The Self-cultivation of a Salted Fish Concubine

Chapter 316 I Don’t Want to Be Good-tempered Anymore

Chief Steward Jiang and others were stunned.

Looking up at Xie Run's departing back, the panic in my heart reached an unprecedented level.

She wanted to cry and beg for mercy again, but Chunjuan ruthlessly "invited" her out of the Showa Palace.

When they arrived at the side room, Xie Run was coaxing Tao Tao and said, "Send the honey soup to Fengyi Palace and explain the whole story to the Empress."

Dan Tao responded and said softly, "Seeing that Chief Steward Jiang was crying so pitifully, I thought that Her Majesty would let him off lightly because he hadn't committed a serious crime."

Xie Run glanced at Dan Tao and Xiao Shu, "Do you think I was cruel today?"

Xiao Shu and Dan Tao shook their heads repeatedly: "We servants hope that Your Majesty will take a tougher stance, so that people won't think that the Showa Palace can be bullied at will."

"If the Empress had shown such power earlier, Concubine Wu wouldn't have dared to come to the Zhaohe Palace to ask for soup. If what happened today happened to Concubine Gong Xiurong and Concubine Jing, she wouldn't dare to say a word!"

Although the status of the two was so different, Wu Cairen dared to come to Xie Run for a bowl of soup. In fact, she felt from the bottom of her heart that Xie Run was gentle and would not blame her even if he did not help her.

All in all, it was just that Xie Run was too good-tempered.

Dan Tao smiled and said, "It's rare to see Her Majesty being decisive. I'm happy for Her Majesty."

Xiao Shu also nodded. "It's just that I'm surprised. Your Majesty ignored the Chief Steward Jiang's pleas for mercy today, and it's fine, but you even asked me to deliver the honey soup to Fengyi Palace... Your Majesty has long been dissatisfied with that Chief Steward Jiang."

Xie Run's behavior is not only heartless, but also intended to ruin Jiang Dazongguan's future.

Given the relationship between Xie Run and the Queen, the Queen would definitely remove Jiang from his position as Chief Eunuch.

Taotao just woke up and cried for a while. Now he was looking at the rag doll above his head in Xie Run's arms, with his pair of black round eyes open, looking very seriously.

Xie Run looked down at him with a faint smile on his lips.

"It's not just dissatisfaction."

Xie Run said calmly, "Chief Steward Jiang is an old man in the imperial kitchen. He should know that I don't like to cause trouble, and I don't even bother to steal things from my subordinates."

"He stole Wu Cairen's meal and gave it to me. Even if Wu Cairen didn't make a fuss, if the news got out, people would say I was bullying the weak and being arrogant."

Xie Run raised his eyes to look at the two of them: "Do you think that Chief Steward Jiang would not expect this?"

Xiao Shu was also full of dissatisfaction. "Chief Eunuch Jiang dared to take Concubine Wu's honey soup to please the Empress. Firstly, he doesn't care about the Empress's reputation. Secondly, he thinks the Empress has a good temper and won't blame her even if something really happens. So, even in such small matters of pleasing her, he doesn't put too much effort!"

Xie Run then slowly said: "I am just too good-tempered on weekdays."

"That's why these people, one by one, don't take me seriously. They want to eliminate me and use me as a stepping stone."

Dan Tao stepped forward to comfort her: "That's because your Majesty is kind-hearted. Isn't it because of your gentleness and kindness that the Emperor favors you?"

Xie Run curled his lips but didn't smile.

"The past is the past. Now I don't want to be a person without temper anymore."

"After the incident with the poisonous spider, the steward of the Imperial Kitchen should have been replaced. Now that I'm doing it, it can be considered as a way to establish some authority for the Showa Palace, so as to prevent the incident of Concubine Wu from happening again in the future."

Xie Run paused and asked, "Do you know why Concubine Wu went to see the Queen?"

Xiao Shu: "Yueliang'er is responsible for inquiring. Now she is back. I will call her to tell me."

Soon, Yueliang came in and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Concubine Wu was scratched on the arm by Concubine Ye when she fell into the water last time. It was only a minor wound."

"But for some reason, the wound hasn't healed. Instead, it's gotten worse. It's grown from a small scratch into a large wound. She knows someone is trying to harm her, but she doesn't dare to ask the Queen for help. That's why she wants to go to Showa Palace to ask the Queen for help."

Xiao Shu wanted to laugh when she heard this. She served soup to the side and said, "She wanted to beg our queen, but she resorted to intimidation. She really thinks our queen has a good temper. How can she help her in such a situation without holding grudges?"

Xie Run had a different reaction after hearing this: "Are you saying that her wound didn't heal, but instead became more serious?"

Yueliang nodded. "I heard Sister He secretly tell me that the scar on Concubine Wu's arm is now three fingers wide. It looks very scary... You know, it was just a small scratch at first."

