Two months later, the Imperial Historiography Bureau began incessantly submitting reports, directly targeting the current Left Chancellor Xia Mingyuan. Several Imperial Historians successively accused Xia Mingyuan of corruption, abuse of power, collusion, land grabbing, and several other major crimes. There was even a memorial referring to Xia Mingyuan as a treacherous minister who was stealing imperial authority.
It was rumored that when Xia Mingyuan heard these accusations in the court, he erupted in anger. He then knelt down and tearfully pleaded with the Emperor to vindicate him. The Emperor rejected all the memorials and praised the Left Chancellor for his years of loyal and devoted service to the state. The historians who had submitted the reports were dragged out and punished.
However, the voices demanding accountability for the Xia family’s abuse of power and impeaching the Left Chancellor Xia Mingyuan surged like a flood. Even if they were barely suppressed for a moment, they would soon rise again with even greater force. Finally, the Empress Dowager couldn’t sit still any longer. She angrily sought out Zhao Yan and as soon as she entered, she exclaimed, “Who did this? Who is behind all of this manipulation!”
Zhao Yan glanced at the scattered flower petals on the ground, bowed respectfully, and replied, “Mother, do not be angry. I have not spared any of those who attempted to sow discord. I have dealt with all of them severely.”
The Empress Dowager, still seething with anger, said, “How dare a few Imperial Historians openly accuse the current Left Chancellor? They came prepared. There must be someone behind them. If we don’t expose the mastermind, how can you suppress these relentless accusations?”
Seeing Zhao Yan’s expression of difficulty, the Empress Dowager’s face turned cold. “What’s this? Are you also trying to protect that person? Well, you have indeed grown up, wanting to help outsiders deal with your mother and uncle!”
Zhao Yan quickly showed a terrified expression and said, “I dare not. I have indeed found some clues about the person behind this, but…”
His expression grew even more troubled. He stole a glance at the Empress Dowager’s increasingly cold expression and sighed, “But that person has a special status, and it’s not easy for me to act against him for now.”
“Oh?” The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow. “I’d like to hear who has such great influence that even you, the Emperor, dare not touch.”
“That person is none other than the current Right Chancellor, Zhou Jihan, who is also the husband of Princess Ankang. Speaking of which, I have to address him as Uncle.”
The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned, then pondered for a moment before saying, “So it’s him. This matter may not be easy to handle.”
Zhou Jihan had served as the Right Chancellor for decades. Although he had no real power, he was a pillar of the scholarly faction, known for his deep knowledge and integrity. He was highly respected among the common people. More importantly, there was Princess Ankang. As the elder sister of the late Emperor, she was known for her compassion and had earned the admiration of the people by personally inspecting disaster areas during a drought, forcing the local gentry to provide relief for hundreds of starving people. Many households even erected longevity tablets for Princess Ankang. While it wouldn’t be difficult to move against these two, it could lead to accusations of conspiracy and earn the disdain of the people. However…
The Empress Dowager frowned. “Zhou Jihan has been well-behaved for so many years. Why would he suddenly challenge the Xia family? What has happened?”
Zhao Yan sighed again. “Blame it on my second cousin from the uncle’s family. Since he became the Minister of Revenue, he has become increasingly arrogant, allowing his family to encroach on the land of many commoners in the suburbs of the capital. One day, Zhou Jihan happened to witness several commoners being beaten while demanding their land back. It was reported that Zhou Jihan immediately became furious and sent people to demand the return of the land.
However, my second cousin not only ignored the demand but also threatened Zhou Jihan, advising him to mind his own business for the sake of his father’s reputation. This completely angered Zhou Jihan, who is usually a modest man, and he began instructing the scholarly faction to continuously submit reports. He would rather let go of his reputation than tolerate the Xia family any longer.” He paused for a moment, noticing the Empress Dowager’s expression, then continued, “Ultimately, it is my second cousin’s fault. Now, how to deal with Zhou Jihan is a headache for me.”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed with anger. She slammed the table so hard that the sharp edges of her armor were almost embedded into the wooden table. Zhao Yan quickly handed her a cup of tea to calm her down. After pondering for a long time with the teacup in her hand, Empress Dowager finally showed a cold smile and said, “Since he acted first, we cannot blame us for being unjust. Zhou Jihan has no real power or influence, and all he has is a good reputation. So, let’s find a way to tarnish his reputation, making everyone think of him as an unscrupulous villain, and then who would dare to defend him in the future.”
Zhao Yan’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, “Mother, what do you think we should do?”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes gleamed as she slowly traced her fingers over the gem-encrusted armor, saying, “Zhou Jihan and Princess Ankang have been playing their roles for their whole lives, but they surely never imagined that I hold something equally important in my hands. Something that could destroy all the reputation they’ve built.”
“Oh? What is it?” Zhao Yan asked eagerly.
The Empress Dowager smirked coldly. “Don’t rush. I’m going to stage a good show for Zhou Jihan to see what it means to be ruthlessly crushed.”
A few days later, an old case from the Ministry of Punishments, involving the abduction and subsequent wrongful death of a common girl, was brought back to court. Initially, this matter didn’t attract much attention. At that time, all discussions in the capital were focused on whether the Xia family would be brought down by successive accusations and whether the Emperor would continue to support them. However, as the investigation of this old case deepened, it unexpectedly implicated Zhou Yiyang, the younger son of the current Right Chancellor’s family.
