After the interstellar female general died in battle, she transmigrated into the body of a dashing p

Consort De, seated on a nanmu chair, pondered for a moment, put down her teacup, and said in a gentle yet respectful manner, "If it is a rumor, then find out who spread it; if not, then..." The rest of her words were known to everyone present.

If it's not a rumor, these people will be severely injured, if not killed.

Zheng Zhian couldn't help but sigh. This girl knew how to talk. No wonder she was able to give birth to the eldest prince, secure her current position as Consort De, and even when it came to managing affairs in the harem, the emperor thought of her first.

Today's drama is probably more than just the concubines gossiping and fighting.

Since the Empress was poisoned and gave birth, the people of Muyun Palace have been thoroughly purged. Now it is like an iron barrel, with no news coming from the outside, and the person behind it is even more unaware of whether they have succeeded.

It seems that Consort Yuan and the other two are being used as pawns to test the Empress.

But what role does Consort De play in all of this?

That's really brain-taxing!

Yun Shu tapped her fingers lightly on the table, looking at Guan Zhaoyi at the back with an inscrutable expression. "You're here too. Is what Consort Yuan said true?"

Consort Guan thought she had escaped a calamity, but she didn't expect the Empress to suddenly ask her a question. She hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, this concubine does not know."

"I don't know?"

"No, no, maybe Sister Yuan misheard." She nodded hurriedly and repeated, "Yes, it was Sister Yuan who misheard."

The other servants were standing far away and couldn't possibly know whether they had said it or not.

I don't know if others will believe this answer, but I, Zheng Zhi'an, certainly won't.

Yun Shu coughed softly, suppressing the metallic taste in her throat, and lowered her voice, "Consort Yuan, Consort Zhan, and Consort Guan disregarded palace rules and honor, and engaged in a private fight. They are each punished with twenty strokes of the cane and confined to the palace for three months to reflect on their mistakes."

Danqin had been keeping a close eye on her, and from that muffled cough, she knew that the Empress must be feeling very unwell. As for these people, the Empress wanted to use them to investigate that person.

Although Yuan Zhu was dissatisfied with the punishment, she no longer objected to the Empress's order.

As for Consort Zhan and Consort Guan, judging from the Empress's current appearance, they don't seem to be near death at all. They are probably just sick from premature birth.

They all breathed a sigh of relief at the punishment.

After the morning court session, several senior officials were in the imperial study.

The floor was paved with jade, and before a rosewood table, the emperor, having removed his bright yellow court robes and donned a dark purple brocade robe with auspicious dragon patterns, his jet-black hair tied up on top of his head, was bending over, using tweezers to manipulate the incense ash in the three-legged lotus-shaped incense burner. His casual and relaxed demeanor, however, commanded the respect of none of the ministers standing below him.

Prime Minister Jian Yuanzheng was in the first position on the right. He was dressed in official robes, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, regular features, and a slightly white beard. He looked like a kind and amiable old farmer.

If Zheng Zhi'an were here, he would realize that these two truly are father and daughter.

"Regarding the matter of the Censorate's impeachment today of the magistrate of Pinglin County for colluding with local gentry to suppress the people, what do you all think should be done?" The emperor did not look up, as if asking casually.

Those present were all cunning and shrewd foxes, and none of them intended to speak first.

His eyes, however, glanced almost imperceptibly at Jiang Hetai, the Minister of Personnel.

The magistrate of Pinglin County was recommended by his son.

Such matters occur to varying degrees in different regions and are generally handled directly by the Ministry of Personnel.

This matter is not big or small.

But this time the Censorate reported it in court. If it weren't for the Emperor's authorization, that old fellow in the Censorate probably wouldn't have done it.

Jiang Hetai's thin face was lined with deep wrinkles, his brows were slightly furrowed, and he hunched over in fear as he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. My son is foolish and has failed to recognize the true worth of people."

The emperor looked up, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Can't you judge people? It seems there are quite a few fools in our dynasty!"

Everyone lowered their heads, and no one dared to respond.

A fleeting, profound meaning flashed in Jian Yuanzheng's murky eyes.

For the past two years, the Emperor has been weakening the power held by the aristocratic families, and now he wants to implement new policies and the imperial examination system. However, the aristocratic families are deeply entrenched, and the slightest misstep could shake the very foundation of the nation.

The practice of recommendation and recommendation cannot be abolished so easily!

The emperor tossed the lotus-shaped cauldron aside, and the incense ash inside instantly scattered, drifting in the air. His long-held high position and the overwhelming aura of authority he exuded as he looked down upon the people below were palpable. "How many in the court are truly drawing salaries from the government while outwardly complying but inwardly defying it? You all know not, do you?"

