Empress Ulanara stood by the window of Changchun Palace, her fingertips gripping the window frame tightly, her knuckles turning white.

The sound of hurried footsteps and the cries of palace maids came from outside the palace. The people from the Censorate were dragging away the palace maids and nannies of Changchun Palace one by one for questioning. Her confidantes Chun Tao and Granny Wang had already been taken away and had not returned.

“Your Majesty…” A young palace maid knelt on the ground, trembling, her voice choked with sobs, “Chief Eunuch Su led his men to search the palace, they even ransacked your dressing case…”

The Empress seemed not to hear, her gaze blankly fixed on the window. She couldn't believe that her meticulously planned scheme had been exposed so quickly.

Years ago, she poisoned Consort Nian, rendering her infertile, and no one has noticed to this day; but this time, her attack on Consort Shu was discovered in just half a month.

She suddenly remembered that when Madam Nian sent spices to Lin Yun, Lin Yun saw through it at a glance, and the truth came out in just one day.

"Witch... Lin Yun must be a witch!" The Empress turned around abruptly, her eyes flashing with venomous light. "Otherwise, how could she see through my schemes every time!"

She slumped onto the phoenix throne, her mind a jumbled mess. Years ago, when she married into the royal family, she secured her position as Empress thanks to the illustrious Ulanara clan and the Empress Dowager's support. She had assumed the Emperor's lack of offspring was fate, never imagining that it would lead to her being deposed.

"No, I am the Empress! I am the daughter of General Fei Yanggu, the Grand General of the Pacification Army. The Emperor could not possibly depose me!" she murmured to herself, but a chill ran through her heart. The Emperor's favor towards Consort Shu had long exceeded her imagination.

---

Qianqing Palace of the Former Dynasty

The imperial edict to depose the empress caused an uproar in the court. Manchu officials submitted memorials one after another, pleading with the emperor to rescind the decree.

Prince Heng, Yunqi, stepped forward first and said loudly, "Your Majesty, the Empress is the mother of the nation, and the Ulanara clan is a prominent Manchu family. How can she be deposed so easily? This action could shake the very foundation of the country!"

Immediately afterward, Grand Secretary Ma Qi stepped forward, speaking earnestly: "Your Majesty, the Empress has managed the inner palace for many years, and her virtue and kindness are known throughout the land. If the Empress is deposed because of a momentary matter, it would damage the face of the royal family. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Among the civil and military officials, almost all the Manchu ministers knelt down to plead for their orders, their voices rising in waves.

The Han Chinese officials mostly remained silent, standing with their heads bowed and their eyes darting around.

At that moment, Zhang Tingyu suddenly stepped forward and said loudly, "Your subject has a memorial to present!"

Yongzheng looked up at him and said calmly, "Speak."

Zhang Tingyu bowed deeply, his voice clear and powerful: "In my opinion, the position of Empress should be based on virtue. Ulanara has plotted to harm the imperial heir and poisoned the concubines. How can she be worthy of being the mother of the nation with such evil deeds? If we condone her crimes because of her illustrious family background, wouldn't the world laugh at our Great Qing for having no moral principles?"

Upon hearing this, the Manchu officials glared angrily. Prince Heng, Yunqi, shouted sternly, "Zhang Tingyu! How dare you, a Han official, speak so presumptuously about the Empress's affairs?"

Zhang Tingyu remained composed and respectful, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect and saying, "Your Highness, I am an official appointed by the court, and it is my duty to speak frankly for the people. An unvirtuous empress is a great calamity for the nation, and I dare not let personal matters interfere with my official duties."

Among the Han Chinese officials, some gradually raised their heads, a hint of approval flashing in their eyes. Though they dared not speak openly, a glimmer of hope arose in their hearts because of Zhang Tingyu's courage. Perhaps, because of Consort Shu, Han officials could also have a place in the court.

Thirteenth Prince Yunxiang and Ninth Prince Yuntang stood to the side, remaining silent. Yunxiang frowned, looking at his fourth brother with a complicated expression. His fourth sister-in-law was always rigid and dull, but his fourth brother was not an impulsive person either. There must be a reason that they did not know.

Yun Tang remained silent. He had little affection for the Empress, but perhaps because of their collaboration, he felt more favorably toward Lin Yun.

Seeing this, other members of the royal family stepped forward to object. Prince Zhuang, Yunlu, said loudly, "Your Majesty, the matter of deposing the Empress is of great importance. We beg Your Majesty to consider the reputation of the Ulanara clan and show leniency!"

The court was in an uproar, but Yongzheng watched coldly, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of his dragon throne, his eyes growing increasingly cold.

Yongzheng sneered and slowly rose to his feet. With a wave of his hand, the court fell into complete silence.

"I have heard everything you have said," Yongzheng said in a low voice, but each word was firm and powerful. "Today, I have a few questions for you."

He descended the steps, approaching the kneeling Manchu ministers step by step: "You keep saying that the Empress is virtuous and kind, but have you ever seen her poison the concubines? You say that deposing the Empress will shake the foundation of the country, but have you ever thought that the real danger to the foundation of the country is the depletion of my offspring!"

Prince Heng, Yunqi, looked up to argue, but Yongzheng suddenly threw a stack of memorials in front of him: "Look for yourself! This is the virtuous empress you all speak of!"

The memorials were scattered all over the floor, the charges against the officials clearly visible. The courtiers all bowed their heads, their faces changing drastically.

Yongzheng continued, "Since marrying into the royal family, Ulanara has used poisonous schemes to eliminate her rivals. Consort Nian's infertility was her doing; Consort Shu's poisoning was her doing! All the miscarriages of women in the harem were caused by her, and my heirs were almost lost in her hands! What use is such an empress?"

The Manchu ministers were speechless, while the Han ministers clenched their fists secretly, a look of satisfaction flashing in their eyes.

Zhang Tingyu stepped forward again and proclaimed loudly, "Your Majesty is wise! Such a wicked woman is truly unworthy to be the mother of the nation!"

Yongzheng glanced at him, nodded slightly, then turned back to the dragon throne and said in a deep voice, "My mind has made up regarding the matter of deposing the Empress. The evidence against Ulanara for plotting against the imperial heir is conclusive. She is hereby deposed as a commoner and imprisoned in the cold palace for life. All members of her clan involved in the case shall be severely punished!"

The court was deathly silent; no one dared to refute it anymore.

Yongzheng slowly sat down, his gaze distant: "As for the matter of the imperial concubine selection, I will answer it all today—I have my own decisions regarding my harem. If anyone dares to make any further comments, don't blame me for not showing any mercy!"

After the court session, the Manchu ministers looked ashen and left in a hurry; while the Han ministers gathered in twos and threes, whispering among themselves, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

---

Changchun Palace

The Empress—no, now a commoner, Ulanara—slumped to the ground, her phoenix coronet and wedding robes stripped away, leaving her only in plain clothes. Gazing at the empty palace, she suddenly burst into maniacal laughter: "I am the Empress! The Emperor cannot depose me… cannot…"

The palace doors were pushed open, and Su Peisheng entered with several eunuchs, coldly saying, "Ulanara clan, please."

Ulanara suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Su Peisheng's collar: "Su Peisheng! Go tell the Emperor that I know I was wrong! I am willing to repent... I beg the Emperor for mercy!"

Su Peisheng expressionlessly pried her hands off and waved to the eunuch behind him: "Take her away."

Two eunuchs stepped forward, lifted Ulanara up, and dragged her out of Changchun Palace. Her cries echoed through the Forbidden City, eventually fading into the biting cold wind.