sjar Chapter 362: Counterattack Plum Blossom Banquet
Chapter 362: Counterattack Plum Blossom Banquet
Looking at the back of Concubine Su as she left with the cat, Shi Nanxi's expression darkened. Nanny Yang, who had been silent all the time, also looked serious.
Hongying carried Xixi into the pavilion and saw this scene. She couldn't help but look confused.
"My Lady, Madam Yang, what's wrong with you?"
Shi Nanxi tapped the railing with her knuckles without saying anything. Nanny Yang also frowned and did not answer Hongying. Instead, she said to her master in a serious tone:
"Your Majesty, there is something else that Noble Su said just now."
Shi Nanxi's hand that was knocking on the railing suddenly stopped and said lightly:
"I heard it."
Hongying held Xixi in her arms, looking at the Empress and then at Nanny Yang. She was a little confused, but she knew it was related to Concubine Su, so she tried to guess.
"Could it be that Concubine Su just tried to get close to the Empress and wanted to join you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Shi Nanxi and Nanny Yang both looked at Hongying.
Hongying felt frightened by being looked at, she shrank her neck and whispered:
"My lady, why are you looking at me like this? Did I say something wrong? Actually..."
"You're right." Shi Nanxi suddenly chuckled and stretched out her hand. Seeing this, Hongying quickly handed Xixi over, still muttering softly:
"I am just guessing, so the noble lady Su is...wait..."
Just as she handed the heavy Xixi to the empress, Hongying finally reacted. She widened her eyes and opened her mouth in astonishment, saying:
"No way, what I said was right. Oh my god, that Concubine Su really wants to surrender to the Empress. I am too amazing. What I say is true. This is not right..."
Hongying was surprised and excited, but soon she thought of something and her expression changed drastically.
"No, Noble Lady Su has lived in Yongshou Palace for many years. She is a lackey of the main concubine, Noble Consort Niuhulu. How could she suddenly surrender to the Empress? Is there any conspiracy? For example, pretending to surrender to the Empress, and then betraying her after gaining her trust?"
It has to be said that after experiencing so much, Hongying has started to believe in conspiracy theories about everything, but what she said does have some possibility.
It is also possible that Noble Lady Su was under the order of Noble Concubine Nianhulu to pretend to surrender, and the two of them put on a show for her, so it is better to believe it than not.
Shi Nanxi traced Xixi's back, a sharp and cold light flashed in her eyes. At this time, Nanny Yang leaned close to Hongying's ear.
Hongying's expression changed again after hearing this. She took a deep breath, looked around, and lowered her voice and said:
"Your Majesty, since Concubine Su dared to say that, she must have a basis for it. We have to be on guard. But who wants to use a cat to murder you, or is it trying to disfigure you? Also, is the other party planning to use Xixi or someone else's cat? Where will they do it, and when will they act?"
Hongying became more and more worried as she spoke. The enemy was in the dark while they were in the light. Even if they knew that someone was trying to murder the empress through the cat, it would be difficult to prevent it.
Shi Nanxi finally spoke at this time, she was as calm and steady as ever.
"Don't panic. Since we already know that someone wants to use the cat to murder me and disfigure me, we are prepared. And I probably know who wants to harm me."
Nanny Yang also had an idea in her mind. Hongying's expression tensed and she looked at the Empress.
"My lady, who wants to harm you?"
Shi Nanxi lowered her eyes and scratched Xixi's chin. Seeing it close its cat eyes comfortably, she uttered a name in a calm tone.
"Noble Concubine Niuhulu."
Hongying suddenly realized and then slapped her head heavily.
Yes, Noble Lady Su lived in Yongshou Palace and was Noble Concubine Niuhulu's person. It was normal for her to know something about what Noble Concubine Niuhulu wanted to do.
Then he lowered his voice and cursed through gnashing teeth:
"What a good Concubine Niuhulu. She has plotted against Your Majesty time and again, but Your Majesty has not taken it seriously. Instead, she has become more and more arrogant and has lost her sense of propriety. Your Majesty, we must teach Concubine Niuhulu a lesson this time."
