately covered Xia's mouth and dragged her away.
After this episode, Shen Zhinian, Concubine Liang and Concubine Xue also left the Yangxin Palace.
Ruoli followed behind Concubine Liang, and the look in her eyes when she looked at her was full of undisguised admiration!
At the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, the Queen asked her to find someone to deliberately tell Xia that bathing with milk is good for women. Maybe she could catch the eye of His Majesty and continue to be favored by him!
Ruoli didn't understand at that time why the queen had someone say such things to Xia for no reason?
It was not until this moment that Ruoli realized that the Queen had started planning for today's events so long ago!
As for why Xia was chosen? Of course, it was because Xia's distant uncle was the secretary of Liangyun Office.
Someone was asked to guide Wu Yaozu to make a mistake, and then the blame for Wu Yaozu's negligence was put on the head of Liangyun Office.
In addition, Xia was Concubine Shu's person, so she had the motive to frame Concubine Xian.
This situation is perfect!
Even if they can't bring down Consort Xian, they can still make Consort Shu fight Consort Xian! Then, won't Changchun Palace be able to reap the benefits?