"Concubine Wu and the Empress cried and said that Concubine Ye wanted to harm her and put medicine on her nails, which caused her wound to never heal and gradually worsen."

"When the Empress asked her why she hadn't spoken earlier, she just cried and said she dared not. I heard Sister He tell me that Concubine Wu must have known in her heart that Concubine Ye wasn't the one who harmed her, but she was afraid that someone was hiding behind the scenes and had kept it a secret. Now she's blaming Concubine Ye, and she's just trying to take the blame."

Yueliang continued, "I heard from Sister He that although Concubine Wu didn't accuse our Empress, she implied that she had stood by and watched the Empress do nothing to save her child. She came to beg the Empress to save her unborn child, but the Empress refused to see her and refused to help. She had no choice but to come and confess to the Empress."

Xie Runqian smiled and said, "It seems that I really can't continue to be this good guy."

After hearing Yueliang'er's words, the people in Showa Palace were all dissatisfied and even angry.

A little talent actually dares to disregard their queen. He is really too arrogant!

Xie Run: "Don't you think that Concubine Wu's injury is similar to Concubine Jing's?"

Xiao Shu thought about it and said, "It's true."

"At first, the scar on Concubine Jing's face didn't seem too serious, but after a few days of treatment, the wound became more and more festering and severe. In the end, even if a god were reincarnated, he couldn't erase the scar on her face."

"I heard that the Emperor never stayed at her place again after her disfigurement."

Xie Run: "Since you want to establish your authority, replacing a small imperial kitchen manager won't be of much use."

Her eyes dropped slightly, her expression calm and exceptionally gentle. "Go tell the Empress that Concubine Wu is committing treason. She's using the fact that she's carrying the Emperor's child to threaten to break into the Zhaohe Palace. I beg the Empress to uphold justice for me."

Yueliang'er's eyes lit up: "I'll go and tell her right away."

"Wait!" Xie Run smiled and called to Yueliang'er, "I haven't finished talking yet, why are you so anxious?"

"I beg the Empress to demote Concubine Wu to Baolin and teach her the rules of respect and obedience, so that she won't rashly offend anyone in the other palaces in the future."

Yueliang'er quickly responded, "I understand."

Dan Tao and Xiao Shu looked at each other in surprise, probably because they really didn't expect Xie Run to directly ask the Queen to punish Wu Cairen this time.

You know, Concubine Wu is pregnant with the emperor's child.

After giving the instructions, Xie Runcai continued to play with Taotao.

The Queen was recuperating from illness and suddenly heard Concubine Wu crying, and she felt a headache.

Wu Cairen: "My wound hasn't healed in a few days. I've consulted several imperial physicians privately, but they're afraid to prescribe strong medicine, saying they're afraid of harming the prince in my belly."

"But if you ask them what's going on, none of them can answer."

"I have been living in fear for several days, and finally mustered up the courage to ask Consort Zhao Shu for help, because she has always been a kind, tolerant and gentle person."

"Who would have thought that even though I knelt down and begged, Concubine Zhao Shu remained unmoved, so I had no choice but to come and disturb the Empress."

The Queen rubbed her temple and simply asked, "How is your wound?"

Wu Cairen lifted her sleeves with tears in her eyes, revealing her hideous wounds.

The Queen only took one look and knew all of Concubine Wu's little thoughts.

She was in a bad mood today and didn't hold back when she spoke. "Your wound is so severely festering, yet you only dare to ask the imperial physician in private, and don't dare to tell the emperor or me about it. I'm afraid you don't trust me or the emperor either."

"You're saying you're afraid of disturbing me. Even if you ask Concubine Zhao Shu, won't you still make a scene in front of me in the end?"

"You are so selfish. Where do you think the emperor and his descendants are?"

The queen has always been cold in nature and quite majestic in the harem.

She never scolds others easily, but once she reveals some dissatisfaction in her words, it is enough to make people feel afraid.

Wu Cairen's expression changed, and she quickly begged for mercy: "Please forgive me, Queen. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have taken the baby in my womb so seriously, and I shouldn't have concealed my injury."

"Now, whether it's a beating or a punishment, I am willing to accept the blame. I only ask Your Majesty to save my life and protect me and my unborn child."

The Queen's expression was calm. "You said you were murdered. Does that mean someone in the harem is plotting to murder the prince? This is no small matter. The Emperor should be informed."

She only glanced at Ting He, who immediately said, "Your Majesty, someone has been sent to invite the Emperor."

The Queen waved her hand lazily, "First, please ask Court Judge Jiang to come over and treat Concubine Wu."

It would be fine if an ordinary imperial physician couldn't diagnose the disease, but if even Judge Jiang couldn't diagnose the disease, then this would be interesting.

Wu Cairen was feeling uneasy.

She did indeed casually put the blame on Ye Cairen. It was Ye Cairen who caused the injury on her hand, so he was the easiest person to blame.

