vrcanaries Chapter 1209: Nanny Yuan "died for her master" (132 million reward points plus more)
Chapter 1209: Nanny Yuan "died for her master" (132 million reward points plus more)
However, at this moment, there was an eerie silence in the court...
Because the Liu family has become a rebel, everyone avoids them.
Empress Dowager Gongsu had already been notorious both during her lifetime and after her death.
The emperor cleaned up the court, exercised absolute power, and his power was at its peak.
To posthumously confer a title on the biological mother and elevate her status at this time is not only the most thorough humiliation and denial of the Liu family, but also a thunderous way for the emperor to vent his years of forbearance and compensate his biological mother!
Who dares to touch the emperor's reverse scale at this critical moment?
Resistance? Nonexistent.
This decree was carried out without hindrance.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites demonstrated unprecedented efficiency, and craftsmen from the Ministry of Works worked day and night.
The palace maid whose name was once unclear now had her name solemnly engraved on the royal jade book.
Her posthumous title, "Empress Dowager Xiao Zhao Ci Rui An Hui Kang Gong Qin Mu", was praised throughout the world.
Her coffin, escorted by solemn and dignified burial guards, slowly moved to the core area of the imperial mausoleum, which symbolizes the highest honor.
……
Inside Zhongcui Palace, the warm winter sun shines through the window lattices, casting mottled light and shadows.
Shen Zhinian took off her heavy plain clothes and changed into a light pink casual dress. Handan was serving her and combing her slightly messy hair.
Nangong Xuanyu's figure appeared at the door.
He was not wearing a dragon robe, but only a dark casual suit.
There was a barely perceptible trace of fatigue between the emperor's brows, but deep in his eyes, there was a heavy sense of relief and an indescribable complexity.
Shen Zhinian stood up to greet him and bowed gracefully: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"
"No gift."
Nangong Xuanyu personally helped Shen Zhinian up, his voice a little low.
He walked to the window and looked into the distance, as if he could see through the palaces and see the direction of the imperial tomb.
The palace maids in the inner room retreated quietly at some point, leaving only the emperor and his concubine.
The emperor was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke, his voice filled with distant memories: "My biological mother... When she was alive, she didn't even have a title, let alone a name..."
"After death, he could only be buried in the most remote corner of the imperial mausoleum. His grave was deserted and no one came to pay respects to him..."
Shen Zhinian stood quietly beside Nangong Xuanyu and did not respond.
Because she knew that what the emperor needed at this moment was not comfort or recognition, but someone to listen to his true feelings.
She had long since sensed that deep within Nangong Xuanyu's heart, he harbored repressed, unresolved feelings for his biological mother. It wasn't a burning longing for her, but a heavy sense of guilt stemming from his humble origins and his mother's early death because of him.
This emotion was deeply buried when the Liu family was at its peak.
Now that the dust has settled and power is in his hands, the emperor can finally vent his anger and make compensation without restraint.
Use the most honorable title and the most grand mausoleum to posthumously honor his biological mother!
"Now……"
Nangong Xuanyu turned around and his eyes fell on Shen Zhinian's face: "She can finally get what she deserves!"
Shen Zhinian raised his eyes and met the emperor's deep gaze.
There was no surprise or flattery in the charming fox eyes, only an understanding that saw through everything.
A charming smile slowly blossomed at the corners of her lips, and her voice, like a clear mountain spring, carried the power to soothe people's hearts: "Your Majesty, I congratulate you!"
Shen Zhinian paused slightly, his tone gentle, but every word clear: "The spirit of the Empress Dowager Xiao Zhao Ci Rui Anhui Hui Kang Gong Qin Mu, knowing that Your Majesty has restored her status and moved her to an auspicious place, where she will be worshipped for eternity, will surely smile in her grave, without any regrets!"
She did not say those high-sounding words such as "Your Majesty is benevolent and filial", but calmly explained the significance of the emperor's action.
To rectify one's reputation, fulfill one's long-cherished wish, and comfort the dead soul.
Nangong Xuanyu looked at Shen Zhinian steadily.
Looking at the understanding and tacit understanding in her eyes that needed no words.
The heavy feeling in his chest, a mixture of guilt and relief, seemed to be quietly soothed by her clear words at this moment.
The emperor stretched out his hand, and gently placed his warm and broad palm on the back of Shen Zhinian's slightly cool hand. The force was filled with a heavy affirmation and an indescribable comfort.
"Niannian..."
The emperor's voice was deep and rich, with a barely perceptible hoarseness: "You always understand my heart best."
Shen Zhinian smiled slightly: "I understand Your Majesty, just as Your Majesty understands me."
"I only wish that our hearts will be together."
Nangong Xuanyu held her in his arms as if she were a rare treasure.
Although the emperor kept the funeral ceremony for Empress Dowager Gongsu simple, it was still the mourning period, so he did not stay overnight. He left after seeing Shen Zhinian and the Fourth Prince.
Nangong Xuanyu's broad figure disappeared outside the gate of Zhongcui Palace.
The hall became quiet again, and the candlelight swayed slightly in the night breeze.
Shen Zhinian picked up the slightly cool teacup on the table, felt the coolness of the porcelain wall with his fingertips, and his eyes fell calmly on the jumping candle wick.
"Xiao Mingzi."
She suddenly spoke, her voice clear and emotionless: "Madam Yuan...how is it?"
Xiao Mingzi stepped forward quickly, bowed his head, and spoke with a barely perceptible tension in his voice: "To answer your Majesty, Madam Yuan... died for her master."
"The night after Empress Dowager Gongsu's funeral, Nanny Yuan said she was so deeply saddened by her love for the Empress Dowager that she hanged herself...
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Shen Zhinian's fingers holding the teacup paused slightly on the cold porcelain wall.
She slowly raised her eyes, glanced at Xiao Mingzi's hesitant look, and smiled meaningfully.
Did he hang himself to die for his Lord because of excessive grief?
Ah……
The Empress Dowager Gongsu's vicious plot before her death was to frame Shen Zhinian for her own death.
As Empress Dowager Gongsu's most loyal minion, how could Nanny Yuan not be involved?
I'm afraid that Nanny Yuan's shadow can be seen in every single thing.
How could Nangong Xuanyu allow such an old slave who knew too many secrets, had filth on her hands, and was completely devoted to Empress Dowager Gongsu to continue living?
How could she be given the opportunity to take those shameful secrets out of the Cining Palace and wait for an opportunity to avenge her former master?
The emperor's method has always been to cut the grass at its roots and leave no future troubles!
Shen Zhinian's calm voice sounded: "I understand."
She didn't press for details, nor did she betray the slightest surprise or inquiry.
The rules of survival in the deep palace are so cruel.
Nanny Yuan followed Empress Dowager Gongsu in committing many evil deeds, and ultimately ended up in such a situation. It was all her own fault.
She, along with all the secrets she knew, was buried in that hasty funeral at the Cining Palace, turning into a wisp of smoke in the deep palace, forgotten by no one.
Shen Zhinian knew that the era of the Liu family had completely come to an end.
And the path under her feet became clearer and clearer with her own efforts and the emperor's cleaning!
……
Changchun Palace.
The dusk was falling, casting a dark grey hue on the eaves and brackets of the palace.