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

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Consort Mei moved her lips and explained, "Your Majesty, I didn't mean that. I was just concerned about the Imperial Noble Consort..."

"No need to say more!"

Nangong Xuanyu interrupted her with annoyance: "It seems that I have been too lenient with you lately, making you forget the rules and regulations of the palace."

"Go back to your palace. You are not allowed to leave without my decree. Reflect on your actions!"

Consort Mei's eyes were filled with shock!

Just because of one sentence she uttered, His Majesty completely disregarded past relationships and, in front of so many people, ordered her to go back and reflect on her actions?!

Consort Mei looked at Consort Zhuang, only to see that the other woman's face darkened and her eyes were full of disappointment.

The other concubines either lowered their heads to hide their expressions or gloated.

Feeling the emperor's imposing aura, Consort Mei dared not argue any further and hurriedly knelt down, saying, "It was my fault, Your Majesty, that I misspoke!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your guidance..."

Nangong Xuanyu did not look at her again.

With Xue Fu's help, Consort Mei hurriedly retreated from the crowd, her figure appearing extremely disheveled in the firelight.

Everyone lowered their heads, but their hearts were filled with turmoil.

Consort Mei, carried away by her pride and unaware of her own limitations, finally met her match.

It seems that the Imperial Noble Consort's position in His Majesty's heart remains unshakable.

Some even lamented that His Majesty was ruthless and his heart was unfathomable...

Consort Zhuang was in a very bad mood.

The Imperial Noble Consort was pregnant and unable to serve the Emperor. This period was a golden opportunity for Consort Mei to consolidate her favor with the Emperor and advance further!

She went to great lengths to make Consort Mei stand out among the many newcomers in the harem.

But Consort Mei was ultimately young and impulsive, blinded by that false prosperity. She dared to launch a clumsy attempt to sow discord in public when His Majesty was clearly in a bad mood!

Isn't this just handing your own neck to the guillotine?

Seeing the emperor's gloomy expression, Consort Zhuang took a deep breath, suppressed the surging anger in her heart, stepped forward, and bowed deeply to the emperor: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

"Consort Mei is young and doesn't know how to speak properly, which is why His Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort misunderstood her words of concern."

"It is all my fault as your elder cousin for failing to properly guide her. I... I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

She adopted an extremely humble attitude and took the responsibility upon herself.

At this moment, Nangong Xuanyu was preoccupied with the fire at Yawen Garden, and had no mind to care about the sour grapes and mutual attacks in the harem.

To him, Consort Zhuang's polite words sounded incredibly annoying!

The emperor didn't even spare Consort Zhuang a glance, and waved his hand impatiently, saying, "Enough!"

"The fire scene is chaotic, you should all go back and not cause any more trouble!"

The rest of Consort Zhuang's words were stuck in her throat: "...Yes. Your Majesty, I obey."

Seeing this, the other concubines fell silent in fear.

They had initially intended to watch the spectacle and gather information. Some, who were at odds with Consort Mei, were secretly delighted.

But the chill emanating from His Majesty made them realize that what happened tonight was not something they could interfere with.

Despite everyone's curiosity about why His Majesty cared so much about a deposed concubine, no one dared to ask a single question.

"Your humble servant/concubine takes her leave!"

Everyone bowed and left with their respective palace servants.

Nangong Xuanyu looked at Shen Zhinian, his cold expression softening slightly, and instructed, "You should go back too, and take care of yourself."

"Handan, Fuqu, take good care of the Imperial Noble Consort. If anything happens to her, I will hold you responsible!"

Han Dan and Fu Qu were startled and quickly bowed, replying, "Your Majesty, we obey! We will serve you wholeheartedly!"

Shen Zhinian said, "Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself and do not overwork yourself."

"Then I will return to Yongshou Palace first."

Nangong Xuanyu hummed in agreement.

Shen Zhinian took Fuqu's hand and turned to board the sedan chair.

On the way, she instructed Xiao Mingzi: "Xiao Mingzi, you're quick-witted and fast on your feet. Quietly keep an eye on the movements over there, especially the results of Commander Zhan's search. Also, what further decrees His Majesty may issue."

"If you have any news, report it to me immediately."

Xiao Mingzi said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant understands!"

……

"Zhan Weiran!"

The emperor asked in a deep voice, "Have you found the person?!"

Zhan Weiran knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, this humble servant has roughly cleared the ruins, but has not yet found anything. We are still searching carefully..."

Before he could finish speaking, two imperial guards came running over.

"Your Majesty!"

One of them clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Your subordinate found... found a charred corpse inside the main room, near the bed..."

The moment those words were spoken, the surrounding air froze!

Nangong Xuanyu looked at the imperial guard and asked in a cold voice, "What are the characteristics of the corpse?"

The imperial guards added, "Your Majesty, the remains have been completely charred and are curled up on the ground. Their size is similar to that of Lady Jiang."

"Scattered fragments of hairpins and rings, not completely burned, match the several pieces of jewelry owned by the Jiang family in the records of expenses at the Yawen Garden..."

Nangong Xuan's face gradually darkened in the flickering firelight!

Jiang Wange... is dead?

In the early battles of the northern frontier, gunpowder first demonstrated its power, intimidating the Xiongnu. However, it also revealed its shortcomings, such as its limited power and questionable stability.

Jiang Wange had confidently promised that, given more time, she would definitely be able to develop a truly invincible thunderbolt firearm, eliminating any weaknesses in the Great Zhou's military and enabling them to expand their territory!

It was because of her potential value that he kept her alive.

Now, the treasure has not been obtained, but people have died in a mysterious fire.

Those novel ideas that might have changed the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty all vanished along with this charred corpse.

"waste!"

Nangong Xuanyu squeezed out two words through gritted teeth, it was unclear whether he was cursing the accident or the negligence of the guards.

The imperial guards knelt down in unison: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

"The Yawen Garden was heavily guarded, so why did it suddenly catch fire and burn Jiang to death?!"

The emperor's voice was filled with thunderous rage as he coldly looked at Zhan Weiran: "Zhan Weiran, explain yourself to me!"

Zhan Weiran's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat: "Your Majesty, please calm down! It was my dereliction of duty..."

"I have ordered people to carefully investigate the source of the fire, and the preliminary judgment is that... the fire did indeed start near the bed in the inner room. There are also oil stains and signs of deliberate accelerant."

"As for who set the fire, I am doing my utmost to investigate everyone who may have come into contact with Yawen Garden. I will give His Majesty a full explanation!"

Nangong Xuanyu was furious: "Investigate this thoroughly!"

"I don't care what methods you use, I want to see results within three days!"

"Anyone found guilty of any suspicious or negligent act will be severely punished without exception!"

Zhan Weiran felt an immense pressure on his shoulders and replied in a deep voice, "This subordinate obeys the order and will do his utmost!"

Nangong Xuanyu closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down.

Anger won't solve the problem; the urgent task is to clarify the situation.