Chapter 213 The Beauty That Bewitches the Country
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the palace fell silent.
The ministers looked at each other, speechless for a moment.
Lu Haozhi was obsessed with the daughter of the Meng family and had bestowed all his affection on her for many years. This was known to everyone in the court.
However, Meng was not recuperating in Shanghe Garden, but was already in critical condition and her life was in danger. She also heard rumors in the palace that the emperor had recently found a new lover, who was taken into Tishun Hall and was extremely doted on.
How could this emperor ignore his new favorite and instead confer a title on a dying person?
Originally, this person claimed to be the emperor's youth and had always acted impulsively. If he were to petition for the establishment of a queen today, he would impulsively propose to make that woman the queen.
A woman who could be hidden in Tishun Hall by the emperor for several months without being allowed to see anyone must not be of noble status, and perhaps there is something about her that cannot be seen in public.
A group of civil officials had already prepared their arguments. As soon as the emperor mentioned the matter, they rushed forward and made suggestions, using words to pressure the emperor and force him to make Liang the empress.
If Lu Haozhi actually insisted on doing so, it would further prove that he was a foolish ruler, addicted to women, favored treacherous and corrupt officials, and appointed people based on personal connections.
They even planned a plan in advance, instructing Li Huaiyu, the Minister of Rites, to speak frankly and strongly to the emperor. If he angered the emperor and wanted to punish him, he would hit his head against a pillar in the hall in front of all the civil and military officials.
Of course he would not die, but Lu Haozhi would be accused of favoring the evil concubine and forcing the loyal and good people to be killed.
In this case, there will be a lot of discussion in the court and the public, and Lu Haozhi will definitely be put in a passive position. It would be unreasonable to appoint someone else as queen.
However, Lu Haozhi was beyond everyone's expectation. He actually wanted to make the dying Concubine Meng the queen, which forced them to use all their tricks.
Lu Haozhi swept his eyes across everyone's faces one by one, looking at the expressions on their faces, some were surprised, some were angry, some were happy, and some were calm as usual.
He smiled faintly and said, "Since she was crowned Imperial Concubine, Meng has been virtuous, gentle, dignified, respectful, and courteous. She has served the imperial court for a long time and has exemplified the maternal demeanor. It is only natural that she is crowned Empress."
But Concubine Meng is about to die!
Besides, it was only last year that Concubine Meng became a little quieter. In the past, she could not be called virtuous and gentle!
All the ministers secretly criticized it, but no one dared to say anything.
Liang Benwu was a seasoned veteran, his mind quicker than most. He immediately changed his tone, "Your Majesty is quite right. The Imperial Concubine is a woman of exquisite grace and beauty, captivating the whole nation. She has been deeply favored by His Majesty since she was selected to serve in the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace. However, I have heard that the Imperial Concubine is ill and recuperating in Shanghe Garden. I also heard that she is seriously ill and nearing death. In such a state, I fear she cannot shoulder the heavy responsibility of assisting the Emperor and serving as the Mother of the Nation. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider."
This cunning old man, at this time, still defames Yan'er with just a few words!
He never mentioned how much Yan'er had done for the people of the court during the epidemic, but kept talking about her stunning beauty and how she had won the emperor's favor. Wasn't he saying that Yan'er was just serving the emperor with her beauty and had no moral integrity, and that he, Lu Haozhi, was just a king who coveted women?!
Lu Haozhi sneered and said, "Liang Benwu, Concubine Meng has made great contributions to the country. This epidemic is almost over. If it weren't for Concubine Meng's bravery, who knows how many more lives would have been lost. If it hadn't been brought to an end in time, our Great Zhou would have had to move its capital. I don't think you officials are so careless as to have forgotten everything, right?!"
The emperor's eyes were cold and pointed at him from above, causing everyone to lower their heads, not daring to look directly at him.
Liang Benwu only felt a chill on the back of his neck. The emperor's gaze was like a steel knife, scraping back and forth on his neck.
Emperor, do you want to take his head?
Liang Benwu's forehead was slightly sweaty, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister is not ignoring the Queen's contribution, but the Queen is seriously ill and cannot, cannot bear this heavy burden!"
