When Concubine Mei saw Prime Minister Xia getting angry in front of the Empress Dowager, she knew something was wrong and said hastily, "What does this girl know? She follows Yuan, so naturally she speaks well of Yuan and helps her. As for the whole story of breaking off the engagement, it's ridiculous."
The queen asked calmly, "How is it ridiculous?"
In fact, the Queen did not have the patience to waste time with them. She came here angrily just to deal with the matter and then have a talk with Xia Zian. However, when she saw Concubine Mei constantly speaking for the Prime Minister, she became alert.
This matter is not that simple.
She knew Concubine Mei. She was the kind of person who would not mind other people's business. Generally speaking, if someone asked her to say something, she would basically ignore it.
Due to their relationship, it is understandable that she came to help Prime Minister Xia today, but given her personality, it is impossible for her to be as dedicated as she is today, unless she is rewarded very generously.
That’s right, Concubine Mei was a very greedy person.
If you want to spend a huge price to bribe Concubine Mei, then today it is not as simple as just coming here to "apologize" and prove your innocence.
The Queen had been strategizing for many years, so naturally she analyzed the current situation quickly.
Just now Murong Jie said that there were rumors outside that Xia Zian was thrown into the torture chamber. The only reason that people outside speculated was that he broke off the engagement.
Prime Minister Xia came here for this matter, and he kept mentioning Yuan, speaking very badly of her, hoping to make Yuan the scapegoat.
But why did they look for someone to be a scapegoat? No one in the royal family asked them for the crime, so why did they come in and plead guilty? Because he knew that Xia Zian was innocent, and the instigators of this matter were him and the concubine, so he had to find a so-called behind-the-scenes instigator to bear the blame for all this. They wanted to take the initiative and push Yuan out before the royal family asked the prime minister's mansion for the crime.
Then he could kill two birds with one stone and use her to get rid of Yuan.
The queen is not a fool. Who dares to get rid of Yuan Shi
Yuan was famous all over the world. Even the emperor liked her. How many people still hold her poems and paintings as treasures? She was the most talented woman in this dynasty. Most of the people who admired her were students, scholars, and literati. She was the most unacceptable to offend. A pen could penetrate every hole and kill people invisibly.
It would be fine if it was just the literati, but even among the civil and military officials of the dynasty, there were many who admired Yuan. Once Yuan died in her hands, one can imagine what the consequences would be. What would become of the prince
The Queen believed that Prime Minister Xia only wanted to push Yuan out, but the one who really wanted to get rid of Yuan through her was Concubine Mei.
Because Mei Fei's third prince is now thirteen years old and will be crowned king when he turns sixteen.
As long as the crown prince is disliked by court officials and the people because of her killing Yuan, her son is most likely to be named crown prince.
Therefore, the one who killed two birds with one stone was not Prime Minister Xia, but Concubine Mei, who not only received the reward from Prime Minister Xia, but also paved the way for her son.
Every step in the palace was filled with fear and excitement, and even Zi'an hadn't thought of this level.
Mei Fei knew the queen well. Seeing her calm expression and cold eyes, which was different from her usual anger, she knew what was going on. However, this was indeed a good opportunity. So, even though she knew she shouldn't say anything more, she couldn't help but feel a little lucky: "I know Yuan's character very well, because in the early years, she often came to the palace to pay her respects to me. I remember that when I was still a concubine, she came to the palace to pay her respects to me. When she was serving tea and cakes, a palace maid spilled the tea, which soaked the cakes she had made. Painting, she was furious, I still remember that furious face very clearly, it was very ferocious, and it was very different from her usual gentle face, and she actually asked me to drag the maid out and beat her to death. Of course, I didn't do as she said, this maid was also my favorite, she was very capable, I couldn't bear to beat her, let alone beat her to death, I asked the maid to go out and comforted Yuan Shi a few words and the matter was over, but from this incident, it can be seen that Yuan Shi's character and behavior are vicious and cunning. "
Her lucky mentality was directed at the Empress Dowager, because she knew that the Empress Dowager would not punish the servants easily. When she heard that Yuan was going to beat and kill a palace maid because she spilled tea, she would definitely be very dissatisfied with Yuan.
As expected, the Empress Dowager was furious when she heard what Concubine Mei said, "How could there be such a vicious person? She is just a little more talented, how could she be so domineering and cruel?"
The Queen was speechless for a moment, because she didn't know whether what Concubine Mei said was true or false, and she really had no idea about Yuan's character.
If it was true, she would be defeated by Concubine Mei when she refuted it, and then Concubine Mei would gain the upper hand and lead her by the nose.
Madam Linglong had a smug smile in her eyes. What she said before about Concubine Mei was just hearsay, but now it happened in Concubine Mei's palace. She could finally convince the Empress Dowager, right
Let’s see what the Queen has to say!
Zi'an finally couldn't help it and walked in quickly.
Prime Minister Xia and Madam Linglong were both shocked when they saw her.
Wasn't she locked up in the torture chamber? Why was she here? And judging from her complexion, she seemed to have had a very comfortable time these past two days.
Concubine Mei was also slightly stunned. Could it be that the news was wrong
Zi'an walked up to the Empress Dowager, knelt down, raised his stubborn and clean face, and said, "Zi'an pays respect to the Empress Dowager."
When the Queen Mother saw her come in, her expression immediately changed and she said with a smile, "Get up quickly."
Zi'an stood up, suppressed the sharpness in his eyes, and said, "Please forgive me, Queen Mother. I barged in without being summoned."
The Queen Mother waved her hand nonchalantly, "Nothing, you've come just in time. I was just about to have someone call you over."
The Queen Mother's attitude completely shocked Prime Minister Xia and Madam Linglong. How could this happen? Didn't the Queen Mother hate her for breaking off the engagement? It was impossible. Even if the Queen Mother believed that she was forced, she couldn't help but blame her, because it was indeed she who lifted the veil in front of all the officials and threatened to break off the engagement.
Zi'an bowed, then turned around to look at Prime Minister Xia, with a sadness in his eyes that could not be ignored. Under such a stare, Prime Minister Xia subconsciously avoided it and dared not look.
Before the shock in his heart had subsided, he was filled with new surprise. He discovered that this daughter, who had never been favored by him, had really changed a lot.
No, maybe I shouldn’t use the word changed to describe it, it’s like he’s become a completely different person.
Zi'an asked in a hoarse voice, "Father, I have only one question for you. In your heart, is mother really who you or Concubine Mei say she is?"
Prime Minister Xia was angry. He was angry at Zi'an and also at himself. He was almost scared by her.
He raised his eyes and said sternly, "Do you think that what father said or what Concubine Mei said is true?"
Zi'an's eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, and then he bowed to Concubine Mei. "Just now, Concubine Mei mentioned an example many years ago, proving that my mother was cruel and violent. I would like to ask your Majesty if you can call this palace maid over. I have a few words to ask her."
(End of this chapter)