Chapter 907

"Although it's not the time for paying respects, I've been thinking of Your Majesty. That's why I thought it would be good to pay my respects to Your Majesty one more time. What, does Your Majesty not welcome me?"

The Empress remained stern: "I am entertaining guests today. Consort De's arrival is ill-timed. Go back."

"Oh dear, I've heard that when Your Highness entertains guests, the guests sit in the palace while Your Highness lies in the back. What kind of hospitality is that?" Consort De covered her mouth and laughed. "Come here, even if it's to help Your Highness entertain guests, it's good to chat with the Princess and the Princess here. Your Highness, please continue to lie in the back. Don't worry about the front!"

In this Phoenix Palace, Consort De actually started making arrangements for the Empress.

The Empress was trembling with anger, but she had no choice but to sit still: "Where did you hear that? It's utter nonsense."

"It's all over the palace! Well, it's not surprising that the Empress doesn't know, since she hasn't been going out much lately."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression darkened further.

How could she not know that what she was doing was beneath her dignity?

I thought that with the gates of Fengyi Palace closed, the news wouldn't get out, but I didn't expect it to spread so quickly.

Her Phoenix Palace... is truly drafty on all sides.

The Empress's expression was unpleasant, but Consort De's expression became increasingly cheerful as she chatted enthusiastically with Consort Zhong, completely ignoring the Empress.

With Consort De present, the Empress could not act as she had yesterday and had to see the guests off before noon.

When Zhong Jie and Huo Zhao left, the Empress even personally saw them off.

"The Yunnan Prince's Mansion is bustling now, but the Princess should still be careful. If she acts too recklessly, she may not end up with a good end."

Zhong Jie smiled, completely unfazed by her words: "Thank you for reminding me, Your Majesty."

After saying that, Zhong Jie and Huo Zhao walked away.

Consort De yawned, lazily curtsied to the Empress, and then left.

The Empress did not go back, but stood in the courtyard, looking up at the square sky.

I'm afraid her time has come.

——

As the Empress had predicted, a major event occurred in the court a few months later.

The Empress's maternal family was investigated for selling official positions, which also implicated them in embezzling huge sums of money. The once glorious family fell into ruin in an instant.

With her maternal family deposed, the empress was also implicated and was naturally stripped of her position and moved to the Cold Palace.

The family's downfall was swift, but not entirely unexpected.

Because it was Shen Rang who uncovered this whole affair.

The incident began when someone reported that someone else had taken the official position that should have been theirs. By sheer coincidence, Shen Rang learned of this and took on the task. He carried it out swiftly and decisively, and the Empress's maternal family fell from power.

After all, he had irrefutable evidence in his hands, and in the end, he didn't give anyone cause for controversy.

However, the emperor's attitude was quite interesting.

With irrefutable evidence before him, the emperor naturally took action against the empress and her family. However, he then said that Shen Rang should rest well, thus neglecting Shen Rang.

For a time, no one in the court could figure out the emperor's intentions.

However, Shen Rang didn't feel anything was wrong. He was happy to stay at home with his wife. Wasn't life more comfortable than getting up early every day to go to court?

But just because he's comfortable doesn't mean others think he's comfortable.

Shen Jun couldn't sit still any longer.

However, Shen Jun did not run around outside as he had before.

He now understands all too well that when something happens, he has to persuade Shen Rang first; otherwise, even if he invites the Heavenly King himself to come, Shen Rang will still ignore him.

So that afternoon, Shen Jun took Zheng Shi with him and they went to the South Courtyard.