Chapter 182: Dragon Face Enraged

Dragon Face Enraged

Nie Jinxuan rode the carriage back to the Nie residence. Upon arriving, she did not go to her own room but went straight to her father, Senior Minister Nie.

The matter concerning Nie Jinhui had dealt a heavy blow to Senior Minister Nie. Though Emperor Shuncheng chose not to punish, Senior Minister Nie, being old, had been bedridden since falling ill. These days he has slightly improved.

So, if possible, Nie Jinxuan truly did not want to disturb him. But the matter was urgent, and she could not worry about that any longer.

Nie Jinxuan hurried along and soon reached Senior Minister Nie's side chamber in the rear courtyard. She pushed the door open, exchanged a brief greeting, then whispered directly.

"Father, actually I came today to disturb you because there's something I want to ask you…"

"Oh? What is it?"

Senior Minister Nie was in good spirits today; seeing Nie Jinxuan approach with a matter made him pause. Looking at her father's kind face, Nie Jinxuan pressed her lips together.

"It's about Consort Zhang."

"Consort Zhang?! What's wrong with Consort Zhang?"

It was common knowledge that Senior Minister Nie and Empress Dowager Duan were at odds, while he had little contact with Consort Zhang but their relationship was acceptable. Hearing Nie Jinxuan mention Consort Zhang, Senior Minister Nie blinked and a hint of puzzlement appeared on his face.

"A few days ago, Consort Zhang angered Dragon Face, and the Emperor ordered her sent to the cold palace. Today my daughter heard that another mysterious death occurred in the palace, and now the Emperor intends to execute Consort Zhang… This morning at court, a minister pleaded for her, and was beaten with a board…"

Nie Jinxuan briefly relayed the news she had just heard from Pei Yaoguang to Senior Minister Nie. Upon hearing this, he was startled and struggled to sit up from the bed.

"Jinxuan, is what you just said true?"

"Yes, Father!"

She nodded, her face showing a hint of seriousness. At that moment, Senior Minister Nie squinted his wrinkled eyes, pondered briefly, then suddenly looked up and said

"Does this matter involve Zhang Guifei Ning?"

"Um… yes, I heard it is related to Zhang Guifei Ning…"

Surprised that Senior Minister Nie suddenly brought up Zhang Guifei Ning, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but furrow her brow.

"…But Father, how do you know it's related to Zhang Guifei Ning?! Could it be that Zhang Guifei Ning…"

Senior Minister Nie had served in the court for decades, spanning two reigns, so he knew the most. Hearing Nie Jinxuan's doubt, he looked up at her and silently nodded.

"Indeed, Zhang Guifei Ning… besides her, who else could make the Emperor so angry…"

His tone carried a sigh; seeing this, Nie Jinxuan grew even more confused.

"Father… what do you mean… who exactly is Zhang Guifei Ning?"

"Who? Heh… the Emperor's most beloved woman, yet also the one who hurts him deepest—"

He spoke in an almost murmuring tone. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan was instantly startled! At this point, Senior Minister Nie sighed.

"Alright, Jinxuan, I understand your feelings. After all, Consort Zhang had been kind to you before, and you can't bear to see her suffer. Moreover, there's Prince Chen… Fine, I'll go to the palace now to see what the Emperor intends!"

Saying so, Senior Minister Nie loudly summoned the servants outside, and upon hearing that he would go to the palace, Nie Jinxuan was startled.

"Father, your health isn't fully recovered; if you go to the palace now, what if…"

"It's fine, this old bone knows its own limits! Besides, this can't be delayed, so Jinxuan you don't need to say anything!"

Senior Minister Nie remained resolute, then, with a maid's assistance, changed into his clothes. Once ready, he turned to Nie Jinxuan and said

"Jinxuan, stay at home and don't act rashly… However, the Emperor is currently furious, so entering the palace won't be easy. In any case, you must not just wait…"

As he spoke, Senior Minister Nie patted Nie Jinxuan's shoulder, then left with a solemn expression… Yet the moment he turned, Nie Jinxuan called out to him.

"Father, Jinxuan will go with you!"

"What? You too?"

He turned his body slightly, looking surprised at Nie Jinxuan, then after a thought, nodded.

"Fine, that's good. Jinxuan, you can examine corpses; perhaps it will be useful later! Alright, let's go together!"

……

Leaving the Nie residence, Nie Jinxuan and Senior Minister Nie entered the palace directly. When Nie Jinxuan was supporting the panting Senior Minister Nie into the Imperial Study, before anyone could send a messenger inside, a voice suddenly came from a corner beside the palace wall.

"Ah, finally you're here~!"

A light, teasing tone. Upon hearing it, Nie Jinxuan turned instantly and saw a tall figure slowly emerge from a hidden corner beside the palace wall.

The person wore a carefree smile, the upturned lip hinting at an indescribable nonchalance, and in the sunlight exuded a liberated wildness… If it's not Yin Fenglian, then who could it be?!

At that moment, seeing Yin Fenglian, Nie Jinxuan frowned, while Senior Minister Nie was slightly startled, then smiled and said

"So it's His Highness Prince Qin, it's been a while since we last met. How have you been, Prince Qin?"

