amaotonovel Chapter 275: Dangers Surrounding the Evil Plan
Chapter 275: Dangers Surrounding the Evil Plan
An Lingrong frowned slightly. "Huan'er, Lord Li has many followers in the court. Although we have the Emperor's support, if he secretly makes trouble for us, it will affect the investigation."
Zhen Huan patted her hand gently: "Don't be afraid, Lingrong. Good will never prevail over evil. As long as we have solid evidence, he won't be able to turn the tables."
Concubine Hua snorted coldly, "I just don't believe that Lord Li is that capable! If he dares to stir up trouble, I will make him know how powerful I am!"
A few days later, Zhen Huan's personal maid Huanbi came hurriedly to report: "Madam, I discovered that the minor official has secretly left the palace again, and it seems that he is going to deliver some news."
Zhen Huan's eyes were stern. "Don't alert the enemy. Send Xiao Yunzi to follow closely and see what he is going to do."
Xiao Yunzi took the order and left. Soon he returned to report, "Your Majesty, the clerk went to Lord Li's residence and stayed there for a long time before coming out. He looked flustered and was clutching a package in his hand."
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment: "It seems that the package must contain something crucial. I must find a way to get it."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, we can devise a plan to lure that clerk away, and then send someone to retrieve the package."
Concubine Hua nodded: "This plan is feasible. I will arrange for someone to carry out the plan, and the clerk will be completely unaware of it."
So, Concubine Hua staged a play, pretending to have an argument on the road where the clerk had to pass, attracting the clerk's attention. Zhen Huan took the opportunity to have her agile guards sneak into the clerk's residence and take the package away.
After the package was retrieved, everyone gathered together. Zhen Huan carefully opened the package and saw some letters and an account book inside.
Zhen Huan examined the letter carefully, her expression darkening. "This letter reveals that the Queen and Lord Li are secretly colluding to murder Lingrong and me. They also want to eliminate dissidents in the court and expand their power. This account book even records the bribes they accepted and the public funds they embezzled."
An Lingrong angrily said, "How can they be so cruel and crazy!"
Concubine Hua gnashed her teeth and said, "This is truly a heinous crime! This time, I will make sure they are doomed!"
Zhen Huan said, "We need to present this evidence to the Emperor as soon as possible, but there are so many spies in the palace. How can we get it to the Emperor safely?"
An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Huan'er, we can ask Imperial Physician Wen for help. He often visits the harem to treat the concubines, so he won't arouse suspicion."
Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "Lingrong, this is a very good plan. I will go find Doctor Wen right away."
Zhen Huan found Doctor Wen and told him the reason for the incident. Doctor Wen agreed without hesitation: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will do my best to help you."
Doctor Wen brought the package and cleverly avoided everyone's eyes and ears. He came to the Yangxin Palace and presented the evidence to the emperor.
The Emperor was furious after seeing this: "How dare the Queen and Lord Li be so audacious!"
He immediately ordered that Lord Li be dismissed from his post, investigated, thrown into prison, and await trial. He also ordered that the Empress be demoted to a commoner and imprisoned in the cold palace, never to leave.
After Zhen Huan and others heard the news, a huge stone in their hearts finally fell to the ground.
An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally, we've brought them down. The harem can finally have some peace."
Zhen Huan smiled and nodded: "This is all thanks to the concerted efforts of us sisters, and the help of Sister Hua Fei."
Concubine Hua smiled and said, "We are now good sisters who have shared hardships. From now on, we will be able to manage this harem in an orderly manner."
However, the peaceful days did not last long. One day, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were walking in the imperial garden when they suddenly heard a melodious flute sound.
Zhen Huan asked curiously, "Where does this flute sound come from? It sounds quite mournful."
They walked in the direction of the flute sound and saw a woman in white standing in the pavilion playing the flute.
Zhen Huan stepped forward and asked, "Who are you? Why are you playing this music here?"
The woman stopped playing and bowed, saying, "I am the newly arrived Consort Ning. I miss my hometown, so I play this song to ease my homesickness."
An Lingrong looked at her. "Noble Lady Ning? How come I haven't heard of her before?"
Concubine Ning said softly, "I don't like to fight with others. I just want to live a peaceful life in the palace."
Zhen Huan smiled and said, "In that case, if you have any difficulties in the future, you can come to us."
Concubine Ning thanked her, "Thank you very much, Your Majesty."
But within a few days, rumors spread in the palace that Concubine Ning had an affair with someone outside the palace.
Zhen Huan frowned after hearing this: "This rumor is strange. I'm afraid someone is spreading it on purpose."
An Lingrong asked, "Could it be the remnants of the Empress or Lord Li who are causing this?"
Concubine Hua said, "No matter who it is, if they dare to stir up trouble under my nose, I will not let them off lightly!"
Zhen Huan said, "Let's go see Lady Ning first. We must not let her be hurt by these rumors."
When they arrived at Ning Guiren's residence, they saw that Ning Guiren's face was full of sorrow.
When Lady Ning saw them approaching, she stood up and saluted: "Why are you ladies here?"
Zhen Huan took her hand and said, "Noble Lady Ning, don't worry about these rumors. We will definitely clear your name."
An Lingrong asked, "Do you know where this rumor came from?"
Concubine Ning shook her head: "I don't know either. It's just that as soon as I woke up, the rumor spread throughout the harem."
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment: "Let's start by investigating where the rumor is most widespread. We'll definitely find some clues."
So they began to search around the palace and question the maids and eunuchs. Finally, a young eunuch told them that the rumor originated from a servant in the Imperial Household Department.
Zhen Huan and the others immediately went to the Imperial Household Department and questioned the servant. The servant was so frightened that he knelt down and begged for mercy: "My ladies, I know I was wrong. Someone gave me money to spread this rumor."
Zhen Huan asked sternly, "Who is it?"
The servant trembled and said, "It's...it's Lipin's maid."
An Lingrong asked in surprise, "Hasn't Concubine Li been banished to the cold palace? Could it be that she still has some remnants operating in secret?"
Concubine Hua said, "Humph! Who cares about her remaining followers? Pull them out together!"
They went to the cold palace again and questioned Lipin. Lipin denied it flatly: "I have been banished to the cold palace, how could I still care about these trivial matters? Someone must have deliberately framed me."
Zhen Huan looked at her and said, "Lipin, if you tell the truth now, you may still have a chance of survival. If we find out the truth, you will be doomed."
Lipin hesitated for a long time before finally revealing the truth: "It's... it's the former subordinates of Nian Gengyao, the elder brother of Concubine Hua. They want to create chaos in the harem and avenge Nian Gengyao."
After hearing this, Zhen Huan and others were shocked.
Concubine Hua angrily said, "These people really don't know how to live or die! I have already made a clear break with Nian Gengyao, and they still dare to do this!"
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, it seems this matter needs to be handled with caution. We must not cause further unrest."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Lingrong is right. Let's inform the Emperor first and then make a decision."
Zhen Huan and others came to the Yangxin Palace and told the emperor the whole story.
The emperor's face was gloomy. "Nian Gengyao's former subordinates dared to cause trouble in the palace. I have ordered that they be tracked down with all their might. Not a single one of them shall be spared!"
Zhen Huan and the others followed the order and continued to track down Nian Gengyao's former subordinates in the palace. A new storm quietly set off in the harem...