He actually wanted to use a cat to ruin the Empress's face. How vicious.
Shi Nanxi hugged Xixi and advised in a gentle tone:
"Okay, there's no need to be angry. A conspiracy known in advance is no longer a conspiracy. Use it well and fight back. That's called karma."
After she finished speaking, a soft smile appeared on her face, but it made people shudder.
When Shi Nanxi and his servant returned to Chuxiu Palace, Xiao Ruzi walked in holding an exquisite post.
"Your Majesty, you were not here just now. Concubine Niuhulu sent someone to deliver a plum blossom viewing invitation, inviting you to view the plum blossoms at Yimei Garden in three days. She also said that you can bring your pets with you, and that she has prepared a lot of winter pet clothes for everyone."
Shi Nanxi, his master and his servant looked at each other and said in unison: It is indeed Concubine Niu Hulu.
"Bring the post here." Shi Nanxi said with lowered eyes.
Xiao Ruzi handed the post to the empress.
Shi Nanxi took the post and saw that it had an exquisite appearance and was inlaid with gold all around. It looked very precious. After opening it, she could even smell a faint scent of plum blossoms.
She sneered. There were a few plum blossoms in the corner, blooming alone in the cold. Such noble and unyielding plum blossoms were used by Concubine Niuhulu as an excuse to murder her. It was really an insult to the plum blossoms. She raised her hand and threw the post on the table.
The air suddenly became cold.
Xiao Ruzi did not go to the Imperial Garden with her children, so she didn't know what happened, but judging from the Empress's reaction, it was obvious that something had happened that made her very angry.
So he tried:
"My queen, if you don't want to attend the Plum Blossom Banquet, we can just find an excuse not to go. No one in this palace dares to say anything."
Shi Nanxi smiled when she heard this.
"Go, why not? I still want to take Xixi with me. Xiao Ruzi, come here."
Xiao Ruzi stepped forward, and Shi Nanxi whispered something in his ear. After listening, Xiao Ruzi immediately bowed and said:
"Don't worry, Madam. I will investigate right away. Whoever did it will suffer the consequences."
There was a gleam of cruelty in his eyes.
Shi Nanxi raised the corners of her mouth.
……
Three days later, the Plum Blossom Banquet was held in the Plum Garden, which was the largest plum garden in the imperial palace. It was right after a snowfall, and the plum blossoms were blooming even more beautifully.
In addition to Shi Nanxi, the four concubines and the concubines with children, Wupin, Chengpin, Bupin, etc., who were invited today, the other noble ladies were often not invited, and only the noble lady Su who lived in Yongshou Palace was there to accompany them.
In the pavilion, there is an arc-shaped seat with railings on each side, and a stone table in the middle, on which are placed tea, snacks, fruits and other snacks.
Imperial Concubine Niuhulu sat in the main seat, wearing a Manchu dress with a fur collar and a plum blossom pattern, and a plum blossom and butterfly hairpin on her head, which looked very appropriate for the occasion.
At this time, all the concubines who received the invitation except Shi Nanxi arrived, and Concubine Niuhulu greeted them with a smile.
"It's still the Imperial Concubine Niuhulu who is enjoying herself. It's really a special experience to find a place to appreciate plum blossoms!"
The one who was speaking was Concubine Rong. She brought her beloved dog, the Pekingese, today and was holding the dog in her arms while admiring the plum blossoms.
Concubine Niuhulu sat upright on the chair with a smile on her face.
"As long as Sister Rongfei likes it, it's good. Staying cooped up in the house all the time is not good for your health. It's the best of both worlds to come out and exercise while enjoying the flowers."
Rong Fei smiled and nodded. At this time, Xi Fei, who was playing with the parrot, asked casually:
"Speaking of which, Sister Imperial Concubine specifically mentioned bringing a pet here, but why don't I see your beloved cat here?"
Hearing this, Concubine Nianhulu paused slightly and was about to speak when she was interrupted by a report.
"Empress Xian has arrived."