Chapter 710 King Qi’s Men
Zhao Yunhe had never expected that the situation would be reversed by a group of women. He immediately became angry and said, "The harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs. Ladies, please shut up. Whether you want to be buried alive or not is still a matter of debate."
What? Buried alive?
These two words completely touched the scars of the concubines. The practice of burying people alive with the dead has existed since ancient times and is what the concubines in the harem fear the most. Although the late emperor abolished the practice of burying people alive with the dead, looking at the posture of these officials, they are actually going to extend their hands to these women?
In the crowd, Lord Liu and Liu Yanchuo were also kneeling on the ground. They desperately winked at the concubines, signaling Concubine Xuan not to act rashly.
Xuanpin was standing beside the Empress, weeping. She ignored her father and brother's attempts to dissuade her and instead cursed, "Well, Lord Zhao, you're so arrogant! His Majesty has already abolished the custom of burying people alive with the dead, and yet you're reinstating it?"
She stepped forward, pointed at the ministers, and cursed, "If you have any sense of shame, you will immediately obey the imperial decree! Who doesn't know that you have already joined the various princes' camps?"
She didn't spare the concubines either. Concubine Xuan turned around and spat at the edge of Concubine Li's skirt: "When your good-for-nothing son had a high fever, it was the Empress who risked punishment to force precious medicinal herbs to treat him. Now you are colluding with the Zhao family to usurp the throne. What are your intentions? You are simply a ruthless person!"
One sentence tore apart the interest connection between the Zhao family and Concubine Li, and everyone was stunned.
No one could have imagined that Concubine Xuan would speak of this matter so explicitly.
Concubine Li was scolded and pointed at her nose, and she started fighting with Concubine Xuan.
The concubines tried to stop the fight or add fuel to the fire, and the scene became a mess.
When the Liu family saw that even women were being slept with, they felt it was not appropriate for them to stay out of it, so they joined forces with the upright officials to accuse the court officials of seeking to follow the emperor's lead and to seek their own future under the banner of serving the country and the people.
Hu Xiner, who was pretending to cry, was stunned when she saw the chaotic scene.
At this moment, a figure hurried in. Mu Qing stood beside her, holding the child in her arms. "Xin'er, I brought the child here as soon as I heard the news. What's the situation now?"
Hu Xin'er pretended to faint from exhaustion on his shoulder, but she whispered, "Yan Chuo and the others are really amazing. The three of them turned the entire imperial court and harem upside down."
I usually only knew that Liu Yanchuo was a secretive person, but I didn't expect that all the members of the Liu family were eloquent.
Hu Xiner lost because she was not very clear about the political situation, so it was inconvenient for her to speak, otherwise she would also like to join in the fun.
Seeing that the situation was almost in chaos and Zhao Yunhe was even ready to take action, the Duke suddenly coughed loudly: "Enough!"
As he spoke these words, a powerful intimidating aura emanated from him: "You are making such a commotion in front of His Majesty's body. Are you trying to usurp the throne?!"
This shout silenced everyone, and no one dared to be accused of usurping the throne. As the incident happened too suddenly, none of the princes rushed to the Golden Bell. In fact, they were only speaking for the master behind them, and there was no need to offend the Duke.
After all, everyone knows that the Duke now holds all the military power. If he wants to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, none of the officials present will be able to escape.
At this point, the crying inside also stopped. The Duke opened the door and slowly helped Nangong Yue up from the bed. "At today's state banquet, His Majesty said that the country will be entrusted to the Crown Princess alone. I beg you to mourn and take charge of the overall situation."
Nangong Yue looked around and saw the concerned eyes of Hu Xin'er and others. She closed her eyes tightly and then opened them again, and the last drop of tears overflowed from her red eyes.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on her. Even the concubines who were usually very kind to her were making plans for the sake of their sons, hoping that she would be willful again, and preferably lose the throne.
However, facing the distrustful gazes of the civil and military officials, Nangong Yue's performance was beyond everyone's expectations. She did not escape capriciously as before, nor did she question or get angry about the officials' selfish actions.
She spoke in a hoarse voice, "I know that you all have many doubts about my identity, but it's ridiculous to say that women are ruining the country. When Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he created a prosperous era. The subsequent decline of the Li Dynasty was also caused by Emperor Aizong a few generations later."
"From ancient times to the present, have there been more women who have led their country astray, or more incompetent rulers who have ruined their country?"
"My father is a wise ruler. Since he has chosen me, I will definitely live up to his trust!"
Hearing this, Hu Xiner was surprised but also quite relieved. They had just made various plans for Nangong Yue outside, but in the end, they were no match for her own opinion.
If Nangong Yue herself doesn't want to be the emperor, then they can do nothing about it. According to the Duke's temperament, he will simply give up supporting her.
But now…
The Duke's majestic voice rang out: "I will also support the new emperor with all my heart and soul, and live up to the trust of the late emperor!"
There were a few scattered responses from among the officials, but there was mostly reluctant silence. How could they willingly allow themselves to be dominated by a woman?
Moreover, from ancient times to the present, how many women have successfully become emperors? If you follow Nangong Yue, but Nangong Yue eventually falls, then the disaster that will bring to you all is the confiscation of property and the extermination of the whole family.
Facing the mixed looks from the civil and military officials, Nangong Yue said, "I hope you will give me another three months. During these three months, I will continue to assist in the administration of the government as Nangong Yue. If I find it truly unsuitable after three months, I will support another prince."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expression changed again.
Nangong Yue said slowly at this time: "I believe that you all know that the throne belongs to the talented and virtuous. I still have seven brothers who are all in different places. If they all refuse to obey me and kill each other, it will not only cause chaos in the world, but also chill the soul of my father."
She paused, taking in the expressions of all the officials. "So, I have decided to have a fair competition with all of you royal brothers. We will decide the winner in three months and see the outcome."
Although this method was bizarre, it was still a feasible move. Everyone began to seriously consider it, except Zhao Yunhe, who said without hesitation, "If the princess is truly determined, wouldn't it be better for her to simply give up the throne? The Prince of Qi is the eldest son, and possesses both talent and virtue. If we're talking about inheriting the throne, he's the most reliable."
After hearing this, everyone knew where he was standing.
The Prince of Qi is the son of Concubine Li. He is a fat man who is uneducated and unlearned. When he was in the palace, he was often scolded by His Majesty for being dull.
Now he was granted the title of Duke of Qi, and it was said that he had taken 18 concubines and often stayed in brothels.
As soon as Zhao Yunhe made the proposal, everyone except the King of Qi's men showed disdain and disgust.
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