"Empress. I have been extremely disappointed in you all these years," Shu Chengfeng said calmly.
"Your Majesty, I am truly innocent..." The Empress's heart was pounding.
"Is that so? We've been husband and wife, and there are some things I don't want to say, but time and time again you've disappointed me more and more." Shu Chengfeng stood up: "I ask you, how did Lady Liu die? How did Lady Han die? Hmm? How did Lady Luo lose her first child?"
"I won't even discuss those trivial matters with you. You've done plenty of things over the years, haven't you? I'm telling you, even if I were to give you several lives, could you explain it clearly?"
"Your Majesty, I didn't..." The Empress's face turned pale.
"Empress, do you dare to say to your own conscience that you didn't? And what about Consort Jing's pregnancy, Consort Mei's pregnancy, and Consort Wan's pregnancy? Of course, I haven't investigated yet, but can you say you have a clear conscience?" Shu Chengfeng looked coldly at the woman kneeling at his feet.
"You are my wife of many years, my childhood sweetheart, and I always cherish our bond. You were pregnant three times but were unable to give birth, and I pitied you. I entrusted you with raising the eldest prince, but how did you raise him? And the second prince, how did you raise him? Hmm?"
"Where is the former you now? Foolish, selfish, vicious, and incompetent. Do you still deserve this position as empress?"
"Your Majesty, I am innocent! Your Majesty, I have been framed!" The Empress could only deny it to the death.
"Guards, the Empress has suddenly fallen ill and needs to rest. From today onwards, Fengxiang Palace is closed. Send all the Empress's personal maids and eunuchs to the torture chamber." Shu Chengfeng strode out.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, are you going to depose the Empress?" the Empress cried out in alarm.
"Depose the Empress? You've reminded me." Shu Chengfeng sneered, "If you still know what's good for you, then reflect on your actions for me, otherwise, your Ning family will be doomed."
Having said that, he turned and left Fengxiang Palace.
Soon, the gates of Fengxiang Palace were locked, and all the close palace maids and eunuchs were taken to the torture chamber.
No one expected the Empress to suddenly fall from power, and the entire palace was on edge, everyone fearing they would be implicated.
Time rewinds to three days ago.
Peiyue went to Yufu Palace to deliver things. In order to win her over, the Empress often sent people to deliver things to the eldest prince.
Peiyue visited quite often.
They were completely open and aboveboard, so no one suspected anything.
So this time, it's her again.
Consort Ning dismissed everyone, leaving her alone. She didn't think much of it, assuming something was amiss.
Consort Ning simply said, "Isn't your younger brother getting married this year?"
Peiyue exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty..."
"I was just asking. But your young master has been waiting for you for a long time. I heard that he refused to agree to his family's arranged marriage because he wanted to marry you," Consort Ning said with a smile.
Pei Yue was a smart woman, and she understood what Consort Ning meant at this moment, so she knelt down.
"Your Majesty... I have always been loyal to you, why..."
"Peiyue, I haven't said anything. The path you choose is entirely up to you. It's good that your younger brother works under my uncle, but you understand the saying 'the higher you climb, the harder you fall.' As for your young master, alas, he comes from humble origins and can't withstand hardship." Consort Ning shook her head slightly, as if with regret.
"Your Majesty! No, please don't!"
Peiyue was heartbroken and scared at this moment.
The young man was introduced to her by Consort Ning through her family two years ago, and they met a few times. The man took a liking to her at first sight.
She was filled with anticipation that she would be able to leave the palace next year, and Consort Ning had promised to help her leave the palace then.
Go get married and settle down.
But now...
Consort Ning instead used that person's life to threaten her, as well as her younger brother, who was the younger brother she had raised with great affection.
And her elderly parents.
"Consort Ning is truly ruthless." Pei Yue hadn't been unaware that this day would come, but she thought that everyone was in the same boat, so who could escape?
But now she knows that even if she makes accusations, there is no evidence for many things.
Consort Ning may die, but none of her family members will survive.
"I will have my family take care of your family, and your young master. Peiyue, if it weren't for my care all these years, would your family be doing so well?" Consort Ning said calmly.
That's the truth.
Pei Yue gritted her teeth: "Yes."
"Think it over. In my opinion, the day when Consort Wan gives birth is an auspicious day. You may go back now," Consort Ning said.
Peiyue stood up, took a few steps away, then returned and knelt down again: "Your Majesty, now that things have come to this, I only beg Your Majesty to treat my family and... and that person kindly... I will die without regrets."
"Don't worry, I swear that if I treat your family and that person badly, may I die a horrible death." Consort Ning helped her up.
Peiyue nodded, wiped away her tears, and went out.
But what she didn't know was that the person who liked her was lying to her. It was just a trick by Consort Ning.
Consort Ning knew that women might not risk everything for their family, but they would risk everything for some inexplicable emotion.
The man was already married and had two children.
Peiyue could only go out once every three months, and the meetings only lasted a few hours.
The man would be happy to cheat, so why would he refuse? Pei Yue is also beautiful.
Consort Ning used a relationship to trap Pei Yue, leaving her with no choice but to willingly face death.
Peiyue knows too much; one day she won't be needed anymore.
Right now.
Let's go back to the present.
Inside the Jade Hibiscus Palace, Consort Ning was taking a nap.
Now is the perfect time to bring the Empress down; Consort Ning had already planned it out.
Unexpectedly, Consort Chenhui became pregnant, which was an even greater opportunity.
This added another person to the list of those who suspected the man, both inside and outside the palace.
She certainly couldn't replace the Empress, but her eldest son was growing up.
As long as the Empress remains, the Ning family will continue to waver.
Then tell the Ning family not to waver, since the Empress doesn't have a son anyway.
In this life, favors and affections are ultimately fleeting and illusory, but offspring are real and tangible.
Since there is no legitimate son, the eldest son of the emperor is the best candidate.
Back then, the Empress brazenly took advantage of her, forcing her to give birth.
He even wanted her to have another child so he could kill her and only want her child.
So today, it's a matter of tit for tat.
His Majesty may not depose the Empress, but so what? After this ordeal, the Empress will never be able to explain herself clearly. Even if she is not deposed, she will not be able to live a good life.
Now, isn't this the result?
The people around the Empress have all been taken away, and more and more things will only be uncovered. She knows all too well that her dear cousin has accumulated a lot of debts over the years.
Let's just lock him up like this, it's fine.
Consort Ning closed her eyes and truly fell asleep.
She'd been holding this in for so many years, and now she could finally let it out—it felt so good!
The Empress has been placed under indefinite confinement.
The Ning family couldn't possibly be unaware of this, so Shu Chengfeng directly sent Yun Ji there.
As soon as Yun Ji left, the Duke of Ningguo summoned his eldest son to his study and gave him a good scolding.
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