[1]The Consort is Both Charming and Scheming, Rising Through Palace Intrigue

A few days later, the Ministry of Justice submitted a list of those involved in the matter.

By the afternoon, punishments for these individuals had spread throughout the palace:

Nangong Yun was found guilty of corruption, abusing power for personal gain, forming factions, disrupting state affairs, and conspiring to rebel. His entire clan was sentenced to execution.

Prince Xin, as a co-conspirator, deserved death, but in remembrance of the late emperor's words about brotherhood and avoiding fratricide, he was spared execution. His title was revoked, and he was demoted to commoner status. His family was exiled to Youzhou.

As for Nangong Yun's other associates, the more serious offenders were executed, while the lesser ones were exiled or demoted.

With this, many positions in the court were vacated. Those who had contributed greatly during this event or had consistently shown humility, kindness, and diligence in their duties were rewarded with promotions.

Among those promoted were Ning Shuyan and Cheng Yin, along with the father of Consort Ying.

Ning Shuyan's father was promoted from Fourth Rank Left Vice Minister to Third Rank Minister of Revenue.

Cheng Fei was appointed as the Great General Assisting the Nation, replacing Nangong Yun.

For a time, the Cheng family basked in glory. The concubines began to gossip, saying that Consort Xi (Cheng Yin) might become the next Nangong Ling. After all, she too had been arrogant and flamboyant since entering the palace. Thankfully, she did not yet enjoy the Emperor's full favor.

In Fengqi Palace, the Empress ordered Du Ruo to brew the finest Biluochun tea of the year.

Consort Lin looked at the emerald-green tea in her cup and smiled faintly: "Back in the prince's manor, I often suffered ridicule from Lady Nangong. Now that her family has fallen from grace, I imagine she must be devastated."

Even the Empress couldn't hide her delight, her voice carrying a note of cheer: "The entire Nangong clan has been executed. Nangong Ling must be heartbroken."

She turned to Du Ruo and said, "Go express our condolences later. Try to help her see things clearly."

Whether it was truly sympathy or just schadenfreude, only the Empress knew.

Nangong Ling had once been so high-handed, acting recklessly before the Empress, disregarding her entirely. Now, she had finally fallen.

Only the imperial heir in her womb remained a concern...

The Empress thought of all the wicked things Nangong Ling had done, all of which the Emperor knew about. That made her hesitant to act rashly. After all, nothing in the harem truly escaped the Emperor's notice.

Fortunately, Nangong Ling was no longer a threat. The child in her womb was the offspring of a criminal. If Xiao Jingyou (the Crown Prince) did not turn out well, the Empress considered the possibility of keeping the child while disposing of the mother—perhaps the child could be useful in the future.

Consort Ying smiled sweetly: "She used to be so arrogant, but Empress, you're so kind that you still think of her now."

The Empress smiled brightly. Dressed in a bright yellow gown, she looked radiant and regal. Her elegant face was glowing with vitality.

She swept her gaze across those present, her eyes lingering briefly—yet deliberately—on two individuals before pulling back with a faint, meaningful smile. "All glory must fade. In this world, nothing stays the same forever. No matter how favored, no matter how noble a family—if one becomes arrogant and reckless, this is the fate that awaits."

She lifted her tea and took a sip.

Ning Shuyan touched the bracelet on her wrist, her expression calm and unreadable.

The Empress's words were not only a condemnation of Nangong Ling—they were also a warning to everyone present not to lean too heavily on their family's power or the Emperor's favor.

And among those with powerful backgrounds and imperial favor, only Ning Shuyan and Cheng Yin stood out.

Over in Yi He Palace, there was none of its former splendor. The place was desolate, with only a single palace maid serving.

The previous servants had either been executed or punished. The current maid, Lanxin, had just been reassigned from the Internal Affairs Bureau.

"My lady, please try to eat something..."

Nangong Ling looked at the dishes on the table, her face dark: "How can I eat this slop?! Day after day, it's just cabbage, winter melon, and this revolting meat!"

Lanxin frowned: "I asked the Imperial Kitchen to include seafood or fish, but they said this is the standard diet for someone of the Cairen rank. Please bear with it."

Nangong Ling was so furious she was panting. She placed a hand on her belly and snapped, "Where's His Majesty? I demand to see him! I'm carrying the Emperor's child, and they dare treat me like this? I'll have them all punished!"

Her former palace had been lavish beyond compare, filled with the finest furnishings and porcelain.

Now, the food was inedible, no fresh flowers were delivered, the side halls were empty, and even her sleeping quarters were cramped.

The suffocating sense of decline overwhelmed her. She bent over and vomited up the porridge she had eaten earlier.

Lanxin quickly came over to rub her back. After a moment, Nangong Ling pushed her away and shouted, "What are you standing there for?! Go summon the Emperor to Zhaocheng Hall!"

Lanxin, having endured silently for days, could no longer hold back. She snapped, "You're no longer the esteemed Consort Zhuang. Zhaocheng Hall isn't a place a maid like me can just waltz into."

Nangong Ling's face turned pale from vomiting and anger. Her appearance, once so radiant, was now haggard and harsh. "Are you reminding me I'm just a Cairen now? Even you look down on me?"

Lanxin gritted her teeth and bowed: "I wouldn't dare."

Nangong Ling wanted to curse some more, but her nausea returned, and she weakly said, "Fetch the Imperial Physician."

Lanxin lowered her eyes, annoyed. Nangong Ling called for a physician every time she felt unwell. She was now a criminal and a low-ranked consort. The first couple of times someone came, but now none of the physicians were willing. Still, since she was pregnant with the imperial heir, Lanxin had no choice but to obey.

"Remember to summon Imperial Physician Lu."

Lanxin, back turned, replied, "Understood."

As she stepped out of the threshold, she rolled her eyes and muttered, "Imperial Physician Lu? He's a court historian now. You'll be lucky if any physician shows up."

Nangong Ling looked at the food on the table, which resembled pig slop to her. Having been used to delicacies, she found it impossible to eat.

But her belly was empty, and without food, the child would be malnourished.

She slowly picked up her chopsticks, placing a piece of winter melon into her bowl and eating it slowly, flavorless and bitter.

Her lips began to tremble. Then suddenly, she let out a wild, anguished scream like a wounded wolf—an outburst of grief, despair, and fury.

Tears that had been brimming in her eyes finally spilled over, falling one by one into her bowl.

"You're all bullying me! My father is gone, my clan is gone—so now you're all just kicking me while I'm down!"

Maybe she had eaten too fast, or maybe her emotions were too overwhelming. Whatever the reason, she ended up vomiting everything she had just eaten.

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Note from the author: The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel (尚書左丞) was considered Fourth Rank during the Tang Dynasty, but became Second Rank in the Song Dynasty and later. The Six Ministries' Ministers (尚書) were considered Second Rank too. Since the author is referencing Tang Dynasty rankings for consorts and court officials, please forgive any inconsistencies—this is, after all, a fictional setting.