northernbook Chapter 22 Rumors about Consort Fucha (Part 22)
Chapter 22 Rumors about Consort Fucha (Part 22)
Sure enough, in that short night, the inner palace seemed to be shrouded in an invisible undercurrent.
The rumors, like willow catkins in spring, flew everywhere and swept in like a storm.
The entire vast palace seemed to be filled with rumors about what happened at Jingren Palace that night.
In every corner, one could hear people whispering and speculating.
Those strange and mysterious things were like ghosts in the darkness.
It has a natural appeal and spreads easily among people.
One person tells ten, ten tell a hundred, and what was originally a somewhat vague rumor...
During this continuous transmission, it was as if a spell had been cast.
It gradually became more and more bizarre and outrageous.
Originally, everyone was just saying that Jianqiu of Jingren Palace had somehow offended the spirits and was being punished.
This also implicated other people in Gyeongin Palace.
With embellishments from the mouths of others, it quickly evolved into a story of the empress's immorality.
The cruel persecution of the emperor's son even provoked divine punishment.
These rumors, like a flood bursting its banks, surged and roared down with unstoppable force.
Eventually, the rumor reached the ears of the chubby orange cat.
The chubby orange cat was furious and worried after hearing the rumors.
People say that husband and wife are one, sharing honor and disgrace. If these rumors are allowed to spread so recklessly and unscrupulously in the palace,
So before long, what might have been just idle gossip will gradually change its nature.
Both the nature and the influence of this will be distorted.
Then, they were cleverly exploited by the scheming Eighth Brother and his gang.
This will unleash a series of powerful storms that could shake the very foundations of the imperial court.
Back then, he had only managed to suppress the rumors of the emperor's immorality and illegitimate ascension to the throne through his own means.
This restored a semblance of peace and tranquility to the imperial court.
But now these rumors are like venomous snakes lurking in the darkness, silently emerging and catching people off guard.
The large, chubby orange cat sat quietly on the magnificent and solemn dragon throne.
His deep eyes gleamed with a complex light, and his brows were furrowed tightly together, as if two deep furrows were etched on his face.
Big Orange's already slightly round face turned bright red, and its eyes seemed to be spitting fire.
He looked at Su Peisheng, who had been standing respectfully to the side.
He unleashed a furious tantrum, like a volcanic eruption.
Big Fat Orange suddenly stood up, pointed at Su Peisheng, and shouted:
"Su Peisheng, what kind of servant are you!"
Didn't I clearly tell you to order that what happened that night not to be spread?
But now? These rumors have spread like wildfire beyond the palace, and I only just learned of them!
Don't you realize how serious this matter is?
If those scheming individuals, like the Eighth Prince, were to seize upon this, what would become of my dignity?
Upon hearing this, Su Peisheng immediately knelt down with a thud, his forehead hitting the ground heavily with a dull thud.
His face was filled with fear, and his voice trembled as he said:
"This servant deserves to die. This servant has failed in his duties. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Su Peisheng had anticipated today's events; he was involved in some of the rumors. He was determined to carry out his master's orders.
Moreover, the Emperor wouldn't punish him severely for such a small matter; after all, Su Peisheng had grown up alongside the Emperor.
As expected, when the chubby orange cat looked at Su Peisheng kneeling on the ground, although it was angry, it couldn't help but feel some consideration for them after so many years of companionship.
He frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.
His tightly furrowed brows seemed to conceal endless thoughts. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke:
"Alright, go and receive ten strokes of the cane later. Be sure to reflect on the mistakes you have made."
Now, tell me in detail how this happened.
There must be absolutely no concealment whatsoever; any deception will not be tolerated!
Having said that, the chubby orange cat sat back down on the dragon throne.
Upon seeing this, Su Peisheng quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude, the crisp sound of his kowtow echoing throughout the hall.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your mercy. Your Majesty, that night, I did indeed convey your orders to the ladies of the palace as you instructed."
But there were too many concubines and ladies-in-waiting going to Jingren Palace that night.
It was quite common for these servants to chat idly among themselves.
It's inevitable that some people with ulterior motives will overhear it.
This is all the fault of your servant; it is your servant's incompetence and utter negligence that has led to this!
Upon hearing this, the chubby orange cat's anger flared even more. He snorted heavily and asked:
"Didn't the Empress order the complete quelling of this rumor?"
As the head of the harem, she should be strictly managing its affairs.
Su Peisheng replied tremblingly, "The Empress did give an order, and the rumors did indeed subside for two days at first."
But for some reason, the rumors have quietly resurfaced.
Your Majesty, the reasons for this are complicated. After all, the Empress has been injured recently.
My body hasn't fully recovered, so I might be a little overwhelmed in handling these matters.
The chubby orange cat was now quite dissatisfied with the queen, and he thought to himself,
The fact that the Empress, as the head of the harem, could not quell such a small rumor quickly and effectively truly disappointed him.
Big Fat Orange sat alone on the dragon throne, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
The empress, who usually appeared dignified, quiet, and virtuous, now seemed to be shrouded in a shadow in his heart.
