In a few days, it was Consort Yun's birthday banquet. Almost everyone with some status in the palace was present. Most of the officials were unwilling to let go of this good opportunity to present gifts and curry favor, so they each racked their brains to prepare. The imperial concubines had nothing to do every year, so it was rare for them to have the opportunity to attend a large ceremony. Naturally, they were unwilling to miss the excitement. In order to see the Emperor, everyone wore heavy makeup and jewelry. Their clothes were bright and beautiful, hoping to charm the Emperor. Each one looked more like the protagonist than the other.
A large stage was set up in the palace. It was completely paved with ceramic tiles. The side was for the audience. The first golden dragon chair was for the Emperor. The Empress Dowager and Shen Shiyun sat on his left and right. The Empress Dowager advocated frugality. Seeing the extravagance of the banquet, she was very disgusted.
On the stage, an opera was being performed. It was a play selected from the entire legendary novel. It was "Garden Tour" and "Dream Awakening" from "The Peony Pavilion". Halfway through the play, Zheng Ying walked to Shen Shiyun's seat with a glass of wine. She was able to temporarily avoid being grounded today because of this banquet. In the end, it was because of Shen Shiyun's benefits. She felt even angrier. Pretending to care, she said, "Consort Yun meimei, your complexion doesn't look good. Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Shen Shiyun didn't take the wine. She said coldly, "Thank you for your concern. What do you think I should feel uncomfortable?" Zheng Ying didn't know that she had fallen into a trap. She happily replied, "For example, dizziness, nausea, abdominal cramps, and so on." Shen Shiyun sneered, "Thank you for your tonic. Bengong is very comfortable now. If you have such symptoms, it's best to find an imperial physician as soon as possible. If you don't treat a small illness, it will lead to a big disaster. "
Zheng Ying frowned and looked at her from head to toe. She saw that her complexion was ruddy and refreshed. She really didn't look like she had just been seriously ill. Aside from the negative elements, the tonic in the soup was a top-notch tonic in terms of its effects. In an instant, she came to a sudden realization and screamed, "Shen Shiyun, how dare you commit the crime of deceiving the Emperor!" Shen Shiyun changed from her usual gentle and submissive demeanor. She stood up and looked at her without fear. She said coldly, "What crime did I commit to deceive you? Say it! "
Zheng Ying said in her heart, "If I want to expose her crime, the first thing I have to do is to honestly confess about the poisoning. She must think that in order to protect myself, I won't dare to say too much … But if I really think about it, I was just jealous and harbored evil intentions. In the end, it's not as serious as her crime. If worse comes to worst, His Majesty will just lock me up for a few more months." He threw caution to the wind and shouted, "You drank the forbidden tonic, but you're safe and sound now. Obviously, you're faking your pregnancy! Your Majesty, this woman has a fake stomach. This concubine will let you see her true appearance! " As she said that, she threw herself at Shen Shiyun and pulled her clothes up with all her might to show everyone the pillow under her clothes.
Fulin was unable to restrain his anger and shouted, "What are you doing? Do you want to rebel? " He ordered the soldiers to come forward and pull the two people apart. Shen Shiyun straightened her clothes and said with a smile, "Consort Zhen niangniang, since you already knew that the tonic was harmful to me, why did you still send someone to deliver it?" Zheng Ying thought that it was at most a trick, so she calmly replied, "That's right! I did it on purpose. I hate you, I hate you! I didn't expect that I would coincidentally expose your trick. This is called Heaven has eyes! "
Shen Shiyun made a hand gesture and ordered the soldiers to withdraw for the time being. Then she slowly walked forward and stood in front of Zheng Ying. She whispered, "How did you know that I was poisoned?" Zheng Ying called out, "Unless you were born immune to a hundred poisons, otherwise, as long as you drank the soup …" Shen Shiyun walked around her and whispered into her ear, "Since someone has already drunk it for me, why should I bother?"
Zheng Ying's eyes widened in fear. She said, "You … the bowl you sent …" Shen Shiyun nodded and said with a smile, "How was it? Did it taste good?" Zheng Ying angrily shouted, "You slut, you dare to harm me! I … I'll fight you! " Zheng Ying suddenly grabbed Shen Shiyun's neck with both hands. The two of them pulled at each other. Zheng Ying's head was tilted to one side, her hair was disheveled and her usual dignified appearance was completely gone.
