Chapter 78: The Emperor’s Reluctance

In Jingxi Palace.

Shu Fei sat in front of the Buddha statue, tapping the wooden fish with a carefree mind.

“No matter how cunning Ning Wanyin is, she won’t escape this time.” Shu Fei had a smile on her lips:

“It’s truly a case of man proposes, God disposes. I didn’t expect Song Qingzhi to be pregnant, and I didn’t expect her to be so ruthless to herself…”

“It’s a case of harming the enemy a thousand times and hurting oneself ten thousand times.”

If it were a scheme, there might be traces left behind, allowing Ning Wanyin to investigate and uncover the truth.

But Song Qingzhi’s move was unexpected and left no trace.

Even if Ning Wanyin wanted to find evidence, where would she find it?

Although Zhuang Fei was a witness. But Zhuang Fei and Ning Wanyin had a delicate relationship, and the emperor didn’t trust her words.

“This time, Ning Wanyin is doomed. I didn’t expect her to fall for Song Qingzhi’s trick. It seems I underestimated Song Qingzhi before. She seems to be self-righteous and pure like a white lotus, but when she harms others, she can even sacrifice her own child. She’s a ruthless woman.” Shu Fei judged slowly.

She said that Ning Wanyin had enemies all over the palace and wouldn’t live long.

For three consecutive days.

The emperor didn’t come to the harem, and in the court, memorials impeaching Ning Wanyin flew towards the imperial platform like snowflakes.

If it were an ordinary matter, the court wouldn’t dare to discuss the harem.

But harming the royal heir, no one could blame Ning Wanyin.

Helian Qi had the Criminal Investigation Department investigate this case over and over again, but they couldn’t find a second suspect.

The situation in the court couldn’t be delayed any longer.

“Your Majesty, please have some tea—” Wang Degui stepped forward with a teacup.

Helian Qi was quite agitated and pushed away the pile of memorials in front of him. His gaze fell on the sachet hanging from his waist, and he suddenly got up and walked out.

“Your Majesty, where are you going? It’s late at night, be careful where you step…” Wang Degui quickly followed.

The moon was high in the sky.

Helian Qi walked to the gate of Lingsxue Pavilion.

The concubines who were under house arrest, most of the palace maids had been sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the eunuchs guarding the gate were guarding the gate.

The eunuch guarding the gate was about to bow.

Helian Qi waved his hand and walked straight in.

It was autumn, and the lotus pond was left with only withered branches and leaves, a desolate scene.

Lingsxue Pavilion was very quiet.

He walked straight to the inner chamber of Lingsxue Pavilion and saw the young woman sitting in front of a painting, lost in thought.

She was wearing a tea-colored nightgown, her long black hair cascading down, and she looked up at the lotus painting hanging on the wall, quiet like a painting.

Helian Qi felt a strange pang in his heart.

But he felt he shouldn’t feel this way. Ning Wanyin dared to harm the royal heir, she deserved it, how could I be reluctant to let her go…

“Ning Wanyin, do you know your crime?” Helian Qi’s voice was cold.

He was blaming Ning Wanyin.

Blaming her for being ungrateful, blaming her for being stupid and cruel.

Blaming her for making him lose her.

“Your Majesty?” Ning Wanyin turned her head in surprise, looking at him with both surprise and joy, “Your Majesty still comes to see your concubine, which shows that Your Majesty doesn’t believe that your concubine would do such a thing.”

Helian Qi was dazzled by the smile on her face.

He thought that Ning Wanyin would also say why you don’t believe me.

But she was happy and said, I knew you would believe me.

“I only believe in evidence.” Helian Qi’s expression was strangely unnatural.

“Your Majesty believes your concubine, naturally you can help your concubine get the evidence.” Ning Wanyin smiled faintly, not worried at all.

Helian Qi frowned. What did she mean by that? Did she think that…

“I will forge false evidence.”

“After much thought, I have come up with a way to prove my innocence. I have been thinking about this for the past few days, and even if I can prove my innocence, I need Your Majesty’s help. I wondered if Your Majesty would come to see me… Now that Your Majesty has come, I am relieved.” Ning Wanyin’s eyes curved slightly, filled with joy.

Actually, even if Helian Qi hadn’t come today…

She would have requested an audience.

But since the emperor had come, she naturally had to praise him a few more times.

