Chapter 77
When Qianlong heard this, he frowned, his face instantly darkened, and he asked angrily: "How could such a thing happen? Xiao Yanzi, tell me quickly, who is that woman? Why is this happening? Bold?" His gaze was like a torch, as if he could penetrate all hypocrisy and look directly into Xiao Yanzi's heart.
Little Yanzi stood aside, her face pale with fright, her hands clenched, and she stuttered: "She...she is someone I met among the people. Maybe she saw that I am living a good life now, so she wanted to come and fish for her. If you don't get any benefits, just... do whatever you want..." Her eyes flickered and she didn't dare to look directly at Qianlong, but her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
In fact, she knew as clearly as a mirror that the person causing trouble was Ziwei, the real Princess. The appearance of Ziwei was like a sharp knife, cutting off her peaceful life and putting her into an unprecedented predicament. When she thought that if she told the truth, not only would her wealth be lost, but she might not even be able to save her life. She couldn't help but recall the previous chat with her concubine. She had joked that she was not the real Gege. Her face changed at that time and she warned her sternly: "Since the emperor recognizes you as Gege, then you are the real one." , you must believe it firmly, otherwise, you will be beheaded for the crime of deceiving the emperor!"
When Xiao Yanzi thought of this, she couldn't help but tremble in her heart. She was used to the glory and wealth in the palace and enjoying everyone! of favor and respect. Now her heart is in a mess, she is not only afraid of losing these favors, but also afraid of death covering her like a shadow. She raised her head and looked out the window. The towering palace walls seemed to trap her in a magnificent cage from which she could not escape.
When the queen saw this, she was secretly proud of herself, but she pretended to be concerned about the country and the people. She took the opportunity to say: "Your Majesty, although I am in the palace, I have heard that Dayan is famous far and wide. This matter If it is not handled properly, it may cause disputes between the two countries, and the consequences will be disastrous. The anger of Queen Dayan was calmed by timely dissuasion. But this kind of thing must not happen again. If Huanzhu Gege is allowed to act recklessly, it will definitely lead to disaster. "
The queen's words are full of disaster. Her eyes were firm and deep, as if she could see through everything. She continued: "I know very well that Princess Huanzhu is deeply loved by His Majesty, but national affairs cannot tolerate any negligence. As a queen, I have a duty to educate my children. Even if Your Majesty blames me for this, I have no complaints. "
The queen's words were impassioned and righteous, and Qianlong couldn't help but be moved by it. In the past, Qianlong might have found loyal words offensive, but now because the queen has a daughter like Li Qingge, who is so powerful that Qianlong has no choice but to listen even if he doesn't want to. Li Qingge, this name seemed to have a special weight in Qianlong's heart. Her methods were ruthless, and even Japan was destroyed by her. How could such a woman not be respected?
Qianlong thought about it carefully and felt that the queen's words made sense. He pondered for a moment, and his eyes fell on Xiao Yanzi again, with a trace of disappointment and anger flashing in his eyes. He glared at Xiao Yanzi and scolded: "Queen Dayan, I have all the respect for her. How dare you let people destroy her tomb? Do you know the seriousness of this matter? If the queen hadn't discovered and stopped it in time, , your life is already dead! Not only did you not reflect on your mistakes, but you also complained about the queen being harsh to you?"
Xiao Yanzi opened her mouth, but didn't say anything, she just whispered. He bowed his head and silently endured Qianlong's anger. She knew that no matter how she explained, she could not change this fact, nor could she eliminate the doubts and anger in Qianlong's heart. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she resisted falling.
When Qianlong saw this, he shouted angrily: "Shut up!" and then said: "I doted on you so much that you didn't know the heights of the world and even forgot about human ethics. The queen is your aunt, and it is your blessing to be able to teach you. ! You should go back to Shufangzhai immediately to reflect. Don’t think about it if you can’t learn the rules!”
When Xiao Yanzi heard this, she felt bitter in her heart. She knew that she had really angered Qianlong this time. She bowed silently, turned and left the palace. Her back was elongated in the sun, looking lonely and lonely. She knew that she had to face this cruel reality and learn to survive in this complicated palace.
The queen looked at Xiao Yanzi's back with an imperceptible smile on her lips. She knew that although the storm had subsided for the time being, the real battle had just begun. She must always be vigilant and not let Xiaoyanzi have another chance to ruin her plan. And Li Qingge, this powerful daughter, will be her most solid backing.
