Before the palace maid could leave, news came from outside the hall that Princess Jiahua had come to pay her respects to Empress Dowager Xu. Upon hearing the name of the visitor, Empress Dowager Xu's eyelids twitched violently.
Immediately following, a woman in a bright and beautiful red dress, with a small phoenix crown in her hair, slowly walked in, surrounded by a crowd.
The newcomer had exquisite and alluring features, exuding nobility in every gesture, with an undisguised arrogance between her brows, and a slight lift of her chin as she looked down at everyone.
For some reason, looking at Princess Jiahua's spirited appearance, Empress Dowager Xu felt that something was amiss!
"You, you..."
Princess Jia Hua smiled, "It's been a long time. Has the Empress Dowager forgotten me?"
Empress Dowager Xu swallowed hard.
"Jiahua, the Empress Dowager is an elder, how can you be so ill-mannered!" The old prince frowned and lectured, "Back then, even your mother, Princess Changhe, treated the Empress Dowager with utmost respect. You haven't even learned a single bit of manners from your mother!"
Empress Dowager Xu glanced nervously at the old prince. Princess Changhe was raised by Consort Shu since childhood. Consort Shu was gentle and dignified. However, Princess Jiahua was indeed raised by Emperor Taizu himself. She inherited Emperor Taizu's temper and would explode at the slightest provocation.
Even when Emperor Taizu was alive, Princess Jiahua was a reckless and unruly person who didn't give face to anyone.
Princess Jia Hua raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at the old prince; "I remember that the old prince's fief is in Chang'an. Returning to the capital without an imperial edict is a capital offense!"
The old prince's face flushed red instantly, and he stammered, unable to speak. He almost choked on his breath and could only beg Empress Dowager Xu for help.
"Your Majesty, it was Your Majesty who personally told me that you would allow the old prince to return to the capital to visit his ancestors, and this is also for the purpose of paying respects to our ancestors," Empress Dowager Xu blurted out.
Anyway, the Northern Chu Emperor is currently unconscious, and there are no witnesses.
The old prince settled himself in and hummed.
Princess Jiahua said, "I forgot to tell the Empress Dowager some good news. The Emperor's emotions have stabilized, and he even spoke a few words with me just now."
Whoosh!
Empress Dowager Xu's face turned pale instantly, and she became restless: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has woken up?"
Seeing Princess Jia Hua's serious expression, Empress Dowager Xu felt increasingly uneasy. Wouldn't her lie just now be easily exposed?
Princess Jiahua walked to the seat to Empress Dowager Xu's left and slowly sat down.
"You!" Someone was about to speak, but then held back.
Princess Jia Hua casually rested her wrist on the table, her red lips curling up: "How many of you have entered the capital without imperial decree?"
In short, more than half of the people had their heads down.
Empress Dowager Xu quickly said, "Jiahua, they were all doing it to worship their ancestors, it's understandable..."
"In the Empress Dowager's eyes, is returning to the capital without permission excusable or an attempt to rebel?" Princess Jiahua's eyes flashed, and she shouted angrily, "Guards!"
"Jiahua!" Empress Dowager Xu stood up anxiously: "Why have you come here today? Why don't you just say it directly? These are all relatives of the imperial family. More than half of them do not have military power or influence. Even if the Emperor were to investigate, they would only be punished with a rod to weaken their power. It's not as serious as you're making it out to be. Why are you beating around the bush?"
Princess Jia Hua smiled slightly at Empress Dowager Xu: "I've heard that Your Majesty holds Prince Yun in high regard?"
The words "Prince Yun" struck the old prince and Empress Dowager Xu like a stone, causing them to tense up and instinctively clench their fists.
"Not to mention the Empress Dowager's approval, I've also found the young prince quite good these past few days, it's just a pity..."
Princess Jiahua deliberately dragged out the last syllable, making the old prince tremble with fear: "Jiahua, Yun'er is innocent, don't drag him into this."
"The old prince brought Zhao Yun to the capital without permission and was recommended by the Empress Dowager. How can he be innocent?" Princess Jiahua changed the subject and slammed her hand on the table. "Gentlemen, I have come to Ning'an Palace today, so I might as well speak the truth. I want all the military power in your hands. Surrender your power and I will not be killed."
The old prince's eyes widened: "You!"
Before she could finish speaking, the sound of orderly footsteps and the clanging of chains echoed from inside Ning'an Palace, making the young palace maid tremble with fear.
The Imperial Guards rushed in and surrounded Ning'an Palace.
"Jiahua, how dare you!" Empress Dowager Xu was furious. "This is my Ning'an Palace. How dare you lead troops to break in!"
Princess Jiahua raised her chin, took out a token and held it high: "I have been ordered to inspect the safety of the inner palace. This group of selfish traitors who entered the capital are attempting to do something wrong. I will naturally use the Imperial Guards!"
Not only that, Princess Jiahua also ordered that all the hostages from Yikun Palace be sent to Ning'an Palace. They were all pale-faced and had iron chains on their hands and feet.
The leader, with a thick shackle around his neck, was none other than Zhao Yun!
"Yun-ge'er!" The old prince bared his teeth and said to Princess Jiahua, "Release him immediately."
Princess Jia Hua gave a signal, and a maid brought over an incense burner with a stick of incense burning inside. She stood up and said, "I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to consider. Either you obediently hand over your military power and return to your fiefdom to live a peaceful life as vassal kings."
Princess Jiahua looked at Empress Dowager Xu: "My reputation is notorious, and Your Majesty should have heard of it. I don't need to remind you any further, do I?"
After saying this, Princess Jia Hua left without waiting for anyone to react.
Empress Dowager Xu was so angry that her chest heaved: "This is outrageous!"
The old prince stared intently at Princess Jiahua's retreating figure, then suddenly spoke: "We've all been deceived! The ancestral worship was just a pretext, and the Eighth Prince was also tricked. I bet the Emperor is safe and sound. All of this is to take back the military power we hold."
Everyone was astonished: "Your Highness, what should we do now?"
"We're imprisoned in the palace, with Prince Guangjia guarding the outside. We're caught in a dilemma. What can we do?" The old prince sneered, closing his eyes as if resigned to his fate. "I've lived a life of deceit and treachery, and in the end, I've been fooled."
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