Chapter 100: The Funeral Oration Goes Wrong

The Immortal Palace.

The concubines, in order of their rank, went one by one to pay their respects to the late Empress Dowager.

Lady Zhuang was still under house arrest, Lady Shun and Lady Wen were pregnant, and all the other concubines were present.

Every four concubines formed a group, and after paying their respects, they knelt on either side of the spirit tablet. According to the rules, after paying their respects, they had to kneel and recite scriptures for the late Empress Dowager until sunset.

When Lianrui set up the brazier she had brought with her…

The entire hall fell silent.

But who could stop Ning Wanyin from showing her special concern for the late Empress Dowager?

Ning Wanyin’s tribute went smoothly, without any incident.

Soon.

It was Tang Meiren’s group’s turn.

The four of them offered incense, knelt before the cushions, and placed the funeral orations into the braziers in front of them to burn.

“Wait!” The official presiding over the ceremony suddenly snatched a funeral oration from one of the braziers:

“This funeral oration is wrong!”

He examined it carefully, his face changing instantly, “It’s all curses! How dare you curse Empress Dowager Zhao Ci!”

The hall was silent.

Everyone looked at the concubine beside Tang Meiren – Lady Feng.

This funeral oration was brought by her.

Lady Feng was a new concubine who entered the palace this year.

She came from a Duke’s family, and her family had been under the banner of the Xue party since the founding of the country.

With the support of the Xue family, they had been prospering in recent years.

Lady Feng’s elder sister had married the Prince Yu as a side concubine, and among all the Duke’s families, the Feng family was extremely prosperous.

The 21st generation of the Duke of Dayan, roughly speaking, could be divided into two categories. One was like the Ning family, who had no backing, only a title, no power or influence. The other was those with the backing of the Xue and Cen families, who were rich and prosperous.

A Duke’s daughter like Lady Feng, who was sought after by everyone outside, was naturally not someone the Emperor could raise to a high position in his eyes.

Therefore, since she entered the palace, she had not attracted much attention.

“I didn’t…” Lady Feng’s face turned pale instantly.

Lady Shu, as the organizer of this ceremony, was the first to rise from the cushion, walked to the official, picked up the funeral oration and examined it carefully, looking at Lady Feng with surprise:

“Why would you curse Empress Dowager Zhao Ci?”

“I didn’t. Someone is framing me!” Lady Feng looked flustered.

She had no idea that among this stack of funeral orations, there was a piece that cursed the late Empress Dowager.

Lady Shu looked solemn: “Lady Feng, if you were truly framed, the Department of Justice will surely clear your name. Someone, go and invite the Chief Eunuch of Punishment!”

Soon, Chief Eunuch Wu Mi of the Department of Punishment rushed over.

After some questioning.

No suspicious person was found.

Because the concubines’ funeral orations were all prepared by themselves, it was difficult to shift the blame to others.

“Since this is the case, this concubine can only hand Lady Feng over to the Department of Justice and ask His Majesty to deal with it.” Lady Shu looked distressed.

Lady Feng hurriedly looked at Xue Jin’yan, “I’m innocent…”

Xue Jin’yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. Who would be stupid enough to curse the Empress Dowager in public? Lady Feng was clearly framed.

But she was caught red-handed…

There was no evidence to help her clear her name.

And the Emperor, seizing this opportunity to deal with the Xue party, would surely take advantage of the situation…

“Lady Feng, come with this concubine to see His Majesty.” Lady Shu looked at Lady Feng.

Lady Feng naturally didn’t want to go.

But there was no way…

The eunuchs of the Department of Justice escorted her left and right, taking her to the Qianxin Palace.

This incident scared the concubines.

Many of them were so frightened that they immediately went to…

She checked her own funeral oration…

Not long after.

Lady Shu returned alone, and the Emperor’s decision on Lady Feng’s punishment was passed back to the palace.

For cursing the Empress Dowager, she was sent to the Cold Palace.

…

After the concubines offered incense and paid their respects.

It was the turn of the imperial relatives to pay their respects.

They did not enter the Immortal Palace, but according to the ritual, they only offered incense and paid their respects at the incense burner outside the Immortal Palace.

