Chapter 323

"Who was it that just now said that Prince Yong should come out and take charge of the overall situation?"

She spoke softly, her eyes sweeping over the faces of every minister present.

Those who were seen by her did not dare to meet her gaze, and all lowered their heads, remaining silent, completely different from their chattering moments before.

The woman in front of me was too ruthless. Without any warning, she killed a person without even blinking.

It can only be said that she truly deserves to be Duan Gan's wife; family members are never truly related.

What kind of person could a woman be favored by Duan Gan?

Unfortunately, they only realized it now.

"What? Nobody's saying anything?" Tao Tao laughed, her clear and melodious voice sending chills down their spines.

Her eyes darted around, and she looked at Empress Dowager Liu, who was covering the young emperor's mouth to prevent him from making a sound.

"Then you tell me."

Empress Dowager Liu's voice trembled, "You...how could you..."

He stammered and couldn't give a coherent answer for a long time.

Under her disdainful gaze, Empress Dowager Liu roared hoarsely, "Are you trying to rebel?"

"Rebellion?" Tao Tao repeated in confusion, then turned and sat back down in the armchair.

"I was merely acting on behalf of my husband to eliminate disloyal people, all for the good of the Celestial Empire. Your Majesty, how dare you slander me like this?"

She finished speaking lightly, then her tone shifted sharply.

“I tell you, my husband will never die. Anyone who dares to spread unfounded rumors, causing panic among the people and unrest in the court, will suffer the same fate as the Censor-in-Chief.”

After a pause, Tao Tao took out the jade seal from her sleeve and played with it in her palm.

"Did you understand?!"

The scattered murmurs of agreement abruptly ceased when they saw what she was holding. They stared wide-eyed, incredulously at the object in her hand.

Empress Dowager Liu screamed, "How did the Imperial Seal end up in your hands?!"

The imperial seal has been missing since her youngest son ascended the throne. She thought he had accidentally lost it. If the ministers found out that the imperial seal was missing, they would surely gossip.

He dared not let Duan Gan find out, fearing that he would say it was the will of Heaven and that his youngest son was not suitable to be emperor.

So she never dared to make a fuss and always secretly sent people to look for them.

Since she couldn't find the rest, she figured her son had become emperor and had a private seal instead of the imperial seal, so it wasn't a big deal.

Unexpectedly, Duan Gan took the imperial seal and returned it to that vile woman.

Therefore, Duan Gan had already prepared a backup plan when he left the capital.

It's absolutely hateful!

Everyone couldn't help but think,

The imperial seal was not in the emperor's possession, and this emperor was a puppet emperor with no real power.

So, is it still necessary to obey his orders?

Tao Tao looked up at them unhappily and said coldly, "It seems you didn't understand what I, the princess, meant."

Xie Ruizhang stepped forward to take sides for the first time, respectfully saying, "The Princess is right, and I also believe that the Prince is not dead."

"Whatever insights Your Highness may have, as long as they are strategies for defending against the enemy, I will certainly do my utmost to cooperate."

He wasn't one of those senile old fools who couldn't see the bigger picture. The Regent's Consort was able to take the initiative to summon the ministers and hold the imperial seal even in such a crisis, especially after hearing that Duan Gan had died.

He truly didn't believe she had no solution.

He didn't care who held the position; as long as it was good for the people and beneficial to the country, he was still willing to be loyal.

Moreover, he is getting old and wants to spend his later years in peace.

After Xie Ruizhang finished speaking, one person after another echoed his words.

Soon, the ministers who had previously been hiding in the crowd, hoping that Qi Heng would return to take control of the country, all expressed their opinions.

Empress Dowager Liu stared at them in shock, "Are you all insane?!"

"She's so rebellious and defiant, how come you all act like you're following her every word?"

"That imperial seal is an inanimate object! The Emperor and I are the legitimate rulers. If you are to listen to anyone, you should listen to me!"

She roared angrily, but no one paid any attention.

Tao Tao: "Guards, please invite the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to their bedchamber to rest." The imperial guards behind her stepped forward and led them away.

Empress Dowager Liu stared at her in disbelief, her eyes wide with astonishment.

He was still shouting as he was being dragged away.

Tao Tao became serious and began to dispatch troops. "In a moment, I will give the order to send messengers at full speed to the nearby military camps. Most of the troops from the surrounding cities will gather at the gates of the capital, and the Marquis of Zhongyong, Lord Qi, will lead the defense of this place."

"Resist the surprise attack by Qi Zheng, the King of Jingzhou."

Marquis Zhongyong clasped his hands in obeisance and replied, "Yes, Your Highness!"

As she spoke, she looked at the people who had gathered around her.

"The only two important things now are to guard against the Wu Kingdom, Western Xia Kingdom, and Dali Kingdom taking advantage of our weakness. They have already captured three of our cities, and their morale must be greatly boosted, making them extremely happy."

"In recent years, under the protection of General Duan Gan Dingyuan's reputation, those small countries have been too busy flattering us to even think about starting a conflict. They have rarely had the opportunity to fight and have become quite lazy."

"The successive victories will surely make them risk their lives. In such a moment of passion, coupled with the current influence of public opinion on the Celestial Empire, the morale of the army is wavering and people are in a state of panic, which is very disadvantageous to us."

"Therefore, I have decided to send another group of elite troops to resist the foreign enemy."

Some people dismissed the idea, saying, "Your Highness, those tiny places are nothing to fear. We lost our cities only because of a moment of carelessness. We can easily wipe them out with just a small force."

"Yes, Your Highness, the fact that we have been able to suppress them for so long proves their incompetence. If they really had that kind of power, they would have rebelled long ago."

"It's all because rumors are circulating that the prince is dead..."

Before the man could finish speaking, he received a cold gaze from Tao Tao.

He immediately shut his mouth.

Tao Tao: "The fact that I can say it means that I have made up my mind."

After speaking, they fell silent.

She continued, "As for the fall of Yuquan Pass, I will lead all the Privy Council guards to provide support and rescue Duan Gan and the soldiers."

The Privy Council's guards were personally trained by Duan Gan, and almost every one of them possessed the formidable ability to take on a hundred men.

She didn't believe Duan Gan was dead; she had to go in person. Only by seeing Duan Gan could she feel at ease.

"No!" This booming roar startled everyone present.

Before Tao Tao could speak, the man hurriedly stepped forward.

It was General Gao Yangtian, and she had seen him and Duan Gan discussing official business at the Privy Council.

Since he was one of Duan Gan's men, why would he oppose it?

Tao Tao was displeased, but still asked gently, "Does General Mingwei have some kind of plan?"

He said anxiously, "Your Highness, the capital needs a leader right now. If you leave, Prince Yong will definitely have ulterior motives!"

"Why don't I go to Yuquan Pass and rescue the Prince?"

At this moment, Young Marquis Qi Rongzong also stepped forward, saying, "Your subject is also willing to lead troops to the border to rescue Your Highness!"

"I humbly request Your Highness to grant me this opportunity."

Now that the opportunity to make a name for himself has come, he must seize it.