The Minister of Rites tumbled down the steps, his face covered in blood. He remained kneeling on the ground, crying out in agony, "Your Majesty! I, an old minister, have served my country and my people with loyalty, and heaven and earth bear witness to it. If Your Majesty insists on disregarding etiquette, I will crash headfirst into this flying platform and die!"
"Future generations will judge right and wrong, merits and demerits, and justice will prevail!"
The emperor waved his hand, and the guards immediately came forward and grabbed the Minister of Rites on the left and right.
Dying to remonstrate is also a trick often played by these civil servants. Of course, the Minister of Rites is reluctant to really die. If he gets hurt and bleeds, he can gain a good reputation for the rest of his life. The emperor still has to be careful to appease him, which is really disgusting.
"I see that Minister Yang is unwell. You are also a veteran of three dynasties. I really cannot bear to see you continue to work so hard. I specially allow Minister Yang to return home, live out your days in glory, and enjoy the happiness of family."
Minister Yang was stunned. Not only was he going to be dismissed from office, but his descendants would also be driven to the countryside.
"Your Majesty, I am still strong and healthy. Before the late Emperor passed away, I instructed you to serve Your Majesty faithfully. If I were to leave, I would be failing the late Emperor's trust."
"Minister Yang, there's no need to say more! I've made up my mind. If I let you die in office, the late emperor will surely blame me for not being considerate of an old minister."
The emperor's gaze swept over the kneeling officials, and his tone contained a hint of threat, "If anyone else is feeling unwell or feels that being an official is too hard, just let me know, and I will take care of it."
All the ministers were caught off guard by this incident. Even Shangshu Yang was dismissed from his post. How could they dare to continue to force the emperor?
"Your Majesty, we thank you for your concern. We have worked tirelessly for the country and the people."
The emperor nodded in satisfaction. "Then why are you still standing here? The people are still waiting down there. Light the sky lanterns!"
Prince An breathed a sigh of relief. It is not easy to be the emperor's brother!
He had no interest in the throne, but there were always corrupt officials who wanted to harm him. Even if the emperor had children, he could not stop these people's ambitions.
Now he only prayed that Qingqing could give birth to a little princess for him, so that these people would not be thinking about his little baby.
It’s so annoying!
********
The emperor went straight to the palace after getting off the Feitian Terrace. There were too many people on Chang'an Street, and he didn't want to disturb the people, so he naturally couldn't arrange for the guards to clear the way.
Fortunately, he was good at martial arts and even better at light work, so he jumped directly onto the roof. In a few breaths, the flying platform was no longer visible.
At this time, a group of people dressed in coarse clothes like poor people were staring at the emperor's dragon chariot from afar.
News came from above that the emperor had left the Feitiantai. Their mission was to create chaos and prevent the emperor from returning to the palace, but the emperor did not show up.
"Boss, are we still going to fight?"
The dark-faced man slapped the younger brother next to him and shouted angrily, "What the hell! The emperor hasn't even arrived, and I still want to see what he looks like? Does he have three heads and six arms? Otherwise, how could he defeat the barbarians in the northwest?"
"Forget it, let's wait a little longer. My brothers are all ready. If the emperor doesn't come, it's none of our business. Anyway, don't think about losing a penny of money from me!"
********
Inside Shuhua Palace.
The emperor's eyes were red as he watched basin after basin of blood being brought out, his hands shaking uncontrollably.
"Huan'er! Huan'er, say something? Are you okay?"
Ji Yunhuan felt her contractions accelerating, accompanied by heavy bleeding. She didn't feel any pain, but she felt weak all over and spoke weakly.
"Go tell His Majesty that I'm fine."
Taohong was so heartbroken that she burst into tears. She went out crying to tell the royal concubine that she was fine.
This statement was really not convincing, and the emperor became even more nervous. If the empress dowager had not stopped him, he would have definitely broken in.
The Queen Mother held a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, muttering something, and praying for Ji Yunhuan.
Xu Junzheng also entered the palace after hearing the news. He did not go to Feitiantai today. The Ministry of Rites did not arrange a position for him on the grounds that he had been an official for too short a time.
Most of the officials newly promoted by the emperor did not go, and the Ministry of Rites always found excuses to prevaricate them. However, Xu Junzheng did not care about such a small matter. Since the Liu family wanted this face, he gave it to them.
Now it seems that the Liu family wants more than just face, but is playing a big game.
What they wanted to deal with was Concubine Chun and the baby in her belly. Only after they stopped the emperor could they take action in the palace.
If there is no royal heir and everything returns to the starting point, they will force Your Majesty to adopt a son.
Fortunately, His Majesty rushed back. Now the entire palace is under His Majesty's control, and they can't use any tricks.
But Huan'er was born prematurely. Xu Jun was lying by the window, wanting to see how his niece was doing, but unfortunately he couldn't see anything and could only worry.
Doctor Li's face was solemn. He observed Concubine Chun's condition, took her pulse, and muttered to himself:
"This shouldn't be possible. I've been practicing medicine for many years, and I've never seen anything this strange. The contractions are so fast, it's going to kill me."
The midwife suddenly yelled, "Oh no! The baby is coming out! This is too fast! The baby's position is a little off, I'm afraid it's not good!"
More blood gushed out, and the fetus had no time to adjust to the right angle. If the baby was born at this time, it would be a difficult birth!
Ji Yunhuan didn't use any force, but her body pushed the fetus out uncontrollably.
Doctor Li came out with a pale face, and knelt on the ground with a plop, his expression as if he had lost his parents.
"Your Majesty! I am incompetent. The Imperial Concubine's fetus is in an abnormal position, which indicates a difficult birth. Please make a decision as soon as possible!"
The emperor was stunned by this. "Decision? What decision do you want me to make?"
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