novelraw Chapter 158 Conferring the Title of Imperial Concubine
Chapter 158 Conferring the Title of Imperial Concubine
Blood trickled down Qing Xiuyi's hands and arms, quickly staining her clothes red.
Looking at her hands and arms covered in scars, she broke down in tears.
Everyone in the hall paled.
Consort Qiu stared blankly at Consort Qing's disheveled appearance, and then belatedly realized that this was the reason why Sister Shuangning had asked her to dance.
A sense of joy quietly welled up in her heart, and she thought to herself: In this life, I will definitely follow Sister Shuangning's lead.
Xiao Yan said in a deep voice, "First, help Qing Xiuyi to the side hall, and then summon the imperial physician to come and treat her immediately."
Supported by palace maids, Consort Qing staggered away, crying incessantly. Her cries of "My hand!" were shrill and piercing, making one's heart clench.
The Empress's gaze fell upon the sandalwood zither on the table, her tone grave: "How could the strings of this zither have broken for no reason?"
Consort Qiu's heart jumped again.
Xiao Yan immediately issued an imperial edict ordering the Imperial Household Department to thoroughly investigate the zither. A moment later, the eunuch who had conducted the inspection reported back: "Your Majesty, this servant has carefully examined the zither inside and out. It is made of century-old wood, and the carved components are perfectly fitted. However, it is, after all, an antique passed down from the previous dynasty, and over time, its internal resilience has been gradually worn away. In addition, when Consort Xiuyi played it just now, her fingering was too rapid and her force too strong, which caused the strings to snap suddenly."
So it turns out it was an accident.
Many of the concubines present felt a surge of satisfaction upon hearing this. This Consort Qing had been arrogant and domineering in the past, offending many people. Now, she had only herself to blame for her current predicament.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively, signaling the eunuch to leave.
A moment later, the imperial physician entered the hall with a grave expression and reported: "Your Majesty, Consort Qing's injuries are quite severe, and I fear... I fear she will be left with scars."
A woman's hands are inherently precious and unparalleled; it is often said that hands are a woman's second face.
Moreover, Consort Qing was once a princess of noble birth, and she spent even more effort to care for her hands.
It would be such a pity if it really left a scar.
Inside the side hall, upon learning that her hand might be scarred, Consort Qing disregarded all decorum and burst into tears. Trembling, she raised her hand, gazing at the crisscrossing bloodstains on the back of it, her tears flowing even more freely.
This ugly scar will stay with her for the rest of her life. How will she ever face anyone again?
Consort Qing cried hysterically, "That was the best zither in the music archives! How could it have broken its strings in my hands?"
Xiao Yan and the Empress had just stepped into the side hall when they happened to hear these words.
Xiao Yan frowned and shouted sternly, "Even if you shout until you're hoarse, it won't do you any good!"
His gaze darkened, and he said coldly, "You have always been arrogant and domineering, making many enemies. If you had just toned down your temper a little, trouble wouldn't have found you."
Instead of receiving any comfort, he was reprimanded by the emperor.
Qing Xiuyi sobbed, her heart feeling as if it had shattered into dust.
The Empress, watching from the side, quickly and gently advised, "Your Majesty, Consort Qing is seriously injured and looks pitiful. Please don't blame her anymore."
Xiao Yan shook his head and turned to leave.
Consort Qing looked up at the Empress, her voice choked with emotion, and said, "Your Majesty the Empress..."
The Empress walked slowly forward, gently stroking the back of her injured hand, and said in a gentle tone, "His Majesty is currently very angry, so please calm down and don't be too sad."
Qing Xiuyi nodded heavily, tears welling in her eyes.
The Empress continued, "You should rest and recover. You will surely get better gradually. Your hands are so beautiful; it would be a real pity if they were scarred. I have a few bottles of the best wound medicine; I will have them sent to your Jingyang Palace later."
Qing Xiuyi was deeply moved and choked with sobs as she kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am so grateful for your grace."