But she really didn't know who wanted to harm her.

Now looking at the Queen's attitude, it is clear that she wants to hold her accountable.

If something happens to the baby in her belly, her life will be in danger.

Wu Cairen's hand fell on his abdomen, his heart beating rapidly.

Before she waited for the emperor, she waited for Yueliang in Xie Run Palace.

Yueliang'er was invited in to see the queen and told her everything Xie Run had said.

"Your Majesty, today, Concubine Wu committed a crime and threatened to break into the Showa Palace by claiming she was pregnant with the Emperor's child."

"Our queen, considering she was pregnant, didn't bother with her and even told the Empress and the Emperor about her troubles. But she refused to give in and insisted that our queen save her life."

"The Emperor and Empress are in charge of the palace. How dare our Empress overstep her bounds and interfere in Concubine Wu's affairs?"

"Concubine Wu is relentless, insisting that our queen was cruel and ruthless for not saving her." Yueliang'er wiped her eyes. "My queen is so angry that she begs the queen to seek justice for her and demote Concubine Wu to Baolin, so that she won't be able to take advantage of the fact that she is pregnant with the royal heir and act with disrespect in the future!"

The Queen had no expression on her face until the last sentence, when she raised an eyebrow. "Did your Queen really say that?"

"Indeed, I dare not spread your Majesty's words falsely."

The Queen nodded and said, "I am aware of this matter. Concubine Wu has no respect for the inferiors, has committed treason, and has strong selfish motives. She almost harmed the heir to the throne. She truly deserves a lesson. I will demote her to the rank of Baolin."

When Yueliang'er left Fengyi Palace, she deliberately passed by Wu Cairen and glared at her.

She didn't dare to say anything outrageous, but she still had to show Showa Palace's attitude.

When Wu Cairen was glared at by Yueliang, she instantly felt a sense of crisis.

What are Concubine Zhao Shu's people doing in Fengyi Palace?

When Judge Jiang finished taking Concubine Wu's pulse, the emperor also arrived and just happened to hear the empress's summons.

"Talented Lady Wu has no respect for superiors and is committing treason. She is protecting the unborn dragon heir at a disadvantage. I hereby demote her to the rank of Baolin."

Wu Cairen stood up in shock, "What's going on? Why did the Queen demote me?!"

She turned her head and saw the emperor, her eyes suddenly filled with tears: "Your Majesty, I am wronged! I am also terrified!"

The emperor then asked, "What happened?"

Mother Li led the people to announce the decree, and now she was very firm: "Your Majesty, Concubine Wu was pregnant. She knew that the wound was worsening and was harmful to her health, but she concealed it and almost harmed the unborn prince. This is a crime."

"She relied on the fact that she was pregnant with the imperial heir and went to Zhaohe Palace to threaten Concubine Zhao Shu, demanding she save her life. When she was told to seek out the Empress, she accused Concubine Zhao Shu of being cruel and ruthless, which was her second crime."

"Furthermore, she came to Fengyi Palace and turned black into white, attempting to shift the blame for protecting the royal heir onto Concubine Ye and Concubine Zhao Shu. This is her third crime."

Mother Li bowed to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, you know that my Queen is the most fair and just. She will never punish a concubine arbitrarily unless she has committed a serious offense."

"It is because Consort Wu has overstepped her bounds and failed to follow proper rules that we have demoted her to Baolin. I only hope she can correct her mistakes in the future."

After hearing this, Concubine Wu said in disbelief, "I didn't do that! How dare I threaten Concubine Zhao Shu..."

Mother Li: "This is a message personally delivered by someone from Concubine Zhao Shu's palace. Are you saying that Concubine Zhao Shu fabricated a lie to frame you?"

When the emperor heard the words that were delivered personally from Concubine Zhao Shu's palace, he showed the same subtle expression as the empress.

He didn't say anything about Wu Cairen's demotion. He just asked Judge Jiang, "Wu Baolin's wound hasn't healed for a long time. Is there another reason?"

"Will her wound be harmful to the royal heir in her womb?"

When Concubine Wu heard the emperor calling her Wu Baolin, she couldn't help but clench the handkerchief in her hand and didn't dare to refute at all.

Now she listened attentively to Judge Jiang's words, fearing to hear any news that the baby in her belly might be in danger.

"Wu Baolin's wound is getting worse. It's a serious matter, but it won't affect the unborn child."

The emperor nodded slightly and sat down at the top.

When Wu Cairen, who was standing by, heard Judge Jiang calling her Wu Baolin, she felt as if her heart was being clenched by a fist.

Judge Jiang bowed and said, "Based solely on taking Wu Baolin's pulse, I cannot determine the cause of his injury. I need to ask Wu Baolin some more questions."

Emperor: “Ask.”

He glanced at Wu Baolin and said, "You are pregnant with the royal heir, which is a great achievement."