Hanguang Palace was silent for a long time. The empress dowager's voice rang out again. "Do you have any objections?"
The old Qin Master lowered his head and respectfully reported, "I dare not. I am just following the rules. I pray that the empress dowager's phoenix heart will dictate."
The empress dowager thought for a moment and then slowly nodded her head. Following the rules meant that since the Emperor was already dead, then it should be the Crown Prince who succeeded the throne. The empress dowager thought of the conversations she had with the Crown Prince these two days. Her satisfaction with this grandson grew deeper and deeper. She felt that the child was much more clear-headed than his mother.
The empress dowager was the empress' aunt. No matter from which angle, the Crown Prince succeeding the throne would be her first choice. Now that she had also received the secret declaration of an important military official, there was no reason to change all of this.
"What about the Fan manor?"
"The empress should not have forgotten that Ye woman from before."
After another deathly silence, the empress dowager said, "You can leave first."
"Yes." Old General Qin bowed and retreated from Hanguang Palace. When he was not far from the Palace, this old man with the highest seniority in the Qing military unconsciously turned his head to look. He felt that he could faintly hear someone crying inside the Palace.
The old man's heart suddenly twitched. He thought of the wisp of Emperor spirit on the distant Dong Mountain. An unprecedented sense of fear and fear surged through his heart. His back began to break out in a cold sweat. He increased his pace out of the Palace.
After the first two days and nights, the concubines who had been invited into the Palace by the empress dowager had returned to their respective Palaces, except for Lady Ning, Yi Guipin, and Lady Shu. The reason was simple. These three concubines had all given birth to princes. At such an unusual time, if the Crown Prince was to safely ascend to the throne, the empress dowager had to hold these three women in her hands.
As for the Eldest Princess, she had returned to Guangxin Palace, which she had not visited for a long time.
The empress dowager sat alone on the couch. A few old nannies quietly served her from behind, not daring to make a single sound. The dim yellow light shone on the side of the empress dowager's face, clearly revealing countless wrinkles. It made the most powerful person in the Qing Kingdom appear hopelessly senile.
Could I have made the wrong choice?
The question in the bottom of the Empress Dowager's heart was like a venomous snake that kept devouring her confidence. Suddenly hearing the news of their son's death in their old age was an extremely difficult blow for any old person to bear. However, the Qing empress dowager valiantly suppressed her sorrow and began to seek the most reliable and safe path for the future of the Qing Kingdom.
"If he's still alive, he'll definitely blame me."
The Empress Dowager slowly closed her eyes and thought of the Emperor who had already left this world. Her heart was filled with sorrow. On this trip to Dong Mountain to worship heaven, the Emperor's goal was to depose the Crown Prince. However, the Emperor had just left heaven. As his mother, she had to help the Crown Prince ascend the throne again. The Emperor's soul would certainly be very angry.
For the sake of the Qing Kingdom and the survival of the land her son had conquered, it seemed that the empress dowager had no other choice.
Even the terrifying conjecture in her heart would not affect her choice.
The empress dowager abruptly opened her eyes. It was as if she wanted to find her son's soul in this Palace. She looked calmly at the night Palace. Her lips parted slightly. In a suppressed voice that only she could hear, she said, "I don't care who harmed you or whether or not it was the person I chose who harmed you. You are already dead. Do you understand? You are already dead. Nothing is important! "
The empress dowager was not a stupid old woman from a village. The so-called evidence that had entered the capital in the past few days did not make her completely believe that her grandson outside the Palace, whom she was not very close to, was the mastermind behind the assassination of the Emperor.
She even faintly suspected the role her daughter and her other grandsons played in the Emperor's assassination. No matter how one looked at it, the Emperor's death allowed these people to obtain the most beautiful result.
But, suspicion was useless. Believing was only a subjective choice. The empress dowager knew that if she wanted to be at ease in the years before her death, she had to force herself to believe that Fan Xian was the true murderer and that the Crown Prince would certainly become a wise ruler.
"Empress dowager, the Eldest Princess has arrived," an old nanny reported in a low voice.
The empress dowager waved her hand weakly. The Eldest Princess, Li Yunrui, dressed in white, slowly walked into the main hall of Hanguang Palace. She bowed to the empress dowager timidly.
The empress dowager was silent for a moment and then waved her hand again. The nannies and serving girls serving in the Palace quickly retreated from the main hall, leaving the spacious and cold hall to the mother and daughter.
The empress dowager looked at the trace of tears at the corner of her daughter's eyes and was slightly absent-minded. A moment later, she said, "I heard you have been washing your face with tears these days. Why hurt yourself like this? He is already gone. There is no point in us crying here."
The Eldest Princess smiled peacefully and said in a gentle tone that she had never shown in front of the empress dowager, "Mother is right."
She then sat down beside the empress dowager like a 12 or 13 year old girl and gently snuggled up against her.
The empress dowager was silent for a moment and then said, "Your brother is an unreliable person. Since the Emperor is already gone, when you have time, come and talk to me."
"Yes, mother."
