A country could not be without a ruler for even a day, so there was no such thing as the Emperor observing filial piety since ancient times. However, in order to show filial piety and set an example for the world, the Emperor could observe filial piety for three days, using one day as a year to show his filial piety. Although the Empress Dowager and Emperor Zhengde were not related by blood, even if Zhengde's biological grandmother were to come back to life, her status could not be compared to this Empress Dowager. Naturally, the funeral ceremony was the grandest.
Therefore, Emperor Zhengde also moved back to the palace, dressed in mourning clothes, and kept vigil with a vegetarian diet. Now that three days had passed, although the Empress Dowager was still in the spirit palace, Zhengde only needed to go there daily to offer incense and worship. He did not need to go on a diet, wear plain clothes, and ignore government affairs.
In the Warm West Room of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Zhengde was reading the memorials that had accumulated over the past few days. He had been so busy these few days that he did not even have time to see Tang Yixian. His marriage with Tang Yixian had been quite troublesome. He had planned to get married on his godson's one-month birthday, but unexpectedly, while the wedding was being prepared, news of Yang Ling's death came. Immediately after, the Empress Dowager fell seriously ill and passed away. The people had to observe filial piety for half a year. As the Emperor, although he did not need to observe filial piety, it was inconvenient for him to get married during this period.
Zhengde frowned slightly as he read the memorials under the candlelight. Two figures slowly entered and floated to the front of his dragon writing desk. The candlelight flickered and two distorted figures were reflected on the memorials. Zhengde suddenly raised his head and saw Yongchun and Zhu Xiang 'er in plain clothes.
The two little girls were like a pair of lotus flowers, indescribably beautiful and spirited. Zhengde frowned and said, "Can't the two of you walk with some noise? It's so ghostly and scary. "
Yongchun rolled her eyes at him and said, "The candles are white, the clothes are white, the white curtains are white, the night is dim, why don't you dress up as a fairy and come and see?"
Zhu Xiang 'er pulled her sleeve and softly said, "Yongchun, don't talk to His Majesty like this." She then bowed and said, "Xiang' er greets His Majesty."
Zhengde put down his brush, pinched his swollen eyebrows and asked, "What's the matter, Your Highnesses?"
Yongchun asked, "Imperial Brother, have you summoned Yang Ling back to the capital?"
"That's right. He's so close. How could he not come back? Besides, the Empress Dowager has passed away. As the grandson-in-law, shouldn't he come to pay his respects? "Zhengde said confidently.
Yongchun glared at him and said angrily, "Imperial Brother, can't you be a little more serious? If this gets out, people will laugh at us. "
"Who?" Zhengde glanced at the two little eunuchs guarding the door and coldly said, "If even the slightest rumor gets out, zhen will beat them to death."
When the two little eunuchs heard this, they were startled awake. Of the two little eunuchs, one belonged to the Imperial Horse Supervisor, the other belonged to the Department of Rites. They really were the eyes and ears that those big eunuchs had placed at the Emperor's side.
The Princess wants to marry the Duke? Princess Yongfu has already become a nun. Then, is Princess Yongchun going to marry or is Princess Xiang 'er going to marry? This matter was rare, but it wasn't a big deal. The two little eunuchs were, in any case, spies from a high-level intelligence agency, not gossip magazine reporters. It would be an injustice for them to be beaten to death for this reason. So, the two of them simultaneously chose to forget it and pretended they didn't hear it.
The candle suddenly exploded into a flame. The flame was abnormally brilliant and brightened for a moment before quickly dimming. Princess Xiang 'er was still a little worried and gently waved her hand at the two. The two little eunuchs immediately bowed and retreated as if they had been pardoned.
Zhengde picked up the memorial and only read two lines before putting it down. He asked, "Did you come to ask if Minister Yang will return to the capital?"
Yongchun said, "No, tomorrow is the seventh day. All the civil and military officials will come to the palace to pay their respects. Imperial Mother told us to ask Imperial Brother if Imperial Sister wants to attend. She is now a nun and is meditating in the Imperial Nunnery. It's not like she can come or not."
Zhengde rubbed his chin and frowned. "This matter, zhen also doesn't understand. Tomorrow zhen will ask Minister Wang Hua. "
Yongchun made a sound of agreement. She thought for a moment and said, "Imperial Brother, I'm still a little worried. Sister was originally quiet, but now that she is concentrating on cultivating Buddhism, she is becoming more and more indifferent. In the past, I begged for her most treasured pair of bracelets many times but she couldn't bear to give it to me. Two days ago, she took the initiative to give it to me without me even asking. Don't … study too much and become a nun."
