Chapter 44: Disfigured Palace Maid vs. Cold-blooded Emperor
Yu Yao soon learned about Ye Beichen's punishment of Concubine Xian and Concubine De.

The virtuous concubine was stripped of her title, demoted to a commoner, and sent to the cold palace.

This life is over.

The punishment for Concubine De was much lighter than that for Concubine Xian. She was stripped of her title, demoted to a concubine, and moved to Huizhuzhai.

Although he still retained his position, he moved to Huizhuzhai.

Huizhuzhai is the quietest place in the entire harem, the kind where no one goes all year round. It is right next to the cold palace.

Living there was actually no different from being banished to the cold palace.

If she had not given birth to the eldest prince, she would probably have been sent to the cold palace to accompany the virtuous concubine.

The two main culprits received the punishment they deserved, and all the eunuchs and palace maids involved were beaten to death, and the matter came to an end.

The imperial edict soon spread to all the palaces, and all the concubines in the palaces also knew about it.

A few days ago, some people noticed that Eunuch Fu was investigating something, but because the news was kept strictly secret from the emperor, everyone could only guess secretly.

As the imperial edict was issued, everyone finally understood what was going on.

The harem has been childless for many years, and finally a concubine becomes pregnant. The emperor and the empress dowager are watching her like the apple of their eye, yet someone still dares to take action.

Really bold.

Everyone also felt that the two men deserved it. They dared to murder the dragon heir, so they would not have a good end.

However, because the punishment for Concubine De was lighter than that for Concubine Xian, the concubines in the palaces once again realized the importance of offspring.

Having an heir is like having a life-saving talisman. Even if the child does not survive, it will be different in the emperor's heart.

For a time, the harem was once again swept by the craze of drinking pregnancy-preserving drugs and vying for favor.

I just hope to have a prince. Even if I can't have a prince, even a princess would be good.

At least the palace won’t be so lonely.

For a moment, the entire harem was filled with a strong smell of medicine.

Now, Ye Beichen became less and less willing to go to those women's palaces.

After finishing official business every day, I would go to Yuexian Palace on time.

This made the concubines in the harem more jealous of Yu Yao, and they also felt a strong sense of crisis and even fear.

Concubine Yao is no longer just favored, but the only one favored.

How could this not scare the concubines in the harem?

Fengyi Palace

The queen threw the teacup in her hand away fiercely.

"Snapped!"

The teacup shattered instantly, splashing tea all over the floor.

"The emperor is becoming less and less trusting of me. This should have been my responsibility, but the emperor didn't let me handle it, and he directly issued the imperial edict without even notifying anyone afterwards. How can I put my face down?"

The Queen looked extremely unhappy. The Emperor did not respect her, and the concubines in the palace did not take her seriously either.

This made her feel even more that her position as queen was in jeopardy.

Ruonan stepped forward at the right time and said, "My queen, do we still want it?"

The secret medicine had been taken back from Prince Duan's Mansion, but because no suitable opportunity had been found to take it, it had been kept in hand.

The Queen looked at Ruonan and understood what she meant. After thinking for a while, she said, "Now is the right time to attack. It's not a good time to attack. The Mid-Autumn Festival will come soon. The Emperor will definitely ask me to prepare a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Then I will find a chance to attack."

"Yes, ma'am."

Ruonan looked at the queen and said respectfully.

Zichen Palace!
"I have a memorial to present. If nothing else, I will leave the court!" "I have a memorial to present!"

The prime minister Fang Yuyang came out and saluted Ye Beichen who was sitting on the high seat at the top.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Xian has been gentle and kind since she was young. She wouldn't even dare to step on an ant to death. It's impossible for her to murder the heir. I'm afraid someone has framed her. Please investigate carefully."

Prime Minister Fang Yuyang is Concubine Xian's father. He was heartbroken to see his daughter being banished to the cold palace, and he did not believe that his daughter would dare to murder the heir to the throne.

Ye Beichen narrowed his eyes and looked at Prime Minister Fang, his eyes were cold, and he said sarcastically: "Gentle and kind, but you don't even dare to step on an ant to death? Then Prime Minister, take a good look at what this is?"

