“What did you say?” Helian Qi stared at Song Qingzhi, his gaze piercing.
Song Qingzhi stammered, unwilling to admit she had lied…
But she didn’t want to be sent out of the palace even more.
It was better to admit that she deceived the gods than to be cast out as someone the gods despised.
“Your Majesty… this concubine’s words were untrue. It was my own fault that I fell down the steps, causing the sacrificial ceremony to be interrupted!” Song Qingzhi kowtowed heavily to Helian Qi.
Then she kowtowed to the statue of the deity: “I sincerely repent to the God of Grain! I beg the God of Grain to forgive me.”
She was forced to admit that she had fallen on her own in order to avoid the incense failing to burn and being considered a person disliked by the gods and driven out of the palace.
Helian Qi’s eyes were icy cold: “You even dared to harm the imperial fetus just to frame someone else…”
“I was unaware of my pregnancy… I truly never imagined such a consequence would occur…” Song Qingzhi said with a face full of regret.
Unaware that she was pregnant?
Then all of this made sense.
Helian Qi finally understood and was furious.
“Song Shi’s actions harmed both herself and others. She was demoted to Xuanshi rank and confined to her quarters for a month, where she was forced to copy scriptures to reflect on her actions.”
Although the lowest rank for imperial concubines is Xuanshi, the lowest rank for daughters of officials who enter the palace through the selection process is Baolin.
Only palace maids and common women who gained favor could start by being selected as Xuanshi.
Helian Qi was clearly furious with her, so he didn’t give Song Qingzhi any face.
However, given the Emperor’s temperament, the fact that he didn’t banish her to the Cold Palace was already a sign of respect for the Song family.
Song Qingzhi’s face turned pale: “Your Majesty…”
Helian Qi ignored her and then gave instructions to Wang Degui: “The four concubines who gave false testimony for Song Shi will all be banished to the Cold Palace.”
After saying that, he turned and walked out of the shrine.
Wang Degui was stunned by this scene and quickly obeyed the order, “This servant obeys the decree!”
“Your Majesty…” Song Qingzhi wanted to chase after him to plead for mercy.
However, Wang Degui stopped her, “Song Xuanshi, His Majesty has issued an order, so please return to the palace and be confined. Everyone else has been sent to the Cold Palace, but His Majesty has already shown leniency toward you, so don’t go provoking His Majesty’s anger again…’
Song Qingzhi’s eyes were filled with dejection and resentment. How heartless His Majesty was to her!
Misunderstanding that she was someone the gods hated, he wanted to send her out of the palace without a second word.
If it weren’t for this, she wouldn’t have been forced to admit that she had lied.
…
Helian Qi arrived at Lingxue Pavilion.
He was in a very low mood throughout the journey, feeling angry at being fooled by Song Shi, frustrated by his own misjudgment, saddened by the loss of his imperial heir, and with a faint trace of guilt.
If it weren’t for Ning Wanyin’s suggestion, he would have misunderstood and banished her to the Cold Palace.
She did her best to serve him, asking only to stay by his side, but he had no trust in such a woman who loved him so much, only indifference.
Guilt is a weak emotion, and an emperor should not be weak.
Helian Qi suppressed the various emotions in his heart.
When he entered Lingxue Pavilion, his face was expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.
The young woman remained seated in front of the painting, quietly waiting for him.
“This concubine greets Your Majesty.”
Ning Wanyin rose to greet him and asked directly, “I wonder how Your Majesty intends to deal with Song Jieyu?”
Helian Qi raised an eyebrow slightly: “You’ve already guessed what happened?”
“Of course. She is the one who knows best what I haven’t done. No one would have thought that it was Your Majesty who tampered with the incense for the gods not to light; she could only suspect that it was because she herself lied.”
Ning Wanyin met his gaze frankly.
“By the gods above, she dares not fabricate another lie. Thank you, Your Majesty, for restoring my innocence!”
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