When Zhengde heard this, he also became nervous. He thought for a moment and said, "I know, but the White Cloth Nunnery has not been built yet. We can't let Imperial Sister move out of the palace. Hmm … the edict should have been sent to Bazhou. Even if it's slow with the silver carriage, Minister Yang should be back tomorrow. Then zhen will send him to see Yongfu."
When he saw Yongchun and Xiang 'er's disapproving faces, he comforted them, "Don't worry, Yixian told zhen before that Minister Yang is very good at deceiving women." Looking at the two's strange expressions, Zhengde hurriedly changed his words, "No, it's coaxing women."
At this moment, the little eunuch who was scared away ran back and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, Liu Gonggong requests an audience."
"It's so late, what does he want?" Zhengde muttered to himself in confusion. He turned his head and said to Yongchun and Xiang 'er, "Go back first. If you're too tired, go back to the palace to rest. Kneeling in front of the memorial tablet and crying according to the hour is the most boring. When the Empress Dowager is here, you should often go and accompany her. This is showing your filial piety. When the Empress Dowager passes away, she leads a bunch of eunuchs and palace maids to cry for the memorial tablet.
When his most respected and beloved father passed away, Zhengde was full of disdain for those kinds of elaborate and over-the-top rituals that were specially put on for others to see. He would rather hide in the Palace of Heavenly Purity and use the unique method of writing to remember his father than run to the memorial tablet and listen to the eunuchs cry for 'rise' and 'stop'. Now, he naturally did not want his sister to be manipulated blindly there.
Yongchun and Xiang 'er gave a sound of agreement. Two white shadows slowly floated outside. Zhengde coughed once behind them and said, "Make some noise!"
"Tap tap … tap tap …"
Liu Jin curiously looked at the backs of the two princesses. When did the palace change the rules? Why didn't anyone report it to me? When the princesses are in mourning, not only do they wear white, but now they also have to wear hemp shoes or wooden shoes?
Zhengde coughed once and called out, "Old Liu, come in. It's so late, what's the matter?"
Liu Jin hurriedly nodded and bowed as he came in. He smiled apologetically and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager of the Qing Kingdom is holding a funeral. Tomorrow is the seventh day. All the officials will enter the palace to pay their respects. Your Majesty has personally written a eulogy. The Old Slave has already sent someone to send it to the Ministry of Rites. He wants the Ministry of Rites to read this eulogy tomorrow."
Zhengde stretched his back and yawned impatiently. He said, "That's enough. Why do I need to report such a trivial matter?"
Liu Jin hurriedly smiled apologetically and said, "Your Majesty, the Old Slave hasn't finished speaking. I didn't expect the Minister of Ministry of Rites, Wang Hua, to return the imperial edict."
"Hmm? Return the imperial edict? "Zhengde was angry. He slammed the table with a bang and said angrily," Tell me, what's the reason? This Wang Hua is becoming more and more daring. I must punish him severely! "
Liu Jin respectfully said, "Your Majesty personally wrote a eulogy for the Empress Dowager. Didn't you also personally copy a Buddhist scripture to help her pass on to the afterlife? In the end, you stamped the imperial edict with the royal seal and signed the name 'Qing Kingdom's Dharma King Xitian Jue Dao Yuan Ming Dao Yuan Ming Da Ding Hui Buddha'. "
Emperor Zhengde nodded and said strangely, "Yes, what's wrong? That's the name I gave myself. "
Liu Jin added oil to the fire. "Your Majesty, Wang Hua returned the imperial edict and said what kind of thing is Qing Kingdom's Dharma King? How dare he write an edict with all the supreme beings in the world. How preposterous! He even asked how the Bureau of Rites drafted the edict. How could he do such an absurd thing? Tell me, isn't he rebelling? Who in the world doesn't know that Qing Kingdom's Dharma King is Your Majesty's name? He's clearly saying this to find fault with Your Majesty, he … "
Hearing this reason, Zhengde was a bit timid. He thought that using the name of Qing Kingdom's Dharma King on the imperial edict was indeed inappropriate. Furthermore, it was burned in the name of the imperial grandson for the empress dowager to see. He waved his hand and said, "Forget it, forget it. I … I won't lower myself to his level."
