pdf-ebookys Chapter 123 A Nemesis is a Nemesis
Chapter 123 A Nemesis is a Nemesis
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" A little palace maid rushed in from outside, her cries causing Nian Shilan to panic.
"What are you yelling about! Say what you want!" she scolded sharply, raising her eyebrows.
"Your Majesty, General Nian wrote 'morning diligence and vigilance' as 'sunset morning diligence' in his memorial to the Emperor. The Emperor was furious, and the memorial was sent back to the Northwest without being officially approved by the Emperor."
"What!" Nian Shilan couldn't help but stand up and rush forward two steps, her face showing surprise and a hint of grievance. "It's just a misspelling, why is His Majesty so angry? Indeed, things are different now, everything depends on His Majesty's permission... No, I have to go find His Majesty."
...
He arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation with worry and trepidation, only to be stopped outside by Su Peisheng.
Looking at Consort Nian, who was sweating profusely with anxiety, Su Peisheng could only sigh inwardly, thinking that times had changed and the person in front of him was no longer the glamorous Consort Hua of the past.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has decreed that you do not need to come to pay your respects for the next few days."
As he spoke, he bowed and reached out to stop her, but Nian Shilan was always headstrong and didn't care about his question, "Why won't Your Majesty see me!"
"Your Majesty's decree is beyond my ability to fathom!" Su Peisheng explained as he hurried after her, raising his voice as he saw Consort Nian about to burst through the gate, "The Crown Prince is still inside, Your Highness, please reconsider!"
Consort Nian paused, looking at the two people standing at the door, blocking the entrance and bowing to her. Exhausted, she took two steps back, her eyes filled with dejection.
"Your Majesty." A sharp yet melodious voice rang out from behind, startling Nian Shilan and Su Peisheng, who both turned around to look. They saw Consort Yu approaching slowly with a smile on her face and a shrewd look in her eyes.
"Your Majesty requests to see the Emperor, so why don't you let me come instead?" She stood in front of Consort Nian without bowing. Having been pampered by the Emperor for the past month, she had become so arrogant and ignorant. Now, seeing Consort Nian gradually falling into disgrace, she even started to play along with her.
Nian Shilan gritted her teeth; she had never suffered such humiliation before. Just as she was about to retort, she heard the person before her turn his gaze to the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and begin to sing, "Without visiting the garden, how can one know the beauty of spring..."
Nian Shilan glared at her fiercely, almost grinding her teeth to the bone before barely managing to suppress her anger. If this vile woman could sing until the Emperor came out to see her and asked her to say a few words to her brother to plead for mercy, then it would still have some effect.
Just then, the door in front of them slowly opened. Everyone stared intently at the door, but it was not the emperor who came out, but Xiao Dezi, who was by the side of the crown prince.
Xiao Dezi walked out with his eyes downcast, avoiding eye contact with anyone. He raised his usually clear and cold voice and said, "By imperial decree, Yu Shi is hereby granted permission. Singing loudly in the palace, disregarding palace rules, bullying concubines, and committing insubordination, she is hereby deposed as a commoner and placed in the cold palace."
After speaking, without observing the expression of the person outside, he bowed and retreated into the hall, quietly closing the door behind him.
Just as Yu Ying'er was in shock, Su Peisheng waved his hand, and two strong eunuchs stepped forward, one covering her mouth and the other supporting her. They disappeared in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation without uttering a single cry.
Nian Shilan stared wide-eyed at the scene before her, unconsciously taking two steps back.
The Emperor had spoiled her rotten just a few days ago, but everything changed as soon as the deed was done. It's truly heartless... The imperial family is ruthless.
She looked at the tall, heavy vermilion wooden door before her, feeling an intense, blinding light, remembering what she had just said... The Crown Prince was inside... The Crown Prince...
She gritted her teeth, turned around, and strode out. If the Emperor wouldn't see her, surely Lü Jiaying, who was about to become Empress, would at least see her.
...
Lu Jiaying was quite shocked to see Nian Shilan rushing over, still out of breath. Before she could even ask anything after putting down her teacup, she heard Nian Shilan speak directly.
"Go and plead with the Emperor for me, and let him see me!"
Lü Jiaying raised an eyebrow with amusement. Her personality was as straightforward as ever, even after ten years. She neither agreed nor disagreed, but her expression seemed to convey everything.
Nian Shilan understood everything from her expression. She had certainly done many things that made her grit her teeth today. "Back in the Prince's mansion, I wronged you, but I never intended to harm your child. And with the children you had afterward, I didn't cause them any trouble. If you're really so angry, I'll go outside now..."
She paused for a moment, then belatedly realized that she shouldn't let anyone see her, so she changed her words and said, "No, it will happen right here in your palace. As long as you can get the Emperor to see me, I'll say a few words of pleading for my brother. I'll repay you tenfold for the length of time you knelt that day!"
Hearing her words, Lü Jiaying couldn't help but laugh and shook her head, saying, "I do hate you. The torment I endured while heavily pregnant back then was undeniable. But so many years have passed, our two children have grown up, and we've lived peacefully together for several years now. I don't need you to repay me tenfold now."
She composed herself and lowered her eyes, her refusal as straightforward as ever: "You must have your reasons for coming to me today. I cannot help you, and naturally I have my own concerns. But I can tell you that although I do hate you, I almost didn't survive when I gave birth to Hongzhou. I did consider entrusting my two children to you."
She stood up and took two steps forward, standing in front of Nian Shilan and looking her in the eye. The two of them had somewhat similar eye shapes, both having bright and spirited phoenix eyes, but their expressions were quite different.
One person exudes a peaceful and contented life, while the other's beautiful eyes are filled with helplessness, despair, and panic.
"I can't help you with today's matter, but I can give you a few words of advice." After saying that, Lü Jiaying leaned forward and whispered in Nian Shilan's ear, "The reason why the Emperor doesn't want to see you is because he cares about you. He's afraid that if he sees you, he'll soften his heart. No matter how the Emperor punishes you, as long as you obey and don't disobey, the Emperor won't be too harsh on you."
Just as Nian Shilan stepped out of Yongshou Palace in a daze, a young eunuch hurriedly and discreetly ran towards Consort Cao's residence.
That evening, Xue Xin carried a tray into the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, at the same time, the system emitted a sharp popping sound in her mind.
"Beep—Alert—Smallpox scabs are present inside the clothing. Please handle with caution—"
Hongzhao subtly shifted back, looking at Xuexin uncertainly and asking, "Xuexin, is this really what my mother asked you to deliver?"
Xuexin nodded, not quite understanding. "Yes, Her Majesty said that seeing the Crown Prince growing taller these days, his autumn clothes from last year might not fit properly, so she ordered the Imperial Household Department to make new ones. Her Majesty specifically checked the fabric and pattern of each one, so there won't be any problems."
Seeing that the mind reader showed Xue Xin hadn't lied, Hong Zhao frowned even more deeply.
Xuexin didn't understand what was going on, but Xiaodezi could see his master's apprehension. He took two steps forward, took the tray from Xuexin's hands, and placed it on the table furthest away.
Hongzhao frowned in deep thought, wondering who in the palace still wanted to harm him.