Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince began receiving a large number of memorials impeaching Nian Gengyao.
He sat in the main seat of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, looking at the memorials without moving.
The Fourth Prince knew that this matter, seemingly simple—just evidence of Nian Gengyao's crimes exposed by civil and military officials—was likely concealing a conspiracy. Rather than being directed at Nian Gengyao, it was more accurate to say it was aimed at Consort Nian, or perhaps even at the two of them. It seemed someone was eagerly awaiting the downfall of the Nian family.
Who would do this? Could it be the Empress? But she's lost all power now and probably wouldn't care about the affairs of the court anymore. Or it could be someone else, but how could an ordinary concubine mobilize so many court officials?
This incident occurred because the Empress, seeing that Lady Nian had been poisoned, joined forces with people in the court to impeach Nian Gengyao, hoping to eradicate Lady Nian completely.
Although the Duke of England was exiled, his protégés and former associates were still scattered throughout the court and the country.
The Empress was their pillar of support; whenever she made a request, people in the court would support her.
The Empress was resting in her palace when she remembered that there had been no news about the affairs of the previous dynasty for a long time, so she asked, "Has His Majesty said anything?"
Lingxiu reported back: "Lord Li said that the Emperor has not yet made a statement, and told us not to be anxious, he will handle it as he sees fit."
"Then he'd better hurry up! I'm getting impatient. What if that bitch recovers from her illness and has a chance to regain favor? Wouldn't all my hard work over the years be ruined in an instant?"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, it won't happen. According to what this servant has heard, Consort Nian is likely in grave danger this time. I heard that she is still unconscious and is only barely being kept alive by acupuncture. It is impossible for her to wake up. Some imperial physicians even said that unless a miracle worker is there, no one can save her."
The Empress let out a cold laugh: "Hahaha, very good, very good. I am happy to see that wretch suffer. It's just a pity that she is unconscious. If she were awake and suffering from the poison, that would be what I would most like to see. That wretch, relying on the power of her family and the Emperor's favor, has been unrestrained in the harem, almost on par with me, the Empress. Now, not only will she die, but all her relatives will also die with her without a burial place."
"Yes, Your Majesty, that Consort Nian has been arrogant enough. Now that she has lost the Emperor's favor and her family has been implicated, she deserves what she got."
"It's not because of her that we're implicated. Her whole family is just like her, acting without thinking and being arrogant. The Emperor has been dissatisfied with Nian Gengyao for a long time, but she thinks that because she is favored, the Emperor will also love her brother and protect him. Little does she know that she is just deceiving herself. The reason the Emperor hasn't taken action against her and her family earlier is simply because he doesn't want to be accused of being heartless."
"Your Majesty, what should we do next?"
"Let the officials of the previous dynasty continue to submit memorials to the emperor. When Nian Gengyao's crimes become too numerous, even if the emperor does not want to take action, he will have no choice but to deal with Nian Gengyao out of consideration for the civil and military officials."
Just then, a palace maid entered from outside the door.
"Your Majesty, Consort Fucha requests an audience."
"Let her in."
The old woman asked, "Your Highness, what brings Consort Fucha here?"
"She's probably only doing this because Nian Shilan is about to die, and she's begging me to help her regain favor."
"Will the Empress help her?" Lingxiu asked.
"How could that be? She's an insatiable wolf. If she gains favor, she'll probably become the second Nian Shilan, or even more arrogant. Besides, she's smarter than Nian Shilan, so she'll be even harder to deal with."
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