Lord of Fortune

In the Empress Dowager's palace, everything was pure.

Since the last time, when the Queen Mother failed to make things difficult for Empress Ding and was "persuaded" by Emperor Chongde to live a good life and worship the Buddha, the Queen Mother has already given up any expectation of controlling the harem.

In other words, since Concubine Rui fell from power, she has no hope.However, at that time, she was especially unwilling and wanted to give it another go.At the very least, Empress Ding and others should pay the price for defeating Concubine Rui and causing the downfall of her natal family.

However, in the eyes of Emperor Chongde and Queen Ding, her stubborn resistance was just a joke.Although Emperor Chongde had to worship her because of his reputation, in fact, everyone in the palace knew that she, the empress dowager, had only a little glamor left on her face.

Those who could find a way out in the palace transferred their money to other places, and the rest, except for a few people who were loyal to the Queen Mother, the rest had no background background.Although these people stayed in the Empress Dowager's palace, their hearts were not here at all. They would be lazy every day if they could, and even complained a few times when they had the opportunity.

Back then, when the momentum of the Shoukang Palace was just right, who wasn't vying to curry favor with the Queen Mother?Who dares to neglect the affairs of the palace like this!

This aunt wanted to expel all these people, but when she thought that there were only such good people left in Shoukang Palace, if these people were also expelled, she would be even more unpopular.The Empress Dowager is in a bad mood recently, so don't do this, lest she think too much...

Seeing the aunt beside the queen mother walking away, the court lady who was eating melon seeds and being lazy could not help but twitch her mouth, and said to her companion: "Is it possible that this aunt thinks she is a noble person? She even gave us a face?" Look! Now who doesn't know that this Shoukang Palace is no different from the Leng Palace. If this aunt can do good deeds and drive us all away, I'd be happy! Even serving the newly promoted empress is better than staying here Well done."

"Who said no? It's a pity that she probably won't do this." Another court lady rolled her eyes: "I have been lazy in front of her several times, although she will stare at me every time. , but she didn’t say anything after all. Well, think about it, at least I’m free here. In order not to offend our honorable empress dowager, that good aunt will definitely not allow us to join her in front of the empress dowager. There will be no one to call us."

The Empress Dowager finished worshiping the Buddha in the small Buddhist hall and went out early, just in time to hear the words of these two court ladies.There was a chill in her eyes.When will even these cats and dogs be able to climb on her head!

It's no wonder that Mammy Zhu has been trying every means to distract other people in the palace recently.Come to think of it, Mother Zhu was afraid that she would be offended by these people's gossip, right?

These days, her itinerary was carefully arranged by Madam Zhu.If she hadn't remembered that today was her niece's death day and left the small Buddhist hall early, she might not have known that the people around her had lost their hearts to such an extent!This doesn't look like the residence of a queen mother!

Sufang, the maid next to the empress dowager, turned cold, and was about to step forward to reprimand these gossiping little maids, but was stopped by the empress dowager.Even if these two people are dealt with, what's the use?As long as the emperor treats her as before, her noble demeanor will never come back.

The queen mother took a deep look at the two little maids, and kept their appearance firmly in her heart.

But at this time, there was a majestic scolding sound from the side: "Bold palace servants, dare to disrespect the queen mother, come here, take it down for me, each slap ten times!"

The person who spoke was actually one of the few high-ranking concubines in the harem, the virtuous concubine Zhang.

Concubine Zhang Xian seemed to be protecting the Empress Dowager by doing this, but the Empress Dowager did not appreciate it. Instead, she looked at Concubine Zhang Xian defensively: "Why are you here? Why didn't anyone inform Ai's family? the palace!"

Concubine Zhang Xian used to hide behind Wu's back and was against the Empress Dowager and Concubine Li Gui, so the Empress Dowager naturally would not have a good impression of her.Except for the routine greetings, she never took the initiative to come to the Queen Mother.If she comes here today, she must go to the Three Treasures Palace for nothing!

"The concubine doesn't want to be rude to the empress dowager, unfortunately, the maids and eunuchs in the empress dowager's palace have neglected their duties, and the concubine can't find anyone who can inform the concubine." What she said was half true and half false.

