SFS Chapter 370 Conclusive Confession
Chapter 370 Conclusive Confession
After returning to Yiku Palace, Concubine Hua took off her imperial concubine's ceremonial clothes, changed into casual clothes, and sat down at the dining table. Songzhi served her a bowl of shark skin chicken soup to appease her stomach first.
"Today is a good day for Your Majesty. Lingzhi specially prepared eight extra dishes. Your Majesty, please try every one of them."
Songzhi said this while serving the dishes to Concubine Hua.
"She's thoughtful. My allowance has been doubled. I can't finish all the food I need for the day. You can divide it up according to the situation and help improve the lives of those below you."
"Yes, I will thank the Queen for the reward on their behalf."
The supplies in the Yikun Palace were abundant, and what Concubine Hua couldn't finish on weekdays was given away to the servants below.
Not to mention the amount of salary, the expenses for food and drink alone are enough to make the servants in the various palaces jealous.
This time the queen was promoted to the rank of imperial concubine, and everyone under her was hoping to rise to the top and get some benefits.
This kind of unrest is not a good thing.
Songzhi has been thinking carefully about the art of controlling subordinates since Lingxiang's incident.
In the past, she only cared about Concubine Hua's thoughts. Now, she also knew what to do to last longer as the head maid of Yiku Palace.
Combine firmness and flexibility, and use both kindness and severity.
I figured this out while following the Empress's lead.
Speaking of Ling Xiang, she went to the imperial kitchen to get something a few days ago and saw the dishes sent to Qixiang Palace. Even if their Yikun Palace did not contribute, Ling Xiang would have a hard time.
The rotten leftovers were just stuffed into the lunch box.
The little palace maid who delivered the food was still Si'er.
This little palace maid has become a professional in delivering meals to the confined palace concubines.
Songzhi's thoughts drifted away but were pulled back by Concubine Hua.
"Did you find out anything from the interrogation of that little eunuch?" Hua Fei was asking the little eunuch who had been fawning over her early this morning and deliberately inducing her to wear the clothes of the Imperial Noble Concubine.
"Yes, Zhou Ninghai locked him up in the woodshed in the backyard. The Empress was having her grand ceremony at noon, and he couldn't be absent, so he handed the matter over to Xiaolouzi." Songzhi continued serving Hua Fei food. "Xiaolouzi questioned him all morning, and the man insisted he was just trying to curry your favor and get a job in Yikun Palace. He didn't say anything else."
Xiaolouzi is quite smart in doing his job, but when it comes to interrogating people, he is still far inferior to Zhou Ninghai.
Concubine Hua thought about this and then said, "Have Zhou Ninghai pry his mouth open as soon as possible. There's no need to waste too much time on this matter."
"Yes."
There are so many loopholes in this thing, and yet it still leaves a small flaw for people to catch. You can guess who did it without any hesitation.
However, Concubine Hua still needs a conclusive confession.
Concubine Hua had just finished her lunch and was preparing to take a nap on the chaise longue.
Zhou Ninghai walked in holding an ebony tray.
"What is this?" asked Hua Fei.
"Your Majesty, this was just delivered by Baoque from the Yanxi Palace. It's a gift from Consort An to congratulate you on your promotion to Imperial Consort today."
When Concubine Hua lifted up the red silk, she saw that it was truly gorgeous and the craftsmanship was exquisite.
Songzhi couldn't help but exclaimed when she saw it: "It's so beautiful."
It was indeed so beautiful. Blooming peonies were embroidered on the thin gauze. When Concubine Hua looked carefully, she felt that the posture and color of these peonies seemed familiar.
Hua Fei remembered that it was the peony planted by Xin Chang herself this year - Fei Zi Xiao. (Readers who can't remember can go to Chapter 292)