eurekapd Chapter 276 Consort Fucha
Chapter 276 Consort Fucha
After Hongchang's position as crown prince was confirmed, the entire Ministry of Rites was thrown into a flurry of activity.
Choosing a crown prince is a matter of great national importance, as it relates not only to the succession to the throne,
It also involves the stability of the imperial court and the future of the country.
Therefore, according to convention, this is an extremely solemn and rigorous matter.
It requires a series of complex and tedious rituals.
The Minister of Rites was well aware of the importance of this mission.
He personally oversaw every step, from the meticulous drafting of the imperial edict,
From the meticulous preparations for the investiture ceremony to the etiquette arrangements for the officials in the court,
Every detail must be impeccable.
Finally, after several days of intensive work, the Minister of Rites arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation with a thick memorial.
He knelt at the palace entrance and respectfully reported to the two empresses inside the palace:
"Your Majesty the Empresses, the Ministry of Rites has drafted the edict appointing the Crown Prince as regent."
The detailed procedures for the investiture ceremony were arranged.
Please, Your Highnesses, take a look.
Having said that, he presented the memorial with both hands.
Fucha Peiyun took the memorial and carefully examined it.
The memorial was covered with dense writing.
The ceremony's various stages are detailed.
This includes the time, location, participants, specific procedures, and various etiquette details.
Fucha Peiyun took the memorial, examined it carefully, and nodded slightly.
"The Ministry of Rites is always meticulous in its work, and I hope that you will do your utmost to ensure that nothing goes wrong this time as well."
After all, as the heir apparent, the investiture ceremony of the crown prince is a matter of national importance and cannot be taken lightly.
Fucha Peiyun paused for a moment, then continued:
"However, His Majesty is currently ill, so all ceremonies should be kept simple and not overly elaborate."
Nian Shilan also chimed in from the side:
“That’s right. The Emperor’s recovery is the priority. Keep the ceremony simple and let the Crown Prince take over the reins of government as soon as possible. Stabilizing the court is the key.”
The Minister of Rites quickly replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the Ministry of Rites will certainly comply with the decree and simplify the ceremony procedures."
After the Minister of Rites received his order and withdrew, Fucha Peiyun and Nian Shilan exchanged another glance.
A hint of satisfaction flashed in their eyes.
Afterwards, the two went into Big Fat Orange's bedroom and told him the auspicious day for the Crown Prince's investiture ceremony.
The chubby orange cat, lying in bed, heard that the crown prince's investiture ceremony would take place in three days.
A complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
He moved his lips slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately no sound came out.
Fucha Peiyun gently held his hand and said softly:
"Your Majesty, rest assured, everything will proceed according to your wishes."
"Under your protection, Hongchang will surely become an outstanding crown prince."
Nian Shilan also said, "Your Majesty, please rest and recover. We will wait until you recover..."
He then personally instructed Hongchang to become a qualified crown prince.
Big Fat Orange nodded slightly, his eyes showing a hint of fatigue, but also a sense of relief.
He knew he could no longer control everything as he had before.
We can only hope that Hongchang can grow up quickly and become a qualified crown prince.
After resting, Cha Peiyun, Nian Shilan, and the other chubby oranges got up and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation together.
Fucha Peiyun went straight back to Kunning Palace.
However, Nian Shilan had no intention of returning to her Lingkun Palace.
Instead, she took Songzhi, Zhou Ninghai, and one other person with her, preparing to go to a place she hadn't set foot in for several years.
The sedan chair slowly came to a stop, and Songzhi quickly reached out her hand to help Nian Shilan out of the sedan chair.
Nian Shilan gracefully took Songzhi's hand and stepped lightly down from the sedan chair, her gaze casually sweeping over the surroundings.
Looking at the once magnificent Shou Kang Palace, now appearing so desolate and bleak,
Surprisingly, a few weeds were still stubbornly growing out of the cracks in the corner of the wall.
Everything here speaks of the desolation and loneliness of this place.
Nian Shilan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a pleased smile.
She turned her head and winked at Zhou Ninghai behind her, who immediately understood.
He immediately signaled to the eunuch behind him to push open the tightly closed palace gate.
As the palace gates creaked open, a sense of antiquity swept over us like a torrent.
This atmosphere carries the weight of time and vicissitudes, making one think of the palace's former glory and bustling activity.
Nian Shilan walked straight into Shou Kang Palace.
