When the emperor passed away, his body was not found, so he was buried in a cenotaph and kept in Taiji Palace.
Ji Yunhuan was more than four months pregnant, but fortunately, her pregnancy was not too obvious and there was no sign of it. She was dressed in plain mourning, prostrating herself on His Majesty's coffin, crying until she almost fainted.
Liu Dewang dragged out his words in a long, sorrowful tone as he led all the officials to kneel and pay tribute to His Majesty.
Today is only the first day, and this tedious ceremony will continue for several days. By the time everyone has finished kneeling, the sun has already set.
Prime Minister Liu couldn't wait any longer and suddenly stood up and said, "Today is the funeral for the late emperor. Why is only the empress present? Why isn't the empress dowager here?"
Ji Yunhuan stood up with Taohong's support. She was pale and shaky, but her plain clothes only made her beautiful face stand out more.
"The Empress Dowager has become ill from worry and is recuperating. She will not see outsiders."
Prime Minister Liu was wearing a coarse linen robe, but he was wearing bright colors underneath. His face was rosy and he didn't look sad at all. If you didn't know him, you would think he was attending a wedding rather than a funeral.
He showed a hint of irritation, standing before the coffin and speaking in a domineering tone, "The Empress hasn't yet been enthroned, and there haven't been any offerings to Heaven and Earth. Respectfully, I warn our ancestors, you're no longer a proper Empress. It would be disrespectful for you to preside over His Majesty's funeral."
"Since the Empress Dowager is gravely ill, we cannot force her to appear. However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the son of the late Emperor. Shouldn't he at least show up to preside over the funeral?"
Ji Yunhuan revealed a hint of panic at the right moment. "Prime Minister Liu, the Crown Prince is only half a year old. Even if he is filial to His Majesty, he is powerless. Besides, the Crown Prince is also ill and needs to rest. He can't stand any more trouble."
Prime Minister Liu sneered and became even more aggressive. "Each of them needs to rest. Is the Empress treating me like a fool? The Crown Prince was born prematurely and is weak. He didn't show up today. I'm afraid he has passed away with the late Emperor?"
"If this is true, then it is a filial act that moves heaven and earth. However, the country cannot be without a ruler for a day. If His Highness has truly passed away, please do not conceal it, Your Majesty."
"You...you..." Ji Yunhuan's body swayed, almost falling down. "How dare you curse His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? Are you planning a rebellion?"
Prime Minister Liu said he didn't dare, but he had no intention of backing down.
He glanced over, and many officials immediately stood up, knelt on the ground in unison, and shouted loudly: "Your Highness, we seek an audience with His Highness the Crown Prince! Your Highness, we seek an audience with His Highness the Crown Prince..."
Ji Yunhuan looked at the people below coldly. It was only the first day, and these people couldn't help themselves. It really didn't surprise her at all.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has only caught a cold, so it's inconvenient for him to come out and see people. Once the funeral is over and the new emperor ascends the throne, you can naturally pay your respects to the new emperor!"
Prime Minister Liu stood before the gilded coffin and passionately addressed the officials, "If that day truly comes, who knows if the one sitting on the throne will be a descendant of the late emperor?"
"It is perfectly reasonable for all the ministers to request an audience with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but the Empress has repeatedly evaded requests, placing the Queen Mother under house arrest and hiding the Crown Prince. Her evil ambitions are evident! I will never allow the Great Zhao Kingdom to be destroyed in the hands of a woman!"
Xu Junzheng, dressed in white, with a stern expression, stood in front of Ji Yunhuan and said loudly:
"Prime Minister Liu's coercion of the Empress is a true wolfish ambition! With His Majesty's passing, the Crown Prince should have inherited the throne. The Crown Prince is still young, so naturally, the Empress should take good care of him."
"Since ancient times, there has been a distinction between the ruler and his subjects. Who gave you the courage to question the Empress? Bullying orphans and widows, you ministers are truly capable!"
The Queen is frail and looks really pitiful, while Prime Minister Liu is arrogant and domineering.
The court today is no longer a place where Prime Minister Liu has the final say. Many ministers have stood up and echoed Lord Xu's words, and their words often show their protection for the Empress.
When Prime Minister Liu saw that Xu Junzheng was getting anxious, he became more and more certain that the prince was dead!
He has been trying to please the eldest princess over the years, not only because of her noble status, but also because she has privately trained a group of people.
The number of guards in the Princess's Mansion far exceeds the required standards, and their weapons are no less advanced than those of the Imperial Guards. In addition, there are also secretly trained assassins, so the expenses of the Princess's Mansion are so high.
Last night, the princess sent out hundreds of assassins, how could they not kill a little kid? Ji Yunhuan also looked injured, but he was just holding on for a breath. He was lucky to be able to stand here and speak nonsense to him!
The square in front of the Taiji Palace was bustling with people, and the ministers of the two factions were arguing with each other.
No one noticed that a man dressed as a eunuch slipped in along the wall and made a gesture towards Liu Chengbi.
Prime Minister Liu stared at Ji Yunhuan with a stern expression and sneered, "Your Majesty, my patience is limited. I am not the kind of loser who only knows how to argue. If Your Majesty refuses to cooperate, don't blame me for being rude!"
Ji Yunhuan seemed extremely afraid of Prime Minister Liu. Hiding behind her uncle, she cautiously said, "Tomorrow, tomorrow I will definitely let you see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is truly ill. I didn't lie to you."
"Your Majesty, please don't beat around the bush with me. My people have searched the entire Palace of Heavenly Purity but haven't found the Imperial Seal. Now that the Crown Prince has passed away, please hand over the Imperial Seal so we can nominate a new emperor to the throne."
As soon as Prime Minister Liu finished speaking, a group of guards in armor rushed in. The palace maids and eunuchs were so frightened that they screamed and could not resist at all.
The entire Taiji Palace was surrounded by people, and the tips of the knives were shining coldly, pointing at the ministers in the square.
Xu Junzheng was furious and shouted, "Your Majesty's body is still warm, and you're forcing the Empress to abdicate and recommending someone else to ascend the throne without the Crown Prince. This is treason! Aren't you afraid of being executed along with your entire clan?"
Prime Minister Liu simply stopped pretending. He tore off his linen clothes and revealed his ambition without any scruples.
"I am the Prime Minister, and I cannot bear to see the country fall into the hands of such an evil woman. Your Highness Prince An is the late emperor's younger brother, of noble blood, and the most suitable to inherit the throne. I recommend Your Highness Prince An to ascend the throne. Do you have any objections?"
Just as Xu Junzheng was about to say something, two guards rushed over from the stage and forced him to kneel down. Prime Minister Liu sneered and kicked Xu Junzheng, saying contemptuously:
"Be quiet! If you say another word, I'll cut off your tongue!"
Xu Junzheng was sweating profusely from the pain. He knelt on the ground, curled up, and really didn't say a word.
Prime Minister Liu was very satisfied with Xu Junzheng's ability to understand the current situation. It was said that Xu Junzheng was a man of iron who would rather break than bend. In his opinion, this was no different. There was no one in this world who was not afraid of death.
Ji Yunhuan cried out "Uncle" and rushed over regardless of Taohong's attempts to stop him.
Prime Minister Liu drew the guard's knife, put it on Xu Junzheng's neck, and threatened:
"Please, Empress, hand over the Imperial Seal. Otherwise, I will have no choice but to execute this traitor and appease the late Emperor's spirit."
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