The Useless Heiress Is Actually A Bigshot
Chapter 663: Empress Dowager Arrives

Chapter 663: Chapter 663: Empress Dowager Arrives

Seeing Nolan Deye’s hesitation, Nangong Xin couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, and at the same time, she was silently thankful to her own father for giving her such an opportunity.

"Hmph—"

Just then, a cold snort suddenly emerged, piercing through the silence of the Imperial Study.

Everyone turned toward the sound, finding its source to be none other than Zhong Niangyao.

A sense of foreboding surged in Nangong Xin’s heart.

Indeed, what Zhong Niangyao said next was infuriating enough to make one nearly spit blood.

"General Nangong was truly pitiable. Upright all his life, devoting himself to the country and its people, he ultimately sacrificed himself to protect his fellow citizens." A look of admiration also appeared on Zhong Niangyao’s face before she sharply turned her words, "It’s just a pity that his only descendant continues to exploit his reputation to escape her own culpability following his death."

"I think, if General Nangong, so stern and incorruptible, were aware beneath the earth, he would hardly be able to rest in peace!"

"You..." Nangong Xin was so angered she was nearly at a loss for words.

Nolan Deye, looking at Nangong Xin, suddenly filled with revulsion, gave his order directly, "Hear my decree, Princess Mingyue Nangong Xin, indulging in her power to oppress others, corrupt in character, truly unfit to be a Commandery Princess. Effective immediately, strip Nangong Xin of her princess title, demote her to a commoner."

"Emperor, you cannot do this, you cannot do this."

Hearing the Emperor’s decree, Nangong Xin panicked, her voice laden with a crying tone and filled with anxiety, "My father died for his country; you cannot treat his daughter this way. Your actions will chill the hearts of all your soldiers."

Listening to Nangong Xin’s accusatory words, Nolan Deye’s face darkened even further. He waved his hand, intending to have Nangong Xin sent back to her estate for now. As for other punishments, he needed to give it more thought.

Right at that moment, a piercing voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"

With the announcement, the Empress Dowager entered gravely from outside, her gaze unwavering. Upon entering, she took her seat directly.

Everyone felt an unexpected sensation due to the sudden arrival of the Empress Dowager.

Even Nolan Deye stood up and bowed slightly to the Empress Dowager, "Why would Mother Empress come at such a time?"

"Do you not see why I have come?"

The Empress Dowager, advanced in years yet still radiating authority, glanced at Nolan Deye before setting her sights on Zhong Niangyao, "For the sake of this so-called State Preceptor, you mistreat the descendant of a meritorious official. Tell me, can I continue to overlook this?"

Nolan Deye frowned, "Mother Empress, you are clearly unaware of the full circumstances. The deeds of Nangong Xin are enough for her to die ten times over. Now, I am only stripping her of her title and demoting her to a commoner. For her, this is already the lightest punishment."

This also took into account the past merits of General Nangong, which influenced his decision.

"Ridiculous," the Empress Dowager rebuked sharply, "General Nangong devoted himself to the country and its people, dying on the battlefield. Now, not only are you not taking care of his progeny, but you also seek to strip her title for some inexplicable person. Is this how you honor those who have sacrificed for the country?"

Nolan Deye wanted to retort, but Zhong Niangyao was the first to speak.

"Empress Dowager, is the ’inexplicable person’ you speak of me?" asked Zhong Niangyao gracefully. "If General Nangong sacrificed himself on the battlefield to protect the homeland and has contributed to Lai Country’s people, what about me?"

"The drought a decade ago, I presume you haven’t forgotten. I offered myself in sacrifice to the heavens, resolving that crisis. Does that not also constitute a merit to the people of Lai? Does my accomplished father deserve to be humiliated by Nangong Xin?"

These words caused a drastic shift in the mood of those present.

The Empress Dowager’s face showed contempt as she regarded Zhong Niangyao with no additional deference, "The Lord National Master offered himself in sacrifice to the heavens, giving his life for Lai Country’s people, making him the greatest of contributors to us. We have always been grateful for his sacrifice. However—"

As she said this, the Empress Dowager’s gaze swept over Zhong Niangyao, "Since the State Preceptor has given his life for the country, perhaps he has already reincarnated. You’re but a young lass, Huang Mao, and I know not by what means you’ve managed to deceive the Emperor. But I certainly do not believe you are the State Preceptor."

"Mother Empress."

After hearing such words from the Empress Dowager, Nolan Deye’s face changed dramatically. He glanced at Zhong Niangyao and only relaxed when he saw that she seemed not to be angry.

Then he addressed the Empress Dowager directly, "The identity of the Lord National Master is beyond doubt; I am certain of it. Or is Mother Empress questioning the word of her son, the sovereign of this nation?"

Talking thus, he stood, not merely as a son, but with the stature of an Emperor.

The Empress Dowager was momentarily choked by the Emperor’s words, her expression turning extremely grim.

She was the Empress Dowager, the Emperor’s mother. Yet, the Emperor was her son and also the sovereign of the land, the master of all Lai Country. Even she had to abide by the Emperor’s will.

This principle she had always understood clearly. However, the Emperor had always been filial and treated her, his birth mother, with the utmost respect, never using his imperial authority over her. And yet, today, for a young lass, he had actually confronted his mother.

Considering all this, the Empress Dowager’s gaze was even tinged with murderous intent when she looked at Zhong Niangyao.

"Emperor, regardless of how certain you are of this State Preceptor’s identity, as long as I’m here today, I absolutely will not permit you to strip Princess Consort Nangong Xin of her title."

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s resolute attitude, Nolan Deye felt a surge of anger within him. However, before he could say anything, the Empress Dowager had already taken Nangong Xin away.

Nolan Deye wanted to stop her but was worried about provoking a larger conflict with the Empress Dowager, so he held back for the time being.

After the Empress Dowager and Nangong Xin had left, Nolan Deye turned to Zhong Niangyao with apologetic eyes, "Lord National Master, I do not know why Mother Empress has chosen this moment to appear. I assure you, this time, I will mete out the proper punishment to Nangong Xin."

Zhong Niangyao shook her head, a meaningful smile curling at her lips, "I shall resolve this matter myself. The Emperor need not worry."