A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 489: Slander

Lady Wang was momentarily stunned.She hadn’t committed adultery, so what evidence was needed?

Could it be that she has to proclaim her innocence?

Yet, adultery and innocence seemed to have no special connection.

In other words, even if she were a virgin, unrequited love for another man would still be a capital offense.

This twisted argument was even too much for Xia Ruqing to bear.

Although it was true that the Harem should guard against these women cuckolding the Emperor, to accuse someone of an affair just because of a piece of clothing was a bit too much.

Unsurprisingly, Lady Wang had nothing to say.

Just as the Empress was about to speak, Noble Concubine Shih abruptly interjected.

"Lady Wang, just confess honestly. Who is your lover? Your own death is not important, but if it leads to your family being executed, that would be terrible!"

These few words nearly scared Lady Wang out of her wits.

Indeed, her own death was not important, but if it came to executing her entire family...

Wait, executing my entire family? On what grounds? I haven’t done anything! If I’ve done nothing, what is there to confess?

Lady Wang gritted her teeth and kowtowed.

"Empress, Noble Consort, this concubine truly has no lover. This concubine entered the palace and belongs entirely to the Emperor! Not to mention that this concubine has not been favored; even in death, I am still a person of the Imperial family! Now that it has come to this, this concubine has no other choice but to use death to prove my innocence!"

If my death can save the lives of my family, it would be worth it!

Having said that, Lady Wang kowtowed again.

"I beg the Empress to sentence this concubine to death!"

She didn’t understand how this calamity had descended upon her, nor whose path she had crossed.

Nonetheless, with my death, everything will probably be settled.

The Empress wouldn’t agree. Of course, she wouldn’t. Without having uncovered Noble Concubine Shih’s scheme, how could she let Lady Wang die?

The Empress hastily had someone help Lady Wang to her feet.

"You must first get up!"

After speaking, her gaze solemnly shifted toward Noble Concubine Shih.

"Regarding this matter, His Majesty personally instructed last night that I must personally investigate it. So, there is no need for Noble Concubine Shih’s concern!"

Noble Concubine Shih gave a cold laugh and quickly responded, "That’s perfect, I can relax a bit. However, Empress! Next time you send someone to my Xifu Palace, you should take a good look at their character! I have the Princess in my palace and cannot stand this filth!"

After finishing her words, she glanced at Xia Ruqing inadvertently. Then she spoke again in a low voice, "The person having an affair with Lady Wang is obviously a guard. I wonder... does Consort Xian Pin’s brother bear any responsibility?"

After speaking, Noble Concubine Shih covered her mouth with a handkerchief and giggled softly.

Xia Ruqing’s heart skipped a beat.

Here it comes! This affair is indeed targeted at me.

Since yesterday, she had a bad premonition. By today, the feeling had intensified, and as expected, it was aimed at her!

Ha! Noble Concubine Shih, always the one who can’t keep her composure. I might be favored, but I’m not exclusively favored. The Emperor visits all his consorts without missing a single one, which doesn’t break any rules, leaving no grounds for criticism. Even the Empress can’t object, yet it had to be her... But then again, on second thought, it might not be so bad for Noble Concubine Shih to be like this. If the Empress had Noble Concubine Shih’s favor, or if Noble Concubine Shih had the Empress’s patience and was able to keep calm, then the Imperial Palace would truly be terrifying! As it is now, with each having their flaws, it seems rather favorable!

Xia Ruqing straightened the Jade Hairpin on her head and smiled.

"Whether my brother bears any responsibility, the Emperor himself will decide. Noble Concubine Shih needn’t concern herself!"

Her implication was clear: Your reach is far too long. It’s one thing to cause a stir in the Harem, but now you’re even thinking about meddling in court affairs.

Her brother was the Emperor’s Imperial Forest Army Commander. If there was any fault, it should be for the Emperor himself to investigate and decide personally, not for a woman from the Harem to be babbling nonsense here!

Xia Ruqing paused for a moment, then continued, "Besides, the truth hasn’t come to light yet. I don’t know on what basis Noble Concubine Shih insists that Lady Wang had an affair! What if... she has been framed!"

Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes filled with panic, and she blurted out in her anxiety, "You... you’re talking nonsense!"

Xia Ruqing laughed disdainfully.

Isn’t this a case of the thief crying "catch the thief"? Is it possible that next, she intends to produce something belonging to my brother as evidence, to prove that he committed adultery with Lady Wang? How absurd!

Noble Concubine Shih’s life had, after all, been far too easy. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, a cousin of the Emperor, and they grew up together as childhood sweethearts. Later, she married into the Imperial Palace, with the Empress Dowager as her direct paternal aunt. Her life had been too smooth; everyone helped her, sided with her. She didn’t need to consider anything, just enjoy her privileged life!

Thus, she had never struggled and was unaware of how hard living could be. That’s why she could treat human life so lightly! That’s why, for her own selfish desires, she didn’t care about the life and death of others.

Never mind my own brother. But what had Lady Wang done wrong? A woman who had lived a life of propriety since entering the palace a year ago—what had she done to deserve death? And for such a nonsensical reason, too. Merely because of a set of clothes?

Xia Ruqing was so angered that she laughed.

Noble Concubine Shih, however, was very angry. "How insolent, Lady Xia! What are you laughing at!"

...

The Empress, seated at the head, had also seen through Noble Concubine Shih’s intentions.

So, Noble Concubine Shih is targeting Consort Xian Pin! Indeed, Consort Xian Pin has been too conspicuous these days. With the Little Prince in tow, monopolizing the Emperor’s favor, she’s hardly been short of attention!

Thinking this, the Empress was somewhat entertained, feeling detached as if it were none of her concern. She herself didn’t look kindly upon Consort Xian Pin either. When her own brother faced execution, the Empress had wanted Consort Xian Pin to plead on his behalf, but Consort Xian Pin had been unwilling. Now, Consort Xian Pin’s brother was entangled in such an affair as well.

And so... heh... by what right should I interfere!

The Empress glanced at Lady Wang, an idea forming in her mind, and she sneered inwardly: It’s a pity this innocent woman has to be the scapegoat!

Xia Ruqing looked at the Empress and then at Noble Concubine Shih, sneering inwardly.

Is this... one who doesn’t want to deal with it, and one who’s determined to fight to the bitter end? A pincer attack from both sides? Unfortunately for them, she is not afraid!

Xia Ruqing just smiled.

"In response to Noble Consort, you say I’m talking nonsense, but do you have any evidence?"

Noble Concubine Shih kept talking about evidence, so she also countered by demanding evidence.

Who couldn’t do that?

Noble Concubine Shih was speechless, choked with anger.

"You..."

Just as she was pondering a rebuttal, she heard a loud announcement from outside.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress hurriedly rose to her feet, leading the concubines to greet him.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao strode in, waving his hand.

"Rise!"

With that, he walked straight to the head seat, beside the Empress.

The Empress and the concubines were all somewhat bewildered. Why did the Emperor come today? He never used to come here!