Consort Wang listened intently, her originally upright kneeling body gradually slumping down, her heart filled with despair.
The ledger was so detailed that there were many things she didn't even know.
It's really over. The Wang family is truly finished this time...
The palace maids, eunuchs, and imperial guards around him felt their hearts pounding wildly.
The night was long, and the candles in the imperial study burned all night long.
Inside, however, only Li Gao was present.
Ning Xuan went to the capital region incognito.
Su Yan lay quietly on the main tent. Because the imperial physician had prescribed medicine and was performing acupuncture, the first thing Ning Xuan smelled when he entered the main tent was the strong smell of medicine.
"How is Prime Minister Su?"
The imperial physician was focused on administering acupuncture, while a physician from the capital region boldly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Su has suffered three cuts: on his back, right leg, left arm, and right shoulder. He has also been hit by a hidden weapon and has lost a lot of blood. Although it is not fatal, he will need to recuperate for more than a month."
Ning Xuan's face was clouded with anger. He was too kind and had spoiled these people, emboldening them to act so brazenly!
He looked at Su Yan's pale face. Ever since Su Yan became prime minister, he had intentionally kept Su Yan away from the capital less often. He hadn't been injured for a long time, yet he still suffered such a serious injury.
Fortunately, he came back alive.
As a leader among those from poor families, Su Yan has been doing his utmost to increase the number of opportunities for students from impoverished backgrounds to take the imperial examinations and has also provided them with more assistance.
They had long been disliked by the powerful families, but because of Su Yan's high position and influence, no one dared to make a move. This time, they would settle both old and new scores at once.
It is truly not easy to be alive.
Empress Shen stood there for an hour before Ning Xuan ordered her to return to Yikun Palace.
Her skirt was already wet, and her throat was very sore. It was not advisable for her to ride in the palanquin now, for fear of displeasing Ning Xuan.
He had no choice but to be supported by Shan Huai and stagger back to the palace.
"Go and tell Shuo'er immediately that she must not accept the task of investigating the Wang family," she said, forcing herself to stay alert.
The eunuch behind him turned to leave.
Empress Shen called him back again, "Never mind, don't go."
Is there any way back for the Shen family?
At dawn, it was time for another morning court session.
Su Yan has not attended court for many days, but today the position of head of the Ministry of Revenue is vacant, and the sixth prince Ning Yao has also not attended court.
The ministers lowered their heads and discussed amongst themselves.
"Attend court!" Li Gao shouted loudly.
Ning Xuan approached the dragon throne from the side.
All the officials knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"
"Rise, all of you. I received an account book yesterday that is horrifying! Li Gao, take it away and circulate it among the ministers."
Li Gao carried the account books downstairs with both hands.
Starting with the second prince, Renwang, who was first on the left, Renwang quickly flipped through the ledger and felt that it was like a hot potato, so he quickly handed it to the third prince, Ningshuo, who was next to him.
He knew in his heart that the Wang family was completely finished.
Ning Shuo spent much longer looking at it; this was a great opportunity to eliminate dissidents!
Ning Xuan said calmly, "This case involving the Wang family is of great importance. It will be jointly handled by Prince Qi, the Minister of Justice, and the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review. The case must be investigated and resolved within three days. Anyone found to have acted for personal gain will be punished accordingly!"
Ning Shuo was overjoyed and hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude, saying, "Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission!"
If he doesn't thoroughly investigate every single member of the Wang family, how can he face the Wang family who have been riding roughshod over him all these years?
Even Minister Shen of the Ministry of Personnel thought this was a good idea. Even if it seemed like kicking someone when they were down, he didn't care about the huge temptation of bringing down the Wang family.
Ye Panjiu slept very soundly and woke up at noon the next day.
She slowly opened her eyes, and what she saw was a heavy, bright red brocade curtain.
Looking at the lifelike phoenix patterned on the brocade curtain, she realized that she was in Shengping's bedroom.
