Chapter 183: Battle of Wits: One

Battle of Wits: One

Nie Jinxuan looked composed and serious, but inside she was also extremely nervous, because she knew that now was not the right moment to speak. Moreover, among the people around her, Nie Jinxuan was just an outsider!

Sure enough, as soon as Nie Jinxuan's words fell, all eyes in the room instantly turned to her, and Yin Fengzhan, who had been kneeling on the ground with his back to her, instantly darkened his face, then glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

The large courtyard fell silent. Before Shun Cheng Emperor could finish speaking, a cold snort came from Yun Wang, Yin Fengjin, who then spoke on his own.

"Third Miss, it seems you have no place to speak here."

Last time at Yun Wang's residence, Nie Jinxuan publicly presented Chen Yan'er with a child‑bearing Guanyin. Afterward, when Yun Wang Yin Fengjin learned of it, his anger blazed. If Chen Yan'er hadn't intervened, Yin Fengjin would have already come to settle accounts with Nie Jinxuan. Therefore, now that he has a chance, Yin Fengjin will certainly not let Nie Jinxuan have it easy! Moreover, Yin Fengjin originally stood on the Crown Prince's side, and once Zhang Guifei falls, the harem will naturally be dominated by Empress Dowager Duan's family, so he certainly does not want Nie Jinxuan to cause any extra trouble at this critical moment!

Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan merely turned her gaze at Yin Fengjin for an instant, then placed her eyes back on Shun Cheng Emperor.

Nie Jinxuan said nothing, but her eyes shone with resolve. When the emperor met her gaze, Shun Cheng Emperor's pupils flashed a sharp light, then he snorted coldly.

"Nie Jinxuan, what do you intend to say? Could it be that you're also trying to defend Zhang Guifei?"

"In reply to the Emperor, Jinxuan is not making an excuse!"

"Oh? Not an excuse?! Then what do you want to say?"

"I seek verification!"

The tension that had begun to rise gradually settled into composure. Nie Jinxuan spoke word by word. Hearing this, Shun Cheng Emperor was first startled, then instantly broke into a smile.

The emperor's smile was light, but the amusement did not reach his eyes. After a while, his smile suddenly faded, and with an even gloomier stare than before, he fixed his gaze on Nie Jinxuan and said,

"Nie Jinxuan, you truly have guts! Verification? Hmph… Since you say that, you are essentially confirming that Zhang Guifei is innocent, and that I was wrong, is that so?"

At this moment, Shun Cheng Emperor's voice was ice‑cold. Even Senior Minister Nie, who was kneeling beside him, couldn't help but tremble. Instantly, Nie Jinxuan reached out to steady Senior Minister Nie, then lifted her head to meet the emperor's eyes again.

"Your Majesty, Jinxuan dares to speak not because she is bold, but because she knows that Your Majesty will not, in anger, mistakenly kill the innocent! As for whether Zhang Guifei is innocent, Jinxuan cannot be certain; human hearts are hidden beneath the belly, you can read a person's face but not their heart, painting a man or a tiger is easy, but painting the bones is hard. Although Zhang Guifei's past temperament was pure, one cannot conclude she never erred because of her former kindness. After all, people are selfish, each has their own secrets, so Jinxuan dares not make a rash judgment!"

"But Your Majesty, although the words are as such, they cannot be denied. As my father just said, Zhang Guifei has served in the palace for over twenty years, attending to Your Majesty on both sides. First, regardless of merit, she has endured hardship, so even if you wish to kill her, you must fully explain the reason, even if old affection lingers. This is a debt of gratitude; Jinxuan believes that a wise emperor will understand!"

"Second, even if Zhang Guifei truly committed a mistake, the world does not know, which is why today's morning court sees ministers pleading. I do not know who these ministers are, nor have I met them, but I know they speak up because they do not believe Zhang Guifei would have done anything to anger Your Majesty, and they are willing to risk themselves. Therefore, even though Your Majesty, as the true Dragon Son, the Lord of Ten Thousand Saints, can kill a person without reason, you still need a legitimate justification!"

"Otherwise, the common people would not know, only that the usually gentle Zhang Guifei died, causing ministers to panic. If Zhang Guifei could die without cause, what about themselves?! Besides the people and officials, there are also Prince Gong and Prince Chen… Do not forget, Zhang Guifei is Prince Gong's mother consort and also the aunt who personally raised Prince Chen. Does Your Majesty really wish to make the two outer princes harbor cold feelings toward you?!"

……

Nie Jinxuan's words were calm, matching the solemn seriousness on her face. Though her arguments were reasonable, they inadvertently placed a great banner of benevolence on Shun Cheng Emperor. It was as if she were saying, if the emperor does not investigate the matter thoroughly today, he will be condemned!

Nie Jinxuan sounded pleasant, but the meaning was clear. Yet even knowing that, it was hard to refute… So, as soon as Nie Jinxuan finished speaking, Shun Cheng Emperor narrowed his eyes.

