boyutpedia Chapter 138: The Relocation of Chunxi Leads to Arson by Two Concubines
Chapter 138: The Relocation of Chunxi Leads to Arson by Two Concubines
Nian Shilan nodded exaggeratedly and said:
"I see. First it was Yanqing Palace, then Chunxi Palace. It seems my new sister likes quietness. Juanqinzhai is a good place. I will have it cleaned up and welcome my sister to move in any time."
Noble Lady Guaerjia's expression changed again and again. Zhen Huan said helplessly, "Your Highness, please stop joking. You're going to scare Noble Lady Guaerjia."
Nian Shilan snorted coldly.
"I don't like jokes. Since Wanpin likes him, then take him back and teach him a lesson. If he breaks the palace rules in the future, I will not forgive him."
Zhen Huan's face turned pale and she vaguely felt that she seemed to have gotten into big trouble.
Lady Guaerjia was fidgeting, and the silk handkerchief in her hand was unconsciously tightened by her, as if she was going to tear it into pieces the next moment.
After what happened last time, Shen Meizhuang had completely believed in Zhen Huan. At this moment, she looked at Zhen Huan with a frown and worry.
After being dismissed, Shen Meizhuang spontaneously accompanied Zhen Huan back to Chunxi Palace.
"Noble Concubine Hua came with bad intentions. I just hate that Nian Gengyao died at such an untimely time. Otherwise, the injustice she committed would be more than just a foot of white silk could explain." Shen Meizhuang said hatefully.
"I've been hypocritical for so long, yet the Emperor refuses to punish Nian severely and even makes her a noble concubine. How can she bear this? It's truly disgusting!"
Zhen Huan's brows were filled with worry as she listened quietly to Shen Meizhuang's words.
It was not until they entered Chunxi Palace that Zhen Huan grabbed Shen Meiyu's hand.
"Sister Mei, I have a plan that will stop the Guarjia clan from harassing us and also make Nian Shilan sad."
Staring at the determination in Zhen Huan's eyes, Shen Meizhuang nodded seriously.
"Huan'er, I believe you."
......
......
In the following days, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang served the emperor attentively, which made Jiang Ruyin look at them sideways, knowing that the time had come.
Because she moved into the Chunxi Palace, the emperor often met the noble lady Guarjia and was given the title "Qi".
The candlelight flickered in the Chunxi Palace, and the noble lady from the Guarjia Palace boarded the Fengluan Chun'en Carriage. The fragrant wind blew and the silver bells jingled. I wonder how many palace concubines had another sleepless night.
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang met, their eyes met, and there was a hint of determination in their firmness.
"Huan'er, I'll be accompanying His Majesty Yiqi in the Yangxin Palace this afternoon. I told the Emperor I'll sleep with you tonight. It won't arouse his suspicion."
"That's good. Sister Mei, we must eliminate this great threat this time. Concubine Hua and others are too arrogant in the palace." Zhen Huan lowered her voice and looked cold.
Shen Meizhuang nodded slightly, "Huan'er, the plan is set, let's proceed carefully."
Zhen Huan winked, and the stern-looking maid nodded solemnly, then secretly doused several bottles of osmanthus oil in the corners of Chunxi Palace. Shen Meizhuang directed her trusted maids to pile some flammable debris in a hidden area.
Everything was ready. Zhen Huan took out a lighter from her sleeve. Her hand trembled slightly but she quickly steadied herself.
Shen Meizhuang stopped her, "Huan'er, wait."
Zhen Huan looked at her in confusion, and the next moment, she saw Shen Meizhuang lift up her sleeves and pick up the candlestick again.
"Sister Mei! Don't!" Zhen Huan rushed over to stop her.
Shen Meizhuang gently pushed her hand away, frowned slightly, and her eyes were firm and gentle.
Zhen Huan couldn't help but retreat and could only watch Shen Meizhuang burn herself, leaving hideous bloody marks on her fair jade-like arms.
"Huan'er, it's time now." Shen Meizhuang said softly with a hint of determination in her eyes.
Zhen Huan took a deep breath and lit a piece of thin silk gauze with a candlestick. The small flame instantly brought about a heat wave and the fire spread rapidly.
After a brief silence, there was a sudden cry of alarm in Chunxi Palace. The palace maids were horrified and screamed, "Someone, put out the fire!"
The palace was filled with the cries of the palace maids and eunuchs, their sharp cries piercing the night air. As the fire spread, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang quietly retreated to the shadows. Zhen Huan glanced back at Cui Jinxi. Then, silently, she watched the blaze rage. Flames licked the doors and windows, illuminating half the sky crimson. Thick smoke billowed into the air, seemingly sweeping away the sins and injustices of the palace.
Knowing that the cruelty of the palace struggle had just begun, Zhen Huan tightly grasped Shen Meizhuang's uninjured hand. From this moment on, only by joining hands could they survive in this abyss.
When the emperor arrived, the former splendor of Chunxi Palace was gone, leaving only a miserable mess.
After the fire, the temple's beams were charred and twisted like dry bones, powerlessly supporting the crumbling roof. The walls were blackened by smoke, and large chunks of them had peeled away, revealing the mottled bricks and stones within. All that could be seen were ruins ravaged by the flames.
Everything within the hall had been reduced to ash. The exquisite brocade curtains and ornately carved furniture were now nothing but piles of unrecognizable black debris, emitting a pungent, burnt smell in the wind. The once pristine floor was covered in stagnant water and charcoal, a foul morass. Occasionally, a few pieces of half-melted metal ornaments could be seen, gleaming dimly in the muddy water, as if lamenting their past glory.
Upon hearing that Chunxi Palace was on fire, the emperor rushed over and strode into the rubble, not caring that the hem of his dragon robe was soaked and stained by the accumulated water and charcoal ash on the ground. Seeing the devastation, his brow furrowed.
The noblewoman from Guarjia who had come with the emperor wailed in panic, "My concubine's dowry, Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Wuuwu, who is it!"
She stood helplessly beside the wreckage of the east side hall, her fingertips trembling.
The flowers, plants, and trees in the courtyard were not spared either, their branches and leaves scorched, their trunks carbonized, and scattered here and there. Only wisps of green smoke continued to rise slowly.
"Your Majesty! You must make the decision for me!"
The noble lady Guaerjia was still shaking the emperor's clothes, but was ruthlessly pushed away by the emperor the next second.
"Mei'er." The emperor looked at the burn on Shen Meizhuang's arm with regret. Even though it was wrapped tightly in gauze, it was still stained with blood.
Shen Meizhuang held back for a long time, and finally let the tears fall, sobbing and saying that she was fine.
Zhen Huan's face was also covered in dust, and even the gray soot couldn't hide her stunning beauty. She hurriedly saluted the emperor and looked at Shen Meizhuang's injuries with concern.
The rage in his heart was ignited, and the emperor coldly announced, "Pass on my order, thoroughly investigate this matter, no matter who is involved, there will be no leniency!"
Setting fire to the imperial palace and forbidden gardens showed that he did not take himself, the emperor, seriously, and even less did he take the dignity of the royal family seriously.
Thinking of the miserable state of Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang, the emperor's eyes became even colder.
The targets of arson have been concentrated among the concubines.