Ye Panjiu struggled to raise both arms, which felt burning hot.
Sheng Ping was having his meal when he heard the noise and came over. "Sister Pan Jiu, are you awake?"
Ye Panjiu lifted the brocade curtain and was about to bow, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Sheng Ping helped her up, "Sister Pan Jiu, please don't be so polite with me, just call me Sui'er."
Ye Panjiu looked at the young princess, whose eyebrows were like swords and distant mountains, whose face was like a silver basin, whose eyes were like water apricots, and who was very dignified and elegant.
"How could you be so rude, Your Highness? May I ask how Prime Minister Su is doing these days?"
Sheng Ping held her hand. "I heard from Father that you have three knife wounds and a hidden weapon wound on your shoulder. Although you are out of danger, you need to take good care of yourself."
Ye Panjiu was so shocked that her mouth opened slightly. He had suffered such serious injuries, yet he said he was fine!
How could nothing be wrong?!
Sheng Ping brought over a bowl of porridge. "Sister Pan Jiu, please have some porridge first. The imperial physician examined you and found that you have been overworked, have been depressed, and have had cold accumulation in your uterus and stomach for a long time. You need to rest and recuperate properly."
As he spoke, Sheng Ping blew on the porridge in the spoon and handed it to Ye Panjiu.
Ye Panjiu's arms were really sore, but she didn't refuse and ate it.
She needs to rest and recover quickly; she definitely won't get better if she doesn't eat.
"I heard everything from Minister Lin about your journey from the capital to the palace. He greatly admires you, and it was all thanks to Sister Panjiu that the account books were able to reach Father Emperor in the end!"
Ye Panjiu smiled and said, "Since I've started, I'll do my best to do it well."
She wouldn't say that it's all something she should do; she's risking her life to do something, so how can it be something she should do?
Shengping asked, "Father said he also wants to see Sister Panjiu, what do you think?"
Before Ye Panjiu could reply, Sheng Ping continued, "If Sister Panjiu doesn't want to see you, I'll tell Father that you're unwell and unable to get out of bed."
Ye Panjiu looked at herself; her blood-stained clothes had been changed, and she appeared perfectly fine. "It's alright, Your Highness, please help me up."
She had been riding horses too much, and blisters had formed on the inside of her thighs, but she felt a chill at that moment.
Sheng Ping noticed her worry. "Pan Jiu, don't worry, I'm the one who applied the medicine to your leg. It didn't go through anyone else."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
After finishing the bowl of porridge, Sheng Ping bestowed upon Ye Panjiu a palanquin. Ye Panjiu would never have taken the palanquin if it weren't for the pain and sweat she felt with every step.
That's enough to give people something to talk about.
The Zichen Hall is very close to the Imperial Study, but it is still through two arched passages.
The tunnel was cold and damp, and the sound of the wind passing through it sounded like the mournful cries of wronged souls. Ye Panjiu felt a chill run down her spine.
How many corpses are buried beneath this Forbidden City? How many women's souls are imprisoned here? She feared this palace.
The fragrance of ambergris rose gently from the imperial study, and Ning Xuan looked at the woman in front of him with great curiosity.
She had a slender figure, delicate eyebrows, and captivating eyes; she was strikingly beautiful.
But he had seen countless beautiful women, and Su Yan had seen just as many, so this woman's appearance was not enough to make him pay special attention.
"Your Majesty, I, Ye Panjiu, pay my respects. Long live the Emperor!" Ye Panjiu gritted her teeth and was about to kneel down.
Ning Xuan waved his hand, "No need for formalities, please take a seat. You're still ill, you must be tired."
Sheng Ping quickly pulled over a stool and carefully placed a cushion there; she truly admired Ye Panjiu.
Ning Xuan stepped forward from the desk. "I've been curious for a long time. Why are your dreams so novel?"
Ye Panjiu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The world is vast, and there are countless extraordinary people. I was only seen by Your Majesty because I was involved with Prime Minister Su. The majority of people are not seen."
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