Changsheng: Peak at the Beginning

Chapter 1219 Zhen Huan Enlarged to 143

Originally, such incidents happened one after another. As the one who triggered this series of events, the queen should have tried her best to downplay her identity as the fuse and the suspicion of threatening the queen mother Jiang Xinxin in the Cining Palace.

In fact, the queen herself did so. She first took the initiative to admit her mistake to Qianlong for unilaterally promoting the noble lady Jin, and then she put most of the blame for contradicting Jiang Xinxin on the poison whose origin had not been investigated clearly. Finally, she announced the news of the canonization to the harem in full accordance with Qianlong's wishes, and tried her best to appease the concubines in the harem.

Qianlong was very satisfied with the queen's actions, but he did not expect that while the queen herself had sobered up, the people around her began to become arrogant.

There were four maids in the Empress' dowry, and they were from the Zhu generation. There were quite a few maids from the Xin generation, so the Empress kept only two, Lian Xin and Ye Xin. One was beautiful, gentle, and capable, and the other was plain-looking but known for her honesty.

As the legitimate wife, she had at most four first-class palace maids around her, so two people in her dowry were second-class palace maids. Zhu Mei and Zhu Rui became first-class palace maids together with Lian Xin and Ye Xin.

Although Lianxin was outstanding and her family had some staff in the Imperial Household Department, because of the imperial decree issued by Dapangju, her family gave up the idea of ​​sending a woman to anyone's backyard and only let Lianxin serve the Fourth Lady attentively.

At that time, the Queen saw that Lianxin was versatile and loyal, which was very rare, so she gradually came to rely on her very much. Naturally, Lianxin became the number one person around the Queen.

The two who were demoted to second-class palace maids should have been unwilling, but they were gradually conquered by Lianxin, so they were willing to be Lianxin's assistants. However, Zhu Mei and Zhu Rui, who were also first-class palace maids, had some small thoughts.

But Lianxin didn't care. She knew that those in higher positions were wary of the people below them being of one mind, so she let Zhu Mei and Zhu Rui target her. She just wanted to make sure nothing bad happened.

In fact, the queen was quite relieved that the first-class palace maids around her were divided into two factions. After all, if the subordinates stick together, it is called collusion, and she, the master, will easily be sidelined.

But she didn't expect that because Lian Xin's methods were too high, Zhu Mei and Zhu Rui would have other ideas. So, while Lian Xin was out doing things, Zhu Mei came up and said, "Your Majesty, such a big thing happened in Jingren Palace. Your Majesty was even poisoned without anyone knowing. Doesn't the Queen Mother have anything to say?"

At this special moment, the queen immediately became alert and felt a chill in her heart. She couldn't believe that someone had actually reached out to her and was targeting the dowry she brought from home!

The Queen's mind raced and she began to ask questions: "At a time like this, what else can I do? You saw what happened that day. If I say one more word, I will be charged with disrespecting the Queen Mother."

Zhu Mei knew the pros and cons of the matter, but she just wanted to show off her ability, so she tried her best to stir up the Queen's resentment towards the Cining Palace. "Your Majesty, we have to be careful about the Cining Palace. The Queen Mother has lived in Jingren Palace for more than ten years without any problems. Your Majesty, so many monsters and demons appear when you come in. If this gets out, what will others think?"

The Queen understood Zhu Mei's intentions after hearing this. She just wanted her to confront the Cining Palace so that she could make mistakes. She was not interested in probing her any further and said perfunctorily, "Then I can only bear with it. Besides, the Emperor has sealed it himself. Who dares to offend at this time?"

Zhu Mei knew that the Queen had made up her mind, and realized that if she continued to instigate her, she would not get away with anything, so she could only shut up. Besides, she really thought that finding an opportunity to suppress the Cining Palace first would be good for the Queen and make it easier for the Queen to take charge of the harem.

If she could make contributions to the Queen's complete power, she would definitely surpass Lianxin and become the number one person around the Queen. Then, as the chief steward of Kunning Palace, her status would be comparable to that of Wang Qin, the chief steward of Qianqing Palace. Wouldn't that be impressive!

The queen found an excuse to ask Zhu Mei to go outside, and then she said to Zhu Rui, who was serving beside her, "Zhu Rui, did you hear what Zhu Mei said just now?"

Zhu Rui was more honest than Zhu Mei. She was a little disapproving of Zhu Mei's contact with outsiders, but she didn't intend to hide it from the queen. "Your Majesty, Zhu Mei might have some wrong ideas. I know she doesn't have any bad intentions, but I'm also afraid that she's not smart enough and will be used as a pawn by outsiders."

The Queen was not at all satisfied with Zhu Rui's words, and she couldn't help feeling a chill in her heart. She had never wanted the people under her to stick together and sideline her as the master. Now it seemed that Zhu Mei and Zhu Rui were hiding a lot of things, and they were even claiming to be doing it for her own good.

If the matter of relatives concealing each other happened to her, the queen would certainly not have any objection, but if she was the one being concealed or the one whose interests were harmed, she would definitely not feel comfortable.

There was no other way, the Queen could only let Zhu Rui get up first, and even had to speak to comfort her: "I know that you and Zhu Mei were both dowries brought by me from home, and you should have been of one mind with me, but you actually hid such a big thing from me. If I hadn't asked you on a whim today, how long would you have kept it secret?!"

Zhu Rui knelt down again to apologize, but still did not realize where she was wrong and was still pleading for Zhu Mei and herself.

The queen took a deep breath and no longer wanted to dwell on these things. The most urgent task now was to find the person behind Zhu Mei.

After Zhu Mei and Zhu Rui appeared one after another, the queen couldn't help but test Lianxin and Ye Xin when she saw them. The result finally made her feel relieved. Although Lianxin was good at dealing with people, she knew how to do things in moderation. She would not make decisions for the queen unless it was absolutely necessary. Even if she made a decision, she would report it to her the first time.

As for Ye Xin, she was the type who would only act when given orders, and would never do anything beyond orders, so Lian Xin seldom let her go out to do anything, and only let her take care of the little palace maids under her.

In front of Lian Xin, the Queen couldn't help but smile bitterly: "I've just been crowned Queen and I've experienced such a series of things. I've calmed down by myself, but in a blink of an eye, more than half of the senior palace maids around me have become disloyal..."

Lian Xin quickly knelt down and apologized: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was all our negligence!"

The queen personally helped Lianxin up. Right now, she only trusted Lianxin and Yexin. It would be more reassuring to leave the outside affairs to Lianxin. "You should pay close attention to who Zhu Mei has been in contact with most recently. She is not smart enough and was loyal in the past. She can't suddenly change."

Lianxin couldn't help but tremble in her heart about the fact that someone had contacted Zhu Mei, and the Queen told her to investigate Zhu Mei thoroughly. The following words made her feel more at ease. After all, the Queen didn't convict and sentence Zhu Mei right away. If Zhu Mei could seize the opportunity, even if she was demoted to a third-class maid, at least she was just careless in her work and did not betray her master.