3998

Chapter 3998: Decisive and Swift Action

Empress Liu stood up too quickly, causing her to sway violently. Her vision blurred, and she almost collapsed. The head palace maid beside her quickly reached out to support her, trembling as she called out, "Your Majesty."

Noble Consort Qing walked in gracefully, stroking her slightly bulging belly, and smiled faintly as she looked at the disheveled woman before her. This lowly medicine girl had climbed from a mere concubine to the position of Noble Consort in just a few months. She was now truly the first person below the Empress. If anyone suggested there wasn't a powerful force helping her, Empress Liu certainly wouldn't believe it for a second.

"Have you come to gloat?"

"How could I?" Noble Consort Qing lowered her gaze slightly, appearing gentle and demure. "I heard that something happened to older sister's family. I imagine older sister must be having a difficult time these days."

"Thinking of the Scented Restoration Pills His Majesty bestowed upon me the other day, I specifically brought them for older sister. They can help refresh the mind and replenish energy."

Empress Liu's face turned slightly pale as she stared at the small box presented by the palace maid behind Noble Consort Qing. Suddenly, she reached out and slapped the box to the ground with a "thwack." The box hit the ground heavily, making a dull thud.

Noble Consort Qing shook her head, a regretful expression on her face. "Such wonderful Scented Restoration Pills. To be ruined by older sister like this! What a pity."

"Get out! Get out of here!" Empress Liu pointed towards the palace door, her voice sharp with reprimand.

Noble Consort Qing gracefully curtsied, sighing. "Older sister is in a bad mood, and I can understand that. Since older sister wishes me to leave, then I shall go. I only hope older sister takes good care of herself."

After all, the exciting days had only just begun. Noble Consort Qing turned around, a faint cold glint in her eyes.

"They're all against me, all against me!" Empress Liu shrieked, tugging and pulling at the antique shelf beside her. The dazzling array of porcelain crashed to the ground with a clatter.

Her support from the Prime Minister's Residence was gone! Her entire Liu family had been completely wiped out by a band of bandits—wasn't this utterly ridiculous?

The Liu family was not some minor household. The Liu family had dozens of Divine Realm experts guarding it! Yet, like this, they were all silently killed in their home at dawn. Could this possibly be the work of a mere six small bandits? To completely eradicate the Liu family in one go, at least a hundred people would have needed to infiltrate their residence to kill them!

But she had no evidence, no evidence at all!

Those six bandits had also left blood letters and, by dying, took all the blame. If this matter were given to the Ministry of Justice for a thorough investigation, they could certainly find more clues to overturn the testimony of those six bandits.

However, a massive influx of displaced people had surged into the capital, causing no small disturbance. Officials in the capital were all in self-preservation mode, from top to bottom, busy figuring out how to appease the common folk. Who had time to investigate the Liu family's affairs?

Moreover, who was the Liu family now? They were like rats crossing the street, condemned by everyone. Nursery rhymes were even being made in the capital, denouncing the Liu family for abusing the Empress's power, oppressing the common people, and directly cursing Empress Liu herself!

Even during the morning court today, some opportunistic ministers had submitted memorials to the Emperor, praying for the Empress's dethronement on behalf of the people.

Empress Liu's eyes were bloodshot. She sharply commanded, "Gather all of my hidden guards!"

"Greetings, Empress."