You're almost dead, and you're still occupying the toilet without taking a shit?!
As soon as he said this, the rest of his accomplices came to their senses and spoke hurriedly, talking at once and trying to persuade him earnestly. The hall was suddenly in chaos.
Li Huaiyu stepped forward and shouted, "Your Majesty, the Empress leads the imperial concubines, supports the emperor's rule, educates the heirs, and serves as the mother of the nation. She carries a heavy responsibility and should not be treated lightly! If Your Majesty insists on making a dying woman named Meng your empress today, there will be trouble in the future. Since I am receiving your salary, I owe you my loyalty and cannot bear to see the late emperor's legacy fall. I will leave first!"
After he finished speaking, he took a deep breath and rushed towards the large vermilion lacquered pillar beside him.
Prime Minister Liang had said in advance that if he succeeded this time, the position of Minister of Rites would be left to him.
Even without this position, as a member of the Liang family, he had no way out in this situation. If he could push the Liang daughter to the position of empress, they would still have half of the position on the chessboard of the court. If they failed, they would have no choice but to be swept off the chessboard by the emperor.
Previously, when he heard the emperor mention that he wanted to make Concubine Meng the queen, he was a little dumbfounded.
How come this is completely different from what we agreed upon beforehand?
Should he hit the pillar or not?
Fortunately, Liang responded quickly and turned the situation around. Whether it was the unknown woman or Concubine Meng, as long as he forced the emperor to prove his guilt of favoring treacherous officials and killing loyal officials, his goal would be achieved.
Lu Haozhi sneered slightly, said nothing, and just watched from the sidelines.
Li Huaiyu was about to charge towards the pillar when he suddenly felt a tightness on the back of his neck. His feet gradually left the ground and he was actually lifted up into the air!
He was in a tangle, struggling in every possible way, and couldn't help shouting, "Who, who are you? Let me go!"
But then a resounding voice boomed from behind, "Lord Li, what are you doing in such a hurry? The pillars of the Qianqing Palace were only repaired two years ago. You've knocked them down. The Emperor demands compensation."
The person who spoke was Meng Changyuan.
It turned out that when Liang Benwu led the crowd to make a fuss, he had been watching coldly in the queue, carefully observing everyone's every move. When he saw Li Huaiyu showing any signs of touching the pillar, he rushed forward and stopped him.
Li Huaiyu was a civil official, thin and weak, so how could he be a match for this general on the battlefield?
Meng Changyuan was tall and strong, with arms full of strength. He lifted Li Huaiyu into the air as if he were lifting a chicken!
It was enough to make everyone stunned.
Li Huaiyu's face turned pale, his teeth bared, and he kept cursing, "Meng Changyuan, how dare you be so rude in front of the emperor!"
Meng Changyuan shouted in a deep voice, "You also know that this is in front of the emperor. Do you want to force him to die?!" As he said that, he actually lifted him up high.
The ministers who followed Liang Benwu looked at this scene and thought that Li Huaiyu was a third-rank official of the court after all, but he was in Meng Changyuan's hands and had no power to resist. He grimaced and lost his composure. They couldn't help but look pale and feel timid.
Liang Benwu hurriedly glanced at the people behind him and said, "The second one should come forward quickly." However, he saw that everyone was avoiding his gaze, and he couldn't help but curse them as useless people in his heart.
However, they were just a group of literati who were good at playing with their pens and stirring up trouble. They had seen a lot of the world, so in front of a military general like Meng Changyuan, they were immediately frightened and no one dared to try to commit suicide again.
His beard trembled with anger as he raised his head and shouted, "Your Majesty, please ask the Duke of Protectorate to put Minister Li down immediately. Such nonsense will not be tolerated in the Golden Throne Hall!"
Lu Haozhi looked at this scene and smiled faintly, "Duke Meng, put him down."
After hearing the emperor's words, Meng Changyuan threw Li Huaiyu to the ground.
Li Huaiyu was a pampered scholar, so how could he withstand such a fall? He felt as if all his bones were broken and there was no piece of flesh on his body that didn't hurt. He lay on the ground and couldn't get up, groaning non-stop.
