Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

He must have lost his mind; how could he have blurted out such a thing!

"A common occurrence?"

Nangong Xuanyu said sinisterly, "Back then, those two vile women, Feng and Chu, went to Fatu Temple to have an affair with Xingchen. In everyone's eyes, wasn't that just an ordinary thing to do?. And what was the result?!"

"I've never thought the harem was clean! Even though Xingchen is dead, who knows if there are any others who have slipped through the net?!"

Nangong Xuanyu didn't believe in coincidences at all; they were just ordinary occurrences.

Especially when it comes to Fatu Temple and Xingchen, the emperor would rather kill a thousand innocent people than let one guilty person go free!

Li Changde knelt on the ground, not daring to say a word.

Nangong Xuanyu's chest heaved a few times, his eyes growing even colder as he stared at Li Changde and said, enunciating each word clearly, "Go and investigate thoroughly for me. Which monks did Consort Jiang meet at Fatu Temple on the ninth day of the tenth month last year? How long did she stay? What did she say?"

"Have you... met with Xingchen alone?!"

Li Changde's voice tightened: "This servant, this servant obeys the decree!"

If Consort Jiang really has an affair with Xingchen, then for His Majesty... the consequences would probably be more serious than colluding with the former Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

……

Xianfu Palace.

Consort Mei's beautiful face was somewhat dimmed, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes.

On the small table next to her were several plates of delicate pastries, but she didn't touch them at all.

The past liveliness, laughter, and the hustle and bustle and glory brought by the emperor's occasional visits all seemed to belong to a past life.

This confinement, though only a few days, felt like years to Consort Mei…

Especially after hearing the news of Consort Qin's reinstatement, she became even more restless!

Consort Mei recalled the secret pleasure she felt when she heard the news of Consort Qin's demotion a few days ago.

So what if Consort Qin comes from a good family? If she gets into trouble, she'll still have to go and stay in some remote place!

At that time, Consort Mei enjoyed the Emperor's favor and was riding high. She felt that among the new concubines in the harem, none could rival her!

But in the blink of an eye, everything changed.

Consort Qin returned to Yonghe Palace in grand style, while she was confined to Xianfu Palace and couldn't even leave the palace!

How could this be?

She was merely... merely disliking the Imperial Noble Consort's perpetually aloof demeanor and wanting to take this opportunity to put her down. How did that become spreading rumors and being inconsiderate?

Doesn't His Majesty love her charm and vivacity the most?

Don't we always praise her, saying she's more interesting than those rigid women?

How could you turn your back on me so easily just because of the Imperial Noble Consort?

What worried Consort Mei even more was when this confinement would end.

His Majesty is busy with state affairs and can only visit the inner palace a limited number of times.

She's been imprisoned here for a day or two. Perhaps His Majesty will remember that there's someone like her in the harem.

But as time went on, those fresh, youthful faces kept appearing before His Majesty's eyes. How could His Majesty possibly remember the concubine Mei who was punished and forced to reflect on her mistakes in Xianfu Palace?

At that point, she won't be able to keep any of her favors!

No!

We must not sit still and wait for death!

She had to find a way to get out of this awful place as soon as possible!

But she can't even leave Xianfu Palace now, how can she possibly see His Majesty? Her only hope is…

Consort Mei's gaze fell upon Han Cui, who stood to the side.

Han Cui was specially assigned to her by Consort Zhuang when she was promoted to the rank of Consort.

“Han Cui”.

Upon hearing Consort Mei's call, Han Cui immediately stepped forward: "Your Highness, this servant is here."

Consort Mei stared at her and said, "Go to Changchun Palace now and see the Noble Consort. Just say... just say that I know I was wrong. During these days of confinement, I have reflected on my actions every day and regret my past mistakes."

"Please, cousin, for the sake of our sisterhood, put in a good word for me with His Majesty."

Han Cui respectfully replied, "Yes, this servant will go right away."

Seeing Han Cui's retreating figure, Consort Mei felt somewhat relieved.

She and her cousin are family; they share both glory and honor.

My cousin has been working in the palace for many years, and His Majesty always treats her with some respect. If she were willing to speak up…

……

Changchun Palace.

After meeting Consort Zhuang, Han Cui repeated Consort Mei's words verbatim.

"...You impatient thing!"

Consort Zhuang said with annoyance, "I have taught her countless times that the worst thing for someone to survive in the palace is to be arrogant and frivolous."

"After enjoying the emperor's favor for a while, she forgot who she was and even dared to provoke the Imperial Noble Consort."

"You only realize the pain after you've kicked a hornet's nest?"

Han Cui lowered her head, not daring to reply.

Consort Zhuang said in a deep voice, "Go and tell Consort Mei that His Majesty is very busy with state affairs, and every single one of them is extremely urgent."

"If I were to plead for Consort Mei now, it would not only be useless, but would also make His Majesty think that I am biased and protective of my own and do not understand His Majesty's will."

"Let Consort Mei stay in Xianfu Palace in peace, reflect on her mistakes, and calm her mind. When it is time for her to be released, His Majesty will naturally issue an order."

"What's the use of rushing? The more you rush, the more likely you are to make mistakes."

Han Cui understood.

The Imperial Concubine has rejected the Empress, and even felt that the Empress should be taught a lesson.

She respectfully replied, "Yes, this servant understands."

"This servant will certainly convey Her Highness the Imperial Concubine's words to Consort Mei."

Consort Zhuang waved her hand: "Go."

"The slaves retire."

Han Cui withdrew and returned to Xianfu Palace.

Consort Mei was staring expectantly at the door. When she saw her return, she immediately stood up and asked, "How did it go? What did the Imperial Concubine say?"

Han Cui slightly modified Consort Zhuang's words and conveyed the other party's meaning tactfully.

After hearing this, Consort Mei bit her lip, a look of resentment appearing on her face.

When?

Wait until His Majesty has completely forgotten her?

But her cousin refused to help, so what could she do?

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Nangong Xuanyu sat behind the imperial desk, his bright yellow dragon robe making his expression appear even more stern.

Kneeling before the emperor were the Prefect of Jingzhao, responsible for investigating the Xiongnu spy, and the Commander of the Five Cities Garrison.

Both of them looked travel-worn, their faces showing the exhaustion of days of travel.

The Prefect of Jingzhao held a secret report above his head with both hands and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, we have been ordered to investigate possible lurking Xiongnu spies. After days of searching various markets, inns, carriage shops, stores, and places where people from all walks of life gather, we have indeed made some discoveries."

"Your Majesty, I have discovered a hideout disguised as a fur trading company in the Camel Lane area of ​​the West City. The furnishings inside appear ordinary, but deep within the warehouse, a small number of contraband crossbow parts are hidden."

Nangong Xuanyu narrowed his eyes slightly: "Where is he?!"

The commander of the Five Cities Garrison said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

"When we arrived after receiving the intelligence, the fur trading company was already deserted, with only a few valuables left that hadn't been taken away in time..."

"According to the neighbors, about two or three days ago, several horse-drawn carts loaded with goods left."

"It is our fault for failing to act properly and for not noticing it in time. We beg Your Majesty to punish us!"

Nangong Xuanyu asked coldly, "They've already run away?!"

"Your Majesty, calm down!"

Cold sweat beaded on the forehead of the Prefect of the Capital, but he forced himself to continue his report: "Your Majesty, when we were clearing out that stronghold, in addition to the traces of the Xiongnu, we also found some other things."