Chapter 102 Take Back

The next day, an imperial decree shook the harem - Ayun, who was born a palace maid, was promoted to the rank of Yunpin because of her "merit in serving the emperor in bed"!

For a time, the newly promoted Concubine Yun was in the limelight and became the most popular figure in the Forbidden City.

In just a few days, she jumped from a lowly palace maid to the position of mistress of a palace. This speed of promotion is an honor that many women in the harem who have endured half their lives without seeing the emperor's face dare not even think about.

At this moment, the harem was filled with nostalgia for the days when Yun Zhao was in charge. At least, despite her immense favor, Concubine Yun had always adhered to her duties as a court lady, acting fairly and strictly managing her subordinates. She would never condone such a violation of the rules or an act that overstepped her status.

Her existence, like an invisible barrier, maintains a certain delicate balance and order in the harem.

But now, Yun Zhao was confined to Yanying Palace, and all power had been lost. Not only did they lose a person who could take charge of things, they couldn't even find someone to discuss countermeasures with.

Now, Concubine Li, the highest-ranking concubine in the harem, became everyone's only hope. The women, long silent, gathered in Concubine Li's palace for a rare occasion, speaking earnestly with a single purpose: to implore Concubine Li to persuade His Majesty not to favor Concubine Yun so singularly, but to treat everyone equally to maintain peace in the harem.

However, Concubine Li had experienced many ups and downs and was no longer the innocent girl she once was. She knew very well that if she spoke out now, she would most likely get burned and become a victim of His Majesty's wrath.

She rejected everyone's requests with extraordinary calmness, and even drove them all out of the palace with a cold face.

At the same time, the previous dynasty was in turmoil and major events occurred frequently.

Yun Chongshan, who had just seen off his son and daughter-in-law to take up their new posts in the north, went to the court to report on his work with mixed feelings.

However, what awaited him was not praise and celebration, but a wake-up call - His Majesty actually dismissed him from all his official posts and took back his military power in court on the grounds that "Jingxiang killed refugees indiscriminately and aroused public anger"!

Some upright court officials immediately stepped forward and enthusiastically advised: "Your Majesty! Absolutely not! Even if Duke Yun was negligent, his crime is not this serious! Now that the border is not yet pacified, how can you cut off your own arm and take away the general's military power?"

"Your Majesty, be wise! The Duke is a skilled commander of troops, loving them like his own children. He is the very foundation of our nation! There must be something hidden behind this matter. Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly!"

Even Yu Cheng, who had no close ties with the Yun family, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of grave importance and should be thoroughly investigated before any decision is made! The celebration banquet hasn't even taken place yet, so how can Your Majesty preemptively condemn him? The Duke's achievements in pacifying Jingxiang far outweigh his faults. Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Xiao Jin, who was sitting on the throne, seemed completely enraged by these remonstrations. He suddenly stood up and shouted, "The evidence is irrefutable! The memorial, the testimony, and the blood letter are all here! How have I wronged Yun Chongshan?!"

He was so enraged that he disregarded the emperor's dignity and strode down the imperial steps, as if to argue with the ministers. However, in full view of everyone, he suddenly stumbled and tumbled straight down the jade steps!

"His Majesty!"

"Protect the emperor!"

The entire court was terrified! Zhang Fuan and the ministers closest to him rushed forward to help.

The hall was suddenly in chaos, with everyone clamoring for the imperial physician.

Xiao Jin, however, pushed away the person who was supporting him and forced himself to stand. Although his dragon robe was stained with dust and his hair crown was slightly tilted, he still managed to remain calm. His voice was filled with suppressed pain and impatience: "I'm fine! I just accidentally slipped! Don't make a fuss!"

"Your Majesty! The safety of the dragon's body is of vital importance to the country and must not be neglected!"

"Your Majesty... Could it be... Could it be that the rumors in the palace these days... are actually true? Are you really..." A minister bravely asked in a trembling voice the question that was in everyone's mind.

Yun Chongshan was still kneeling in the center of the hall, not getting up, but the entire court was in chaos because of the emperor's accident.

At this moment, Jin Wang Xiao Heng keenly sensed something strange was going on. He suddenly raised his voice to calm the entire room, "Silence! Colleagues, please return to your seats! Such a clamor is unbecoming!"

After being shouted at by him, the ministers managed to suppress their panic and returned to their trains one after another, but the atmosphere in the hall was still as tense as a fully drawn bowstring.

Xiao Heng turned to Xiao Jin and spoke earnestly, "Brother Your Majesty! Duke Yun is definitely not the type to wantonly kill innocent people. This matter is fraught with doubt! I am willing to personally travel to Jingxiang to uncover the truth! Before the truth is revealed, I implore Your Majesty to rescind your order!"

King Xiao Yan of Qin also stepped forward, his concerns differing. "Brother Your Majesty! I implore you to summon the imperial physician immediately to examine you carefully! The dragon's eyes are vital to the body and are related to the country and its people. We must not neglect them in the slightest! Once the imperial physician has diagnosed you, please announce the results to the world. This will help quell these absurd rumors and reassure the people!"

Xiao Jin looked at his two "loyal" brothers, a look of offended anger on his face. "You...you dare not even listen to my words now?! How dare you openly question my decision!"

Xiao Heng risked his life, kneeling heavily on the ground, his voice clear and firm: "Your Majesty, I dare not! Your Majesty, I am only concerned about you, my brother, and the country! The Duke's crime is too hasty! Your Majesty, what crime did Concubine Yun commit? Why do you want to confine her to the deep palace? If you think she is an eyesore, it would be better to dismiss her from her post and send her back home. It would be better than this unclear situation now!"

"Xiao Heng! How dare you!" Xiao Jin raged, pointing his finger at him. "You've challenged my bottom line time and again! Get the hell back to your Prince Jin's Mansion! Without my permission, you're not allowed to even take a single step out of this mansion!"

Whispers were heard again in the hall, and doubts spread like a plague:

"Could it be...that those rumors are actually true?"

"He's blind...he's going crazy in the middle of the night...he's favoring a palace maid who looks just like the previous concubine...How can he still shoulder the heavy responsibility of ruling a country?"

Yun Chongshan, who had been kneeling silently, finally raised his head slowly.

Anger was no longer visible on his face, only a deep, almost desolate disappointment. He kowtowed heavily toward the throne, his voice calm yet powerful: "Your Majesty, I... accept your command and thank you. This is the Tiger Seal of the Imperial Camp, which I will return to Your Majesty today. I... take my leave!"

He gently placed the heavy tiger talisman, which symbolized supreme military power, on the cold gold brick, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden.

Then, he stood up, straightened his spine that had been weathered by countless hardships, turned around, and walked out of the hall step by step, calmly and resolutely, amidst the dead silence and countless complicated gazes.

Seeing his brother so foolish, Xiao Heng's eyes were filled with disappointment. He stood up and said in a bleak tone, "Since your brother can't distinguish between loyalty and treachery, I have nothing to say. I'll take my leave!"

Zhang Fuan hurriedly trotted forward, carefully picked up the tiger talisman that was placed on the ground, and respectfully presented it to the emperor on a tray.

Xiao Jin slowly ascended the imperial steps, step by step, and sat back on the cold throne. He glanced at the ministers below, all with varying expressions. His voice carried a subtle hint of fatigue, yet he still managed to maintain the dignity of an emperor.

"These are troubled times, and the 100,000-man army of the Beijing Camp cannot be without a commander for a single day. My dear ministers... tell me, who is up to this important task?"