Since the emperor ascended the throne, he has rarely reprimanded the senior officials in the court so severely.

The crowd was terrified, unsure whether to answer or not.

Only the Imperial Censor Yu Dan remained calm and solemnly said, "This phenomenon has existed for a long time. If we want to solve it, I'm afraid the only way is to investigate and punish those who are corrupt, eliminate those pests, and hold an imperial examination to select outstanding people to take office. Only then can we restore order to the court."

“Lord Yu is right, but it may not be easy to investigate thoroughly.” Jian Yuanqing turned to look at him and discussed with him, “Holding an imperial examination is indeed feasible, but it would be difficult for the various gentry and nobles to…” He stopped there.

Yu Dan was by nature upright and stubborn. Upon hearing this, he subconsciously replied, "If the nobles and powerful have real talent and learning, they can do as the Empress does..." He stopped abruptly at this point.

Although the Empress earned her achievements through her own efforts, the late Emperor initially only allowed it because of the Duke of Yun's influence. Later, she was granted the fiefdom and the command of 200,000 troops.

The Prime Minister has dug a pit for him. If he wants to deal with the various aristocratic and powerful families, then the Empress will definitely have to set an example first...

The entire hall suddenly fell into a deathly silence so profound that you could hear a pin drop. Even Steward Liu couldn't help but stop breathing.

Suddenly, a young eunuch with a flustered and anxious expression entered the hall and whispered something in Chief Steward Liu's ear.

"A report suddenly came from Muyun Palace that the Empress and Princess Le'an have suddenly been poisoned. I'm afraid..."

Ignoring the current situation, Chief Steward Liu hurriedly went to the emperor's side and told him what he had overheard.

The emperor threw down a sentence, "All of you, get back and think it over carefully," and quickly walked out.

Chief Steward Liu hurriedly followed, only to see the usually calm and composed Emperor, who never wavered in the face of anything, take a few quick steps and then use his lightness skill to head towards the direction of Muyun Palace.

At this moment in Muyun Palace, Danqin forced herself to calm down, sent someone to fetch the imperial physician, and sent someone to inform the emperor, but did not allow anyone to enter the room.

After seeing off Consort De and the others, the Empress returned and was fine. However, she suddenly started vomiting blood. At first, she thought it was the same as before, but she didn't expect the Empress to get worse and worse. Even the little princess started crying loudly and kicking and hitting her with her hands and feet. You should know that she has never been like this since she was born.

Danqin was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Zheng Zhian couldn't stop cursing her father in her heart. It was so damn painful. It felt like thousands of worms were biting her all over her body. Her chest felt like it was being cut by a dull knife. The pain was excruciating. The metallic taste in her throat made her spit out a mouthful of blood. She was in so much pain that she wished she could just die on the spot.

When the emperor arrived, the first thing he saw was Yun Shu lying on the bed covered in blood, the bright red color stinging his eyes.

He strode to the bedside and began to channel his inner energy into her, his raised hand trembling uncontrollably.

Yun Shu's thoughts were already in chaos. Through her blurry vision, she saw it was him and used all her strength to shake him off, "Help, An, An, quick."

"Shu'er, don't speak. An'an will be alright. Trust me." The emperor's eyes turned bloodshot, and his body trembled uncontrollably. He held her and insisted on channeling his inner strength into her, even though it was already a drop in the ocean.

Shu'er, I promise I won't let anything happen to you, I promise I won't.

"Zheng Hongyuan, save An'an." Yun Shu tried her best to break free from his embrace.

"Twelve, save the princess!" Zheng Hongyuan roared.

Suddenly, a masked man dressed in black appeared in the hall and immediately approached the little princess who was being held.

Danqin looked at him expectantly, knowing that her own internal strength was insufficient to stop the poison flowing from the princess's body towards her heart. She assured him that the shadow guards around the emperor were all experts and would surely be able to stop it.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Twelve sensed the condition of her body by channeling his internal energy, he immediately withdrew it and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, my internal energy will accelerate the poisoning of the princess."

Zheng Zhian coughed up another mouthful of blood. "Damn it, are you trying to kill me too slowly?"

"Bring in the other shadow guards."

The man in black dared not stand up. "Except for Master Yingyi, our cultivation methods are all the same."

Zheng Hongyuan had never hated his arrogance so much.

Why did we send Shadow One out in the first place?

"Zheng Hongyuan, don't make me hate you." Yun Shuhan looked at him with an icy gaze.

When she said those words, Zheng Hongyuan paused, his heart breaking into pieces, as if a fishbone was stuck in his throat.

He put her down, turned around, and forced the tears in his eyes back into his eyes.

.....

Empress Yunshu died in the fourth year of the Hongwu reign of Emperor An Chongguo.