Every impeachment must be backed by evidence, especially when it concerns someone dear to the Emperor, the now highly favored Noble Consort Yi.
When attacking officials with differing political views, one might fabricate charges, but when it comes to the imperial harem and the Emperor's beloved consort, no one dares to speak falsely or fabricate stories—
If the truth is uncovered, one risks being charged with slander. Facing the wrath of the current sovereign could lead to dismissal from office, or worse, imprisonment and ruination of one's reputation.
Since the Censorate dared to impeach, it must be true that Noble Consort Yi has meddled in the daily life of the Crown Prince.
Consort Ping's words were entirely accurate!
In an instant, Suo Etu's face darkened, feeling the fury of having his carefully nurtured fruit snatched away, and the disbelief of being stabbed in the back.
Although the exposure came from the Censorate, Suo Etu didn't need to think twice to know it was Mingzhu's doing. Ha, who else wields such power nowadays?
Consort Hui, having been rooted in the Forbidden City for years, has her own information channels; Mingzhu, the old fox, is thriving in the court, with many flocking to him. Giving orders to minor officials is just a matter of moving his lips.
It's known that the Censorate is mostly composed of purists, but purists have their own interests; few are as incorruptible as Wang Yong, who is truly a solitary and pure minister.
...
Suo Etu's thoughts returned to the matter at hand, growing increasingly displeased. The Hesheli family had received no information, and it seemed the Emperor was kept in the dark as well.
Could it be that the Crown Prince has truly been swayed by Mrs. Guoluoluo, and not only did he not resist Noble Consort Yi's interference, but rather embraced it willingly?
Suo Etu always believed that the Hesheli family and the Guoluoluo family were allies, while the Nara Family was his mortal enemy. Given the current difficulties of Noble Consort Yi, whether out of interest or duty, he should lend a hand, thus earning the gratitude of a favored consort and future benefits... But this time, Noble Consort Yi has touched his sore spot!
The Crown Prince belongs to the Hesheli family, and his birth mother was Empress Renxiao. Everything Suo Etu has done has been for the Crown Prince, striving diligently to support him, whether it was plotting against the pregnant Imperial Noble Consort back then or acting against the Sixth Prince, all to protect the heir's position.
He wants to be the person the Crown Prince most closely relies on, with no one able to replace his contributions. But who exactly is Noble Consort Yi?
Noble Consort Yi, Mrs. Guoluoluo, what deep scheming!
Consort Ping had repeatedly mentioned that the Crown Prince enjoyed visiting Yikun Palace, but Suo Etu didn't believe it. After all, the Crown Prince is only just over ten years old, unable to discern right from wrong, and it wouldn't be impossible for him to be lured in with feigned affection during a moment of vulnerability.
Thinking about being idle at home, with his peach about to be picked by someone else, Suo Etu couldn't help but pace back and forth, feeling unprecedented anxiety, his beard bristling in anger.
He never expected a day would come when he and Mingzhu, the old fox, would share the same political views.
After much contemplation, Suo Etu asked, "How did the Emperor react in court today?"
An old subordinate whispered in Suo Etu's ear, "He scolded the court officials, saying 'This is permitted by me,' punished the people from the Censorate, and then announced the end of court."
Permitted by the Emperor?
Suo Etu didn't believe it at all!
The Emperor truly favored Mrs. Guoluoluo, to the point where he wasn't willing to punish her.
"Observe quietly and then fan the flames; Noble Consort Yi must not be allowed to remain favored." When the old subordinate asked him what to do, a fierce look flashed in his eyes before he slowly returned to calmness, "The Emperor is a wise ruler! The saying 'a hen crowing at dawn' is a grave taboo..."
Upon hearing the words "a hen crowing at dawn," the old subordinate's pupils shrank. He bowed his head and replied softly, "Yes."
Wasn't Suo Etu working in alliance with Noble Consort Yi?
To attach such an unforgivable accusation to the consort was somewhat lamentable. He shook his head slightly; even if the Emperor was determined to protect her this time, he wouldn't be able to.
******
During today's morning court, when a fifth-rank censor from the Censorate stepped forward and passionately impeached Noble Consort Yi, Mrs. Guoluoluo, for "overstepping her bounds," "being disrespectful," and "interfering in the affairs of the heir," the Qianqing Palace fell into an eerie silence.
Tuyue, the Vice Minister of War, immediately became angry, his eyes darkening as he prepared to step forward. Ma Qi, the Vice Minister of Works, quickly tugged at his sleeve, discreetly shaking his head, his eyes conveying a message—now is not the time to argue.