But Lu Haozhi continued, "You said that Concubine Meng is seriously ill and cannot bear the heavy responsibility of being the empress. But, what if Concubine Meng is actually fine?"
After saying this, he gestured to Rong An who was standing beside him, "Please come in, Imperial Concubine."
Rong An bowed and said yes, then turned to the soft wall and said loudly, "Please invite the imperial concubine to the palace!"
The words were so powerful that everyone looked over hurriedly.
A beautiful lady in gorgeous clothes, surrounded by two rows of palace maids, walked out slowly from behind the soft wall.
The beauty had fair skin, bright eyes, red lips, white teeth, cheeks as white as snow, a nose as smooth as goose fat, long eyebrows reaching her temples, hair like crow feathers, and wore a crown with nine phoenixes holding pearls, kingfisher feathers and coral beads on her head, and a bright red imperial concubine's dress with the pattern of a flying phoenix.
With a faint smile on her lips, her eyes fixed on the king on the throne, she ascended the steps step by step. As she moved, there were gusts of fragrant air, the jingling of her jewelry, and her gaze was full of spirit. Her demeanor was dignified and her grace was stunning. Everyone was in a trance, thinking she was a goddess descending to earth.
Meng Yan walked to Lu Haozhi's side, bowed slightly, and said in a clear voice, "Your servant Meng pays homage to the emperor!"
Lu Haozhi smiled and helped her up, whispering, "You are pregnant, it is inconvenient for you to stand for long." He then ordered Rong An, "Go and bring a spring stool for the queen."
Rong An obeyed the order and hurried to the back to bring it over and placed it next to the emperor's throne.
Meng Yan smiled secretly. She had been sitting on this spring bench behind the soft wall just now. Lu Haozhi knew about it a long time ago and now he was deliberately showing it to the people below.
She thanked the emperor for the seat, then turned sideways and sat down beside the emperor.
All the officials in the palace, regardless of their faction or thoughts, were stunned when they saw this scene.
This monarch who was usually decisive, stern and indifferent would actually show concern for a woman in the hall!
She was actually allowed to sit next to the dragon throne!
Lu Haozhi shook Meng Yan's hand and raised his voice, "Noble Concubine Meng has already recovered. However, she is pregnant with the prince and the fetus is not yet three months old, so she is temporarily recuperating in Tishun Hall. Since entering the palace, Meng has been filial to the empress dowager and sincere to the emperor. She is dignified, virtuous, gentle, and kind. She made great contributions to the country during the previous epidemic. Now that she is pregnant with the prince, she is worthy of the position of empress. I, today, decree that Meng be the empress!"
"Your Majesty! The throne is the seat of the ruler of the world. How can you let a woman easily get her hands on it?!"
Liang Benwu's face was gloomy. He actually climbed up from the ground, pointed his finger upward and cursed, "You are incompetent and unjust, lustful and favoring treacherous concubines. Sooner or later, the late emperor's foundation will be destroyed by you! I am a founding minister. I cannot bear to see the great Zhou Dynasty destroyed by your tyrant today. I will not be able to face the late emperor in my afterlife! Your Majesty, I have been rude. Today, I will clean up this emperor's side!"
He shouted sharply, thinking it was a signal to take action.
Liang Benwu had known all along that this day would not end peacefully. Preparing for the worst, he had already colluded with the chief of the palace guards. If all previous measures failed, he would seal off the Qianqing Palace and, under the pretext of purging the emperor's court, execute all the pro-imperial faction. He would also detain the emperor and the empress dowager, forcing Lu Haozhi to write a self-criticism edict and accept a number of Liang women as concubines. After the Liang women gave birth to children, he would choose one as crown prince, force Lu Haozhi to abdicate, and he would govern the country himself. It wouldn't be long before the empire was ruled by the Liang family.
Liang Benwu thought that this plan was flawless and every detail had been thought of, but when he gave the order, there was no movement outside.
Just as he was doubtful, he heard a shout from outside the hall, "Go in!"
Then I saw several figures rolling into the door like playing Cuju.
Then he saw a military officer in armor striding into the hall, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, I, Liu Zhengfeng, have obeyed your orders and have captured all the traitors!"
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