The empress dowager looked at her daughter out of the corner of her eye. Suddenly, she furrowed her brows and said, "Try to convince me about An Zhi."
The Eldest Princess was slightly startled. It was as if she hadn't expected her mother to ask so directly. After a moment of silence, she said, "I don't understand what you mean."
The empress dowager's gaze gradually grew cold and then quickly calmed down. In an even voice, she said, "I just need something to convince myself."
The Eldest Princess lowered her head. A moment later, she said, "Fan Xian has a reason to do this."
"Why?"
"Because his mother is Ye Qingmei." The Eldest Princess raised her face and looked at her mother with a faint bleakness. "Furthermore, he has never considered himself to be surnamed Li."
The empress dowager did not get angry. Calmly, she said, "Continue."
"He colluded with Northern Qi in Jiangnan. As for the specifics, we will naturally find out in the future," the Eldest Princess said calmly. The Eldest Princess calmly said, "Additionally, Fan Xian and Dongyi are also somewhat unclear. Recently, the young ninth-level ace at his side should be Sigu Jian's last disciple."
"You mean Thirteenth Wang," the empress dowager said.
The corners of the Eldest Princess's brows furrowed slightly. It was as if she hadn't expected her mother to know so much about these things. Lowering her head, she replied, "Yes."
"A few months ago, Chengqian went to Nanzhao. Along the way, he was looked after by Thirteenth Wang." The empress dowager's gaze calmed. "If he is Fan Xian's person, then I think An Zhi is not bad."
The empress dowager continued slowly, "The Crown Prince has already told me about Thirteenth Wang." The old woman sighed. "These days, the Crown Prince has been vigorously defending Fan Xian. Just from this point alone, it seems that Chengqian is not bad."
The Eldest Princess nodded. "I also think so."
The empress dowager looked calmly at her daughter. "The Emperor's sons each have their own benefits. I am very pleased, so … I do not wish to see these juniors continue to be tormented by you."
"I understand what you mean," the Eldest Princess replied calmly. "From now on, I will know my place."
"Although the Emperor has been somewhat stubborn and muddled these years, he is, after all, your brother." The empress dowager's brows gradually furrowed. Her eyes were filled with deep sorrow and helplessness. Looking at her daughter, she couldn't speak for a long time.
The Eldest Princess turned her body slightly and exposed her beautiful face under the dim light.
The empress dowager raised her hand and slapped the Eldest Princess's face heavily, making a crisp slap. The Eldest Princess gave a muffled grunt and fell to the ground. A trickle of blood flowed from the corner of her lips.
The empress dowager's chest rose and fell rapidly. It was a long time before she gradually calmed down.
… …
It was unclear whether or not Fan Xian already had a judgment of the situation in the Palace that was closest to the truth. If he knew this, then he would certainly not have chosen to enter the Royal Palace and tell the empress dowager the truth of Dong Mountain or hand over the Emperor's personally written letter and the jade seal.
In this world-shaking event, Fan Xian had to admit that the choice his mother-in-law made was a simple, clear, and effective plan. As long as the Emperor died, regardless of whether it was the officials or the empress dowager, they would all make the Crown Prince, who was becoming more and more like a monarch, their first choice.
From the perspective of status and stability, there was no better choice than the Crown Prince.
Once the Crown Prince ascended to the throne and the dust settled, Fan Xian could only think of a way to go to Northern Qi to live off a woman. The problem at hand was that the Fan manor was under the control of the Royal Palace. It was rumored that his wife and concubine had already been brought into the Palace. Even if he wanted to live off a woman, he couldn't throw away his money.
The women of the Li family were indeed each more vicious than the last.
As Fan Xian repeated the words "old whore" in his heart, he used the cover of the night to flip over a tall wall and gently land in the green garden.
This was the manor of an official. Although there were no aces or guards, there were many servants in the manor. Many officials came and went. Walking from the foot of the wall to the study, Fan Xian, who had yet to recover from his heavy injuries, felt a surge of blood and almost gave himself away.
Outside the study, he listened quietly for a while. Fan Xian used a dagger to pry open the window and flashed in. What greeted his eyes was a snow-like white decoration. He couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly. He then turned around and grabbed the throat of the official who was about to cry out in shock. Moving close to his ear, he quietly said, "Don't cry, it's me."
The official he had subdued heard his voice. His body shook like it had been struck by lightning, but he gradually relaxed.
Fan Xian looked at his eyes cautiously and pulled his iron-like hand away from the other person's throat. If the other person actually disregarded his life and called for people to capture him, given his present condition, it would probably be difficult for him to escape Jingdou alive.
This was a gamble, but Fan Xian's life was a big gamble. His luck had always been good.
The official did not call for help. On the contrary, he used a strange gaze to look at Fan Xian's slightly pale face. It was as if he was surprised and unexpectedly happy.
…
…
"Old Shu, don't look at me like that." Fan Xian confirmed that his judgment was correct. He put away his dagger and sat down across from Shu Wu.
