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The Empress’s gaze shifted from the confession to Xiao Jinyan, thinking that she could pull down the favored Concubine Yu, and she was in a good mood, her lips curved into a shallow smile, "Crown Prince, thanks to you this time, last time Concubine Yu got off too easily, let’s see how she argues her way out of this! "

Xiao Jinyan bowed his head in agreement: "Mother, it was my duty."

The Empress looked sideways at Qing Ying: "Do you know where the Emperor is now?"

Qing Ying replied: "Empress, the Emperor has just gone to Yinyue Palace, I heard that Concubine Yu had a nightmare."

The Empress snorted coldly: "She’s not having nightmares, she’s clearly trying to strike first." She added impatiently, "I will go to the Emperor now and expose Concubine Yu, wait for my good news."

She then stood up and left for the Imperial Study Room with her entourage.

The Emperor had just arrived at Yinyue Palace and hadn’t settled in when Eunuch Li came to report: "Emperor, the Empress has arrived."

Concubine Yu felt nervous as soon as she heard that the Empress had come.

The Empress walked in with her people and bowed to the Emperor: "Your concubine greets the Emperor."

Seeing the Empress hurry in, the Emperor asked, "What brings the Empress here?"

The Empress glanced at Concubine Yu on the bed and replied, "I heard that Concubine Yu had another nightmare last night, and I shouldn’t have disturbed her rest, but some matters can’t wait."

Feeling guilty, Concubine Yu lowered her eyelids, "Thank you for your concern, Empress. The Emperor’s visit has made me feel much better."

The Empress most despised Concubine Yu’s pretentious airs: "Indeed, with Concubine Yu having nightmares every other day, and the Emperor being so busy, it’s not right."

The Emperor, hearing the barbs in the Empress’s words, frowned, "What is your purpose here, Empress?"

The Empress presented two confessions with both hands, "Emperor, please look at these first."

The Emperor took the confessions from the Empress with a puzzled look, his expression growing more somber as he read on.

Concubine Yu glimpsed the two sheets of paper and felt they meant trouble; she surreptitiously watched the Emperor’s face turn gloomy.

She reached out and tugged at the Emperor’s bright yellow sleeve, her voice weak and coquettish, "Emperor, I feel so tight in my chest."

When the Empress saw this, she almost retched, thinking you’re old enough to be someone’s mother, still copying Concubine Ning’s coquetry - aren’t you ashamed?

The Emperor had a favorite, Concubine Ning, who was eighteen, breathtakingly beautiful, and very good at being coquettish.

The aged Emperor loved this type, and thus he doted on her excessively.

The ladies of the court began imitating her, but it was like an ugly duckling imitating a swan, making a complete fool of themselves.

After reading all the confessions, the Emperor shook off Concubine Yu’s hand and gave her a slap on the face.

"Slap."

Concubine Yu was stunned by the slap.

The Emperor’s cold voice thundered, "Concubine Yu, you have truly disappointed us."

Concubine Yu, clutching her face, looked at the Emperor with hurt, "Emperor, where have I gone wrong to make you so angry?"

The Emperor flung the confessions at Concubine Yu’s face, "See for yourself, the vile deeds you’ve done."

Concubine Yu’s hands trembled as she picked up the confessions, and after reading them, her face turned white. She looked up at the Emperor, grabbed his bright yellow sleeve, and tears cascaded down her face.

"Emperor, I didn’t do these things, you must believe me."

The Empress said coldly, "Are you suggesting that I wronged you, Concubine Yu?"

Concubine Yu shook her head, "I didn’t mean that, surely someone is framing me, Emperor, you must believe me."

The Empress said, "Emperor, the witnesses are outside the door, we can find out just by asking."

The Emperor ordered directly, "Eunuch Li, detain all the servants of Yinyue Palace for interrogation."

"Yes," Eunuch Li obeyed and went out.

"Concubine Yu will be demoted to Lady, confined to Yinyue Palace, and once all matters are clarified, we will discuss further."

After the Emperor spoke, he left without looking back.

"Emperor..." Concubine Yu fell off the bed, but couldn’t make the Emperor turn to glance at her.

The Empress withdrew her gaze and left without turning back as well.

After interrogation, the people around Concubine Yu couldn’t endure the pain and confessed.

Seeing the new confession, which included the scheming against Concubine Ning’s miscarriage, the Emperor was furious and confined the former favored Lady into the Cold Palace to fend for herself.

*

Upon hearing the news, Xiao Jinyan came to the Empress to pay his respects and saw that she was in a very good mood.

With a smile on her lips, the Empress said, "Crown Prince, now that the former Lady has been sent to the Cold Palace, she will no longer have a chance to turn the tables."

Xiao Jinyan said, "It is by Mother’s wisdom that the truth has been revealed to all."

The Empress nodded happily, and then she suddenly thought of Shen Chuwei’s promotion to Lady, at first she was quite angry - who ever heard of promotions in three leaps and bounds?

Even if the Emperor doted on a Concubine, there were no triple promotions.

But Yuyu said that Shen Chuwei nearly lost her life for the Crown Prince, which is why she did not interfere.

"Crown Prince, I have something I want to discuss with you."

Xiao Jinyan said, "Please speak, Mother."

The Empress said, "Some time ago, I consulted the Imperial Astrologer, and still, we cannot select a Crown Princess.

What is going on with the Imperial Astrologer?

Once or twice is understandable, but how can the Crown Prince not have a Crown Princess?

The vast East Palace cannot be managed by a single Crown Prince, can it? "

Xiao Jinyan nodded, "What Mother says is true."

The Empress continued, "I have been thinking, it would be best to appoint Lady Chang as a Concubine and let her manage the East Palace affairs for now, waiting to be named Crown Princess. What do you think?"

Upon hearing about appointing a Concubine to manage the East Palace, Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly, "Mother, Lady Chang is frail; a slight breeze and she catches cold. Appointing her as a Concubine would only overexert her and her body might not withstand it. What do you think of Shen Lady?"

The Empress was somewhat displeased, "I don’t want to oppose you, but Shen Chuwei only became a Lady by saving you, and I’ve heard she grew up in the countryside and is not fit to handle the affairs of the East Palace."

Xiao Jinyan said, "That’s because Mother hasn’t interacted with Shen Lady. Once you have, you will find her very suitable."

The Empress waved it off, "Enough, it’s not like I haven’t met Shen Lady; she’s no different from Concubine Yu. Managing the East Palace affairs requires a dignified, graceful, and talented woman like Lady Chang."

Xiao Jinyan reluctantly took a step back, "Mother, there’s no hurry to appoint a Concubine; we can discuss it further."

Remembering Yuyu’s words, the Empress nodded in agreement, "Then let it be so. The East Palace cannot be without a woman in charge. It is better to decide earlier rather than later."

Xiao Jinyan bowed his head, "I understand, Mother."

After leaving Fengyi Palace, Xiao Jinyan went straight to Xiyun Pavilion, aiming to persuade Shen Chuwei to strive for the position of Concubine in charge.

Shen Chuwei was nibbling on sunflower seeds when she saw Xiao Jinyan approaching briskly. She quickly put away the seeds, kicking the shells under the table.