Xia Dongchun from Legend of Zhen Huan: I want to live till the last episode

"How come I don't know about this?" Yinzhen frowned when he heard that Xia Dongchun was injured. "Why didn't you ask someone to tell me about this?"

"Your Majesty, please understand." Yin Zhu bowed his head. "It's not that our queen intentionally concealed the emperor's affairs. It's just that your queen knew that the emperor was busy with government affairs and didn't want to make the emperor worry, so she didn't send anyone to inform the emperor."

When Yinzhen heard her say this, his expression softened a lot.

"That doesn't prove that Concubine Zhao is innocent!" Concubine Nian said immediately.

"Your Majesty, I have a doubt, but I don't know whether I should tell you or not." Xia Dongchun glanced at Concubine Cao and spoke hesitantly.

"Just say it." Yinzhen also noticed something.

"Before I was bitten by a snake, the princess's wet nurse reminded me that she heard there were snakes in the palace," Xia Dongchun raised her eyes to meet Yinzhen's gaze, "and if I remember correctly, the wet nurse said that she heard it from the eunuch who served Concubine Cao. How... If the wet nurse beside me did not lie, then Concubine Cao knew there were snakes in her palace, why didn't she take precautions? Why didn't she tell the Queen so that she could remind the other sisters?"

Concubine Cao suddenly turned around and looked at Xia Dongchun, as if she couldn't believe what she heard.

Xia Dongchun hadn't finished speaking yet: "Now that Concubine Cao is injured, why are you blaming me? Concubine Cao was injured by a snake, and I was still thinking about her, so I asked someone to send her medicine and supplements. Who knew that my good intentions would bring me trouble."

"Noble Lady Cao," the Queen asked slowly with a sharp look in her eyes, "How do you explain what Concubine Zhao said?"

Concubine Cao was a little flustered, but she knew that she must not let things go her way at this time: "Your Majesty, Queen, I really didn't know about the snake. I only have one daughter, Wen Yi. How could I know there was a snake and not take any precautions?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Your Majesty," Xia Dongchun unexpectedly continued her words, seemingly speaking for her, but actually stabbing her with every word, "I think maybe someone below discovered it but never reported it to Concubine Cao. If Concubine Cao really knew about it, why wouldn't she tell Your Majesty and Your Majesty? I also have a daughter, and I believe in Concubine Cao. She has no reason to do this. Could it be that Concubine Cao wants to use this to frame me? This is absolutely impossible. Concubine Cao and I have always been in harmony."

"Could it be that Concubine Cao is doing this because she is worried that the Emperor favors Ling Yuan over Wen Yi?" Xia Dongchun knelt obediently. "That is absolutely impossible! Concubine Cao often brought Princess Wen Yi to my place to play with Ling Yuan a few days ago. How could she be jealous of the Emperor's love for Ling Yuan?"

Concubine Cao was almost fainted by her words. She only had one daughter, Wen Yi. She was unable to protect Wen Yi during the incident with the horseshoe soup. But if she were allowed to choose for herself, how could she possibly win favor by hurting Wen Yi?

"Your Majesty, I am innocent!" So Concubine Cao also began to cry out for justice.

Yinzhen was so annoyed by the noise that he slapped the table and said to Xia Dongchun, "Where do you think the wet nurse is? Ask her to come back and tell me."

Xia Dongchun nodded and told Yin Zhu, "Go and call the princess's wet nurse."

"Wait," Concubine Nian interrupted, "Your Majesty, ask Su Peisheng or Xiao Xiazi to go, otherwise there will inevitably be suspicion of collusion on the way. Asking Eunuch Su or Xiao Xiazi to go will also avoid such suspicion."

Yinzhen's face didn't look good, but he didn't say anything in the end. He waved his hand and let Su Peisheng go.

Soon, Su Peisheng came with the wet nurse. The wet nurse bowed and greeted first: "I pay my respects to the emperor, to the queen, and to all the ladies."

"I heard from Concubine Zhao that you were the one who warned her that there were snakes in the palace recently?" the Queen asked, "Is this true?"

The nurse replied respectfully: "I dare not speak nonsense."

"Where did you hear this news?" the queen asked.

The wet nurse said honestly, "I heard about it from the eunuch beside Concubine Cao. As soon as I heard the news, I didn't dare to hide it at all and quickly reported it to the queen."

"Your Majesty, they must have colluded with each other!" Concubine Nian pointed at the wet nurse.

"Nian Fei, just now you said you were worried about collusion on the road, and you didn't allow the people around Zhaopin to call the wet nurse over. For this reason, the emperor specially called Su Peisheng to go, but now things are not going as you wish, and you said that Zhaopin and the wet nurse are in collusion." The queen looked over coldly, "Does it mean that everything must be done according to your wishes?"

“This palace—” Concubine Nian became anxious and wanted to argue.

"Okay!" Yinzhen interrupted her, "Respect the queen."

Concubine Nian looked at Yinzhen with grievance, but didn't say anything else.

"Lady Cao, since it was your palace that first discovered the snake, why didn't you come and report it to me or the emperor so that the other sisters could be alerted?" The queen questioned Lady Cao, "You almost got Princess Wen Yi injured, and you also implicated Concubine Zhao."

"I am innocent. I really didn't know about this." Concubine Cao really cried this time, "Wen Yi is my only child. How could I put her in danger?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Concubine Cao has no reason to do this," Xin Changzai, who had been listening silently, interrupted, "Unless she is jealous of Your Majesty's love for Lingyuan, but Concubine Zhao just said that Concubine Cao often takes Princess Wen Yi to play with Princess Lingyuan. This is absolutely impossible."

Concubine Cao was now unable to defend herself and could only place her hopes on Concubine Nian.

Yinzhen was very upset at the moment. He was busy with affairs in the former court and the harem did not make him feel at ease.

"Alright, since this matter has nothing to do with Concubine Zhao and Concubine Cao is just confused, there is no need to waste time like this, everyone go back." Yinzhen said, "In the future, I don't want to see such a thing again."

After saying this, Yinzhen took his men away.

"Princess Zhao, you should get up soon," the Queen said while Yinzhen could still hear her, naturally wanting to show her kindness and generosity, "You have been wronged and have been kneeling for so long. Go back and ask the imperial physician to take a look and prescribe some medicine for your injuries."

"Yes, I thank the Queen for her concern." Xia Dongchun was helped to stand up by Yin Zhu Yunling, and said, "Your Majesty, I have been out for a long time. I have to go back to take care of the princess. I will take my leave now."

The queen naturally had no reason to stop her and waved her hand to signal her to leave.

"Lady Cao, you must be more careful next time," the Queen instructed Lady Cao, "Things like today must never happen again, especially when it comes to the princess. You must be more careful at all times."

Concubine Cao couldn't say anything at this time. It was good enough that the Queen didn't pursue the matter, so she could only nod and say, "I will remember the Queen's teachings."

"The same goes for Concubine Nian," the Queen frowned, seeming to be very worried about Concubine Nian, "You have also been in charge of the six palaces for such a long time, how could you still be so groundless and believe in rumors? It is really wrong. When you go back today, you must reflect on yourself."

Concubine Nian agreed reluctantly.