"Little sister, little sister!" When I came back to my senses, Consort Jing was calling out to me. Only then did I realize that everyone seemed to be waiting for me to answer something. My face instantly turned red and I felt a little awkward.
"Sister Yu, the Empress Dowager is asking you a question. How is Jin Pin?”Consort Rong was very considerate as she repeated the question for me.
I quickly bowed." Yes, Jin Pin went back to Jinghe Palace and fell asleep. I wanted to wait for An Pin and her son to be safe before calling the imperial physician over to take a look. After all, the imperial heir is more important than anything else.”
"Yes, you're polite and sensible." The Empress Dowager said slowly, not knowing if she was praising Rui Rong or herself.
I didn't dare to relax for a moment. I knew that this was just the beginning. I would definitely investigate the matter of falling into the water today. As expected, I heard the Empress Dowager ask,"What's going on today? Her body is about to give birth, so why did she go to the lake and make it so dangerous?”
This question was more directed at Consort Rong because she was the one who invited everyone to the garden to enjoy the scenery. Her expression tensed up." It's all my fault. I saw that it was a beautiful day today, so I invited my sisters to visit the garden. A few days ago, the imperial physician said that Sister An was about to give birth and should walk around more, so I called her along. I didn't expect such a thing to happen. It's really my fault…"
As she spoke, Consort Rong's eyes turned red and she picked up a handkerchief to wipe them.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager was not in a position to reprimand him and was about to give up when she heard Consort Jing say leisurely,""Indeed, Sister Rong has invited many people today. It's inevitable that Sister An was neglected.”
Consort Jing was actually older than Consort Rong by a year. Calling her sister was not a compliment and Consort Rong was not a kind person. Seeing the Empress Dowager's normal expression, she naturally would not let Consort Jing go."ChenQie also wanted to be closer to the sisters and live harmoniously in the palace. Consort Jing has always been quiet and steady and did not like to be noisy, so she did not disturb you. However, I did not expect you to be accompanying the Empress Dowager.”
Consort Rong did not give in at all, saying that Consort Jing only knew how to curry favor with the Empress Dowager but did not know how to reconcile the palace.
Consort Jing's expression was calm. There was no anger, but I could feel her displeasure. Wen Lang looked at me, indicating for me to help. Thus, I stepped forward and interrupted,"The two elder sisters have worked hard for the palace. Although there was an accident today, there was no danger. The prince is also safe.”
Consort Jing's expression softened slightly as she smiled at me. At this moment, a palace maid whispered something into Consort Rong's ear and Consort Rong said,"We still have to investigate the matter at the lakeside. Otherwise, we won't be able to give our sisters an explanation. Yu Guipin was present at that time, so why don't you tell us?”
I was a little surprised by her ungrateful attitude. I helped her out of the situation, but she threw the topic back at me. I was about to explain that I wasn't there at the time when I heard the Empress Dowager say in a deep voice,"What is going on? You still have to ask the people around An Pin. Where are the people around her?”
Consort Rong was clearly prepared." Concubine An's life is hanging by a thread, and Concubine Jin is not in a position to speak. Concubine An has two maids close to her, but they disappeared after the accident. There must be some reason, so someone has long been sent to look for them. I just said that I found them and they are waiting outside."”
" Yes." The Empress Dowager was obviously satisfied with Consort Rong's preparation." Call her in. I'll ask her personally!"”
Soon, the palace maid beside An Pin came in with a meek expression, but she was alone. She immediately knelt down and cried,""Empress Dowager, spare me! Spare me, Your Majesty!"
Wen Lang ordered,"Let's talk about sparing your life later. You should carefully reply to the Empress Dowager first."”
"Yes!" The palace maid hurriedly replied. Yes! This servant will obey!"
"Why are you alone?" The Empress Dowager looked at the palace maid and slowly asked," Did you see what happened by the lake today?”
The palace maid kowtowed and tears flowed down again."This servant's name is Caiqing, I serve in Lady An's room…"
I reminded her,"She's already An Pin."”
The palace maid raised her head and looked at me. Her expression was a little strange."Yes, this servant also has a sister called Cai Ji. She served Master An Pin in her room together with her. She has always been careful with her words and actions, doing her best to fulfill her duties, and did not dare to be negligent…"
Consort Rong stopped Caiqing,"Alright, who asked you that!" Quickly reply to the Empress Dowager!"
" Yes…When we saw that something had happened to our master today, we were afraid and fled in panic. We had no place to go, no way out, so…so…" Caiqing sobbed again." Caiji was young and was so scared that he threw himself into the well…"
Caiqing suppressed her tears, but everyone present was shocked.
The Empress Dowager looked at Concubine Rong. Concubine Rong nodded and said in a low voice,""Dead."
"Ridiculous!" The empress dowager slammed the table. When his master fell into the water, he didn't rush over to rescue him, but instead called for help. What was the point of hiding in panic and fear? Who else can eat you?!"
" Reporting to the Empress Dowager, we did not serve our master well. With his body, I'm afraid he would be more ferocious if he fell into the water…" Caiqing stammered. She stole a glance at me and then at Consort Rong. Her lips were trembling in fear. She wanted to say something but did not dare to." We thought that he would be sentenced to death. Even if he did not die, he would-"
I was also anxious to know the truth. I urged,"If you have anything to say, just say it.”
"This servant is afraid that even if I don't punish you for not serving me well, I will still be pulled as a scapegoat!”
Caiqing finally said everything in one breath, but it made everyone even more confused, and the conspiracy in between gradually became obvious.