Her gaze swept over every corner of the palace, noting that although the furnishings remained the same,
However, many places were covered with a thick layer of dust, indicating that no one had taken care of them for a long time.
Nian Shilan frowned, and instinctively covered her nose with the handkerchief in her hand.
Just then, an aged yet somewhat familiar voice came from the inner hall:
Who's here?
Nian Shilan paused slightly, immediately recognizing the voice as its owner.
A faint smile appeared on her lips again, and she continued walking inside at a leisurely pace.
Soon, a figure slowly walked out from the inner hall.
The figure walked with faltering steps, as if each step required all the strength of the body.
When she finally reached the palace gate, the sunlight shone on her, illuminating her full head of white hair and her face full of wrinkles.
When she saw Nian Shilan, she was clearly taken aback, as if she hadn't expected to see her here.
He then revealed a complicated expression.
His expression contained surprise, helplessness, and a hint of barely perceptible fear.
Zhu Xi took a deep breath, composed himself, and then bowed respectfully, saying:
"This old servant, Zhuxi, greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be blessed."
Her voice was low and hoarse, as if it had been eroded by the years and lost its original timbre.
Nian Shilan looked at Zhu Xi, whose hair was now white, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
He revealed a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown.
Her tone was icy as she said:
"Aunt Zhuxi, it's been years since I last saw you, you look much older."
Although Nian Shilan knew that Zhu Xi was already Fucha Peiyun's person,
But when he thought about how Zhu Xi had served the Empress Dowager for so many years and how many shady things he had done for that old witch,
Nian Shilan couldn't give Zhu Xi a friendly look.
Zhu Xi raised her head and met Nian Shilan's gaze.
A hint of helplessness and bitterness flashed in her eyes, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't.
She simply replied in a low voice, "Thanks to Your Majesty, this old servant is still able to cling to life."
Nian Shilan didn't care about Zhu Xi's words; she simply said:
"It has been a long time since I visited Shou Kang Palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. Today is a good opportunity to come and see her."
Zhu Xi quickly replied, "Please, Your Highness."
Then he stepped aside to let Nian Shilan enter the inner hall.
As Nian Shilan stepped into the inner hall, a musty, decaying smell wafted towards her.
She frowned and covered her nose with a handkerchief to lessen the unpleasant smell.
Her gaze swept around the inner hall, finally settling on the large, soft couch.
On the soft couch, a man with a full head of white hair...
The old woman, her face as withered and emaciated as a ghost, lay quietly, as if she had lost all vitality.
If it weren't for the slight rise and fall of her chest, Nian Shilan would have almost thought that the Empress Dowager had already died.
Nian Shilan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the old witch was still alive.
Nian Shilan certainly didn't want that old hag to die at this time.
Nian Shilan both hoped that she would die soon, and yet she did not want her to die so easily.
It's said that this old hag is a scourge that has been around for a thousand years. She has been paralyzed in bed for so many years and is still able to live on.
Nian Shilan cursed inwardly, while at the same time being amazed by the Empress Dowager's vitality.
She slowly walked to the soft couch, looking down at the Empress Dowager as if examining a worthless object.
Just then, the Empress Dowager seemed to finally notice someone approaching.
She slowly opened her tightly closed eyes, her cloudy gaze falling somewhat bewilderedly on Nian Shilan.
At first, the Empress Dowager was completely bewildered, but when she recognized the person standing by the bed as Nian Shilan,
His eyes instantly turned incredulous, as if he had witnessed something extremely terrifying.
The Empress Dowager stared wide-eyed at Nian Shilan.
He made "ah ah ah" sounds, but couldn't utter a complete sentence.
She had no idea that Nian Shilan would appear at Shou Kang Palace at this very moment!
The Empress Dowager was surprised. She had thought that, given her good son's suspicious nature,
Sooner or later, just like they eliminated Longkodo, they will put Nian Shilan and her brother to death.
Unexpectedly, after so long, Nian Shilan was not only safe and sound,
Moreover, judging from her radiant complexion, she has clearly been living a very comfortable life these past few years.
This greatly surprised the Empress Dowager.
What is Nian Shilan's purpose in suddenly arriving at Shou Kang Palace at this time?
Nian Shilan stood before the Empress Dowager, a cold smile playing on her lips.
Seeing the Empress Dowager's astonished expression, she felt incredibly pleased.
Nian Shilan said coldly:
"Empress Dowager, it's been a long time! Your health is excellent..."
It's as 'robust' as ever!
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager trembled with anger, uttering "ah ah" sounds as if she wanted to say something.