“What plan do you have?” Helian Qi was slightly stunned.

…

The next morning.

Song Qingzhi, who was lying on the sickbed, was summoned to the temple of the God of Agriculture.

“I wonder what Your Majesty has summoned your concubine for?” Song Qingzhi asked in confusion after bowing.

She had been very heartbroken these past few days.

But the good news coming from the court was that Ning Wanyin was bound to die this time.

Helian Qi’s expression was indifferent, and he gestured to the priest beside him.

The priest immediately stepped forward and said:

“Three days ago, Your Highness fell from the high platform, interrupting the grand sacrificial ceremony, and there was blood, which is a great disrespect to the divine spirits. However, this is not Your Highness’s fault, and the divine spirits will not punish Your Highness. But since the incident was caused by Your Highness, please offer incense to the God of Agriculture to apologize. After this, Your Majesty will choose an auspicious time to hold the sacrificial ceremony to the God of Agriculture again.”

Song Qingzhi understood, it was about the sacrificial ceremony.

“Then I wonder how Your Majesty plans to deal with Ning Wanyin?” Song Qingzhi asked.

“I will naturally punish her according to her crime. But before that, the sacrifice to the God of Agriculture concerns the national fortune and cannot be taken lightly. You offer incense first.” Helian Qi said in a deep voice.

Song Qingzhi felt a little relieved. It seemed that the emperor would soon deal with Ning Wanyin…

Wang Degui quickly brought the incense.

Song Qingzhi knelt in front of the statue and recited the words of respect for the gods that the priest had just taught her: “Heaven above, earth below, the divine spirits bear witness, the sacrificial ceremony was interrupted because of the criminal’s attempt to harm this woman. Now, this woman prays to the God of Agriculture, please forgive the Great Yan’s lack of ceremony, and accept the Great Yan’s sacrifice again!”

After speaking, Song Qingzhi kowtowed three times, picked up three incense sticks, and inserted them into the incense burner on the offering table.

But no one expected…

After the three incense sticks were inserted into the incense burner, they all went out.

The priest’s face changed slightly, “This is… the God of Agriculture is unwilling to accept Consort Song’s incense…”

“This can’t be blamed on Consort Song, the divine spirits are angry, but they shouldn’t take it out on Consort Song.” Wang Degui asked in confusion.

Helian Qi was calm, “Perhaps the incense is damp, go and get three more incense sticks.”

Wang Degui quickly went to get more incense.

Song Qingzhi, who hadn’t taken it seriously at first, began to panic.

People in this era revered ghosts and gods, as the saying goes, “There are gods three feet above your head…”

It was fine to lie in everyday life, but to lie when offering incense, it seemed to have angered the divine spirits.

Song Qingzhi’s fingers trembled slightly as she inserted three more incense sticks.

But soon…

The incense went out again.

The priest’s face turned pale, “This… this… this has never happened before! I’ve only read about it in ancient texts, the divine spirits not accepting incense, there are two possibilities. One is that this person is born inauspicious, a person hated by the gods. Two is that they deceive the divine spirits, fool the divine spirits, and the divine spirits do not accept them.”

“Song, did you lie about what you said just now?” A hint of suspicion appeared in Helian Qi’s eyes.

Song Qingzhi quickly denied, “Your concubine did not, every word your concubine said is true.”

“If that’s the case, then it seems you are a person hated by the gods. Heaven has given me a sign, and I cannot go against the divine spirits. From this day forward, you will be banished from the palace and go to Qing Shui Temple to atone for your sins.” Helian Qi said coldly.

Song Qingzhi was stunned, “Your Majesty, your concubine… your concubine…”

“Wang Degui, send her out of the palace immediately. I need to prepare for the sacrificial ceremony again, and I cannot keep a person hated by the gods in the palace.” Helian Qi said.

Song Qingzhi never expected Helian Qi to be so ruthless, but the palace wouldn’t keep a person hated by the gods.

If she was sent out of the palace, her life would be over.

With the sin of being a person hated by the gods, no one would be willing to take her back.

She had to prove that she wasn’t a person hated by the gods!

Song Qingzhi panicked and hurriedly said, “Your concubine is not a person hated by the gods, it was your concubine who lied, your concubine sincerely repents to the God of Agriculture! Please, Your Majesty, don’t send me out of the palace!”