The people in the Queen Mother's Palace, no matter how passive they were, they would never see Concubine Zhang Xian not coming to inform the Queen Mother.Even if the Empress Dowager is nothing to worry about, Concubine Zhang Xian's status in the palace is still quite high. Ever since Concubine Wang Shu was imprisoned by Emperor Chongde, Concubine Zhang Xian was the concubine second only to Queen Ding in the palace.

Concubine Zhang Xian just wanted to stimulate the Queen Mother, so when the people below were eager to inform her, she stopped her.

Coincidentally, as soon as she came in, she saw two palace maids chewing the Queen Mother's tongue, which made her random reason seem more real.

The Queen Mother tightened her hand holding the Buddhist beads, and snorted coldly: "Are you here to see the Ai family's joke?"

"No, why did the concubine come to see the empress dowager's jokes? Today is the anniversary of the death of the concubine Li, and the concubine came here specially to offer incense to the concubine."

"Are you offering incense to Li'er?" The queen mother seemed to have heard something incredible: "Ai Jia remembers that your relationship with Li'er is not good!"

"But death is like a lamp going out. Sister Li has been gone for so many years. It's boring to hold on to the past. Now, I miss Sister Li a little bit. Why, the empress dowager is not willing to let her Shall I offer incense to Sister Li?"

The Empress Dowager wanted to refuse, but these years, Concubine Li's life has been bleak, and there is only the Empress Dowager who is an aunt in such a large harem, and she goes to see her from time to time. Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager softens her heart.Forget it, Concubine Zhang Xian is going to pay homage to Li'er, so let her go.Even if Concubine Zhang Xian had ulterior motives and had one more person to pay homage to Li'er, it would make her less deserted.

Concubine Li Gui was once abolished during her lifetime, but after she died of illness, Emperor Chongde finally agreed to restore Concubine Li's status under the plea of ​​the Queen Mother.However, Concubine Li was a sinful concubine after all, and Emperor Chongde had long since despised her. In the end, she was only buried with concubine ceremony, and there were very few people who saw her off.

Concubine Zhang Xian came to Concubine Li Gui's spirit, and respectfully offered a stick of incense to Concubine Li Gui.

Seeing this, the queen mother finally dissipated a little of the evil energy that had been accumulated in her chest today.After leaving the mourning hall, her attitude towards Concubine Zhang Xian also eased. Of course, her tone was still not so good: "Now let's talk about it. Today, why did you come to Aijia?"

This is an open space behind the Empress Dowager's Small Buddha Hall. The Empress Dowager is walking in front, and Concubine Zhang Xian is following.

"The concubine is just not angry. The empress dowager has been honored with gold and jade for most of her life, but in the end even the villain dared to disrespect you openly. The empress dowager is the empress of the first emperor and the emperor's mother. It's been harder."

"You are in the holy family now, and your parents and elder brothers are all reused by the emperor. What's the difficulty!" The more the Queen Mother listened, the more she felt that Concubine Zhang Xian was mocking herself: "Okay, if you still want to go around in circles with Ai's family, you can go back." Ai Jia is not in the mood to play guessing games with you."

Apparently, the Empress Dowager was not very patient.

"Where does the concubine dare to make circles with the queen mother? What the concubine says comes from the heart." Concubine Zhang Xian said softly: "Don't look at the current situation of the concubine, the queen mother, in fact, the Zhang family is just like the He family back then. On the edge of the cliff."

The He family is the queen mother's natal family.Back then, the He family was considered a well-known family in the capital.During the heyday of the He family, Empress Dowager He's father and brother were even more valued by the emperor than Concubine Zhang Xian's father and brother today.If this were not the case, Empress Dowager He would not have been able to sit firmly in the late emperor's middle palace back then, and could still influence the late emperor's establishment of an heir.

Back then, the Empress Dowager made contributions in the process of Emperor Chongde's ascension to the throne.Therefore, after Emperor Chongde ascended the throne, he gave the Queen Mother and the He family a lot of honor. Although he didn't like the girl sent by the He family very much, he still gave her the position of noble concubine.

