Three: “To revive the great Ming dynasty, we need a wise and virtuous Empress to assist. Do not judge by appearance, but by virtue and talent. Among Wu, Wang, and Bai families, Wu seems to be the best!”
The third matter was crucial. Who knows if it was true or false? The Emperor’s late father, Emperor Zhengtong, had long passed away and would not climb out of his coffin to verify. What was said would be taken as truth.
The beginning of the good show (3)
The Emperor summoned Niu Yu.
Niu Yu was not clever and persistent, insisting that the previous Emperor had indeed favored the Wu woman as Empress, believing her to be talented and elegant, reserved and graceful. However, at that time, the previous Emperor had not yet decided, considering the selection of an Empress a significant matter that required observation.
Niu Yu spoke at length, and even if he continued for three days and nights, he would not get to the point.
Wan Zhen’er gave the Emperor a meaningful look, suggesting they take a more decisive approach.
So the Emperor slammed the imperial desk and shouted: “Bring him! Throw him into the Jinyi Guard prison!”
What was the Jinyi Guard prison?
The Jinyi Guard, staffed by the Emperor’s trusted military officers, was responsible for protecting the Emperor and capturing criminals. Another famous function was executing corporal punishment for disobedient officials, a torture method created by the Ming Dynasty not found in ancient practices.
Entering the Jinyi Guard’s prison is like half a foot stepping into hell. There are 18 sets of torture instruments there, such as thumb screws, head rings, horse-stopping sticks, nail pinching, brushing, oil frying, poison feeding, standing in heavy stocks, and other such high-end “enjoyments.” Those who have experienced them are lucky to survive, and even those with great luck and strong will end up disabled.
The human body is not made of iron. No matter how tough Niu Yu was, he couldn’t withstand the torture.
Finally, Niu Yu, tortured to near death, had to confess: Before the Emperor’s father, Emperor Zhengtong, passed away, he didn’t favor the Wu family, but the Wang family. The Wang family was already designated as the imperial consort. However, because the Emperor’s father suddenly fell ill and passed away unexpectedly, he didn’t have time to issue an edict. Later, the Wu family’s father, in order to become the imperial father-in-law, bribed Niu Yu through other eunuchs. Niu Yu, having received benefits, fabricated the late Emperor’s will during the Empress Dowagers’ review, claiming that the late Emperor wanted to establish the Wu family, not the Wang family.
Obtaining Niu Yu’s confession, the Emperor and Wan Zhen’er were overjoyed.
Ha, the play directed by Wan Zhen’er and the Emperor was truly brilliant, with unique imagination and novel creativity. Remarkably, it was seamless.
Wan Zhen’er was excited.
The Emperor was also excited.
They looked at each other and smiled foolishly, almost running to the street to celebrate.
But Wan Zhen’er and the Emperor were celebrating too early.
The two Empress Dowagers were originally sworn enemies. Empress Dowager Zhou was fortunate, giving birth to only one son, while Empress Dowager Qian not only couldn’t bear children but also became partially disabled after being too heartbroken when the Emperor Zhengtong went north. However, this didn’t affect the Emperor Zhengtong’s deep love for her.
Empress Dowager Zhou, elevated by her son, didn’t regard Empress Dowager Qian highly.
After Emperor Zhengtong’s death, Empress Dowager Zhou transformed from a slave to a master, eager to show her power.
Empress Dowager Zhou was reluctant to share power but had to agree to joint rule. Although they were jointly honored, Empress Dowager Zhou often contradicted Empress Dowager Qian. Empress Dowager Qian didn’t bother to argue with her.
Firstly, Empress Dowager Qian lacked the means to compete. The Emperor, tired of waiting for an heir, had long gone to heaven. Secondly, Empress Dowager Qian was educated and virtuous, not skilled in political maneuvering, unlike Empress Dowager Sun. Empress Dowager Sun was incredibly clever; she knew how to claim others’ children as her own. Empress Dowager Qian couldn’t claim others’ children and foolishly tolerated Empress Dowager Zhou.
However, regarding the Emperor’s marriage, the two Empress Dowagers surprisingly reached a unanimous agreement. They both firmly opposed deposing the Empress. Empress Dowager Qian stated that Empress Wu was dignified, of good character, hadn’t killed or stolen, hadn’t cuckolded the Emperor, and had just been installed a month ago. Deposing her would be improper.
Empress Dowager Zhou said that proclaiming the installation of Empress Wu to the world and then deposing her would be impossible to explain.
But the Emperor insisted on his decision and was determined to depose her.
This was the first time the Emperor had been so stubborn and bold. How could he not be? His beloved Wan Zhen’er pursued him closely, whispering in his ear day and night. If he pushed harder, the entire palace might be swayed.
Wan Zhen’er feared delays, knowing time waits for no one. Waiting longer would mean not just missing the blooming flowers but becoming an old woman.
But Wan Zhen’er couldn’t help herself. Her power desire was growing uncontrollably. The urge to climb higher had taken root in her heart, making her unable to stop. Oh, a woman who doesn’t want to be Empress is not a good woman! Wan Zhen’er must rise to prominence!
The person surnamed Wu was finally deposed as Wan Zhen’er wished, having been empress for only one month and one day. This was the result of persuading the emperor.
The emperor was persistent and even threatened that if the two empress dowagers did not agree to depose the empress, he would give up being emperor, shave his head, wear a monk’s robe, and chant Amitabha Buddha.
Zhou Empress Dowager hurriedly said, “Since the late emperor did not want to establish Wu as empress, we should follow the late emperor’s will.”
Qian Empress Dowager knew full well that something was amiss but had to go with the flow. She helplessly said, “Depose her then!”
The emperor was delighted by the two empress dowagers’ agreement and couldn’t wait to inform Wan Zhen’er, who was waiting anxiously. Wan Zhen’er was almost ecstatic – the news she had longed for was finally here.
Due to their excitement, the emperor and Wan Zhen’er couldn’t sleep. They eventually got up and worked through the night, writing the decree to depose the empress, making the person surnamed Wu hand over the empress’s seal and leave the Western Palace.
The person surnamed Wu received the deposition decree, feeling like thunder had struck her. She had barely warmed the empress’s throne before losing her seat.
The father of the person surnamed Wu was also implicated. Unable to sit firmly on the empress’s throne, he was dismissed and imprisoned, later sent to Dengzhou for labor reform. It was estimated that he and his daughter would never meet again in this lifetime.
As for Niu Yu, he went to farm at the Imperial Mausoleum.
The empress’s throne was now empty. Who was qualified to sit on it?
The emperor and the two empress dowagers had a serious disagreement.
The emperor naturally recommended his beloved woman, Wan Zhen’er, as the empress candidate. His reasons were: Wan Zhen’er had seniority, long service in the palace, rich life experience, and was adept at seizing opportunities – undoubtedly deserving of the empress’s throne. The two empress dowagers once again joined forces to nominate someone surnamed Wang, one of the top three candidates when choosing the prince’s wife.
Their reason was straightforward: since the late emperor had originally chosen Wang and not Wu, they should follow the late emperor’s wishes.