Outside the palace, the sun is still bright, but the undercurrent inside the palace makes people feel chilly. The contest between Xiao Yanzi and the Queen, as well as Li Qingge's power that cannot be underestimated, have made the court more complicated and dangerous. And all this is just the beginning...
Little Yanzi looked stunned, and her delicate face instantly turned pale, like a delicate flower that was suddenly attacked by the cold wind in winter. Her eyes were shining with disbelief, staring closely at the Emperor Ama who had doted on her in every possible way, with endless doubts and confusions surging in her heart.
"Huang Ama, what's wrong with you?" There was a hint of trembling in her voice, as if she couldn't believe what was happening in front of her. "In the past, the Queen always found trouble. When I made trouble, you immediately blamed the Queen. Now. Why doesn't it work? Could it be that the Queen has been confused?" She muttered in her heart, full of confusion and grievance. Little Yanzi bit her lower lip tightly, as if to suppress the gasp that was about to come out, and her bright eyes gradually became covered with mist.
The queen saw it and felt happy in her heart, with an imperceptible sneer on her lips. She secretly thought proudly: "This girl finally knows how powerful I am today. Let's see if you dare to be arrogant in the future!" A trace of fierceness flashed in her eyes, but then she returned to her usual dignity and gentleness. Wan. The queen thought for a while and secretly calculated in her heart: "This is just the beginning. The good show is yet to come. The days in the palace are long. I have plenty of time to deal with you slowly."
What can Xiao Yanzi do? What to do? She stood alone in the center of the hall, surrounded by indifferent palace walls and aloof royal family members. She knew very well that her arms could not twist her thighs after all. Even though Qianlong felt sorry for her being lonely and helpless, he had to step aside in the face of national events, the ancestral foundation and the safety of the royal family. She sighed helplessly, tears welling up in her eyes, but she resisted falling. In the end, she had no choice but to cry, lower her head, and silently follow the nuns to learn the complicated and boring palace etiquette.
After this experience, Little Yanzi seemed to have grown up a lot overnight. She is no longer the innocent and carefree Princess next to her fifth prince, but has begun to learn to survive in this palace full of calculations and struggles. And the queen, after this incident, also completely understood the essence of palace fighting. She sat on the gorgeous phoenix throne, her eyes were deep and wise, and she thought to herself: "Sometimes, not fighting is the biggest fight. As long as you wait patiently, your opponent will naturally reveal his flaws."
Qianlong had just finished dealing with Xiao Xiao. I feel a little depressed about Yanzi's matter. He thought about going to the treasury to find some paintings and calligraphy to relieve his boredom, but he didn't expect to hear a lot of rumors along the way. The maids and eunuchs gathered together, whispering various rumors about Queen Li Qingge of Great Yan.
"Have you heard?" a palace maid asked mysteriously, with a hint of gossip and excitement in her voice.
"What?" Another palace maid asked curiously, her eyes widened, as if she was about to miss some important news.
"Queen Dayan has come to the capital. She is staying in a post house. I heard that she had a lot of fun with a dozen beautiful boys at night!" the first maid said in a low voice, with a look on her face. Ambiguous smile.
“Oh, how can I bear this?” The second palace maid covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes shining with disbelief.
"What's the point? The queen has a strong desire and is naturally not afraid of getting tired." The first maid teased with a smile, with a hint of contempt and ridicule in her voice.
The eunuch next to him couldn't help but interrupt: "Women should be chaste. How can this be done?" There was a hint of dissatisfaction and indignation in his voice.
"What do you know? The queen is extremely noble, how can we mortals compare to her? Three palaces and six courtyards, seventy-two male concubines, she can do whatever she wants." The second maid retorted. , with a hint of envy and jealousy in her voice.
"I heard that her private life is very messy, and she plays so many tricks that it is unimaginable." The third palace maid clicked her tongue and said with a look of disdain on her face.
"Shh, keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear you." The second palace maid quickly reminded her, a trace of panic flashed in her eyes.
But the third eunuch didn't take it seriously: "She can do whatever she's afraid of, so what's wrong with us talking about it? Women should be gentle and virtuous. How can she be so unethical?" There was a hint of anger and resentment in his voice.
