Chapter 82

Lin Jiaojiao learned her lesson this time; she knew she shouldn't provoke the mistresses of the inner palace.

Moreover, these two inner palace mistresses were followed by a dozen eunuchs and palace maids, each carrying lanterns painted with exquisite patterns, capable of illuminating a radius of ten zhang!

This display was far grander than that of Imperial Concubine Hui last time!!

Holding Zhu Geer, she bowed to them, "Commoner Lin Jiaojiao and Zhu Geer pay our respects to the two Niangniangs. May you enjoy ten thousand blessings and golden peace."

At the same time, Qingdai hurried out of the room, and as she passed the short servant who had fainted on the ground, she couldn't help but give him a hard kick!

After she walked out, she pulled Guo Shi to kneel on the ground and pay respects to the two imperial concubines.

"This servant and commoner Guo Shi pay our respects to Imperial Concubine Ning and Imperial Yu Fei. May both mistresses enjoy ten thousand blessings and golden peace."

Guo Shi wanted to lift her head to look at the two concubines, but when she caught a glimpse of Qingdai out of the corner of her eye and saw that she hadn't lifted her head or stood up, she followed suit and kept her eyes on the stone tiles on the ground.

She sighed inwardly: the rules in this palace are truly numerous!

For Guo Shi, being able to enter the palace and catch a glimpse of the concubines' beautiful faces was a stroke of luck that couldn't be topped!

She mimicked Qingdai's posture, performing the rites properly and not daring to overstep a single inch, fearing she might bring a death sentence upon herself!

Lin Jiaojiao lowered her eyes slightly; having kept Qingdai by her side during these past few days at Anshou Hall, she had learned the rules of the inner palace.

Furthermore, a while ago, Qingdai had already explained the general situation of the inner palace to her.

She was clear that although Imperial Concubine Ning was not the Empress, even after being demoted in rank, she remained the one with the highest status, simply because she had given birth to the Emperor's only heir: the current Crown Prince!

"Rise," Imperial Concubine Ning said, ordering the head palace maid behind her to bring the lantern over, using the candlelight to illuminate the fat man.

He looked utterly defeated, the fat on his face sweaty and greasy, streaked with black and white, and marked with some bruises and swelling.

His pair of greasy, thick lips were wailing in pain, his casual clothes embroidered with auspicious patterns were burned beyond recognition, revealing the scorched skin underneath.

That greasy hair hung limp against his face, dripping water, his clothes soaked through, and there was a large puddle of water on the ground.

In addition, the courtyard was filled with the smell of scorched objects.

Imperial Concubine Ning was as beautiful as a lotus rising from the water, and even though her nature was quiet and indifferent, she could not hide the shock on her face upon seeing the fat man.

"Qin Liuye, why are you here?"

Beside her, Imperial Yu Fei's expression froze; this was not the scene she had expected!

Imperial Yu Fei had summoned people to Qingju Pavilion in the middle of the night, originally intending to catch them in bed, but upon entering, she found this scene of chaos!

Imperial Concubine Ning furrowed her willow-leaf brows and turned her gaze to Lin Jiaojiao, who was holding Zhu Geer.

The moment she saw Lin Jiaojiao, she was secretly astonished: she looked like her, truly like her, so very like her!

This appearance, this figure, were nine parts similar to Rou Ti, whom she had seen before!

Back when the Emperor was still the Crown Prince, he had poured all his love onto Rou Ti; Imperial Concubine Ning was just a lowly female official then, and she had envied Rou Ti greatly because she could receive so much of the Crown Prince's favor.

No wonder the Emperor wanted to settle this woman in the palace after seeing her!

Even if this woman's face was damaged, it could not hide her beauty!

Because as long as the scars healed, this face could still catch the Emperor's eye! And win his favor!

However... the more she looked, the more she realized there were obvious differences between Lin Jiaojiao and Rou Ti.

Because she had long heard of Lin Jiaojiao's "exploits."

After the palace search, the demotion in rank, and the division of the inner palace's jurisdiction that day, Imperial Concubine Ning had sent people to keep a close eye on Lin Jiaojiao's movements.

She had a clear head and would not go knocking on doors to invite trouble like Imperial Concubine Hui, and she also knew the Emperor searched the palace not because of Lin Jiaojiao, but because there was an aphrodisiac in the food.

Plus, that very night, Lin Jiaojiao and her maid Qingdai were both taken to Anshou Hall, so she had never seen Lin Jiaojiao in person.

And now, she had finally seen her.

But tonight, Imperial Yu Fei had suddenly visited Yonghe Palace, saying there were rumors among the servants that someone at Qingju Pavilion was defiling the inner palace, and that they must investigate immediately and catch them in the act.

She had just removed her makeup and was preparing to sleep when she was urged by Imperial Yu Fei to come and catch the adulterers.

But before her, where was the scene of adultery?

It looked more like Qin Liuye had tried to steal a chicken and lose the rice, only to be subjected to a severe round of torture instead!

Imperial Concubine Ning frowned slightly and asked the three of them, "What exactly is going on here?"

"Reporting to Imperial Concubine Ning—" Qingdai was about to speak, but was interrupted by Imperial Concubine Ning, "You hold your tongue for now; let your mistress speak."

"Yes, Imperial Concubine Ning." Lin Jiaojiao bowed again.

She handed the lulled Zhu Geer to Guo Shi, "Niangniang, tonight after we finished dinner and prepared to rest, we heard strange noises coming from inside the room."

Lin Jiaojiao gathered her emotions, showing a look of panic and fear, and pointed at Qin Liuye, saying, "As soon as I heard the noise wasn't right, I thought a thief had snuck in!"

"Who is a thief?!" Upon hearing someone call him a thief, Qin Liuye retorted.

Who knew Lin Jiaojiao would immediately argue back: "If you aren't a thief, then what are you! Who would sneak into someone's boudoir in the middle of the night?"

At this, Qin Liuye fell silent; he was racking his brains for an excuse to exonerate himself, but the burns on his body were agonizing, making it hard for him to keep a clear head.

"Yes, yes, yes," Guo Shi chimed in. Seeing Imperial Concubine Ning and Imperial Yu Fei both frowning, she hurriedly explained, "Two Niangniangs, I am the child's wet nurse. When the child was sleeping, I also heard the noise!"

Lin Jiaojiao followed Guo Shi's lead, brewing up a sense of fear and trepidation, and continued, "The child is young, and I was truly worried that the two thieves would hurt the child, so I fought back!"

As she spoke, she lowered her head again.

"Yes, yes!" Guo Shi replied repeatedly, lifting Zhu Geer up to show him before Imperial Concubine Ning and Imperial Yu Fei.

Imperial Yu Fei didn't even glance at the child; what was there to see in a child?!

Thinking of Song Shijie wanting to marry this woman and even adopt her child under his name, she felt extremely annoyed and turned her face away.

The sleeping Zhu Geer seemed to sense her dissatisfaction, knitting his little brows and whimpering twice.

Imperial Concubine Ning, however, saw the tear stains still on Zhu Geer's face and couldn't help but feel a trace of pity.

Guo Shi was good at observing changes in expression, so she struck while the iron was hot and complained to Imperial Concubine Ning: "This thief even woke the child! When the two Niangniangs came over, you must have heard the child crying and followed the sound!"

Hearing this, Qin Liuye immediately retorted, "Who touched your child! That child cries like a yaksha, with a voice loud as a thief! You scared me so much I almost thought it was an infant spirit haunting the place!"