Work overtime

Chapter 745

Jiang Yuebai's face turned cold, "Which day are you talking about? If you dare to deliberately slander, it will be a capital crime."

Qian Changzai knelt on the ground and said, "On the first day of March, I, the concubine, saw Doctor Lei supporting Qing Liangyuan's arm with my own eyes."

Concubine Lu immediately said, "This is pure nonsense! My maid also saw it that day. But the situation is not as you said. Qing Liangyuan was admiring the peach blossoms. The people from the Imperial Medical Bureau brought boys to pick peach blossoms for medicine. Qing Liangyuan dodged and lost her balance, and almost fell on her back. The imperial physician was right beside her, so he helped her up and apologized afterwards."

Concubine Jinde curled her lips and smiled, "Mr. Qian, why don't you let your maid describe the situation in detail?"

Xu Zhaoyi therefore spoke out, "Let the maid speak out. Can white be said to be black? This is not a storybook."

Qing Liangyuan was from Chengfu Palace, and Xu Zhaoyi was the head queen of Chengfu Palace. If something happened, she would not be able to escape the blame. Of course, she had to protect Qing Liangyuan.

Ye Fei also spoke up at this time, "Why not ask the boy in the Imperial Hospital about the right and wrong of this matter?"

Qian Changzai's maid came up to her and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, I saw with my own eyes that Qing Liangyuan fell into the arms of the imperial physician that day."

She bit her lip and looked at Zhou Changzai, "Ms. Zhou was there that day, she and her servants should have seen it too."

Qing Liangyuan was furious, "You are talking nonsense! Things are not as you said."

Zhou agreed to live in the same palace with Qing Liangyuan, and quickly stood up and knelt in front of Jiang Yuebai, "That day, Sister Qing asked me to go to appreciate the flowers together. I went with her. I was sitting in the pavilion, and Sister Qing was in a good mood. She said she wanted to pick some peach blossoms to take back and soak them in water to drink, saying that it can invigorate blood circulation and nourish the skin. Then she didn't stand firmly and accidentally fell. Then the doctor from the Imperial Hospital grabbed her and then..."

"And then what?" Ye Fei asked.

Zhou Yuhan bit her lip and said, "Then they hugged each other."

Qing Liangyuan was so angry that she stood up, walked over to Zhou Changzai and slapped him twice, "You are slandering me!"

Suddenly, Concubine Xie stepped forward and grabbed Qing Liangyuan, "Sister Qing, I didn't want to tell you. I saw it from afar that day. Why don't you honestly admit your fault to the Queen. Maybe the Queen will forgive you."

Qing Liangyuan looked at Concubine Xie who was holding her with tears in her eyes, and said in disbelief: "Concubine Xie, you??? It's not like that. I was looking up at the sky and suddenly felt dizzy. I almost fell down. Doctor Lei kindly helped me up. But that's all. There is absolutely nothing dirty about it. Please, Queen, please look into my mind."

"Doctor Lei? Is it slander or not? The Queen Mother can just ask the people in the Imperial Hospital and do another investigation. I'm sure the Queen Mother will conduct a thorough investigation and will never condone or cover up any crime." Concubine Jinde said briskly.

Concubine Ye nodded and said, "I believe that the Queen is always fair. She will not slander a good person, nor will she let a bad person go."

It's this trivial matter again.

Obviously, the other party was not targeting Qing Liangyuan, but her. Because she was favoring Qing Liangyuan. It would be better if Qing Liangyuan could be eliminated. If not, at least Qing Liangyuan's reputation would be tarnished, which would be unworthy of the title of "Qing". It could also have multiple effects of sowing discord.

At the beginning, the kind but unlucky imperial physician did instinctively help Qing Liangyuan. Jiang Yuebai already knew about this before today, because the people in the Imperial Garden immediately sent someone to report it to her.

Jiang Yuebai smiled faintly and said, "Qing Liangyuan, don't worry, I believe you. I will definitely clear your name."

Concubine Jinde interrupted Jiang Yuebai and said in a helpless tone, "The Queen is partial to those who are useful to her."

"Qing Liangyuan is under house arrest, her badge is removed, and she is under investigation. The concubine Zhou, the concubine Qian, and the noble Xie are all under house arrest, their green badges are removed, and they are under investigation."

Concubine Xie exclaimed, "Empress, why did I have my green card taken away?"

"That's right, why?" Zhou Changzai also exclaimed.

Jiang Yuebai said calmly, "Because you all have to be investigated, the matter is of great importance and must be investigated thoroughly. As for the servants of Qian, Zhou, and Xie, they will be sent to the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation immediately. Disband now."

Just as everyone was standing up, Qing Liangyuan suddenly felt weak and almost fainted. It was Yang Guiren who was standing beside her who quickly supported her.

Jiang Yuebai quickly ordered, "What's going on? Go to the Imperial Hospital and ask for the imperial physician. Peilan, help her to the couch outside the palace first."

