Seeing his demeanor, the Empress Dowager was even more certain of her suspicions. She let out a cold snort and said, "Do any of you gentlemen have other questions?"
After all, she had already admitted that the Emperor was injured, though she didn't disclose the severity of his condition.
Nan Gong Liuyun fell silent for a moment after hearing this. He didn't want to completely fall out with the Empress Dowager, so he didn't want to bluntly reveal that He Lian Qi had been poisoned and was on the verge of death.
Since the poison was incurable and his death was inevitable, why not enjoy the calm before the storm?
Thinking of this, he let out a hearty laugh and then changed the subject. "I've heard, Your Majesty, that it was the Empress who harmed the Emperor. She is so spoiled and unreasonable..."
He paused here, raising his small eyes to stare at the woman in front of him, observing the expression on her face.
Prime Minister Dongfang thought the matter was about to pass and was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when he unexpectedly heard his daughter being dragged into it.
"Presumptuous! She is the Empress! How dare you comment on her casually?!" He rushed forward, shouting, with the veins on his forehead bulging.
He wouldn't be so angry if others criticized him, but his daughter was his only bottom - line.
However, Nan Gong Liuyun completely ignored his angry state and continued to observe the expression of the woman in front of him.
Although the Empress Dowager disliked Nan Gong Liuyun, she agreed with the problem he raised this time. As the Empress, Dongfang Yi only thought about eating, drinking, and having fun every day. She had even bewitched the Emperor, causing him to suffer such misfortune.
As she thought about it, her brows furrowed. But considering the Dongfang family and knowing that her current emotions were a bit too passive, she cleared her throat, about to say something.
But at this moment, the Censor Li knelt on the ground and then respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I beg you to depose the Empress!"
As soon as he said this, everyone's mouths opened wide as if they could fit an egg. No one expected him to say such a thing directly.
Prime Minister Dongfang was so angry that he almost fainted. After all, their relationship was quite good, and they were like old friends. Did it mean that he was also a traitor?
"Censor Li! What on earth are you talking about?!" He roared again.
But Censor Li didn't look back at him. Instead, he answered himself, "I don't mean to offend the Empress. It's just that the Emperor has been neglecting his own health for her, which means neglecting the entire Dongsheng Kingdom. How can such a woman who brings harm to the country be the Empress?!"
He did this not because he had betrayed the Emperor - protecting faction or had any personal motives. After experiencing all this, he realized that as long as the Empress was around, there would be no peace in the palace.
His attitude even took Nan Gong Liuyun by surprise. But seeing the old Dongfang guy looking so heart - broken, he couldn't help feeling secretly pleased. Since this was beneficial to him, why not go with the flow?
Thinking of this, he coughed to relieve the strange atmosphere around him and then said, "Censor Dong, your words are a bit too straightforward. Even if the Empress has made mistakes, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will surely make a decision!"
After saying that, he turned around and smiled at the woman not far away.
The Empress Dowager knew the meaning behind his words. On the surface, he was giving her enough face, but in fact, he was agreeing with Censor Li's view and also thought that the Empress was in the wrong.
Censors had the privilege of immunity from death. They existed to correct mistakes. So no matter what they said, as long as it was beneficial to the country, they were innocent.
That was why censors offended so many other court officials and had miserable fates in their later years.
After listening to the two of them singing in chorus, the Empress Dowager frowned and didn't want to answer. It was true that she disliked Dongfang Yi, and she did want to depose her this time.
As the Empress Dowager, she naturally couldn't agree to their request at this moment, because that would make it seem like she was being led around by others.
Thinking of this, she said, "You gentlemen need not worry too much about the affairs in the harem. I have my own plans!"
After saying that, she flicked her sleeves and turned back into the Qianqing Palace, closing the door behind her.
The court officials outside were left looking at each other in dismay, sighing that too many things had happened today.
Prime Minister Dongfang still wanted to say something, but the door was suddenly closed, and he had no chance. So he rushed in front of Censor Li and asked, "Why did you do this today? Has the Dongfang family wronged you?!"
He couldn't figure out what he had done to anger him and was being retaliated against like this.
But the man standing in front of him just let out a soft sigh, then raised his head and answered word by word, "This has nothing to do with personal feelings. It's all for the sake of Dongsheng and the Emperor. Prime Minister, why are you being so aggressive?"
He meant what he said. If there was a real gentleman, he was the one.
Seeing his appearance, Prime Minister Dongfang's anger deepened. But he also knew his character. No matter how much he complained, he had to understand that he was also whole - heartedly for the Emperor and the court.
So he still wanted to say something to plead, but another person appeared beside him.
"Prime Minister Dongfang, what are you doing? Are you trying to curry favor with others to plead for your daughter?!" Nan Gong Liuyun said sarcastically, emphasizing the word "plead" extremely loudly, which immediately attracted the court officials beside them. They gathered around and whispered to each other.
A man like Censor Li, who had such a character, naturally disdained such things. So he bowed to everyone and then walked out of the crowd.
Prime Minister Dongfang was left standing there, looking at the man in front of him with hatred and fiercely retorting, "Don't spout nonsense! This is outside the Qianqing Palace!"
But the man opposite him didn't care at all. Instead, he bent down, brought his mouth close to his ear, and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Do you still regard the Emperor as your backer? If I'm not wrong, he's been poisoned, and..."
Before he could finish his words, he straightened up, raised his eyebrows, looked at the man in front of him, and then continued, "There's no cure!"
After saying that, he threw his head back and laughed wildly a few times, then strode away with Minister Dong.
The man standing behind him couldn't help widening his eyes at his words. His brows knitted tightly, and his heart began to pound wildly.
Did he know everything? Then it was very likely that the Dong family was backed by the Nan Gong family, and the Dong family was just a scapegoat.