Chapter 296 - Chapter 296: Qin Zhenzhen Became a Great Contributor
Chapter 296: Qin Zhenzhen Became a Great Contributor
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The head of the Jiang family paid a visit to the sister of the Seventh Imperial Concubine.
“Few are aware of the events that transpired four decades ago, and even fewer know of the Empress Dowager’s long-standing widowhood.”
“Furthermore, these well-guarded secrets only highlight the Empress
Dowager’s ruthless side, with no mention of any wrongdoing on the part of our Jiang family.”
“This is a precarious situation. The Empress Dowager may cast suspicions upon us.”
“I have a hunch that Jiang Fenglian and her granddaughter have devised a scheme to implicate our Jiang family.”
“I’ve heard that Jiang Fenglian’s granddaughter is quite persuasive. If she presents her case before the Empress Dowager, it’s highly likely she’ll succeed.”
After hearing his sister’s counsel, the head of the Jiang family remained unperturbed.
“Remember, all of you are women.”
“Even if Jiang Fenglian has intentions to frame our family, we must assess the viability of their plan! ”
“Your viewpoint aligns with Jiang Fenglian’s. Do you truly believe the Empress Dowager can be easily deceived?”
“Sister, please calm your mind and take some rest. Don’t let these trifles trouble you.”
With that, the head of the Jiang family took his leave.
He harbored no anxiety. He couldn’t have foreseen that Qin Zhenzhen would discern the Emperor’s condition with just one glance.
He believed that Beauty Jiang’s tasks would remain concealed, at least initially.
Furthermore, his informants within the palace would keep him updated on the palace’s unfolding situation.
The missive revealed that the Empress Dowager was incensed upon learning the secret and desired to publicly punish Grandma Qin and Qin Zhenzhen with death.
She had also dispatched personnel to apprehend her brother and her husband’s family, who had recently arrived in the capital with Qin Zhenzhen.
Subsequently, they yielded to the persuasive entreaties of the attendant by their side, who implored them to spare their lives temporarily. Their reasoning was that they needed to retain Qin Zhenzhen to tend to the Empress Dowager’s persistent headache.
Meanwhile, Grandma Qin had already fallen under the Empress Dowager’s custody.
Qin Zhenzhen performed a second acupuncture session on the Empress Dowager, yielding remarkable results. However, Qin Zhenzhen’s demeanor appeared troubled, suggesting that she may have been regretting her prior actions.
It must be acknowledged that the Empress Dowager wielded substantial influence in this regard.
To further bewilder the Jiang family, she instructed Beauty Jiang and Imperial Concubine Jiang to maintain regular communication with the family, making it seem as though nothing unusual had occurred within the palace.
This strategy further fueled the Jiang family’s belief that Qin Zhenzhen had made a grave error.
Three days later, the Eighth Imperial Uncle was clandestinely returned to the capital by the Dragon Guards. The emperor conducted an intensive overnight interrogation.
Following several days of investigation and collection of evidence, the emperor uncovered conclusive proof of collusion between the Eighth Imperial Uncle and the Jiang family.
When the Jiang family found itself suddenly besieged by the Imperial Guards, the head of the family was left in a state of utter bewilderment. Regret gnawed at him, but it was now too late.
Hundreds of members of the Jiang family were apprehended and incarcerated, with all their assets seized for the state treasury.
The residence of the Eighth Imperial Uncle was subjected to a thorough search.
Due to a lack of prior preparation, most of the factions privately supported by the Eighth Imperial Uncle were subdued and captured by the Imperial Court. A handful managed to evade capture, posing little threat.
In swift succession, the ministers who had been enticed by the Eighth Imperial Uncle suffered confiscation of their ill-gotten gains.
Thus, a plot to seize the throne crumbled easily.
Qin Zhenzhen emerged as a significant contributor.
The emperor displayed his fairness and gratitude. He recognized that Qin Zhenzhen had been instrumental in saving him, and as such, he felt compelled to reward her.
Previously, he had been indifferent to the Empress Dowager’s intentions to harm Qin Zhenzhen and Grandma Qin. However, in the wake of this incident, he directly addressed the Empress Dowager:
“Miss Qin is my savior. She not only rescued me from peril but also safeguarded the honor of our entire royal lineage. I implore Mother not to entertain thoughts of harm against them any longer.” “Such actions tarnish the reputation of the royal family..”