Chunman Palace

Chapter 120
When Mu Pingting arrived at Guanju Palace, the flames gradually subsided. She stopped a palace maid who came back with a bucket, and said, "How's the situation? Are there any casualties?"

The palace attendant was stunned for a moment, "Miss Jin, why are you here?" Then he lowered his voice and said, "The master of Guanju Palace and the few maids have not been able to escape... Maybe it's already... Alas, the empress should not Good question."

Mu Pingting felt a thud in her heart, and she almost fell to the ground without standing. She walked through the palace people towards the burning red palace door. The smoke and dust filled with the smell of burning made her feel a little sick.

Finally, the fire was completely extinguished, and she made a gesture to check into the main hall, but Huayue hurriedly stopped her.

"Your Majesty, don't do it! Although the fire has cooled down, the temperature inside is still scorching hot. If you accidentally touch something, you will be scalded! You have to wait until the heat dissipates before you can go in."

Mu Pingting felt a throbbing pain in her brain, and didn't know what to say for a while, so she said a few words abruptly: "Let Bengong go in and have a look."

Huayue quickly blocked the person: "Your Majesty, let's wait until the heat dissipates."

At this time, Xuan Yin and the Queen also arrived here.

"Is the fire all out?"

"Back to the emperor, the fire has been completely extinguished."

"That's good, Concubine Chang didn't..." Xuan Yin was talking, when he caught a glimpse of Mu Pingting at the side, he couldn't help asking, "Concubine Jin, why did you come out? Didn't I say that you would stay in Xuanji Palace and confine yourself to the Queen Mother?" Wake up!"

Mu Pingting said: "Your Majesty, my concubine heard that Guanju Palace was flooded, and she was very anxious, so..."

The queen smiled and said: "Yes, Your Majesty, Concubine Jin and Concubine Chang are like sisters, and Concubine Jin must be most worried about the leak in Guanju Palace. Your Majesty may wish to see Concubine Jin's relationship with Concubine Chang, Light punishment, shall we?"

Xuan Yin waved his hand: "Forget it, Li Qiao, go and see what's going on inside."

Li Qiao nodded, followed the palace servants to the charred main hall, saw a few charred corpses inside, endured the nausea and ran back, saying: "Your Majesty, many people were burned to death by the fire."

Xuan Yin said angrily: "I didn't ask you this again, I meant to say how is Concubine Chang? Is it safe?"

"The fire is burning so well, and the palace servants haven't found Mrs. Chang Concubine elsewhere. I'm afraid it's already..."

At this time, a young eunuch in the burnt ruins ran over, holding a jade bracelet contaminated by dust in his hand: "Your Majesty, the servant found this bracelet on the wrist of a completely charred corpse."

The queen said in amazement: "Your Majesty, isn't this the jadeite acacia bracelet that you gave to Concubine Chang before?!" She even sighed, "Poor Concubine Chang, but at such a flowery age...why is this!"

Xuan Yin said in a deep voice: "How can the Guanju Palace be flooded! How do you slaves take care of it!"

Li Qiao went to inquire, and then replied: "Your Majesty, all the people in the Guanju Palace were dismissed at that time, and the concubine Chang stayed in the main hall alone at that time, and they didn't know why the main hall was closed for no reason. the water."

The queen hesitated and said, "It can't be that Concubine Chang can't think about it herself."

"How could it be... what is it that she can't think about?" Xuan Yin looked at the Guanju Palace man who was kneeling in the distance, and said angrily: "The main hall of Chang Concubine is on fire, you slaves found it so late, and you are not doing enough to take care of it!"

The Empress raised her eyebrows and said suddenly: "Your Majesty, I heard that the servants of Guanju Palace have always been perfunctory because of the Emperor's cold treatment. Maybe Concubine Chang is unwilling to be humiliated..."

Xuan Yin frowned and said: "Humiliated? How did those palace people insult Chang Concubine?"

The queen said slowly: "The concubine just heard that the palace people of Concubine Chang are very disobedient, every time they order them to do things, they are very procrastinated, and they even joke about Concubine Chang's condition. To be ridiculed by these lowly minions."

"Presumptuous! No matter what, the concubine Chang is still the master, and these slaves are not allowed to make irresponsible remarks!" Xuan Yin said: "The order will be passed down, and the people in Guanju Palace will not be able to take good care of them. Can't get out!"

The queen pondered for a while, and said: "If the emperor does this, I think Concubine Chang will get some comfort in heaven."

Xuan Yin turned to look at Mu Pingting, and said, "Concubine Jin, I will not hold you accountable for leaving Xuanji Palace without authorization today, and go back to the palace quickly. Li Qiao, the guards guarding Xuanji Palace tonight left without authorization and drove out of the palace Do not use anymore."

The queen and Yan persuaded: "Your Majesty, you are also tired, you should go back early tonight to settle down."

Xuan Yin turned to Li Qiao and said, "Go to Fengyi Palace."

