Chapter 192 The Heir Apparent of the Earl's Mansion 15

The Empress had someone drug Ning Yan, causing her to have an affair with a palace maid, and even plotted to let the Emperor find out. However, she didn't know that when she was devising her plan, the Emperor already knew about her entire scheme and was even planning to take advantage of the situation.

After confirming that Ning Yan had been brought into the room and escorted in by the palace maid, she handed the Emperor a cup of wine laced with a drug. The wine would take effect in a quarter of an hour, and she planned to lead the Emperor to catch him in the act, then take the drugged Emperor to her palace...

The emperor pretended not to know that the wine handed to him was drugged, drank it all in one gulp, and then when the empress tried to take him to catch them in the act of adultery, he knocked her unconscious with a slap and threw her back into the empress's palace.

He then leisurely returned to the Yangyang Palace.

Ning Yan was also informed that the Emperor had taken her medicine.

In short, it was a battle of wits between two powerful figures, and Ning Yan, the prey, got what she wanted.

Among the remaining concubines, one of them spread rumors about Ning Yan—or rather, gossip.

The Emperor discovered that she wanted Ning Yan dead, but she still wanted to live?

Five others were identified as having problems by Wu Fu and his men: two were having affairs with guards, one was having an affair with a royal physician, and the other was having an affair with a young eunuch.

Xiao Li already disliked the women that the ministers had forced upon him, so he had them all killed, along with their lovers.

The Empress was the legitimate daughter of the Left Chancellor, whose power in the court was deeply entrenched. How could the Chancellor tolerate his daughter being banished to the Cold Palace? So, on the eighth day of the month, as soon as the court session began, the ministers started to petition the Emperor to release the Empress.

The emperor, who was well-prepared, produced a stack of incriminating evidence, and those who had been the most vocal in their accusations were all imprisoned.

The Left Prime Minister was furious, but he also knew in his heart that his men had suffered heavy losses today. If he were to send people to take action again, many people would likely turn against him. Therefore, no matter how much dissatisfaction he had with the Emperor, he had to suppress it.

If only I hadn't promoted Xiao Li, the prince no one cared about, to the throne. Prince Su is shrewd, but he wouldn't stay away from the harem. As long as my daughter is pregnant, I can get rid of Prince Su and then promote the little prince to the throne. Then I can have the whole court under my control.

It's too late to say all this now; he's going to Prince Su's residence tonight.

After all, besides the Emperor, the only other sons of the late Emperor were Prince Su and another war king who was stationed in the northwest to guard the frontier. That other one was not someone he could control. Moreover, since Prince Su had lost that ability, the only option was for his son to ascend the throne, which would be beneficial to both him and Prince Su.

When a minister fell from power, the Emperor arranged for Lord Ning to enter the Ministry of Revenue as a fifth-rank official. Although it was only a promotion of one rank, the difference between the Ministry of Revenue and a sinecure was enormous.

The old man was very happy. He never expected his son to be so successful in middle age. He insisted on having a celebration at his home.

It angered Uncle Ning. If it weren't for him, would his whole family have to live in such fear?

Don't even think about having a banquet!

"Father, so many ministers in the court have gotten into trouble. Aren't you afraid that our son will be resented for holding a banquet at this critical moment?"

Behave yourself, I haven't lived enough yet!

Old man: ...You unfilial son! Every time he's at his happiest, I have to pour cold water on his mood!

The old man left in a huff, full of frustration.

But someone was even more frustrated than him!

That night, the Left Chancellor secretly went to the Prince Su's residence.

As soon as he arrived, Prince Su invited him to his study. The two conspired for more than a quarter of an hour, and no one knows what they said during that time. Suddenly, a scream came from the study, and then the study door was opened. An aide rushed out, "Quick, go and fetch a doctor! The prince has fainted."

The Prince Su's residence was in chaos. The prince's physician arrived, followed by several imperial physicians, but all those who examined the prince shook their heads.

It's hopeless. Even if the Heavenly King himself came, there would be no way to help.

They are just doctors, not gods.

The Left Prime Minister was imprisoned on charges of murdering Prince Su. Prince Su's wife reported him to the emperor, who was delighted and immediately threw the Left Prime Minister into prison.

Early on the ninth day, white cloth was hung up at the Prince Su's residence.

The Emperor—the Emperor still had to put on a show; he took some time to personally leave the palace to offer incense to his brother, Prince Su.

Even though the Prince Su's mansion was poor and destitute, he still had to give them face.

In a good mood, the emperor bestowed delicacies upon the Marquis of Cheng'an's residence in the evening.

When Ning Yan saw the food, she felt a mix of emotions that were hard to describe.

These dishes are all light and refreshing.

There wasn't a single spicy dish.

Very good, excellent. Xiao Li must have received further training.

On the morning of the tenth, Xiao Li made a move against Prince Su's henchmen, especially the one who glared at Ning Yan. He seized on this as leverage and exiled him to Lingnan.

Let me tell you, isn't pillow talk terrifying?

Ning Yan naturally learned of the news as well. In order to repay the Emperor, she obediently accompanied Xiao Li to read the memorials. Occasionally, she would deliberately get close to him, serving him tea, water, and snacks. Xiao Li was clearly pleased, and his mood was visibly good.

After lunch, Xiao Li took her for a walk in the palace. When they returned, he found her storybooks. His considerate manner was completely different from the emperor who used to kill people at the drop of a hat.

That night, the palace was pitch black again, but the commotion was quite loud. Ning Yan got annoyed and simply threw the man off and pinned him to the bed.

Xiao Li was extremely excited, and his voice trembled slightly, "Zi'an..."

Ning Yan: ……

Ning Yan immediately tied his hands to prevent him from touching her inappropriately and giving her away.

Don't want to sleep, huh? Want to cause trouble, huh? Let's see how she deals with him!

So Xiao Li was almost driven crazy by Ning Yan that night!

This time, Ning Yan stayed in the palace for more than half a month until her period was due. When her period did not come, Ning Yan returned to her residence that very night.

After she left, the emperor was filled with confusion.

He quietly asked Sixi, "Why do you think Zian is always acting so strangely?"

Four Joys: ...

Si Xi lowered her head. "Could it be that Lord Ning is shy?"

Xiao Li: "He never takes off his clothes in front of me. Could it be that he has some scars on his body that he's afraid I'll find out and be disgusted by?"

He feels heartbroken just thinking about that possibility, so how could he possibly dislike him?

Si Xi: "...Lord Ning is the only legitimate son of the Marquis of Cheng'an's family. He has been pampered by his family since childhood. How could we possibly let him get hurt?"

Xiao Li: That's right!

But he still felt something was wrong.

He really didn't know much about matters between men and women, but they were both men; he knew how to have sex, so Ning Yan should know how to have sex too, but he never felt anything from him...

Could it be that Zi'an has some kind of health problem?

But every night, his reaction wasn't entirely indifferent.

He really wanted to know the answer, but had no one to ask.

Just as he was lost in thought, a palace maid from Chonghua Palace requested an audience with the Emperor.

Chonghua Palace was the palace of Consort Shu.

"Bring the person in."