frightfiction Chapter 881 Huanbi 25
Chapter 881 Huanbi 25
The news of Nian Gengyao's army's triumphant return quickly swept the entire capital like a gust of wind. The people lined the streets to welcome him, cheering deafeningly and setting off firecrackers. Nian Gengyao rode on a tall horse, wearing golden armor and a red tassel on his head, looking majestic and insolent. He enjoyed the glory of being the center of attention, and a smug smile rose unconsciously at the corner of his mouth.
He never dreamed that this would be the last glory of his life. He wanted to report his military exploits in suppressing the rebellion to the emperor, he wanted to accept the emperor's reward, he wanted to let everyone know that he, Nian Gengyao, was a meritorious official of the Qing Dynasty and the person the emperor trusted the most!
However, what awaited him in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity was not a warm welcome and generous rewards, but a cold face and a chilling imperial edict.
"Nian Gengyao, I ask you, do you know your crime?" Yinzhen sat upright on the dragon throne, his eyes were sharp and his voice was cold.
Nian Gengyao was stunned. He did not expect the emperor to have such an attitude. He suppressed his uneasiness and said, "I don't know what crime I have committed. I have made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion, but the emperor did not reward me but instead punished me. I really don't understand."
"Don't understand?" Yinzhen sneered.
"You mobilized the army without permission, killed innocent people, formed a clique for personal gain, and took bribes and perverted the law. Which of these crimes is not punishable by death?"
Nian Gengyao's face changed drastically. He didn't expect the emperor to know these things. He knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I have no such intention! Everything I have done is for the Qing Dynasty and for the emperor!"
"For me?" Yinzhen slammed the table and shouted angrily: "Do you still have me, the emperor, in your eyes? Do you still have the laws of the Qing Dynasty in your eyes? You are so audacious!"
Nian Gengyao was so frightened that he was shaking all over. He knew that the emperor was really angry this time. He kowtowed and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, please spare my life! I was confused for a moment and made a big mistake. I beg Your Majesty to spare my life for the great contributions I have made to the Qing Dynasty over the years!"
"Spare your life?" Yinzhen looked at him coldly.
"If I forgive you, how can I explain to the people of the world? How can I explain to those innocent people you have killed?"
Nian Gengyao was completely desperate, he knew he was doomed this time. He sat on the ground, his face ashen.
"Come here, take Nian Gengyao to the Heavenly Prison and await his punishment!" Yinzhen gave the order, and the guards immediately stepped forward and dragged Nian Gengyao away.
Peace returned to the Yangxin Palace. Yinzhen slowly stood up and walked to the window, looking at the gloomy sky outside, feeling mixed emotions.
He knew that once Nian Gengyao fell, there would be a great uproar in the court. But he could no longer care about that. He had to do this. He wanted to take this opportunity to completely eliminate the power of the Nian family and consolidate his imperial power.
"Nian Gengyao, oh Nian Gengyao, you disappoint me so much." Yinzhen murmured to himself, with a trace of regret in his eyes.
The news that Nian Gengyao was imprisoned in Tianlao quickly spread throughout the harem.
In Yikun Palace, Nian Shilan was struck by lightning when she heard the news and almost fainted.
"Your Majesty... How could Your Majesty treat my brother like this?" Nian Shilan couldn't believe her ears. She grabbed the eunuch who came to report the news and asked at the top of her voice.
"Your Majesty, I don't know either. I only know that General Nian has been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, and the Emperor has ordered that no one is allowed to visit him." The eunuch answered tremblingly.
Nian Shilan fell into a chair, tears streaming down her face. She knew that her brother was really finished this time. She didn't understand why the emperor suddenly took action against the Nian family? Was it really because she had fallen out of favor?
No, she didn't believe it! She had to go and beg the emperor to let her brother go.
Nian Shilan stumbled out of the Yiku Palace and headed straight for the Yangxin Palace.
In the Suiyu Pavilion, Zhen Huan was also surprised when she heard the news. She didn't expect that Nian Gengyao would fall so quickly.
"Jingxi, do you think the emperor is really going to take action against the Nian family this time?" Zhen Huan asked.
"My lady, in my opinion, the emperor has made up his mind this time." Jin Xi replied.
Zhen Huan nodded, she thought so too. Nian Gengyao's power was too great and had threatened the emperor's rule. The emperor could no longer tolerate him.
"My lord, this may be an opportunity for you." Jin Xi suddenly said.
"Opportunity?" Zhen Huan was puzzled.
"My lady, with the fall of Nian Gengyao, Concubine Hua will inevitably lose power. You are the only one around the emperor who can compete with Concubine Hua." Jin Xi explained.
Zhen Huan was silent. She understood what Jing Xi meant. But she didn't know if she still had a chance to regain the emperor's favor.
"My lady, don't give up hope. The emperor still has you in his heart. As long as you work hard, you will be able to win his heart back." Jin Xi encouraged.
Zhen Huan nodded and decided to give it a try. She couldn't just sit there and wait for death. She had to fight for a future for herself and her family.
Nian Shilan was in a trance. Songzhi and several personal palace maids were terrified. They surrounded her but did not dare to ask more questions.
"Empress, please don't be like this. Your health is important!" Songzhi advised in a trembling voice, bringing a bowl of ginseng soup.
Nian Shilan pushed it open, and the ginseng soup spilled all over the floor. The sound of the porcelain bowl breaking was particularly harsh.
"Is it important? What's important to me now? My brother is gone. I am nothing in this palace!"
She stood up suddenly and paced back and forth in the hall. Her gorgeous cheongsam dragged on the ground, making a dull sound, just like her mood at the moment.
"Your Majesty... How can your Majesty be so cruel? Has he forgotten the empire his brother built for him? Has he forgotten all the things our Nian family has done for him?" Nian Shilan murmured to himself, his eyes full of despair and unwillingness.
"Your Majesty, don't say that. The Emperor must have his difficulties..." Songzhi tried to comfort her, but was interrupted by Nian Shilan in a harsh voice.
"Difficulties? What difficulties does he have? He was just bewitched by that bitch Zhen Huan! It's all her fault! She is the one who harmed my brother!" Nian Shilan turned around abruptly and stared at Song Zhi.
"Songzhi, go check it out for me! That bitch must have said something to the emperor!"
Songzhi trembled with fear and knelt down quickly: "Your Majesty, please calm down. I will go check it out right away!"
Nian Shilan took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She knew that crying now was useless.
She must find a way to save herself, save her brother, and save herself.
"The Emperor... The Emperor would not be so heartless. He must still have me in his heart... and the love of our Nian family..." Nian Shilan murmured to himself, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
She decided to beg the emperor to change his mind, even if she had to kneel and die outside the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.