Because Fuqing had served as a study companion to the Fifth Prince and appreciated Tuyue's straightforward and generous nature, Ma Qi of the Fucha Family and Tuyue, who were similar in age, gradually became close friends.
Ma Qi understood clearly that the Ministry of War was already at odds with those purists, not to mention that Tuyue was the elder brother of Noble Consort Yi, akin to an external relative! If Tuyue couldn't hold back, the censors' denunciations would come like a tidal wave. Being naturally ineloquent, how could he argue effectively?
The current situation was clearly a premeditated scheme; acting impulsively was not wise.
Ah.
Thinking this, Ma Qi pointed discreetly at the throne hidden beneath his official robes. The Emperor was still present! The consort's favor was undeniable; it was better to wait for the Emperor to express his stance before stepping forward.
Although Tuyue was somewhat simple-minded (Sanguanbao's original words), he was not a fool. He was merely overwhelmed with anger at his sister being bullied, his concern clouding his judgment.
Prompted by Ma Qi, he fell silent, retracting his steps, then anxiously looked toward Emperor Kangxi on the throne, relaxing slightly after a moment.
The Emperor's expression was truly dark, appearing ominous, like the precursor to a storm, all directed at the official who had impeached—
The Emperor's rage was evident to all.
"So idle. The civil and military officials aren't enough for you to impeach, and now you're targeting my harem." Kangxi glanced at the crowded hall, laughing in anger, and said lightly, "Next time, will you impeach me for indulging in pleasure and being an incompetent ruler?"
With these words, all the civil and military officials understood the Emperor's stance; he was openly biased toward Noble Consort Yi.
The censor who impeached Yunxiu couldn't help but kneel down, cold sweat pouring down, saying, "Your Majesty, I dare not, I dare not!"
"You don't dare? I think you dare plenty!" After berating them, Kangxi sneered and narrowed his eyes, slamming his armrest heavily. "Noble Consort Yi's actions are not an overstep of her boundaries; they were permitted by me. I allowed her to care for the Crown Prince. So, what objections do you have?"
The officials who harbored guilty consciences exchanged uneasy glances, rendered speechless for a moment.
They might have mustered the courage to impeach the Noble Consort, but they certainly lacked the bravery to challenge the Emperor.
With Kangxi firmly holding power and his authority growing ever more formidable, no one dared to defy his will. Elevating his trusted aides was merely a matter of his word, and even the influential Mingzhu, the "Prime Minister" who held sway over the court, did not dare to cross the line.
Standing at the forefront, Mingzhu was visibly taken aback by Kangxi's words. His smile gradually faded as he lowered his gaze.
What? The Emperor approved this?
Could it be that it was done openly?
He silently cursed himself for his misstep. Hadn't Consort Hui said that the Emperor was kept in the dark and unaware of this matter?
This was bad. He had made a wrong move, underestimating Noble Consort Yi's position in the Emperor's heart and overestimating the reliability of the information. In doing so, he had unwittingly pushed Noble Consort Yi closer to the Crown Prince. Even if she hadn't harbored such intentions before, after today's impeachment and the ensuing drama, who could say for certain what would happen next?
Realizing this, Mingzhu's heart sank to the depths, weighed down by heavy regret.
Yet, there is no medicine for regret in this world. With the situation as it was, the best course of action was to minimize the damage.
While Mingzhu was steeped in regret, Tong Guowei felt a pang of disappointment.
Standing with his eyes lowered and his expression neutral, he thought it would have been ideal if the Crown Prince were punished along with everyone else. Alas, the heavens did not align with his wishes.
"No objections." The hall was so silent that one could hear a pin drop. Suddenly, Kangxi chuckled coldly and barked, "Where is Wang Yong?!"
Wang Yong, the head of the Censorate and Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief, stepped forward, his face uncharacteristically grim. He bowed deeply. "Your servant is here."
"Since I ascended the throne, has there ever been a precedent for impeaching imperial consorts? Have there ever been ministers meddling in the affairs of the inner palace? Has the Censorate ever been as chaotic and disgraceful as it is now?" Kangxi asked slowly, stroking his jade thumb ring.
Three consecutive questions, and Wang Yong could no longer stand his ground!
Although the Censorate does have the authority to impeach imperial consorts, and he himself had impeached the former Imperial Noble Consort Tongjia during a Dragon Boat Festival banquet, to persist stubbornly now and attempt to argue with the Emperor would be utterly tone-deaf.
With a loud "thud," he knelt to the ground. "This servant has failed in his duties and humbly asks Your Majesty to temper his anger!"
