Transmigration: The Main Character is Not Becoming the Cannon Fodder!-Chapter 135 - 7: The Imperial Concubine Has a System (Part 7)

Chapter 135: Chapter 7: The Imperial Concubine Has a System (Part 7)

"Princess Consort Shu, what happened today, go ahead and tell me." Li Shuning said gently.

Princess Consort Shu suddenly burst into tears: "Empress, the other day, the Imperial Concubine mentioned the Crown Prince in front of you. I couldn’t stand it, and because I spoke out of turn, the Imperial Concubine resented me for it. Today, when I went to greet you and met the Imperial Concubine by the lotus pond, she threatened to take revenge on me. After returning, I was extra careful, but unexpectedly, the path by the lotus pond was mysteriously soaked with oil and became very slippery. My personal palace maid and I both fell into the water, after which I don’t know what happened. Empress, it must have been the Imperial Concubine’s revenge against me. Please, Empress, seek justice for me."

Li Shuning nodded, then turned to the Imperial Concubine: "Imperial Concubine, is what Princess Consort Shu said true?"

The Imperial Concubine willingly nodded: "Princess Consort Shu wasn’t wrong, I was in a bad mood, so I approached her for verbal confrontation only. I didn’t lay a hand on Princess Consort Shu. I am aware of the palace rules, why would I break them?"

If there was a probe, the meeting between the Imperial Concubine and Princess Consort Shu could surely be uncovered, so she wouldn’t bother to deny it.

"I wonder why Song Jieyu, Consort Lin, and Jin Changzai thought of going to admire the lotus flowers?"

The mentioned individuals glanced at the Imperial Concubine but did not dare to speak, only shedding pitiful looks with their heads lowered.

Li Shuning, however, already knew what was going on.

The Imperial Concubine dared to act so brazenly, probably well assured that everything was dealt with cleanly.

Li Shuning inwardly scoffed, what a clever maneuver indeed.

"Could we allow the guard to come in, Your Majesty?"

The Emperor glanced at Li Shuning, eyes filled with a hint of tenderness: "Empress, feel free to handle matters as you wish. The inner palace is under your command, decide how you want to deal with this."

Upon hearing these words, the women present immediately raised their heads, naturally seeing the gentle expression on the Emperor’s face.

The Imperial Concubine’s face changed, damned it, what’s so good about the Empress that the Emperor always treats her with such kindness and indulgence?

Clearly a clever two-bird-one-stone strategy, if handled well, the Empress’s culpability wouldn’t escape.

But looking at the situation, the Emperor visibly trusts the Empress.

Princess Consort Shu now found herself rather dazed, feeling quite bitter within. She knew she was ruined, and viewing the Emperor, she realized she was insignificant in his mind. Being touched by a guard hadn’t bothered the Emperor; otherwise, how could he not be angry with the Empress?

Although knowing all this was likely the doing of the Imperial Concubine, her thoughts were beyond her control. She envied, envied the Empress greatly.

Princess Consort Shu suddenly raised her head, knocking her head toward the Emperor, her tear-stained face still carrying some charm.

"Your Majesty, since entering the palace, I dared not make a single mistake. Why is this happening to me? The Empress is in charge of the inner palace, yet a guard appeared, making the Empress suspect. My reputation, everything about me is destroyed. Please, Your Majesty, give me justice."

Li Shuning was astonished, what’s the deal with this drama, everyone knew, yet Princess Consort Shu’s attacking her unexpectedly. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

If the Emperor were the same as before, she’d have to put significant effort into smoothing things over, but now, huh.

Li Shuning smiled, seeming as if she hadn’t heard Princess Consort Shu’s words, and gave orders: "Bring the guard in."

People glanced at the Emperor, finding a smile also on his face, ignoring Princess Consort Shu, focusing solely on the Empress.

In that moment, everyone in the room formed their own ideas.

Promptly, someone went to execute Li Shuning’s orders.

Soon, the guard was brought in.

Zhang Wei knelt on the ground, prepared for death, head lowered, not daring to look at anyone.

"Zi’er, did you complete the task I assigned to you earlier?"

"Empress, it is done. This guard is named Zhang Wei, his wife died long ago, and his son has long been sick. Today, however, his son was taken to an estate, receiving treatment from a renowned doctor."

Zhang Wei felt a chill down his spine. Prepared for death, his doing this was for his son. Unexpectedly, the Empress’s resourceful methods uncovered the details in such a short period. Should any harm befall his son, his actions would be a mere joke.

"Your Majesty, Empress, everything was my fault. Today, while on duty near the lotus pond, I heard cries for help despite the palace wall. In haste, I jumped over and saw two people struggling in the pond. Without much thought, I rescued them. It’s my fault; I accept death, please, Your Majesty, Empress, approve."

Li Shuning suddenly burst into laughter: "Guard Zhang, you indeed deserve death, but not for saving lives, you know why. However, I will not let you die. Guards, Guard Zhang intruded upon the inner palace, frightening Princess Consort Shu, causing her to fall into the pond. Take him away, lock him in the dungeon, and interrogate him slowly."

Tricking others to save one’s child is never a justified reason.

Shortly after Zhang Wei was imprisoned, his son was also taken into the dungeon to stay with him.

Zhang Wei was full of hatred, his son was sickly, could he survive long after being imprisoned?

At this moment, he couldn’t help but regret. Had he ignored the Imperial Concubine’s arrangement, perhaps his son wouldn’t be in trouble. Despite being frail, under his care, he continued to live.

After dealing with Zhang Wei, Li Shuning proceeded to punish the Imperial Concubine.

"The Imperial Concubine’s words and actions are inappropriate, confinement for a month, recite Women’s Precepts twenty times."

"Princess Consort Shu fell ill after falling into the water, from today, rest peacefully, no one should disturb."

After handling matters, Li Shuning left with the Emperor.

Originally, Li Shuning hadn’t intended to deal this way, as Princess Consort Shu was truly a victim. However, seeing Princess Consort Shu knew the truth yet attacked her, she naturally wouldn’t treat her courteously.

She had initially thought to punish the Imperial Concubine further, but seeing Princess Consort Shu this way, why should she bother?

Those concubines quickly left.

The Imperial Concubine hadn’t had the chance to leave.

Princess Consort Shu suddenly laughed aloud: "Imperial Concubine, what a clever strategy, but no matter how shrewd your tactics, the Emperor’s heart is with the Empress. What’s the use of your schemes? Today, you ruined me, tomorrow, my fate will be yours, now go away."

The Imperial Concubine cast a cold glance at Princess Consort Shu, tossed her sleeves, and departed.

Today’s events alarmed her. Since when did the Emperor treat the Empress so kindly?

No, it can’t be, absolutely not, she must grasp firmly; the Emperor can only favor her.

Fortunately, the task of Princess Consort Shu falling into the water was completed, allowing her to receive the reward.

Yet, due to confinement, she can’t see the Emperor for a month, damn it, Empress, one day, one day...