mesbooks Chapter 281 Some people couldn't wait to make their move.
Chapter 281 Some people couldn't wait to make their move.
Clearly, this was a conspiracy against Consort Chun, and its purpose was obvious—
Such a major blunder at the First Bloom Banquet, which was overseen by Consort Chun, is bound to result in punishment, and she may even be stripped of her authority to assist in managing the six palaces.
Hua Yan's expression grew even colder. She also thought of another thing: if Rong Meiren were injured because of this, it would inevitably affect the future relationship between the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion and the Li family of Zhao County.
The former is a rising star in the imperial court, while the latter is a powerful and influential family. If the two families become enemies because of this, it would be a double benefit for the people behind the scenes.
The Marquis of Lin'an's mansion is backed by more than just merchants. The patriarch, Tang Xian, is a cunning old fox, and their in-laws' influence is not to be underestimated. If the Li family of Zhao County were to cause trouble, it's entirely possible that Zhou Bai, who has close ties to the Marquis's mansion and Consort Chun, would also be implicated...
In her rage, Consort Chun probably realized this as well, and her anger deepened.
Hua Yan perked up and stepped forward to examine the fine needle she had taken from the carpet. As someone accustomed to embroidery, she could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary embroidery needle. She applied a little force through the handkerchief and it seemed to be made of fine steel.
It's more like a concealed weapon than an embroidery needle.
She took one of the ribbons, carefully wrapped it in a handkerchief, and handed it to Consort Chun. She whispered a few words of advice in Consort Chun's ear and then instructed Chen Sishe: "Immediately summon the eunuchs in charge of the mats and curtains to one place."
Consort Chun took the document and handed it to Mengzhu, instructing her to quickly find Jingming.
Hua Yan is right. This matter cannot be kept secret. Rather than letting the Empress interrogate us, it would be better to report it directly to the Emperor through Jingming.
Fortunately, Hua Yan had made many preparations for the banquet, and now that these troubles have been exposed in advance, it is a good opportunity to rectify the palace.
......
Mengzhu hurriedly went to Funing Palace with the wrapped handkerchief. Lvliu dared not let her guard down and led two eunuchs to search the hall, while also keeping watch to check the newly laid carpet.
After finding no other problems, Green Willow and Bud Pearl reunited and went to check the other side of the side hall. This was a resting place arranged in advance according to the concubines' ranks, where the concubines' clothes, jewelry, or other belongings would be placed before tomorrow's banquet.
Seeing that Lvliu had done a good job, Ruizhu checked even more carefully. Seeing that the area was empty and she hadn't found anything wrong, she returned to the place where the musical instruments and palace costumes were placed, muttering to herself, "I haven't checked the jewelry in these brocade boxes yet."
Hua Yan glanced at the jewelry upon hearing the sound. Since these pieces were only displayed in the open, she didn't pay much attention to them.
When she received the banquet guest list from Min Rong a month ago, she relayed the message to Madam Yun that Yongbaolou had crafted two sets of jewelry according to the requirements in the report, which had recently been delivered to Huining Palace. In fact, not only jewelry, but also a set of palace attire was also hastily made overnight by Yongxiu Cloth Shop as a backup.
"Hey—".
Ruizhu raised the bead in her left hand with a blank expression, while her right hand held a hairpin missing a pearl.
"How come the craftsmanship of the artisans at Shanggong Bureau is not as good as that of the master craftsmen at Yongbaolou!"
As a result, she not only failed to achieve any merit, but also caused trouble!
Chen Sishe had just gotten up from the ground with a trembling heart when he heard this, and couldn't help but feel sorry for Lu Sizhen who had just entered. The person in charge of jewelry was Lu Neiguan from the Shanggong Bureau's Jewelry Department, and the two of them had always been on good terms.
Lu Sizhen stared blankly at the hairpin in Ruizhu's hand, her legs went weak, and she knelt down on the ground with a thud.
It's strange. When Aunt Minrong sent someone to pick it up, I clearly checked it several times and there was no problem at the time.
At this moment, he squeezed out a sentence through trembling teeth, trying to defend himself: "I beg Your Highness to investigate thoroughly. This servant has indeed checked it several times, and there are records of everyone who handled the jewelry."
