PDLP Chapter 179 Begging for mercy
Chapter 179 Begging for mercy
After finishing the business, the three of them started playing cards.
As An Lingrong picked up the cards, she asked, "Sister, why didn't you bring the Sixth Prince here?"
Oh wow, the cards are pretty good this time!
Shen Meizhuang knew An Lingrong had a good hand by looking at her expression, and said, "It's been too hot these past few days, so the Emperor sent someone to take him to the Qinzheng Palace, saying it would be cooler there, and asked the Sixth Prince to stay for a few days before returning."
"Are you willing to do that? Call me landlord." An Lingrong's eyes lit up.
"No grabbing."
"Don't fight for it. What's there to be reluctant about? Didn't you say that I'm too busy recently and don't have time to play with you? This is just the right time to spend with you and Huan'er."
Zhen Huan nodded at the side: "Sister is getting busier and busier. We haven't played cards together for a long time!"
"Okay, I'll play a few more games with you today, but if I lose, Rong'er, you can't cry!"
"Don't worry, sister. I think my card skills have improved a lot."
An hour later.
"Sister, why don't we stop playing cards and go out for a walk? Sister Zhen needs to move around more!"
"It's too hot and I'll get heat stroke. I can't go out. I'd better keep playing cards!"
After dinner, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang stayed in Shangxia Tianguang on the pretext of enjoying the scenery.
Not long after dark, Jinxi came to the second floor and reported: "My three ladies, Concubine Duan is already outside the palace!"
The three of them looked at each other and nodded.
An Lingrong stood up, straightened her clothes, and prepared to go downstairs to greet him in person.
Not far away, Qi Yuebin was slowly approaching with a little maidservant with her head lowered behind her.
An Lingrong glanced at the maid behind her, bowed gracefully, and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Her Majesty Duan. I did not come to greet you upon your arrival. I hope you will forgive me!"
"Sister Wen, please don't be polite!" Concubine Duan said with a smile, "It's my sister's fault for coming here unexpectedly. I often hear people say that the scenery is beautiful under the bright and clear sky. It's too hot during the day, and I'm not feeling well, so I can't go out. I wanted to come and see you now that it's cooler. I hope I won't disturb you, sister?"
"Your Majesty, that's not right. Your Majesty's presence has made our humble home so glorious. Please come in!"
An Lingrong leaned sideways, stretched out her hand and made a "please" gesture. In front of others, she was always polite and spoke appropriately.
"Thank you, sister!"
"Your Majesty, please take a small step." An Lingrong led them to the second floor, where Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang had already stood up and were waiting.
After they exchanged greetings, several palace maids filed in, offering tea and snacks. An Lingrong said, "All of you should go down. Don't delay our conversation with Concubine Duan."
"Yes!"
After all the servants had gone down, the maidservant beside Concubine Duan stood up straight, and it was indeed Concubine Hua Nian Shilan.
Inside the main hall, despite the dim candlelight, the three of them could still clearly see that Nian Shilan, once voluptuous and enviable, had become significantly thinner. Her former noble and magnificent demeanor had vanished without a trace, replaced by a dejected and listless air.
As expected, when this woman who had always been proud and arrogant knew that the feelings that once made her proud were just means to deceive and coax her, she felt as if all the muscles and bones in her body were sucked out, and she no longer had any life and energy.
An Lingrong was the first to speak, breaking the solemn silence, and said softly, "Please sit down!"
Nian Shilan nodded slightly, helped Qi Yuebin sit on a chair beside him, and still stood quietly where he was.
"We are willing to see you today only out of consideration for Concubine Duan. Just tell me what you want to say!" Shen Meizhuang said in a cold tone.
Nian Shilan slowly raised her head, her lips trembling slightly as she struggled to squeeze out a few words from between her teeth: "Do you... have any way to save my brother?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang raised a mocking sneer at the corner of her mouth and responded bluntly: "Oh, based on the grudge between us, you actually thought we would save him? Are you dreaming?"
"I know I've done a lot of wrong things, and I apologize to you." Nian Shilan's voice choked with sobs, and she squatted down and bowed deeply. "But my brother is loyal to the emperor and has never had any other thoughts."
At this moment, she was no longer a noble concubine, but just a humble, weak woman who needed help. For her brother and her family, she could give up everything, including her self-esteem, which was as important as her life.
"Rong'er was injured by you and was bedridden for a month. She hasn't recovered yet. You think you can erase her pain with just an 'apology'? I tell you, Nian Shilan, that's impossible."
Shen Meizhuang held An Lingrong's hand with all her strength. She thought she was a person who could control her emotions, but when she saw this disgusting face today, her mind involuntarily emerged with all the suffering and torture that Rong'er had suffered. The anger in her heart instantly burned fiercely, burning her eyes red, and she wished she could eat her flesh and drink her blood.
"Sister, sister." An Lingrong was moved and leaned on Shen Meizhuang's shoulder and called her softly.
Nian Shilan's eyes were already filled with tears. She continued, "I'm willing to do anything you ask me to do. You can beat me or scold me, or I can confess my past mistakes to the emperor. I will never be a threat to you again. I only ask you to speak up for my brother."
Zhen Huan said, "Nian Gengyao deserved what he had today. The Emperor's decision to punish him is simply in accordance with national law and popular will. If you wish to plead for mercy, you should go to the Emperor!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Nian Shilan's eyes were full of despair.
The emperor had long been wary of her brother, so even if she went to plead for him, it would be useless.
Here, Shen Meizhuang had been calmed down by An Lingrong, who said coldly, "How to deal with you and Nian Gengyao is the emperor's business. We have no right to interfere. The most we can do is not to add insult to injury. You can leave now!"
Nian Shilan's body tilted and she collapsed to the ground.
Qi Yuebin, who had been sitting silently, stood up, slowly walked to Nian Shilan, helped her up, gently wiped the tears from her face, and said softly, "Don't cry!"
Then he turned around and faced An Lingrong and said, "I want to talk to you!"
"Just say whatever you want to say here!" Shen Meizhuang frowned.
"Sister Huifei, don't be nervous. I'm weak and can't even tie a chicken. What can I do to Concubine Wen? I just want to tell you some past events!" Qi Yuebin looked at Shen Meizhuang with a smile, but the smile on his face never reached his eyes.
After Qi Yuebin finished speaking, he looked at An Lingrong with a burning gaze, and his eyes fell on Zhen Huan intentionally or unintentionally.
An Lingrong's mind boomed. It turned out that she was waiting for her here!
What a scheming Concubine Duan is!