It's a pity that the He family is too dissatisfied, arrogant and domineering in the court, suppressing the families of other concubines, and wholeheartedly wanting to make their own girl ascend to the queen's position, and make the third prince who has the blood of the He family become the prince. All kinds of actions finally annoyed Emperor Chongde, and also annoyed the families of other concubines who had children.

The mother families of other concubines joined hands and presented the evidence of the He family's crimes and the evidence of Concubine Li's murder of the concubine and the emperor's heirs to Emperor Chongde. In the end, Concubine Li was abolished, and the He family soon followed Li Gui. The imperial concubine fell down together.

After hearing Concubine Zhang Xian's words, the people around the Queen Mother couldn't help but gasped.For a long time, the affairs of the He family have been the empress dowager's forbidden area, no one dared to mention it, but this concubine Xian was bold enough to poke the lung tube of the empress dowager in front of the empress dowager.

They all looked at the queen mother cautiously, wondering if the queen mother would suddenly get angry.

Unexpectedly, after listening to Concubine Zhang Xian's words, the Empress Dowager only changed her face for a moment, and then she resumed her previous slightly mocking look: "Why, do you also think that your Zhang family has been too publicized recently? Just relax Well, the Zhang family is nothing compared to the He family back then. As long as you maintain the status quo and don't further seize power, the emperor will not do anything to you."

After a pause, the queen mother said: "The emperor was raised by the Ai family, and the Ai family understands him. He is sometimes very soft-hearted. As long as you don't touch his bottom line, he will always miss the old feelings, but some At that time, his heart is very hard, once you touch his bottom line, he will kill you, there is no room for change."

"Maintaining the status quo, of course, can keep my family safe, but how long can we keep it safe? My Zhang family has already offended Queen Ding, and Queen Ding will not let us go just because of Han Mengqin's assassination. Once the Seventh Prince comes to power , is when my Zhang family is in decline. In the future, whether the emperor and I can survive, and what kind of life we ​​can live, will all depend on the expressions of Queen Ding and his mother. How can I be reconciled to this?" Concubine Zhang Xian's words, let The queen mother was a little surprised.

Although Concubine Zhang Xian and Concubine Wang Shu's thoughts were clearly revealed, the Queen Mother did not expect that she would actually say it directly in front of her.

"If you say this in front of Ai's family, don't be afraid. Will Ai's family tell the emperor?"

"If the empress dowager wants to tell the emperor, please feel free, but this will not do you any good. I came today to make a deal with you."

"Deal?" The queen mother raised her eyebrows and snorted coldly: "The Ai family doesn't know what kind of deal the Ai family has with you. Don't tell me, do you still want the Ai family to help your son win the heir?" The queen mother said , shook his head: "Ai's family is getting old, it can't be done."

The Empress Dowager didn't think that what the He family could not do in its heyday, the current self and the Zhang family would be able to do it.

"The concubine doesn't want you to win the concubine's heir. The concubine just wants you to help the concubine get rid of Empress Ding. When Concubine Li fell from power, Empress Ding also got involved. Are you really going to forget about it? Is it?"

"That's right. Empress Ding was indeed one of the ones who contributed to the downfall of Li'er, but Concubine Zhang Xian, have you forgotten that you were also one of the contributors. If the Ai family really wanted revenge, the Ai family should even kill you Just tidy it up."

It is no exaggeration to say that at the time most of the women in the harem wanted Concubine Li Gui to fall. After all, Concubine Li Gui was too arrogant back then relying on the power of the Empress Dowager.There are almost no concubines in the palace who have not been bullied by her.

"Empress Ding is the ultimate vested beneficiary. Empress Ding won the ultimate fruit. That is something that Sister Li has longed for all her life but could not get. It is precisely because of this that the Empress Dowager always targets Empress Ding, isn't she? What's more——" Concubine Zhang Xian changed the subject: "Although Sister Li is gone, the third prince left behind by Sister Li is still there, and the third prince has now been demoted to a commoner. When the Empress Dowager is here, she can still give him a certain amount of respect." Asylum, wait for the Empress Dowager for a hundred years... I am afraid those people that Sister Li has offended will not let Sister Li's son go. Is the Empress Dowager really not going to plan something for your most beloved grandson?"

