Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1785 Today's events are just the beginning.

By now, the sky had completely darkened, as thick as ink that couldn't be dissolved.

Yongshou Palace was also quiet.

Only Consort Xuan remains here.

Although she has made considerable progress in managing the six palaces for so long, there are still some things that Consort Xuan cannot understand because she started from a very low point.

She looked at Shen Zhinian and asked bluntly, "...Imperial Noble Consort, why didn't you let me speak just now?"

"This matter is clearly a case of Consort Zhuang sacrificing a pawn to save the king!"

"Xiao Caizi arrived at such a convenient time, and the witnesses' testimonies were so convincing that everyone knew it was all pre-arranged!"

"Your Majesty, how could he..."

Shen Zhinian gently patted Consort Xuan's hand, gesturing for her to sit down: "Consort Xuan, you've been in the palace for much longer than I have, so you should still remember Wang Zhuohua."

Consort Xuan was taken aback: "Imperial Noble Consort, what does this have to do with Lady Wang?"

Shen Zhinian didn't answer the question, but instead asked, "Do you remember how she lost?"

Consort Xuan was silent for a moment: "...It was time and time again that His Majesty's patience was exhausted."

Shen Zhinian nodded slightly: "Not bad."

"Wang was banished to the Cold Palace not simply because she did one wrong thing. Rather, it was because over time, His Majesty could no longer tolerate her."

“We all know that Consort Zhuang is sacrificing a pawn to save the king today. Do you think His Majesty can’t see that?”

"But he still chose to let Consort Zhuang go. Why?"

At this point, Shen Zhinian sighed softly: "Because Grand Tutor Zhuang is still alive, the Zhuang family still holds important positions."

"The court has just stabilized, but internal and external troubles have not been resolved. Your Majesty does not want to cause a conflict with the court over matters of the inner palace."

"He doesn't believe Consort Zhuang is innocent, it's just... the time isn't right yet."

Consort Xuan listened blankly, the resentment in her eyes gradually fading: "Then how long do we have to wait?"

Shen Zhinian did not answer immediately.

In her previous life, until her accidental death, the Zhuang family's power was at its zenith.

But in this life, many things are different.

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion and the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion are gone. Given Nangong Xuanyu's personality, would he tolerate the Zhuang family's growing power and follow in their footsteps?

"The heart of an emperor is never static. Today he is mindful of Grand Tutor Zhuang's kindness and is preserving the Zhuang family's dignity. But what about tomorrow? The day after?"

"As the Zhuang family's trivial matters accumulated, the suspicions surrounding Consort Zhuang became increasingly difficult to clear."

"When Grand Tutor Zhuang grows old, the Zhuang family will no longer be indispensable..."

At this point, Shen Zhinian's eyes narrowed dangerously: "At that time, His Majesty's leniency today will become tomorrow's debt!"

Consort Xuan listened intently: "Imperial Noble Consort, are you saying... that today's events are just the beginning?"

Shen Zhinian nodded slightly: "Not bad."

"If you don't believe me, just wait and see."

How could Consort Xuan not believe it?

She smiled and looked at Shen Zhinian trustingly: "Your Majesty, I believe in you, Imperial Noble Consort!"

"However, today's events were not entirely fruitless."

"Consort Zhuang is confined to Changchun Palace, and Zhuang Yurou has been banished to the Cold Palace. The two Zhuang women in the harem will be unable to cause trouble for the time being."

"The child in the womb of the Imperial Noble Consort is a lucky star, and many people in the court and the harem are watching it. We cannot afford any mistakes."

Shen Zhinian smiled slightly: "That is precisely my purpose today."

Consort Xuan suddenly felt a little embarrassed: "Sister, was I... too impatient just now?"

Shen Zhinian shook her head and patted the back of her hand: "I know you're not impatient, you're just worried for me."

Everyone in the palace has their own agenda.

Some people attach themselves to her for personal gain.

Some people are trying to curry favor with her for their own future.

Only Consort Xuan was truly worried for her, and felt sorry and resentful for her.

Consort Xuan's eyes welled up slightly: "Imperial Noble Consort, sister..."

It turns out that the Imperial Noble Consort had always remembered her feelings.

She glanced out the window and realized that it was already completely dark, and the moon had risen sometime earlier.

Consort Xuan stood up and straightened her clothes: "It's getting late. Imperial Noble Consort, you must be tired today. Please rest early and don't stay up too late."

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."

Shen Zhinian nodded: "Go ahead. Be careful on the way."

Consort Xuan agreed, and as she reached the palace gate, she glanced back one last time. Then, a smile curved her lips, and she stepped into the night.

……

Chuxiu Palace.

Consort Kang sat on the soft couch by the window, her eyes red as if they were about to bleed: "...All of you, leave!"

"Yes."

The palace servants inside the hall tensed up, quickly bowed, and withdrew, leaving only Caiju inside.

"boom--!"

Consort Kang swept all the teacups on the table to the floor.

Tea splashed onto her skirt, but she didn't flinch, her chest heaving: "Just a little bit more..."

"Today, I was just a hair's breadth away from bringing down Zhuang Yumin!"

Caiju stood aside, not daring to make a sound.

She had served the Empress for many years and had never seen her like this before.

"Why?!"

Consort Kang's eyes were red-rimmed as she asked unwillingly, "Why is Zhuang Yumin still unharmed?!"

"Even a three-year-old wouldn't believe what Xiao Caizi said, yet His Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort believed it?!"

"Why! Why did you just let her go?!"

Caiju finally couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward, lowering her voice to say, "Your Majesty, please keep your voice down... be careful, the walls may have ears..."

"So what if you have ears?!"

Consort Kang retorted sarcastically, "Now that things have come to this, who am I afraid of hearing this?"

"I have nothing left, what do I have to fear?"

Caiju said anxiously, "Your Majesty, please listen to my advice..."

"What happened today is over. No matter how much you make a fuss, it won't change anything."

"But if these words of yours get out and His Majesty and Consort Zhuang find out, have you thought about the consequences?"

Consort Kang's breath hitched, her lips moved, and finally tears fell: "Caiju, do you know how long I've waited for this day?"

Caiju choked up as well: "This servant knows."

"This servant knows about Your Highness's hatred for Consort Zhuang."

Consort Kang wept bitterly, "If my child from back then were alive and had been born safely, he would be running now, calling me 'Mother,' and snuggling in my arms..."

Caiju knelt at Consort Kang's feet and gently took her hand: "Your Highness, this servant knows the pain in your heart..."

Consort Kang shook her head: "No, you don't know."

"You have no idea how I've survived all these years..."

“Every night when I close my eyes, I think of that poor child…”

"So, I endured the disgust and ran to Changchun Palace to pay my respects to Consort Zhuang, talk to her, and be her most obedient dog."

"I want Consort Zhuang to believe that I have truly sided with her, and I'll wait for an opportunity to completely crush her!"

"Today, I thought I had finally waited for..."