Liu Yanzong and Zhang Shuye looked at each other in bewilderment. What was going on? Why had the retired emperor, who had been out of sight for so long, suddenly appeared?
Wasn't he placed under house arrest by the emperor?
How did they manage to get to the Chuigong Hall?
Moreover, judging from the situation, the Emperor Emeritus has arrived, the Empress Dowager has arrived, the Prince of Yun has arrived, and he has even brought the eldest son of the Emperor.
Liu Yanzong immediately realized that the retired emperor was using the case of the imperial clan to put pressure on the emperor.
Regardless of what name the emperor gives to the case involving members of the imperial clan, or how it is brought to the forefront for conviction, it is still ultimately a matter for the Zhao imperial family itself.
The affairs of the imperial family are destined to be different from those of ordinary families.
It concerns destiny, the will of the people, and even the will of Heaven.
This is the perfect opportunity for Zhao Ji to launch a counterattack, at least to put pressure on the emperor and put himself on the side of the imperial clan, uniting all the forces of the imperial clan.
But why is Zhao Ji here?
The emperor has clearly placed him under house arrest!
Liu Yanzong couldn't understand it, and neither could Zhang Shuye.
As a result, the two of them standing there looked particularly out of place.
This is a family matter of the Zhao family, and the two ministers seem somewhat embarrassed.
Zhao Zhongcong was also completely dumbfounded, never expecting that the retired emperor would appear at this time.
Everyone quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Daoist Lord."
Zhao Huan watched the group of people walk over with a calm expression.
He deliberately released Zhao Ji, and he released Zhao Ji at this very moment to see what tricks Zhao Ji could play.
This decision was made last night.
Zhao Huan acted this way because Zhao Chen came to see him last night, and he keenly sensed something.
Zhao Huan suddenly became wary, or rather, even more wary. This wariness was not directed at the court officials, but at the imperial family.
Previously, he had focused his power on his court officials, the military, and local authorities, paying too little attention to the royal family and clan, only to suddenly realize the problem of succession.
Even if the new policy is implemented very well now, if there is a problem with the successor, that will be a big problem.
Royal struggles are always protracted battles, not something that can be won or lost overnight.
For example, Emperor Huizong of Song never gave up on turning the tide.
When Zhao Huan saw that Zhao Chen had indeed come with Zhao Ji, he was very disappointed in him.
Meanwhile, Empress Zhu Lian was embroidering a handkerchief in Funing Palace, intending to give it to Zhao Huan.
A young eunuch rushed over: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! My eldest son has gone to the Chuigong Hall with the Emperor Emeritus."
This young eunuch was also sent by Zhao Huan.
Zhu Lian almost pricked her hand with her embroidery needle. She had heard that the emperor would be hearing the case of the imperial clan in the Chuigong Hall today.
But unexpectedly, Zhao Chen ran over at this time, and even with the retired emperor.
The astute Zhu Lian immediately sensed that something was wrong.
Outsiders only thought that the retired emperor was in poor health, but in fact, the conflict between the emperor and the retired emperor was very deep, and the retired emperor had been under house arrest by the emperor.
"Why is my elder brother with the Emperor Emeritus?"
"This servant does not know either."
Without asking any further questions, Zhu Lian hurried toward the Chuigong Hall.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the Chuigong Hall seemed to freeze.
The emperor, seated on his throne, calmly observed these people.
Zhao Ji said, "Your Majesty, you are confused!"
When the Duke of Lu and the Duke of Wei saw the Emperor Emeritus arrive, it was as if they had grasped a savior. They burst into tears, wishing they could hug and kiss Zhao Ji, crying out, "Emperor Emeritus, save us! Emperor Emeritus!"
The reason for releasing Zhao Ji was simply to see if Zhao Chen was as he had guessed.
Prince Yun, Zhao Kai, said from behind, "Father, the Emperor is also acting in the best interests of the country."
"For the sake of the greater good, we cannot allow clan killings! Killing four members of the same clan in one fell swoop, including his own younger brother!"
The father and son immediately began their charade.
"The Duke of Lu is a descendant of Emperor Taizu! The Duke of Wei is a descendant of King Wei! If you were to kill them, it would be disrespectful to Emperor Taizu and King Wei! How could you be worthy of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple!"
Zhao Huan remained silent, quietly watching Zhao Ji speak below.
Come on! Keep performing!
Let's see how far you, a powerless and insignificant retired emperor, can go!
"If you kill them today, the entire imperial clan will become your enemy. Once the imperial clan is in turmoil and the ancestral temple is unstable, the whole country will surely be in chaos!"
This is utter nonsense. Even Emperor Huizong himself didn't believe it. Those pampered members of the imperial clan wouldn't dare to rebel against the emperor even if they had a hundred lives.
Why would he say something he himself doesn't believe?
Of course, it was meant for Zhao Chen to hear.
Zhao Chen was granted the title of Duke of Chong at birth. As the eldest grandson of the emperor, he was widely recognized as the most likely successor to the throne.
Zhao Chen is sixteen years old this year. At sixteen, he already knows a lot and has his own judgment.
Zhao Ji, on the other hand, was influencing his grandson; he was clearly placing his hopes on his grandson.
Judging from the current situation, he has no advantage whatsoever.
His former officials were almost all killed by the emperor.
Now, the court and the public are all new factions, or rather, the emperor's people. The emperor can just say a word and those ministers will rush to his aid one after another.
Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) also realized that he had no leverage to fight against Emperor Huan (Zhao Huan).
The only bargaining chip is Zhao Chen!
Empress Dowager Zheng spoke up: "Your Majesty, Emperor Taizu won the hearts of the people with benevolence and righteousness, and governed the country with law and rites. The patriarchal system cannot be arbitrarily altered. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree for the sake of the Song Dynasty."
Zhao Huan remained silent, as if he did not see Zhao Ji or Empress Dowager Zheng; he simply looked calmly at Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen exchanged glances with his father, then stepped forward and said, "Father, please retract your decision."
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