This is what Concubine Zhang Xian really wants to deal with the Queen Mother.After concubine Zhang Xian discussed with the Zhang family, the Zhang family suggested that Concubine Zhang Xian start with Concubine Li's son to persuade the queen mother.

After hearing these words, the queen mother shrank her pupils suddenly, and the calm that could be pretended all this time was finally completely broken.

"If I help you defeat the Ding family, will you protect my grandson for me?"

Concubine Zhang Xian nodded: "In addition to not allowing him to return to the royal family, we can let him live a peaceful life and enjoy the glory and wealth."

The Queen Mother thought for a while, and finally gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, Aijia promises you."

Although the Queen Mother knew that it was still a question of whether Concubine Zhang Xian's plan would succeed, she was willing to take this risk for the sake of her grandson.

……

On this day, Empress Ding somehow slept very restlessly, and when she woke up, her head was covered in cold sweat.

Emperor Chongde was startled awake, opened his eyes and asked, "What's wrong with the queen, but she was haunted?"

"The concubine woke up the emperor. It really shouldn't be. Please forgive me. The concubine just had a nightmare. I dreamed that someone was going to kill the concubine."

At this time, Empress Ding had lost the prestige she had when she saw a married woman in the daytime, and she looked like an ordinary wife who was seeking comfort from her husband because of fear.When there were only husband and wife, Empress Ding would indeed not hold her status, and would only work hard to be an ordinary wife in front of Emperor Chongde.This approach, on the contrary, shortened the distance between the two.

Emperor Chongde patted Empress Ding on the back, and said pitifully, "Don't be afraid, it's just a nightmare, you'll be fine when you wake up."

Under the comfort of Emperor Chongde, Empress Ding gradually recovered her calm.She was silent for a while, and said: "Your Majesty, I heard that Concubine Zhang Xian and the Empress Dowager have been very close recently... Maybe the concubine is careless, I can't help but think of what happened when Concubine Li was in the palace. The matter... Your Majesty, my concubines are afraid..."

Emperor Chongde's expression changed slightly when he heard the words, but he quickly reacted: "Don't be afraid, I'm here. With me here, no one can hurt you. Of course, no one can hurt Xiao Qi and Qin'er .”

Recently, he vaguely heard people say that Concubine Zhang Xian went to the Queen Mother and claimed that she would do her filial piety for him in front of the Queen Mother.

Regarding this, Emperor Chongde just laughed it off and didn't take it very seriously.He felt that maybe it was Concubine Zhang Xian who went to the doctor in a hurry because Zhang's family was beaten by him recently.

It wasn't until today that Empress Ding woke up from her dream that Emperor Chongde realized that this matter might not be as simple as he imagined.

He can't relax his vigilance against the queen mother just because the queen mother has lost power.

Emperor Chongde never dared to underestimate this aunt.After all, the queen mother was the last one who defeated countless concubines in the late emperor's harem.Later, it was also because of her methods that Concubine Li was able to be so arrogant in the harem for so long, and obviously killed many concubines and emperor's heirs, but most of the time, she was covered up by the Queen Mother, and even blamed on others.

Concubine Zhang Xian has been looking for the queen mother so frequently recently, what is the reason for it?It seems that he has to send someone to keep an eye on these two people recently.

Thinking of the queen mother, Emperor Chongde couldn't help sighing.Even if the opponent's range of activities was restricted by him in Shoukang Palace in disguise, it was still so worrying.

"With the emperor protecting the concubines, the concubines will not be afraid. Only the emperor's distrust can defeat the concubines." Empress Ding took a deep look at Emperor Chongde: "The emperor still remembers the story of three people becoming tigers." Is it?"

"I remember." Emperor Chongde patted Empress Ding's hand: "Don't worry, no matter who slanders you, I will not believe it lightly. I believe in you and the evidence."

After Emperor Chongde left, Yao Huang asked Empress Ding worriedly: "Your Majesty, you already know that Concubine Zhang Xian and the Empress Dowager are together, what do you plan to do with you?"

