bookcurios Chapter 149 Shen Zhinian guessed she was pregnant
Chapter 149 Shen Zhinian guessed she was pregnant
The emperor said in disgust: "At this point, not only do you not repent, but you still dare to bite Concubine Rou!"
"Where is the guard who brought her the kerosene and the lighter?"
The cold palace steward hurriedly brought the person up: "Your Majesty, here it is."
The guard turned pale and knelt on the ground begging for mercy: "Your Majesty, please spare my life!"
"It was Shangguan Shuren who said that it was freezing cold and there was no charcoal in the cold palace. She really couldn't stand the cold. So she picked up some dead branches in the yard and wanted to burn them into charcoal to survive the winter. That's why I took her money and brought things for her."
"If I knew that Shangguan Shuren dared to set fire to the cold palace, I would not dare to help him even if I had a hundred courage. I beg Your Majesty to understand and spare my life!"
The life of an abandoned concubine was hard. If she had money, she would ask the guards and eunuchs near the cold palace to bring her things. It was indeed common. If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. The people above usually turned a blind eye to such behavior.
The guards hadn't expected that something so drastic would happen this time...
Shen Zhinian asked, "Aren't you curious? Since Shangguan Shuren had silver, why didn't he just ask you to exchange it for charcoal instead of choosing such a troublesome method?"
The guard's forehead was dripping with cold sweat: "Your subordinate... Your subordinate..."
Of course he had doubts in his mind.
But he was sent to guard the cold palace, so one can imagine his family situation and future. He didn't want to miss any opportunity to make money, so he took the risk.
I didn’t expect... that I really hit a snag this time!
The emperor's eyes flashed with impatience, and he said coldly: "Li Changde, pass on my order. Shangguan Shuren slandered the imperial concubines and intended to set fire to the palace. His crime is unforgivable. Drag him to a deserted place and beat him to death!"
"This guard is blinded by greed. Give him fifty lashes of the cane and expel him from the palace!"
The guard was so frightened that he fell to the ground, as if all his strength had been drained away.
Not to mention that no one dared to use him after he was driven out of the palace, his future was completely ruined. Just fifty strokes of the cane would have crippled him if not killed!
Li Changde quickly responded "yes" and waved his hand to signal the two young eunuchs to hold Shangguan Shuren on the left and right.
The guards were also dragged away.
Shangguan Shuren suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with surprise!
Not to mention her, even Concubine Liu and Concubine Liang were a little surprised.
The deposed concubines were also the emperor's women. Even if they were to be sentenced to death, they would be killed with poisoned wine, white silk or a dagger, allowing them to choose a decent way to die in order to preserve their final dignity.
This was the first time that His Majesty ordered a palace concubine to be beaten to death.
Was it because Shangguan Guiren set fire to the palace and angered him? Or was it because she had accused Rou Guiren?
"Your Majesty, you once loved me. How could you have the heart to treat me like this?! Your Majesty..."
The young eunuch was very perceptive and immediately shut Shangguan Shuren's mouth.
A hint of contemplation flashed across Shen Zhinian's eyes.
Was it Guiren Shangguan who wanted to take revenge on her, or was there someone else behind the scenes?
But there is no evidence at all. If she continues to pester him and fails to find out anything, people will think she is being unreasonable and it will also drain the emperor's sympathy for her.
After weighing the pros and cons, Shen Zhinian swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth, bowed and said: "It's so late, and I still disturbed your majesty's rest. It's really my fault..."
The emperor's heart softened, and he said gently, "Didn't I say that you govern strictly and have no faults. It is Shangguan Shu who has evil thoughts. What does it have to do with you?"
Seeing how much she had lost, he felt inexplicably distressed. He asked Li Changde to look in his private storehouse to see if there was anything good that could make her happy.
It was already late, and the emperor wanted to go back to Tingyu Pavilion with Shen Zhinian.
But on second thought, his favor towards her has already aroused the jealousy of countless concubines. He has been busy with government affairs recently and has not been to the harem for many days. If he favors her as soon as he comes, wouldn't it push her to the forefront?
Although he wanted to protect this little girl, there were still many things he could not take care of. Today, Shangguan Shuren wanted to harm her, and tomorrow, who knows who will want to harm her.
Thinking of this, the emperor calmly withdrew his gaze and patted the back of Concubine Liu's hand: "I haven't visited the eldest princess for several days. Let's go to Yongshou Palace."
Although Concubine Liu and Shen Zhinian are allies, she is petty and jealous, and she can't control herself.
Seeing that His Majesty was so protective of Concubine Rou, and even for her, he used a caning to execute a deposed concubine for the first time, Concubine Liu was happy for having a powerful ally, but she also felt bitter that His Majesty was so kind to other women...
But His Majesty hasn't been to the harem for such a long time, and the first thing he did was to go to Yongshou Palace with her. It can be seen that His Majesty still loves her the most in his heart!
The unhappiness in Concubine Liu's heart suddenly disappeared without a trace, and she smiled and said, "The eldest princess has been talking about missing her father these days."
Shen Zhinian and Concubine Liang bowed together: "Farewell, Your Majesty! Farewell, Concubine!"
Seeing the emperor and Concubine Liu leaving hand in hand, Shen Zhinian not only did not feel disappointed, but also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Because... she had often felt sleepy and tired these days. Although she had not yet asked the imperial physician to check her pulse, she was already 80% sure that she was pregnant.
If you are pregnant, you cannot sleep with the emperor. Shen Zhinian did not intend to make this public until the pregnancy was stable. It would be best if the emperor did not go to Tingyu Pavilion.
Concubine Liang said with concern: "It's freezing cold, Sister Rou should go back to Tingyu Pavilion to rest as soon as possible. I will also go back."
Shen Zhinian bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam Liang Fei. Take care, Madam Liang Fei."
On the way back to Changchun Palace, Liang Fei's personal maid Ruoli said with a smile: "Your Majesty dotes on Concubine Rou so much, I thought the emperor would go to Tingyu Pavilion tonight. It seems that your Majesty still likes Concubine Gui the most."
"The Imperial Concubine is the most favored one in the six palaces. No matter how many concubines were favored during that time, they could not shake her position. I think that Concubine Rou should be just like the previous concubines, a flash in the pan..."
Concubine Liang sat in the warm sedan chair, frowned and scolded: "Ruoli, how many times have I told you to watch your mouth outside? Do you think you can talk about Concubine Rou?"
Ruoli covered her mouth and said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I know I was wrong."
"I just think that the imperial concubine has a distinguished family background, so it's okay for her to be above you."
"But Lady Rou is just a minor noblewoman. Although her father is a third-rank official, it is just an idle and honorary position. How could she steal the attention of His Majesty..."
Concubine Liang said angrily, "Okay, the more you talk, the more outrageous it becomes."
"I am one of the four concubines. Do I have to be jealous of a noble? Besides, we are all sisters in the harem. Harmony is the most important thing."
Ruoli smiled and said, "Your Majesty is indeed virtuous and kind, no wonder His Majesty has named you Consort Liang and respects you so much!"
Concubine Liang shook her head and laughed: "Besides, do you think that His Majesty chose to go to Yongshou Palace today because he really cares more about the Imperial Concubine?"