The emperor entered the hall and greeted the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager forced a smile and put on a spirited expression.
The emperor inquired about the empress dowager's health with concern, and the empress dowager replied that she was just getting old and there was nothing seriously wrong.
The emperor mentioned that he was holding the birthday banquet to make the empress dowager happy, and the empress dowager expressed her gratitude.
However, the Empress Dowager changed the subject, reminding the Emperor of the kindness the Sun family had shown him and hoping that he would treat the Sun family well.
The emperor said he would remember the Sun family's kindness, but the Sun family should remember their duty as subjects.
The Empress Dowager felt somewhat relieved.
It seems she needs to give the Sun family a warning.
After the emperor left, the empress dowager sighed inwardly, worried that she would no longer be able to protect the Sun family.
The Emperor's face turned cold as soon as he left Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager always kept the Sun family in mind.
However, the Sun family has become so lawless that the memorials in the Imperial Study have piled up into a small mountain.
They were all impeaching the Sun family.
The Empress Dowager watched the Emperor's retreating figure and said leisurely, "Is the Emperor starting to deal with the Sun family?"
"Your Majesty! You don't need to worry too much. The Duke has also made many arrangements with his connections in the court."
"You don't understand!" The Empress Dowager sighed. "The Sun family's power in the court has reached its limit. The next thing the Emperor will deal with is the Duke's Mansion."
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and sighed deeply. "Back then, the Sun family helped the late Emperor ascend the throne, which was a great achievement. In recent years, the Sun family has relied on this achievement to act recklessly in the court, which has long aroused the wrath of both the emperor and the people. Now that the Emperor's power has grown, he naturally cannot tolerate the Sun family anymore."
The old nanny beside her said anxiously, "What should we do? If the Sun family falls, our Empress Dowager's days in the palace will probably be difficult too."
The Empress Dowager opened her eyes, a resolute glint in them. "It's alright. As long as I'm alive, I will protect the Sun family." With that, she turned and went into the inner room, taking out an exquisite wooden box containing a crystal-clear jade pendant.
"This is a jade pendant left to me by the late Emperor. It might save the Sun family's life in a critical moment. Granny, send someone to deliver it to the Duke's mansion and give it to the Duke." The Empress Dowager handed the jade pendant to the nanny and instructed, "Remember, you must be careful and not let anyone discover it."
The old woman took the jade pendant and carefully put it into her bosom. "This old servant understands and will definitely deliver this item safely to the Duke's mansion."
Afterwards, the nanny quietly left the palace and went to the Duke's mansion.
Meanwhile, the emperor was furious when he learned that the Empress Dowager had given the late emperor's jade pendant to the Duke.
"What a Empress Dowager! How dare she act behind my back!" the Emperor said through gritted teeth.
He decided to accelerate the purge of the Sun family, determined not to let the Empress Dowager's plan succeed.
Little did the Empress Dowager know that her good intentions would harm the Duke's mansion.
The late emperor's jade pendant was like an imperial sword.
If the Duke's family were to plead for mercy with this jade pendant, the Emperor would actually have to give them some face.
However, Emperor Rongsheng was not a soft-hearted person.
Now both the Sun and Zheng families are firmly under the emperor's control.
If the Empress Dowager behaves herself, the Emperor will naturally give her some face.
If the Empress Dowager insists on indulging the Sun family, then the Emperor would not mind sending her to the imperial mausoleum to guard the late Emperor's spirit.
The emperor's eyes were icy cold. He secretly resolved to make the Empress Dowager pay for her actions. He immediately summoned his trusted ministers to discuss countermeasures.
"Your Majesty, we can first send people to monitor the Empress Dowager and the Duke's Mansion to see if they will use the jade pendant to cause trouble," a minister suggested.
The emperor nodded in agreement, "At the same time, send more people to investigate the Sun family's crimes. Once the evidence is conclusive, bring them to justice immediately."
Another minister chimed in, "In addition, we can spread some false information about the jade pendant to disrupt the Empress Dowager's plans."
The emperor pondered for a moment, then said, "Very well, let's do it this way. Go and make the arrangements as soon as possible."
A few days later, the Empress Dowager learned of the Emperor's actions and realized that things had spiraled out of her control. She began to regret her impulsive behavior, but it was too late.
The Empress Dowager panicked; she hadn't expected the Emperor to be so decisive and resolute.
Knowing she could no longer contend with the emperor, she decided to compromise in order to preserve her position. The Empress Dowager personally went to the emperor, expressing her support for his handling of the Sun family and promising not to interfere in court affairs again.
The emperor accepted the empress dowager's compromise, but also warned her not to challenge his authority again.
After that, the emperor successfully eliminated the Sun family's power and consolidated his rule.
The Empress Dowager, on the other hand, lived a secluded life in the palace and no longer concerned herself with worldly affairs.
The Emperor was very satisfied with the Empress Dowager's prudent self-preservation.
The Sun family no longer held any expectations of the emperor.
After all, there were no princes of the Sun family bloodline in the palace.
The once glorious Duke Su's mansion has become an inconspicuous presence in the capital.
The Sun family's current fate is actually the best; they weren't subjected to confiscation of their property or exile, only their sons and nephews were driven out of the imperial court.
However, the Sun family is deeply entrenched, and as long as they remain hidden, they may still have a chance after the next emperor ascends the throne.
The Duke of Su understood the principle that "a new ruler brings a new court" very well.
He voluntarily returned the jade pendant.
Keeping an item that has already caused trouble will only bring more harm than good.
The Empress Dowager simply gave the jade pendant to the Emperor.
Only then did the Sun family manage to have a peaceful end.
However, the emperor also had his own plans.
He knew that although the Sun family was temporarily lying low, their potential threat still existed.
Therefore, he secretly sent people to monitor the Sun family's every move in order to prevent them from doing anything untoward.
Meanwhile, the emperor was also considering how to completely eradicate the Sun family's foundation to prevent future troubles. At a palace banquet, the emperor seemingly unintentionally mentioned the Sun family's past glory, which sparked discussion among the attendees.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com