Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"Those who can personally protect His Highness Prince Ying in Chengtian Prefecture must be His Highness's trusted subordinates."

Yan Shifan continued,

"After being granted the title of Prince, His Highness transferred dozens of people from the Linqing Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-Household Office to the Ying Prince's Palace Ceremonial Guard Division. These people were all His Highness's old subordinates when he served as the Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

His Highness's confidants are mostly from these people.

The two stewards from the Lin family that the son recognized were very likely from the Linqing Jinyiwei Thousand-Household Office.

According to the information gathered by his son, the Lin family of Ningbo Prefecture has a very large maritime trade business, and there are at least a dozen managers like them!

However, the actual person in charge of the Lin family is Chen Chen's daughter, Chen Yunniang!

His Highness Prince Ying holds a high position and wields great power. These trusted subordinates who have followed His Highness since Linqing all have bright futures and are naturally proud and arrogant.

What merit or ability does a woman of humble origin possess to command so many of Prince Ying's trusted subordinates?

Based on her own abilities and skills?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

There's only one reason why these people willingly obeyed her!

She is the woman of Prince Ying!

Although she didn't even have the title of concubine, to the people of the Prince of Ying's mansion, she was still a lady.

Maritime trade involves many decisions that require on-the-spot judgment, and requires someone who can make decisions on His Highness's behalf.

His Highness Prince Ying appointed her to oversee the Lin family's maritime trade in Ningbo Prefecture, also based on this consideration.

The Lin family head, "Lin Chaoxi," who is only known by name and has never appeared in Ningbo Prefecture, is likely an alias used by His Highness Prince Ying.

"Donglou, besides this, I can't think of any other possibility!"

Yan Song pondered for a moment,

"I never expected that Chen Chen's daughter would be so capable!"

His Highness Prince Ying is shrewd and capable. Although young, he is never obsessed with women. Before coming to the capital, it is said that he rarely even got close to his wife and concubines.

Now, in the Southern Palace of Chonghua, although His Highness has begun to frequently summon palace maids after taking the "Red Lead" elixir bestowed by His Majesty, there has never been any news of His Highness favoring any particular woman.

The reason why Chen Yunniang was able to be entrusted with great power by His Highness was definitely not just because of her beauty!

This woman's abilities must have been recognized by His Highness.

"Father, your son thinks so too."

Yan Shifan nodded.

"That is precisely why Chen Yunniang must hold a very important place in His Highness Prince Ying's heart."

It's even possible that she's more important than the Princess Consort of Ying!

What would happen if, while we were dealing with Xia Yan, Chen Yunniang learned the truth about her father Chen Chen's past crimes?

It's easy to imagine what Chen Yunniang would do to the culprit who ruined her family and caused her to fall from a noblewoman to a prostitute!

At that time, that old scoundrel Xia Yan will not only have to face us, but also His Highness Prince Ying.

After Chen Yunniang tells His Highness what Xia Yan did to her father, His Highness will surely be furious and will not be satisfied with merely dismissing Xia Yan from his post.

To seek justice for the woman he cherishes most, His Highness will definitely find a way to kill Xia Yan!

"What a pity, although we've got an ace up our sleeve, now isn't the time to play it!"

After a moment of silence, Yan Song sighed deeply.

"His Majesty is currently in seclusion in the Western Garden, so memorials cannot be submitted at all."

Bringing the case to His Highness Prince Ying now won't do any good.

Your Highness is merely exercising the power of regent on behalf of the Crown Prince; you have no authority to punish cabinet ministers.

We can only launch our attack after His Majesty emerges from the pass.

. . .

The inner palace, Kunning Palace.

"Your Majesty, news has arrived from Yikun Palace that His Majesty has summoned Consort Duan to the West Garden again today."

A nanny, around forty years old, approached Empress Fang and cautiously reported to her.

"Since His Majesty began his seclusion in the Western Garden, he has not summoned me even once!"

Empress Fang's tone was clearly filled with anger.

"That vixen Cao is quite something, getting summoned by the Emperor to the Western Garden for 'dual cultivation' every other day!"

"Your Majesty, please do not be troubled. Even if Consort Duan is favored, what can she do?"

The nanny quickly comforted her.

"No matter what, she's only a concubine, not even a noble consort."

"In the end, the head of this palace is still Your Majesty the Empress."

"I dare not be so careless!"

Empress Fang snorted coldly.

"Don't forget, just a few years ago, I was Consort De, a lower rank than Lady Cao is now."

Fortunately, when Empress Zhang was deposed in the thirteenth year of the Jiajing reign, this vixen was still just a virtuous lady.

She was not granted the title of Consort Duan until she was favored by the Emperor in the fourteenth year of the Jiajing reign.

If this vixen had caught the emperor's eye a year earlier, or if Lady Zhang had held on for another year before being deposed.

How could I possibly have the right to the position of Empress?

The Emperor has had a difficult time conceiving. To this day, I, the Empress, have never conceived a child of the Emperor's blood. On the other hand, that vixen Cao has already given birth to two princesses for His Majesty.

If one day she gives birth to a prince for the Emperor, I'm afraid I'll have to hand over my position as Empress!

If I am wise enough to follow the example of Empress Hu, who was known as "Gongrang Chengshun Kangmu Jingci Zhang," and submit a memorial stating that I am ill and childless, I request to abdicate, I can find a place to cultivate my mind and spend the rest of my life in peace.

If one is unwilling to resign voluntarily, the likely outcome is being deposed and imprisoned in a cold palace until death!

"Your Majesty, surely the Emperor wouldn't go to such lengths?"

Upon hearing Empress Fang's words, the nanny was greatly alarmed.

"No matter what, the Empress has not done anything wrong. Even if the Emperor dotes on Consort Cao, he can still bestow upon her the title of Noble Consort or even Imperial Noble Consort."

Emperor Xuanzong deposed his empress without cause, drawing criticism from countless scholars. Would the emperor repeat the same mistake?

"Granny Wei, you've been by my side ever since I entered the palace through the imperial concubine selection."

Empress Fang glanced at her trusted nanny.

"I am not the Emperor's first wife. How did Empress Chen and Empress Zhang die?"

I don't believe you were completely unaware!

In the seventh year of the Jiajing reign, the Emperor and the pregnant Empress Chen were enjoying tea in the West Warm Pavilion, while Consort Zhang sat beside them serving tea.

Perhaps on a whim, the Emperor held Consort Zhang's hand and admired it.

Empress Chen was merely a little jealous and said a few inappropriate things.

The Emperor, disregarding Empress Chen's pregnancy, sternly rebuked her and threw down his cup.

Empress Chen, who was several months pregnant, was so frightened that she suffered a miscarriage and died from postpartum hemorrhage at the young age of twenty-one.

Just one month later, the emperor conferred the title of Empress upon Consort Zhang.

Empress Zhang didn't have many good years either.

After becoming the empress, Zhang became somewhat arrogant.

She truly considered herself the emperor's first wife, daring to advise him on matters of Taoist cultivation.

Even in the twelfth year of the Jiajing reign, he dared to plead for Zhang Yanling, the Marquis of Jianchang, on behalf of Empress Dowager Zhang.

But no matter what, she was still the Empress!

At that time, she was still Consort De's original palace, and she thought that the emperor would be angry with Empress Zhang and even neglect her.

To everyone's surprise, our emperor showed no mercy and directly issued an edict to depose the empress and banish her to the cold palace!

Only two years later, the deposed Empress Zhang died in the cold palace!