The five-ranked official who had initially impeached Noble Consort Yi was already trembling like a leaf, prostrating himself on the ground.
"Wang Yong will forfeit two months' salary and reflect on his conduct. As for you," Kangxi said, casting an icy glance downward, his eyes seemingly embedded with shards of ice, "handle matters with fairness and impartiality. Think carefully before you act. Return home and reflect on your actions for three days."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yong felt a surge of indignation in his heart. This was entirely unwarranted. He hadn't even been privy to the details surrounding Noble Consort Yi; how had the censor who initiated this impeachment come to know about it?
Ultimately, this was an affair of the inner palace—a private matter of the Emperor's household—and had no bearing on Noble Consort Yi's character. Given that it involved the Crown Prince, a sensitive issue, and with the Emperor's protection, how could the impeachment possibly succeed?
What a foolish waste of effort!
The official kneeling on the ground turned beet red, wishing he could faint on the spot. His dignity and reputation were utterly shattered.
Everyone present was secretly alarmed.
Being fined and reflecting on one's mistakes isn't a big deal, but where is this place? The Qianqing Palace!
The one being punished is a clear stream from the Censorate!
Minister Wang is entirely the victim of misplaced anger, while another's reputation has been ruined. Those unfamiliar with the situation might think, with the Emperor's golden words, that an unjust label will follow him for life.
Why bother?
*
Kangxi made the final decision, and after the officials were left speechless, he immediately announced the end of court.
The Emperor suppressed the impeachment matter, not wanting to trouble her, so while the storm in the front court hadn't yet fermented, Yunxiu was sleeping soundly in her chamber.
By the time she awoke, the sun was already high. After having breakfast, she brought over the cooing Ninth Prince from the warm pavilion, smiling as she watched him tilt his head and blow bubbles, watched him flip like a little turtle. Yintang was also eager to perform for his mother, his glass-like black eyes wide open, his round belly puffing up and down.
Yunxiu's gaze softened, and before she knew it, it was already noon.
That round belly was tempting even to Wenyuan, who quickly grabbed a rattle to tease the little master. But Yintang turned his head away, ignoring it, looking around for a while, then stretched his neck and planted a kiss on Yunxiu's cheek, before pretending to be a quail, burying himself in his mother's neck and staying still.
Caught off guard by the sneak attack, Yunxiu raised her eyebrows and gently poked her chubby son's cheek, just about to speak when Ruizhu hurriedly lifted the curtain and whispered, "Madam, first the people from the Censorate requested an audience, then the Emperor summoned the ministers of the Six Departments and the scholars of the Inner Cabinet to the palace. Something major must have happened. On the way here, I saw many palace eunuchs peeking around, looking towards the Qianqing Palace."
"At this time, what major event..." Yunxiu pondered, then paused and said softly, "Keep an eye on that side."
"Yes."
*
Qianqing Palace.
Using eight words to summarize Tuyue's mood for the day, it could be said to be a rollercoaster of emotions, both sad and joyful.
The fifth-rank official who impeached Yunxiu went home to reflect, and today's court matter was tacitly left unmentioned by everyone, not wanting to anger the Emperor.
Tuyue completely relaxed, but not long after, from an unknown source, a rumor subtly emerged, causing ripples of disturbance, fermenting in a small circle within the front court—
The rumor claimed that Noble Consort Yi, relying on the Emperor's favor, meddled in Crown Prince affairs, intending to usurp power!
Is the term "usurp power" something that can be said lightly?
Tuyue was both furious and anxious, and just as the Emperor summoned him, he hurriedly rushed into the palace. The imperial study was quite spacious, accommodating many court ministers. The Vice Censor-in-chief, with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and advised, "Please, Your Majesty, for the sake of the Crown Prince, for the sake of the Qing dynasty..."
Wang Yong rushed in hastily, his vision momentarily darkened—why was it always his subordinates causing trouble again?
Kangxi listened, his expression neither pleased nor angry. His gaze swept across the gathered ministers before him, deliberately ignoring the Vice Censor-in-chief’s words. Without hesitation, he strode over to the screen behind which someone was concealed. “Ancestor, please watch your step. Take it slow…”
A calm, unhurried voice rang out from behind the screen, belonging to the Empress Dowager: “My body is still strong and healthy. I have plenty of energy to take on the task of a hen crowing at dawn.”
In an instant, the Vice Censor-in-chief fell silent, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. Mingzhu, who stood at the forefront, was visibly startled and abruptly raised his head.
Why had this venerable figure decided to intervene?!