The queen was overjoyed, "Yes, Shu Xiang, hurry up and prepare a bowl of bird's nest soup in the palace, the emperor can drink a bowl of bird's nest soup before going to bed tonight to soothe the mind."

Everyone dispersed, and Mu Pingting returned to Xuanji Palace in a daze.

Mu Pingting sat quietly like a stone, her eyes were dull and she said: "I never thought... Chang Concubine would end up in such a situation... It was my palace who harmed her. Tell me, Huayue, is it that this palace did not order those palace people to do things? Is it possible that my concubine can't think about it? They humiliated her to the utmost, and Chang's concubine has a very strong temper."

"Your Majesty, those things are all caused by Concubine Chang, you really don't have to blame yourself like this." Huayue slowed down, offered a glass of Biluochun and said, "Actually Concubine Chang was on good terms with you, Madam, and the two supported each other better than real sisters. It’s embarrassing to be like this.”

Mu Pingting's voice was already a little choked up, her eyes were shining brightly, but she didn't want to shed tears, so she looked up and said: "I have known for a long time that this palace is a magic cave, which swallows up people's family, friendship and love. In the end, only ruthlessness remained, turning into ferocious and cold-blooded beasts to fight each other. But I never thought that Concubine Chang would choose to go so violently."

Huayue said: "Concubine Chang has a very strong temper, she used to look down on concubines with humble backgrounds, now she is humiliated by those palace people, I'm afraid she will have no face to live on."

Mu Pingting bowed her head silently, and said: "Speaking of strong temper... Concubine Min used to be the same, and Concubine Chang was also like her. I still remember that Concubine Min's favorite tea before was Lu'an Guapian, and Concubine Min was like that. It's the same with Concubine Chang's love."

"Your Majesty has a good memory. Concubine Min has been away for so long, yet you still remember the tea she likes to drink."

"It's not that I have a good memory, it's just that after Concubine Concubine left the palace, Concubine Min invited everyone in the Sixth Palace to drink tea, and what they drank was Lu'an melon slices. At that time, she even boasted that her tea was rewarded by the Emperor himself Yes." Mu Pingting held the corner of her mouth and said, "It's rare for the palace to have such a good time, how much can you remember about the harmony of the six palaces?"

Huayue said softly: "Your Majesty, don't think about it anymore, the dead are gone, your Majesty should look forward."

"The deceased is gone..." Mu Pingting could not hold back the two lines of tears when she heard this, "Now I really miss the time when I was in the palace. If everything can return to the way it was before, there is no need How good it would be if the swords are drawn like enemies now."

The long night was long, and Xuanji Palace was covered with a layer of faint melancholy clouds, sadness entered the heart, and tears fell into the dreamland.

In the early morning of the second day, Lin Qingyu learned the news that the Guanju Palace was flooded, his heart trembled suddenly, and he was speechless for a long time.

No matter how bad Chang Concubine's relationship with her was before, she was still a little disappointed when she heard the news.

But immediately, she said bitterly: "It is not a pity to die for such a wicked person. In this way, it can be considered that God has dealt with her. It is also comforting that Eldest Sister is alive in heaven."

Mo'er said in a low voice: "I heard that the emperor drew up a decree early in the morning to make Concubine Chang the Concubine Chang, and told her family members outside the palace about Concubine Chang's accident. Xie, people are lying on the couch and can't move." She paused, put the silver chrysanthemum hairpin on Lin Qingyu's head, and said: "I heard that the second mother of Concubine Chang also fell silent when she heard about it. for a long time."

Lin Qingyu supported a handful of hairpins, and said slowly: "Concubine Chang... Originally, only the concubines who followed the emperor from the hidden mansion could use their own surname as a title, and ordinary concubines have to draw up another title. The emperor is like this, I don’t know why Do you value Concubine Chang more or less?"

Mo'er frowned and said, "Anyway, now that the lights are out, no matter how prosperous or noble it is, it's for the living to see."

"Yeah, the person has already left, all grievances and hatreds have been wiped out, even if it is complicated and luxurious, what's the use? The dead don't need these, and the living just watch the excitement." Lin Qingyu touched the hair on his shoulder, The look in the eyes is complicated.

At this time, a young eunuch suddenly ran in, blinking his eyes darkly, and said courteously: "Madam, the anti-fetal medicine is ready."

Mo'er stopped her movements, turned her head to look, "Your Majesty has just woken up, and I haven't even used this breakfast, how can I drink this anti-fetal medicine?"

"The slave is only following orders, and will deliver the medicine on time at this hour."

Lin Qingyu became suspicious, and said: "Put down the medicine, I will drink it later."

The little eunuch smiled and said: "The emperor said that this anti-fetal medicine will be effective only if it is drunk while it is hot, so let the servant watch the mother drink it before going back to work."

Lin Qingyu said flatly: "Mo'er, bring it here."

The taste of the medicine was bitter, and before she took it, she felt a bitter taste in her mouth. She picked up the medicine bowl, and smelled a pungent smell besides the bitterness, and couldn't help frowning.

