In the middle of the night, Jiang Yan woke up from a nightmare.
She panted heavily.
Mingming and Mingqiu were cold and dew heavy, but she broke out in a cold sweat.
The maid of honor at night was awakened.
"Ma'am, do you want to get up at night?"
Jiang Yan waved her hand, "Give me water."
The maid brought warm water.
She drank three cups in a row before suppressing the panic in her heart.
She recalled the contents of the nightmare.
What was she dreaming about
Seems to be dreaming of Concubine Li De? It seems to be dreaming of His Majesty.
She had forgotten what exactly happened in the dream.
But she can still clearly remember the feeling of panic and uneasiness that made her heart palpitate.
Like a sharp knife, it stabbed fiercely in her heart.
She clutched her heart, feeling uneasy.
Does the dream portend something
Is she in danger
For the rest of the night, Jiang Yan tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
Keep thinking about the content of the nightmare.
Woke up in the morning with a bad complexion.
I didn't want to see anyone, so I simply complained.
She sent someone to invite Zhou Miao.
As soon as the two met, she said, "I had a nightmare last night, and I'm still in a panic. Do you think something happened?"
"Isn't it? The Li family has such a big event that the empress thinks about it every day and dreams at night."
Zhou Miao said lightly.
Jiang Yan didn't relax at all, she asked nervously: "Do you think Concubine Li De can escape safely this time?"
"Your Majesty should ask the Li family if they can escape safely." Zhou Miao said with a smile.
Jiang Yan frowned, "You mean, Concubine De will be fine."
Zhou Miao said with certainty: "Ms. De Concubine is definitely fine. But it's hard to say if there is anything wrong with the Li family. If it is more serious, the head will fall directly, and the whole family will be beheaded. If it is less serious, the whole family will be exiled. Anyway, it is unlikely to be fined. That's it.
Your Majesty, when he favors someone, he is especially easy to talk to. As long as there is no rebellion, murder, arson, corruption and perverting the law, His Majesty will tolerate it.
When the favor is gone, let alone murder and arson, even if you have this idea, your majesty can take the opportunity to kill people. Concubine Li De has a little prince, even if her love is not as good as in the past, her life will definitely be saved. Concubine De is fine, and the empress will be fine as well. "
Hearing what Zhou Miao said, Jiang Yan's heart finally fell from the air and hit the ground firmly.
She breathed a sigh of relief, "Sure enough, I think about it every day and dream about it at night. Bengong will be frightened by a nightmare. The more I live, the less courage I have."
At this time, the palace people came in to report.
When Concubine Li De learned that she was complaining of illness, she specially sent someone to visit her and brought her medicinal materials.
When Jiang Yan heard this, she no longer had any doubts.
Among the medicinal materials sent by Concubine Li De, there are many precious supplements, such as ginseng that is nearly a hundred years old.
Jiang Yan was very satisfied and asked someone to put away the herbs.
The maid cooked a bowl of soothing soup and brought it to Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan blew on the hot soup and slowly sent it to her mouth.
"Meow… "
Her Persian cat ran up to her, jumped on her lap, and crouched in her arms.
Jiang Yan stretched out when she saw the cat. Put the calming soup aside, don't worry, you can drink it anytime.
She smoothed the cat's fur and felt relieved.
The maid advised her to drink the soothing soup while it was hot.
She nodded, picked up the soup bowl and took a sip, the taste was not very good as usual.
After drinking the soothing soup, I felt sleepy soon.
Holding the cat in his arms, he went to the soft couch and fell asleep.
This time, I slept very deeply.
After waking up, I felt uncomfortable all over.
Not only did I not rest well, but I felt even more tired.
The palace maid came in from the outside and when she saw her, she suddenly yelled and spilled all the hot water in her hand.
Jiang Yan scolded angrily, "Clumsy, what a shame."
"Your Majesty, forgive me. Slave, I was a little flustered just now." The maid knelt on the ground and pleaded guilty.
Jiang Yan put on a serious face, "You can't even serve hot water, so what's the use of you."
The maid kowtowed to plead guilty.
Jiang Yan reprimanded a few words before screaming.
She wants to wash up and ask someone to bring a mirror.