"It's too much! You dare to talk about such a scandal, and even involve the relocation of the tomb, it is simply disrespectful!" the first maid angrily reprimanded, with a hint of indignation in her voice.
"Fortunately, her life experience is unknown, otherwise our ancestors would have been completely embarrassed by her." The fourth maid added, with a hint of happiness and ridicule in her voice.
When Qianlong heard these rumors, the fire in his heart went straight up. His expression instantly became gloomy and terrifying, as if he was about to burst into earth-shattering rage. How could his daughter, who he loved Li Qingge like a treasure, be so slandered by these people? Endless anger and pain surged in his heart.
Li Yu watched Qianlong's expression getting worse and worse from the side, and became panicked. He knew Qianlong's temper and character well, and knew that once this anger broke out, the consequences would be disastrous. So, he wanted to find an opportunity to escape and avoid being affected by this anger.
However, Qianlong suddenly shouted: "Li Yu!" His voice was as deafening as thunder, making Li Yu tremble with fright.
"Go and tear these people's mouths out immediately! I'll punish them again! If anyone dares to talk nonsense again, I'll kill them!" Qianlong's voice was full of endless anger and determination. There was a cold light in his eyes, as if he wanted to tear into pieces those who dared to slander his daughter.
“Yes!” Although Li Yu muttered in her heart, she did not dare to disobey the emperor’s order. He hurriedly ran to carry out Qianlong's order, secretly praying that the storm would calm down as soon as possible.
Qianlong looked at Li Yu's hurried away figure, and the anger in his heart gradually calmed down a little. He took a deep breath and tried to calm down. He knew that as the king of a country, he could not be easily swayed by emotions. He must remain calm and rational in order to handle national affairs and disputes within the royal family.
However, he could not ignore the rumors and gossip about Li Qingge. He knew that these rumors had caused great damage to Li Qingge's reputation and image, and made him feel extremely sad and angry. He decided to go to the posthouse to visit Li Qingge in person to understand her true situation and thoughts. He wants everyone to know that his daughter is innocent and noble and cannot be slandered or insulted by anyone.
In the depths of the Forbidden City, the sunlight shines through the mottled glazed tiles on the magnificent hall, but it seems that it cannot shine into the heart of Emperor Qianlong. He was sitting on a high dragon chair, his brows furrowed, and his eyes showed unprecedented annoyance and worry. In the past, he might have remained aloof from the outside world's efforts to smear the woman named Li Qingge. At some point, those rumors even became his talk after dinner. But now, everything is different, because he already knows that Li Qingge, the woman he once ignored, is actually his daughter by blood.
"It is the father's fault that children are not educated well, and it is the teacher's fault that education is not strict." This old saying echoed repeatedly in Qianlong's mind, like a sharp blade, slicing his heart. He imagined Li Qingge's lonely and helpless figure amid those rumors, and felt indescribable guilt and anger surge in his heart. Especially the words of Palace Maid No. 4 were like an awl, piercing deeply into his heart. "The wild boy who came from nowhere has embarrassed the entire Jin family." These words not only stung his dignity as a father, but also made him feel unprecedented shame.
Li Qingge, this woman has not been pampered since she was a child, but has grown up tenaciously in the face of adversity. She has the blood of the Aixinjueluo family flowing in her body, and she is a true phoenix and dragon grandson. Qianlong closed his eyes, as if he could see her standing upright in the wind and rain. Her unyielding strength made him feel both distressed and proud. However, when these rumors surged like a flood, trying to drown her innocence and reputation, Qianlong knew that he could no longer sit idly by.
He is a person who cares about face very much. Once upon a time, just saying "Qingfeng is illiterate" can make people fall into the abyss of literary hell, not to mention these rumors that directly smear his face? Qianlong clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms. He was determined to investigate the matter thoroughly and clear Li Qingge's name.
However, when he ordered a thorough investigation in the hope of finding the culprit who spread the rumors, the results surprised him. It turned out that the initiator was actually himself! Yes, since Li Qingge established Dayan and ascended the throne as Queen Mingde, he and the old officials of the previous dynasty secretly said a lot of bad things about her behind her back. Those words, like poisonous arrows, were shot at the innocent Li Qingge and Qianlong himself.
