There are two major forces in the current imperial court.
One major force was the aristocratic class, led by the Prince of Dingbian and supported by the four major families.
Another force was the reformist force that selected candidates through the imperial examinations regardless of their background, and was mostly composed of people from humble families.
The representative of this force is Jian Yang's father, the current prime minister Jian Xiude.
The struggle between these two forces has been protracted, and they have long disliked each other.
The reformist forces, in particular, deeply resented those powerful clans who, relying on the achievements of their ancestors, could lie low and enjoy life for generations.
So when they learned that Prime Minister Jian was going to take action against the Shen family, they were immediately in favor!
In less than half a month, various groups had gathered all the evidence of the Shen family's crimes.
For example, they investigated corruption, selling official positions, bullying men and women, murder for money, and so on, and handed all the evidence over to Prime Minister Jian.
Meanwhile, some people have turned the evil deeds committed by the Shen family over the years into nursery rhymes.
In just a few days, children throughout the streets and alleys of Beijing were singing it.
With overwhelming evidence and public pressure, even the usually mild-mannered and timid emperor was enraged.
One day during court, he suddenly and harshly rebuked Shen Xin and immediately dismissed all officials in the Shen family.
Of course, Shen Xin was not spared either.
Meanwhile, Wanpin, who had already been demoted to the rank of concubine, was directly banished to the Cold Palace.
All of the Shen family's assets were confiscated and confiscated by the state.
This swift and decisive move caught the Shen family completely off guard.
They didn't even realize what had happened before they all became commoners or prisoners.
Those with a keen political sense vaguely sensed that the court was about to undergo a major upheaval.
The most shocked person was none other than the King of Dingbian!
He was the one who put the emperor on the throne.
The reason why Zhou Jingzhi was chosen instead of Zhou Jingan was because the emperor was weak and timid.
Only someone like that can be manipulated and used as a puppet by him.
However, how could he not be surprised that the usually gentle little lamb had done something so audacious?
The King of Dingbian went to the emperor that very day to demand an explanation.
"I never realized Your Majesty was such a hidden talent," said the Prince of Dingbian, his eyes full of sarcasm.
"My dear minister, I had no choice but to do this," the emperor said, his face showing worry but also respect.
The Prince of Dingbian snorted coldly: "Could it be that the Emperor has some unspeakable reason for confiscating the Shen family's property?"
“Indeed.” The emperor pointed to the memorials on the table. “These are all impeachments from the Censorate every day, which have already piled up like a mountain. The people are also filled with resentment. If I do not deal with the Shen family, I am afraid it will be difficult to quell the resentment and anger from all sides.”
Although he knew there was some truth to what the emperor said, the Prince of Dingbian had a feeling that the truth was not so.
But the emperor had already made his point, and the downfall of the Shen family was a foregone conclusion; there was no point in saying anything now.
"If someone were to sue my Chen family in the future, would Your Majesty treat this old minister the same way you treated the Shen family?"
The emperor narrowed his eyes, quickly adopting a respectful expression. "How can the Shen family be compared to the Chen family? As long as I am on the throne, I will ensure the Chen family's stable position!"
That's more like it.
"I hope Your Majesty will act wisely and refrain from any improper thoughts!" The Prince of Dingbian coldly uttered these words before turning and leaving.
As Zhou Jingzhi watched Dingbian Wang's retreating figure, his gaze grew increasingly cold.
"Your Majesty, please be patient a little longer, lest the Prince of Dingbian notice anything amiss," Eunuch Zhang cautiously advised from the side.
The emperor's face was grim: "It's too late. This old fox is not as simple as you think."
"Ah?" Zhang Gonggong was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he kept muttering, "What should we do? What should we do..."
The emperor curled his lips into a smile: "I have my own plans."
Just as the emperor had predicted.
As soon as the Prince of Dingbian returned to his residence, he immediately ordered his steward to summon his advisors.
The Prince of Dingbian looked worried: "Chen Tai, is the Emperor's action this time out of necessity, or is it a warning to others, with ulterior motives?"
The gray-clad strategist Chen Tai said, "In the early years, the prince chose the emperor because he was timid and cowardly. I believe that the emperor is not a scheming person, so he would never have any ulterior motives."
Upon hearing this, the Prince of Dingbian felt somewhat relieved: "So you mean that the Emperor's punishment of the Shen family was out of necessity?"
"No, no, Your Highness may have forgotten that the Empress was nearly poisoned a few days ago?"
The mention of Jian Yang irritated the King of Dingbian. "Of course I remember him."
"Does Your Highness know that, both inside and outside the palace, it is widely known that the Emperor and Empress have a deep affection for each other, and that the Emperor cherishes this Empress dearly?"
The Prince of Dingbian said unhappily, "So what!"
The thought that his talented and beautiful granddaughter was no match for the daughter of that scoundrel Jian Xiude filled him with rage!
Chen Tai smiled without saying a word.
Just as the King of Dingbian was about to lash out, he suddenly opened his eyes wide.
"You mean, the emperor deposed the Shen family because of the empress?"
Chen Tai nodded: "Not bad."
The Prince of Dingbian burst into laughter, "I never imagined that His Majesty was such a romantic! How interesting!"
"Yes, if the emperor has someone he cares about, he is exposing his weakness. Wouldn't that make it easier for the prince to control him in the future?"
The King of Dingbian stroked his beard with satisfaction: "Not bad, not bad."
Seeing the relaxed state of the person in front of him, a hint of mockery appeared in Chen Tai's eyes.
Inside Weiyang Palace.
The emperor seemed to be in a good mood these past few days, and he even smiled more often.
Seeing that he was in a good mood, Jian Yang was overjoyed and prepared to put her resignation on the agenda!
But the emperor, as if he could read minds, suddenly sighed, "I'm still a little worried."
Jian Yang's heart skipped a beat.
He wiped out the entire Shen family, so what else is there to worry about?
Don't be too greedy!
"Although we have found the person who poisoned us, we still have no clue as to who administered the Hundred Days of Sorrow."
Jian Yang was taken aback.
Yes, she's been so busy having fun these days that she completely forgot about this!
She gets angry when this is mentioned.
The fact that the original owner of this body was poisoned was largely due to her terrible character and arrogant personality.
But ever since she transmigrated here, she has been careful in her conduct and low-key in her work, and has never mistreated the concubines in the harem. Why do these people still want to poison her?
Jian Yang couldn't understand it at all, and felt extremely frustrated.
But at the same time, this incident also ignited her fighting spirit.
She couldn't swallow this anger until the person who wanted to harm her was brought to justice!
So she decided to postpone her resignation for the time being.
The most important thing right now is to find the murderer!
The murderer must be brought to justice!
"Your Majesty, you just said that you have found the person who poisoned the body. Is this person Shen Xin?"
The emperor nodded: "Yes, it's him."
Jian Yang pondered, "Is he trying to poison me and then have his daughter take my place?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
