"Those in positions of power should fulfill their duties. Since the Empress Dowager is ruling from behind the curtain, it is her responsibility to consolidate the Jin Dynasty and stabilize the court. How can there be any bitterness in her heart?"
These words left the Empress Dowager speechless.
Yu Nanqing, however, did not let her off the hook, pressing her relentlessly: "I wonder what the Empress Dowager intends to do today? Is it that the Empress Dowager is dissatisfied with my Prince Gong's Mansion, or is it that the intentions expressed by my Prince Gong's Mansion have aroused the Empress Dowager's suspicion?"
If the Empress Dowager's previous words were all hints, then Yu Nanqing is now putting all those hints into the open.
Su Wanyan pursed her lips, lowered her head, and remained silent, letting Yu Nanqing do as he pleased.
The Empress Dowager's expression was extremely unpleasant: "Is Prince Gong threatening me?"
"Is it the Empress Dowager who is threatening Prince Gong's Mansion, or is it my Prince Gong's Mansion that is threatening the Empress Dowager?" Yu Nanqing's tone was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Insolence!" The Empress Dowager's expression turned cold: "This is the Imperial Palace; Prince Gong's unbridled speech is not to be tolerated here!"
Yu Nanqing looked directly at her: "What the Empress Dowager is doing today is not legitimate."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's face darkened completely.
She naturally knew that Yu Nanqing's words did not refer to her forcibly summoning Su Wanyan today, but rather to her regency in the court, which was not legitimate.
She had little power when Emperor Yuanhe was still alive. Now that the legitimate prince has ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager, as her birth mother, has been imprisoned in the palace. Although no court officials have raised any objections, they are not entirely unaware of the situation.
This single action alone has already provoked discontent among the court officials.
Furthermore, given her power in the court, it goes without saying how many people opposed her.
She may seem to be in control now, but in reality, that power is precarious in her hands. Even the ministers who initially supported her now have their own opinions and want to join forces to control the young emperor and strip her of her power.
How could the Empress Dowager not panic?
Therefore, she needed the support of Prince Gong's Mansion.
They had just met with Xia Yunshang yesterday. Whatever they discussed, the Empress Dowager was uneasy, which is why she was in a hurry to call them over today to give them a warning.
Unexpectedly, Prince Gong's Mansion didn't buy into this at all, and she was even warned by Yu Nanqing instead.
Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager clenched her fist in her sleeve, finally giving in and softening her tone: "What happened today was indeed my fault."
She looked at Su Wanyan: "I originally intended to send someone to invite the Princess Consort, but I never expected that Prince Gong would misunderstand. It seems that not all the people in my palace are of one mind with me."
Su Wanyan raised an eyebrow; she was looking for a scapegoat.
"Bring her up here," the Empress Dowager commanded, her breath steady as she looked up.
Suddenly, the summoning nanny, who had been perfectly fine just a moment ago, was brought in.
The old woman's face was deathly pale. The Empress Dowager's voice was authoritative as she spoke from above: "This lowly servant girl is ignorant of her place and dares to offend Prince Gong and his wife."
She narrowed her eyes: "Take him out and beat him to death immediately."
As soon as she finished speaking, the old woman was dragged out without any mercy.
The old woman didn't utter a single word of protest, as if she already knew her fate.
"It is my fault for not managing my subordinates properly, which allowed these lowly servants to offend Prince Gong's residence. I wonder if you two are satisfied with my punishment?"
It was so simple that it determined a person's life or death.
"The Empress Dowager is purging her own household; why should she concern herself with us?"
Did they ask her to clean it?
Or are they trying to shift the blame onto them?
The Empress Dowager took a deep breath. She hadn't expected Yu Nanqing to show her no respect at all. It would be a lie to say she wasn't angry, but what could she do?
The Empress Dowager could only greet her with a smile, then looked at Su Wanyan and changed the subject: "I'm so bored in this palace. If Princess Gong has time, please remember to come and keep me company often. She's young and promising, and I like her very much."
If Yu Nanqing's attitude hadn't been presented to her, Su Wanyan would probably have responded with a smile. But now, she could only smile and say, "Having just returned to the capital, many matters are still undecided. I'm afraid I can't do as the Empress Dowager wishes. Moreover, my husband and I will be setting off for Fuzhou soon, so we'll probably be even busier."
"Hehehe." The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Those who know, you all have to work hard since you just returned to the capital. Those who don't know, would think you're busy with state affairs."
He was even busier than her.
"As Your Majesty and I are responsible for the affairs of state for the Empress Dowager, we will certainly fulfill our duties to the best of our ability," Su Wanyan said without hesitation, her eyes lowered.
The Empress Dowager gained no benefit whatsoever; on the contrary, her resentment towards Prince Gong's Mansion deepened.
She clenched her fists in her sleeves, trying her best not to let the smile on her face crumble at this moment.
Seeing that there was nothing else, Su Wanyan stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, "Empress Dowager, there are still some matters in the manor that await Your Highness and my wife's attention. If there is nothing else, Your Highness and I will take our leave."
"Then I won't see you off," the Empress Dowager said with a smile, not trying to persuade her to stay.
After Su Wanyan and Yu Nanqing left, the Empress Dowager's face darkened immediately. Her kind expression vanished, replaced by a gloomy look in her eyes.
An old woman came in from outside the palace, carrying a bowl of medicine: "Your Majesty, the imperial physician instructed you not to get angry. Now, only you can hold the Great Jin together. You must take good care of your health."
This is the Empress Dowager's most trusted personal nanny, surnamed Fu.
"Hmph." The Empress Dowager sneered, "Did you see how Yu Nanqing and Su Wanyan treated me just now? They completely disregarded me."
Granny Fu pursed her lips, not daring to reply, and changed the subject: "Your Highness, the medicine has been brewed. The imperial physician added an extra ingredient to calm the mind and soothe the nerves."
The Empress Dowager took the medicine, scooped a few spoonfuls, and then stopped drinking it. When she handed it to Granny Fu, she said coldly, "The Prince Gong's mansion is so powerful now that even you don't dare to tell me the truth."
Upon hearing this, Granny Fu's heart trembled slightly, and she lowered her eyes and knelt down, saying, "This servant knows her crime."
The Empress Dowager glanced at her and said, "What are you doing? You've served me for so many years, when have I ever truly punished you?"
Granny Fu was her personal nanny, and she had been by her side since she entered the palace, so their relationship was naturally different from that of other servants.
As for the others, they're just dead.
As she spoke, she narrowed her eyes slightly: "However, the Prince Gong's Mansion..."
A murderous intent flashed in the Empress Dowager's gloomy eyes.
After being summoned by the Empress Dowager, Su Wanyan never entered the palace again.
Even Yu Nanqing rarely attended court.
This was a good thing for the Empress Dowager. She did not want Yu Nanqing to interfere in court affairs at all. Since Yu Nanqing did not come, she simply gave him a six-month leave under the pretext of his triumphant return.
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