Phoenix Fight: The First Concubine

Chapter 93

Murong Wei returned to Tianxiangyuan and rested for a while.

Xiang Tao waited beside Murong Wei, holding her cheeks and thinking about things silently.

She was just thinking, who on earth could put musk here?
Miss went back to Murong Mansion that day, and she didn't see anything wrong with Xiang before, so what happened that day?
Apart from myself, there were quite a few people who came in to serve Murong Wei that day, the sweepers were third-class maids, and the incense was not changed, so many of them may have tampered with it.

Now the princess no longer needs incense.

As long as she thought about it, this thing is too easy to be manipulated.

And if someone uses incense to fumigate clothes and use means, it is not good for people.

Xiangtao was meditating silently, when suddenly she heard some movement outside.

She got up to look, frowned, and when she went outside, there were two people standing on the porch arguing.

One of them is Niuhong, and the other is Zhixia.

"Why are you arguing, the princess is resting!" Xiang Tao scolded dissatisfied.

Zhixia's face flushed, and she pointed at Niuhong angrily and said, "Sister Xiangtao, it's her, she harmed the princess!"

Xiangtao was at a loss when he heard that: "What are you talking about, what are you talking about?"

"I didn't harm the concubine!" Niaohong said with shame and indignation: "Why do you say it's me?"

"I've seen it all. You were burning something furtively in the bamboo forest just now. I saw it. I saw it. What you burned was a rag doll! I heard that it was a harmful thing."

Zhixia shouted confidently.

When she said this, both Xiangtao and Niuhong's expressions changed drastically.

Lu'er and Madam Zheng, who were coming over with the roster, came over after hearing the words.

"I didn't, you read it wrong, I am... Today is my mother's death day, I burned paper money for her, and I was afraid of violating the rules of the palace, so I secretly went to the bamboo forest to burn it."

That's what Niuhong said, but there was something wrong with that look, obviously a little guilty.

Xiangtao was furious: "Zhixia, you can see clearly where it is, take me there immediately, you bastard, if you really dare to harm the princess, I will kill you today!"

They were originally prejudiced against Nianhong, but now they heard Xia Yi's words, they immediately believed most of them.

Zhixia also said angrily, "I've seen it all, this little bastard must be trying to harm the princess, and now I'm afraid that something will happen, so I'm going to destroy the evidence."

Nianhong said angrily: "It has nothing to do with me. How could I harm the princess? I just want to burn something for my mother. How can this be regarded as my desire to destroy evidence? Could it be that dolls are harmful?"

Madam Zheng said with a cold face: "Don't argue, take us to have a look first."

Several people quarreled and arrived at the bamboo forest in Erjinli. Mother Zheng gave Lu'er a wink and asked her to send someone to check the place where Niaohong lived.

Nianhong was wrapped by them into the bamboo forest, Zhixia ran to a place, "This is it."

Niu Hong's face turned pale, Xiangtao saw that the soil had been moved by someone, took a bamboo branch and immediately saw a pile of ashes buried inside.

The piece of cloth was not burned very cleanly, leaving a piece of cloth with writing on it.

Obviously the person who burned the things was very flustered, because he was too flustered and left a flaw.

Xiangtao picked it up and looked at it, and saw the word Wei on it.

Xiangtao's face flushed red with anger, she stepped forward and slapped her red face, "You bastard, you dare to murder the princess, are you the one who gave her incense?"

The red face was swollen from the beating, she shouted loudly: "It's not me, I have been doing needlework these days, the only time I went in was to meet the princess with Lu Shao, there were so many people at that time , How could I do anything under your noses? I didn't do this, someone set me up!"

"You didn't do it, what did you burn? You have a guilty conscience."

Xiangtao grabbed her hand and said: "Let's go to see Wangfei now, and examine your little hoof, you damn thing, I have to show you this one!"

Madam Zheng carefully wrapped up the pile of ashes, and followed the others back.

Lu'er also came back and ran into them.

"Nurse." Lu'er's face was livid, and she stared at Nie Hong with an unfriendly expression, and said through gritted teeth, "I also found a puppet under her bed, with the name of the princess on it, and a needle stuck in the heart. I think it looks like who practiced evil."

