bayedsolid Chapter 901 Being used?
Chapter 901 Being used?
Consort Luo's arrogance was immediately extinguished after she was slapped in the face.
The Empress Dowager also noticed something amiss and couldn't help feeling somewhat uneasy.
She and the retired emperor had already retired to the background, only wanting to live a comfortable life, take care of their grandchildren, and enjoy their old age. Unexpectedly, even such a wish could not be fulfilled. Now, they were almost taken advantage of by a mere concubine.
The Empress Dowager felt somewhat annoyed, but couldn't show it in front of the Princess Consort of Su. She simply waved her hand and said, "I'm a little tired. You may all leave for now. As for the two people the Empress sent to your Prince Su's residence, you don't need to worry about them. They are juniors, and it's only natural that they would think of you."
"Yes, Queen Mother."
Since the Empress Dowager had spoken, it was naturally inappropriate for them to remain seated there.
Princess Consort Su accompanied the Empress to Kunning Palace.
Princess Ming did want to say a few more words to the Empress, but when she saw the Empress's frosty face, she lost her courage.
In fact, Mu Xin Nuan was genuinely angry with Princess Ming this time.
She didn't believe that Princess Ming was a woman with such scheming intentions, and she didn't believe that the plot against her and Princess Su today was actually Princess Ming's doing. However, as the mistress of the household, she found it hard not to be angry that she was being led by the nose so many times.
Princess Consort Su naturally noticed the Empress's displeasure and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, please don't let those irrelevant people upset you and ruin your health. It's not worth it."
Mu Xin Nuan took a deep breath, naturally knowing that what she said made sense.
"Aunt Wang, there's no need to persuade me anymore. Your arrival at the palace today was just a coincidence. I've already sent Aunt Fang to summon Duanmu Ya. Originally, I was planning to release her today, but now that I think about it, it's better to keep her locked up for a few more days."
Princess Su naturally hated this concubine's daughter to the core, and now that she heard the Empress say this, she naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
"Duanmu Ya is, after all, the biological daughter of Prince Su. Even if she has committed a serious crime, Prince Su should punish her. However, this time, she shouldn't have set her sights on my Ah Xuan. Aunt Wang, after a few days, I will have someone release her. You will have to work hard to find her a good family to marry into as soon as possible. If you don't like her, you don't have to let her into the manor; you can just send her to the estate."
"Yes, ma'am."
"I heard that Prince Su's uncle came to the palace a few days ago. He still had some old feelings for this Zhuang woman, but his visit to the palace has completely chilled his heart. Don't worry, I'm afraid Prince Su won't care much about this daughter anymore."
"Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty."
"Aunt Wang, you're being too polite. You are Qing'er's mother, and now Qing'er should call me 'elder sister.' I just can't stand those petty people causing trouble; it's truly disheartening to see them."
“Your Majesty is right. When Duanmu Song accompanied the Prince out that day, I knew they must have gone to the palace together. I was initially disheartened, thinking that even at this point, the Prince still couldn't abandon that woman. But when I saw the Prince return in a rage, and Duanmu Song was found unconscious in the carriage with bloodstains on her front, I realized that something must have happened in the palace.”
Mu Xin Nuan calmed down a bit. "Aunt Wang, you should go back today. Duanmu Ya, at least wait until Madam Lu has given birth before going back, so as not to add any more bad luck."
"Yes, thank you for your thoughtful consideration, Your Majesty."
After seeing off Princess Su, Duanmu Ya was also taken out of the Shenxing Division by Aunt Fang.
Since Zhuang confessed, the Shenxing Division has not made things difficult for Duanmu Ya.
Aside from the fact that her food and clothing were of lower quality, at least she was no longer subjected to physical pain.
When Duanmu Ya reappeared before Mu Xin Nuan, she looked utterly haggard.
"Greetings to the Queen."
"Duanmu Ya, do you know your crime?" Mu Xin Nuan was still upset, so she didn't give Duanmu Ya a friendly look.
Duanmu Ya, unaware of her thoughts, simply lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, this sinful woman knows her mistake and begs Your Majesty to have mercy and forgive her."
“Duanmu Ya, you should know that this imperial decree for marriage is no joke. You dared to secretly switch the bride. Even if your father is Prince Su, he cannot protect you.”
"Please, Your Majesty, have mercy! Please, Your Majesty, spare my life!"
Duanmu Ya cried miserably, kowtowing repeatedly.
"Alright, the reason I wanted to see you today is to see if you have shown any remorse these past few days. Finally, I will ask you one last question, and you must tell the truth. If I find out that even one word is false, I will make you wish you were never born!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, please ask. I would never dare to lie."
"I ask you. When the Zhuang family sent people to deliberately spread rumors and ruin Duanmu Qing's reputation, were you involved?"
Duanmu Ya didn't hesitate for a moment and replied directly, "Your Majesty, I really didn't know. It was only afterward that I overheard some rumors from a nanny, and that's how I learned that it was all done by my mother."
Are you sure you're telling the truth?
"I dare not deceive Your Majesty."
Mu Xin Nuan nodded, no longer making things difficult for her. She pondered for a moment, then said, "Guards, take her back. I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If I find that even one word you uttered was false, I will not forgive you."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this humble woman would not dare."
Meanwhile, at Fushou Palace, several capable old nannies quickly gathered the news.
When the Empress Dowager heard that Duanmu Ya had actually dared to knock out her own elder sister and then pull a switcheroo trick, she was both angry and amused!
"What a fine daughter of our royal family! She even tries to marry off her own elder sister. She's definitely a concubine's daughter, not worthy of respect."
“Your Majesty is right. That is why Prince Su ordered her to be tied up and thrown into the woodshed that very day.”
"Prince Su is really going too far. Over the years, can't you tell who is the mistress of the house and who is the vixen?"
"I heard that Prince Su has been keeping a low profile lately and has never inquired about the Zhuang family again."
"Well, Zhuang Shi's death is not a pity, but this Duanmu Ya is, after all, a descendant of Prince Su. We can't just kill her like that. If Prince Su remembers her in the future, he will inevitably harbor resentment."
"I heard that the Emperor intends to have the Empress handle this matter."
The Empress Dowager frowned, then relaxed her gaze after a while. "Now that she is the Empress, it is indeed her responsibility to handle such matters. Very well, let's see. Send someone to Prince Ming's residence to give that Consort Luo a good talking-to."
"Yes, ma'am."