Liu Jin was stunned. He wanted to take advantage of the Empress Dowager's death and the Emperor's bad mood. He wanted to find a reason to make the Emperor angry. Wasn't it just a matter of a sentence to remove Wang Hua from his position? Next year was the time for the imperial examinations. Right now, all the civil and military officials in the court were reappointed. It could be said that they were all under his tutelage. If he also recruited all the young scholars, wouldn't his position be as stable as the country? Who would have thought …
Liu Jin was unhappy. After thinking for a bit, he was not satisfied and continued to stir up trouble. "Your Majesty, you plan on letting it go like this, but Wang Hua is not willing to let it go like this. Hey, how dare he say he's going to pursue this Qing Kingdom's Dharma King's responsibility? Isn't this pointing at the monk and calling him bald? Isn't this wearing a leather coat inside out and pretending to be a sheep? Isn't this … "
"Where do you have so many witty words?" Zhengde couldn't keep his face any longer. "It is true that the Qing Kingdom's Dharma King is my title, but if Official Wang really wants to pursue it, yes … I am indeed in the wrong. Forget it, if he really wants to investigate, I will send down an edict for him not to pursue it any further."
"What, what?" Liu Jin widened his eyes in surprise. "Your Majesty, you are the Emperor, the most honorable Son of Heaven. You are admitting defeat to Wang Hua?"
Zhengde spread his hands and said helplessly, "My weakness has fallen into other people's hands. What else do you think I should do? Alright, alright, this matter isn't that big of a deal. Hehe, the Prime Minister's stomach can still carry a boat. Besides, I am the Emperor, so let's leave it at that. Yes … if there's nothing else, you can go back and rest. I will rest after reading two more memorials. "
"Yes, Your Majesty." Liu Jin helplessly agreed and silently withdrew from the Palace of Heavenly Purity. He slowly walked out of the palace and stood under a pillar. The wind swayed the lantern, and the shadow of the lantern flickered, making his face flicker between bright and dark, as if he was uncertain.
A few guards and eunuchs swayed like ghosts and suddenly appeared in front of him. They suddenly realized that the old eunuch standing in the corridor was Eunuch Liu, and hurriedly knelt to the ground. Liu Jin, on the other hand, was focused on craning his neck to look at the fake mountain under the shadow, lost in thought. He didn't notice them at all.
After a long, long time, he finally let out a long breath. Tonight's Emperor Zhengde gave him a strange feeling. Although he still saw the Emperor often, there were too many things he had to manage right now, and Zhengde spent most of his time in the Leopard Garden. He had always thought that Zhengde was still the little Crown Prince in his impression. It was only today that he suddenly realized that he was growing up.
He felt that he had long since seen through Zhu Houzhao: the more you didn't let him do something, the more he would do it, and he never thought about whether it was right or wrong. He was the Emperor, and the Emperor's will was unshakable. Once he provoked him, this childish Emperor would obediently fall into the trap.
If this was the Emperor Zhengde of a year ago, based on his judgment, based on this matter and his words, Wang Hua would have to resign and go home. The edict would not even have to wait until the next morning to be passed down. But now … the Emperor knew to distinguish right from wrong. This was not a good sign.
Liu Jin was a little flustered: Zhengde was gradually growing up, and his mind was gradually maturing. Gradually, it was not so easy to control him. Fortunately … fortunately, Yang Ling has fallen from power. There is no one in the court who can fight against me. Now all the civil and military officials in the court have left my side. Even if he is no longer an ignorant child and cannot be manipulated by me, I control the court and make him a mere figurehead. He has no choice but to recognize my position and authority …
Minister of the Ministry of Rites, this position must be taken by my family. Among the six ministries, only the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites have always been against me. Now that Liu Yu has joined my family, and Wang Hua has always been perfunctory towards my family, the Ministry of Rites must not be given up. With all six ministries in my hands, even if it was the Emperor, what could he do to me?
Liu Jin smiled slightly. His smile was still the habitual smile lines that had accumulated over the years. It looked a little flattering, but there was not a trace of a flattering smile in his eyes. That smile, under the gloomy light, revealed a sense of coldness and arrogance.