Madam Zheng said in a calm voice: "Bring her in, I'll report to the princess first, don't make a big deal out of it."

Lu'er agreed, and stared angrily.

She used to hate this woman very much, and now she hates it even more.

Unexpectedly, she dared to curse the princess, and she might be the one who killed the princess.

Nian Hong was pushed into the room by someone, Murong Wei was awakened by the movement outside, only then did she see the people around her pushing and shoving in with Nian Hong.

Nanny Zheng walked around the screen and stood still in front of Murong Wei, "I'm bothering the princess, something really happened, I want the princess to make up her mind."

Murong Wei frowned: "What's wrong?"

Madam Zheng said the matter in a low voice.

When Murong Wei heard it, she was not angry, but her eyes were flickering.

Of course she didn't believe that stabbing a rag doll could kill someone, and besides, not everyone knew her birth date.

"I'll go and have a look." Murong Wei walked out with a pretty face, and when she arrived at the main hall, she sat on the black sandalwood rose chair and glanced at her: "Nuhong, tell me, what happened to these dolls?" thing?"

The red hair was messed up, and now when she saw Murong Wei, she cried and came forward to beg for mercy: "Princess, this really has nothing to do with the maidservant, someone framed the maidservant. The maidservant returned to the room today, suddenly The servant girl was startled when she saw a puppet put on the bed by someone who killed thousands of knives. Afraid that someone would find out that she was burning something in the room, she ran to burn it in the bamboo forest. She didn't expect to be seen But the servant girl really didn't harm the master. I don't know who framed me."

Zhixia spat: "Don't lie, who will frame you, I just happened to pass by and saw you, if you weren't sneaky, I haven't gone to see it on purpose. I didn't expect you to be so vicious."

Murong Wei looked at Nunhong carefully, and saw that the grievance, fear and anger on her face did not seem to be feigned.

"Bring something and let me have a look."

Nanny Zheng took a puppet and put it in front of Murong Wei, and wrapped some ashes of the burned fabric in a handkerchief.

Murong Wei took the puppet and took a look, and saw that it was just an ordinary doll, except for her name Murong Wei tattooed on the back, there was nothing special about it.

This thing looks very ordinary, I don't think there is any difference.

Murong Wei looked at it, her eyes moved slightly, but nothing could be seen on her face.

"This thing was found in the red house? Does she live with someone else?"

Mother Zheng said: "In the past, Nianhong and Yicui lived together, but since Yicui left, no one has been transferred to be with her."

Mainly because no one wants to live with her.

In this way, it doesn't look like being framed.

But Murong Wei looked around, she always felt that Wuhong didn't have the guts.

And this thing is easy to make, without her horoscope, what's the use of this doll?

Even with her horoscope, can she still be suppressed by Nightmare?

She recalled that when Nianhong came that day, she came with Lu Shao, and there were maids everywhere in the room, how did she do it in front of everyone?
This thing is too coincidental.

She just let go of the investigation today, and she didn't burn things in the morning and evening, so she went to burn them today.

It doesn't matter if it was burned, how could it be so coincidental that someone saw it?
If it was her own thing, wouldn't she even know where it was hidden?

Even left evidence under the bed.

If someone harms her, putting this thing is a bit superfluous.

Murong Wei frowned, "Nu Hong, do you dare to swear?"

Nian Hong hurriedly said: "My servant really didn't harm the princess, I dare to swear to the sky, if this thing is made by my servant, I will let my servant go to the eighteenth floor of hell, and I will die!"

Seeing that she had made such a poisonous oath, everyone looked at each other for a while.

Xiangtao snorted: "I'm going to swear that you're willing when I'm about to die. If you jump over the wall in a hurry, I think you're just uneasy and kind. Today, the concubine found out about this matter. It's a guilty conscience!"

Niu Hong said angrily: "I didn't do it, so I didn't do it. If it wasn't for fear of being framed, why would I remember to burn this thing?"

Murong Wei looked at the doll in her hand, and said for a while: "Although I think you don't have the guts to harm me, but now you can't prove your innocence either. Someone, please take her down and lock her up."

"Yes."

Madam Zheng asked someone to put Wuhong down.

Although Murong Wei didn't think that this matter was done by Nian Hong, she still has doubts now.