"I don't know. Although I sent people to Shoukang Palace to keep an eye on it, there are still some loyal people around the queen mother. The people I sent can't get close to the queen mother, so naturally I don't know what they talked about. "Queen Ding straightened her messy long hair, looking calm and composed, not at all panicked in front of Emperor Chongde: "This palace is just a reminder to the emperor, so that the emperor has something to say to them. Just be vigilant."

As she said that, Empress Ding's eyes became sharper: "Anyone who wants to harm Bengong and Bengong's children, I will not let them succeed!"

……

Han Mengqin is now Emperor Chongde's adoptive daughter, so naturally she has to come to the palace from time to time to greet Emperor Chongde.

This time, she met Emperor Chongde.

In Han Mengqin's imagination, Emperor Chongde should be a burly and courageous emperor, but in fact, Emperor Chongde is just a frail middle-aged man who looks quite kind.If it weren't for the sharp edge that comes with him because he has been in the top position for a long time, he would even look no different from an ordinary middle-aged man.

"Excuse me." Emperor Chongde looked at Han Mengqin gently: "I have known you for some years, but unfortunately I finally saw you today. You are just as I imagined, a good boy."

"The emperor's absurd praise." When meeting Emperor Chongde for the first time, it was hard for Han Mengqin not to be restrained.

"I have already accepted you as a righteous daughter, why do you still call me the emperor?" Emperor Chongde deliberately said with a straight face.

Eunuch Lu reminded Han Mengqin with a smile on the side: "Princess Pingyang, it's time to change your words and call your father."

For a long time, in Han Mengqin's heart, the emperor was just the emperor.Although he has become Queen Ding's husband, in Han Mengqin's heart, there is still a long distance between him and himself that cannot be surpassed.

Han Mengqin always thought it was weird for her to change her name to call Emperor Chongde her father suddenly.However, she would not disobey Emperor Chongde on such a trivial matter.

"Father... Royal Father."

When she really shouted out, she found that it didn't seem too difficult for her.

After she called this, it was obvious that the smile on Emperor Chongde's face deepened: "Since you called me Father, I have to give you a meeting gift. How about this, I will give you a token. With this token, you can enter the palace at any time to ask to see the Queen and Zhen."

This meeting ceremony fully demonstrated the importance Emperor Chongde attached to Han Mengqin.After all, not everyone is qualified to ask to see the empress at any time.It can be said that there are very few people who can receive such an honor.

Han Mengqin raised the token with both hands, and solemnly said to Emperor Chongde: "Thank you, Father."

Emperor Chongde nodded in satisfaction: "In the future, you should come to the palace more often to greet the queen. By the way, the queen is not in a good mood recently. Since you have entered the palace today, you should go take care of her. Seeing you, The empress will definitely be very happy, maybe she will feel better all of a sudden."

Hearing this, Han Mengqin's heart sank immediately.

When she saw Queen Ding a few days ago, Queen Ding was fine, why did she suddenly lose her spirits?Could it be that you are not feeling well?

Han Mengqin couldn't stay still any longer, and hurried to Fengyi Palace.

However, when she asked to see Empress Ding, she was told that the Empress Dowager was not feeling well, and Empress Ding was ordered to attend to her illness.

It was her younger brother, the Seventh Prince, who was sitting at the table, frowning: "The imperial grandmother's illness is a bit strange."

"What happened in the palace recently?" Han Mengqin asked.

"It's nothing special, it's just... I heard that Concubine Zhang Xian often went to attend to the imperial grandmother's illness recently because the imperial grandmother was unwell. Today, for some reason, the imperial grandmother suddenly asked the empress to go by name."

If Concubine Zhang Xian didn't go to the Queen Mother, according to the Queen Mother's current status in the palace, and Emperor Chongde's vigilance towards the Queen Mother, I'm afraid such words would not be able to spread to Shoukang Palace.But Concubine Zhang Xian personally brought a message to Empress Ding on behalf of the Empress Dowager, and Empress Ding could not openly disobey the Empress Dowager's wishes, even though she knew that the Empress Dowager and Concubine Zhang Xian might have bad intentions, she had no choice but to go.

However, although she had to go, she still delayed the time as much as possible on the grounds of tidying up her appearance.

