Xie Zhang obtained evidence of Yongping’s collusion with the Eastern Palace, how could the Emperor not believe that this has nothing to do with Pei Zhan?
It doesn’t matter how this evidence was obtained, the emperor has his ways, and naturally, the ministers have their own survival tactics, which is understandable.
The most crucial thing is, how reliable is this evidence?
The emperor had laid the matter bare to this extent, and Pei Zhan, who was well aware of his nature, did not beat around the bush.
He said, "This evidence was not easy to come by, if Your Majesty doubts it, the best way is to summon Consort Yu for inquiry."
The emperor took a deep breath and pointed outside the door, "Summon the Crown Prince! Summon Consort Yu!"
When the eunuch sent to deliver the decree arrived at the Xu Mansion, Fu Zhen happened to be walking out of the Xu family’s front yard.
It wasn’t until the voice behind him announced the decree that Fu Zhen was satisfied as he stepped out of the Xu family’s gate.
Mrs. Zhang may be difficult to deal with in other matters, but when it comes to striking her opponents, she is indeed ruthless enough.
That box of evidence captured almost all the traces from Yongping’s initial contact with Consort Yu up to the most recent time.
Consort Yu came from a humble background, her family had no backing, but she bore the Imperial Grandson for the Empress, and because of her usual low profile, she gained the Empress’s favor. For more chapters visit novel-fire.net
Yet it was precisely this favor that made Consort Yu unwilling to remain unknown, she wanted to secure power for the Imperial Grandson, yet she had no one to rely on.
Before the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony, he needed to take a concubine to the grand ceremony, and the Ministry of Rites happened to recommend Consort Yu from the perspective of the Imperial Grandson, which made her truly glamorous and honorable for a period, later becoming a popular candidate for the next Crown Princess Consort.
Consort Yu, to thank Xu Yin, sent people to contact him privately several times, but unfortunately, Xu Yin, being clear-headed, did not accept her overtures.
Thus, Consort Yu turned to Yongping, gifting a large amount of silver and jewelry. Yongping did not lack money, but it so happened that during this time, Lou Zhao’s younger sister-in-law was favored by the Crown Prince, seeking ways to seek an opportunity for advancement through Prince Rong.
Prince Rong perhaps could not be bothered with such small matters, so the Lou Family found no opportunity, but this news reached Yongping.
Yongping, seeking revenge against Fu Zhen and the Zhang Family, proactively contacted Lou Zhao, promising to help his sister-in-law advance as a condition and driven him to plot the entire conspiracy.
Consort Yu was eager to win over Xu Yin, while Yongping had the support of Prince Rong’s Mansion behind her. Naturally, she could accomplish this matter for Yongping—though her favor in front of the Crown Prince was insufficient, the Crown Prince currently had no legitimate concubine, and there was only one Imperial Grandson. As the mother of the Imperial Grandson, for the sake of the Royal bloodline, it was not difficult for her to seek some favor in front of the Empress.
Yongping focused solely on striking at her opponents, but failed to guard against Mrs. Zhang, who had been her rival for many years and knew her best, finally meeting the inevitable consequence of repeated wrongdoing.
In the end, the emperor decreed the removal of Yongping’s title and ordered her confinement at home for three years.
In reality, she should have been sent to the Clan Office for confinement, but she was spared thanks to her young child.
Fu Zhen boarded the carriage just as Mrs. Zhang was coming out. She paused at the entrance then walked over to Fu Zhen.
"Congratulations to the General’s wife for finally venting her anger, may you have a good night’s sleep tonight."
Fu Zhen smiled through the carriage window, "Then I wish the Princely Heir’s wife to have her wish fulfilled, finally removing a thorn in her side."
Mrs. Zhang took a deep breath and raised her eyebrows, "Who would have thought working with the General’s wife would be so pleasant? Perhaps another day, I’ll invite you to the mansion for tea?"
Fu Zhen smirked, "Thanks."
She lowered the curtain and told the driver to start moving.
The sky was completely dark.
But the lanterns on both sides of the alley still illuminated the road ahead brightly.
In truth, Yongping was never Fu Zhen’s target on her path to revenge. She was too foolish, even more so than Liang Ning was before.
Liang Ning poured her heart out for Xu Yin, at least at that time Xu Yin appeared impeccable, showing no disrespect to Liang Ning and the Liang Family.
Yet in Yongping’s presence, even Fu Zhen, who wasn’t very familiar with their relationship’s intricacies, could sense Xu Yin’s indifference toward her, but still, Yongping resolutely stayed by Xu Yin’s side.
This foolishness left Fu Zhen unsure how to deal with Yongping—even a direct attack seemed like bullying.
This time, she brought it upon herself, giving Fu Zhen the chance to settle an old score from when her wall was breached in the past.
Mrs. Zhang was instrumental in this achievement.
But still, Fu Zhen could not become allies with Mrs. Zhang.
Because the Prince Rong and his son indirectly caused Liang Ning’s death, Fu Zhen must still have a confrontation with Prince Rong’s Mansion, and Mrs. Zhang’s interests lay within Rong Guang Mansion, so they were destined to be adversaries.