Zhao Zhiyan gently squeezed Xu Lingqing's fingers and took a deep breath: "Does interrogating the Eighth Princess really make up for it?"
Song Yue said, "If the Eighth Princess Consort can withstand the punishment, she will naturally be able to clear her name."
"Your Highness!" Xu Lingqing's voice trembled. The thought of the tortures in the Imperial Prison made her feel numb all over. Even if she survived, she would be left with a disability.
Everyone was waiting for Zhao Zhiyan to make a decision.
Xu Lingqing stared intently at Song Yue: "I know you wish I were dead. Don't worry, even if I die, I will not let you slander the Prince. Don't even think about taking this opportunity to bring down the Eighth Prince's Mansion."
Song Yue raised an eyebrow.
"I am relinquishing power," Zhao Zhiyan suddenly said.
Song Yue was not surprised at all by this result.
Consort Rou and Xu Lingqing are the most important people to Zhao Zhiyan. How could he bear to let them get hurt? Out of consideration for his reputation, he would relinquish power to prove his innocence.
Empress Dowager Xu raised an eyebrow: "Are you serious?"
“It’s certainly true under everyone’s watchful eyes,” the old prince quickly echoed.
Consort Rou objected: "Yan'er, don't be foolish. They are deliberately encouraging you to relinquish power. Once you do, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Zhao Zhiyan smiled calmly: "The Emperor's illness will surely get better, and besides, I have a clear conscience."
As he spoke, he took out his military power and a jade pendant from his pocket, looked around, and handed them to Yun Ke, who frowned.
Of all the people here, I trust only you.
Yunke did not accept: "I am in poor health and have no foundation. I cannot bear such a heavy burden."
Seeing that the tiger tally representing 300,000 troops in the northern frontier was being refused by Zhao Zhiyan, the old prince was extremely anxious: "I am the elder, why don't you hand it over to me?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Ke lowered his eyes, his gaze remaining calm and unmoved.
Empress Dowager Xu said, "I agree!"
Zhao Zhiyan said, "The old prince is too old to relinquish the military command. Only the Prince of Guangjia, a descendant of the late emperor, is the most suitable candidate."
Seeing the tiger tally being handed back to Yunke, Xu Lingqing hurriedly clenched her handkerchief, afraid that Yunke would reach out and take it. However, she dared not speak easily, for fear of dragging herself into the Shenxing Division again.
"Nonsense!" Consort Rou cursed, "This is not fair. The assassin's matter has far-reaching implications, and it's not just the Eighth Prince's Mansion that's involved. Once we hand over military power, won't we be at the mercy of others? If we're going to hand over power, before the truth is thoroughly investigated, I propose that the old prince, the Empress Dowager, Prince Qing, Prince Zhennan, and others all hand over military power!"
Upon hearing this, Song Yue almost smiled.
Xu Lingqing wished she could shut Consort Rou up. What a terrible idea! Once military power is handed over to one person, it will be difficult to take it back later.
Consort Pianrou was still gloating: "Just now, in order to prove that they did not covet the throne, the Guangjia Prince's Mansion took the initiative to hand over its military power and even demoted itself to leave the capital. The Eighth Prince's Mansion also handed over its military power. Now only the Empress Dowager's faction is left."
Empress Dowager Xu frowned and said irritably, "Do you think this is child's play?"
"Neither the Prince of Guangjia's Mansion nor the Eighth Prince's Mansion has military power, so aren't you able to control the court and the harem at will? With military power in hand, what happened a few years ago might just happen again." Consort Rou was well aware that if she didn't strip Empress Dowager Xu of her military power today, she would definitely be tormented by Empress Dowager Xu.
Empress Dowager Xu took a deep breath and looked at the old prince, the Prince of Zhennan, and others beside her.
Consort Rou looked at Song Yue and asked, "What do you think?"
At this moment, everyone's eyes fell on Song Yue. Song Yue pondered for a moment: "It is indeed dangerous to hand over military power to one person."
After hearing the first half, Consort Rou revealed a smug smile.
“But the princes and their relatives are innocent victims of this, so I have a suggestion,” Song Yue said. “Let the princes and their families select three children to enter the palace as hostages. This is the only way to balance power.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the princes got angry.
"On what grounds?"
“If you don’t relinquish power, you become a hostage. If you don’t hand over the hostage, you relinquish power,” Song Yue said.
Empress Dowager Xu gave Song Yue a deep look, feeling as if something was flashing before her eyes. But then she thought, what good would it do for Song Yue to have the throne if she had no children?
"If you take the military power of the Eighth Prince's Mansion, what guarantee do you have that you will return the military power to the Eighth Prince's Mansion after the matter is investigated?" Xu Lingqing asked.
She didn't trust Song Yue, but Prince Guangjia wouldn't live much longer.
If one had to choose a single person for this military command, it would have to be Song Yue.
But there must be a prerequisite.
If Song Yue dares to refuse, it means she has a guilty conscience and ulterior motives, and then she will have a reason to ruin the deal.
Song Yue raised her chin, her face open and honest: "Go ahead!"
"Send Princess Jiahua to the Eighth Prince's residence for a short stay." Xu Lingqing originally wanted to suggest that Song Yue take poison, but then she thought that if she brought up poison at this critical juncture, it would definitely arouse everyone's resentment.
Song Yue frowned.
“Only when all three parties are in balance can it be considered fair,” Xu Lingqing said.
Empress Dowager Xu nodded; "That's true."
“No need. My mother is frail and can’t withstand the ordeal. How about I go to the Eighth Prince’s residence in her place?” Song Yue raised her eyebrows and said.
Xu Lingqing thought for a moment and said, "That works too!"
And so the three parties happily agreed to the matter.
They check and balance each other.
Zhao Zhiyan handed over military power to Yunke, and the old prince and others sent their eldest grandsons, all of whom were raised in Yikun Palace and guarded by the Imperial Guards.
This matter is temporarily concluded.
Ning'an Palace
Empress Dowager Xu sat in the head seat and assured the princes, "I will definitely keep an eye on Yikun Palace and ensure the safety of the young princes."
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