It wasn't until the Seventh Prince finished class and Han Mengqin also rushed to Fengyi Palace that she was urged to go to the Queen Mother's Shoukang Palace by the impatient palace staff.

When Han Mengqin learned of this, he immediately said to the Seventh Prince: "If something goes wrong, it must be a demon. The Queen Mother must be planning to attack Auntie. Hurry up, go and inform Father, I will take someone to Shoukang Palace to find you." Auntie!"

Han Mengqin also knew that she had no connections in the palace, so even if she rushed to Empress Ding's side immediately, she might not be of much help.

But she couldn't do it, so she waited in vain.Waiting is something that can drive people crazy, especially when the loved ones are facing unknown dangers.

By the time Han Mengqin arrived at Shoukang Palace, the Shoukang Palace was already in chaos.

A palace maid and eunuch screamed at the top of their voices: "The empress murdered the empress dowager! The empress actually gave the empress dowager a drug!"

Before Han Mengqin could figure out the situation, the maids and eunuchs in Shoukang Palace had already publicized the matter, as if they were afraid that others would not know about it.

Han Mengqin was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses, and said to the humanity behind her: "Shut up the mouths of these people. Before the matter is clarified, they spread rumors and disturb people's hearts. It is unforgivable."

"My palace also wondered who was so presumptuous in the empress dowager's palace. It turned out to be Princess Pingyang. The empress dared to murder the empress dowager. No wonder the daughter of Pingyang princess is so bold. I just don't know. Does Princess Pingyang also have a share! Someone, let me take her down!"

Although many maids and eunuchs in Shoukang Palace were not well informed, they also knew that Princess Pingyang was now trusted by the emperor. When they heard Concubine Zhang Xian said that they wanted to take Han Mengqin down, they couldn't help but hesitated.

Concubine Zhang Xian raised her eyebrows, and said: "The person in front of me is very likely to be the murderer who murdered the Empress Dowager together with Empress Ding, so hurry up and let me take it down! What happens, I will take care of myself!"

The court ladies and eunuchs were a little ready to move when they heard the words, but Han Mengqin said loudly: "I see who would dare! I am the Princess appointed by the emperor, and even the empress dowager can't be rough on me for no reason. Now, Are you going to commit the following crimes? You have to think clearly, once you take action against this county, the emperor and the queen will definitely be held accountable. The concubine Xian is a high-ranking concubine, so maybe nothing will happen, but you will all become hers Scapegoat!"

Han Mengqin understands that at this time, the most important thing to lose is momentum.

The servants below are ignorant and easily incited. In this situation, they don't know whether to choose Concubine Zhang Xian or Han Mengqin.Han Mengqin's words can at least make them worry.

After hearing Han Mengqin's words, these servants were really shaken again.

At this time, Emperor Chongde finally arrived: "What are you doing so noisy? Concubine Xian, didn't you come to attend to the sickness of the queen mother? Something happened to the queen mother, so why don't you stay by her side and come here?" What kind of prestige is playing at the door?"

It came so fast, Concubine Zhang Xian was secretly startled, and said quite aggrieved: "Your Majesty, the empress fed the empress dowager a poisonous soup, obviously to murder the empress dowager. The concubine is afraid that the princess of Pingyang is the empress' accomplice. Only to stop Princess Pingyang."

"Reporting to my father, the concubine Xian put the crime of murdering the queen mother on the queen mother before the matter was found out, and let the maids and eunuchs in Shoukang Palace spread the matter everywhere. Second, the concubine Xian insisted that the son and the queen mother were all accomplices, and joined hands to harm the queen mother, so she wanted to arrest the son, not just prevent the son from entering. The move of the concubine Xian is really suspicious, I hope the emperor will see clearly .”

Han Mengqin would not save face for Concubine Zhang Xian.Since Concubine Zhang Xian has done such a thing, she has to pay the price.Han Mengqin would not believe such an obvious flaw, and Emperor Chongde would not be able to see it.

After listening to Han Mengqin's words, Emperor Chongde looked at the surrounding people of Shoukang Palace: "Is what Princess Pingyang said true?"