It was reported that someone came forward, claiming that their niece Cui Lan was originally a singer at the Cold Smoke Pavilion. Five years ago, she was pursued by a wealthy young man, who harassed her relentlessly and even resorted to force. Unable to bear the humiliation, Cui Lan jumped from the Cold Smoke Pavilion, ending her life. And that young man was none other than Zhou Yiyang, the youngest son of the reputable Right Chancellor Zhou Jihan.
Robbing a common girl in broad daylight and causing her wrongful death, Cui Lan’s family was seen mourning on the streets every day, clamoring for justice. Soon after, Zhou Yiyang was immediately arrested by the Ministry of Punishments, and several Imperial Historians petitioned the late Emperor, requesting Zhou Yiyang to be charged with murder. Strangely, less than a month later, the matter was inexplicably settled. The case of Cui Lan’s death was hastily closed as an accident, and everyone who knew about it kept silent. Zhou Yiyang was released without any charges.
With the manipulation of those with vested interests, discussions about this bizarre case began to spread throughout the streets. Doubts were cast on the clean reputation of Princess Ankang and Zhou Jihan. At this moment, a chief physician from the Imperial Hospital stepped forward, reporting to the Emperor that five years ago, when the late Emperor was critically ill, he witnessed Princess Ankang and the Right Chancellor rushing to the imperial bed together. Initially pleading, Princess Ankang later resorted to coercion, using the late Emperor’s illness to force him to issue an edict: ordering the Ministry of Punishments to immediately release Zhou Yiyang, reject all memorials urging his conviction, and declare Cui Lan’s death as an accident, permanently sealing the case.
Then, the Empress Dowager finally came forward, claiming that she was also present at the imperial bed at that time and personally witnessed the incident. She even held an edict written by the late Emperor, coerced under pressure. This news spread like wildfire, and public opinion instantly turned against the once-esteemed Zhou Jihan and Princess Ankang. Even the well-publicized relief efforts of Princess Ankang during the drought in Poyang City were now questioned as being motivated by personal gain.
Amidst the boiling public outrage, the supporters of the Xia family finally began to counterattack. They relentlessly attacked Zhou Jihan in the court, calling him a cunning thief and villain. Under immense pressure, the Emperor had no choice but to order a thorough investigation of the case. Soon, Zhou Yiyang was found guilty and sentenced to be beheaded at the Meridian Gate.
However, due to Princess Ankang’s familial relationship with the Emperor and her significant contributions to Dayimu, she was not convicted. Instead, Zhou Jihan was stripped of his title and exiled from the capital with his family, forbidden from ever returning. From then on, the Xia family’s impeachment saga lasted for several months, finally ending with the downfall of Right Chancellor Zhou Jihan and his family and the tragic death of their beloved son.
The Empress Dowager emerged victorious, ruthless, and thorough. She believed that by getting rid of the detestable Zhou Jihan, no one would dare to disrespect the Xia family in the future. Little did she know, she had already stepped into a meticulously designed quagmire. Once trapped, there would be no escape from endless calamities.
On a day in October, a sudden gust of wind swept through the Imperial City, causing chaos in the Imperial Garden. Palace maids and eunuchs hurried along the palace roads, shielding their faces from the blowing sand. Even the slightest carelessness could result in getting sand in their eyes. Amidst the howling wind outside the palace gates and the rustling of leaves, the Empress Dowager reclined on her divan, having her back massaged by a young eunuch, squinting contentedly.
At this moment, her most trusted palace maid rushed in hurriedly and knelt, saying, “Your Majesty, His Majesty has decreed for you to go to the Qianming Hall immediately for an urgent matter.”
The Empress Dowager frowned impatiently as if annoyed by the disturbance of her tranquility. She had no desire to go out in such weather with the fierce wind raging outside. However, since the Emperor had issued the decree, she reluctantly got up, changed her attire, and was carried to the Qianming Hall in a phoenix palanquin.
Inside the Qianming Hall, braziers were already burning, filling the room with a faint warmth of aloeswood. The Empress Dowager lazily walked in, trailing her long skirt. She was about to reprimand the Emperor for summoning her in such weather when she suddenly saw Princess Ankang sitting beside the dragon table. She was dressed in plain white robes, her face pallid and gaunt, but her gaze was as sharp as a sword, fixed firmly on the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager sneered inwardly, raised her head, and walked leisurely to her seat. She glanced over at Princess Ankang and said, “What’s the matter, Princess Ankang? Weren’t you supposed to accompany your husband out of the capital? I presume there must be many affairs to attend to in your household. How do you find the time to come to the palace for a visit?”
She noticed the sudden appearance of many white hairs on Princess Ankang’s head and sighed deliberately, saying, “Life and death are predestined. Princess, don’t be too saddened by it. It’s not worth ruining your health over.”
Princess Ankang trembled uncontrollably, her hands unable to stop shaking. She glared fiercely at the Empress Dowager, then suddenly smiled coldly and said, “I came here today not for a social call, but because I happened to discover a shocking scandal from many years ago that must be reported to His Majesty immediately.”
“Oh?” The Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed as she temporarily failed to understand what Princess Ankang was getting at. At that moment, her gaze followed Princess Ankang to another person kneeling in the hall. As she looked closer, she realized that person was none other than the court official who had accused Princess Ankang of coercing the late Emperor into issuing a decree during his illness…