The queen has four sons and six daughters, and she can call the wind and rain

There were a lot of people gathered around a dry well on the north side of the laundry department, chattering non-stop. But when they saw Dong Ling coming, they immediately shut up.

As soon as Dong Ling entered, he saw a corpse lying on the ground. The corpse was unrecognizable, but the clothes, earrings, jewelry, sachets and other items on the body could all prove that the corpse was Chunlan.

He originally thought that after finding Chunlan, he would be able to ask her about the murderer, but who knew that she had turned into a corpse. He could already imagine how the emperor would scold him when he knew the result.

Sure enough, after hearing his report, Qi Yejing scolded him harshly. Yun Zhining shrank his head like a quail, not daring to say a word, for fear that in the end not only would he fail to save Dong Ling, but he would also be scolded.

After all, Dong Ling grew up with him. No matter how angry Qi Yejing was, he would not do anything to Dong Ling. After scolding him, the matter would be over.

"Okay, this is not your fault. I shouldn't blame you."

"If you have time these days, go to the Palace Department, the Laundry Bureau, the Palace Court, and other places and give them a good warning. If anyone neglects his duties and allows his subordinates to do such evil things again, don't blame me for being ruthless and punishing them severely."

"Your servant will obey the emperor's order."

"All right."

Qi Yejing waved his hand.

"You send the two queens back to Xiaohe Palace first. I will stay here to accompany Ming Xiaoyi and return to the Imperial Study to deal with the memorials later."

"No, there doesn't seem to be anything important today. You can stay in Furong Pavilion and accompany Ming Xiaoyi. You can deal with the memorial tomorrow."

Qi Yejing was stunned for a moment.

"Mother, this doesn't seem to be against the rules."

"what are you thinking?"

Empress Dowager Xiaoyan glared at him and said speechlessly.

"Ming Xiaoyi is pregnant, so she naturally can't accompany you to do things like that. The reason why I asked you to stay with her tonight is because she might be scared at night. With you by her side, she will feel more at ease, and it won't affect the baby in her belly."

"I see."

Qi Yejing looked a little embarrassed.

He was thinking wrongly.

Empress Dowager Xiaoci tugged at Empress Dowager Xiaoyan's sleeve and spoke in a low voice.

"Sister, let's go and let Ming Xiaoyi rest for a while."

"it is good."

After leaving Furong Pavilion, Empress Dowager Xiaoci's voice became louder.

"Sister, in your opinion, who did this?"

"Except for Concubine Zhou and Madam Lin, everyone is a suspect."

"Why are Concubine Zhou and Madam Lin not suspected?"

"Mrs. Lin has a gentle temperament, and the Second Prince likes the baby in Ming Xiaoyi's belly very much, and has said many times that this is a younger sister, so if Mrs. Lin has any brains, she would not do anything."

"As for Concubine Zhou, she always likes to be straightforward and never disdains these conspiracies. If she doesn't like the child in Ming Xiaoyi's belly, she will definitely take action openly. She can't handle this kind of roundabout way."

"That's true."

Empress Dowager Xiaoci nodded.

"It's impossible for the Queen to do such a thing, right?"

"not necessarily."

Empress Dowager Xiaoyan snorted coldly.

"The queen looks dignified and generous, and she is the mother of the country. But if she didn't have some tricks, she would have been pushed down by the people below. However, whether this matter has anything to do with her or not, we still have to investigate it thoroughly."

She can choose not to punish, but she cannot ignore the truth.

Empress Dowager Xiaoci pursed her lips slightly.

She seemed to have forgotten someone.

Who is it?

I can’t remember it for a while.

Yun Zhining had not planned to rest, but as the year was coming to an end, she had a lot of things to do. Qi Yejing hadn't slept well for several days. It was rare that he didn't have to read memorials today, so he wanted to have a good rest. The emperor had already spoken, so she, a little concubine, could only obey. She changed into a comfortable undershirt and lay down on the bed obediently.

As soon as Qi Yejing closed his eyes, he felt something was wrong. He opened his eyes, pulled Yun Zhining into his arms, put his right hand behind her head, and gently flicked her wrist, and she rolled into his arms.

Yun Zhining blinked and said timidly.

"Your Majesty, what are you going to do?"

"My arms are empty, it's just right to hug you, go to sleep quickly."

After saying that, he manually helped Yun Zhining close her eyes.

Yun Zhining chuckled.

Qi Yejing was a little annoyed.

"why are you laughing?"

"Your Majesty, don't you think that the action just now seemed to help the dead to close their eyes?"

Her face was twisted fiercely, and Qi Yejing glared at her and said unhappily.

"Why are you saying such unlucky words in broad daylight? Say it now!"

Yun Zhining followed suit and made a few "pooh" sounds, and his expression improved.

"I heard that pregnant women tend to get sleepy easily. Why are you so energetic?"

"Maybe it's because I'm still young and I run around everywhere every day, so I have a lot of energy and don't get sleepy so easily."

It would be fine if he was in his own bedroom, but if he got trapped in the enemy's place, wouldn't he be inviting himself to be plotted against?

That's too dangerous.

Qi Yejing snorted.

"You mean, I'm old?"

"Of course not. The emperor is only 25 years old this year. He is in the prime of his life, full of vigor and vitality, and has great ambitions. He is handsome and unmatched. How can an old man like you be compared with him?"

"You, you only know how to lie to me."

"No, I didn't. I'm telling the truth."

Qi Yejing didn't completely believe her words, but it was undeniable that he felt very comfortable after hearing these words.

"Well, I've been busy with state affairs recently, and it's rare for me to have a day off. Just lie down with me obediently and let me sleep for a while. After you wake up, I'll reward you with some good things."

Yun Zhining's eyes lit up.

"Is it silver?"

Qi Yejing was both angry and amused.

"Do you like silver so much?"

"That's not the case. Gold is better than silver. It's just that gold is too precious. I don't have much myself, let alone rewarding the people below."

"You make yourself sound too pitiful."

Yun Zhining curled her lips.

"I am not saying that I am pitiful, but I am pitiful myself. As a concubine's daughter, I have to make a living under the rule of my mother. If I offend her and am promised a bad marriage, my life will be completely over. I am really scared."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Aren't you already my concubine? Why are you still afraid of your mother?"

"Although I have entered the palace, been favored, and become someone the emperor cares about, my aunt and brother are both in the Yuanchang Marquis's mansion. My stepmother can't find trouble with me, so she will naturally find ways to embarrass them. How can I not be worried?"

"But I know that Yun has committed a heinous crime and cannot be forgiven, so I dare not plead with the emperor. I can only silently beg for God's blessing. I hope that my father and mother will not embarrass my aunt and brother because I am pregnant now. Otherwise, I really don't know what to do."