The day after the Dragon Boat Festival palace banquet.
Consort Shao hurriedly went to the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Seeing her anxious expression, Xiao Yan asked in a deep voice, "What's wrong? Why are you so flustered?"
Consort Shao composed herself, her voice trembling, "Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
She paused, then said hurriedly, "Fortunately, Sister Shuangning didn't come to the palace banquet yesterday."
Xiao Yan reacted almost instantly: "Something's happened?"
Consort Shao nodded emphatically, speaking rapidly: "Sister Shuangning was absent, and her meal remained untouched. The head of the imperial kitchen took it upon himself to distribute the food to the eunuchs and maids on duty as a midnight snack. Who knew that they would all be poisoned shortly after eating it!"
Xiao Yan frowned and pondered for a moment.
Someone must have known about Ningning's pregnancy, otherwise how could it be such a coincidence?
These people are so impatient, they couldn't help but take action so quickly!
Ningning insisted on hiding her pregnancy for the sake of peace of mind. But in the end, she couldn't escape it.
Fortunately, Ningning did not attend the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.
Xiao Yan grew angrier the more he thought about it, his face turning as dark as if ink had been splashed on it, and his whole body exuding a chilling aura.
Seeing his state, Consort Shao hurriedly knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "Your Majesty, it is my fault! The Dragon Boat Festival banquet was prepared by Consort Xu and me. Now that such a disaster has occurred, Consort Xu and I cannot shirk our responsibility!"
"I know your character well. Get up," Xiao Yan said, waving his hand coldly.
There are indeed quite a few wolves and tigers hiding in this harem.
He turned to Li Fuquan beside him and ordered in a chilling tone, "I will give you three days to get to the bottom of this matter!"
Meanwhile, inside Yaohua Palace, laughter and chatter filled the air.
Song Shuangning and Consort Qiu sat facing each other, bursting into laughter. Consort Qiu gestured wildly, vividly depicting how Consort Qing had been injured by the zither strings and lost her composure in public at the palace banquet.
Song Shuangning laughed so hard she could hardly breathe, and only gradually stopped laughing when Tinglu beside her reminded her repeatedly.
She almost forgot that she was now pregnant with twins and should not get so excited.
She rested her chin on her hand, her eyes slightly lowered.
Even if she is of the highest rank and wealth, what does it matter? Qing Xiuyi is such a frivolous person, her nature is inherently unruly and difficult to tame.
Today's punishment was only a slight reprimand. If she is not taught a lesson, she may become arrogant and domineering towards others in the future.
This is just the beginning.
Before long, Xiao Yan strode into Yaohua Palace. As soon as he entered, he instructed the palace servants: "From now on, keep a close eye on everything in Yaohua Palace! The food and drink, the clothing and furnishings, even the flowers and plants on the steps and the incense in the halls, must all be inspected with extra care to ensure that everything is done perfectly and without the slightest mistake!"
Song Shuangning was puzzled and quickly stepped forward to ask for the reason.
Xiao Yan then recounted the whole story of the food poisoning at the palace banquet.
After hearing this, Song Shuangning sighed softly.
Sure enough, nothing stays hidden forever.
She had intended to keep her pregnancy a secret and focus on a peaceful pregnancy, but in the end, she couldn't hide it any longer.
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then gazed intently at her: "Ningning, it would be better to announce your pregnancy to the entire palace. Firstly, with this status as protection, anyone who tries to plot against you will have to think twice; secondly, it would be a natural way for me to bestow upon you the title of Consort."
Upon hearing this, Song Shuangning's heart skipped a beat, but she feigned surprise and looked up at him, asking, "A concubine? Your Majesty...?"
She had expected this, but when Xiao Yan said it, she still felt a surge of indescribable emotion.
She had indeed coveted the position of imperial concubine for a long time.
Xiao Yan saw right through her little scheme, a half-smile playing on his lips as he raised an eyebrow and asked, "What? Ningning, are you... surprised?"