Qing Liangyuan's servant cried and said, "Empress, our master is really wronged. The master really felt dizzy and almost fell down, and was pulled. It's all our fault. She usually likes quietness."

Jiang Yuebai interrupted the maid, "Stop talking. Take good care of your young mistress."

She walked to the couch and saw Peilan winking at her. Jiang Yuebai understood what Peilan meant and breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon the three doctors arrived, and the male protagonist, Doctor Lei, also arrived. Li Beichen received a tip-off from Jiang Yuebai and followed.

Li Beichen looked stern and asked after scanning the people present, "What's going on?"

Jiang Xian felt her pulse and knew what was going on. "Congratulations, Your Majesty. The young lady is pregnant. And she is quite pregnant. She is almost three months pregnant."

Li Beichen asked in surprise, "Really?"

"Of course. I guarantee it with my life." Jiang Xian said very confidently. If it was a month, like what happened to Concubine Yi, then it would be fine. But it's been three months, any imperial physician can tell.

Li Beichen showed a happy expression and called the other two doctors, "You two should take a look too."

Doctor Lei hesitated and did not move. The first time he saw Qing Liangyuan, he guessed that the incident that day might have been used by someone with ulterior motives to spread the news to the Empress.

Another imperial physician immediately stepped forward to feel the emperor's pulse. After just a moment, he said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. It is indeed a pregnancy. The baby is about three months pregnant. The fetus is stable, but the mother is a little weak."

Seeing that Doctor Lei was hesitant to speak and was reluctant to come forward, Li Beichen pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Doctor Lei, what's wrong with you?"

Doctor Lei immediately knelt down, kowtowed and said, "That day, the young lady was admiring the peach blossoms under the peach tree in the imperial garden, and she almost fainted. I was collecting peach blossoms with the medicine boy to make facial cream. I supported the young lady in a hurry. The young lady was a little weak at the time, so she accidentally leaned on me. I was terrified and immediately called the young lady's maid to support her and kowtowed to apologize."

At this moment, Qing Liangyuan woke up slowly, her face covered with tears, and she cried bitterly in a very suppressed and soft voice, "Your Majesty, they slandered me. I am innocent."

Li Beichen nodded solemnly, "I know. You have always been calm and gentle, and you would never do such a shameful thing. I believe in your character. Liang Xiaobao, go get the red book from the Jingshifang for comparison."

Concubine Ye also stayed at the scene, feeling very upset. There was one more person competing with her, and the pregnancy was older than hers. "Your Majesty, but several sisters said they saw it just now. It's really hard to hear such a thing. And why has Sister Qing been pregnant for so long without reporting it to the imperial physician?"

Li Beichen patted Ye Fei's hand and said, "You are pregnant too. You can't stand being frightened. You shouldn't worry too much. Go back and rest first."

Concubine Ye was about to speak, but she heard Jiang Yuebai say in a cold voice, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and help Concubine Ye back to the palace. If anything happens to Concubine Ye, can you afford it?"

Concubine Ye pouted, wanting to say something, but in the end she said nothing and was half-supported and half-dragged out by her maid. Li Beichen sat down on the chair in front of the couch and stared at Qing Liangyuan, "Qing Liangyuan, you have been pregnant for three months. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Your Majesty." Qing Liangyuan lowered her eyes, tears rolling down one by one, and said with her fingers tightly grasping the quilt, "Your Majesty's menstruation is irregular. I dare not think about this."

Jiang Yuebai reminded at the right time, "Your Majesty, Qing Liangyuan was unable to serve you the first time because she suddenly got her period and later sought treatment from the imperial physician."

Li Beichen immediately remembered the bad things that happened before. He had just taken off his clothes when he found out that the other person had her period, so he sent her back in her original clothes. Only then did the person and the matter match up.

Jiang Yuebai asked on behalf of the emperor, "Sister Qing, do you have any reaction to being pregnant? Do you feel like vomiting or anything?"

Actually, there really wasn't one. Every time I came to Fengyi Palace to discuss work, there wasn't one. But Jiang Yuebai was too lazy to testify for Qing Liangyuan.

Susu had told her long ago that Qing Liangyuan was very likely pregnant. Susu could tell her, which meant there were still clues to follow. She must have fainted to save herself, intentionally. Qing Liangyuan was on her side after all, and she was quite capable at the moment. She was dealing with Concubine Ye and Concubine Jinde, so even if she had some small thoughts, she was happy to cooperate.

Qing Liangyuan shook her head, "I just often feel dizzy and weak. I thought I was just too tired."

Li Beichen looked at Qing Liangyuan's maid Xiaolian, "Is that so?"

Like Jiang Yuebai, he had already seen through the details. He was just asking as a matter of routine and getting to know the man.

Xiaolian quickly knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, the Queen did not vomit obviously, but she felt a little nauseous after eating greasy food. I just thought it was because she ate too much greasy food during the New Year."

