Chapter 79: Song’s Demoted Rank

“What did you say?” Helian Qi stared at Song Qingzhi, his gaze like a torch.

Song Qingzhi stammered. She didn’t want to admit to lying…

But she didn’t want to be sent out of the palace either.

Admitting to deceiving the divine spirits was better than being driven out as a person hated by the gods.

“Your concubine… your concubine’s previous words were not true. It was your concubine who fell down the steps, causing the interruption of the sacrificial ceremony. It was all your concubine’s fault!” Song Qingzhi kowtowed deeply to Helian Qi and then to the statue:

“This woman sincerely repents to the God of Agriculture! Please forgive her.”

She was forced to admit that she had fallen.

To avoid the incense not lighting and being driven out of the palace as a person hated by the gods.

Helian Qi’s eyes were icy cold, “You dared to harm even the dragon fetus to frame others…”

“Your concubine didn’t know she was pregnant… Your concubine truly didn’t expect this consequence…” Song Qingzhi said with remorse.

Didn’t know she was pregnant?

Then everything made sense.

Helian Qi finally understood and was furious:

“Song has harmed others and herself. She is demoted to the rank of  Xuan Shi, confined for a month, and will copy scriptures to reflect.”

The lowest rank of concubine was Xuan Shi, but noble women from the draft would enter the palace at the lowest rank of Bao Lin.

Only palace maids and commoner women who were favored would start as Xuan Shi.

Helian Qi was clearly furious with her and didn’t give Song Qingzhi any face.

But according to the emperor’s temperament, he didn’t send her to the cold palace, which was already giving Song’s family face.

Song Qingzhi’s face turned pale, “Your Majesty…”

Helian Qi ignored her and instructed Wang Degui:

“The four concubines who gave false testimony for Song. All of them will be sent to the cold palace.”

After speaking, he turned and walked out of the temple.

Wang Degui was stunned by this scene and quickly accepted the order, “This servant obeys!”

“Your Majesty…” Song Qingzhi wanted to chase after him to plead.

Wang Degui stopped her, “Xuan Shi Song, His Majesty has ordered you to return to the palace and be confined. The others have all been sent to the cold palace, His Majesty has already shown you mercy, don’t go and anger His Majesty again…”

Song Qingzhi’s eyes were filled with dejection and resentment. How heartless His Majesty is to her!

He misunderstood her as a person hated by the gods and was going to send her out of the palace without a second thought.

If it weren’t for that, why would she be forced to admit to lying.

…

Helian Qi arrived at Lingsxue Pavilion.

He was in a very low mood all the way, filled with anger at being fooled by Song, frustration at his misjudgment, sadness at losing the royal heir, and a faint sense of guilt.

If it weren’t for Ning Wanyin’s suggestion, he would have misunderstood and sent her to the cold palace.

She worked hard for him, all she wanted was to be by his side, but he had no trust for such a woman who was full of him, only ruthlessness.

Guilt was a weak emotion, as an emperor, he shouldn’t be weak.

Helian Qi suppressed all the emotions in his heart.

When he entered Lingsxue Pavilion, he was expressionless, unable to discern joy or anger.

The young woman was still sitting in front of the painting, quietly waiting for him.

“Your concubine greets Your Majesty.” Ning Wanyin got up to greet him, getting straight to the point, “I wonder how Your Majesty has dealt with Consort Song?”

Helian Qi raised his eyebrows slightly, “You already guessed what happened?”

“Of course. She knows best what I didn’t do. The incense not lighting, no one would think that you did it, she could only suspect that it was because she lied.” Ning Wanyin said frankly,

She looked at him frankly:

“With the divine spirits above, she dare not fabricate another lie. Thank you, Your Majesty, for clearing my name!”

Helian Qi’s expression was a little unnatural, “This is your own merit.”

“If Your Majesty hadn’t believed that I was wronged, you wouldn’t have gone to trick Consort Song. You would have thought I was talking nonsense and directly given me the death penalty. I was able to clear my name thanks to Your Majesty’s trust.” Ning Wanyin’s almond-shaped eyes were bright, the light in her eyes was dazzling, like stars in the night sky.

Helian Qi was startled. She actually thought… that I believed her.

He went to trick Song only because it was a simple matter to verify the truth. Before tricking Song, he didn’t believe Ning Wanyin’s words.

But hearing Ning Wanyin say this, he felt that he actually had something special for Ning Wanyin, so he was willing to investigate.

He didn’t realize that this little woman had gained a little weight in his heart.

“I demoted her to Xuan Shi, and those who fabricated false evidence against you were all sent to the cold palace.” Helian Qi couldn’t reveal his thoughts to a concubine, so he turned to talk about the results of the punishment.

The mastermind behind the framing was only demoted, while those who fabricated false evidence were all sent to the cold palace, because the former was surnamed Song, while the latter were from the Xue and Cen families.

The emperor was ruthless in punishing outsiders whenever he found a reason.

Ning Wanyin’s mind turned, and she understood the reason behind this, she smiled faintly, “Your concubine was very angry at first, but Your Majesty has avenged me, so your concubine will not hold it against Xuan Shi Song.”

“You are always sensible. You have been wronged this time…” Helian Qi was very satisfied with her understanding of the situation and didn’t press her on why Song Qingzhi wasn’t sent to the cold palace.

He decided to give her more rewards to comfort her and compensate her.

“With Your Majesty’s protection, your concubine has no grievances. Your Majesty, please take good care of your health, don’t let your sadness affect your body, please put your health first.” Ning Wanyin looked at him earnestly, her beautiful eyes gentle.

Helian Qi was startled.

Everyone cared about the final outcome, no one comforted him. As an emperor, he didn’t really need comfort.

But at this moment, the guilt in his heart grew a little stronger.

“I’m fine.” Helian Qi looked at her, his expression as calm as ever, “I still have memorials to review, I’ll go first.”

“See Your Majesty off.” Ning Wanyin bowed.

After Helian Qi left, the confinement of Lingsxue Pavilion was lifted, and the palace maids who had been sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs all came back to serve.

Soon, Wang Degui led people carrying boxes and boxes of sandalwood gift boxes.

They were all gifts from the emperor, all precious gold, jade, jewelry, and ornaments.

Ning Wanyin, as usual, rewarded the people in the pavilion, and everyone was overjoyed.

“Master, you have finally cleared your name! This servant was so worried…” Lianrui’s face was full of relief after a near-death experience, “Fortunately, His Majesty still believes you…”

Ning Wanyin smiled without saying anything. Those were just polite words, she knew very well that the emperor didn’t believe her.

It was just that there was no need to expose the emperor’s ruthlessness.

Questioning and complaining would only lead to worse results. Finding evidence was the most important thing.

She still needed to ask the emperor to cooperate with her to trick Song Qingzhi, so she had to speak to him politely and kindly.

As for the emperor not believing her? That was normal, she didn’t believe the emperor either.

In this world, those who trust easily die the fastest.

Xiao Guizi came in quickly to report, “Master, Mei Ren Tang and Mei Ren Ying are here to see you!”

Ning Wanyin was about to tell them something.

She immediately said, “Please ask them to go to the flower hall, Lianrui, pick two of the best things His Majesty just gave us and give them to them.”

“Yes.”