Fulin angrily said, "Guards, drag this crazy woman away for Zhen! Choose a day to behead her! "The soldiers were waiting on the side. They quickly separated the two of them and escorted Zheng Ying out of the palace. Halfway, Zheng Ying suddenly let out a mournful scream. Her whole body fell limp to the ground. The soldiers remembered that she was once the Imperial Concubine, so they didn't dare to use too much strength when escorting her. Suddenly they couldn't hold her firmly. Fulin angrily said, "What are you pretending for?"
The Empress Dowager observed from the side. She saw that Zheng Ying's face was deathly pale, her lips were grey, and her forehead was covered with layers of sweat. Her fingers were tightly clutching her clothes around her abdomen. She advised, "Emperor, she doesn't seem to be pretending." Fulin impatiently cast a glance. Suddenly he saw a stream of blood flowing out from Zheng Ying's lower body. More and more blood flowed out endlessly. Soon a small pool of blood formed around her body. Although he hated Zheng Ying's evil deeds, he still cared about their old friendship. He called out, "Consort Zhen! What happened? Quickly summon an imperial physician! "
There were several imperial physicians standing by the side. They were pushing and shoving each other. No one wanted to take the initiative to come forward. Treating and saving people was not easy. If they could cure the patient, they would be treated as a living Bodhisattva. Once the patient died in their own hands, they would be grabbed by the collar and scolded. Sometimes they would even beat them. In fact, success or failure depended on the patient's condition. There was no way to judge the level of their medical skills. But the family members were filled with grief and resentment, so they couldn't care less.
Although the imperial physicians were more honorable than the Jianghu doctors, they were far more dangerous. The hairy doctor was only taught a lesson, but his nose was bruised and his face was swollen. If the imperial physician made a mistake, it would be difficult to keep his head. There had been cases of imperial physicians being forced to be buried with the emperor. Moreover, it was important for doctors to report good news instead of bad news. From Consort Zhen's appearance, it was obvious that she was in trouble. Who would dare to get involved in this mess?
After a long time, one of the imperial physicians slowed down and was pushed out of the circle. He was about to turn around and curse when he remembered that he was in front of the emperor. He quickly swallowed his complaints and swallowed his saliva. He went forward to check the pulse. He didn't expect the diagnosis to be even worse. He sighed, "Ai, what a pity! What a pity! "
Zheng Ying took a deep breath and forced herself to say, "What's a pity? I … I'm going to die? "The imperial physician said," No, Consort Zhen's body is fine. "Zheng Ying was displeased," Then why are you sighing? Do you want me to die before you'll be happy? "The imperial physician repeatedly said that he didn't dare. Fulin anxiously said," What's going on? Quickly tell me! "
The imperial physician thought that he was going to die anyway. He secretly encouraged himself and said, "Consort Zhen Niangniang has taken a large amount of tonics. There are many kinds of strong ingredients mixed together. She is very energetic. Therefore, she felt severe pain in her abdomen. She will be fine after a few days of rest. It's a pity … Consort Zhen's child has been miscarried. From the pulse, it should be a little prince. The fetus has already developed. Ai, it's a pity … "
Zheng Ying felt as if she was struck by five thunderbolts. She couldn't say a single word. She just stared blankly and shed tears. Fulin also received a big blow. He fell back a step and said with a bitter smile, "Ha, ha, good. Zhen's son is smart. He doesn't want his mother to suffer such humiliation. He directly chose not to come to this world. Ha …" Zheng Ying cried and said, "Your Majesty, I shouldn't have, I shouldn't have, it's all Chenqie's fault. Chenqie knows her mistake. Please forgive me … Chenqie will definitely give you a lot of sons in the future. This time … this time … "
Fulin blushed and said, "Shut up! You don't have a future anymore! Zhen ordered you to capture Consort Zhen and the maidservant who delivered the medicine and behead them. Didn't you hear? " Yinyin didn't wait for them to capture her. She squeezed out from the crowd and helped Zheng Ying up. She called out, "Niangniang, how are you? Are you okay? " Yinyin stood in front of her and cried, "This has nothing to do with Niangniang. You can behead me. Please let Niangniang go! That bowl of medicine … "
Shen Shiyun suddenly sneered and said, "Are you done with your acting? You're quite good at acting. "She walked in front of Fulin and said lightly," Your Majesty, Consort Zhen is not the mastermind. She is also a victim. It's all this maidservant's doing. She messed with me openly and harmed her secretly. No matter how much Consort Zhen hates Chenqie, she won't poison herself. Your Majesty, please investigate clearly. "
Although Zheng Ying didn't understand why Shen Shiyun changed sides at the last minute, in order to survive, she hurriedly complained, "Yes, Your Majesty, this is all Yinyin's idea. Chenqie is innocent! What's more, today is Consort Yun's birthday. If you kill her at this time, aren't you afraid that it will damage her virtue? "Fulin said angrily," Presumptuous! " Shen Shiyun glanced at her with schadenfreude and said with a smile, "Consort Zhen's words are reasonable. Just treat it as Chenqie asking for a favor from Your Majesty, okay?"
