CH 51.1

Liao Qing Qing said, “Replying to Your Majesty, this imperial concubine[1] would like to ask some questions to the witnesses at the scene.”

Emperor Jing Li asked, “How are you going to question them?”

“This imperial concubine would like to borrow Noble Consort Liang’s side hall for a while.”

“I[2] will allow that.”

“And—”

“And what?”

“And I would like to ask Noble Consort Liang and Empress Dowager to be present.”

Emperor Jing Li’s eyes darted to the side towards Noble Consort Liang. He said, “Granted.”

Liao Qing Qing bowed in accordance with the rules to Emperor Jing Li. Then, she bowed to Empress Dowager and Noble Consort Liang. She walked up to Empress Dowager and said, “Empress Dowager, this imperial concubine will support you to the side hall.”

Empress Dowager nodded her head.

Liao Qing Qing and Empress Dowager entered the side hall.

Noble Consort Liang followed behind them.

Worthy Consort and the others appeared puzzled. They didn’t know what Liao Qing Qing was up to, but she was convinced that her scheme was so seamless that there was no way Liao Qing Qing could find anything wrong no matter what she would do.

After all, all the witnesses were her people, except for He Xiang.

Therefore, Worthy Consort remained in the hall.

Without Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, who was an eyesore, and Noble Consort Liang, she was the only person who had the most power in the hall. Her eyes couldn’t help but drift towards Emperor Jing Li.

It had been a long time since she had seen Emperor Jing Li after Magistrate Liao was framed. He seemed even more handsome than before, the most dashing man she had ever seen. With one glance, her heart longed for him.

She knew that her family background was not comparable to Noble Consort Liang’s.

She did not aspire to be an Empress.

She just wanted to be an Imperial Noble Consort and be by Emperor Jing Li’s side.

At this moment, this was her chance since Noble Consort Liang and Lady Xi of Bright Countenance were not around. She subconsciously straightened her back, lifted her head ornaments, and tugged at her dress. Regret loomed over her. I would have dressed better if I had known I would be spending time with His Majesty. Forget it. The other parts of me look rather pretty.

She pursed her lips, looked up at Emperor Jing Li, and called out softly, “Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing Li was fiddling with the lid of his teacup and the slightly green floating leaves in it. When he heard this, he looked towards Worthy Consort.

Worthy Consort could not open her mouth and seduce Emperor Jing Li. She had no choice but to find an entry point and said, “Elder Sister, Noble Consort, and Younger Sister, Lady of Bright Countenance, have been in the side hall for so long with Empress Dowager. They have not come out yet. I wonder what they are talking about.”

“Of course, they are talking about how you falsely accused Lady Xi of Bright Countenance.”

One sentence shattered that bit of yearning for Emperor Jing Li in Worthy Consort’s heart. Worthy Consort immediately explained, “Your Majesty, this concubine[3] and the others personally witnessed it.”

Emperor Jing Li slightly lowered his head to take a sip of tea with knitted brows.

This tea is really astringent.

It isn’t as good as Qing Qing’s tea.

Emperor Jing Li disdainfully put down the teacup, ignored Worthy Consort, and looked towards the side hall.

When she saw Emperor Jing Li’s attitude, Worthy Consort secretly gritted her teeth and hated Liao Qing Qing. She believed she had an exceptional appearance, figure, and personality. However, she was not as good at seducing people as Liao Qing Qing; only Liao Qing Qing could do that.

But it doesn’t matter. From today onwards, Liao Qing Qing will gradually fall out of favour.

Emperor Jing Li will definitely pay attention to her when the time comes.

With this thought in mind, she felt more at ease.

From the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of Chang Momo coming out of the side hall and summoning Lady Li of Fragrant Ceremony into the side hall.

In a short while, Lady Li of Fragrant Ceremony came out.

Noble Consort Liang’s senior palace maid was also summoned to enter the side hall.

They entered one after another.

