area51novel Chapter 234 Rumors
Chapter 234 Rumors
Tingyu cried her heart out at the door, "Your Majesty, I didn't! I've never spoken a single word to anyone outside Zhaoyang Palace alone. I always go out with Tingfeng and the others."
Listening to the wind, the rain, the dew, and the snow, as well as watching paintings and chess, there were eight people in total, who were several second-class palace maids in her palace.
Shen Shixi said, "Shut up, what are you crying for? If you didn't say anything, you didn't say anything, and you weren't going to be dragged away and beheaded right now, you spineless coward! Tell me, what rumors are you spreading?"
Nobody dares to say it!
Shen Shixi then selected Tingyu, saying, "You tell me, since this matter concerns you, what rumors are they about, concerning me or the Emperor?"
Hearing the scolding emboldened Tingyu, she said, "It's all over the palace that the Second Princess isn't the heir of the Emperor. They say I was the first to say it, and I only heard about it today."
Who dared to mess with me? They're all doomed! I want to burn down that bastard's entire harem right now!
Li Yuanke's face was also dark; the emperor himself had suffered such a humiliating disgrace.
Shen Shixi waved his hand, dismissing everyone, and asked, "Your Majesty, is the Second Princess truly your child? Have you figured it out yet?"
"Shut the hell up!" Li Yuanke was furious.
"Why are you taking it out on me? Did I cheat on you? Oh, that makes sense. I'm an idiot. Whether it's yours or not, it's yours from now on, right?"
Li Yuanke got out of bed, glanced at her sideways, and ignored her.
"This matter is directed at me, and Your Majesty has been wronged. However, Lady Xie is not qualified to raise the princess. Your Majesty should find a foster mother for the Second Princess. I think Consort Yuan and Consort Guo would be quite suitable."
She then called Bai Ping over to do her hair and makeup, "Wear the gold filigree sapphire and pearl-inlaid headdress that His Majesty bestowed upon you the other day, and wear the newly made light gold palace dress, with osmanthus and gold foil floral decorations."
This was considered a full-on makeover, and when it was done, Li Yuanke was stunned.
Her face was as beautiful as a lotus blossom, captivating all who beheld her.
"I will go with you!"
"What are you going to do? If you go, I won't be able to perform well."
"How could I possibly not be present for something like this?"
Before they had eaten, each of them drank a bowl of bird's nest porridge and then boarded the imperial carriage to go to the Cining Palace.
She told Tingfeng to follow, while Tingyu stayed behind.
All the officials of the rank of concubine and above were present in Cining Palace, including Consort Zhen, the birth mother of the second princess, who could not possibly be absent.
The Queen Mother was also waiting for the two of them.
When Shen Shixi came in, she really dazzled everyone's eyes. She was beautiful, but her outfit was definitely not cheap.
She ate well last night and looked radiant. A hint of spring fever still lingered in her eyes and brows. She was as alluring as a flower and as graceful as a willow, making one envious.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"
Respectful yet distant.
Both of them were in the same boat, and the Empress Dowager was truly saddened and angry. "Rise, both of you. Have you heard what happened?"
"I've heard about it. I never expected that these rumors would spread from my own Zhaoyang Palace. It's truly unexpected!" Shen Shixi said.
The Empress said, "My sister has to serve the Emperor and attend to court affairs on a daily basis, so it's inevitable that she might be a little negligent in managing things within the palace. This matter is no small thing; it concerns the dignity of the royal family, so it cannot be let off lightly. I beg you, sister, to hand over the person!"
"It's not that I doubt the Empress's abilities, but since this matter concerns the people of Zhaoyang Palace, I can't ignore the ins and outs of the matter. If the evidence is indeed conclusive, I will naturally not cover it up. But if there are any doubts, then I will let the real culprit go."
"May I ask Your Majesty, who told you that she heard such gossip and then told you about it?" Shen Shixi asked.
The Empress Dowager was also caught off guard; she hadn't expected Shen Shixi to interfere.
"This matter has already caused quite a stir, aren't you ashamed? Quickly find and deal with those who are gossiping!" the Empress Dowager roared.
Shen Shixi said, "There's no smoke without fire, and no smoke without fire. Why is no one spreading rumors about me, or about Consort De, Consort Jin, or Consort Qiong? The rumors and gossip have already spread to this extent. Isn't Your Majesty afraid of losing face again?"
"A country has its laws, and a palace has its rules. Are we to punish someone before the case is fully investigated? Wouldn't that allow the real perpetrators to go unpunished, and make the Empress appear incompetent?"
The Empress retorted angrily, "I've been investigating this matter for days, and everyone says it was Tingyu from your palace who told me. Am I to say I've wronged her?"
"Who are they? I want to see them!"
The emperor said, "Bring it up!"
The Empress was at a loss. The news had been brought up, and Shen Shixi questioned them one by one, starting with Tingqin in the Empress's palace. Tingqin said that Huashan told her about it, and Huashan said that she heard it from someone in the Imperial Kitchen. After investigating, the investigation eventually returned to a palace maid named Tao'er in the Empress's palace.
Tao'er was pulled out. "I heard it from Tingyu in Zhaoyang Palace."
"Oh, when, where, and are there any other people around?" Shen Shixi asked. "Don't be nervous, think slowly, and speak clearly. As long as you can answer, I won't punish you!"
Tao'er knelt down and said, "Seven days ago, when I went to the Imperial Kitchen to pick up the lotus seed soup that Her Majesty the Empress wanted, Sister Tingyu happened to be nearby. We are from the same hometown, so we stood and talked for a few words. She told me that she heard from Her Majesty that Consort Zhen's child is not of imperial lineage."
Consort Zhen cried, "How could Your Majesty slander me like this? I have no way to defend myself!"
You're speechless, and I'm still completely baffled!
Shen Shixi ignored her and asked, "Tao'er, what rank of palace maid are you in the Empress's palace?"
"This servant is of the second class..."
Before she could finish speaking, Shen Shixi gave her a look, and Tingfeng rushed in, "You're talking nonsense! I haven't met you, I don't even know you, how could I possibly say such things to you!"
Tingfeng buried her head and cried, "This servant never said that! Seven days ago, this servant didn't even go to the Imperial Kitchen!"
Shen Shixi pointed at Tingfeng and asked, "Tao'er, look carefully, did you really encounter Tingyu near the Imperial Kitchen that day? What was she doing there?"
"She said she was going to ask if the Empress's meal was ready. There was no one around, so she went to the largest apricot tree nearby."
That place is quite secluded.
"Does that mean no one saw you two talking?" Shen Shixi asked.
Tao'er seemed to think about it seriously for a moment, then shook her head. "No one saw it."
"Alright, let me confirm again. Are you sure you spoke to Tingyu that day, and that she told you that I said the Second Princess wasn't a dragon's offspring, right?" Shen Shixi asked Tao'er, pointing at Tingyu.
Tao'er trembled timidly, but finally nodded firmly, "Yes!"
Shen Shixi asked, "Your Majesty, is this also the result of your interrogation?"
The Empress said, "I have asked, and it is indeed the case. Tao'er ultimately accused Tingyu in your palace. I am also very sorry. It is inevitable that the palace servants are ignorant. I will replace all the people in your palace later."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but it's unnecessary. The source of the rumors should be Tao'er in your palace, not Tingyu in mine. Your Majesty should reflect on your actions regarding such rumors circulating in the harem!"
Shen Shixi stood up as she spoke.