Fulin listened to her soft pleading and couldn't bear to refuse. Moreover, he always believed in ghosts and gods. He was really afraid that blood would bring disaster to the banquet. He gritted his teeth and said, "Even if you're not the mastermind, you're still an accomplice! Since Consort Yun pleaded for mercy, you can be spared from death, but you can't escape punishment! Pass down Zhen's decree. Drag Consort Zhen out of the hall and give her twenty beatings. She will be demoted to Noble Lady Ying and moved to the Cold Palace. That wicked maidservant who poisoned me will be executed on the spot! "Yinyin was shocked. She knew that the Emperor was serious. Begging for mercy was useless, so she turned around and ran. Blocked by the imperial guards, she didn't manage to run a few steps before she was slashed by a soldier from behind and fell to the ground.
Zheng Ying's arms were twisted behind her back, but she didn't feel it at all. She stared blankly at Yinyin's body. Under the huge impact, her mind suddenly became clear. She figured out that Shen Shiyun was helping her to shirk the blame. Her motive was to cover up her crime of accidentally poisoning the little prince. Just now, she was grasping at a life-saving straw. She repeatedly agreed with Shen Shiyun, completely blocking the way to explain herself. She finally realized that she wasn't Consort Yun's opponent. Everything she did was to personally push her to a dead end. Suddenly, she felt a strong sense of regret and unwillingness. She struggled hard and refused to move forward. She screamed, "Empress Dowager, please save me, Empress Dowager!"
The Empress Dowager naturally didn't want to see Shen Shiyun so proud of her success. She was powerless to save Zheng Ying. She shook her head and sighed, "Ai, you're so muddle-headed!" Zheng Ying saw that the situation was hopeless. She thought of the horror of being flogged and screamed, "Your Majesty, you will regret it! You can't see Consort Yun's character clearly. Sooner or later, you will regret it! "Her wailing voice went far away.
Fulin was distraught. He said, "Yuner, these people are restless. Zhen must personally come to supervise the punishment. I'll accompany you to watch the show later."
The 'Peony Pavilion' on the stage had already finished its curtain call. The new group was a dragon and lion dance group. Amidst the sound of gongs and drums, a dazzling golden dragon with nine segments raised its head and wagged its tail. It meandered around, vigorous and vigorous, as if it was flying. A person on the dragon's head held a pole in front. There was a giant ball at the top of the pole as a guide. Behind it, there was a person holding the pole every five or six chi. The distance between the head and the tail was about a dozen zhang. The giant ball swayed around. The dragon's head was like a ball, causing the dragon's body to swim and fly. More than a dozen strong men's footsteps were neat, almost as if they were one.
The imperial concubines were excited and applauded one after another. Little Gege pulled her mother's clothes and said with a smile, "Er, Niang, look at that little lion, it's so cute!"
As expected, the one who was in the limelight was a smartly dressed lion. It jumped up and down around the long dragon, successively making wonderful poses of rising up, sleeping soundly, and coming out of the cave. It amused the audience. Then it jumped on the dragon's back and walked all the way up. Its body leaned back until it was almost parallel to the ground.
When it approached the dragon's head, it jumped out with a somersault, somersaulted a few times in midair, and landed back on the stage. Its arms were folded in front of its body, and it bowed to the ground. It said with a buzzing voice, "This commoner is untalented, but I've received the favor of my friends in the opera troupe. My martial arts and acrobatics are quite famous among the people. It can be said to be the best in the capital.
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