Lin Qingyu couldn't help asking: "Is this medicine really ordered by the emperor?"

"Yes, the emperor himself ordered the slaves to deliver the medicine to the empress."

Lin Qingyu asked again: "Then why have I never seen you before? What's your name?"

"Slave Xiaoyingzi, I was assigned to Qingxin Hall to serve in the past few days, so it's normal that the empress has never seen it." After Xiaoyingzi answered, he urged: "Young lady, you should drink the medicine first, or the medicine will lose its effect. It’s not good. After the empress finishes drinking the medicine, if she wants to ask the servant anything, the servant will answer.”

The more Lin Qingyu heard about the medicine, the more inappropriate she felt, and she confirmed again and again: "This medicine is really the anti-fetal medicine sent by the emperor? Before the emperor gave the medicine, did he give other orders?"

Xiaoyingzi raised his eyes and said: "The emperor just said that the slave should look at the empress and serve it while it's hot."

Lin Qingyu sniffed the medicine bowl again, and then dropped it on the table: "Is this medicine an anti-abortion medicine, do you dare to drink it yourself?!"

Xiaoyingzi laughed and said: "Hey, this medicine is used by the emperor to give the empress anesthesia, how dare this slave drink it? The emperor will punish this slave to death when he finds out. Besides, this slave can't drink it even if he is not pregnant."

"Why, don't you dare to drink it? I see that you are not afraid of punishment, but of death!" Lin Qingyu pointed to the bowl of medicine, frowned and said, "There is a lot of nux in it! Once a pregnant woman takes the nux, it will It will cause miscarriage, and its toxicity is even more immeasurable, who instructed you!"

"The slaves act according to orders and follow the emperor's will. They must not dare to lie!"

Lin Qingyu immediately said: "Mo'er, ask someone to detain him first, and wait for me to return to the Ming Emperor before talking about other things."

"Yes." Mo'er immediately called the eunuch at the front door to come over, and tied Xiaoyingzi up.

Xiaoyingzi's body was fragile, and being twisted and tied by those eunuchs, she couldn't help wailing and crying: "Madam, this slave really came to deliver medicine to you according to the emperor's order, so I dare not poison you, Madam, you have wronged this slave! Already!"

"I won't wrong anyone, but until the matter is found out, I can only let you stay in the firewood room." Lin Qingyu made a look, and then walked quickly towards Qingxin Hall.

Mo'er hurried away with a cloak and followed behind.

At this moment in the Hall of Qingxin, Xuan Yin was flipping through the memorials and frowning in thought, Li Qiao came to convey: "Your Majesty, my concubine said that Yin has something important to see you."

Xuan Yin pointed to the table, "Stupid thing, didn't I say that I have something important to deal with and I didn't see it? Tell my concubine to go back to the palace and wait!"

"Yes." Li Qiaofang was about to turn around, but Xuan Yin called out again, "Wait, concubine concubine is pregnant, let her come in and talk first."

Not long after, Lin Qingyu went straight into the Hall of Qingxin, and saluted slowly: "My concubine pays my respects to the emperor, and my majesty is blessed with peace of mind."

"You have a body, so you can avoid these rituals in the future." Xuan Yin put the brochure on the table, his eyes fell on Lin Qingyu, and said: "What exactly are you looking for? Have you taken the anti-fetal medicine?"

"Your Majesty, my concubine came here to ask one thing." Lin Qingyu raised her eyes and said urgently: "This morning, a little eunuch came to the concubine's palace to deliver anti-fetal medicine, saying that the emperor gave it specially. I came to ask for Ping’an’s pulse, and checked the properties of the medicine, and found that nuxynum was added to the soup! Nuxynum is poisonous, and pregnant women will miscarry after taking it. Your Majesty, someone made a fuss about the anti-fetal medicine you rewarded to my concubine. Heart to death!"

Just now, Lin Qingyu originally wanted to say that she discovered something wrong after smelling the pungent smell in the soup, but she always had doubts in her heart, and her intuition told her that the man in front of her was not trustworthy, so she fabricated the doctor Fang to ask for safety. Pulse, found something wrong in the decoction.

She wasn't suspicious too much, but she was afraid that once the skill of mastering medicine was known, it would cause a lot of trouble, and she was afraid that the assassins would be more refined in the future, and they would only start with the amount of medicine, so that people would not be able to find out.

Xuan Yin frowned: "Fang Ruling? Did he enter the palace so early to ask for your peace pulse?"

Lin Qingyu said: "Your Majesty, you forgot that this concubine is pregnant, so she invited Imperial Physician Fang to come to ask for a pulse every day at the hour of the day. This is also approved by the Emperor."

"Where is the palace man who delivered the medicine now?"

"The concubine has imprisoned Xiaoyingzi in Chai..."

"Okay, I know." Xuan Yin took a sip of tea and said in a deep voice: "Send him here, and I will interrogate him myself. You can go back to the palace too, don't worry about this matter."

(End of this chapter)