Every person took less than the time required for half an incense stick to burn. (2.5 minutes)[4]

Worthy Consort did not know what Liao Qing Qing was up to. She could vaguely see some guilt in the faces of Lady Li of Fragrant Ceremony and the others. She attempted to ask Lady Li of Fragrant Ceremony and the others about the situation several times, but she was prevented from doing so because of Emperor Jing Li’s presence.

She could not help but feel a little anxious.

Liao Qing Qing couldn’t have found evidence, could she?

Impossible!

In order to frame Liao Qing Qing, she had cleared the space. Other than Liao Qing Qing and He Xiang, everyone else is her and Noble Consort Liang’s people. It is impossible to leave any evidence.

She collected herself.

But as the palace maids entered and exited from the side hall one by one.

Thoughts in her head started to swirl again.

Why didn’t Liao Qing Qing call her to enter the side hall?

What kind of questions did Liao Qing Qing ask?

She subconsciously looked at Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li forbade anyone to whisper. It was as if they were successful candidates in the imperial provincial examination since they were under the supervision of Fu Sheng and the others. She felt a little uneasy. Just then, Empress Dowager came out with the support of Liao Qing Qing, followed by Noble Consort Liang.

Noble Consort Liang lowered her head slightly, and her face was pale.

Worthy Consort was even more puzzled.

When Emperor Jing Li saw Liao Qing Qing and Empress Dowager come out, he asked, “Have you finished questioning them?”

Liao Qing Qing said, “Replying to Your Majesty, I’ve finished questioning them.”

Empress Dowager nodded and sat down next to Emperor Jing Li. She ordered someone to help Noble Consort Liang to take a seat.

Liao Qing Qing stood next to Empress Dowager and said to Emperor Jing Li, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine has finished questioning the others. Now, I would like to hear what Elder Sister, Worthy Consort, has to say.”

Emperor Jing Li nodded and said, “Go ahead.”

“Yes.” Liao Qing Qing calmly looked at Worthy Consort and said, “Your Highness, Worthy Consort, this imperial concubine wants to ask you a few questions.”

Initially, Worthy Consort wanted to retort. After all, she was of a greater rank than Liao Qing Qing and had the qualifications, but the Emperor and Empress Dowager were present. So she did not dare to act rashly and replied, “Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, there is no need to be polite. Just ask any questions you have.”

Liao Qing Qing questioned, “Just now, Your Highness, Worthy Consort, said that you’ve seen this imperial concubine pushing Noble Consort Liang. I wonder if Your Highness Worthy Consort saw it clearly?”

“Of course, I saw it clearly.”

“Then how did this imperial concubine push her?”

“With your hands?”

“Did this imperial concubine push her? Or did this imperial concubine and He Xiang push her together?”

Worthy Consort was dumbfounded. She suddenly understood somewhat the intent of Liao Qing Qing’s inquiry.

Liao Qing Qing called out, “Your Highness, Worthy Consort.”

Worthy Consort returned to her senses.

Liao Qing Qing repeated her question, “May I ask Your Highness, Worthy Consort, did this imperial concubine push Noble Consort Liang by herself or did she do it together with He Xiang?”

Worthy Consort subconsciously looked at the others.

The others all hung their heads, not daring to lift them up.

Worthy Consort gazed towards Noble Consort Liang.

Noble Consort Liang’s face was taut.

“Worthy Consort!” Emperor Jing Li bellowed. “Did Lady Xi of Bright Countenance push Noble Consort Liang by herself, or did she do it together with He Xiang?”

Worthy Consort’s heart trembled at the sight of Emperor Jing Li’s sharp gaze. She said in a daze, “Yes, yes, yes. She pushed it together with He Xiang.”

Emperor Jing Li looked towards Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing continued to question, “May I ask Your Highness, Worthy Consort, how did this imperial concubine and He Xiang push Noble Consort Liang into the water? Did we push her back, her shoulder or somewhere else?”

