Chapter 222: Grand Tutor Zhao Did Not Come to Court
When Grand Tutor Zhao woke up, he found that he was no longer in the palace. He sat up and saw that the layout in front of him was that of his own home, and Zhao Shuyi was kneeling in front of the bed.
"Shuyi, how did I come back? And what happened to you?" asked Grand Tutor Zhao curiously.
Zhao Shuyi kowtowed three times and said, "Dad, I carried you back from the palace. I'm sorry, but I've already given our family's tiger talisman to the emperor, otherwise we wouldn't be able to leave the palace."
Grand Tutor Zhao never imagined that Emperor Liang would do such a ruthless thing during the time he was unconscious! If he had known this earlier, he would not have helped him! He is so heartless!
"Shuyi, how can you be so confused? How many times have I told you recently? No matter what happens to me, the tiger talisman must not be handed over. Where are your ears? Don't you know that this is our family's life-saving talisman? Now that the life-saving talisman is gone, the good days of our Zhao family are about to end!" Tai Shi Zhao scolded angrily.
Zhao Shuyi sighed and said helplessly, "Dad, I understand what you're saying, but I'm thinking, 'It's better to keep the green mountains alive than to be short of firewood.' Our Taishi Mansion has been too powerful these years, and the Emperor won't let us continue like this. If we refuse to hand it over, who knows how the Emperor will torture you! You are the backbone of our family, you can't let anything happen to you!"
Grand Tutor Zhao was really angry and annoyed now. Emperor Liang was so treacherous. Even when the late emperor was alive, he would never do such a thing!
"Rebellious son! One day you will make me die of anger! What else does the emperor ask you to do?" Grand Tutor Zhao was so angry that he pointed at Zhao Shuyi's nose and scolded him again.
Zhao Shuyi handed the imperial edict to Grand Tutor Zhao and said, "The emperor has conferred upon me the title of Marquis of Anle and granted me the residence of Prince Rong."
Grand Tutor Zhao felt the imperial edict in his hand was a hot potato, and he threw it directly beside the bed, cursing, "So you accepted it? Do you think you can have Prince Rong's Mansion? It's almost as spacious as the Little Palace! Why don't you use your brain? You take everything they give you, and you give them everything they ask for! How could I give birth to such a stupid son like you! You're really going to piss me off!"
Zhao Shuyi quickly explained, "Dad, I had no choice at the time! Look at my hand, it was almost shattered by the Emperor!"
When Grand Tutor Zhao looked down, he saw that the back of Zhao Shuyi's hand was not only scratched, but also red and swollen. It could be imagined that Emperor Liang used all his strength to rub Zhao Shuyi!
"This is outrageous! Emperor Liang wants our entire Zhao family to die. Marquis Anle is just an empty title. Once we take Prince Rong's Mansion, we will completely offend Prince Rong! Shuyi, you must never live in Prince Rong's Mansion. You are not allowed to set foot inside, otherwise I will sever the father-son relationship with you!" Grand Tutor Zhao threatened with his eyes wide open.
Zhao Shuyi was confused. Hadn't Dad always helped the Emperor? Why was he afraid of going to Prince Rong again? If he was afraid, why didn't he help Prince Rong back then?
"Dad, is it too late for you to do it now?" Zhao Shuyi asked cautiously.
Grand Tutor Zhao frowned and asked, "What do you mean by too late? Explain yourself clearly!"
Zhao Shuyi shrank back in fear and said, "I, what I mean is, we have been helping the Emperor deal with Prince Rong since before he ascended the throne. Now it's too late for you to say whether we have offended him or not? Even if we don't move in, Prince Rong won't change his mind about our family! Do you really think Prince Rong can return to the capital? What can the Emperor do then?"
Grand Tutor Zhao sighed and said, "It's really hard to say right now. The Emperor ordered the Left Prime Minister to lead the Iron Cavalry to attack Yangming Town, but not only did they fail repeatedly, but Liang Jingyao directly chopped off the Left Prime Minister's head! Furthermore, the Empress Dowager was rescued from the palace by Liang Jingyao. She is the legitimate wife of the late Emperor. As long as she is willing to clear Liang Jingyao's name, who in the world would dare to object? So, you better be careful!"
Zhao Shuyi nodded belatedly and said, "Dad is right. I was too superficial! So, what should we do now? Should we go and make peace with Liang Jingyao?"
Grand Tutor Zhao picked up the pillow beside him and threw it over. "I just told you to be more careful, so why did you come up with such a stupid idea? From today on, I will say that I am unwell and you need to stay by my side. I will close the door and refuse to see anyone!"
The pillow was made of yellowwood and hit Zhao Shuyi's forehead with a "bang" sound. Zhao Shuyi covered his red and swollen forehead in pain and nodded in response: "Yes, son, I'll go down and give the order right away!"
The next day at court, Grand Tutor Zhao did not appear.
Emperor Liang looked at the vacant seat and asked coldly, "Why didn't Grand Tutor Zhao come to court?"
There was silence in the court, and everyone was puzzled. Usually, Grand Tutor Zhao came to court on time and rarely asked for leave throughout the year. Why didn't he come today?
Seeing no one could answer, Emperor Liang said to the eunuch beside him, "Hmph, he's putting on airs with me. Go to the Grand Tutor's Mansion right away and see what's going on."
The young eunuch responded and quickly left the hall.
After a while, the young eunuch returned to the main hall alone and reported, "Your Majesty, I just went to the Grand Tutor's Mansion but didn't see Grand Tutor Zhao. I heard from his servants that Grand Tutor Zhao is ill and his legitimate son is personally attending to him. He won't be seeing anyone for the time being."
Emperor Liang was so angry that he slammed the armrest of the dragon throne and issued an order: "Okay! He is ill, right? You must immediately go to the Imperial Hospital and announce my order. When Grand Tutor Zhao's illness is cured, the Imperial Physician can return to the palace!"
The young eunuch bowed and replied, "Yes! I will go right away!"
In the court, the ministers probably guessed that there must be a conflict between the emperor and Grand Tutor Zhao, otherwise the emperor would not be so angry. Everyone held their breath and lowered their heads, for fear of being implicated!
Emperor Liang was furious, and the more he looked at the courtiers in the hall, the more he disapproved of them. He stood up and said, "Dismiss the court!"
The ministers felt relieved and said, "Long live the emperor," and then quickly left the hall.
Back at the Qinzheng Palace, Emperor Liang recalled Liang Jingyao still enjoying his freedom and prestige in Yangming Town. He was like an ant on the hot pan, running around in circles! But now that the Left Prime Minister was dead and Grand Tutor Zhao refused to lead the troops himself, who else in the capital was suitable?
Suddenly, a name popped up in Emperor Liang's mind. He called the imperial guards and said, "Go to the eldest prince's villa and call Liang Baihao!"
The imperial guard asked uncertainly, "Is it the Duke of Zhenguo who was stripped of his title?"
Emperor Liang nodded and said, "Yes, it's him! Just say I want to see him!"
The imperial guards received the order and quickly left the Qinzheng Hall.
While Liang Baihao was still there, Emperor Liang sat down at the desk, picked up a pen and quickly drafted an imperial edict.
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