Long Live the Empress

Chapter 172 Silver Mine Collapse

Only five days until the Winter Feast

The old emperor was listening to the courtiers arguing over a trivial matter. Suddenly, a loud noise was heard, and the originally noisy court suddenly became quiet.

Yan Liyuan waved his hand, and a guard retreated.

The old emperor was also a little stunned, "Nine thousand years old, what's going on?"

"Your Majesty, please be patient!" Yan Liyuan said softly, and the officials below immediately shut up.

Some of the ones who had been shouting the loudest, when they saw the calm and composed look of Jiu Qian Sui, felt ashamed and silently took a step back.

Sure enough, in just a moment, the guard came back with the information: "Your Majesty, there was an explosion on a barren mountain outside the capital, and the mountain collapsed..."

"What?" The old emperor stood up from the dragon throne in astonishment. After too long of comfort, the old emperor was a little panicked at this moment, "What do you think, my Lord?"

"This matter was done intentionally by someone. I will get to the bottom of it!" Yan Liyuan said as he scanned everyone in the court with sharp eyes.

All the princes' followers lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at Yan Liyuan's gaze.

After hearing Yan Liyuan's words, the old emperor sat back on the throne, "Okay! I'll leave this matter to the Ninth Prince to handle. Once it's verified, I... will never tolerate it!"

After retiring from court, the second prince hurried to find Concubine Shu. He had a hunch that this matter was closely related to Concubine Shu!

Two palace maids were kneeling in front of the gilded imperial concubine's couch, applying rouge to Concubine Shu.

"Mother..." The second prince wanted to question Concubine Shu as soon as he entered the room, but the palace was full of palace maids and eunuchs, so the second prince swallowed his words back.

Although these people are serving Concubine Shu, there might be other people's spies among them, so it is better to be careful.

When Concubine Shu saw the Second Prince coming, she quickly stretched out her hands and said, "My son, come and take a look at how well I have applied my nail polish. I have put a lot of gold powder in it. If you look closely... there is even a golden glow!"

The Second Prince had no time to look at these things. "Everyone, get out!"

All the palace servants retreated one after another.

Concubine Shu looked at her half-painted nails and said angrily, "My son, what are you doing? I haven't finished painting yet!"

"Mother, have you done anything behind my back recently?" The Second Prince asked directly without saying any more nonsense to Concubine Shu.

Concubine Shu has done so many things, how could she tell the Second Prince everything? "My son, what are you talking about? I don't understand!"

"During the morning court today, the guards came to report that a mountain outside the capital had exploded. The sound was so loud that everyone present could hear it clearly! Father was furious and ordered the Ninth Prince to investigate the case personally and not show any leniency! If this matter is related to Mother, do you know what will happen to us?"

The Second Prince's words made Concubine Shu's face change, "The mountain exploded? That...how is that possible?"

"So, this matter is really related to my mother?" The second prince widened his eyes and looked at Concubine Shu who was in shock.

"I...that mountain is a silver mine! I just wanted to get more silver for you! Who would have thought...the mountain exploded!" Concubine Shu did not think that this matter was serious. It was nothing more than her privately mining for silver. She did not believe that the emperor would blame her for this matter.

The second prince's lips were shaking with anger. Sure enough, his mother was a person who could not do anything right but always caused trouble! "Do you think it was just a mountain explosion? Others would think that there was no natural disaster, so how could a good mountain collapse? Also, no emperor wants such a thing to happen during his reign. Common people are superstitious. I'm afraid that the people will blame my father for this. Some will even say that it was because my father was not virtuous that God warned people... Do you still think this is a trivial matter?"

Concubine Shu grabbed the Second Prince's arm and said, "This is something I... This is something I didn't expect... My Prince, what should we do now? Last time... Last time when the river dam was such a big incident, didn't we get away with it? This time, we will definitely be fine too! Don't you think so, My Prince?"

The second prince shook his head, "Did mother think that father didn't know about the river dam incident last time? That was because father was afraid that others would say that he had a corrupt prince, which would lose the face of the royal family, so he suppressed the matter! Since then, father has never used me again! Mother, you are still hoping for luck at this time, I really have nothing to say! This time, the matter will be investigated by the Nine Thousand Years Old Man himself, mother... mother, take care of yourself!"

When Concubine Shu saw the Second Prince was about to leave, she quickly stopped him, "My son, don't go, my son! I was wrong, I really know I was wrong this time! From now on, we will do whatever you say, and I will listen to you! My son..."

Concubine Shu was already in tears, and her regretful look softened the Second Prince's heart. "Mother, this matter can be big or small. I am leaving the palace now to see my grandfather... Mother, even if I beg you, please don't do these things again in the future, okay?"

Concubine Shu nodded quickly, "I understand! I will never interfere in your affairs again! Never again!"

The second prince comforted Concubine Shu for a while and then went to Fan Mansion.