Huang Yao, this existence was like a nightmare in ancient times. Once he gets involved, it will be difficult to escape. Qianlong knew very well that a woman's reputation for chastity was like a man's lifeblood. Once damaged, it would be difficult to recover. He imagined that Li Qingge would hear rumors about her in every corner of the capital, and how she would feel the torment and pain in her heart. What he was even more afraid of was that Li Qingge would be angry because of this and leave without saying goodbye. By then, she would have left him before anyone could inherit the Qing Dynasty.
Qianlong's heart was full of regret and self-blame, but he didn't want to admit that it was his fault, so he transferred his anger to his ministers. He stood up suddenly and strode outside the palace. He faced He Shen who was waiting by the side, his tone full of sarcasm and anger: "He Aiqing, you see there are rumors circulating in the capital, saying that Queen Dayan is very virtuous. Question, you have to take care of this for me!"
He Shen was shocked when he heard this. He looked up at Qianlong, only to find that Qianlong's back looked particularly lonely and lonely. He Shen knew that Qianlong was making excuses, but he also understood that the complexity of this matter was far beyond their imagination. He bowed respectfully and whispered: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will do my best to find out the matter and return the Queen's innocence."
Qianlong did not look back, but waved his hand gently, Signaling He Shen to step back. He stood on the steps of the main hall, looking at the sky in the distance, with mixed feelings in his heart. He knew that this turmoil was not only a test for Li Qingge, but also a test for him as the emperor. He must find a solution that not only saves the royal family's face, but also gives justice to Li Qingge.
However, the spread of rumors far exceeded Qianlong's imagination. Even if he ordered severe punishment for those palace maids and eunuchs who spread rumors, he could not stop the spread of rumors. Like wildfire, they burned rapidly inside and outside the palace, burning Li Qingge's reputation beyond recognition.
Qianlong paced back and forth in the palace, and every step seemed extremely heavy. He recalled the scene when Li Qingge came to Beijing. At that time, she was still a little green and shy, but she had already shown extraordinary temperament and talent. He thought that as time went by, those rumors would gradually dissipate, but unexpectedly, they were like demons, tightly entangled with Li Qingge, making it impossible for her to escape.
What he was more worried about was that Li Qingge would be hurt by this and even resent him. He couldn't imagine what his life would be like if Li Qingge really left him because of this. He needed a solution, one that could not only save the royal family's face, but also give Li Qingge peace of mind.
However, this problem weighed on Qianlong's heart like a big mountain, making him breathless. He knew that this turmoil was not only a test for Li Qingge, but also a test for him as a father. He must face all this bravely. No matter what the outcome is, he must try his best to make up for his past mistakes and win back Li Qingge's heart.
So Qianlong took action. On the one hand, he sent Heshen to investigate the matter thoroughly. On the other hand, he also began to reflect on his words and deeds, trying to find the root of the problem. He knew that this turmoil was not only a test for Li Qingge, but also a test for him as the emperor. He must face all this bravely and shoulder the responsibilities of a father and an emperor.
In the following days, Qianlong devoted almost all his energy to this matter. He personally interrogated the suspected palace maids and eunuchs, trying to find clues from their mouths. He also sent people to Dayan to find out the true situation of Li Qingge and try to find the flaws in the rumors.
However, things were not as simple as he imagined. Those rumors were like an invisible net, tightly wrapping Li Qingge in it. No matter what he did, he couldn't completely escape their influence. Qianlong began to feel desperate, and he even began to doubt whether he could really restore Li Qingge's innocence.
However, at this time, an unexpected news came, giving Qianlong hope again. It turned out that the source of those rumors turned out to be a demoted official. Because he held a grudge, he deliberately spread rumors in an attempt to destroy Li Qingge's reputation. After Qianlong learned the news, he immediately ordered the official to be arrested and punished severely. At the same time, he also sent people to Dayan to explain everything to Li Qingge and express his apology and care.
When Li Qingge received Qianlong's letter, a warm current surged in her heart. She knew that this storm was finally coming to an end. She also knew that no matter what the future holds, she has a strong backing, and that is her father, Emperor Qianlong.
During this turmoil, both Qianlong and Li Qingge experienced unprecedented tests. The misunderstandings and estrangements between them were resolved in this storm. They began to cherish the family affection and fate between each other more, and also understood their responsibilities and missions better.
And this storm also became a turning point in their lives. It makes them more mature and stronger, and it also makes them appreciate the time they spend with each other more. In the days to come, they will work together to face the challenges and difficulties in life and create their own glory and legend.