Xiangtao said angrily, "I think she must have done it, servant girl."

Murong Wei glared at her: "When will you get rid of your irritable temper?"

She glanced at Zhixia: "Zhixia, how did you get past the bamboo forest?"

Zhi Xia thought for a while and said: "It's the servant girl who wanted to ask Elder Sister Zang Dong to make a fool of herself, so she went over there and went to the back room, unexpectedly, she saw her sneaking around on the road."

Murong Wei smiled: "It's a coincidence, it's not just that you saw it. Madam Zheng, thank you for Xia Wuliang."

Mother Zheng agreed, and Zhixia hurriedly said embarrassedly: "This is what a servant should do, how dare you ask for a reward from the princess."

Murong Wei smiled and said: "Don't say that, if it wasn't for you today, I'm afraid I'd be troubled for a long time. Look at it now, it's really possible that it's Niu Hong. This girl has always had bad intentions."

Madam Zheng looked at Murong Wei in surprise, but did not speak.

Zhixia nodded, and said with righteous indignation: "That's right, the servant girl usually doesn't like her when she looks at her, and thinks that her intentions are not right. Now she really did something bad, and it can be seen on her face."

"That's not written, how can you tell?" Murong Wei laughed.

"The slave girl's eyes can tell when looking at people, her eyes are not right."

Murong Wei smiled, sent her off to work, and rewarded her with five taels of silver.

The puppet in her hand was tossing back and forth in her palm, and she took something to remove the cloth on it.

After checking it carefully, there was a smile on his face.

"How does Mammy feel?"

Madam Zheng replied: "This is quite strange for the servant girl to see."

Xiangtao brought a plate of lychees, and muttered: "My servant just hates that Nuggy, who is just as virtuous as that Yicui, just..."

"Don't always judge people with prejudice." Murong Wei raised her eyebrows, and said while eating lychees: "Even if her character is not good, and she wants to cling to the glory and wealth, it doesn't mean that she will definitely do this."

Xiangtao couldn't believe it.

Murong Wei took the doll and looked at it: "Do you see anything?"

Xiang Tao wondered: "What's the difference?"

"I see that there is no date of birth on it, so it doesn't look like it can harm people." Zheng Nanny said.

"That's not necessarily true. How did the servant hear that some people use human hair to do it? It's so scary."

Murong Wei laughed and said, "You're talking about tricks, right? Why, didn't you notice the fabric?"

Xiangtao cried out: "That's right, this fabric... the fabric inside is the best snow satin."

Madam Zheng also understood, she looked at the layer of fabric she had put away: "This is brocade with gold jacquard all over the place."

None of these materials are good things.

Even the snow satin is also a tribute satin from the palace, Murong Wei only got five bolts in total, and gave half a bolt to each of the three aunts, and no one else.

"Who made this thing and deliberately used such a good thing?"

Xiangtao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly said: "Couldn't that be the leftover cloth she went to the sewing room to beg for?"

"Nuihong and Lushao are made of my fabrics. Do I need to go to the sewing room to ask for it? Besides, I haven't had time to make anything with the snow satin, and I didn't let them use the snow satin to make purses." What."

Mother Zheng nodded and said: "The princess is right, this old slave understands. These things are made of very fresh materials, and they look very new, so I'm afraid they were just made, and these good materials are used. It was taken by hand."

Who would make this kind of thing and go to ask people for materials?
I'm afraid of how to do it smoothly, how to do it secretly.

Murong Wei's eyes were full of amusement, it was really interesting.

Who did this?

It was she who broke the conspiracy today, and was too disturbed after returning, so she made such a move and planted the matter on Nian Hong.

If she didn't investigate carefully, based on her dislike for Wu Hong and the unanimous evidence, she might think that this maid did it.

After all, she has that little thought, and she is the one who is most likely to get close to her.

So here's where it gets interesting.

Who is it?
Zhang Yuqian, Su Mei or Liu Yue?
Who is conspiring with some of them?
Zhixia who happened to find out, or someone else?

Murong Wei turned around in her mind, thought carefully, and suddenly felt a little interested.

This whole day is considered boring, so she thinks about what this person wants to do.

This thing was obviously made hastily, but the thread used is also a good thread. Although it was hastily made, it can be seen that this person's craftsmanship is still good.

