Chapter 476 The New Emperor Ascends the Throne

On the eighth day of the third month in the tenth year of the Qiyuan reign, the seventh day after the death of Emperor Qilong, all the ministers knelt to send the late emperor to the mausoleum.

The chief eunuch in the imperial court, Xiao Yinzi, received the late emperor's will, which said:

"Crown Prince Chengyu is benevolent, filial, wise, and virtuous. He is the right person to take the throne. The civil and military officials at home and abroad should work together to assist me in fulfilling my wish."

The Crown Prince was appointed by the late Emperor during his lifetime, and the imperial edict was written by the late Emperor himself. The chief eunuch testified to this, and all the ministers have no doubts.

On that day, Crown Prince Chengyu succeeded to the throne in front of the coffin.

Empress Zhaohua was also honored as the Empress Dowager on the same day, with the title of Empress Dowager Cixian Keshun.

The Empress Dowager was 22 years old at the time, and was also the youngest Empress Dowager since the founding of the Qi Dynasty.

On the day when the coffin of the late emperor was brought into the imperial mausoleum, Empress Dowager Zhaohua was extremely sad and almost fainted from grief.

The civil and military officials of the court all said that the emperor and empress were deeply in love.

However, few people know that Zhaohua's tears were not shed for the emperor, but for the guilty woman Ning Wanshuang.

There is irrefutable evidence that Imperial Noble Consort Ning Wanshuang poisoned the late emperor. There is no turning back.

Although Ning Wanshuang committed suicide out of fear of punishment, her body is still cold.

The next day, Xiao Yinzi entered the Xianshou Palace and asked Zhaohua for permission on how to bury Ning Wanshuang.

Zhao Hua said: "Ning poisoned the late emperor and was vicious, how could she still be honored as the Imperial Noble Consort? Wouldn't it make the late emperor's soul restless if she was buried in the Consort Mausoleum? So she should be demoted to a commoner, not included in the Consort's list or in the Consort Mausoleum, and buried hastily in the Ning family's ancestral tomb."

Xiao Yinzi responded repeatedly: "The Queen Mother is kind and benevolent. She has given Ning Shi enough dignity after her death."

Seeing his anxious expression, it was obvious that he had a lot on his mind. After being awkward for a while, he finally said to Zhao Hua:

"Your Highness, I have a question for you. Please forgive me. The new emperor has ascended the throne, but the position of the chief eunuch serving in front of the emperor has not yet been decided..."

His words were a subtle reminder to Zhaohua that it was time to fulfill the promise she had made to him.

Zhao Hua smiled calmly and said slowly:

"The candidate for the capital eunuch has been decided. Xiao Fuzi will take up the position at the beginning of next month."

"Eunuch Fu?" Xiao Yinzi was so surprised that he lost his composure. "But the Empress Dowager clearly said before..."

"You don't have to help me recall what I said to you before. I have a very good memory and I won't forget it. But now I want to ask you one thing first. When the late emperor took the blood of Princess Gulun, did you know about it?"

"this......"

Xiao Yinzi hesitated and his eyes became evasive, obviously not daring to answer the question directly.

As he was serving Xiao Jingheng closely, how could he not know about the blood extraction of Jin Yue and Ruoxin?

But he chose to keep it secret and not tell Zhaohua.

She secretly calculated that if she told Zhao Hua about this, then Zhao Hua would definitely find a reason to prevent Jin Yue and Ruo Xin from getting close to Jamel Xiao in order to protect the children.

With Xiao Jingheng's suspicion, he would definitely suspect that Zhao Hua had noticed something.

Apart from Xiao Jingheng, only Xia Ze and he knew about using virgin blood to heal the dragon's body.

When the incident happens, Xiao Jingheng will definitely suspect him.

Considering this, the danger is so great that it is better to play deaf and dumb and not say a word.

Anyway, it's just taking blood, no one will die.

The treatment only takes a month. As long as the matter is kept secret for a month, Zhaohua might never know about it in his life.

From Xiao Yinzi's perspective, this matter is the only way to minimize risk, maximize benefits, and avoid offending anyone.

Seeing that he didn't speak for a long time, Zhao Hua spoke first.

"The way to survive in the palace is to know how to adapt to the situation and protect yourself. I know all this. You followed me secretly, but in fact you are a fence-sitter, and both sides want to catch you. I can understand you. But for someone like you, do you think I can rest assured to keep you by the new emperor's side?"

Although Xiao Yinzi had not been with Zhaohua for long, he knew that she was more decisive than a man.

His thoughts were exposed by Zhao Hua, and he was so frightened that his face turned pale. He immediately knelt down in front of Zhao Hua and kowtowed repeatedly, saying:

"Please spare me, Queen Mother! I know I am wrong!"

Zhao Hua lowered his eyes and glanced at him, then said in a calm tone:

"Get up. I will not kill you. Instead, I will give you enough money to ensure your wealth for the rest of your life, so that you can leave the palace and live a decent life. Serving in the palace for a lifetime, no matter how glorious it is, you are just a slave. Because of this, there will inevitably be a rift between you and me, and you have to worry about your head all day long. Aren't you tired?

You are a smart person, you should know that after the show is over, some people can continue to stay on the stage, while others must leave. "

What is the purpose of eunuchs serving in the palace for their entire lives?

Isn't it just to live as decently as possible, earn as much monthly salary as possible, and enjoy the rest of your life when you retire and return home?

Now Zhaohua gave Xiao Yinzi all his lifelong wishes, and he gladly accepted it.

Seeing that he was so grateful to Zhaohua, he kowtowed seven or eight times and said sincerely:

"Queen Mother, many officials of the previous dynasty have complained about your ruling from behind the scenes. You need to be careful in dealing with them."

Zhao Hua smiled and nodded, "Thank you for reminding me of this. Go now." "Miss, the concubines are here and are waiting for you in the main hall."