When she heard the mirror, the maid was even more flustered than before.
"What's going on with you today? Do you dare to despise me and seek death?"
"Slaves dare not. It's just..."
"Just what? Make it clear."
The maid boldly said: "The face of the empress..."
The maid hesitated to speak, but Jiang Yan suddenly had a bad feeling.
She reached out and touched her cheek, "What's wrong with my face? Where's the mirror, quickly bring the mirror."
The maid dared not refuse, and hurriedly brought the mirror over.
Jiang Yan looked in the mirror, "Ah..."
In the dormitory, there was a scream of shock.
"How is this going?"
At this moment, Jiang Yan's face was full of red rashes, densely packed, covering the whole face.
Not only that, but she also had rashes on her hands.
Jiang Yan was so panicked that she hurriedly took off her clothes, and a rash appeared on her body.
"what… "
The rash from head to toe all over her body ruined her appearance and body, and she suddenly wanted to die.
How could this be
Is she allergic.
I think back when she was serving Gu Jiu, she was ordered to drive away the servant girl Xiaohong. The trick was to make Xiao Hong allergic and rash all over her body, and finally she was removed from the Governor's Mansion, and she never had a chance to return to the Governor's Mansion.
Jiang Yan yelled.
How could she be allergic.
She grew up in the countryside, and she has been exposed to everything she should and shouldn't be exposed to, so she can never have allergies.
"Ma'am, it's not good. Bobo is gone."
Bobo is a Persian cat raised by Jiang Yan.
"What did you say?" Jiang Yan stared at the maid who reported the news.
Facing Jiang Yan who seemed to be eating people, the maid lowered her head and repeated tremblingly: "Bobo is gone."
Jiang Yan rushed out.
In the courtyard, Bobo foamed at the mouth and fell on the flower bed, his body was already stiff. Apparently been dead for a while.
She wanted to reach out and touch Bobo.
The palace maid yelled, "Your Majesty, be careful, Bobo's death is very strange. This servant please invite the imperial physician."
Jiang Yan's heart trembled, "Yes, please invite the imperial physician. Also, please invite Zhou Miao, Eunuch Zhou."
The imperial doctor came, and Bobo the Persian cat died of poisoning.
As for the rash on Jiang Yan's body, it was infected by Bobo. Meaning, she was poisoned too.
When Jiang Yan heard the word "poisoning", Jiang Yan was frightened to death.
She tightly grasped Zhou Miao's wrist, and said anxiously: "Someone is going to kill Bengong. They killed Bobo, and Bengong will be next."
With a veil on her face, she whimpered and wept.
"Mistress, don't worry."
"How can I not be in a hurry. Someone poisoned me, did you hear that? Hurry up and think of a way for me, I don't want to die."
Zhou Miao asked in a low voice, "Was Bobo poisoned to death, or did he ingest the poison by mistake?"
"Of course he was poisoned to death. The imperial physician said that Bobo's body was covered with poison. I held Bobo in my arms, and the poison was on my body. Look at the honor I have now, life is worse than death." .Could it be that you suspect that Ben Gong directed and acted on his own?"
Jiang Yan's expression was agitated, like a person who had lost his mind, extremely insane.
"Your Majesty, please be safe and don't be impatient, I have never doubted your Majesty."
Jiang Yan panted heavily, her chest heaving up and down, "Hurry up and think of a way for me."
Zhou Miao asked: "Your Majesty, have you ever thought about who will poison you?"
Who poisoned it
Jiang Yan thought.
"Anyone is possible. Concubine Xue Gui is the biggest suspect, followed by Concubine Shu Jieyu, and Concubine Xiao Shu. Several other talents and beauties are also suspected."
There were too many enemies, and Jiang Yan couldn't lock on a specific target.
Zhou Miao comforted Jiang Yan, "Don't worry, ma'am, I'll follow Bobo's clues to investigate. As soon as I have any news, I will report to my majesty in time."
Jiang Yan solemnly entrusted, "You must find the person who harmed me."
"Don't worry, ma'am."
Zhou Miao left in a hurry.
Jiang Yan was in constant fear, unable to sleep or eat, and could not sleep at night.
