Yongzheng said calmly, "General Nian, you must have had a long journey. How are the military affairs in the Northwest?"
Nian Gengyao looked up and stared directly at Yongzheng: "Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, the Northwest is at peace. However, I have heard that a new concubine, Consort Yun, has been added to the harem, so I have come to offer my congratulations."
These words were already presumptuous. A cold glint flashed in Yongzheng's eyes, but his face remained impassive: "General Nian is well-informed."
Nian Gengyao feigned emotion: "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, yet you still find time to dote on your new concubine. I admire you. It's just that the Imperial Concubine is left alone in the palace, and as her elder brother, I feel truly sorry for her."
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze. Su Peisheng broke out in a cold sweat and stole a glance at the Emperor, only to see the Emperor suddenly smile.
“Nian Gengyao,” Yongzheng slowly rose, “your sister’s illness is caused by unresolved emotional distress. The imperial physician said that rest and recuperation are advisable.”
Nian Gengyao retorted, "If His Majesty visits Yikun Palace more often, the Consort's illness will naturally be cured."
"Insolence!" Yongzheng abruptly flicked his sleeve, sweeping the teacups off the dragon table and scattering broken porcelain everywhere.
Nian Gengyao, however, remained upright and showed no fear.
Yongzheng suddenly laughed: "Minister Nian, you're in such a hurry to return to the capital just for this? Have you finished checking the accounts for the 300,000 taels shortfall in the Northwest army's pay?"
Nian Gengyao's expression changed drastically: "Your Majesty, what makes you say such a thing? Your subject—"
"The deficit in the Suzhou granary, the embezzlement of funds by the Ningxia Guard—do I need to recount them all to you?" Yongzheng tossed down a stack of secret memorials. "Your sister attempted to harm Consort Yun in the palace; I merely gave her a minor punishment as a warning. But you—"
He suddenly raised his voice, "Do you really think I wouldn't dare touch you, the 'King of the Northwest'?"
Nian Gengyao broke out in a cold sweat.
He suddenly realized that the emperor before him was no longer the Prince Yong who had relied on him back then.
Yongzheng stared at him, then suddenly changed the subject: "General Nian, do you know why I allowed you to enter the capital?"
Nian Gengyao was taken aback.
Yongzheng sneered: "Because I want to tell you personally—the decree to change the commander of the Northwest has already been issued."
Nian Gengyao's expression changed drastically: "What?!"
"Yue Zhongqi will soon take over military affairs in the Northwest." Yongzheng's tone was calm, but every word was piercing. "General Nian has made great contributions, and I hereby grant you permission to stay in the capital to recuperate."
Nian Gengyao flew into a rage and abruptly stood up: "Your Majesty! I am not convinced! What virtue or ability does Yue Zhongqi possess—"
"You're not convinced?" Yongzheng interrupted him, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Then let me ask you, where did the 200,000 taels of silver that was owed in military pay to the Northwest last year go? What did you discuss during your three secret meetings with the Eighth Prince?!"
As if struck by lightning, Nian Gengyao staggered back a step.
Yongzheng stopped looking at him and turned to the outside of the hall, saying, "Guards, escort General Nian back to his residence. Without my decree, he is not to step out of the gate!"
The guards filed in and carried out Nian Gengyao, whose face was ashen.
When the news reached the inner palace, Consort Nian fainted on the spot.
Upon hearing the news, the string of the Buddhist prayer beads in the Empress's hand broke again, and the beads rolled to the ground.
"The Nian family... is finished," she murmured.
She should be happy, considering how much she had suffered at Nian Xueyao's hands over the years. But how could the Nian family have fallen so suddenly?
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