Hua Yan, standing close, noticed fine powder scattered where the hairpin connected to the pearl, which was particularly noticeable under the sunlight. Furthermore, this pearl differed slightly from the other pearls on the hairpin, its color being somewhat duller.
Hua Yan's eyes were deep and unfathomable, covered with a terrifying layer of frost. She coldly beckoned Lu Sizhen to come forward.
Lu Sizhen was already pale. Hearing this, she dared not disobey. She crawled two steps on her knees. Hua Yan wrapped the hairpin with a handkerchief as usual and inserted it, along with the pearl that Rui Zhu had torn off, into the high bun on Lu Sizhen's head.
Although Consort Chun did not know why, she naturally did not stop them.
Lu Sizhen was also completely bewildered. His mind raced through all the artisans and palace servants involved in this task, but he soon ran out of time to think about it in detail.
At first, a faint, almost imperceptible, strange sensation came from the top of his head, like a feather gently brushing against him, tingling and numb, causing him to unconsciously shake his head slightly.
Immediately afterwards, a strong itch struck, as if countless ants were frantically crawling and biting inside his hair. He tried his best to suppress the urge to raise his hand to scratch, his face turning bright red.
Ruizhu swallowed hard, feeling a lingering fear. A faint itch ran through the fingertips of her fingers that had touched the hairpin.
"This servant deserves to die. These pieces of jewelry were completed half a month ago and have been sealed in the storeroom of the Imperial Jewelry Department. They were only handed over half a day ago. Please allow this servant to investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty." Fine beads of sweat hung on Lu Sizhen's forehead and nose as she kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy.
Consort Chun's face was ashen, and her hands were trembling slightly. If Consort Rong were to wear this hairpin during her performance, even with her great patience, she would likely be unable to avoid disrespecting the emperor...
What a brilliant plan!
"I'll give you half an hour to thoroughly investigate all the palace servants who came into contact with all the jewelry. Give me a satisfactory explanation before Shenshi (3-5 PM)."
Lu Sizhen hurriedly bowed his head in response, and Ruizhu used a handkerchief to remove the hairpin from his head. Chen Sizhen forced a smile that was more like a grimace, thanked her, and then kowtowed to Consort Chun and Huayan in gratitude before hastily leaving the side hall.
With one mishap after another, everyone present was filled with fear.
The music for the banquet was submitted in advance by Min Rong on behalf of the young ladies, but the clothes used were sent to the Shangfu Bureau a month in advance for rush production; the jewelry was made by the Shanggong Bureau; and the felt carpets and tents were handled by the Shangqinju where Chen Sishe worked.
There were incidents at all three locations, but the embroidery needles found at two of them were made of different materials, so it's possible that there were two people behind the scenes.
"The dance performed by Consort Rong at the banquet is the Zhezhi Dance, which must be performed barefoot. This trick is so insidious that it is probably not only aimed at the Empress. Even before Consort Rong has officially entered the palace, some people are already eager to make their move."
-
Fifteen minutes later.
Xiao Nianzi led Min Rong, with Meng Zhu following behind Jing Ming, and the two groups entered the hall one after the other.
Jingming bowed first to Consort Chun and Huayan, and said solemnly, "I am sorry to have frightened you two today. I have just informed His Majesty that this silver needle is unusual and that officials from the Yeting Bureau will investigate it later."
Chen Sishe swayed and almost fell. Lord Tong, the Imperial Censor, was a smiling tiger with a ruthless heart. If he fell into his hands, he would lose half his life before he could even ask a question!
Consort Chun nodded slightly, and Jingming waved for his men to take Chen Sishe and his entourage away.
"Jing Neiguan, please take a look at this first."
Consort Chun looked at Ruizhu, who then handed the hairpin wrapped in her handkerchief to Jingming.
Jingming was confused, while Minrong's heart sank. She had thought that only the palace dress had a problem, but she did not expect that the jewelry was also the problem.
Ruizhu dodged Jingming's outstretched hand as he tried to examine it, and warned, "Jing, be careful. This hairpin is hollow in the middle, and it's stained with something. It's itchy to the touch."
Thinking of Lu Sizhen's appearance just now, Ruizhu felt a chill run down her spine.
Min Rong knew she had failed in her duty, but as a lady-in-waiting serving the emperor, she remained calm in the face of danger. First, she knelt down to beg for forgiveness, and then she carefully explained each step of the process.