PDLP Chapter 127 Imperial Edict
Chapter 127 Imperial Edict
(Thanks to DawnZjc for the gift, I added another chapter.)
"Let's see who dares!" An Lingrong pulled a bright yellow imperial edict from her sleeve. "Before the Emperor left the palace, he told me to protect Huipin and Wanpin. At the critical moment, I can act according to my discretion. Anyone who dares to take action will be punished for deceiving the emperor."
As soon as the imperial edict came out, everyone present was frightened. They all knelt on the ground. Even Nian Shilan did not dare to step forward and knelt with the others.
"Hurry up and escort the two sisters back to the palace. Caixing should go too. Hurry, lock the palace gates immediately after you return." An Lingrong ordered in a low voice.
"Rong'er, you..." Shen Meizhuang felt some pain in her abdomen, and beads of sweat appeared on her head.
"Don't worry, sister. I will be back to accompany you later!"
The few of them said no more and quickly evacuated Yiku Palace.
After Zhen Huan and Shen Meiyu left, An Lingrong turned around holding the imperial edict and wanted to leave as well.
"Your Majesty, something is wrong. If she had an imperial edict, why didn't she take it out earlier?" Cao Qinmo rolled her eyes and said softly to Concubine Hua.
Nian Shilan came back to her senses and saw An Lingrong was about to leave. She said urgently, "Someone, stop her. I want to see the imperial edict."
Zhou Ninghai quickly snatched the imperial edict and handed it to Concubine Hua.
Nian Shilan opened the imperial edict, took a look at it, and said angrily, "It's fake! You are so bold as to forge the imperial edict."
This was the imperial edict that conferred the title of Changzai on An Lingrong during the selection that day.
An Lingrong said innocently, "How could I have ever falsely conveyed the imperial edict? Did I just say that this was the emperor's edict?"
"Then what are you doing with this imperial edict?" Nian Shilan's anger grew stronger and stronger.
An Lingrong continued to argue, "I wanted to show you the imperial edict that conferred the title on me, but I didn't explain it clearly. I caused Her Majesty and you to misunderstand me. It's my fault. I apologize to you all!"
Although this was a stupid idea, at least Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang were brought back to the palace! Now that they were safe, An Lingrong could focus on dealing with Nian Shilan!
"How dare you make fun of me? Come, bring back Concubine Hui and Concubine Wan!" Nian Shilan was so angry that her eyes turned red.
Soon, a eunuch came to report, "Your Majesty, Huipin and Wanpin have returned to the palace. The gates are locked. If you force your way in, you're afraid it will alarm the entire palace."
An Lingrong was completely relieved. Although Concubine Hua was in charge of the harem, she couldn't go too far. After all, the empress dowager was sick, not dead!
As soon as he looked up, he saw Nian Shilan staring at him with wolf-like eyes. "Concubine Wen is falsely conveying the imperial edict and making deceptive remarks. Come, give him eighty strokes of the cane!"
Eighty strokes of the cane would kill her!
"Your Majesty, please spare my life. I know I was wrong and I will never do it again!" It's better to admit defeat first. After all, a man who knows the current situation is a hero.
"It's too late to admit your mistakes after you've made them. Come on, beat them up!"
She never expected that she, a noble concubine, would be fooled by a little girl.
Being pressed down on the chair, An Lingrong knew that pleading was useless. She stiffened her neck and shouted, "The Imperial Concubine is acting recklessly. I will not submit!"
"Don't accept? I'll beat you until you accept!"
The wooden board slapped An Lingrong's back, and each blow seemed to carry a thousand pounds of force. After just a few blows, she felt so painful that her soul left her body.
When Xiao Luzi outside the palace saw the young lady being punished, he hurriedly tried to break in, but was pinned to the ground by two eunuchs guarding the gate. He struggled desperately but could not break free from his restraints. He stared at An Lingrong, his eyes full of anger and helplessness.
Jingpin quickly knelt down and pleaded, "Your Highness, Wen Changzai is weak and I'm afraid she can't withstand a few more beatings. If you don't stop, she'll die!"
Concubine Xin also pleaded, "Your Majesty, if you beat her to death today, how will you explain to the Emperor?"
