Consort Xi, of the Niohuru clan, was leaning against the window, a subtle smile playing on her lips.
The rumors circulating outside are truly gratifying; isn't that woman in Yanxi Palace a jinx?
Since she entered the palace, Consort Nian and the Empress have fallen from power one after another, and now retribution has finally come to her.
Suddenly, a palace maid rushed in, her face deathly pale: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Emperor... the Emperor has issued a decree to..."
Before he could finish speaking, the palace door was kicked open by the guards.
The head eunuch, expressionless, unfurled the imperial edict: "Niohuru clan member colluded with a sorcerer to slander the Imperial Consort and the imperial heir; her crimes are unforgivable. Effective immediately, she is demoted to commoner status and moved to the Cold Palace, where she is not to leave without an imperial decree!"
The handkerchief in Niohuru's hand fluttered to the ground. She staggered back two steps, shaking her head in disbelief: "Impossible... How could the Emperor..."
She suddenly grabbed the eunuch's sleeve, her voice shrill, "It was Lin who framed me! I never did such a thing!"
The eunuch coldly shook off her hand: "Please, commoner, be careful what you say. This was done by the Fourth Prince; the evidence is irrefutable."
"Hongli?" Empress Niohuru was struck dumb, her face turning ashen instantly.
"He's only ten years old... how could he possibly be..."
She suddenly burst into laughter as if she were a madwoman.
"Ridiculous! Someone must have framed me! My Hongli would never harm me!"
The guards stepped forward, grabbed her arms, and dragged her out of the hall.
The mournful cries echoed between the palace walls, eventually fading behind the heavy doors of the cold palace.
---
Hall of Mental Cultivation
Emperor Yongzheng stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the gloomy sky in the distance.
Su Peisheng cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, things have been settled in the Cold Palace. But... what should be done with the Fourth Prince?"
Emperor Yongzheng closed his eyes briefly, his voice hoarse: "I know, he's back."
"Come back?" Su Peisheng was taken aback.
Yongzheng opened his eyes, a flash of murderous intent crossing his gaze. "But he chose the wrong path."
Su Peisheng stood aside, feeling utterly bewildered.
What's back? Who's back?
Isn't the Fourth Prince still in the imperial mausoleum?
Yongzheng turned and walked to his desk, picked up his brush and wrote a secret edict: "Order the guards of the imperial mausoleum to keep a close watch on Hongli, and forbid him from contacting anyone. If there is any unusual movement—" The brush paused, the ink spreading, "Kill him without mercy."
Su Peisheng received the secret decree, his hand trembling slightly: "This servant... obeys the decree."
---
Yanxi Palace
Lin Yun was gently rocking Zhao Hua in her arms when Granny Li rushed in and whispered, "Your Highness, Consort Xi has been deposed."
Lin Yun didn't stop moving, but her eyelashes trembled slightly: "Why? Did she spread the rumors?"
"Yes," said Granny Li in a low voice, "I heard that the Fourth Prince is the mastermind, and the Emperor is furious..."
Lin Yun looked down at her daughter's sleeping face and said softly, "I know."
Her expression was calm, but her heart was in turmoil.
Hongli was only ten years old, yet he was able to orchestrate such a conspiracy. Was it the Fourth Prince or Lady Niohuru who was instigated?
When Yongzheng stepped into the hall, Lin Yun was gazing out the window, lost in thought.
He walked to her side and took her slightly cool hand in his: "Yun'er, I will handle everything."
Lin Yun turned to look at him, her eyes reflecting his image: "Your Majesty, I trust you."
She paused, then continued, "But the rumors have already spread, and the people may have doubts..."
Emperor Yongzheng sneered, "I have my own way."
---
Three days later, in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Civil and military officials and ordinary citizens of the capital gathered together. In the center of the square stood a high platform, on which were placed three items:
A basket of golden corn, a basket of plump potatoes, and a textile machine.
Emperor Yongzheng, dressed in a dragon robe, stood majestically. He raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet and said loudly, "Recently, some sorcerers have been making false claims about celestial phenomena and slandering the Imperial Concubine and the imperial heir."
Today, I will show the world what true auspicious omens are!
He ordered people to display three kinds of crops to the people: "These are auspicious omens presented to the Qing Dynasty by the Imperial Concubine."
Textile machines enable ordinary people to afford clothes; corn yields 1,000 jin per mu; potatoes yield 1,800 jin per mu!
From this day forward, the people of the world will no longer have to worry about famine!
The crowd gasped in astonishment, some exclaiming, "Heaven blesses the Qing Dynasty! This is a divine blessing!"
Taking advantage of the situation, Emperor Yongzheng issued an order: "Issue my decree that anyone who spreads rumors shall be punished as a traitor!"
Consort Lin, renowned for her virtue and wisdom, is hereby granted the title of "Guardian Holy Mother Consort," bestowed with a phoenix seal, and appointed to assist in the management of the six palaces!
A wave of applause swept through the crowd as they knelt and prostrated themselves, shouting, "Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Imperial Concubine!"
--------------------
Lin Yun was stunned when she saw the phoenix seal that Su Peisheng had sent.
She blinked, then looked down at the exquisite phoenix seal again. Confirming she wasn't mistaken, her mind immediately went blank:
No, she's only been a Noble Consort for a short time. How did she get the Phoenix Seal?
Assistant to the Six Palaces...? Isn't this promotion speed a bit outrageous?
Isn't she a demon star? She's already been given the Phoenix Seal? Is the Emperor going to make me Empress?
Ah... well, it's not impossible.
"Your Majesty, this is a joyous occasion!" Granny Li beamed from ear to ear, her wrinkles smoothing out as if she had become ten years younger.
Lin Yun snapped out of her daze, suppressed her shock, and calmly accepted the tray, saying softly, "Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Su. Please thank His Majesty for me."
Then she gestured to the nanny to give Su Peisheng a reward, and Su Peisheng smiled and did not refuse.
After Su Peisheng respectfully withdrew, Lin Yun finally couldn't hold back any longer. She stared at the phoenix seal in her hand.
She couldn't help but recall her experiences since entering the palace: Consort Nian fell, the Empress fell, and now even Consort Xi has been deposed, and what about her?
She did nothing, yet inexplicably became the number one concubine in the harem.
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