"Mother Zheng, ask someone to keep an eye on Dian Zhixia."

Madam Zheng nodded.

Xiangtao couldn't believe it. When she got along with her, she felt that Zhixia, a silly big sister, had no intentions.

Could it be that she did this, blaming others?
But now if Nianhong is innocent, Zhixia who found her would be the biggest suspect.

Murong Wei sighed: "Look at what happened, why doesn't it stop. In fact, it's fine, this concubine is very bored."

She wasn't going to kill her opponent all at once.

Now she is in the light and others are in the dark. She will wait patiently and slowly.

Murong Wei pondered for a moment, then said: "Outsiders will know about this matter, and it can be publicized. Let those who are interested temporarily put down their guard."

If it wasn't for Xiao Mingrui's absence and she was bored, she wouldn't be interested in tossing around with them slowly.

Gotta find something to pass the time, right?

Otherwise, who would have spent so much effort to intrigue with these concubines?
If you get bored looking at it, even if you don't sell it directly for Concubine Hui's face, if you deal with it coldly and throw it to Zhuangzi to destroy yourself, there is no trouble.

Concubine Hui would not have any conflicts with her because of the two maidservants.

She is not a serious mother-in-law, so it is not good to interfere with Xiao Mingrui's family affairs, now it is just for occasion.

Now Murong Wei's mood is like a cat catching a mouse.

It's quite a teasing mentality.

"Go back and tell the younger sisters that my concubine intends to let people from Qiansifang in the capital make clothes, and ask them to ask for high-quality materials."

Qiansifang is also one of the most famous embroidery workshops in the capital, and the clothes they make are also high-quality goods, not inferior to those made in the palace, but more elegant and delicate in style.

Madam Zheng understood what she meant and laughed.

"The princess is brilliant."

Murong Wei smiled and said nothing.

Madam Zheng went down to do some work.

The entire palace was very noisy because of today's incident, and there were many discussions.

When Wei Bin, the manager of the internal treasury, and Han Lin of the Shangyi Bureau were arrested, some people started to move.

Before doing this, Murong Wei had already considered the people who could be used by the palace.

Now that Mother Ling's family has abandoned Wei Bin, some people may be dissatisfied with it.

Han Lin didn't get a good result either, so many people waited and watched.

Most of these people are people who follow the trend, and they must understand the situation of the palace better than anyone else.

Nanny Ling is just a nanny, not a real mother. No matter how close she is, can she be as close as the person next to someone's pillow, and no matter how capable she is, can she be better than the princess?
Now that two people have gone down, many people want to get active. These are two fat vacancies.

Murong Wei is being taken care of by the deputy steward for the time being.

Now there are a lot of things to deal with, but also to choose the right person.

These people were promoted by her, and they will be the ones she can use in the future.

When Madam Zheng came back, she said with a smile: "I have met many people today who want those two positions, so let me tell you something."

Murong Wei nodded: "This is also common sense. Is there any difference between Zhixia?"

"No, this girl is no different from usual, she still has to do what she should do. It's just that the maidservant heard that her mother is sick, and now Zhixia is taking time to go back and take care of her mother."

Murong Wei's eyes flickered, she hoped it wasn't the people around her who did it.

She hates being betrayed.

It would be silly if she really did it because of lack of money.

If she said anything, Murong Wei would not be unwilling to help.

"Well, I know about that."

Lu'er entered the room and said in a low voice: "Princess, Mr. Su De asked to see him and said that he has something important to report to you."

Murong Wei raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh? Let him come in and answer."

Xiangtao was about to ask someone to prepare dinner, Su De came in and looked around and said: "This old servant has something important to discuss with the princess."

Seeing that he was so cautious, Murong Wei also looked serious.

Madam Zheng led the people down obediently.

Su De said in a low voice: "Mr. Li wants to ask the concubine to explain and make an idea."

Murong Wei was surprised and said: "Mr. Li? What's the matter, what happened? If it's normal, Mr. Li will never ask me to make up my mind."

