inspire-indiana Chapter 156 Kangxi is here and gets punished (revised)
Chapter 156 Kangxi is here and gets punished (revised)
The next moment, the emperor, dressed in bright yellow court robe, strode across the threshold. Everyone was startled and quickly stood up to salute him.
Kangxi looked straight ahead at Shi Nanxi from the corner of his eye and saw that she was lowering her head, her eyes were red, her face was pale, and her lower lip was bitten red, as if she had been crying.
Is this being bullied?
He paused slightly, looked around with a stern gaze, and stayed on Lan Da Ying for a second longer. It seemed that Concubine Nianhulu had just mentioned Lan Da Ying.
Lan Da Ying felt the emperor's gaze and felt as if she had fallen into an icy cave. Her brain, which was in so much pain that it seemed as if it was about to explode, suddenly seemed as if cold water had been poured over her head, and she woke up completely.
Recalling what she had just said, her face turned pale and her expression showed a hint of dejection.
Seeing this, Kangxi withdrew his gaze, stroking the jade ring, his phoenix eyes deepened, he turned around and sat on the chair, looking at everyone, and said lightly:
"Everyone, get up."
The concubines, who usually tried their best to attract the emperor's attention when they saw him, stood up and sat down when they heard the words, shrinking their bodies as much as possible and lowering their heads, trying to avoid the emperor's attention.
On the other chair, Concubine Nianhulu's fingertips turned white as she clutched a handkerchief. Why would the Emperor come, and why would he come so soon?
Just a little bit was enough to make Concubine Xian admit that she seduced the Emperor during the selection period.
Once Concubine Xian admits it, her reputation will never be cleared. The Emperor values the Qing Dynasty and his own reputation the most. He will vent his anger on Concubine Xian without her having to do anything.
But now the emperor who shouldn't be here has come! Fortunately, everyone present knew about the affair, and when the greetings were over, even if the emperor sealed their mouths, he couldn't seal everyone's mouths, and the emotions gradually calmed down.
Concubine Niuhulu raised the corner of her lips and smiled in surprise:
"Why is the emperor here today? Didn't I hear that the court is very busy recently?"
Upon hearing this, Kangxi looked deeply at Concubine Nianhulu, slowly stroking the jade ring, with a meaningful tone.
"Originally I was a bit busy. The censor impeached that someone in the Northwest Army was taking empty salaries. I was going to personally order someone to investigate, but then I thought about how old the Crown Prince was and how he would get married soon, so I asked him to investigate the matter. I also thought about not coming to the harem for a few days, so I came to take a look."
The palms of Concubine Nianhulu were full of sweat when she was looked at by the emperor, but fortunately she had been in power in the harem for many years and was still able to maintain her stability.
After Kangxi finished speaking, he looked around again and his eyes stopped on Shi Nanxi. The little girl had not looked up since he came in.
He knew that as long as he was around, the little girl would unconsciously chase after him, but now... he thought of what he heard when he just entered the door.
He pursed his thin lips, and a hint of coldness flashed across the depths of his eyes.
"Is what I just heard outside the door true?"
As he spoke, he looked at Lan in the corner and agreed:
"Lan promised, you will reply."
Faced with the question, Lan Da Ying was already frightened out of her wits. She fell to her knees with a plop, cold sweat all over her body, and she didn't dare to speak for a long time.
The others shrank their heads even tighter when they saw this. Kangxi narrowed his eyes when he saw this scene, turned to look at Concubine Nianhulu, and spoke in a calm tone, but with an unquestionable tone.
"If Lan Da Ying doesn't answer, then the imperial concubine will say, I remember that it was you who asked about Lan Da Ying just now."
Concubine Nianhulu's heart tightened, but she did not dare to hesitate. She quickly told the emperor everything that had just happened without hiding anything.
She had already cleaned up the mess long ago, so even if the emperor investigated, he would only find out that it was all an accident and had nothing to do with her.
After hearing everything, Kangxi's expression was gloomy. What a capable person! Not only was the thing he personally instructed not to disclose leaked, but it was also used to plot against others.
As an emperor born in the deep palace, how could he see at this time that this was a conspiracy against Concubine Xian, the purpose of which was to ruin her reputation.
But the people behind the scenes forgot that this move not only ruined Empress Xian's reputation but also indirectly ruined his reputation.
Besides, when will it be the concubines’ turn to interfere in his affairs?
When Concubine Nianhulu saw that the emperor had not spoken for a long time, she understood that the emperor must be more angry than distressed at the moment.