At this moment, he was in the Shu manor's study. After some deliberation, Fan Xian still decided to first find this scholar with a high position. Of all the civil and military officials in court, he always felt that only this student of Zhuang Mohan's was the most trustworthy in terms of character and morality.
Shu Wu looked at him with a complicated gaze. Suddenly, he said, "Three questions."
"Please speak," Fan Xian replied with a serious expression.
"Is the Emperor dead?" Shu Wu's voice trembled slightly.
Fan Xian was silent for a moment. "When I left Dong Mountain, he wasn't dead. However …" He thought of the figure on the boat, Sigu Jian hidden at the side, and the big baldy who was likely to have taken action. Furrowing his brows, he said, "He should be dead."
Shu Wu sighed and didn't say anything for a long time.
"Who is the mastermind?" Shu Wu looked into his eyes.
Fan Xian pointed at his nose and said, "According to the military and Overwatch Council's intelligence, it should be me."
"If it was you, why did you return to Jingdou?" Shu Wu shook his head. "Such madness is not at all in line with a ruler's nature."
Both of them fell silent. Fan Xian suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Since I have come to find you, I have something to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"We cannot let the Crown Prince ascend to the throne," Fan Xian stared into his eyes and said each word clearly.
Shu Wu's brows furrowed and then relaxed. Lowering his voice, he said, "Why?"
A faint self-mocking smile rose to the corners of Fan Xian's lips. "Because … I believe that Shu the Scholar does not wish to see a scum who killed his father and the monarch sit on the Qing Kingdom's dragon chair."
The entire room was silent. Fan Xian stood and took out the letter he had hidden close to his body. In a quiet voice, he said, "Shu Wu accepts the edict."
Shu Wu's heart jumped. Kneeling on the ground, he accepted the letter with trembling hands. Confusion welled up in his heart. If the Emperor had already passed away, then who had written this edict? He had been in court for many years and had long been in charge of the matters of the Library of Records. He was very familiar with the Emperor's handwriting and tone. With just a glance at the cover and the instructions behind it, he knew it was the Emperor's own writing. He couldn't help but become excited. His eyes began to grow wet.
Fan Xian opened the envelope and handed the paper to Shu Wu.
The more Shu Wu read, the more shocked and angry he became. In the end, he couldn't resist slapping the desk beside him and cursing loudly, "Wolves! Wolves! "
Fan Xian gently and gently held his hand, not letting Shu the Scholar's palm hit the desk. Slowly, he said, "This was personally written by the Emperor the night he had me return to Jingdou."
"I will enter the Palace immediately." Shu Wu stood. He could not hide the anger on his face. "I want to see the empress dowager."
Fan Xian shook his head.
Shu Wu furrowed his brows and said, "Although there has been no funeral, the Palace has already begun to prepare for the Crown Prince's ascension. This matter cannot be delayed. If we are late, I'm afraid it will be too late for everything."
Fan Xian lowered his head and was silent for a moment. He then said, "This imperial letter was originally written for the empress dowager to read."
Shu Wu was shocked. Given Fan Xian's hidden power in Jingdou and his own extraordinary strength, even if the Palace was tightly sealed right now, he would certainly have a way to enter the Royal Palace and see the empress dowager. With this letter and the royal seal he had seen earlier, the empress dowager would certainly believe Fan Xian's words.
"Ah …" Shu Wu's expression immediately changed. He stared at Fan Xian in a daze. "Impossible!"
"There has never been anything impossible in this world." Fan Xian's eyes seemed to have a will-o '-wisp of fire jumping about. "You are a civil official, while I pretend to be a member of the royal family. As for the thoughts of the nobles in the Palace, I want to see more clearly. If it were not for my fear of the empress dowager, why would I take the risk to come here tonight?"
After a moment of silence, he said, "The Li Dynasty itself is something with life. It will naturally correct the deformations of its body, thus ensuring that the entire royal family occupies the control of the world, ensuring its own survival … Under this major premise, nothing else is important."
Fan Xian looked at Shu the Scholar and calmly said, "The matter has already been done. No matter what you choose, it will be proper. You can pretend that I never came today. "
Shu Wu also sank into a long silence. In an instant, this Qing official's entire body seemed to age. After a long time, he said in a raspy voice, "Since Sir Fan junior has come, and I know, I cannot pretend you didn't come."
Fan Xian's expression changed slightly.
"I am just curious. Although Minister Fan is currently under house arrest in the manor, you still have many friends in court. Why did you choose me and not others, such as Director Chen or the Great Prince?" Shu Wu's eyes gave off a comforting light as he asked with a slight smile.
Fan Xian also smiled and said, "Martial power is always the last method to resolve matters. In the end, this matter will still have to be resolved by martial power. Before we act, the Qing Kingdom needs to be reasonable."
He calmly said, "The reason I chose you to reason on the Emperor's behalf is very simple. It is because you are a scholar."
Fan Xian finally said, "I am not a simple scholar, but I know what a true scholar should be like. For example, your teacher, Sir Zhuang Mohan. A scholar has a bone. I want to borrow your bone."
…
…
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