mtlumby2d Chapter 1700 Demoted to Noble Lady, Moved to a Side Hall
Chapter 1700 Demoted to Noble Lady, Moved to a Side Hall
Nangong Xuanyu put down the report, his voice eerily calm.
Li Changde, who was standing to the side, broke out in a cold sweat on his back.
The governor of Qilu was a powerful regional official with immense authority.
Although Consort Qin had only been in the palace for a short time, she was of noble birth, had a cold and beautiful appearance, and a straightforward and generous personality, making her stand out among the newcomers.
If she is ambitious and unwilling to remain subservient to others for long...
Seeing that the Imperial Noble Consort was favored by the Emperor and was pregnant again, she was in the limelight.
Consort Qin harbored resentment and harbored malicious intentions, wanting to use rumors to slander and ruin the reputation of the Imperial Noble Consort, and even curse the imperial heir in her womb...
From a motivational perspective, it is not entirely impossible.
"Your Majesty, this..."
Li Changde didn't know what to say.
A chilling glint flashed in Nangong Xuanyu's eyes!
His anger at this moment was not only because the rumors had hurt Niannian, but also because he was furious that the imperial power had been challenged.
First came the shame of the Feng and Chu families for confusing their bloodlines, and then the daughter of a high-ranking official spread rumors and cursed the imperial heirs!
Do the women in the harem really think he's a wooden statue?!
He had promised to protect Nian Nian and the child. How could the emperor not be enraged by such vile and abusive language?!
Nangong Xuanyu coldly said, "Consort Qin is arrogant and wicked, she speaks ill of the palace and curses the imperial heirs."
"By imperial decree, demote her to the rank of Noble Lady immediately and move her to a side hall!"
The emperor did not summon her for a confrontation, nor did he give Qin Shuyan even a chance to speak in her defense, which shows his overwhelming anger!
Rather than a punishment, it is more of a deterrent gesture.
Tell everyone who dares to lay hands on the Imperial Concubine and the imperial heirs that, regardless of their background, they will be severely punished!
"The slave obeys the order!"
Li Changde dared not hesitate for a moment, immediately agreed, and hurriedly went out to deliver the imperial decree.
He knew that His Majesty was using the most direct and severe method to vindicate the Imperial Noble Consort.
Consort Qin became the chicken used as a warning to others.
If Consort Qin's father hadn't been a high-ranking official, this wouldn't have been as simple as a demotion; she might have been banished to the cold palace.
Therefore, in the palace, besides imperial favor, family background was also important.
Sometimes, family background is even more important than imperial favor.
The imperial edict was issued, causing a stir in the inner palace.
"What?! Consort Qin... no, Noble Lady Qin has been demoted?!"
"Did she send someone to spread the rumors?"
"His Majesty was furious. He didn't even summon Consort Qin for questioning; he directly issued an edict to demote her. This shows that anyone involved in this matter will face severe consequences..."
"My goodness... Consort Qin is the eldest daughter of the Governor of Qi and Lu! To become a high-ranking concubine the moment she served the Emperor, how glorious is that..."
"..."
Upon hearing the news, all the concubines in the palace were shocked and reacted in various ways.
Changchun Palace.
After hearing the report, Consort Zhuang's eyes flashed with a dark light, and she shook her head, saying, "It's a pity about Consort Qin..."
Qin Shuyan's status was high enough, her family background was prominent enough, and she had the motive and ability to do these things.
And coincidentally, there are solid clues pointing to the Qin family.
His Majesty's anger needs to be vented, the Imperial Noble Consort's grievances need to be soothed, and the storm of rumors needs to be put to an end...
Consort Qin became the most suitable choice.
……
Water Creek Pavilion.
When Consort Tang heard the news, she was first startled, then patted her chest and said to Rui'er, "Look, even Consort Qin, with such a good family background, was demoted, let alone me..."
"Fortunately, Father solved the case within the time limit set by His Majesty."
After the initial shock, many lower-ranking concubines couldn't help but exclaim, "Consort Qin is so straightforward and comes from such a good family, how could she do such a thing?"
"You can know a person's face but not their heart! She seemed quite straightforward on the surface, but I never expected her to be so malicious!"
"His Majesty demoted Consort Qin so easily; we must be even more careful with our words and actions from now on..."
"Isn't that right? The Imperial Noble Consort is truly untouchable now; His Majesty protects her like the apple of his eye."
"..."
Regardless, everyone understood once again just how important the Imperial Noble Consort's pregnancy was to His Majesty.
Now even those with restless minds dare not provoke trouble.
……
When the news reached Yongshou Palace, a complex look flashed in Shen Zhinian's eyes: "...Is it the Qin family?"
Fuqu said, "Your Majesty, the clues found by the Prefect of the Capital, the Five Cities Military Command, and the people under the Lady are as follows."
Handan said with satisfaction, "Your Majesty, everyone outside is saying that His Majesty is making an example of someone to scare others, to vent your anger."
Shen Zhinian did not speak.
She always felt that things might not be so simple...
Nangong Xuanyu's actions served two purposes: firstly, to swiftly resolve the situation and quell the conflict.
After all, the longer and wider the rumors spread, the more detrimental it will be to Shen Zhinian and the child in her womb.
Secondly, it served to intimidate the inner palace and the imperial court, demonstrating the emperor's determination to protect her and the imperial heirs.
Thirdly... the governor of Qilu is a high-ranking official in charge of a region, and Nangong Xuanyu probably also intended to take this opportunity to put pressure on the Qin family or other restless forces.
Consort Qin simply happened to run into the line of fire.
Fuqu carefully observed Shen Zhinian's expression and asked softly, "Your Highness, do you really think that Consort Qin did this?"
Just as Shen Zhinian was about to say something, Xiao Mingzi bowed and quickly walked in.
"Your servant pays respects to the Empress!"
He gave a crisp bow, his face still damp with the sweat of his journey, but his eyes sparkled: "Your Majesty instructed me to investigate from which nook and cranny the rumors first entered the palace, and I have some leads."
Shen Zhinian said, "Oh? Tell me about it."
Xiao Mingzi reported, "This servant followed several lines and eventually found that they pointed towards Yonghe Palace..."
"It was near the main hall where Consort Qin used to live that a few palace servants who did cleaning and sweeping first started whispering things like, 'There are strange rumors outside,' and 'Feng and Chu are not blessed.'"
"Although their words were vague and they didn't dare mention the Empress, the meaning... was unsettling to hear."
Han Dan, who was listening nearby, frowned and asked, "Is it Consort Qin again?"
"The investigation outside has reached the Qin family, and the investigation inside the palace has also reached Yonghe Palace."
"I never imagined that Consort Qin, who seems so straightforward and magnanimous, would be so insidious behind the scenes, spreading such vicious rumors!"
"What is she trying to do? You can never judge a book by its cover!"
Fuqu frowned and looked at Shen Zhinian: "Your Majesty, if that is really the case, then His Majesty's swift and decisive punishment is not an injustice to Consort Qin."
Shen Zhinian didn't respond to their conversation. She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow on her cheek.
She paused for a moment, then suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question: "...What do you think of the Qin family's power?"
Both Fuqu and Handan were taken aback.
Xiao Mingzi also raised his head.
Fuqu thought for a moment and said cautiously, "The Qin family's ancestral home is in Shandong. Although their roots are not in the capital, Consort Qin's father, Lord Qin Mingyuan, is a second-rank governor, a powerful regional official with great authority."