dognovel Chapter 1703 I will temporarily trust your wishes.
Chapter 1703 I will temporarily trust your wishes.
This incident already stung Consort Kang deeply, making her feel extremely humiliated.
No matter how unambitious, gentle, and timid she may be, she will ultimately only hold the rank of a third-grade concubine, which is equivalent to the position of a palace mistress!
By doing so, Li Changde was essentially telling everyone in the palace that she had fallen from grace and was now an insignificant concubine.
This is not counting.
The newly moved-in convict didn't even respect her, the lady in charge.
When Consort Qin moved to the new palace, instead of immediately coming to the main hall to pay her respects to the Empress and explain the situation, she rushed off to Yongshou Palace in a great hurry.
In Consort Qin's eyes, he wasn't even worth her feigning politeness...
Consort Kang suddenly chuckled, "...As expected of a legitimate daughter from a high-ranking official's family, her standards are quite high. Even in this state, what she sees and thinks about is still the majesty of Yongshou Palace!"
Caiju felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this.
Since Master Xingchen's death, the Empress's state of mind has changed drastically...
"Your Majesty, please calm down..."
Caiju advised, "Consort Qin is currently under investigation, and it's understandable that she might act inappropriately. Since she's in such a hurry to go to Yongshou Palace, the Imperial Noble Consort might not be willing to see her."
"Even if they see her, what can they do? His Majesty's decree has already been issued. Can the Imperial Noble Consort possibly overturn her case?"
Consort Kang took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing her turbulent emotions.
Caiju is right.
It is likely that Consort Qin's trip will be in vain.
The Imperial Noble Consort is so shrewd, how could she speak up for someone who framed her?
Moreover, this matter involves auspicious omens related to the imperial heir, and His Majesty's anger has not yet subsided; it would be unwise for anyone to get involved.
only……
Consort Qin's arrogant attitude and Consort Li's dismissive arrangements were both hurting Consort Kang's self-esteem.
It reminded her that without the emperor's favor, even eunuchs and disgraced nobles could disregard her...
……
Yongshou Palace.
Qiuyue came in and announced, "Your Majesty, Consort Qin is outside requesting an audience."
Shen Zhinian raised her eyes: "Oh? She came quickly."
Xiao Mingzi said, "Your Majesty, I heard that Consort Qin has just settled in at Shuiyue Pavilion and has come to request an audience."
"He seems fairly calm."
Shen Zhinian said, "Let her in."
"Yes."
Before long, Qiuyue led Consort Qin in.
She came from the land of Qi and Lu, and was taller than the average woman.
Upon entering the inner chamber, Consort Qin knelt down, her forehead touching the ground, and respectfully bowed, saying, "This concubine greets Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
Shen Zhinian accepted her deep bow before slowly saying, "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine."
After rising, Consort Qin looked directly at Shen Zhinian and said bluntly, "Your Majesty, all the evidence points to the Qin family. I know I have no way to defend myself..."
"But I swear to Heaven that this was not my doing, nor was it authorized by the Qin family!"
"Those rumors outside that slander the Empress and curse the imperial heirs have absolutely nothing to do with the Qin family!"
"I have come here today not to ask Your Highness to believe my unsubstantiated claims, nor do I dare to ask Your Highness to plead my case to His Majesty."
"This concubine only wishes to report the truth to Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort, and does not wish for Your Highness to be deceived by villains, allowing the real culprits to go unpunished, and leaving the innocent to suffer injustice without redress."
"The Imperial Noble Consort's reputation has been damaged, and the name of the auspicious imperial heir has been tarnished. I, the concubine, feel the same way and know how vicious this matter is."
"If, because of my fault, Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort harbors doubts and the conspiracy behind the scenes succeeds, I... will be unforgivable even by death!"
Shen Zhinian had long heard that people from the Qilu region were extremely eloquent, especially adept at political maneuvering.
She had already witnessed Consort Qin's abilities on the day of the talent show.
In this matter, Consort Qin may be made a scapegoat.
But the imperial harem has never been a place where one can judge a person's character solely on their appearance.
How many people are outgoing and generous in public, but cunning and venomous in private?
Could Qin Guiren's straightforward demeanor have been a carefully crafted disguise, designed to lower people's guard and make them believe that she couldn't possibly do such a wicked thing?
If she really is Consort Qin, her performance of crying out for justice right now is truly spectacular.
It can clear one's name, gain sympathy, and even allow them to get closer to oneself for deeper schemes.
Those who easily trust others will only end up dead.
Shen Zhinian weighed the options in her mind, but on the surface, she remained calm and composed.
After Consort Qin finished speaking, she slowly said, "Consort Qin, His Majesty is wise. Since he has issued the decree, he must have solid evidence."
"You say this was not done by you or the Qin family, but now all the witnesses and evidence point to you. How can I believe your empty words?"
Simply crying out for justice is useless.
Consort Qin knew that this was the most difficult part.
She couldn't produce any evidence to prove her innocence, nor could she immediately identify the real mastermind behind it all.
"...What the Imperial Noble Consort says is absolutely right."
Consort Qin forced herself to calm down: "This concubine truly has no evidence to prove her innocence at this moment."
"But Your Highness, please consider this carefully. The Qin family is located far away in Qi and Lu, and my father is a high-ranking official in charge of a region. What reason would the Qin family have to take such a risky move to offend His Majesty and slander Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort?"
"Even if... even if I am truly so foolish and arrogant, how could my father and the Qin family elders sit idly by and leave so many loopholes that would be easily discovered?"
"No matter who the real culprit is, their purpose is definitely not as simple as slandering the Empress. The fact that the other party was able to point the clues so perfectly to the Qin family shows that their power and intentions are extraordinary."
"The Qin family has been unjustly wronged. My father will certainly not let this go easily once he finds out!"
At this point, Consort Qin paused and pleaded, "I did not come here today because I naively believe that my words can turn the tide."
"Your Highness, I only beg you to give the Qin family some time to find out the truth and bring the real culprit to justice!"
Consort Qin knew that the Imperial Noble Consort was not a soft-hearted person who had managed to sit in this position and wield power in the palace.
When dealing with enemies, the Imperial Noble Consort will certainly not show any mercy.
Her main purpose today was to tell the Imperial Noble Consort that the Qin family had no intention of being her enemy, nor did they want to become a tool in someone else's hands.
We only beg Your Highness to temporarily quell your fury, allow the Qin family to prove their innocence, and find the one who truly deserves to die!
Shen Zhinian listened quietly.
Consort Qin was indeed intelligent and courageous.
She never fully believed that Consort Qin was the real culprit, and secretly instructed Xiao Mingzi and the Xia family to continue the investigation.
If there is indeed more to this matter than meets the eye, the Qin family will naturally have to do their part.
Conversely, if Consort Qin is putting on an act, keeping her calm for now will allow us to see what she might do next.
Thinking of this, Shen Zhinian said, "Since Consort Qin says so, I will temporarily believe your intentions."
"But His Majesty's decree has already been issued, and I am powerless to change it. Now that you have moved to Shuiyue Pavilion, you should reflect on your mistakes in peace."