Mei Fei said unhappily: "So many years have passed, I have forgotten the name of this maid, and I don't know which palace she was transferred to. Maybe she was released from the palace."
Madam Linglong saw that Xia Zian was making things difficult for Concubine Mei, and she finally had the chance to interrupt and scold her, so she acted like a mother and said, "Zi'an, how many times have I told you that you should be sensible when speaking and doing things in front of others? Concubine Mei is known in the palace as a frank and upright person. When you say this, aren't you implying that Concubine Mei fabricated the facts? This is a crime of great disrespect. Even if your mother never taught you, I always reminded you, why can't you remember and do such a mess again and again?"
Zi'an said fearlessly: "No, I am not implying that Concubine Mei fabricated the facts. I am clearly saying that Concubine Mei fabricated the facts. Such a thing could not have happened."
Mei Fei was furious, "Xia Zian, you are so bold that you dare to frame me for fabricating facts?"
Although the Empress Dowager changed her opinion of Zi'an, she was not happy to accuse the imperial concubine of fabricating facts without any evidence. "Zi'an, don't talk nonsense. Concubine Mei would not lie."
The Empress Dowager still trusted Mei Fei's character. She had been in the palace for more than 20 years. Although she was not virtuous, she had fulfilled her duties and served the Emperor. She also gave birth to a son and a daughter for the Emperor. She would not tolerate anyone outside the palace slandering her.
The Empress Dowager did not know that the present Mei Concubine was no longer the Mei Concubine of the past. After the Emperor fell seriously ill, she began to plan for the future. Although the saying "A mother is strong" is not suitable for her, the truth is true.
Just as Zi'an was about to speak, he heard the eunuchs outside the palace shouting, "The Regent is here!"
As soon as these words fell, before the empress dowager could say anything, Murong Jie strode in.
After entering the palace, he raised his eyebrows and looked at Concubine Mei, "Concubine Mei, I heard you lose your temper outside. Who made our usually gentle Concubine Mei so angry? You deserve to be punished!"
After saying this, he stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Mother."
The Queen Mother said unhappily, "Why are you always hanging around in the harem instead of busying yourself with your political affairs?"
He said this, but patted the chair next to him and said, "Sit down."
Murong Jie looked at Zi'an with a teasing expression, "Of course my son is here to keep an eye on his wife."
Zi'an blushed and then lowered his head.
Prime Minister Xia and Madam Linglong looked at each other and almost jumped up. What did it mean
Madam Linglong's face turned pale. This was impossible. Xia Zian was going to marry the Regent? Why would the Regent marry her? Who would be willing to marry Xia Zian? Nowadays, no wealthy businessman or official son in the capital would marry Xia Zian. What did the Regent mean
The Empress Dowager laughed, "I haven't issued an order yet, and you're already calling me your wife. Aren't you ashamed?"
Murong Jie looked at Zi'an, with a smile on his face, but no smile in his eyes, "Zi'an, did you offend Concubine Mei just now? Apologize to her quickly."
Mei Fei's face was also slightly pale, "My Lord, you and Zi'an?"
The Regent King said, "Well, I am embarrassed to say this, lest my mother accuse me of being shameless. Just ask my mother."
The Queen Mother was amused by him, "Come on, get out of the way, you are shameless."
The Queen was in no mood to make trouble. She looked at Zi'an and said, "You just said that what Mei Fei said was fabricated. Do you have any evidence? According to what Mei Fei said, this palace maid is very difficult to find now."
Zi'an bowed and said, "Empress, this maid is not difficult to find. Concubine Mei just said that this maid is very much her favorite and is a maid who serves in the palace. She can serve in the palace and is favored by Concubine Mei. Even if Concubine Mei can't remember her name, the people around her will definitely remember it. If they can't remember it, you can ask the eunuchs in the internal affairs to check the people who served the Empress when she was a concubine, and then they can find out who this maid is."
The queen hummed, "That makes sense. Then let's order someone to investigate."
She instructed Eunuch Sun, "Go and look up the records of Yuan's entry into the palace when Mei Fei was still a noble concubine, and then check the people who served Mei Fei closely at that time."
Concubine Mei turned pale, but she was unable to stop Eunuch Sun from investigating.
If you investigate, you will find out that when she was a noble concubine, Yuan had never entered the palace.
Yuan had only come to the palace to pay her respects in the first year of her marriage to Prime Minister Xia, and at that time, she had not yet been conferred the title of Imperial Concubine. Ever since Prime Minister Xia brought Linglong back home, she had been living in seclusion and had never been to the palace.
The entry of ministers' families into the palace was recorded, and once checked, one would know that she was lying.
The Queen didn't know about this, but Zi'an knew. Zi'an still had the original owner's memories in his mind, and he clearly remembered that since the original owner was old enough to understand, Yuan had never stepped out of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
She was punishing herself, punishing herself for misjudging the person, in her own way.
When the Queen looked at Concubine Mei's expression, she knew that Zi'an's general move was correct.
She did not say anything, but just looked up at Murong Jie. He suddenly came over eagerly, so he certainly was not here to watch the fun. She found that Murong Jie was protecting Xia Zian intentionally or unintentionally.
Murong Jie did speak up, and asked Prime Minister Xia, "Your Excellency did not attend the morning court today, saying that he was sick and was at home. How come he is fine now?"
Prime Minister Xia was already confused by Zi'an's marriage to the Regent. When he heard Murong Jie's question, he replied perfunctorily, "I took the medicine and I feel better."
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health. You have to share the heavy burden of state affairs with me." Murong Jie said seriously.
Prime Minister Xia secretly complained in his heart, what are you talking about sharing the worries of state affairs now? He has already targeted him three or four times in the court. In the past, all the memorials that had to go through the prime minister were submitted directly to his regent palace.
Of course, he didn't dare to say this out loud, so he just said awkwardly, "Yes, I know."
Madam Linglong couldn't help but ask, "My Lord, the daughter-in-law you just mentioned is our Zi'an?"
Murong Jie smiled and said, "Besides her, who else in this palace can be my princess? Madam, do you disagree?"
Madam Linglong looked pale, but she did not give up and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for not disliking our Zi'an's engagement. I would be more than happy to accept your invitation."
Murong Jie laughed, "How could I dislike it? What's the big deal about being engaged once? Didn't Madam also get married once? And she married the Prime Minister and was doted on by him for many years?"
Zi'an saw that Madam Linglong's face suddenly turned ugly, and she couldn't help but smile. She didn't expect that Murong Jie had such a vicious side.
Yuan hated it most when people said she was married. If anyone in the mansion dared to mention the word "widow", she would definitely make trouble.
But now, I can only keep a stern face and dare not get angry.
The Empress Dowager had been staring at Concubine Mei. When Zi'an asked Eunuch Sun to check, she noticed that Concubine Mei looked unhappy.
(End of this chapter)