Chapter 94: Endurance in small things for big plans
Chun'er fainted after finishing the explanation.
Xue Hengzhao stretched out his hand and tried it under her nose, still breathing weakly.
Then the door was pushed open, and Wei Zhong walked in holding a torch.
Following closely behind him was Bi Shu, holding a palace lantern in his hand.
Looking at Chun'er who was lying unconscious in the corner, the two of them were filled with contempt.
"Chief Health Manager, Sister Bishu, did you hear clearly what she said just now?" Xue Hengzhao asked the two people with a smile as he took off the peony crown on his head.
There was a paper figure standing next to her, but it was hard to tell in the dark.
At this time, the paper figure had been placed by her against the wall, and it was a bit scary when illuminated by candlelight.
"We were outside the window just now, and we could hear what she said clearly." Bishu said, "I'll ask someone to come and look at her again later."
"We have found out the truth, and then we have to report back to the empress." Wei Zhong said, "She won't wake up for a while, and this place is very quiet. Besides, there are only three of us, so no news can be leaked."
It turns out that this is the strategy that Xue Hengzhao and Wei Zhong talked about.
If interrogated openly, Chuner will not tell the truth.
So Xue Hengzhao simply pretended to be a ghost and tricked him into confessing.
She disguised herself as the ghost of a peony flower and came to ask for Chun'er's life.
As expected, Chun'er couldn't resist, and within a few rounds she quickly revealed the person behind her.
Half a cup of residual tea mixed with tranquilizer, a paper man, and a peony crown, these are all the props Xue Hengzhao has.
That cup of tea can make Chun'er feel dizzy, and that paper figurine is just for make-up.
Of course, real people can also be used, but Xue Hengzhao thinks it is not necessary.
The fewer people involved in this kind of thing, the better. Real people may still be exposed.
Besides, she herself is very thin, and Chun'er is not familiar with her, so it's quite suitable to play ghost.
In real terms, they have been together for a long time, but if they recognize them from their body shape and voice, wouldn’t they be in vain?
"Hengzhao, you can think of this method!" Bishu now admired Xue Hengzhao very much, "How did your head grow? It's not bigger than mine."
"Yes, yes, this time it is definitely Heng Zhao's credit. Otherwise we would all have been kept in the dark." Wei Zhong also agreed.
"Actually, it's a little trick that doesn't work on the stage," Xue Hengzhao smiled, "but fortunately, Chun'er is not brave enough or smart enough."
Then Wei Zhong found a reliable person to guard Chun'er, and the three of them went back first.
When daybreak came, Concubine Fu had eaten breakfast and was ready to ask Xue Hengzhao to come over and teach her how to order tea.
Wei Zhong happened to come in and said, "My wife, I have something important to report to you."
Concubine Fu noticed Wei Zhong's expression and said to the people around her: "You all go down first!"
"Your Majesty, please stay with Miss Bishu and Hengzhao." Wei Zhong said, "I'm afraid that I can't explain clearly alone."
After Concubine Fu heard Wei Zhong explain what happened last night, she couldn't help but murmured: "It's Concubine Li, why did she do this?"
"I still can't guess what Concubine Li's intentions are, but there is no doubt that she wants to cause a dispute between the empress and the empress." Wei Zhong said.
"This Concubine Li, I thought she just had a sharp mouth, and her words were a bit harsh from time to time.
Who would have thought that she would set up such a poisonous plan? It's really chilling. What should we do now?" Concubine Fu was naturally very unhappy after knowing the truth, but she also knew that just complaining blindly would not help.
Still have to think about what to do next.
"According to what my slave said, Chun'er has already made an explanation now. Let's tell the Queen exactly what happened.
Doesn't Concubine Li want to frame our empress? She wants to steal the chicken but not the rice!" Bishu hated.
"Wei Zhong, what do you say?" Concubine Fu did not immediately accept Bi Shu's words, but asked Wei Zhong, which shows that she is a cautious and thoughtful person.
"Your Majesty, to be honest, it's a shame to tell the truth about Chun'er.
Despite her young age, she has a delicate mind and a quick mind, which I think I can't compare to.
It's better to listen to what she thinks. Now that we've reached this point, we have to try our best to use clever tactics." Wei Zhong said with a smile.
Concubine Fu then looked at Xue Hengzhao: "What do you think should be done about this matter?"
"The director of the health department really deserves the award just now," Xue Hengzhao said modestly, "but in fact, I know that one is as good as ten, and I am a master of tricks."
"The idea you came up with is indeed good. What's rare is that you are steady and humble, and don't take credit.
Although it is said that time changes people's hearts, they can also see the big things from small things. Since you came to me, I have seen you well in everything.
Now that you are willing to do your best, I will remember all your benefits." Concubine Fu treated her generously and was able to know people and make good use of them.
"Since your Majesty has agreed, I will boldly tell you my humble opinion.
If this matter was explained clearly to the queen, there would be nothing wrong with it, but doing so would be too cheap for Concubine Li.
Before checking, we are in the open and Li Fei is in the dark.
If you go to the queen to tell the truth, at first glance, both sides will make it clear.
However, doing so will inevitably alert the enemy.
Li Fei is by no means a cheap person, and what she wants is no small matter.
After making the matter clear, she still would not tell her true intentions and would only use other excuses to cover it up.
It's better to hide in the dark, waiting for an opportunity to spy and find out her details.
If she still plots against us at that time, we can hit her with one hit.
Moreover, even if she admits that she was the one who instigated Chun'er this time, there will be a limit to what the Queen can punish her for.
This incident alone is unlikely to hurt Concubine Li's muscles and bones. Instead, it will make us, our empress, become enemies with her.
It's better for us to hide in the dark and pretend that we don't even know that this matter has anything to do with her.
But we will keep a close eye on her secretly. If she does anything else, we will make her suffer the consequences of being mute and unable to speak out.
Of course, this is just my slave’s opinion, and it is up to the queen to decide what to do in the end.”
After Xue Hengzhao finished his analysis, he stood aside quietly and stopped talking.
No one else spoke.
Concubine Fu pondered for a long time and then said: "What you said makes sense, but how should we explain those two pots of flowers?
Rather than finding out the true story of Concubine Li, how to explain the cause of death of the two potted flowers to the queen is more urgent.
I know that you are playing a skillful chess move, playing small and fighting for the big, aiming at the overall situation.
If you can also help me figure out a way to properly explain to the queen, I will be happy to play this big game."
Concubine Fu's meaning has been made very clear. She agrees with Xue Hengzhao's point of view, but first she must resolve the matter of the two pots of peonies.
Because if you go directly to the Queen and explain the matter, these two pots of peonies will be finished.
How could Xue Hengzhao ignore this? She had already thought out all the next steps when she interrogated Chun'er.
"Your Majesty, I dare you to offer another plan. Whether you use it or not depends entirely on your Majesty."