Ling Ruo is not a palace official. Every word she says can affect the entire situation. If she really testifies for Xianyue, things will be difficult to handle.
But there was also a trace of doubt in their hearts. During this period, they had all gone to Cining Palace to pay their respects. They had never heard Ling Ruo mention this matter. Could it be that Xianyue made such nonsense in order to escape? But she should
It is clear that such a lie cannot last long and will be exposed once Ling Ruo is confronted face to face.
Before they could understand Xianyue's thoughts, Hongli had already said, "Has the Queen really seen this embroidered picture this morning?"
"I dare not deceive you." After Xianyue said these words, Hongli nodded and said: "Okay, take the embroidery pictures with you and go to Cining Palace!"
Although Hongli didn't want to alarm Ling Ruo on her fiftieth birthday, the matter was of great importance, and Ling Ruo was an important witness, so he didn't want to alarm her.
Following his words, everyone involved in the matter, except Shui Yue who was imprisoned, followed him to Cining Palace.
Ling Ruo was reading the playbill sent by Changyin Pavilion. When she saw Hongli and others coming in, she smiled and said, "Why are you all here together?"
"Your Majesty, please give my regards to the Emperor!" After Hongli, Mingyu and others also saluted respectively, their expressions were extremely solemn, and there was no joy at all in congratulating them on their birthday.
What kind of person was Ling Ruo? When he noticed the expressions on their faces and the imperial doctor who followed them, he vaguely guessed something and said, "Did something happen?"
"Returning to the emperor, something did happen." After that, Hongli briefly stated the matter. Ling Ruo's face gradually became serious. When he heard that Shui Yue was confined because of exposure to smallpox, he was already
It was extremely ugly and asked: "How is Shuiyue's situation?"
Zhou Minghua felt her eyes on him, and quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands and said: "If we go back to the Queen Mother, because smallpox has a certain incubation period, it is difficult to judge Shuiyue's situation. We will have to wait a few days to know.
"
Ling Ruo turned her gaze to Hongli and said, "Do you know who dropped smallpox pus into the embroidery?"
"Besides the Queen, only Concubine Xian had ever come into contact with this painting of a hundred cranes. However, Concubine Xian refused to admit it. She also said that during this period, it was presented to the Queen for review every day, and the Queen could prove that she was related to it.
This matter has nothing to do with it, so even if it disturbs the emperor's mother, I can only come over and ask if it is indeed true."
Under Hongli's gaze, Ling Ruo nodded and said, "Yes, Concubine Xian did bring embroidery pictures to Aijia every day during this period, and yesterday morning was no exception. As for that embroidery picture... Aijia
I looked carefully at it and found nothing wrong.”
Mingyu's face turned pale, and she twisted the silk handkerchief tightly. She didn't even know that her fingers were twisted and turned blue. She began to worry about how this matter would end if it was found out that it really had nothing to do with Xianyue. She
Will the story of blaming Xianyue be exposed?
At this time, Mrs. Gao said what she had been thinking about for a long time, "Empress Huang, I have seen the embroidery drawings. Smallpox pus has been smeared on the black embroidery threads. It is difficult to find it unless you look carefully.
To say the least, even if the embroidery was really clean at the time, it cannot be ruled out that Concubine Xian tampered with it on the way to Kunning Palace."
Xianyue's face changed slightly. What Gao said was exactly where Ling Ruo's witness had a flaw. After all, Ling Ruo hadn't seen her all the way to Kunning Palace, so it was... a bit tricky.
Ling Ruo didn't comment on this and just said: "Have you brought the embroidery pictures? The Ai family wants to see it."
Hongli followed his words and said, "My son asked someone to wait outside with some embroidery pictures. Let him come in now."
After Ling Ruo nodded, the palace attendant carefully came in holding the embroidery picture, and together with another person, he twisted the four corners and unfolded the embroidery picture for Ling Ruo to see.
Ling Ruo stepped forward to see more clearly, but as soon as she took a step, she was stopped nervously by Hongli, "Huang Aniang, although it is said that as long as there is no contact, there will be no infection, but it is better to be careful and stay away.
"
"The Ai family has its own rules, the emperor doesn't have to worry." With that said, she ordered Hongli to step back, and she stepped forward again, and did not stop until she was only one step away from the embroidery.
The smallpox pus has dried, and except for the areas that were previously wet with imperial medical water, only shallow and almost invisible marks can be seen.
Ling Ruo took in all this silently. After ordering the palace servants to take down the embroidered pictures, she said: "You all should step aside. The Ai family has something to say to the emperor alone."
Mrs. Gao thought that Ling Ruo would immediately accuse Xianyue after hearing her words and seeing the embroidery pictures. Unexpectedly, she suddenly said this and said in shock: "Empress Huang..."
Ling Ruo stared at her coldly and said, "Didn't you hear what Ai Jia said? Back off!"
Mrs. Gao was so frightened by her stare that she quickly retreated with everyone, not daring to say anything more.
When they were the only two people left in the huge palace, Hongli said, "Your Majesty, what do you want to tell me?"
Ling Ruo stared into his eyes and said, "Emperor, do you believe that the smallpox was caused by Concubine Xian and that she wanted to use it to murder the Queen?"
Hongli was silent for a moment and said: "I have misunderstood Concubine Xian before, so this time, I reviewed it carefully, hoping not to wrongly accuse anyone. But judging from the current evidence, Concubine Xian is indeed the most suspicious.
And the most likely person. As Concubine Hui said just now, even if there were no problems with the embroidery when she presented it to the Queen, she could have tampered with it on the way. And... Concubine Xian had never done anything like this before.
I’ve done it before.”
"Nearly ten years have passed since the incident you mentioned. After Xianyue helped you defeat Yingge, she never took the initiative to harm anyone."
Ling Ruo's words made Hongli frown greatly, and said: "The Queen said this because she thought this matter had nothing to do with Concubine Xian? But apart from her, I really can't think of anyone else who could do anything."
Ling Ruo said word for word: "It's not what the Ai family thinks, it's the fact."
Hongli became more and more strange when he heard this, "Why did Huang'e Niang say this? In fact...did Huang'e Niang see with her own eyes the person who tampered with the Hundred Cranes Picture?"
"The Ai family didn't see it. The Ai family inferred this fact from the picture of a hundred cranes." After a pause, Ling Ruo continued: "Although the smallpox pus has dried, you can still see shallow marks, as Concubine Hui said
, all in the black threads, and nowhere else.”
Hongli nodded and said: "Yes, this son has said it before. Is there any problem?"
"Yesterday morning Concubine Xian sent the embroidery drawings. After Aijia read them, she ordered the palace servants to fold up the embroidery drawings. If the smallpox pus was contaminated on the embroidery drawings at that time, when it was folded, it would inevitably contaminate other parts of the embroidery drawings.
Even if she tampered with the picture on the way, the same situation would have happened, unless she displayed the embroidered picture all the way and sent it to Kunning Palace. If not, the smallpox pus on the embroidered picture could not have been the work of Concubine Xian.