The Return of the Emperor's Daughter
Not long after Li Qingge left, the prosperous and complicated capital seemed to be blown by an invisible wind, and various rumors began to spread. These rumors are like fireflies in the dark night. Although they are small, they flicker in the darkness and are eye-catching. And the driving force behind all this is the powerful He Shen.
Li Qingge, this name is no stranger to the capital. She is a legendary woman. In the vast land in the south, she single-handedly nationalized a large area of land that did not originally belong to the Great Yan Kingdom, adding a strong color to the country's territory. Her achievements, like bright stars, lit up the southern sky and made powerful ministers like He Shen feel an unprecedented threat.
He Shen, a man with deep thoughts and vicious methods, how could he allow a woman, especially a woman like Li Qingge, to threaten his status? What's more, Li Qingge's actions in the south caused him heavy losses. The wealth that could have flowed into his pocket has now become the national asset. This made his hatred for Li Qingge flow like a river and be difficult to calm down.
When Li Qingge returned to the capital with the fruits of victory from the south, she did not choose to keep a low profile. Instead, she slapped He Shen in the face in front of everyone. That slap was crisp and loud, not only hitting He Shen's face, but also hitting his heart. At that moment, He Shen's hatred for Li Qingge reached its peak, and he vowed to make her pay the price.
He Shen knew that Emperor Qianlong was quite unkind to the Queen of Dayan Kingdom, who was Li Qingge's mother. This allowed him to see an opportunity, an opportunity to please the emperor and avenge himself. He began to secretly plan to ruin Li Qingge's reputation and make her have no place in the capital.
He sent people to secretly keep an eye on Li Qingge's residence. As soon as she made any movement, the rumors would spread like wildfire. Some people said that she traveled south to enrich herself, some said that she was involved in treason, and some even said that she had evil intentions and wanted to usurp the throne. These rumors were like invisible knives, stabbing Li Qingge fiercely.
However, Emperor Qianlong was aware of these rumors. He knew that there must be an ulterior motive behind these rumors. When he saw He Shen's triumphant expression, he felt even more enlightened. He asked Heshen with a smile: "You did all this, right?"
When Heshen heard this, he felt so beautiful in his heart that he quickly said humbly: "How dare you, a slave, be greedy for merit? Your Majesty, you are wise, powerful and insightful." His words were full of flattery and flattery, but Emperor Qianlong just smiled, with a hint of sarcasm in his smile.
"Ying Ming? You are quite good at looking at the direction of the wind." Emperor Qianlong's words contained a hint of coldness, "Knowing that I don't like the heroine being in power, just follow my wishes and go to the queen with all my strength. If she knew about it, would she be able to spare you?"
When He Shen heard this, his face turned pale with fright. He quickly expressed his loyalty: "Everything I have is given by the emperor. The emperor asked me to go east, but I will never go west, even if I am broken into pieces." There was trembling and fear in his voice, which was obviously caused by Emperor Qianlong's request. The words were frightening.
When Emperor Qianlong heard this, he was not angry at all, but instead he smiled: "What a 'shatter to pieces'! You are quite loyal!" After saying that, his face darkened, and he slapped him again and again. On He Shen's face. This slap was heavier and more ruthless than Li Qingge's. He Shen's face instantly swelled like a peach.
He Shen knelt on the ground and apologized repeatedly. His heart was full of fear and panic, and he didn't know why Emperor Qianlong was suddenly angry. He asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, I really don't know what I did wrong. Please show me a clear path, even if you die."
Emperor Qianlong snorted coldly and stared at him with burning eyes. He Shen: "Do you know who Queen Dayan is?" There was a hint of majesty and no doubt in his voice.
He Shen answered quickly: "Of course I know, that is our enemy of the Qing Dynasty, the treasonous female bandit leader!" His words were full of contempt and hatred for Li Qingge's mother.
However, Emperor Qianlong sneered and told a shocking secret: "She is my biological daughter, the queen's flesh and blood!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone around was shocked. They couldn't believe their ears, let alone this shocking secret. He Shen was so frightened that his face turned pale and his voice trembled: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty's daughter? This... how is this possible..."
