in2ebook Chapter 92 Someone is plotting against the Fourth Prince
Chapter 92 Someone is plotting against the Fourth Prince
Jinse hurried back to Xuanhua Palace and stood silently behind Su Nuannuan. She bowed slightly and reported to Su Nuannuan in a very low but clearly audible voice: "Your Highness, we have just received news that someone seems to have ulterior motives and is plotting against the Fourth Prince. Do you think we should remind Consort Qin?"
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan, who was enjoying her meal, suddenly froze, her hand holding the chopsticks pausing. The movement that was reaching for the dish instantly stopped in mid-air. However, she recovered in just a moment, as if nothing had happened, and continued to reach for the dish in front of her with her chopsticks, steadily picking it up and putting it into her mouth.
After swallowing the delicious taste, Su Nuannuan gently parted her lips and calmly instructed in a low voice, "Later, find a suitable opportunity to have our men pretend to accidentally spill wine on Consort Qin's clothes. When Consort Qin gets up to change, then subtly remind her. As for whether Consort Qin believes it or not, that's up to fate and her to decide. Remember, never let our men raise their heads and reveal their identities. After it's done, they must immediately find a safe place to hide."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Jinse replied respectfully. Then she turned to Yaoqin beside her and deliberately raised her voice, saying, "Yaoqin, I'll trouble you to take good care of Her Highness here. I must hurry back to Cuiwei Palace to retrieve something important for Her Highness." With that, Jinse bowed to Su Nuannuan and turned to leave.
Such situations were commonplace at grand palace banquets. Therefore, everyone was accustomed to them and did not find anything unusual about them.
After giving her instructions, Su Nuannuan kept a close eye on the actions of the Su family woman.
Before long, a new group of palace maids filed in, each carrying a delicate tray. On these trays were neatly arranged various wine vessels and fine wines.
One of the palace maids gracefully approached Consort Qin, then carefully crouched down and gently placed the wine pot she was carrying on the table. However, just as she was about to stand up, she suddenly slipped and lost her balance. With a cry of surprise, she lurched forward, her arm striking the wine pot squarely on the table. In an instant, the pot tipped over, and its full contents spilled out like a burst dam, quickly spreading across the floor.
All of this happened so suddenly that Consort Qin had no time to dodge. She watched helplessly as the wine poured towards her like a flood, ultimately soaking her magnificent skirt.
"Your Majesty, spare my life!" The palace maid who had caused the trouble was terrified, her face as white as paper. Almost instinctively, she knelt down and kept kowtowing, begging for mercy.
At this moment, the once lively scene fell silent due to this sudden change, and everyone's attention was drawn to this place. The crowd's eyes were filled with surprise, doubt, or schadenfreude, but without exception, they were all fixed on the kneeling palace maid begging for mercy and the furious Consort Qin.
"You palace maid, I haven't even reprimanded you yet, what are you doing?" Consort Qin said, her brows furrowed as she looked at the trembling palace maid before her.
Upon seeing this, the emperor, seated above, turned ashen-faced and coldly declared, "Such a careless person is truly unforgivable. Guards, drag him out and give him twenty heavy lashes."
"Your Majesty, spare me! I really didn't mean it! Please have mercy!" The palace maid pleaded tearfully, kowtowing repeatedly. Despite her extreme fear, she always remembered one thing: she must not raise her head and let others see her face.
"Your Majesty, today is the Empress's birthday. On such a joyous occasion, there is really no need to disturb the Empress's enjoyment with such a trivial matter. I can handle it in the side hall." Consort Qin hurriedly stood up and pleaded with the Emperor earnestly.
She thought to herself, "I absolutely cannot let my trivial matter disrupt the Empress's meticulously prepared birthday banquet. Otherwise, wouldn't I be asking for trouble?" Thinking this, Consort Qin couldn't help but break out in a light sweat.
After hearing what Consort Qin said, the Emperor's expression softened slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Since Consort Qin is willing to plead for you, a little palace maid, then I will show leniency and not punish you with caning. However, I will deduct three months' worth of your monthly salary as punishment."
Upon hearing this, the palace maid who had made the mistake felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She hurriedly kowtowed to express her gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress for your mercy, thank you, Consort Qin for your mercy." After saying this, she slowly stood up, bowed to everyone again, and then quickly picked up the tray and left the hall.
Led by her personal maid, Consort Qin walked towards the side hall. As soon as she entered, a maid approached, bowed respectfully, and said, "This servant greets Consort Qin." Then, she quickly glanced around to make sure no one was watching, before lowering her voice and speaking rapidly to Consort Qin, "Your Highness, someone is plotting against the Fourth Prince."
Upon hearing this, Consort Qin froze, a look of surprise and confusion in her eyes. When she came to her senses, she hurriedly looked around, only to find that the palace maid had vanished without a trace.
Consort Qin frowned and decisively said to Furong beside her, "Furong, go and inform the Emperor and the Empress immediately that the wine stains on my skirt are difficult to clean and I need to return to the palace to change my clothes. Remember, this matter must not be delayed!"
Upon hearing this, Furong immediately and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will report the truth."
Then, Fuqu turned to look at Handan beside her and solemnly instructed, "Handan, be careful on the way back to the palace. Do not let anyone take advantage of you. You must protect Her Majesty and ensure her safety."
Handan nodded vigorously and replied, "Don't worry, Sister Fuqu, with me here, I will definitely keep Her Majesty safe and sound."
It's important to know that both Fuqu and Handan are skilled in martial arts, so they naturally overheard the palace maid's words. Although the veracity of the news is currently unknown, Consort Qin knew that she had to return to Yunhe Palace to investigate personally before she could feel at ease. Therefore, under Handan's protection, Consort Qin hurried towards Yunhe Palace…