The wind was blowing, and it was cold and wet. The first rain of spring seemed to come a little early. Liu Jin looked up at the sky, tightened the mourning belt around his waist, and slowly walked down the steps. Two little eunuchs came up to greet him, each holding a white paper lantern, and led him slowly into the palace walls like a ghost in the dusk of the night …
* * *
The relatives of the Emperor, the nobles, and the high-ranking officials all dressed in plain mourning mourning entered the palace. Before Li Dongyang could rush back in time, among the Grand Secretaries, Jiao Fang and Yang Tinghe were at the front, leading the civil and military officials to the left, and the nobles with titles of nobility to the right. Duke Wei Yang Ling, Duke Cheng, Zhu Gang, and the others who rushed back in time led the way to Changshou Palace to pay respect to the benevolent face of the Mother of the Nation.
It really rained last night, but the sky was still covered by a hazy leaden cloud, like the face of a sick person, and the cold wind seeped into the bones. Yang Ling came back in the afternoon yesterday. Because the palace was holding a funeral, he was not in a hurry to hand over the decree, so he went home first and stayed in Young-niang's room that night.
He was now proficient in the Wudang internal cultivation method and Qigong, so his body was very strong. This bit of cold was nothing, but Young-niang was afraid that her husband would catch a cold, so she dressed him tightly. In the end, before he went out, Gao Wenxin woke up early and came over with a hot porridge that was very nutritious.
Xue 'er also sent over a vest that she had personally embroidered to protect his belly. Yu' er was a meticulous person. She knew that after entering the palace, they would have to kneel and kneel for the entire day. She personally tied two kneecaps on the Master's knees to protect him from the cold. Looking at the current Yang Ling, his originally tall and slender figure, suddenly became two sizes fatter. He put on the official robe over his body, and then he put on a mourning dress. When he tried it at home, he was gasping for breath as he walked.
Yang Ling was quite impatient, but these were the kind intentions of his lovely wife and beloved concubines. It was inappropriate for him to take off anyone's clothes. It was not good to make them sad, so Yang Ling had no choice but to reluctantly wear them and come to the palace. However, as soon as he arrived at this unobstructed palace square, Yang Ling experienced the beauty of his wife and concubines' care and care.
When he first got off the palanquin, he felt refreshed and cool, but the sky was overcast and the cold wind was blowing. Some inexperienced or careless officials still followed the usual custom of getting off the palanquin and getting on the palanquin after exiting the palace. They did not wear much, so after standing in the wind for a while, their faces turned blue and their lips turned purple. Not only did their teeth chatter, two clear nostrils flowed uncontrollably from their noses. Coupled with their mourning clothes and mourning hats, they really did look like a filial son or grandson.
On the other hand, Yang Ling, who originally had difficulty breathing, now looked like he was bathing in the spring wind. His face was ruddy, and he stood out from the palanquin among the pale-faced officials. The Senior Duke, Zhu Gang, had also arrived. Zhu Gang was fat to begin with, but once he got off the palanquin, his figure seemed to have grown even fatter. Seeing Yang Ling's calm and composed appearance, and the officials beside him who were trembling in fear, the Senior Duke could not help but secretly smile.
The palace doors opened, and the civil and military officials, as well as the members of the Imperial Family, filed in. Under the guidance of the officials from the Bureau of Rites and the Ministry of Rites, they headed straight for Changshou Palace. After the rain, the ground was washed clean. However, although the huge stone floor was flat, after many years, there were still differences in depth. Many places had puddles of clear water that looked like translucent mirrors.
In Changshou Palace, the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, the Princess, and the imperial concubines were arranged according to their rank. The womenfolk gathered in the hall, but the officials could not all enter the palace. Other than the Three Great Scholars, the Six Ministries, the Nine Ministers, and the Dukes, the rest could only pay their respects outside the palace.
In any case, the officials had attended the funeral of the Emperor of Hongzhi, so the Empress Dowager's extravagance was not much lower than the Emperor's. In addition, with the reminders from the Bureau of Rites and the Ministry of Rites, everyone paid their respects and did not cause any trouble.
The Empress Dowager's huge coffin was parked in the middle of the main hall. It was draped with a huge golden brocade cloth. The cloth was embroidered with a blue phoenix soaring above the nine heavens, with red clouds and floral patterns underneath. The top of the coffin was inlaid with a golden ball. The ball was inlaid with countless jewels, and under the illumination of the huge incense sticks, it shone with dazzling light.