Her eyes flickered slightly, and she looked at Shi Nanxi hypocritically, and said softly to Kangxi:
"Your Majesty, in my heart, Concubine Xian is pure and flawless, and has a good character. Lan's words are clearly slandering Concubine Xian, but..."
Before Concubine Nianhulu could say what she really wanted to say, she was interrupted by Kangxi, who said in a dignified tone that left no room for doubt:
"She is slandering Concubine Xian."
what?
Everyone looked up at the emperor.
Even Shi Nanxi, who had been looking down, couldn't help but look up, and happened to meet Kangxi's deep eyes. His eyes were as dark as ink, and it was hard to tell the emotion in them, but they made Shi Nanxi feel at ease, as if telling her that he was there for her and she shouldn't be afraid.
Kangxi finally saw Shi Nanxi's face clearly. She was pale, her clear eyes were watery, her lower lip was bitten and swollen, she looked terrified, and her thumb suddenly clasped the jade ring.
At this moment, he finally understood what had just happened. He could even imagine the scene when Lan agreed to expose their relationship in public and the little girl was pointed at, looked down upon and despised by others.
My heart felt like it was being grabbed by a big hand, and I wanted to hug the little girl in my arms and comfort her immediately, but I couldn't do that now.
Thinking of this, Kangxi's face darkened. He looked around, and the people he was looking at lowered their heads and dared not look at him. Finally, his gaze stopped on Lan Da Ying. His tone was calm, but like a sharp blade.
"Lan promised that you have committed the crime of insubordination and defamed the reputation of Concubine Xian. You will be demoted to an official woman, moved to Yongxiang, and fined one year's salary from today on."
After hearing the emperor's order, Lan Da Ying collapsed to the ground with a pale face. Soon, someone outside the door dragged her away.
The hall was completely silent and the atmosphere was tense and depressing. No one expected that the Emperor would punish Lan Da Ying without letting Concubine Nianhulu finish her words. This clearly showed that he wanted to suppress the affair.
Others could understand, so Concubine Niuhulu could understand even better. She had expected this, but compared to this, she felt an inexplicable panic in her heart. She knew she shouldn't speak at this moment, but she couldn't help but speak out:
"Your Majesty, Lan promised that he deserved the punishment. However, this matter involves the reputation of Concubine Xian. We should investigate the truth and clear up the misunderstanding. Otherwise, others may doubt Concubine Xian's innocence if they don't understand."
Hearing this, Shi Nanxi, whose expression had just relaxed as Lan agreed to be dragged out, bit her lips tightly again.
Kangxi had been paying attention to Shi Nanxi. When he saw this, he suddenly turned to Concubine Niu Hulu and said coldly:
"I have already dealt with Lan, my words are my bond. Are you questioning my decision, Concubine?"
“I dare not, but…” Concubine Niuhulu’s expression remained unchanged, but her hands were tightly clenched around the handkerchief.
Kangxi was worried about Shi Nanxi, so he did not delay any further and said again:
"Alright, doubting Concubine Xian is doubting me. This matter is completely false. Let's stop here. Anyone who wants to discuss, fabricate, or spread rumors is disobeying the imperial order and will be dealt with according to palace rules."
Concubine Nianhulu did not expect that the emperor would lie in public with his eyes open. She felt more and more uneasy and flustered. She wanted to say something, but Kangxi looked at her deeply, and that look seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.
After being in power for so many years, Concubine Nianhulu managed to hide her appearance, but her back was soaked with cold sweat.
At this time, Kangxi said calmly: "Your Highness has failed to discipline the concubines properly. I will deduct one month's salary. I have something else to do and I will leave first."
After that, he added: "Anyone who discusses or slanders the master will be fined for three months and made to copy the palace rules thirty times."
After saying this, he stood up and strode away. However, just as he was about to cross the threshold, Kangxi suddenly stopped and turned to look at Shi Nanxi.
"Empress Xian, don't leave yet."
Shi Nanxi suddenly opened her eyes wide, and was stunned for a moment before she reacted. Then she hurriedly stood up and followed in front of everyone.
Until the Emperor and Concubine Xian disappeared, the Yongshou Palace remained silent, and Concubine Nianhulu's heart sank to the bottom of the valley.
The faces of the others who were punished were all pale. It was summer now, and they were either those who had been out of favor for years or new concubines who entered the palace. All of them relied on the allowances of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Now they were punished for half a year. How could they survive the hot summer!