Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Chapter 1680: Chapter 1680: Palace Coup

The Empress sighed. ”We cannot go. The Emperor said the national treasury is tight right now, and we cannot ease the Emperor’s burdens or add to his troubles.”

The two of them were very depressed, not seeing the Emperor even once a month after coming to the Imperial Palace.

Although no new people have been added to the palace, and there’s nothing troublesome, still, being alone in the vast palace every day is meaningless.

The palace rules are strict, and it’s impossible to see outsiders.

The Empress watched the two concubines leave, and now having changed her mind, she hoped that either one of them could capture the Emperor’s heart.

For three years now, the Emperor hadn’t had any woman. The family speculated something was wrong with the Emperor’s health and urged her to force the Emperor to establish a Crown Prince.

She was afraid, as the Emperor used to be gloomy all the time, and after becoming Emperor, he was even less visible, making him seem even more terrifying.

She felt that now was not the time, but her family couldn’t wait any longer.

She also remembered that her son should rightfully be the heir, and being established as the Crown Prince was a legitimate claim. She constantly comforted herself with this thought.

Yuanyuan knew nothing and didn’t want to know. She discovered that the space had a new capability; it could actually move.

She had left the palace several times to see Su Xing, who now had matured considerably, and his business was doing fairly well.

The child was quite disciplined. Many people wanted to win him over, but even more people wanted to harm him.

All were rejected by him. Every day he studied with the teacher sent by the Emperor.

Seeing him in good shape, it was hard to fathom the Emperor’s intentions. Why was he so good to Su Xing?

Later she thought it might be to reassure Su Wanshan outside the palace, letting him feel at ease.

Yuanyuan was quite frustrated too. Although she could leave the palace, it was still within the space, and at night, where could she go?

However, it was somewhat freer than being confined in the palace.

She contemplated leaving here, thinking that disappearing from the palace shouldn’t greatly impact the Su father and son.

She even took action and truly left, but once outside, she didn’t know where to go or how to live.

She realized her reluctance was due to the worry of implicating the Su father and son.

Yet such a life was too boring; perhaps even wanting to leave was impossible.

Upon returning to Jiaoyang Palace, Yuanyuan asked Cui Shanggong.

”Can someone go out to buy some books? If we cannot leave, can we apply?”

”Mistress, I’ll ask.”

An hour later, the eunuchs brought over two boxes filled with books.

”Noble Consort, the Emperor said once you finish reading, you can notify us to exchange them.”

Yuanyuan nodded, thinking this was good. She definitely had the potential to become a talented scholar.

Upon hearing the news, the Empress didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

On a day in July, Cui Shanggong anxiously came in.

Yuanyuan had never seen her like this, looking at her in confusion.

”Mistress, the royal father-in-law is leading people to force the palace.”

Yuanyuan was stunned for a moment, ”Force the palace?”

”Yes, the Imperial Palace is already surrounded.”

Yuanyuan nodded, ”Close the doors immediately, take a headcount, and no one is allowed to enter or leave.”

”Yes.” Now Cui Shanggong finally saw how different this mistress was; in the past year she hadn’t said much, but when something truly happened, she showed the demeanor of a great general.

Yuanyuan didn’t believe they could succeed in forcing the palace.

Too impatient, in the future there would surely be an opportunity, but now, there’s no chance at all, estimated to implicate nine generations?

Yuanyuan was very clear on the current laws, curious about whether these nine generations included the Emperor?

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on her face.

Cui Shanggong entered to see the Noble Consort still reading.

”We didn’t lose a single person in Jiaoyang Palace.”

”Fine, carry on as usual. Just do not leave Jiaoyang Palace.”

Cui Shanggong wanted to ask if she didn’t want to know what was happening outside, but seeing her mistress’s demeanor, she didn’t ask.

Tan Shaoting looked at the few people in front of him, his expression unchanged.

”Father Emperor, please establish me as the Crown Prince.”

Tan Shaoting simply said, ”Arrest them.”

The Empress’s father and brothers standing below smiled, having surrounded the entire Imperial Palace.

Actually, saying to establish the Crown Prince was just a pretext. Once a Crown Prince was established, abdication would follow immediately.

The ministers in Jinluan Hall were split into two groups. Some stood in front of the Emperor, some did not move.

Tan Shaoting gazed at their smiling faces, remaining completely unchanged.

Suddenly, a team rushed in. The Empress’s family still had smiles on their faces, fully confident.

But the incoming team directly took control of the five of them, not even sparing the Eldest Prince.

Su Wanshan led a team in, ”The Emperor has been startled.”

Tan Shaoting waved his hand, indicating it was nothing.

The ministers who had blocked in front of the Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. Those who had been on the sidelines were now terrified, wishing they could disappear instantly, or turn back time to avoid being tempted by the Empress and her family.

Now it was too late to say anything.

The Emperor stood up and walked to the Eldest Prince under restraint, ”Can’t wait?”

The Eldest Prince’s face was bloodless, on the verge of collapse. His grandparents and uncles had assured him everything was arranged, and by today he’d be Emperor.

But why? Why would that damned Su Wanshan show up?

Tan Shaoting ordered that the Empress’s entire family be imprisoned, the Eldest Prince demoted to commoner and confined in the family temple.

No ministers were allowed to leave their residences half a step.

Su Wanshan assigned people to follow those who had been passive.

Yuanyuan only learned the situation was resolved two hours later. She never really felt there was any danger.

This ruler was remarkably adept; in such a situation, how could he make such an error?

Though reassured by the news, Yuanyuan still commanded that all doors remain closed. She feared the Empress might act out in desperation.

Leisurely reading, she contemplated why her thrifty father came from the frontier. Clearly, the Emperor had long known the Empress’s family’s activities, just waiting to catch them.

Vaguely hearing the commotion outside, no matter what, their palace doors would remain firmly shut.

The dinner was porridge with simple vegetables, not using the Imperial Kitchen’s materials today.

Cui Shanggong felt that this mistress was remarkably sober-minded and thorough in her considerations.

Outside was chaotic; even if someone knocked, they wouldn’t open the door.

After learning of the failure, the Empress initially wanted to commit suicide but was deeply unwilling.

Why, it couldn’t end like this. Dying this way would be benefiting those two vile people.

Four guards were by her side. She instructed them to act.

The Empress dressed in her court robes, sitting rigidly in the main seat, waiting for the Emperor to come.

Her son had been abolished; she clearly knew this was a crime implicating nine generations and no longer had the strength to resent anyone.