Yang Ling knelt down and sneaked a glance at the crowd. There were rows of women in mourning clothes, but he did not see Princess Yongfu. Actually, with so many people in the main hall, he could not tell who was who even if he sneaked a glance. At the very least, Yongchun and Xiang 'er were definitely present, but he did not see any of them. Yang Ling retracted his gaze, bowed again, and stood up again. Suddenly, he felt someone's gaze on him, and Yang Ling immediately and naturally went forward.
Their gazes met in the air. It was an extremely complicated and indescribable gaze. There was wariness, complacency, contempt, and an indescribable feeling. Liu Jin, holding a white horsetail whisk, stood in the corner of the hall and looked at him. In front of the mourning hall, the Imperial Concubine, the Princess, the Emperor, and the officials all had solemn expressions. They held their breath and mourned silently. The silent confrontation between the two only lasted for a moment.
"Kneel again!" Liu Jin was the first to move his gaze away. With a straight face, he pulled out a long note and sang loudly.
Yang Ling revealed a faint smile that was difficult to detect. He flipped over and knelt down again. It was not bad to have thick cushions tied to his knees. Kneeling on the cold and hard stone was not uncomfortable or cold.
With hundreds of officials paying their respects, Emperor Zhengde also put down his government affairs and rushed over. Because he was too busy, although he knew Yang Ling had returned, he only glanced at him and did not have the time to speak.
The mourning speech was not read from his imperial edict that had been returned. Instead, it was personally written by the Minister of Ministry of Rites, Wang Hua. Wang Hua's writing was naturally a bit more brilliant than Zhengde's. It was written with both voice and emotion, and the reading was moving. The officials of the outer court were not familiar with the Empress Dowager. Many of them had never seen her before. However, following the cries of the women in the inner court, the officials could not help but cry sadly.
"These people are crying … Are they for real? There's no reason for them to be so sad without any feelings? "Yang Ling muttered to himself and also used his sleeves to cover his face.
Zhengde led the concubines and officials to pay their respects. He stood up to light incense and pay his respects again. Then, he put on a sorrowful expression and was supported by Liu Jin to the door of the hall to comfort the civil and military officials. The tall incense had not burned out, so the officials and concubines could not stand up. They were all still kneeling on the ground.
Zheng De went outside to take a look, he saw hundreds of civil and military officials lined up in order, kneeling on the ground neatly, and crying out in grief. Because there were many puddles of water in the depressions, the officials did not dare to mess up their ranks. Therefore, many of them were kneeling in the puddles of water. The hem of their official robes were all soaked in the water, making them look extremely wretched.
Zhengde sighed and said, "The civil and military officials are very filial. However, the weather is cold and there are many puddles of water on the ground. It is not convenient to kneel down. Send an edict for the officials to rise and bow in place of kneeling. "
As soon as the eunuch heard this, he hastily stepped forward and raised his voice, "There is an edict. The weather is cold and there are puddles of water on the depressions, it is not convenient to kneel down. Your Majesty, please show mercy. Tell the officials to rise and bow in place of kneeling. "
Some of the officials were soaked in ice-cold water and kneeling on the hard rock. As soon as they heard this, it was as if they had been granted amnesty. They hastily kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness." Then they crawled up and stood there to bow. Some of the officials who were standing far away stealthily picked up the lapels of their robes and twisted them with all their might.
Right this moment, an incomparably mournful wail suddenly came from the ranks of officials, immediately attracting everyone's attention. The officials were all crying, but such a loud and painful wail was close to shouting.
Zhengde raised his head and looked. He saw an imperial censor among the Inspectorate's ranks pounding his chest and crying bitterly. He shouted loudly, "The Empress Dowager has passed away in heaven. As officials, we should pay our respects in front of the coffin to show our filial piety and sincerity. Getting up but not kneeling is really rude. It is disloyal, unfilial, heartless, and unjust." When the official who had just stood up heard this, he secretly cursed and had no choice but to kneel back down. Zhengde was almost amused by these words. He flicked his sleeve and coldly rebuked, "Fishing for fame and compliments, your intentions should be put to death!"
If Zhengde only said these words and left in a huff, it would have been fine. However, he felt that this official was a little too shameless. My grandmother has passed away, how many of you officials are truly grieving? Putting on an act, it is really laughable.
Although Zhengde was getting older and his temper had become calmer, he still wasn't shrewd. He originally had good intentions, but he was met with such a boring response. In addition, he despised the official's character. He flicked his sleeve and coldly rebuked, "If you want to cry, then kneel there to show your filial piety and loyalty. It's a pity that we are not Song Xiaowu, otherwise we might have appointed you to the cabinet. Humph!"