A booklet flew down from the dragon throne and hit Prime Minister Fang heavily.

Prime Minister Fang bent down to pick up the booklet, opened it, and when he saw the contents inside, his expression turned gloomy.

He closed the book, took off the black gauze hat on his head, knelt on the ground holding the black gauze hat, and said tremblingly: "I have failed to teach my daughter well, and I have no face to stand here any longer. Please allow me to go home and retire."

Ye Beichen's face became colder and colder. This old fox dared to play tricks on him. He really thought that the great cause could not be accomplished without him, right?
"Your Majesty is old now, and it is indeed time for you to retire. Although I am reluctant to let you go, it is not appropriate to keep you. Your Majesty's request is granted by me."

Since you want to take care of yourself in your old age, then go ahead and do it.

He looked at Prime Minister Fang's stunned expression, and laughed even more happily, saying, "Prime Minister, you have worked hard and made great contributions. I will grant you a mansion and ten thousand taels of gold. The rest of the rewards will be sent to your residence later."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Although this was beyond Prime Minister Fang's expectations, the words had already been spoken and there was no room for regret. He could only accept the order and express his gratitude.

He had no intention of resigning, but just wanted to force the emperor to be lenient with Concubine Xian.

But the emperor didn't buy it at all, and instead allowed him to resign.

The court officials secretly laughed at Prime Minister Fang, thinking that he simply couldn't see himself clearly and took himself too seriously.

Prince Duan, who was standing at the front of the ministers, secretly winked at Grand Tutor Min who was standing behind him.

When Master Min saw Prince Duan's expression, he immediately understood and then stood up and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, although Concubine Yao is pregnant, she has not given birth successfully, and we don't know whether it is a boy or a girl. I think Your Majesty should not stop looking for a suitable successor."

Ye Beichen narrowed his eyes and looked at Master Min, sneering, "Then Master, who do you think is the right person to choose?"

The Grand Tutor smiled slightly, "The eldest and second sons of Prince Duan's Mansion are both talented in both literature and martial arts, and both have excellent character. There is no need to decide who to choose right away. You can recruit them into the palace first to train them and see which one is more suitable as the heir."

Ye Beichen looked at Prince Duan, his eyes became colder, and he asked meaningfully: "What does Prince Duan think?"

"This"

Prince Duan naturally thought that this was the best move, but doing so would clearly tell others that he coveted the throne.

The Marquis Zhenguo glanced at Prince Duan and Grand Tutor Min, then stood up and said disdainfully, "Before, because there were no concubines in the palace who were pregnant, we had to adopt from the royal family. But now that Imperial Concubine Yao is pregnant, it means she is fertile. Why is it necessary to adopt from the royal family again?"

"But Concubine Yao doesn't even know whether the baby is a boy or a girl, and she hasn't given birth yet."

Before Master Min could finish his words, he was interrupted by the Marquis Zhenguo.

"Then wait until Imperial Concubine Yao gives birth. If we rush to select someone to be trained in the palace, then if Imperial Concubine Yao gives birth to a prince, wouldn't the position of the person being trained be very embarrassing?"

"What's so embarrassing? If Imperial Concubine Yao really gave birth to a prince, just send her back."

Ye Beichen snorted coldly: "You worry about me all day long. Since you are so concerned about my affairs, I will also care about you."

"I heard that the daughter of the Grand Tutor and the eldest son of Prince Duan have a good relationship, so I will grant them a marriage and order them to get married within three months."

Prince Duan and the Grand Tutor looked at each other, somewhat confused as to what the Emperor meant.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the marriage!"

Prince Duan and the Grand Tutor both bowed in thanks in unison.

Ye Beichen’s plan was very simple, which was to tie these two people together completely, so that he could catch them all in one fell swoop when the time comes.

Don't think he can't see that the Grand Tutor is helping Prince Duan to covet the position under him.

The reason why the problem has not been solved is that no evidence has been found against these two old foxes.

(End of this chapter)