"How do I explain? She is guilty of falsely conveying the imperial edict, which is a capital crime. I am justified in beating her to death. If you continue to plead for mercy, I will sentence you to death for conspiracy!"
Looking at An Lingrong's face, Nian Shilan couldn't help but recall the Emperor's expression when she sang in the Imperial Garden that day. How dare a mere concubine dream of gaining the Emperor's favor? She hadn't had time to punish her, and she had just happened to run into him. So don't blame her for taking advantage of the situation.
Seeing Nian Shilan's somewhat crazy expression, Concubine Jing and Concubine Xin did not dare to persuade her anymore.
The board fell heavily, and her back felt like it was on fire and was in unbearable pain. An Lingrong knew that if she continued to be beaten like this, she would not be able to withstand even forty boards, let alone eighty!
If Nian Shilan wanted to stop, pleading and threatening would be useless. She had to have someone who could persuade her. Among the concubines present, there was only one person - Cao Qinmo. If Cao Qinmo wanted to help speak for her, only the most core interests could move her. After thinking for a while, she shouted:
"Noble Concubine Hua, you are arrogant and domineering, seeking revenge for personal gain. You will not have a good ending! When you are finished, everyone around you will suffer with you!"
Cao Qinmo's mind moved slightly after hearing An Lingrong's last words. If she killed An Lingrong today, she and Zhen Huan would become complete enemies. She would be trapped on the big ship of Concubine Hua for the rest of her life, with no room for turnaround!
"Your Majesty, if Concubine Wen is really beaten to death, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang will definitely not let it go!"
Nian Shilan turned her head, glanced at her contemptuously and said, "So what? Could it be that this palace is afraid of them?"
An Lingrong's mind was already a bit confused at this time. She twisted her body desperately and shouted without thinking, "Let me go! Nian Shilan, if you have the guts, let's fight one on one!"
After hearing her words, the people present didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
"Your Majesty is naturally not afraid of them, but if they join forces with the Queen, I'm afraid it will cause a lot of trouble." Cao Qinmo advised.
Nian Shilan thought for a moment, waved her hand and said, "Never mind. She's guilty of falsely conveying the imperial edict, and I doubt the emperor will let her off easily!"
After receiving the order, the young eunuch stopped what he was doing. Jingpin rushed over and saw that An Lingrong's back was soaked with blood. She asked anxiously, "Sister Wen, how are you injured?"
An Lingrong stood up with difficulty under the support of Jingpin, forced a smile, and replied weakly: "Thank you for your plea, sister, I'm fine."
On the other hand, Nian Shilan coldly issued an order: "Do not allow the imperial physician to treat her. Let her fend for herself."
An Lingrong walked towards her slowly, her steps slow and steady. Finally, she stood in front of Nian Shilan and looked at her quietly. Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze!
A moment later, the corners of An Lingrong's mouth suddenly lifted slightly, outlining a faint smile. That smile contained neither joy nor sadness, only a deep sense of mockery.
"Empress Hua, I only wish you a long and blessed life, and that our green mountains and rivers remain unchanged and green waters flow forever."
Her voice was low and calm, yet it carried a power that could not be ignored.
After saying this, An Lingrong turned and left.
In fact, what she wanted to say was, Nian Shilan, there is musk in your Huanyixiang, and the emperor's favor that you are proud of is nothing but deception and exploitation!
These words were enough to destroy her faith and make her live the rest of her life like a walking corpse.
However, if he said this, he, his parents and his younger brother would have no chance of survival.
She then forced herself not to say it out loud!
After leaving Yiku Palace, Xiao Luzi helped her walk back slowly!
"My lady, I am useless!" Xiao Luzi's voice choked with sobs.
"I'm fine, how's Sister Mei?"
"I'm afraid Concubine Hui is about to give birth!"
"What?" An Lingrong asked in surprise.
Xiao Luzi quickly explained, "Empress Hui was in labor and had her period right after returning to Yonghe Palace."
"Hurry up!" An Lingrong ignored the burning pain on her back, took a step forward, and quickly headed towards Yonghe Palace.
Xiao Luzi followed closely behind.