"Hehe~, thank you, Senior Minister. I've been traveling everywhere… By the way, I heard you were ill a few days ago; are you better now?"

"Much better… Oh, right, just now hearing Your Highness Prince Qin speak, could you possibly know where the Emperor is at this moment?"

With those two simple sentences, Senior Minister Nie got to the point. Upon hearing this, Yin Fenglian gave a slight smile, then glanced at Nie Jinxuan beside her.

"Otherwise, what does Senior Minister think I'm doing here? Fine, let's go; if we wait any longer, it'll truly be too late~!"

Saying that, Yin Fenglian curled her lips in a smile and led Nie Jinxuan and Senior Minister Nie straight toward the rear palace.

……

Considering Senior Minister Nie's condition, Yin Fenglian did not walk quickly. After about a quarter hour, the three arrived at Yongxin Palace.

As soon as they reached the entrance of Yongxin Palace, a scream came from inside.

"Ah—"

The cry was heart‑rending, excruciatingly painful. It startled Nie Jinxuan at the doorway; Yin Fenglian's brows twitched unusually, then she strode in. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan also helped Senior Minister Nie and followed.

But once inside the courtyard of Yongxin Palace, Nie Jinxuan was instantly stunned!

It turned out that the courtyard was already filled with people. Emperor Shuncheng sat coldly on a chair, his face stern. On the left, Empress Dowager Duan and several other consorts stood aside, while on the right stood Crown Prince Yin Fenghan, Prince Yun Yin Fengjin, and others!

In the center of the courtyard, Consort Zhang knelt in plain robes, head bowed, lost in thought. Beside her knelt the brothers Yin Fengzhan and Yin Fengxuan, clearly pleading on her behalf.

At the same time, not far behind Consort Zhang, two eunuchs were restraining a palace maid. The maid was gaunt, hair disheveled, her hands a bloody mess, clearly having been tortured… Upon closer look, she was the trusted attendant Yuzhu who served Consort Zhang.

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan's brows knit tightly, her heart uneasy. Meanwhile, Senior Minister Nie's expression steadied, and with a slightly unsteady step he advanced.

"Your Majesty, I have seen the Emperor—Long live, long live, ten thousand years!"

Senior Minister Nie's voice was somewhat weak, yet it seemed as if he were straining to make it sound loud. As soon as he finished speaking, he directly dropped to his knees and performed the salute, but that slow movement inevitably made people watching feel a bit worried.

At that moment, upon hearing the voice, Emperor Shuncheng finally turned his gaze over. He then saw Senior Minister Nie kneeling on the ground with a somewhat dejected expression, and afterwards glanced at Nie Jinxuan beside him, who had also knelt down, and his face involuntarily grew cold again.

"Senior Minister, aren't you supposed to be bedridden? How did you come over now? How, is your illness all better?!"

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your concern; my health is fine…… cough cough……"

"Hmph! Not a problem?! If it's not a problem, why didn't you attend court before, yet now you've come here?!"

Obviously, Emperor Shuncheng was furious at this moment. Upon hearing these words, one could only see Senior Minister Nie trembling as he lifted his head, then looked at Emperor Shuncheng with a solemn and serious expression and said.

"Your Majesty, to be frank, I have come to the palace today precisely for the matter of Consort Zhang…… Therefore, even if I have to crawl, I will crawl into this palace today, lest Your Majesty make a grave mistake!"

"Impudent! Nie Wenhao! Don't rely on your age and act senior in front of me, and don't think I dare not move against you!"

Upon hearing Senior Minister Nie utter the four words 'make a grave mistake,' Emperor Shuncheng instantly flew into a rage.

"Your Majesty, your subject does not dare! But even if Your Majesty were to behead me, I must finish my words…… Your Majesty, Consort Zhang has served in the palace for over twenty years, attending to You with utmost dedication; her character is known throughout the palace and the court. Although I am still unaware of why Your Majesty has become angry, even considering Consort Zhang's over twenty years of loyal service to You, she deserves a chance to explain herself! Otherwise, should Your Majesty, in his fury, execute Consort Zhang, how would we answer to the world?"

"Answer?! Why must I answer to the world for my actions?!"

"But Your Majesty, even if You truly intend to have Consort Zhang die, You ought to give an explanation, shouldn't You?!"

"Explanation?! Am I not personally conducting the interrogation right now?!"

Saying this, Emperor Shuncheng gave a grim look toward Yuzhu, who had been struck and had already fainted behind him.

"Wake her up!"

"Yes!"

Emperor Shuncheng spoke, whereupon the two eunuchs behind him promptly responded and moved to wake Yuzhu. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan, who had remained silent beside them, could not help but bite her lip, glance at her eyes, then instantly lift her gaze and speak aloud.

"Your Majesty, this subject has something to say!"

I've had an upset stomach today, spending nearly half the time in the latrine, so I only wrote one chapter; please understand, see you tomorrow… (Just before rushing out on horseback to the latrine, I didn't forget to shout: Monthly ticket~!)