Chapter 1339: Chapter 497: Palace Scheming Is Inferior to Rebellion (Part 34)_2

As for the Empress, Consort Shu, Consort Xian, Consort De, and others’ families, logically speaking, they should stand with Emperor Yongcheng for the sake of their daughters.

After all, only if Emperor Yongcheng remains the Emperor are they "foreign relatives."

Once Emperor Yongcheng is deposed, they naturally lose any relation to the Royal Family, and their daughters will be imprisoned and buried alongside the deposed Emperor.

They cannot abandon the interests of their entire family for the sake of one daughter, yet they cannot bear to see their daughters wither away so young.

Thus, their best course of action is neither support nor opposition, to let nature take its course, and to observe quietly.

However, this is not the case.

These families are even more eager than the other families of Military Merit to kick Zhao Gui off the Dragon Throne.

Not for any other reason, but for their daughters.

Yes, they truly are poor families, not as noble as the noble families.

But their daughters also grew up with golden prestige, known as noble ladies in the capital.

After entering the palace, they were meant to continue enjoying honor.

Even if they lacked an Emperor’s favor, they should still receive "husband’s" respect and the dignity of a noble.

The result? The noble ladies with Military Merit were stepped on by a guest lady and a lowly maid.

Emperor Yongcheng was heartless in changing his mind, oftentimes "concerned when there is trouble" but "neglecting them when there isn’t."

When needing the support of families with Military Merit, he would grant a few smiles to the Empress and concubines.

But once he no longer needed help, he continued to ignore the Empress and others, instead lifting and favoring that little wretch Ms. Zheng!

What does Emperor Yongcheng take their daughters as? What does he think of their families?!

This humiliation is truly intolerable.

Not to mention, their daughters have long sent them word, speaking straight from the Empress Dowager’s side—

Ahem, cannot speak of it for now, confidential!

Thus, the families that should have been the Emperor’s allies, the ones who should most stand with Emperor Yongcheng, appeared calm on the surface but had already made their decision secretly.

As for the other courtiers, such a major matter as a deposed Emperor is beyond their reach.

They are merely background scenery in the Imperial court, spectators hiding in the corners.

They await the grand performance to unfold, ready to silently observe.

The entire Imperial court, civil and military officials alike, each have their own thoughts and plans.

And seated high on the Dragon Throne, Emperor Yongcheng unexpectedly sheds the panic and bewilderment of the past few days, carrying a trace of smugness on his still somewhat childish face, as if everything is under his control.

The feigned sick Feng Shou: ... Truly cannot bear to watch.

So foolish, unaware even on the brink of ruin, trapped by others in a concerted effort, it’s truly not unjust!

Ah, here they come!

Just as the grand court assembly commences, Prince Liang’s henchman jumps out.

It’s an Imperial Censor, famed not for censuring, oh no, but for advising.

His face full of righteousness, eyes blazing with fury, with his target set straight at Zhao Gui, the Emperor—

"...The foolish Zhao Gui, disregarding rites and rules after taking power, acting recklessly, trusting evil ministers... The court is unstable, popular resentment boils... War flames frequently erupt from the Southern Border, countless commoners suffer!"

"For the country and the people of Dayuan, for millions of citizens, I propose to depose the foolish Zhao Gui and appoint The Wise Emperor!"

This Imperial Censor speaks with eloquence and passion, and in his words, Zhao Gui is portrayed as a chaos-bringing tyrant, foolish and violent.

If he is not deposed, Zhao’s Dynasty will be completely buried, and the Dayuan Dynasty will fall into turmoil.

With the Imperial Censor’s opening, various factions come forth to "second" the proposition.

They begin listing all of Emperor Yongcheng’s blunders since he took power, from loving an evil concubine, elevating a wet nurse, to trusting villainous fools, recklessly reforming, item by item, ridiculing Emperor Yongcheng until there is nothing left.

Even though Emperor Yongcheng had long anticipated this scene, hearing those officials one by one pointing and scolding him to his face.

Amidst his anger, he has a flicker of doubt—could it be that I am truly that incompetent?

No!

I am not wrong!

I favor the Noble Consort, I honor the wet nurse, because I am compassionate and righteous.

My ambition to reform, suppress the noble families, is to inherit the late Emperor’s wish, for the Dayuan’s country and the people.

I am not wrong!

Perhaps the matter with Meng Qin was not thoroughly considered, but his intentions were good.

Moreover, Meng Qin himself was not wrong, just, just acted a bit too recklessly, which then brewed disaster.

Those people only see Meng Qin’s faults, ignoring his accomplishments—isn’t this unfair?!

Emperor Yongcheng purses his lips tightly, his heart filled with defiance and a profound sense of offended indignity.