"Feng Gui Ren" was the only concubine in Qin Yi’s harem, apart from Su Pan’er, to still hold a title.
Although there were quite a few won in Qin Yi’s harem, all these won had been stuffed into the harem under various pretexts, none had been favored, let alone held titles.
And Feng Xiyue was the only "exception" among these won in the harem!
The fact that "Feng Gui Ren" had co to Huayang Palace to seek an audience and had been summoned by the Empress soon spread through various channels to the ears of those who should know.
The concubines in the harem each clenched their silver teeth in anger, wishing they could tear "Feng Gui Ren" to pieces and take her place!
This also caused certain thoughts in the minds of these concubines to stir, and they all started inquiring about the Empress’s preferences, planning to ingratiate themselves with her.
Of course, an "accidental encounter" with His Majesty would be even more perfect!
Su Pan’er, however, ill as she was, had no energy to think about what others were plotting.
She reclined languidly on the chaise lounge, eyes half-closed, her expression listless.
"Have you co to see to seek justice for your father? I have already assigned the matter to soone, and there should be news soon," she said languidly.
Su Pan’er had mixed feelings about Feng Xiyue.
Feng Xiyue’s father’s case was complex, and although His Majesty assigned the Court of Judicial Review to handle it, Lord Wang of the Court of Judicial Review was ticulous and impartial, so results were likely to co soon.
Feng Xiyue was overjoyed at this.
She hurriedly knelt down, "Xiyue thanks Your Highness for your efforts!"
Fate had been harsh on Feng Xiyue, who used to be a pampered official’s daughter, with no worries about food or clothes, only to end up with her family destroyed and herself fallen into disrepute as a skinny horse. Though she had been lucky enough to be saved by Your Highness in her earlier years and had now entered the palace and beco a noblewoman, she still bore a stain on her birth that could never be washed away.
It caused her, who was once proud and haughty, to shed her pride and live on thin ice.
Especially now, her only wish was to quickly vindicate the hundreds of unjustly killed mbers of her Feng Family.
"You don’t need to thank . If you really want to thank soone, go thank Lord Wang of the Court of Judicial Review who is responsible for the case," said Su Pan’er, nodding slightly, a weariness in her lift of the head.
She asked casually, while Feng Xiyue kept her head bowed, answering with exceeding restraint.
"Reporting to Your Highness, the lotus pond in the North Garden has recently blood, and these past few days, the concubines of the harem have all gone to play there. Your concubine heard that Miss Xue of the Xue Family accidentally fell from a small boat while picking lotus pods. Fortunately, she was tily rescued by the palace maidens, and as of now, her life is not in danger."
Su Pan’er’s lazy gaze instantly sharpened.
"Oh? Seems like this Miss Xue is quite careless."
She smirked coldly, her tone gentle, "Since she caught a chill from falling into the water, we mustn’t be negligent. By the way, has the Imperial Physician been called?"
Feng Xiyue didn’t even raise her eyelids and maintained her respectful deanor, "In reply to Your Highness, the eunuch in charge of the palace services has already summoned the Imperial Physician for a visit. However, Miss Xue was greatly frightened and, it is said, has now broken her fever but still is bedridden and can’t leave her bed."
"Hmm."
Su Pan’er’s smile grew more evident, and she seed to be suddenly spirited, "Since Miss Xue is ill, we should thoroughly investigate the matter. It’s surprising that a simple task like picking lotus pods can lead to so much trouble, truly causing concern. I shall assign you to look into this, and rember to report back as soon as you have the results. You may leave now!"
Feng Xiyue seed to want to say sothing more, but Su Pan’er didn’t give her the chance and dismissed her with a wave of the hand.
After Feng Xiyue obediently withdrew, Su Pan’er finally opened her weary eyes.
Before, Qin Yi had said he’d handle the won of the imperial harem, but up to now, he’d taken no action.
Su Pan’er understood that he had just ascended the throne, and the won in the harem were backed by powerful, intricately intertwined forces; to upset one was to disturb the whole.
To expel them all from the palace was definitely not sothing that could be resolved by simply shouting a few words.
However, she no longer had the patience to wait!
Su Pan’er closed her eyes, pondered for a mont, then turned and instructed Jiu Lan, "Go summon Nanny Zhou for ."
Jiu Lan hurriedly complied and went.
Nanny Zhou had been taking care of Little Yanyan since she was very little. Later, she followed Su Pan’er to the mountain village and has been with her through thick and thin ever since.
Now that Su Pan’er held the title of Empress, she had summoned those familiar old servants to her side. Apart from Nanny Zhou, Xiren and Xiang Ling had styled their hair and stayed to serve her. Only Miaoyu and Qingwen had married and not entered the palace.
At this mont, Su Pan’er wanted to see Nanny Zhou, who naturally arrived promptly.
Nanny Zhou was clearly much plumper than before, her hair ticulously combed and gathered at the back of her head. She ca in bowing incessantly towards Su Pan’er, visibly excited.
She had only been in the palace for a few days and was already being summoned by Su Pan’er; if she could perform tasks for her master and satisfy her, then days of wealth and glory would be endless!
"This old servant pays respect to the Empress."
While Nanny Zhou couldn’t hide her elation, she maintained decorum on her face. Her upturned lips were the only sign of her good mood, the rest of her expression carefully controlled.
"Nanny Zhou, I’ve heard that you’ve been quite close to the young ladies in the back garden these past few days?"
Su Pan’er cast a casual glance over Nanny Zhou, a flash of light quickly darting through her eyes.
"Your Majesty, this servant has indeed visited the back garden several tis recently. Even a few days ago, when Miss Xue fell into the lotus pond, this servant was not far away and saw the entire process with her own eyes," replied Nanny Zhou, not concealing a thing and speaking with pride.
Nanny Zhou continued confidently, "Your Majesty, Miss Xue didn’t fall into the lotus pond by accident, it was... it was soone intentionally making trouble that caused the little boat picking lotus pods to suddenly rock, and Miss Xue, who was unsteady, plunged headlong into the pond, catching a cold."
"Did you see the person behind the sche?"
"This servant did not; however..."
Nanny Zhou dared not claim to know and instead leaned in mysteriously, "Your Majesty, though this servant did not see with her own eyes, at the ti of the incident, the closest small boat picking lotus pods to Miss Xue belonged only to Miss Liu. If there were a chance for sabotage, it would be hers alone!"
"Miss Liu? Who is that?"
Su Pan’er suddenly beca eager.
With so hesitation and lowering her voice, Nanny Zhou said, "It’s... it’s that girl from the Liu family..."
The Miss Liu that Nanny Zhou spoke of was naturally Liu Xuan’er, the adopted daughter taken in by Liu Yankang later on.
"Liu Xuan’er? That na sounds familiar..."
Su Pan’er furrowed her brows, vaguely recalling, many years ago, at Lord Zhang’s banquet, the girl who had flusteredly bumped into her.
The girl who had almost caused her to tumble into the lake.
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