These court ladies and eunuchs were transferred to the Queen Mother after the people around the Queen Mother were cleaned up.They don't even see a high-status concubine on weekdays, let alone a high-ranking emperor.At this time, under the extremely oppressive eyes of Emperor Chongde, they dare not lie at all.Anyway, they didn't do these things, but Concubine Zhang Xian ordered them to do them. They couldn't afford to take the blame for Concubine Zhang Xian!

"Reporting to the emperor, what Princess Pingyang said is true."

"Concubine Zhang Xian, you are so courageous!" Emperor Chongde looked at Concubine Zhang Xian with extremely cold eyes, almost frostbite Concubine Zhang Xian.

Concubine Zhang Xian pinched her palm, thinking to herself, the emperor would not find out.So, it's all right...

She regained her composure and said, "Your Majesty, the matter of the Queen Mother poisoning the Empress Dowager was witnessed by my concubine. Although I don't want to believe it, I have to believe it."

"That's enough. I will find out exactly what happened. I don't need you to talk too much here."

Ever since Concubine Zhang Xian took the initiative to get involved with the Queen Mother, her words no longer had any credibility in Emperor Chongde's heart.

If Concubine Zhang Xian had no plans, why did she get involved with the Queen Mother?

It's really funny to say that Queen Ding wants to poison the Queen Mother.When Queen Ding swallowed her anger and suffered all kinds of grievances in front of the Queen Mother, she never thought of using such a shameful method. Now that Queen Ding is in charge of the harem, the Queen Mother can only hide in the Shoukang Palace. If Queen Ding really can't understand the Queen Mother , just ignore her, why deliberately design to poison her?

What's more, if the Empress Dowager hadn't ordered Empress Ding to come to Shoukang Palace to serve the sick, Empress Ding probably wouldn't have stepped here at all.No matter how you think about it, it is full of suspicious.

When Emperor Chongde brought people to Shoukang Palace, he found that the Queen Mother was lying on the bed, her face was pale and she was unconscious. Nurse Zhu beside her was taking care of her while glaring at Queen Ding.Empress Ding also knew that she was not welcome here, so she led Yao Huang to stand far away with a calm expression.

In the Queen Mother's bedroom, there was a strong smell of medicine.

Seeing that Empress Ding was safe and sound, Emperor Chongde immediately asked, "Empress, what's going on?"

"Reporting to the emperor, just now the queen mother asked the concubine to serve her medicine, and the concubine handed the medicine prepared by the servants to the queen mother. Unexpectedly, the queen mother vomited blood on the spot as soon as she drank the bowl of medicine."

"Who made this medicine, and how many people passed through it?"

"The medicine was boiled in the Queen Mother's small kitchen. Just before the concubine brought this bowl of medicine to the Queen Mother, she was tested for poison."

"Since this is the case, there should be no problem with the medicine. How could the empress vomit blood after drinking this bowl of medicine?" Emperor Chongde frowned.

"Now I have to ask the Empress Dowager, when did she tamper with this bowl of medicine. Just now, after the Empress Dowager's accident, Mammy Zhu has invited the imperial doctor to examine this bowl of soup medicine. It contains extremely overbearing poison. - Su. If the empress dowager hadn't just taken a sip, I'm afraid I'd be dead now!" Concubine Zhang Xian said: "Since this bowl of medicine is still non-poisonous before the empress dowager brings the medicine to the empress dowager, then the poison is certain It was the Empress Dowager who did it! Otherwise, could the Empress Dowager be able to poison herself?"

Empress Ding has realized that she has fallen into the trap jointly arranged by the Queen Mother and Concubine Zhang Xian.

This trap is simple and rough enough, but it is also impossible to defend against.After all, the queen mother would rather poison herself than drag her into the water.Just now, when the Empress Dowager was drinking the medicine, she covered her face with her sleeve. Empress Ding reckoned that the poison might have been administered at that time, but unfortunately, she couldn't find any evidence.

The Empress Dowager has always been meticulous in her actions and will not easily leave any clues behind.In this way, it may be difficult to clear up the suspicion on Empress Ding.

Even if it cannot be proved that Empress Ding did this, and Empress Ding cannot be convicted, it is not a good thing for an empress of a country to bear the reputation of murdering the empress dowager.