Xu Zhaoyi said quickly, "Your Majesty, I live with Qing Liangyuan in the same palace. She often comes to sit with me. I didn't notice her nausea or vomiting. It's normal."

Li Beichen turned to look at Jiang Xian, "Provincial Envoy Jiang, is this common? Will it affect the fetus?"

Jiang Xian immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the symptoms of women in the first three months of pregnancy vary greatly, and it is very common for them to have no response. From the pulse I just felt, the fetus is healthy and strong. The young lady has been a little overworked and worried, and she was a little frightened just now. She should rest and take care of the baby."

Li Beichen, "Xiaobao thought about it for a while, and passed on my decree. Qing Liangyuan is promoted to Qingpin if she is happy. The imperial kitchen must serve her well and there must be no mistakes."

Qingpin quickly responded happily, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, Your Majesty. I will go and convey your order right away." Liang Xiaobao responded immediately.

"Okay." Li Beichen patted his thigh and looked at Doctor Lei who was kneeling on the ground. "Doctor Lei, you have made great contributions in protecting the heir to the throne. You will be rewarded and promoted one level. But you have damaged the reputation of the concubines in the harem and spread obscene words. You will be punished with 20 strokes of the cane and fined for three months' salary."

Doctor Lei kowtowed to express his gratitude. This promotion means a salary increase, and a much higher pension. It is worthwhile to deduct three months' salary. Besides, beating with a stick is nothing, the Imperial Hospital has plenty of good medicine.

Li Beichen looked at the two maids of Qingpin again, "The maids failed to protect their master. I will punish you after your master gives birth. You must serve your master well. If there is any mistake again, you will be held responsible."

"As for those who spread rumors and caused trouble," Li Beichen looked at Jiang Yuebai and said with a smile, "I will leave it to the Queen to deal with."

The two maids kowtowed quickly to express their gratitude.

"The crime of obscenity in the palace confuses the royal bloodline and damages the reputation of the royal family. It is the worst crime. If it is verified, it will be severely punished according to the palace rules. However, I will never tolerate those who spread rumors that damage the reputation of the royal family and concubines. In the future, if you encounter such a thing, you must report it to me as soon as possible, instead of spreading rumors and making foul language in public.

The palace maids of the Qian family who confused the public and spread rumors were all beaten to death; the Qian family who did not know right from wrong and spread rumors was banished to the cold palace. The palace maid Zhou who knew about the incident but did not report it and confused the public was demoted to a concubine; the Concubine Xu failed to supervise and care for the palace maids and was fined two months' salary.

Whether the other palace ladies are involved in spreading rumors will be examined by the Ministry of Punishment. Your Majesty, what do you think of this approach?"

Li Beichen replied without hesitation: "The queen is too kind. The crime of slandering the court is unforgivable. Qian is sentenced to death and Zhou is demoted to a concubine."

"I beg Your Majesty to have mercy. My sisters have just entered the palace and are young and ignorant. They are easily misled. I beg Your Majesty to forgive them this time." Jiang Yuebai immediately knelt down and pleaded for the two.

"Your Majesty, please have mercy on us." The concubines knelt down one after another.

"Your Majesty, I was wrong, I was wrong," Qian cried, regretting and begging. She looked at Concubine Jinde for help, "My Lady Concubine Jinde, please help me speak up. Please help me speak up."

Zhou knelt aside, lowering her head. She moved her lips, but ultimately said nothing. Now that things have come to this, she should save her life first and then make a long-term plan.

"I just heard about this from you. I hope the Queen will investigate it thoroughly." Concubine Jinde said calmly, "The Emperor has already made the decision. Of course, I will listen to him."

Before being dragged away, Qian shouted unwillingly, "The Queen promised to protect me."

Concubine Jinde immediately said to Li Beichen in a sweet voice, "Your Majesty, I have never said such a thing. Zhou was desperate and wronged me."

"I believe you. But in the future, if there are any important matters, you must first discuss it with the Queen and let her make the decision. Do you understand?"

Concubine Jinde said coquettishly, "I understand. I will follow the emperor's instructions."

The emperor then asked all the concubines to leave and took Jiang Yuebai's hand and went back to the house.

Supported by two maids, Concubine Qing thanked Jiang Yuebai.

Jiang Yuebai said calmly, "You should go and rest first. You don't need to come to pay respects for the next ten days. Eat and drink by the water, and pay more attention to those crooked thoughts. Try to give birth to the baby smoothly."

Qingpin's tears came again, and she choked up and bowed and said thank you.

Her pride prevented her from saying more flattering words, even though it was obvious that the Queen had called the Emperor to come and rescue her today.

She didn't get the promotion she wanted and was very disappointed.

She bit her lip lightly and said solemnly, "Thank you, Sister Ning."

"Sister, have a good rest." Jiang Yuebai remained indifferent.

After Qingpin left, Li Beichen hugged Jiang Yuebai from the front.

"Thank you for your hard work."

As he said that, he tried to kiss Jiang Yuebai's lips, but was avoided.

(End of this chapter)