The emperor was busy dealing with the case of the Ministry of War, and only sent someone to greet him, but did not visit him personally.
Obviously, the emperor didn't pay much attention to Jiang Yan's poisoning.
A cat died, probably from rat poison.
Jiang Yan was infected by cats. After all, it is normal for cats to be unclean and rashes due to allergies and poisoning.
Without evidence, no one would dare to say that someone in the palace poisoned the dignified Empress Shuyi.
The end of talking nonsense in the palace is death.
Even Jiang Yan herself only dared to say with certainty that someone was going to kill her when she was talking to Zhou Miao in private.
Externally, she could only say that the cat was greedy, ate the wrong food, and harmed her.
It was a false complaint before, but this time it became a real complaint.
If she can't find out who is harming her, she will have no peace.
…
A few days later, Zhou Miao went to Zhongcui Palace to ask to see Jiang Yan.
The two closed the door and talked.
Jiang Yan asked eagerly: "Have you found out the matter?"
Zhou Miao looked dignified and remained silent.
Jiang Yan became anxious, "Speak up! Did you find out?"
Zhou Miao shook her head, "The other party did it very cleanly, and the clue was broken in the Imperial Garden."
Jiang Yan was stunned for a moment, "So, someone really is harming me."
Zhou Miao comforted Jiang Yan, "Don't worry, ma'am, for the time being, the other party probably won't strike a second time."
Jiang Yan sat down on the chair, "You haven't found out who is harming me, so what should I do now? Who should I guard against?"
"Beware of everyone." Zhou Miao said solemnly.
Jiang Yan blinked, "Do you know something?"
Zhou Miao thought for a while and told Jiang Yan in a low voice, "I heard that someone deliberately delayed handling the case of the Li family. The Jinwu Guard didn't even punish the Li family, but just locked them in the imperial prison."
Jiang Yan was confused, "What does the case of the Li family have to do with me?"
Zhou Miao reminded her, "Mother, think about it carefully, who in the Li family has the ability to drag the Jinwu Guard from handling the case? Concubine De? As far as I know, Concubine De can't influence the Jinwu Guard. Let alone the Li family. Having said that, he is a nouveau riche with no real background, and the Jinwu Guard has never given the Li family face."
Jiang Yan said with a cold face, "What exactly do you want to say?"
Zhou Miao lowered her voice, "Your Majesty, don't you understand? Someone is secretly helping the Li family. The Li family is in prison, so it must not be the Li family looking for a relationship. In this way, only Concubine Li De is left. It must be Concubine Li De After finding a relationship, I want to help the Li family get rid of the crime.
Since the Li family incident, Concubine Li De has never been out of the palace, nor has she seen outsiders. I have only been to Concubine Xue Gui's Ganlu Palace, and Concubine Xiao Shu's Changchun Palace. His Majesty only stayed there for half an hour. Guess, Concubine Concubine Shu, Concubine Shu, and Your Majesty, who are these three helping the Li family? "
Jiang Yan first guessed, "Could it be that His Majesty was moved by Defei and decided to let the Li family go."
Zhou Miao smiled, "It's possible. However, as far as I know, His Majesty issued an order early on to request the Jinwu Guards to investigate this case strictly. All those involved in this case, regardless of their status or official position, were all dismissed." The Li family is no exception."
Jiang Yan's face gradually sank, "What does this mean, Concubine De and Concubine Gui joined hands?"
Zhou Miao nodded, "It's possible. It's also possible that Concubine De will join forces with Concubine Shu. No matter which concubine joins forces with Concubine De, Concubine De must show sincerity. Concubine De must think carefully about what Concubine De should give to express her sincerity." sincerity."
Jiang Yan snorted coldly, "You mean, the most sincere gift is the head of this palace, right? It's just ridiculous. What reason does Concubine De have to harm Bengong? I belong to her."
"Then empress, tell me, what reason does Concubine De have to let empress go? This time when something happened to the Li family, did empress help even a little bit?"
Zhou Miao asked back, leaving Jiang Yan speechless.
She still couldn't believe it, "No, it's impossible. It was you who made the choice for Ben Gong back then, and you made Ben Gong seek refuge with Concubine De. Now you are the one who reminded Ben Gong that Concubine De might be poisoning Ben Gong. You are good, you are bad, what are your intentions? Are you deliberately trying to provoke the relationship between me and Concubine De?"