"Scapegoat?" The empress dowager narrowed her eyes and her face was filled with anger." Whose scapegoat is this? Tell me the truth. If you hide anything, you'll be sentenced to death immediately!"”
Caiqing was so frightened that she shivered. She looked at Concubine Rong and Concubine Jing and gritted her teeth,""This servant accompanied master to the garden today. Later, master met Consort Yu Guipin and Master Jin Pin by the lake.”
Caiqing's pause made me a little uneasy. At this moment, Wen Lang looked at me with a questioning gaze. I nodded."Yes."
"The Empress and Master Jin Pin are very concerned about our master's pregnancy and asked a few questions. Later, this servant saw…saw…"
Caiqing no longer looked at me. She took a deep breath and seemed to be about to say something shocking. Seeing this, I hurriedly shouted,"Nonsense! After we met An Pin, An Pin sent the two of you away. How could we have seen anything!”
I increasingly felt that the conspiracy was extremely unfavorable to Rui Rong. Just as I was about to use Wen Lang to quickly shut her mouth, I heard the Empress Dowager say,"What do you see, just say it. This widow is here and cannot tolerate any tricks.”
His voice was not harsh, but it contained a great majesty that made people's hearts sink.
I didn't dare to say anything more, and just stared straight at Caiqing, hoping to see some clues. Caiqing's face was pale, but she still forced herself to hold on. Even when she took a deep breath, she was trembling slightly."Yes, this servant doesn't dare to lie. This servant saw that our master seemed to be trying to explain why he was dodging, and then….. Master fell into the water.”
I took a deep breath. This was clearly referring to Rui Rong pushing An Pin into the water. This crime was too big. I quickly looked at Wen Lang and saw that Wen Lang was also shocked and frowned. The Empress Dowager was expressionless, making my heart beat wildly.
Consort Rong seemed to be dissatisfied with Caiqing's words,"Who is An Pin hiding from? How could it be so serious that he fell into the water with Concubine Jin? Tell me the truth!"
Caiqing said in a low voice," Servants could only see our Mistress through the branches. She was pushed a few times. Mistress's body was heavy and she retreated to dodge. She couldn't keep her balance for a moment and fell into the water. As for Mistress Jin Pin, she was blocked by the bushes. How she fell into the water, this servant doesn't know.”
Consort Rong did not say anything else and turned to look at the Empress Dowager.
"You mean," the empress dowager said slowly,"it was Jin Pin who pushed An Pin into the water?"”
Caiqing bit her lips and did not raise her head,""I can't get away with it."
Everyone was shocked. The most obvious one was Wen Lang, who changed his expression and looked at me. I forced myself to calm down. I wasn't there at the time, so I could only force myself to look for flaws in Caiqing's story. Countless thoughts flashed through my mind, but none of them were able to stand firm.
Consort Jing said before the Empress Dowager could speak,"This matter is of great importance, and we can't just rely on this girl's one-sided words. We still have to wait for the two of them to wake up and ask each other.”
The Empress Dowager replied,""Yes."
"Consort Jing jiejie is right. This matter is of great importance and we don't know if it involves other people. ChenQie don't dare to take responsibility, so please empress dowager make the decision.”
Consort Rong's words successfully stopped Wen Lang's intention to intervene, and it also made me suddenly have a thought. Could Consort Rong be referring to me being involved?
At this moment, I couldn't care less about how confident I was. I rushed to Chao Caiqing and asked,"Just now, you said that the three of us were by the lake and sent the servants away. You also said that An Pin was pushed into the water?”
"Yes." Caiqing lowered her head and replied, her voice much steadier.
" According to what you said," I said coldly," I was there with Jin Pin. Who pushed her down? Did you see that?"
After a pause, I added," My clothes are different from Concubine Jin's. My clothes are yellow, and Concubine Jin's are blue. The colors are very different. You should be able to see it roughly…"
" This…" Caiqing obviously didn't expect me to ask this question. She looked at me and pondered for a moment." This servant seems to see blue in front and Empress behind."”
It seems that she thought that I wanted to clear my name and was obviously showing goodwill to me. Moreover, the Empress Dowager suspected Rui Rong just now, so she naturally had to go along with it.
Hearing my cold snort, Caiqing panicked and quickly continued,"This servant did not see it clearly either. Across the thicket, I only saw two figures. At that time, things happened very quickly, and it was inevitable that the Empress did not have time to help and stop it. Everyone knows that it was the Empress who did not care about herself to save our master today. This servant is really grateful and kowtow to the Empress!”
As he spoke, he bowed.
My heart relaxed. I turned around and knelt down to the Empress Dowager and Wen Lang." Empress Dowager, the Emperor is wise. According to this palace maid, if Chenqie did not save Jin Pin, Chenqie would have helped Jin Pin push An Pin into the water, or…"
I forced my eyes to turn red." It was ChenQie who pushed both of them down and then jumped into the water to pretend to be a good person!”
I was in a hurry to cry and make a fuss, wanting to force them to make a quick decision so that they wouldn't have any more trouble. I might have gotten a flaw in Caiqing's words, but it was hard to guarantee that there would be other evidence.
Wen Lang was surprised by my reaction. Consort Rong was also mocking me, but I ignored her and only looked at the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager didn't speak immediately. She seemed to be recalling and thinking.
I felt uneasy bit by bit. Just as I was about to waver, I heard the Empress Dowager's cold voice." Drag this lowly servant down and beat her to death!"# Cancel all reviews: wdd201302 Time:111420185: 56PM #
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