Emperor Qianlong looked at He Shen's frightened expression and thought in his heart There was a surge of pleasure. He slowly explained the reason: "Back then, my fifth princess died young, and not long after she was buried, the body disappeared. Both I and the queen thought it was stolen, but we didn't expect that she faked her death and was rescued by the Jin family. It wasn't until we met again later. Queen, the truth will be revealed after you shed your blood.”
After hearing this, He Shen was frightened to death. He kowtowed as if pounding garlic, with a cry in his voice: "Your Majesty, calm down! I am ignorant and have offended Tian Yan. I beg your Majesty to spare my life!" His heart was full of fear and regret. He knew that he had really broken into the world this time. disaster.
Emperor Qianlong looked at He Shen's frightened look, and the anger in his heart calmed down a little. Although he was still angry, he thought that He Shen was an unintentional mistake, so he did not actually kill him: "If it weren't for your ignorance, I would have pushed you out and beheaded you in public! You are still allowed to be here. Quibble! ”
When He Shen heard this, he was scared and happy at the same time. He kowtowed repeatedly to thank him, and secretly swore in his heart that he would never provoke Li Qingge easily again. He knew that this woman was not only a height that he could not reach, but also a scale that he could not touch.
As for Li Qingge, he was completely unaware of all this. She was busy dealing with affairs in the south, and she didn't care about the rumors. She knows that she can only walk her own path, and other people's words cannot stop her. She believes that one day, she will use her own strength to prove everything.
While Li Qingge was busy, time passed quietly. She didn't know that the mystery of her life experience had been revealed by Emperor Qianlong; she didn't even know that He Shen was scared to death because of her life experience. She only knows that she still has a lot to do, and she has to work harder for this land and this country.
As for Emperor Qianlong, looking at Li Qingge's determined back, he felt a sense of relief in his heart. He knew that this daughter was the pride of him and the queen, and also the pride of the Great Yan Kingdom. He believed that one day, she would impress everyone with her own strength.
Rumors in the capital continue to spread. But those rumors could no longer have any impact on Li Qingge. She is like a flower that blooms proudly in the wind and rain, interpreting the true meaning of life with her beauty and tenacity. And those who once tried to step on her feet could only become stepping stones on her road to success.
He Shen looked at Li Qingge's increasingly higher status, and his heart was filled with complicated emotions. He knew that he could no longer compete with her, so he could only accept this fact silently. He began to curb his sharp edges, no longer easily stir up trouble, and instead focused more energy on handling national affairs.
The story of Li Qingge and He Shen unfolded quietly in the capital. Their grievances and hatreds have become a topic of conversation among people after dinner. But no matter how people comment, they can't change the fact: Li Qingge, this legendary woman, has proven her worth with her own strength. And He Shen also learned to restrain and grow in this process.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Li Qingge has grown from a young girl to a mature and steady queen. She used her wisdom and courage to write one legend after another for the Great Yan Kingdom. And He Shen, under her influence, gradually became a more mature and stable courtier. Their stories have left a profound mark in the long history of history.
He Shen's heart felt like it was being pressed down by a huge boulder, heavy, and fear was like ice eroding every inch of his muscles and bones. He knew very well that if he was not careful, he might offend the aloof Emperor Qianlong and bring unprecedented trouble to the royal family. This kind of fear made him almost unable to breathe. He could only carefully speculate on the emperor's thoughts, trying to find a glimmer of hope in this crisis-ridden palace.
In the Yangxin Hall, the candlelight flickered, and Emperor Qianlong's face looked particularly grim in the light and shadow. He was sitting on the dragon chair, his gaze was like a torch, as if he could see into people's hearts. He Shen knelt on the ground, his head buried low, not daring to look directly into the emperor's eyes. He could only feel the invisible pressure pressing on his shoulders like a mountain, making him almost breathless.
"Heshen, do you know your sin?" Lord Qianlong's voice sounded cold, like the cold wind in winter, biting and cold.
He Shen trembled all over and kowtowed hurriedly: "I know my sin, I know my sin. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, and spare me this time."
Master Qianlong snorted coldly. , a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "You caused such a big disaster, I should have killed you immediately But for the sake of your hard work in the past, I will spare your life. However, you are responsible for this. If you don't clean up well, you will be punished. Come on!"
"Yes, yes." He Shen trembled with fear and agreed quickly. His heart was filled with fear and uneasiness, but he knew that he couldn't just give up. He must do everything he can to save this situation.
