bookrandom Chapter 510: Follow authority in emergencies
Chapter 510: Follow authority in emergencies
Chapter 510: Emergency
"What's going on?"
When Concubine Duan saw her maid coming back with two little eunuchs, she actually already had some guesses in her mind.
However, now she is the one who wants to help Zhen Huan. Since she wants to uphold justice, she has to pretend to be ignorant of many things even if she knows them clearly in her heart, so that she can use them to make trouble!
"Reporting to the queen... I followed your instructions and went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and asked the chief eunuch to come see you, but they refused, saying that they were busy and had no time to come!"
Facing the inquiries from Concubine Duan, Jixiang ignored the terrified expressions of the two young eunuchs and told them everything about his previous experiences in the Imperial Household Department.
Jixiang was originally a maidservant who came with Concubine Duan as a dowry. She had been with her mistress in the palace for so long that she had her own opinions and ways of dealing with many things, just like her master.
Just like this time, Jixiang was sent to the Imperial Household Department by Concubine Duan to bring the chief eunuch Jiang Zhongmin. This was a thankless task and it was very likely that Jixiang would offend the Imperial Household Department.
But because it was an order from his master, Jixiang did not hesitate and went directly to the Ministry of Internal Affairs according to Concubine Duan's request.
As expected, I was indeed given a hard time!
But Jixiang did not choose to confront her head-on at that time. Instead, after finishing Concubine Duan's instructions, he prepared to leave.
It was only at this time that the people in the Imperial Household Department began to panic.
The reason why they dared to disrespect Jixiang was simply because their eldest brother Jiang Zhongmin was promoted by the Queen, that's all.
However, the Queen is now in seclusion, and all matters, big or small, are handled by Concubine Duan in name only, with Concubine Jing and Concubine Hui as her assistants.
Therefore, when Concubine Duan's people came to find Jiang Zhongmin in a threatening manner, Jiang Zhongmin, who heard the report from his subordinates, naturally became so busy that he "disappeared without a trace".
In addition to receiving Jiang Zhongmin's instructions, these young eunuchs also wanted to curry favor with the chief eunuch.
But among them, there are also some people with more active minds.
They had just finished their sarcastic remarks to Jixiang, but when they saw that she was about to leave, they were immediately afraid that she would go to Concubine Duan to complain.
Therefore, these young eunuchs could only slap their faces on the spot, calm Jixiang down, and secretly send people to ask for instructions from the chief steward Jiang Zhongmin.
Unexpectedly, even in this situation, Jiang Zhongmin still chose to avoid him. He only assigned two young eunuchs who were loyal to him to follow Jixiang back to Xianfu Palace.
"That's how it is!"
After Jixiang told Concubine Duan everything that had happened, he bowed to his master and then obediently stepped aside.
This is Jixiang's character. He will neither swallow his anger all the time nor ask for more than he deserves.
In her narration, she was just a loyal executor of her master's orders from beginning to end.
As for the eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department, Jixiang did not attack them with exaggerated words. Instead, he reported all the information he had received directly to Concubine Duan.
In this situation, even if the two young eunuchs wanted to refute, they couldn't find anyone to interrupt.
After hearing the end, they could only look at Concubine Duan in fear.
This queen didn't have a strong presence in the palace before, and I heard that she has always been kind and tolerant. Maybe she wouldn't vent her anger on me and others, right?
"I understand."
Concubine Duan had not spoken a word before, and even used her eyes to hint at Shen Meizhuang, who had been hesitant to speak many times.
After she finished speaking, she turned to Shen Meizhuang and Concubine Jing, "My two sisters, look at this steward of the Imperial Household Department. He has such great authority! Even I cannot invite him here by order. Haha, then..."
At the end, Concubine Duan's tone suddenly lengthened and seemed extremely meaningful.
"Empress Duan, this Jiang Zhongmin is so audacious. After something like this happened, he didn't come to see you right away, but instead sent these subordinates to make excuses. He has absolutely no regard for palace rules and regulations! Please deal with him seriously!"
Shen Meizhuang had been holding it in for a long time.
Originally, Shen Meizhuang was surprised that her good sister had encountered such a thing, but she was also filled with rage in her heart.
At this moment, seeing that the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs were all insidious and cunning people who did nothing, Shen Meizhuang really could no longer tolerate it!
"What Huipin said makes sense!"
Concubine Duan was waiting for others to say something so that she could use it to make trouble.
So Concubine Duan gave Shen Meizhuang a hint with her eyes just now. Although Shen Meizhuang did not realize the hidden meaning in Concubine Duan's words at first because of her emotions, she still went with the flow and cooperated with her perfectly.
"Please forgive me, ladies! Manager Jiang is really busy!"
The two little eunuchs were originally brought up by Jiang Zhongmin and could be considered his "apprentices". They were also very loyal to their teacher.
They knew very well that as long as they followed Jiang Zhongmin, not only would their life in the Imperial Household Department be extremely easy, but their future would also be full of hope.
Therefore, when the two young eunuchs discovered that the anger of their masters was growing, they immediately panicked.
"Someone! Tell the guards, he has to come today, whether he wants to or not!"
After all, Concubine Duan was born into a military family. Even though she looked sickly on weekdays, it didn't mean that she was really so weak.
At this time, Concubine Duan's eyes were wide open and her tone was powerful, without any trace of her usual sickly look.
"Yes!"
Jixiang didn't care about the crying of the two little eunuchs. After receiving the order from his master, he and the maid sent by Concubine Jing went to summon the guards on duty in Xianfu Palace, and went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to arrest people according to Concubine Duan's order.
In normal circumstances, as a concubine in the harem, Concubine Duan had no right to instruct the guards on duty in the palace to capture the eunuchs holding official positions in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
But in an emergency, one has to take the necessary measures. Besides, Concubine Duan was appointed by Emperor Yongzheng to be in charge of palace affairs after the Empress did not leave the palace. This is equivalent to the "power to assist in managing the six palaces" granted to Concubine Hua when she was at the peak of her power.
However, when Nian Shilan was at the peak of his power, he simply pushed the strong and healthy queen aside and took control of the harem alone.
Now, because the Queen's illness has not recovered, and because Concubine Duan has been in the palace for many years and has seniority, she is responsible for guidance.
But the people who actually carried out the plan were still Shen Meizhuang and Concubine Jing. In this way, the three of them could cooperate with each other and restrain each other. It was better than when Concubine Hua was the only one in power, leaving the Queen no chance to breathe.
Therefore, when Jixiang went to deliver the message first, the team of guards had no objection. Except for those who needed to guard the palace, the rest went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
After arranging the guards, Concubine Duan was not idle. Instead, she followed An Lingrong's advice and ordered people to go to the Yangxin Palace and Jingren Palace respectively to report to the Emperor and the Empress what had happened today, to show that she had not overstepped her authority.
As for the Queen Mother, her health had not improved since she caught two colds, so of course no one dared to disturb her now.