Worthy Consort was stunned.

“Worthy Consort.” Emperor Jing Li said in a deep voice, “Speak.”

Worthy Consort felt that her brain and everything else did not belong to her anymore. She replied blankly, “Pushed… Pushed her shoulder.”

Liao Qing Qing had a faint smile when she heard this. She said, “Your Highness, Worthy Consort, do you want to hear how the others answered?”

Worthy Consort lifted her eyes to look at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing said to everyone in the hall, “Just now, Empress Dowager and Noble Consort Liang heard your answers clearly. Also, I had them recorded in black and white. So all of you only need to repeat them now.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became heavy.

Liao Qing Qing said, “Lady Li of Fragrant Ceremony, you can speak first.”

Lady Li of Fragrant Ceremony felt anxious inwardly. She had been instructed by Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort to testify against Liao Qing Qing for pushing Noble Consort Liang into the water. But Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort had not told her how Liao Qing Qing had pushed Noble Consort Liang into the water.

She could only guess based on the position in which Noble Consort Liang fell into the water.

At first, she didn’t understand Liao Qing Qing’s intention. However, she suddenly understood as the palace maids entered the side hall one after another.

Liao Qing Qing was showing the contradictions in their statements.

However, with Empress Dowager sitting in the side hall and the Emperor in the main hall, she could not exchange information with Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort. At this moment, she repeated what she had just said, “Replying to Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, this imperial concubine saw that Lady Xi of Bright Countenance pushed Noble Consort Liang’s back while she was not paying attention.”

As soon as Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort heard this, their hearts all went cold.

They only thought of “seeing is believing” and “public opinion is powerful enough to melt metal” to frame Liao Qing Qing. However, they forgot that the more people there were, the easier it was to overlook the details. They considered the surroundings, Liao Qing Qing’s habits, the reaction of the Emperor and Empress Dowager, and the possible unexpected events at the scene.

However, the only thing they hadn’t contemplated was how Liao Qing Qing “pushed” Noble Consort Liang into the water.

They couldn’t have imagined that Liao Qing Qing would focus on this point.

They also couldn’t even expect that Liao Qing Qing would use the tactic of “using someone’s spear to attack his shield”.[5]

They had really underestimated Liao Qing Qing!

As the palace maids uttered a variety of answers, Noble Consort Liang’s face grew increasingly pale.

Empress Dowager and Chang Momo nodded their heads repeatedly.

Emperor Jing Li had guessed Liao Qing Qing’s intentions when Lady Li of Fragrant Ceremony entered the side hall. Even so, he was still proud in his heart. His Qing Qing is just so good, just so different, just so likeable, that he doesn’t even have to worry about it. Everything will prove itself.

His Qing Qing is just not like the average person!

Good natured, beautiful, intelligent, amusing, and she also loves him!

His gaze was filled with a bit of pride.

When Empress Dowager and Chang Momo had the time to glance at Emperor Jing Li, they turned their heads to the front and felt embarrassed looking at Emperor Jing Li.

[1] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

[2] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).

[3] 臣妾(chénqiè)- this concubine/I, your servant (self-appellation of a lower-rank female). The literal meaning is ‘this subject and this concubine’.It is a self-appellation used by the ranks including and above Consorts. They are used by Consorts, Noble Consorts and Empress, etc. in front of the Emperor, Empress Dowager and Consorts, Noble Consorts that have a higher rank.

[4] 半柱香(bàn zhù xiāng)- The time taken for an incense stick to burn was a way to measure time in ancient times. The time taken for an incense stick to burn would refer to 5 minutes. Thus, the time taken for half an incense stick to burn would be 2.5 minutes. Credits:forum.wuxiaworld

[5] 以彼之矛，攻彼之盾(yǐ zǐ zhī máo , gōng zǐ zhī dùn)- The literal meaning is using somebody’s spear to attach his shield. It means to attack an opponent using his own devices or hoist with his own petard.