jdhmnovel Chapter 222: Open
Chapter 222: Open
Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang immediately refuted.
"Your Highness, I have known Huan'er for many years and know she is not that kind of person. Is there some misunderstanding here?"
"Misunderstanding? The sweet-scented osmanthus tree that Obito had was personally delivered by Wanpin at Huanbi's request, and she personally watched over the planting."
"You know I hadn't even slept with you yet!"
"If it weren't for the cleverness of the palace servants below, you should know what would have happened to me."
An Lingrong questioned sternly.
The concubines in the palace all dream of having a child, and Shen Meizhuang naturally does the same after being persuaded by Zhen Huan.
She knew very well that Concubine Shu's successive promotions were entirely due to her three children.
If she accidentally fell into the trap, An Lingrong, who had no background, would at most be just a nobleman.
However, Shen Meizhuang still insisted on believing in Zhen Huan, with whom she grew up.
"Your Highness, even if there is musk beneath the osmanthus tree, it doesn't mean Huan'er put it there."
"Musk is a precious medicinal ingredient. The Imperial Hospital has extremely strict control over it, and it is not accessible to ordinary people."
An Lingrong placed the teacup heavily on the table.
"I don't care where this musk comes from, but it was Concubine Wan who brought the osmanthus tree into Yonghe Palace."
"She has never had any good intentions towards me."
"Princess Hui, I am telling you all this because we entered the palace together in the same election."
"If you come for tea, I am happy to entertain you."
"As for the rest, please forgive me for being unable to help."
When Shen Meizhuang saw that the usually kind An Lingrong was angry, she thought for a moment and continued to defend herself.
"Your Highness, I remember Huan'er was ill at the time. Perhaps it was Huanbi who sent the osmanthus tree here on her own initiative. You must investigate carefully."
Everyone in the palace said that Huan'er asked Huanbi to serve the emperor in order to consolidate his favor, but she didn't believe it at all.
Huan'er has always been proud and arrogant, so how could she offer the humble Huanbi to the Yangxin Palace?
When Shen Meizhuang thought of this, she felt even more that Huanbi was the one who was causing trouble.
"Your Majesty, when the Emperor visited Suiyuxuan in the past, Huanbi often dressed up extravagantly. I believe she had always harbored the intention of climbing up the social ladder."
"Yes, it must be the treacherous Huanbi who did this evil thing without telling Huan'er."
"I'm very curious, what kind of past did Huipin and Wanpin have that made you protect her so much?"
"Forget it, I don't want to hear it."
An Lingrong waved her hand, interrupting Shen Meizhuang who was about to speak.
"The Emperor once said that Wanpin was his sweetheart. To be praised by the Emperor, beauty alone is not enough."
"I haven't spent much time with her, but I've heard she's known as the female Zhuge Liang."
"Huipin, how could it be so coincidental that Wanpin fell ill? As soon as she fell ill, the osmanthus flowers containing impurities were sent to Yonghe Palace."
"My Lady, are you saying that Huan'er has already discovered the musk in the courtyard? She..."
An Lingrong almost said it directly. Shen Meizhuang was a smart person, so how could she not understand what she meant?
"According to the Imperial Hospital's records, before Concubine Wan fell ill, she summoned Wen Shichu to take her pulse."
"The Emperor later remembered Concubine Wan, who had been ill for a long time, and sent someone to Suiyuxuan to take her pulse."
"I remember Huan'er said..."
"The imperial physician sent by the Emperor is a skilled doctor. With just one prescription, he eliminated the few remaining ailments in my sister's body."
Shen Meizhuang recalled what Zhen Huan had said and was stunned.
How could she have believed such a perfunctory reason at that time?
She also enthusiastically shared the emperor's preferences with Huan'er.
When An Lingrong visited Shen Meizhuang, she had already decided to shake out the musk from the roots of the osmanthus tree.
As for what Shen Meizhuang did after returning to Chuxiu Palace, it had nothing to do with her at all.
She reached out and took a piece of osmanthus cake. This dessert that carried the charm of autumn was still her favorite as always.
The sweetness of glutinous rice and the fragrance of osmanthus are intertwined, leaving a lasting aftertaste.
An Lingrong finished a plate of osmanthus cake and drank a cup of tea, while Shen Meizhuang remained motionless in a daze.
After a long time, Shen Meizhuang bowed to her in a daze.
"I still have matters to attend to in the palace, so I'll take my leave now."
"Go back."
"Princess Hui, listen to my advice. People's hearts are hidden, so think more about yourself."
An Lingrong comforted her in a gentle voice.
"Thank you for your teachings, Your Majesty."
Baoque, who was guarding the palace gate, saw that Huipin was not in good condition and personally escorted her to the door.
She had listened to 99% of what her master said just now. Baoque turned around and gently pressed her master's shoulders.
"Your Majesty, Huipin has already become suspicious of Wanpin. Why did you try to persuade her before she left?"
Baoque is worried that Shen Meizhuang, who has recovered, will go against her master in the future.
"I have my own intentions, you will know in a few days."
After her advice, An Lingrong no longer believed that Shen Meizhuang would not become suspicious of the trees in the yard.
She had lived in a yard filled with musk for so long that her body must have been affected.
As long as she has not lost her mind, she will understand that the most important thing is to rely on the Queen Mother and hold on to the power of the palace.
In order to balance the power in the harem, the emperor decided that Shen Meizhuang alone could not compete with the queen, and she would have the opportunity to get involved in the palace power.
"Bao Que, pass a message to Rou Changzai of Zhongcui Palace. The Emperor is in a bad mood and urgently needs a beautiful woman to sing a song to ease his sorrow."
Shen Meizhuang, who had just left Yonghe Palace, had a sullen face and said nothing.
Caiyue saw that her master looked devastated, and helped him walk back with heartache.
"Master, it's almost lunchtime. Do you have anything you'd like to eat?"
"I would like to use almond tofu, jujube paste cake, rock sugar bird's nest and cherry meat. Caixing will arrange the rest."
Shen Meizhuang subconsciously named four sweet dishes.
Caixing and Caiyue had said that Zhen Huan didn't seem to care about her that much.
But her impression of people still remains in her innocent youth.
When she entered the palace, her mother once said that people's hearts are fickle and asked her to be more careful.
She was indeed a prudent person, but she never guarded against Zhen Huan, with whom she grew up.
Concubine Shu's words cleared up the fog in her mind, and her mind became clearer than ever before.
The scenes of the two of them getting along in the past flashed through his mind one by one.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent. I am truly innocent."
"Your Majesty... Even though I made a mistake today, please consider my sister's diligent service and give her a chance to mend her ways."
Shen Meizhuang carefully repeated Zhen Huan's words of pleading for her several times, then closed her eyes tiredly.
Zhen Huan was not helping anyone at all; her words completely confirmed the fake pregnancy issue.
"Caiyue, do you think I really misjudged you?"
"My lady, what do you mean?"
Caiyue’s first reaction was that Concubine Shu did not agree to her master’s plea for Concubine Wan, and she was blamed by her master.
"Outside is not the place to talk, let's go back first."
Shen Meizhuang has more things to think about.