When these words came out, the officials' expressions changed. There were a few who really wanted to cry, but they had to show their filial piety. The emperor's words were equivalent to mocking all of them, and their faces immediately fell.
An imperial censor suddenly stood up and sternly said, "Your Majesty's words are wrong. Not kneeling is going against filial piety. Official Zheng's words are not inappropriate. Your Majesty is in front of the Empress Dowager's spirit, so how can you spout nonsense and make rash comparisons? "
Zhengde was extremely shocked. When Song Xiaowu's beloved concubine Consort Shu passed away, Liu Jun led his concubines and officials to cry for her. He said that the more sorrowful they were, the more loyal they were. The governor of Qin County, Liu Deyuan, cried his heart out and his clothes were drenched in tears. Liu Jun was very happy and immediately made him the Provincial Governor of Yu Province. There was also an imperial physician named Yang Zhi who cried like rain and fainted. Liu Jun rewarded him with many gold and silver treasures. Afterwards, a friend asked him, "How can you cry just like that?" Yang Zhi replied, "My beloved concubine has just passed away. In front of Your Majesty, I am only crying for my concubine's death."
Zhengde was puzzled. He was only using this as a metaphor to mock the imperial censor surnamed Zheng. How could this official dare to say that he was spouting nonsense? These officials ate too much good stuff in the first month and still haven't digested it?
The Hanlin scholar Shi Qifeng fervently said, "Propriety is to determine who is close and who is distant, to eliminate suspicion, to distinguish between the same and different, to distinguish right and wrong. What is the use of a minister expressing his filial piety? Your Majesty is using Song Xiaowu as a metaphor, but do you remember what kind of person Song Xiaowu was? His son killed his father, his younger brother killed his older brother, took his younger sister as a concubine, raped his mother, and was filthy beyond measure. How can Your Majesty say such things in front of the Empress Dowager? "
Zhengde still couldn't take it and felt that he was not in the wrong. How could he, a young and vigorous Son of Heaven, lower his head to these fame-fishing officials? Zhengde pointed at the tip of the official's nose and was so angry that his whole body trembled. He couldn't restrain his anger and said, "You scoundrel, speaking nonsense. How did you spout such nonsense and force words to say such things?"
Official Zheng, who was the first to express his loyalty, straightened his neck and said forcefully, "Your Majesty, what crime is there for a minister to express his filial piety? Morality, benevolence, righteousness, and righteousness cannot be done. Teaching righteousness and customs cannot be done. Arguing and arguing cannot be done. Monarch and minister, superior and subordinate, father and son, brothers cannot be done. Eunuchs and teachers cannot be done.
First, these officials couldn't stand the emperor's ridicule. Second, benevolence, filial piety, and righteousness were deeply ingrained in their minds. The Empress Dowager had passed away and they didn't kneel just because there was water on the ground? Even if they had to use a knife, they still had to endure it. The emperor was clearly in the wrong, but he insisted on his own opinion. As an imperial censor, how could he not be loyal and give advice?
The officials in the hall had already heard the argument between the emperor and the officials. They couldn't be bothered to kneel in front of the memorial tablet and rushed out. An official saw Wang Hua and hastily said, "Lord Wang, Official Wang, you are the Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Tell me, isn't His Majesty's action not in accordance with propriety?"
Wang Hua was a bit embarrassed and coughed before saying, "When the imperial court governs the army, when the officials administer the law, indecent conduct cannot be done. Praying in temples and offering sacrifices to ghosts and gods, indecent conduct cannot be done. Therefore, a gentleman should be respectful and frugal, and make concessions with propriety. Your Majesty, the officials … … the officials are not in the wrong. Your Majesty's compassion for the officials is not wrong either. It's just that you haven't followed the law. This matter … … "
An official said loudly, "Parrots can speak, but they are not separated from birds; orangutans can speak, but they are not separated from beasts. Today, people are rude. Although they can speak, aren't they still beasts? Only beasts are rude, so father and son get together. Therefore, the sage works to teach people with propriety, so that people will know that they are different from beasts. Your Majesty's fallacious reasoning today, you should issue an imperial edict to blame yourself and reflect on yourself … … "
Imperial Messenger Zheng shouted himself hoarse, "The Empress of the Nation has passed away, the officials are filial! Kneeling is propriety, bestowing authority upon the officials; it is the authority bestowed upon the officials by the heavens; Your Majesty cannot take it away. Your Majesty, you cannot humiliate yourself. Your Majesty … … "
Zhengde glared at his chattering mouth and suppressed the urge to kick him. His face was ashen as he said, "There's no need to say more, unreasonable thing!" Finishing, he flicked his sleeves and left.
