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.
