The news quickly reached the capital through the post station, and the stone tablet was also on its way to the capital. The eight characters written in red ink in the memorial presented to Ji Hong made his veins bulge.
Nan Shiying was silent for two seconds, then turned to look at Ji Jinmo.
Ji Jinmo shook his head at her, it couldn't be Yun Qingzi. Ever since Yun Qingzi left the prince's manor, he had been followed by shadow guards. His every move was under their surveillance, so it wouldn't be him. Moreover, it had only been two days from when he noticed Nan Shiying's imperial destiny to digging up the stone tablet. If the news had come from him, the other party wouldn't have been able to set up the scheme so quickly.
Therefore, whether Yun Qingzi had returned or not, or had seen Nan Shiying, this stone tablet would appear at this point in time in this manner.
Ji Hong's expression was somewhat displeased: "So, who is behind this scheme, and who does the 'woman' in the stone tablet refer to?"
Although ancient people were superstitious, Ji Hong did not believe in a stone tablet descending from heaven. It was clearly a scheme set up by someone. However, at the same time as the urgent dispatch entered the capital, the matter had already spread, and the people of the capital had heard the rumors.
Such matters were most afraid of gossip.
Like a knife, it was enough to force the death of anyone they wanted to die!
"Nan Yuan'er, Zou Yun'er, the Empress Dowager."
Nan Shiying gave three names. The woman vaguely referred to in the stone tablet could ultimately be these three people.
Of course, Nan Shiying deliberately excluded herself.
She wouldn't be involved in this matter.
"Zou Yun'er is currently the esteemed consort of the present emperor, and it is very likely that she is carrying the imperial heir. Therefore, if you... Zou Yun'er might very well act as regent."
Ji Hong: "..."
Don't think I don't understand what you mean just because you omitted it.
You're cursing me!
Nan Shiying ignored Ji Hong's subtle glance and continued, "Similarly, if you were... and Zou Yun'er had no heirs, in the eyes of outsiders, the Empress Dowager would surely establish a new ruler to prevent Ji Jinmo from ascending the throne, so she might very well act as regent."
Ji Hong: "..."
"As for Nan Yuan'er."
"Nan Yuan'er's fate is already incredibly noble, so you... she might become empress with the support of Nan Chaoyin."
Ji Hong: "..."
"Wait a moment, why are the esteemed consort and the Empress Dowager both acting as regents, while Nan Yuan'er becomes empress?"
Nan Shiying gave him a look. Did it matter?
Yes, it mattered!
Fine!
After a brief exchange of glances, Nan Shiying spoke again: "Because of Nan Chaoyin."
"How can acting as regent compare to usurping the throne!"
"How dare he!" Ji Hong roared with anger.
Nan Shiying raised her hand to signal him to not fan the flames: "Dare or not, at that time you too... you know nothing!"
Ji Hong glared at Nan Shiying. If his imperial uncle, that old man, wasn't watching them with a predatory gaze, he would definitely let Nan Shiying know what it meant to distinguish between ruler and subject.
"Hey, do you think Nan Chaoyin is plotting this?" Nan Shiying suddenly realized, enlightenment struck: "He married Nan Yuan'er to the Emperor, is he trying to usurp the throne?"
Ji Hong: "..."
Ji Jinmo: "..."
Marrying off a daughter to usurp the throne?
Nan Shiying still felt that Nan Yuan'er's fate was problematic, but she not only had no evidence, but Yun Qingzi's appearance had also sealed her guess. Yet Nan Shiying had a strange feeling.
She always felt as if an invisible hand was planning all of this.
Western Liang, Miao Territory, Longevity Sect, Medicine King Valley, Great Li... all the events were interconnected, and amidst the complexity, there seemed to be some connection.
Nan Shiying pressed her temples. No, her brain was overloaded!
She couldn't think anymore!
So she truly stopped participating in their conversation and began to concentrate on eating the pastries from the palace. It must be said, the chefs in the imperial kitchen were indeed worthy of being imperial chefs; the taste was indeed excellent.
Seeing that Nan Shiying was no longer engaging, Ji Hong looked at her several more times.
Ji Jinmo slightly turned his body, blocking Ji Hong's gaze. Ji Hong: "..." No, is that necessary?
Ji Jinmo looked at Ji Hong with an unchanged expression.
Ji Hong: "..."
Imperial Uncle, where is your dignity?
A cold glint began to spread in Ji Jinmo's eyes.
Ji Hong: "..."
Alright, I was wrong!
Ji Hong was very sensible. After his father died, Ji Jinmo had taught him state policies and theories hands-on, teaching him how to deal with court officials and how to control the court. It could be said that Ji Jinmo was like a teacher and father to Ji Hong.
He respected him, feared him, and also, was wary of him!
Of course, this was only human nature.
His thoughts drifted a bit, and Ji Hong quickly regained his composure. However, the other party had just made a move without revealing their intentions. After discussing with Ji Jinmo, Ji Hong decided to wait and see.
Let the winds blow from the east, west, south, and north; I will stand firm!
As soon as the news spread in the capital, it caused an uproar. Women in power? The message conveyed by the stone tablet was simply outrageous. With Ji Jinmo around, even if Ji Hong had a mishap, how could women be in power?
Was Ji Jinmo dead?
But such matters, when spoken of by those with ulterior motives, were seen as a warning from heaven. And if it was a warning from heaven, how could it be wrong?
Under this public opinion, the common people began to guess who the woman in power in the stone tablet would be.
As expected, Nan Yuan'er was among the candidates.
"Father, this..."
This was not a good thing. If His Majesty believed it, she wouldn't have enough lives to die even if she had a hundred!
"What's the panic!" Nan Chaoyin glared at Nan Yuan'er with dissatisfaction. If she lost her composure over a small matter, how could she manage the inner palace in the future?
However, this matter... although Zou Yun'er and the Empress Dowager were also implicated, the public opinion outside seemed to be intentionally directing the blame towards Yuan'er. Compared to Zou Yun'er and the Empress Dowager, seventy percent of people suspected Yuan'er.
There were very few people in the capital with such influence, only the Emperor and Ji Jinmo.
If it were Ji Jinmo, it was likely to divide his relationship with the Emperor; but if it were His Majesty, then... it meant His Majesty had murderous intentions towards him and Yuan'er!
Compared to His Majesty, Nan Chaoyin hoped this matter was arranged by Ji Jinmo. But if that were the case, Qingyuan's side would not have sent any news.
Nan Chaoyin's face was outwardly calm, but his heart was already churning. However, the more it was like this, the more he needed to remain steady.
"You don't need to bother with this matter. Don't listen, don't think, don't reply, don't look, don't participate. Remember, don't leave the manor for anything during this period." Nan Chaoyin instructed.
Nan Yuan'er wanted to ask more, but seeing Nan Chaoyin's unwillingness to say more, she didn't dare to ask further and could only obediently nod.
After Nan Yuan'er left the study, Nan Chaoyin beckoned. A figure appeared in the room. Nan Chaoyin ordered: "Go, throw all the blame onto Nan Shiying, and ensure that the names of Nan Shiying are spoken by all the people in the capital and its surrounding areas!"
"Yes!"
The person took the order and disappeared from the study.
Since it was about women in power, why couldn't it be Ji Jinmo's consort?