He carefully recalled his journey from the prince's residence to the current imperial palace; time had quietly slipped by, yet his offspring were so few.
The strangeness of the situation made him increasingly uneasy.
Could it be that the seemingly gentle empress secretly orchestrated all of this?
He once believed that he had cruelly miscarried Consort Hua's child, which was a punishment from heaven, causing him to have difficulty conceiving.
But upon closer reflection, it is highly likely that the Empress was behind it all, causing so many of his children to die young and suffer tragic fates.
Whenever he thought of these things, a chill would involuntarily creep into his heart.
His once gentle gaze gradually turned sharp as a knife, as if it could pierce through people's hearts.
Big Fat Orange recalled the incident that happened at Jingren Palace, which was truly bizarre.
It seems that something has been going on in the Empress's palace lately.
Not only was the Empress herself seriously injured at the flower-viewing banquet held at Jingren Palace last time, but she also nearly caused him to lose two of his children.
That scene is still vivid in his mind, leaving him with lingering fear.
This time, even everyone in Jingren Palace suffered injuries to varying degrees.
An ominous atmosphere seemed to permeate the entire Jingren Palace.
The chubby orange cat secretly wondered, "Could it be that the Empress unintentionally offended something, leading to this series of disasters?"
Thinking of this, he had the idea of deposing the empress for the first time.
He said with a solemn expression, "Find out where these rumors came from, and pay special attention to investigating Yikun Palace."
He still suspected Consort Hua of this matter; she was the most likely candidate in the palace, as she had always wanted to become Empress.
Big Fat Orange then added, "It is strictly forbidden to spread rumors and gossip in the palace."
Once discovered, he was immediately beaten to death with sticks, and all the palace servants were made to watch the execution.
Furthermore, the Empress must cooperate; if the rumors persist, she, as the head of the harem, should abdicate!
Su Peisheng hurriedly accepted the order, thinking to himself, "I will first go to the inner palace to convey the Emperor's decree to the ladies of the palace, and then return to be punished."
It's time to put an end to this rumor. The purpose of spreading it has been achieved; the master shouldn't blame me too much.
He knew that this rumor had to be quelled, otherwise it would have too much repercussions, and his master's goal had already been achieved.
Now that the Emperor has developed doubts about the Empress, that's enough.
As for which servants to be involved, he can handle it secretly.
Just then, Xiao Xiazi came to report that Aunt Zhuxi, who was by the Empress Dowager's side, had arrived.
Big Fatty Orange knew perfectly well why Zhu Xi had come; this Empress was the Empress Dowager's niece.
Something happened in the Empress's palace, and the Empress Dowager is going to plead for her niece again. Only he is unimportant.
In the Empress Dowager's heart, fourteen things were important: her family was important, and the Empress was important too.
Although the chubby orange had many grievances, the weight of filial piety was like a towering mountain pressing down on his heart, forcing him to choose to endure it.
He waved his hand, signaling Su Peisheng to invite Zhu Xi in.
"Yes, sir!" Su Peisheng quickly stood up and straightened his clothes.
Then, he strode out of the hall, his steps steady and powerful, and in no time he led Zhu Xi inside.
After entering, Zhu Xi stood upright, his eyes revealing a hint of respect and caution.
Then, she quietly conveyed the message that the Empress Dowager had summoned her.
Big Fat Orange nodded to indicate that he understood, and would go to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager after finishing his official duties.
He also expressed his concern for the health of the Empress Dowager and Zhu Xi.
Zhu Xi thanked the Emperor for his concern, and after confirming that the Empress Dowager's decree had been conveyed, she quickly left.
After seeing Sun Zhuxi off, Su Peisheng went to the inner palace to convey the emperor's decree.
When the Empress of Jingren Palace received the Emperor's decree, she was once again filled with embarrassment and panic.
She investigated the Jingren Palace incident thoroughly but couldn't find out what happened.
She had been humiliated for no reason and had been hiding in Jingren Palace to recover from her injuries, not daring to go out.
She knew those lowly women in the harem were gossiping about her behind her back, but thankfully she cancelled her greetings.
But unexpectedly, one problem after another arose; rumors started circulating in the palace again, causing her to be reprimanded by the Emperor once more.
It must be that vile Consort Hua; only Consort Hua in the palace has the ability to spread this rumor.
Once she gets through this, she will definitely not let Consort Hua and those vile women get away with it.
At the same time, she also had opinions about Jianqiu, who had brought up all this trouble.
The Empress was genuinely worried about Jianqiu when she had her accident that night.
But Jianqiu's actions caused her injury and damaged her reputation, leading to her being reprimanded by the Emperor, which displeased her.
If it weren't for the fact that Jianqiu was her longest-serving, most loyal, and most capable companion, she would definitely have targeted and eliminated Jianqiu.
Fortunately, she still had the Empress Dowager as her aunt. For the sake of the Ulanara family, the Empress Dowager would not abandon her. The Empress Dowager would surely persuade the Emperor.