But he couldn't utter a single complete syllable; he could only stare intently at Nian Shilan with eyes full of anger and terror.
Seeing this, Nian Shilan felt even more pleased and continued:
"Empress Dowager, back then you were stirring up trouble and spreading rumors in your good son's ear."
He instigated him to kill the child I was carrying.
They say even tigers don't recognize their own cubs, but your good son is truly worthy of being born from your womb, you old hag.
Equally ruthless, merciless, shameless, and disgusting.
The Empress Dowager never expected that Nian Shilan would know about what happened back then.
He was scolded again by Nian Shilan, who pointed her finger at him and scolded him, making him so angry that his face turned red.
His eyes were wide open, as if they were about to spit fire.
Her gaunt face became even more terrifying.
Her withered hands gripped the edge of the soft couch tightly.
His body trembled slightly, clearly angered by Nian Shilan's words.
Nian Shilan completely ignored the Empress Dowager's anger and continued to speak with a cold smile:
"Empress Dowager, you were truly shrewd back then!"
Not only did they cause me to lose my child, but they also used that "Joyful Fragrance" to deceive me.
You two, mother and son, have completely fooled our Nian family.
You want to use our Nian family, yet you are wary of us at every turn.
A mocking smile curled at the corner of Nian Shilan's lips, her eyes filled with hatred as she continued:
"Empress Dowager, you and the Emperor, on the surface, show great favor to our Nian family, but behind the scenes you have used every means to achieve your goals."
Our family has risked our lives for you.
Yet you still scheme against and exploit me at every turn.
Do you really think the Nian family is so easy to bully?
Upon hearing Nian Shilan's words, the Empress Dowager was so angry that she trembled all over and almost couldn't breathe.
Her already withered hands gripped the soft couch even more tightly, as if she wanted to crush it.
She tried desperately to sit up in bed, but her body was no longer under her control.
Moreover, she has been bedridden for the past few years, her body weak and limp like cotton.
The Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with anger and panic as she glared at Nian Shilan.
His lips trembled slightly, but he couldn't utter a single word.
She knew perfectly well that Nian Shilan was not the kind of person who would swallow her anger.
She was so arrogant today, she must have done something.
Looking at the Empress Dowager's disheveled appearance, Nian Shilan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile.
She leaned forward slightly, getting closer to the Empress Dowager's wrinkled face.
He said in a tone that was both ruthless and smug:
"Empress Dowager, do you want to ask me what I did?"
"Hehe, don't worry, I came here today specifically to tell you this good news."
Nian Shilan paused briefly, seemingly enjoying the Empress Dowager's fear and anger, before continuing:
"Empress Dowager, do you know?"
Your precious son died in Huangling several years ago.
He was trampled into a bloody pulp by the horse, leaving not even a complete corpse.
As for his sons, I kindly sent them to the underworld to join him.
None of them were left.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's already pale face instantly turned ashen.
Her eyes were filled with shock and fear, and bloodshot.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
How could her fourteenth son be dead? It's impossible.
He was a great general, how could he die under a horse's hooves?
Impossible, no, impossible
And what about Hongxiao and Hongjiao? How could they be gone?
A smug smile appeared on Nian Shilan's lips; she was quite satisfied with what she had said. She continued:
"Back then, the Nian family also played a significant role in the fate of your old lover, Longkodo."
Her tone carried a hint of provocation, as if she were showing off her spoils to the Empress Dowager.
Upon hearing these words, the Empress Dowager's face showed a look of astonishment.
But Nian Shilan didn't take it to heart. Instead, she smiled and said, "Ah, Empress Dowager, don't be so surprised."
In fact, things in this world are often just that wondrous.
Nian Shilan paused briefly, then continued:
"Back then, your flirting with Longkodo..."
They thought they could fool everyone, but there's no such thing as a secret that stays hidden forever.
Although our Nian family has been constantly schemed against by you and your son, we are not to be trifled with.
Her words revealed her understanding of the relationship between the Empress Dowager and Longkodo.
She clearly knows this story very well.
How did Nian Shilan find out?
The Empress Dowager's expression turned somewhat ugly. She glared at Nian Shilan, her eyes bloodshot with anger.
We will naturally repay your and your son's high regard.
Empress Dowager, aren't you very concerned about your family, the Uya family, who were originally bondservants?
Your good son also uprooted them completely.
Our Nian family has done a 'good deed,' right?
Clean up the remaining members of the Wuya family completely, leaving none alive!
Hahaha"