Neither of the two princes came in person, they only sent their princesses. However, most of the dukes were respectful and came in person to pay their respects…

After a busy day.

It was not until dusk that the concubines left the Immortal Palace one after another.

Tang Miaoling’s legs were numb from kneeling.

Cui Ping and Xiao Qingzi supported her on either side, allowing her to move with difficulty, so that she wouldn’t fall to the ground.

At this time…

Who wouldn’t envy the concubines with palanquins?

They were carried back in palanquins.

In the palace, without status or favor, life was spent being inferior to others and facing difficulties everywhere.

However, Tang Miaoling had no intention of vying for favor…

“Today was really scary!” Tang Miaoling patted her chest:

“This Lady Feng was quite arrogant before, and now she’s gone…”

Although she was from a Marquis’ family, she dared not offend this Duke’s daughter who had a powerful backing.

Unexpectedly…

This Lady Feng was sent to the Cold Palace in the blink of an eye.

“Don’t worry, Master, this servant checked your funeral oration several times.” Xiao Qingzi quickly said.

The three of them chatted as they walked onto the arch bridge outside the Immortal Palace.

Suddenly, without warning –

“Bang!” A figure suddenly bumped into them from behind.

Tang Miaoling almost fell off the bridge, but luckily Xiao Qingzi had some martial arts skills and was always vigilant, he held Tang Miaoling tightly and managed to catch her…

But the three of them fell to the ground, tumbling into a heap.

“It hurts, it hurts…” Tang Miaoling’s ankle made a cracking sound, and the pain made her cry tears.

“Oh, I’m so sorry…” Lady Zhu, who had bumped into her, looked apologetic, “This concubine was careless just now and accidentally bumped into Lady Tang. Are you alright, Lady Tang?”

Xue Jin’yan stepped forward, looking down at Tang Miaoling with a smile that wasn’t a smile, “Are you alright?”

Tang Miaoling wanted to curse, but when she met Xue Jin’yan’s gaze, she instantly cowered and said weakly, “I’m fine…”

The concubines left according to their rank.

Only a group of concubines with lower ranks than beauties remained.

Her cousin wasn’t here, how dare she be arrogant in front of Xue Jin’yan.

“Since you’re fine, why don’t you get up quickly? You’re blocking the way for others.” Xue Jin’yan said coldly.

Tang Miaoling endured the excruciating pain in her ankle and, with the support of Cui Ping and Xiao Qingzi, limped out.

“You were supposed to push her into the pond, how could you make a mistake…” Lady Shi complained dissatisfied.

Lady Zhu quickly apologized to Xue Jin’yan, “This concubine is incompetent and failed to avenge Lady Feng!”

Among the four in Lady Feng’s group, besides Tang Miaoling, the other two were from the Xue party, namely Lady Shi and Lady Zhu.

Xue Jin’yan pondered for a moment, Tang Miaoling had been standing next to Lady Feng just now, and only she had the opportunity to frame Lady Feng.

“After Ning Wanyin falls, she’ll be taken care of.” Xue Jin’yan looked at Tang Miaoling’s retreating figure, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

She didn’t take Tang Miaoling seriously at all.

She just dealt with her casually.

This was the outer hall of the Immortal Palace, and there were many imperial relatives nearby.

If Tang Miaoling had fallen into the pond, in front of all these people, she wouldn’t have survived.

Since it didn’t happen, it didn’t matter.

Anyway, after Ning Wanyin was gone, Tang Miaoling wouldn’t be able to jump around for long.

The news from the Immortal Palace reached the Cining Palace.

Liu Zhen reported the ins and outs of the matter, saying:

“Lady Xue sent someone to bump into Tang Miaoling, and Tang Miaoling didn’t dare to argue with Lady Xue…”

A hint of contemplation flashed in Empress Dowager Xue’s eyes, “This old woman remembers that Lady Feng’s elder sister is Prince Yu’s side concubine, and the Feng family is highly valued by Prince Yu.”

“Your Majesty has a good memory!” Liu Zhen nodded repeatedly.

“Then the person who did it today might not be Ning Wanyin. It could also be Lady Shu.” Empress Dowager Xue looked at Liu Zhen and said:

“Give Yan’er a reminder, be wary of Lady Shu, she’s not a simple person.”