"Cold feelings in the heart?! Are you saying the fourth and the sixth will be dissatisfied with me?"

"Your Majesty, they will not be dissatisfied, for they are your sons. However, they may harbor some resentment in their hearts, which is an undeniable fact!"

"When troops arrive, generals stand ready; when water comes, earth shields," after speaking, Nie Jinxuan did not wait for the emperor to say more, instantly shifted her gaze to the silent Empress Duan beside her.

"Moreover, Your Majesty, have you considered the Empress's situation? You must know that as a noble consort, Zhang Guifei ranks just below the Empress in the harem. Previously, the Empress and Zhang Guifei quarreled over the death of Lan Cairen, causing some displeasure. Therefore, if Your Majesty executes Zhang Guifei without cause, outsiders may think the Empress secretly employed some trick to provoke your anger and cause Zhang Guifei's death… Of course, Jinxuan's words may be excessive, but she can assert that once Zhang Guifei dies, rumors will spread throughout the harem, and there are no secrets in the world; after the harem comes the court and then the realm, and the Empress will also bear an undeserved grievance!"

Her expression remained unchanged, and though her words seemed directed at Shun Cheng Emperor, they also reminded Empress Duan. Indeed, as soon as Nie Jinxuan finished speaking, the previously silent Empress Duan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and she looked up at Nie Jinxuan.

That glance was extremely vicious, as if she wanted to devour Nie Jinxuan alive. Yet immediately after, Empress Duan curled her lips into a smile, then turned to the emperor and said,

"Your Majesty, I think Miss Nie's words have merit. After all, Zhang Guifei has served you faithfully for many years, and now this incident occurs; even if you cling to past affection, you should investigate it thoroughly. Otherwise, unrest spreads through court and realm, which is certainly not a good thing…"

At this point, Empress Duan paused slightly, then stepped forward to stand before Shun Cheng Emperor, kneeling both knees.

"Therefore, I am certain the Emperor will give Zhang Guifei a chance!"

……

Empress Duan began to plead for Zhang Guifei; seeing this, even Crown Prince Yin Fenghan and Yun Wang Yin Fengjin, though reluctant, had to kneel with her to plead.

Thus, in an instant, the other concubines who had only been watching the spectacle also joined in kneeling, and before long, everyone in the courtyard was on their knees.

Everyone had their own thoughts. But in this situation, Shun Cheng Emperor could no longer persist. Moreover, the big banner Nie Jinxuan placed on him had already loosened his resolve, and now this provided him an excellent stepping stone!

So, looking at the kneeling crowd before him, Shun Cheng Emperor's face turned the darkest it could. He glanced at the unmoving Nie Jinxuan, then whispered,

"Nie Jinxuan, you truly are sharp‑tongued… Hmph, fine, you are right. Moreover, I do not wish the Empress to be dragged into this without cause. Very well, I will give her a chance to see what the truth is! And once I have uncovered the facts, do not blame me for being ruthless!"

Shun Cheng Emperor uttered a harsh decree. Yet, regardless, the matter finally gained a turning point.

He then ordered everyone to stand, and considering Senior Minister Nie's poor health, he granted him a seat beside him. Afterwards, he had Gao Caiyong recount the main events publicly.

It turned out that just a few days earlier, on the night of the first day of the month, Shun Cheng Emperor had been reviewing memorials until late night. Afterwards he rose and went to the harem; it was already dark, so he intended to stroll in the rear garden, but while passing Yong Xin Palace, he noticed a light inside. Assuming Zhang Guifei was still awake, he entered directly…

Shun Cheng Emperor did not alert anyone, but once inside Yong Xin Palace, the light vanished, darkness enveloped the surroundings. In that blackness, a shadow flickered, and the emperor felt a sharp pain in his head, then lost consciousness!

At that moment, no one was by his side. After a brief interval, the emperor awoke on his own, and spent the whole night watching Zhang Guifei emerge from the sleeping chambers!

At this point, though angry, Shun Cheng Emperor did not blame Zhang Guifei. He immediately ordered the entire Yong Xin Palace, even the whole harem, to be sealed off and began a search… Unexpectedly, the black‑clad assailant who attacked the emperor was not found, but in a hidden side chamber of Yong Xin Palace they discovered something the emperor could not possibly tolerate—a spirit tablet of the late Noble Consort Ning, who had been dead for over twenty years!

Zhang Guifei and Noble Consort Ning were sisters; the younger should naturally mourn the elder. Yet long ago, Shun Cheng Emperor issued a decree forbidding anyone to mention Noble Consort Ning. Therefore, upon seeing that Ning's tablet, the emperor instantly enraged and moved to imprison Zhang Guifei in the cold palace!

First chapter uploaded, with a second to follow! (Also, today is International Women's Day, happy holiday to everyone~!)