What's more, Empress Ding felt that the Empress Dowager and Concubine Zhang Xian might still have a backup.

"I will investigate this matter thoroughly. For innocent people, I will return her innocence. For those who do it, I will never tolerate it!"

Obviously, Emperor Chongde trusted Empress Ding, and he did not question Empress Ding.However, the current situation is obviously not good for Queen Ding.Concubine Zhang Xian has not had a good time these few days.

When the queen mother had an accident, only Concubine Zhang Xian and Queen Ding were present. Since Queen Ding was going to be investigated, she naturally couldn't escape.

Although Han Mengqin was worried about Queen Ding's situation, she had to leave when it was time to release the key.

Empress Ding saw her worried eyes, called her to her, and patted her on the head: "Don't worry, your mother is not as useless as you think. Since I already knew that Concubine Zhang Xian was going to join forces with the Queen Mother to harm me , how can there be no preparations? Just watch, who is the praying mantis and who is the oriole."

Hearing this, Han Mengqin felt at ease.

However, just a few days later, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.When Emperor Chongde sent people to investigate, they found villains with the birthdays of the Queen Mother, Concubine Wang Shu and Concubine Zhang Xian written on them in Fengyi Palace.The villain was buried under a tree in front of Fengyi Palace, not deep, and a guard sent by Emperor Chongde discovered it by accident.

This can poke a hornet-bee-nest.

Many people prefer to believe in the existence of witch-gu, rather than in the absence of it.At this time, the witch-gu doll was unexpectedly found from the queen's residence, and there were people clamoring to convict the queen.The matter of witch-gu has always caused a bloodbath.In the history books, most of the people who were associated with witch-gu would end badly.Many people felt that Queen Ding was about to die.

Some people also retorted: "The empress dowager and the emperor are not biological mothers and children, and the emperor has treated the empress dowager worse than before in recent years. Even if the empress dowager is cursing the empress dowager, the emperor may not deal with the empress empress. The virtuous concubine and the Shu concubine both It's not as good as the queen's empress being favored, the emperor will definitely protect the empress and abandon these two empresses."

"Nonsense, witchcraft and other insidious methods should not be used on anyone. What's more, the person who cursed is the queen of a country, and the person who is cursed is the empress dowager and imperial concubine. , should be dealt with more strictly! Besides, even if the empress dowager is not the emperor's biological mother, she is still the emperor's aunt, and she is a person who must be filial to the emperor! If the empress dowager harms the empress dowager, the emperor will not care about it. Wouldn't it be an unfilial person? ? The two imperial concubines also serve the emperor, but the empress murdered them out of jealousy. It is really unwise and should be severely punished!"

"The emperor values ​​the empress most. What reason does the empress curse-curse the empress dowager and the two imperial concubines? Perhaps, this matter is because someone is framing the empress..."

In the court hall, there were also people speaking for Empress Ding, but unfortunately, their voices were obviously much weaker than those who condemned Empress.As soon as these words came out, they were refuted: "The queen is the master of the harem. Besides herself, who else can bury puppet-dolls in her palace without anyone knowing?"

The voices denouncing the empress became louder and louder, and some people even directly posted a zhezi to implore Emperor Chongde to abolish the empress, saying that Empress Ding had committed such a serious crime and was not worthy of being an empress.Queen Ding fell into the biggest crisis since she was established as a queen.

Han Mengqin was distraught when he heard the news.She knew that her power was limited, so after thinking about it, she personally visited some clan members and court wives who had good relations with Queen Ding, and begged them to speak for Queen Ding.However, very few people were willing to see Han Mengqin in the end, most of them reasoned that they were not at home, and the only ones who treated Han Mengqin consistently were the two old friends of Princess Anchang, Nan'an County Lord and the Ding family.

Even the head of Kanghe County, who has just made friends with Han Mengqin recently, can only look at Han Mengqin with a good relationship in embarrassment and express to Han Mengqin that although she wants to help Han Mengqin, but the father and mother She is not allowed to meddle in this matter.

Most people are not optimistic about Queen Ding.When the curse of witchcraft comes out