Chapter 6 — The Emperor Favors His Royal Highness, I Make Him No Longer Emperor

Just enough for more than half of the people in the room to hear clearly. In the blink of an eye. The eyes of everyone in the palace simultaneously turned towards me. I looked at the cup of wine in her hand. It was a white jade cup. The top is also engraved with an orchid pattern. Just look at it and you'll know. It's something she intentionally made for her own person. In front of everyone. She is placing herself on equal footing with the Queen. I don't move. She just raised her glass of wine like that. Keep a smile on your face. The arm holding the cup is also steady and motionless. Not impatient at all. No pressure at all. She knew everyone in the palace was watching. Knowing that I cannot publicly make her lose face in front of everyone. But she miscalculated one thing.

“What kind of wine is in your hand?”

Lam Nhuoc Lan was slightly stunned.

“Your Majesty.”

“It's cassia wine.”

“New wine brewed this year.”

“Cinnamon flower wine?”

I slowly stood up.

“From the day I entered the palace until now.”

“It's been twelve years.”

“This palace has never drank alcohol.”

“The Queen Mother knows that this palace does not touch alcohol.”

“So every Mid-Autumn Festival.”

"What you prepared for this palace is cinnamon flower nectar."

“This.”

“The old people in the palace all know.”

Thuc Phi bowed her head. Uyen Tan pursed her lips tightly. Several other concubines silently exchanged glances with each other.

“You have only been in the palace for half a year.”

“I don't know these things.”

“This palace does not blame you.”

I took a step closer to her.

“But just now you said you wanted to borrow this cup of wine to honor this palace.”

“This palace wants to ask a question.”

“Who are you borrowing wine from?”

Lam Nhuoc Lan's face immediately changed. The hand holding the cup of wine also trembled slightly. The Emperor's voice came from the chair.

"Queen."

“Today is Mid-Autumn Festival.”

“Why do you have to be so aggressive and scare people?”

“The noble concubine gives her a cup of wine.”

“It's just a gesture of good will.”

“Are you sure you want to make a small matter into a big deal?”

The person stood up. Walk next to Lam Nhuoc Lan. Then he put his hand around her shoulder.

“She has not been in the palace for long.”

“Don't understand the rules.”

“It's okay if you teach slowly.”

“In front of so many people, she lost face.”

“It's the Queen.”

“Do you have any tolerance?”

I looked at the two of them. The emperor is holding Lam Nhuoc Lan's shoulder. As for Lam Nhuoc Lan, she leaned in someone's arms, sobbing softly.

“Your Majesty is right.”

"The noble lady has not been in the palace for long and doesn't understand the rules. It's because this palace, the person who is the Queen, hasn't taught her well."

I turned around and returned to my seat.

“If that were the case.”

“Today this palace will teach her properly.”

“This is the book during the time the Concubine assisted in managing the six palaces.”

“This palace has checked three times.”

“Each inspection reveals different flaws.”

"Total."

“Falsely declaring the expenditure of twelve hundred taels of silver.”

“Embezzled eight hundred taels of silver for personal gain.”

“There is also a thousand taels of silver whose whereabouts are unknown.”

“Add it all up.”

“Three thousand taels of silver.”

“I just don't know whose money it went into.”

Lam Nhuoc Lan's face instantly turned pale.

"Queen!"

The Emperor shouted loudly.

“What do you mean?”

“This concubine is teaching you the rules.”

I raised my head and looked straight into people's eyes.

“Your Majesty told me I teach.”

“Then I will teach you.”

“Rule number one.”

“The money of the harem.”

“Who dares to reach out and take it?”

“This palace will cut off that person's hand.”

The news just spread out in less than three days. The harp performances of the officials were continuously brought into the palace. The person who was persecuted was not Lam Nhuoc Lan. They still don't have the courage to directly expose the Emperor's favored concubine. The person targeted was Phung Thi Lang of the Household Ministry.

“The Household Minister Phung Kinh Nghieu colluded with the harem, embezzled border military food, embezzled public funds, an unforgivable crime.”

First movement recital. That's because I told Vuong Ngu to present it. Words are not considered too harsh. But every sentence and every word hits the essential point. Phung Kinh Nghieu is Lam Nhuoc Lan's compatriot. The relationship between these two people. Unable to bear investigation. The emperor pressed this matter down for three days. On to the fourth day. The second movement was offered again. This time, three officials signed together. The content of the accusation is also much more specific. During his time in office.