bestfiction Chapter 613: Submitting a Confession
Chapter 613: Submitting a Confession
The emperor's words were like a stone falling into a calm lake, creating ripples.
Especially Zhen Huan, her eyes were filled with astonishment and joy.
Her voice trembled slightly with excitement.
"Your Majesty, do you... do you really know the whereabouts of my sister?"
"Her life is not in danger for now. Concubine Zhen, you have been busy all day, go back and rest early."
The emperor's answer was brief and cold, and he seemed unwilling to say more.
He had just carefully observed Zhen Huan's reaction, and her concern for Zhen Yurao did not seem fake.
Zhen Yurao's appearance at Wanchun Pavilion must have been her own initiative.
He will make a decision after the interrogation results from Su Peisheng.
It is absolutely impossible for him to release Zhen Yurao, who has pockmarks all over her face, now.
Zhen Huan sensed something unusual from the emperor's gloomy expression, and she suppressed her doubts.
"Your Majesty, I will obey you. But Yurao is timid by nature. After entering the palace, she only stayed with Hongyang and Lingxi..."
When the emperor saw him using the twins as an excuse, his face became even gloomier.
"I have my own ideas. Concubine Zhen, just take good care of Hongyang and Lingxi. You don't need to worry about other things."
Concubine Hua steps on people whenever she gets the chance.
"Concubine Zhen, you don't believe what I said, but you can't even disbelieve the emperor's words, right?"
"The Emperor has already said that your sister's life is safe, what are you still worried about?"
"Could it be that Zhen Yurao did something unforgivable on your orders, so much so that you're worried about incurring the Emperor's wrath?"
Although Concubine Hua's words were a bit unreasonable, the last sentence was exactly what the emperor wanted to ask.
His inky eyes shot straight at Zhen Huan who was kneeling on the ground.
"Concubine Zhen, do you have anything to say?"
"Your Majesty, I am so anxious to protect my sister. Please forgive me."
Zhen Huan's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself: What happened to Yu Rao, or what did she do to cause the emperor's dislike?
"It's getting late. I won't disturb the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine's sleep. I'll take my leave now."
Concubine Hua glared at the cunning Zhen Huan and stood up as well.
"It's dark and the roads are slippery. I'll just give Sister Zhenfei a ride and then I'll take my leave."
The emperor looked at Concubine Hua deeply and waved his hand to signal them to leave.
An Lingrong watched Concubine Hua affectionately pulling Zhen Huan out, and she felt something was wrong no matter how she thought about it.
She glanced at the person drinking tea next to her and asked tentatively.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Hua said she would send Concubine Zhen back. Do you believe it?"
"Noble Concubine Hua is straightforward and always keeps her word. How could I not believe her?"
The emperor poured her another cup of tea. "Rong'er, try this Pu'er tea. The tea soup is bright red and rich, and it's smooth on the palate. It's bitter with a hint of sweetness. It's truly the finest tea."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
An Lingrong took the teacup handed to her and was a little unresponsive for a moment.
Why does the emperor look like something is wrong?
It was not until the emperor was about to give her a fourth cup that An Lingrong was sure that her feeling was correct.
She gently pressed the emperor's hand and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. You have filled my cup several times, and I will return the favor by refilling your tea."
"This teapot contains ripe Pu'er tea sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It's okay to use some before bed."
Bao Que, who noticed the slight movement of his master's fingers, quickly added.
"Your Majesty, the Queen knows that you prefer Pu'er tea. She only asks me to brew a pot when you come to Yongshou Palace."
"Oh? Rong'er doesn't usually use Pu'er?"
When the emperor thought about the amount of Pu'er tea that was offered as tribute every year, which he would use to reward his loyal ministers, he knew that Baoque was not lying.
"Your Majesty, I have no preference for tea. I will drink plain tea."
The emperor held her hand tightly and said, "You are now the Imperial Noble Consort. If you need anything, just go to the Imperial Household Department and get it."
She is responsible for the reception and seeing off of guests in the harem, which is really hard work.
"My concubine, thank you for your kindness."
Ever since An Lingrong was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, she specifically instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to send her a share of the allowance according to regulations, and to register her like other concubines.
It's lonely at the top, and she understands this truth best.
Although she didn't know why the emperor said such a thing, An Lingrong knew that if she was disliked by the emperor in the future, her past transgressions would become a fatal handle.
An Lingrong had just finished refilling the emperor's tea when Su Peisheng hurriedly lifted the curtain.
"Your servant pays respects to the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine."
The emperor put the teacup aside and asked with a serious expression.
"How are you doing with the task I asked you to do?"
"Your Majesty, I have fulfilled your mission. This is my confession, please review it."
Su Peisheng knelt before the emperor and presented his signed confession with both hands.
In fact, he had been in the West Six Palaces for a while, but he happened to see Concubine Hua beating Concubine Zhen and the accompanying palace maids.
When Su Peisheng found out that Cui Jinxi was being pinned to the ground and beaten by Song Zhi, he felt secretly happy and hid in the darkness without showing his head.
Concubine Hua, who personally took part in the battle, fought to her heart's content before leaving with her men.
Su Peisheng also witnessed the other faces of Concubine Zhen and her servant.
He was afraid that Concubine Zhen would resent him for standing by and watching, so he waited until everyone had left for a long distance before he came to Yongshou Palace along the palace wall to report.
Su Peisheng played an indispensable role in Zhen Yurao being sent to the Ministry of Punishment.
An Lingrong knew very well that the content of this confession would surely make the emperor furious, so she quickly stood up.
"Your Majesty, Zhaohua has had a slight cough recently. I'll go check on her."
"Go quickly. If Zhaohua's discomfort worsens, call the imperial physician as soon as possible."
The emperor was very pleased with An Lingrong's understanding and began to confess after she left.
The more he read, the darker his face became, and finally, in a rage, he slammed the confession on the table.
"Su Peisheng, is what is stated in this confession true?"
Su Peisheng answered respectfully.
"Your Majesty, upon hearing that she was being sent to the Ministry of Punishment, Miss Zhen Er confessed everything. This confession was written by a specialist from the Ministry of Punishment."