At this point, more and more officials began to join in the criticism of the Emperor. The imperial court was a place of fame and fortune. Different interest groups and political groups could always find a suitable reason for the same matter and use it for their own purposes.
Some of the officials wanted to use this opportunity to express their loyalty, filial piety and virtue, while others wanted to take the opportunity to vent the anger in their hearts. They were afraid of Liu Jin's harsh laws, but for the sake of fame and fortune, they had no choice but to submit and follow him. However, there was always a wave of anger in their hearts that was difficult to quell. As the saying goes, it's easy to see the King of Hell, but difficult to deal with the little demons. Attacking Liu Jin meant risking losing one's position and being beheaded, but there was nothing wrong with cursing the Emperor. Not only could they vent their anger, they could also gain a virtuous reputation and go down in history. Why not?
There were still selfless officials. Those who had been subdued by Liu Jin's power for a long time suddenly realized that this matter could be a very good breakthrough point. The Emperor was the one who made a mistake first, and now that the reason was firmly in their hands, they would be in an invincible position and could do as much as they wanted.
Those who criticized the Emperor could use the Emperor's words of mockery and pain to express his loyalty, and then bring up the matter of Song Xiaowu's court being muddle-headed and the inner palace being in chaos. They could suppress the Emperor until he had nothing to say. Then, could they use this opportunity to force the Emperor to reflect on his own crimes to heavily strike down Liu Jin's arrogance?
To be able to use all impossible and irrelevant phenomena to create some high-sounding reasons and opportunities to achieve their political goals was what these Imperial Censors were good at. With this thought, they immediately surrounded Yang Tinghe and Wang Hua in the middle and began to passionately encourage them.
Liu Jin was the eunuch of the Department of Rites and had to preside over the ceremony in Changshou Palace. Seeing that Zhengde had left angrily, he wanted to go and comfort him and take the opportunity to win the Emperor's favor. But he was in charge of his duties, and the palace concubines and empresses were still in the hall. How could he leave? While he was hesitating, Emperor Zhengde had already left with large strides.
Liu Jin turned around in a bad mood. He saw that Wang Hua and Yang Tinghe were surrounded by the officials in the middle and were arguing over the funeral. Just as he was feeling schadenfreude, his heart suddenly moved. After thinking for a moment, his eyes were like a beast that had found its prey and he wanted to capture it immediately. Immediately, his eyes lit up, "Wang Hua, Ministry of Rites, our family's chance has finally come."
He hurriedly used his eyes to signal Liu Yu and Zhang Cai to come closer and whispered a few words to them. The two immediately blended into the crowd and began to inform the Liu faction's henchmen. Thus, more people began to join in the discussion of the funeral. A movement to discuss the funeral began vigorously in front of Changshou Palace.
Seeing this intense scene, a trace of a proud smile flashed across the corner of Liu Jin's mouth. Then, he habitually went to find Yang Ling. Even though this person could no longer be a threat to him, Liu Jin was still subconsciously worried that he would be seen through. If this person came out to stop it, with his prestige and status, coupled with his eloquent tongue and treacherous and cunning methods, perhaps this storm that was about to be stirred up would be calmed down.
His gaze wandered half a circle before he found Yang Ling's figure. Yang Ling stood on the other side of the palace door. Duke Cheng stood in front of him with his big belly protruding. Facing the officials below who were completely disregarding their dirty bodies and arguing until their faces were red, he seemed to be suffering from Alzheimer's disease again. His mouth was half open and half closed, without any expression at all.
Yang Ling stood behind Duke Cheng. Similarly, he had his chest and belly protruding. His hands were still in his sleeves as he watched with relish. He had no intention of coming out to stop it at all.
Once he saw that Yang Ling was not involved, Liu Jin instantly felt relieved. His hands were in his sleeves. Looking at the noisy scene below, Liu Jin smiled. It was a very happy smile.
Yang Ling's eyes moved slightly. When he saw Liu Jin's smiling face, he could not help but smile as well. He also smiled very happily.
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