Shen Xihe naturally and easily took over the power of the palace, and everyone who got the news was slightly stunned.
Concubine Rong has held power in the palace for more than twenty years, and her power is deeply entrenched. Ever since Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong were married, many people have speculated that there will be a fierce battle between the two. However, things are often unexpected, and Concubine Rong actually lost her power in one confrontation.
But if you think about it, it makes sense. In order to frame the Crown Princess and bribe the monks, Concubine Rong even let her female historian seduce the monks in the temple and do adultery in a Buddhist place. This is a lack of morality.
For her own selfish interests, she delayed the opportunity to capture the assassin who was trying to assassinate His Majesty, allowing him to escape, which is an unforgivable crime. His Majesty, out of consideration for the relationship between Prince Xin and Prince Lie, did not demote her to the bottom or put her in the cold palace, which was already a face-saving move, and this punishment did not seem too severe.
Although Emperor Youning was furious, he had to end the turmoil. The assassin had already searched once but found nothing. If he continued searching, it would be difficult to explain to Xu Qing. The "dedicated" female historian beside Concubine Rong became the person for the emperor to vent his anger and was sentenced to death.
The monk of Xiangguo Temple had died, and Emperor Youning did Xu Qing a favor by handing over the affairs of Xiangguo Temple to Xu Qing.
The only thing that comforted Emperor Youning was that at least the strange incident of burning incense had a good explanation. That was a warning from God that someone wanted to harm His Majesty. If the incense for praying for blessings had not gone wrong, causing His Majesty to toss and turn sleeplessly, he might have succeeded at this moment.
This reason is at least more reliable than the rumor that God dare not be worshipped by Your Majesty, and it can also be more convincing to the people.
However, once this reason got out, the news that Rong Zhaoyi was sent back to the palace overnight because she had made a mistake could not be covered up. Everyone said that it was Rong Zhaoyi who sent someone to assassinate the emperor but failed.
Xiao Changying sent Rong Zhaoyi back to the palace overnight. He watched with his own eyes as she was imprisoned in Hanzhang Palace. Facing her crying mother, Xiao Changying felt a strange feeling in his heart. He hurried back to Xiangguo Temple under the stars and moon. In the early morning light, he rushed to the courtyard where Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong lived for some reason. He stood outside the courtyard, unable to move.
It was Biyu who came on duty who saw him and reported to Shen Xihe. Shen Xihe was dressing up, and Xiao Huayong, who was dressed neatly, stood beside her and put the flower ornaments on her forehead. Before Shen Xihe could say anything, he ordered, "Please invite His Royal Highness Prince Lie to come in, and ask the kitchen to send more breakfast, and also invite Prince Xin."
Shen Xihe, who had a calm face and lowered his eyelids, opened his eyes when he heard this: "What are you going to do?"
It is not a good time to provoke the brothers Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying. King Jing has been suspicious of her because of Pei Zhan's death and has been eyeing her covetously. King Zhao wishes that everyone would target the East Palace so that he can sit on the sidelines and reap the benefits.
"Since you showed mercy, then tell them." Xiao Huayong held Shen Xihe's head with two fingers and looked at him carefully. "Don't raise your forehead, or I'll draw it off."
Shen Xihe glanced at him, but still lowered his eyes: "Just order whatever you want."
Flower ornaments were a fashionable thing, and Shen Xihe did not want to appear eccentric, so she usually stuck pearls on them, or randomly added two dots. Because her dresses were too heavy to be casual, she would choose more luxurious sideburns to complement them.