Harem Daily Life

Tao Yanyan took a look at the box and said in surprise, "Someone actually buried a box in the soil. Could it be someone's ashes?"

Her words frightened the father-in-law who was holding the box so much that he almost dropped it on the ground.

Concubine De smiled and said, "I have already said that someone has reported you for practicing the art of exorcism in the palace. If I am not mistaken, there should be a little figure with someone's birth date and horoscope written on it, and it is also full of needles."

Tao Yanyan shook her head: "Then I don't know, how about opening it and taking a look?"

Seeing her completely clueless, everyone thought that she was probably framed. But who would be so bold as to come to Changle Palace and frame the head of a palace?

Could it be that the person who framed Concubine Tao was from Changle Palace?

When Manager Li thought of this, he broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly thought about the palace maids and servants he had carefully selected and assigned to Changle Palace. Only after he was sure that there were no people of bad character or disloyalty did he feel relieved. At least it was not his fault for not judging people correctly and making mistakes.

Eunuch Qin walked to the place where the box was buried and took a look. He frowned and said, "Looking at the appearance of the soil, it seems that it was buried recently, right? It's a bit unreasonable that it was reported not long after it was buried."

Concubine De snorted coldly: "Someone in Changle Palace must not want to see you act recklessly, so they wrote a secret letter to report and expose you."

Tao Yanyan frowned, "How can Empress Defei speak and act based on her imagination? I beg your pardon for doubting the servants of Changle Palace without any basis in facts. I can assure you that they all serve me wholeheartedly and have no ulterior motives."

Seeing that Concubine Tao was not afraid at all, Eunuch Zhang said, "Isn't it inappropriate to convict Concubine Tao before checking what's inside?"

Manager Li stepped forward to help: "Yes, we still have to open it and see for sure."

Defei originally wanted to see what was inside, and since everyone wanted to see it, she asked the palace servants to open it.

"Wait!" Tao Yanyan suddenly stopped them. Eunuch Qin, Eunuch Zhang and Chief Steward Li all felt their hearts skip a beat and looked at Concubine Tao with some worry.

Concubine De sneered, "Why, you don't dare to show it to others? Humph, since you don't want to lose face, then I advise you to quickly admit who you cursed, and then go with me to the Queen Mother to plead guilty and accept punishment!"

Tao Yanyan shook her head and said calmly, "It's not that I don't dare to open it, I just want to wait a little longer before opening it. I still have an important witness who has not arrived yet, please be patient and wait."

Everyone became suspicious. How could they not understand what Concubine Tao meant?

Tao Yanyan invited everyone to sit in the hall, have a cup of tea and wait for others to come.

Not long after, Chang Tai and Dong Fang came in with several people from Changle Palace, tying up a eunuch. When Li Zongguan saw this, he wondered if it was from Concubine Li's side.

His heart was in his throat, wondering what Empress Tao was up to.

Tao Yanyan sat at the head of the table, looking at the eunuch kneeling in front of her, and said in a cold voice: "I heard that you went to report me, saying that I had buried a box here. What kind of magic is this?"

The eunuch broke out in a cold sweat. He thought he was very careful, so how come he was still discovered?

De Fei was stunned, wondering how Concubine Tao knew the informer. Then Tao Yanyan continued, "I ask you, how did you know that I buried a box? Tell the truth, or I will send you to the Ministry of Punishment today. There are not many people who can come out of that place intact. Think it over before you answer."

The eunuch thought that as long as it was proven that Concubine Tao cursed the queen, Concubine Tao would be dead. He would work for Concubine Li, and Concubine Li would definitely protect him.

So she answered loudly, "I overheard it. Madam Tao, you had people prepare small portraits of the Empress and Madam Shu, and pasted their birth dates on them to curse them so that they would not give birth safely."

Everyone was shocked and looked at Concubine Tao.

Tao Yanyan was not afraid at all and smiled, "Oh, where did you hear it, what time, what place, please tell me clearly, who was with me? Who did I tell?"

The eunuch stammered and spoke a few random words, which were inconsistent and self-contradictory. Even Concubine De, who wanted to blame Concubine Tao for this matter, couldn't stand listening to him.

Tao Yanyan glanced at everyone and said, "You should all have your own judgment. Someone stretched his hand too far and actually framed me!"

The eunuch quickly bowed his head and begged for mercy: "What I said is true. The cursed doll is right here, in that box, buried under the osmanthus tree in the yard!"

It would be better if he didn't say it. The more accurate he said it, the more people would know that it was a blatant frame-up.

Tao Yanyan was delighted. She didn't expect that when Li Jieyu was looking for someone to do something, she would find such a stupid person. Everything was revealed in just a few words.

"Where did you catch this?" asked Eunuch Qin.

Chang Tai replied: "He is someone close to Li Jieyu."

When Li Jieyu was brought out, everyone's expressions were indescribable.

Concubine De raised her eyebrows and said, "This matter is getting bigger and bigger. It's better to take the things to the Queen Mother to defend herself."

Tao Yanyan said calmly, "It's just a small matter, why bother the Queen Mother? Madam Defei, this is clearly a frame-up against me. First, they buried the box in my yard, then secretly reported me, and finally led the Queen Mother to bring people to search. If I hadn't discovered their despicable tricks in advance, I'm afraid I would have no way to defend myself today."

Defei was speechless for a moment. She was in charge of the affairs of the harem, so why were there always such difficult problems?

Eunuch Zhang said, "Then, should we report this matter to His Majesty? After all, Concubine Li... is still... hehe."

Those who understand will understand that His Majesty always gives Concubine Li a break on some matters.

Tao Yanyan nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I can report this to you, but the harem is managed by Consort De. She secretly made a pin-piercing figurine of the Empress and Consort Shu, and then sent someone to plant it in my palace to frame me. This is killing three birds with one stone. She has a vicious mind. According to the palace rules, should she be punished with thirty lashes first?"

Seeing that Concubine De was hesitant, Tao Yanyan said, "The previous imperial concubine who plotted to murder the queen was demoted to a commoner and sent to Jingci Temple to practice. In my opinion, this Concubine Li should not only be beaten with thirty sticks, but should also follow the previous punishment method, be demoted to a commoner and sent to the cold palace."

Seeing that she was getting more and more excited, Concubine De became uneasy.

Just when Defei was thinking of bringing this hot potato over to the Empress Dowager for handling, she heard someone outside reporting that His Majesty and Concubine Li had arrived.

Tao Yanyan's eyes turned cold, and everyone's hearts were hanging in the air.

When they saw the emperor coming in, everyone stood up and saluted.

He Linzhang personally helped Tao Yanyan up and said, "You have been wronged in this matter. Let me handle it."

Tao Yanyan nodded and thought to himself, if you are still gentle with me this time, then we won’t see each other for half a year.