Zhou Miao said expressionlessly: "One moment and another moment. Now that Concubine De is in danger of protecting herself, how could she care about you, Empress?"
boom!
Jiang Yan flicked her sleeves and swept all the tea utensils on the table to the ground.
"Even if Concubine De doesn't care about Bengong, she has no reason to poison Bengong."
"What if Concubine Xue forced her?"
"Nonsense."
"Now that the matter is up to now, why should your empress be deceiving yourself and others? Your empress knows very well that the person who hates you the most is Concubine Xue. When the opportunity comes to your door, do you think Concubine Xue will let it go?"
Jiang Yan's expression changed again and again, full of surprise and doubt.
"Is there any evidence for what you said? Or is it all your speculation?"
Zhou Miao said casually: "Someone saw Concubine Li De enter the Ganlu Palace with their own eyes."
Jiang Yan snorted coldly, "So what?"
"My lady, that's all I've said. Believe it or not is up to you."
Zhou Miao actually wanted to put down the pick.
Jiang Yan roared angrily, "Stop for Bengong, will I let you go? Well, even if what you said is true, then tell me, what will Bengong do now?"
Zhou Miao stopped in her tracks and smiled softly, "Concubine Li De can look for Concubine Xue, and empress of course can look for Concubine Xiao Shu."
"What if the person who cooperates with Concubine De is Concubine Xiao Shu?"
"how is this possible!"
Zhou Miao smiled sarcastically, "Since the incident in Yuhua Lane, the Li family has had a deadly feud with Prince Ning's residence. Even if Concubine Li De is willing to let go of her hatred, Concubine Xiao Shu may not be willing to let go of her prejudice."
Jiang Yan sat down dejectedly, "If Concubine Li De didn't poison Ben Gong, what would you ask Ben Gong to do?"
Zhou Miao gritted her teeth, "Your Majesty, now is not the time to think about Concubine Li De. Regardless of whether Concubine Li De wants to poison Your Majesty, the most important thing now is to quickly find foreign aid. Concubine Xiao Shu is the best choice for Your Majesty."
"No!" Jiang Yan shook her head again and again, "I can't go directly to Concubine Xiao Shu. If there is any movement in my place, the people behind me will be on guard. You go to see Mrs. Zhao for me. Tell her that I need her. Help. If she is willing to help me tide over the difficulties this time, I will definitely be rewarded in the future."
Zhou Miao narrowed her eyes slightly, "Your Majesty, are you sure you want to ask Madam Zhao for help? Your Majesty has to think about it, Madam Zhao's picture is not small, and the reward she asks may even involve Madam Zhao."
Jiang Yan said firmly: "You heard me right, I want to ask Mrs. Zhao for help. As you said, at this time, I can't trust anyone in the harem. But I trust Mrs. Zhao.
She is a trustworthy person, and she will definitely do what she promises, and she will not play tricks behind her back. Even if the return she asks is higher than others, out of reassurance, Ben Gong is willing to cooperate with her. "
Zhou Miao nodded, "Okay! Since the empress has made a decision, I will take a trip to Prince Ning's mansion for the empress. Mrs. Zhao may not agree to help, and the empress should be mentally prepared."
Jiang Yan looked hesitant, then she got up and went into the room.
Soon she came out with a book and handed it to Zhou Miao, "Give this book to Madam Zhao. I believe that when she reads this book, she will definitely agree to help me."
Zhou Miao was curious, what kind of book has such a great charm.
He glanced at the cover of the book, and it turned out to be "The Doctrine of the Mean".
He turned the pages of the book, and in the margins of the pages were beautiful small letters with hairpin flowers, and the contents were all reading notes.
He asked curiously, "This is?"
Jiang Yan said with some nostalgia: "When the palace came to Beijing from the northwest, Mrs. Zhao gave me a package of books in addition to the money. This is one of them, and it is also the one with the most annotations.
In these years, Bengong has read this book no less than ten times. You see, the pages are frayed. You give this book to Madam Zhao, she will understand what I mean. "