Emperor Qianlong added another sentence, his voice as cold as coming from the underworld: "Also, the true identity of Queen Dayan is a top secret of the royal family. Even Lafayette doesn't know it. If you dare If you reveal even a single word, not only will you die, but the entire Niu Hulu clan will also suffer, do you understand?”
When He Shen heard this, he was scared to death. He quickly kowtowed and promised: "I will never dare! I will try my best to eliminate the rumors and never damage the reputation of Dayan Nu...oh no, the fifth princess." His heart was full of fear and uneasiness, he knew this secret How heavy is the weight. Once leaked, the consequences would be disastrous.
However, it is easy to spread rumors but difficult to refute them. As soon as He Shen left the Yangxin Hall, he quickly sent people to beautify Li Qingge's image and used all his good words. But the rumors continued to burn like wildfire. The smear campaign was too harsh before, and no matter how powerful He Shen was, he couldn't stop the momentum. He tried to clear up the rumors several times, but the results only made things worse, and Li Qingge's reputation became even worse.
He Shen was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, spinning around. He knew he was in trouble and couldn't extricate himself. He could only watch helplessly as the rumors spread wider and wider, but he was helpless to do anything.
After Emperor Qianlong learned of this situation, he was furious. He called He Shen to scold him again and rewarded him with fifty big boards. He Shen was beaten until his butt was bruised, and he was exhausted both physically and mentally. He lay on the ground, groaning in pain, his heart filled with regret and helplessness.
Looking at He Shen's miserable state, Emperor Qianlong didn't feel any pity in his heart. He knew that if Li Qingge's reputation was not clean, He Shen would not be the only one who would be unlucky. The entire Aisin Gioro royal family had to suffer. Li Qingge might even feel resentful because of this and refuse to accept the Zen position. When the time comes, even if the queen pleads for mercy to save his life, future generations will inevitably suffer.
For the survival of the royal family, Emperor Qianlong had to take ruthless measures. He associated the words "Queen of Great Flame" with the Literary Prison and promulgated a stern decree. From now on, anyone who dares to speak ill of Li Qingge will be punished by being exiled from his official position, or having his family confiscated and exterminated.
As soon as this decree came out, the entire court was shocked. The ministers looked at each other with fear and uneasiness in their hearts. They knew that Emperor Qianlong was really angry this time, and no one dared to touch this taboo easily again.
However, despite Emperor Qianlong’s repeated orders and severe punishments, there are still people who do not believe in evil and take desperate risks. These people have deep-rooted ideas of male superiority and female inferiority, and regard women as tools for giving birth and objects to vent their sexual desires. They think it is a big joke for women to hold power, and people and gods are outraged by it, and the world cannot tolerate it.
These people talked a lot in private and even openly laughed at Li Qingge. Their words were full of malice and slander, as if they were going to drive Li Qingge into an abyss of eternal destruction.
Master Qianlong became angry when he heard this. He was furious and ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, and those who dared to slander Li Qingge were found out one by one and punished severely. Dismissal, punishment with a cane, confiscation of homes, exile, beheading... all available means were used. Among those punished were important officials of the imperial court, relatives of the royal family, and even the Iron Hat King was not spared.
Iron Hat King, that is a hereditary title, extremely noble. Although Emperor Qianlong could not directly reduce his title, he could replace him with someone else. So he made an excuse, saying that the iron-hatted king had committed lese majeste and had his title removed so that his half-brother could succeed him. And he himself was sent to Xinjiang to grow cantaloupes.
After this series of actions, the entire court and harem were panicked. The ministers and concubines were afraid that one day it would be their turn, so they all kept their tails between their legs and did not dare to discuss Li Qingge's affairs easily.
Li Qingge himself was completely unaware of all this. She was busy dealing with government affairs in the south and was not interested in these rumors and court battles. She only knew that there were still many things she had to do and she couldn't be distracted by these unimportant things.
However, what she didn't know was that the turmoil caused by her had swept the entire court and harem. Her reputation and status were severely affected. However, she doesn't care about the fame and fortune, she only cares about whether she can make more contributions to the Great Yan Kingdom.
Looking at all this, Emperor Qianlong was filled with helplessness and emotion. He knew that the root cause of this turmoil lay in the identity dispute between himself and Li Qingge. If you want to completely solve this problem, you must find a suitable opportunity and method to reveal Li Qingge's true identity.