Su De nodded: "It was Mr. Li who just went to find the old slave, saying that in recent days there seemed to be more spies around the palace, and there were people entering and leaving the palace. The prince sent someone back from the south of the Yangtze River, and it seemed that people were paying attention. "

Murong Wei didn't ask how Li Jishan knew about it. Xiao Mingrui must have his own intelligence agency. Su De and Li Jishan must have known about these things.

And the most puzzling thing now is why there are so many spies recently.

"Who sent it?"

Su De said in a deep voice: "It seems that he is a member of the General Secretary."

The only one who can move the Secretary of General Administration is the one above.

"What happened in the capital recently?"

Murong Wei immediately wondered if something big happened in the capital, otherwise, why would the emperor suddenly increase the monitoring of the Luo Palace, and seemed to be very concerned about the affairs of their palace.

Su De looked around and said: "There are some things, our people have already heard about it. It is said that Zhu Taiyi suffered a stroke when he went to Hongxiulou. He is now unconscious."

Murong Wei's expression froze.

How could Xiao Mingrui be involved in this matter?
Or the emperor was suspicious of who did it.

He didn't know which son it was, so he simply monitored everyone.

"How about Prince Qi's Mansion?"

"Qi Wangdian was called back by the emperor yesterday to go to court."

Murong Wei frowned, something was wrong.

If there is suspicion about every son, this move is clearly not.

So the emperor thought that this matter was done by King Luo?

"Go, find Mr. Li."

Murong Wei and Su De went to Cunxin Hall, and met Li Jishan in the study here.

Li Jishan was dressed in Tsing Yi, looking down at a chessboard in front of him, seemingly in a daze.

Hearing the movement, Li Jishan looked back and cupped his hands and said, "I've seen the princess."

"Mr. Li is too polite." Murong Wei sat on the armchair with huanghuali curly grass patterns on one side: "Mr. Li should sit too, I have heard what Eunuch Su said."

Li Jishan thanked him and sat down beside him.

"Since the concubine has heard about it, she must also know that this matter is not easy. Looking at it from now on, I am afraid that it will be related to Zhu Taiyi's stroke."

Murong Wei groaned for a moment and said, "What happened to Doctor Zhu's stroke?"

Li Jishan talked about his investigation.

"So, King Qi was also there at that time, but since that's the case, why didn't the father blame him, but the prince instead?"

Li Jishan said confidently: "The villain sees that the king of Qi must have facilitated this matter, and he wants to kill two birds with one stone. I am afraid that he has done something to point the doubters to the prince. Because he is also present, it will make people think that he is impossible." .”

Of course Murong Wei knew that it was not Xiao Mingrui who did what Imperial Physician Zhu did.

However, the key is how to convince the emperor?

"Father may also have some doubts, but father may not think that King Qi is innocent." Murong Wei snorted: "What you are doing now is just the emperor's mind."

Li Jishan looked at her appreciatively, but he didn't expect her to see so clearly.

On the surface, the emperor looked like he was starting to use King Qi, but that didn't mean he didn't doubt him anymore.

It's just that now the object of his suspicion has shifted to King Luo.

The emperor's mind always pays attention to a balance at all times.

The way to rule is in balance.

The relationship between courtiers and courtiers must always be balanced with each other, and these sons must also be balanced to prevent the family from dominating and threatening the imperial power.

"Now the Holy Majesty has no direct evidence to prove that the matter was done by the prince. So as long as the Holy Majesty's doubts are dispelled, it is enough."

Murong Wei's eyes lit up, and she said with a smile: "It seems that Mr. Li has a plan in his mind. The prince has entrusted you and the fifth brother with the affairs of the capital. Do you want to discuss this matter with the fifth brother?"

"My lord gave the fifth prince some gifts, I think it's better to invite the fifth prince to come to the mansion tomorrow for a talk."

Murong Wei smiled tacitly, "That's good, I think Fifth Brother must like the things the prince gave you."

Since Li Jishan can be reused by Xiao Mingrui, how can he succeed if he doesn't have some real skills?
Murong Wei also wanted to think about how to deal with this matter.

Su De sent her back to Tianxiang Garden, Murong Wei ate dinner and practiced calligraphy for a while, Yuegu came in and brought a bowl of ice sugar pears: "Princess, I talked a lot today, eat some to moisten my throat."

Murong Wei didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Alright, I like the food made by Aunt Yue."

(End of this chapter)