Chapter 856: Is it done?
Qian Qiyue and the other two huddled together for warmth, while Yue Jian led his men to guard the hall with no intention of coming out.
When the moon was at its zenith, it was still quiet outside. Seeing that Prince Hui, the Queen and others had been in Xinde Palace for some time, but no one had returned to deliver the letter, the people guarding Yongzhao Palace gradually became anxious.
Duan Zhiru: "How long have the prince and his men been gone?"
Min San frowned: "It's been more than half an hour, there should be news by now."
Although Yongzhao Palace is a bit far from Xinde Hall, the Queen and others going there to deliver the imperial edict and suddenly handing over power to Prince Hui and the aristocratic families will definitely cause quite a stir. What's more, the Empress Dowager is in mourning, and there are so many court officials and ladies in the palace. They will definitely be in an uproar when they suddenly hear such an edict.
When they brought people into the palace before, they placed people in other places besides Yongzhao Palace.
If everything went well in Xinde Palace, King Hui should have sent someone back to deliver the message, but it was already more than half an hour later and it was still quiet outside without even a sound.
Could there be some accident?
Wang Huailu was also a little uneasy. He first betrayed the emperor and joined the aristocratic family, and later betrayed the aristocratic family and joined King Hui. He devoted all his energy to making suggestions for King Hui, and almost handed over the entire Wang family's wealth and lives to King Hui.
He suppressed his uneasiness and turned to Duan Zhiru and the other two, saying, "Giving up power is a big deal after all. Those people in the court may not agree so easily. Cao Dejiang and Lord Huo alone are difficult enough to deal with. Perhaps the prince and his men have been delayed."
"But to be on the safe side, we might as well send someone over to take a look, to avoid any accidents."
Duan Zhiru and the other two were naturally willing. When they were planning to pick two from the guards to go to Xinde Palace to find out the news, they suddenly heard a noise coming from outside. A moment later, the people guarding outside Yongzhao Palace ran in quickly.
"My Lords, the Queen has returned."
Duan Zhiru and the others' expressions tightened: "Be on guard!"
Everyone in the courtyard hid in the darkness. They quickly walked to the corridor and pushed Qian Qiyue and the other two to a place where there was no light. Then they stared at the palace gate. Not long after, the outer room suddenly became bright. The footsteps stopped, and then they saw the queen leading the servants in, followed by Liang Guangyi and Shi Qingrong.
When they saw Liang Guangyi and the other two, Duan Zhiru and the others who were hiding in the dark suddenly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked out of the darkness.
"Prime Minister Liang!"
"Master Shi."
Duan Zhiru and the others looked at the two of them eagerly, their eyes full of questions.
Liang Guangyi nodded calmly: "It's done."
"Very good!"
Duan Zhiru and the others couldn't help but beam with excitement. Even Wang Huailu was delighted. "Aren't Cao Dejiang and the others in trouble? No one else doubted the imperial edict, either? And what about the prince and the others? Why did Prime Minister Liang and Lord Shi come back?"
Liang Guangyi said, "Cao Dejiang and the others would naturally insist on it, but they have the Queen and Prince Ji's endorsement, and the officials in Xinde Palace have learned that Xiao Yan is in trouble in Southern Qi. Even if they have many complaints and suspicions, they just think that the Queen is afraid of the news and the unrest in the court, so she is backing down as a temporary measure."
"The Queen only gave up half of her power and agreed to allow the noble families to assist in the administration. She did not mention the imperial seal. Others do not know Prince Hui's intentions. Even if they are suspicious, they can't do anything. After all, the Queen is still in our hands."
Shi Qingrong stood in the shadow behind the lights. His back unconsciously tensed up as he listened to Liang Guangyi's words, and his voice became even more tense when he spoke.
"Prince Hui and the others will stay in Xinde Palace to arrange the rest of the matter. They must also quickly clean up the traces left by tonight's forced abdication. Prime Minister Liang and I will escort the Queen back first. The Queen has promised to have Yu Yanfeng release half of the palace guards, making it easier for you to bring people in and out."
Duan Zhiru and the others didn't notice that Shi Qingrong's voice was wrong. They were just immersed in the joy of success.
After a long period of planning, everyone was beaming with joy when the task was accomplished.
Tang Ning walked towards the hall and said in a cold voice: "I have done what I promised you. Release the three of them."
Duan Zhiru subconsciously wanted to refuse.
Unexpectedly, Liang Guangyi said, "Let them go."
"Prime Minister Liang..."
"Nothing."
Liang Guangyi glanced at Duan Zhiru and the other two, signaling them to remain calm. He then turned to Tang Ning and said, "I believe Your Majesty is someone who considers the overall situation. However, Your Majesty's sudden disappearance will surely cause a great deal of commotion outside, and those in the court may not remain calm."
"For the sake of the Empress and the three of you, I would like you to stay with the Empress in Yongzhao Palace for the next few days. Once the situation has calmed down, I will send someone to escort you back safely."
Tang Ning said, "Ayue and Madam Wenxin can stay, Madam Cui asked her to go back."
Seeing Liang Guangyi frowning, Duan Zhiru and the others were also unwilling.
Her face was icy as she spoke, "You kept these three in the palace simply to use them as hostages like me, so that you could quickly stabilize the court. A Yue and Marquis Wenxin's wife both have people behind them whom you want to control, but the Cui family no longer has anything you're afraid of."
"She is from an aristocratic family, and in the eyes of outsiders, I have an even more ordinary relationship with her. Keeping Ah Yue and the other two in the palace can be said to be a way for them to accompany me who is overwhelmed with grief, but Madam Cui is not discerning. If you don't want to attract attention, you should let her go."
Duan Zhiru and the others looked hesitant.
They knew that the woman from the Cui family secretly helped the Queen to oppose them, and that the Cui family had "surrendered" before Xiao Yan ascended the throne, but people outside did not know. In the eyes of others, the Cui family was one of the eight great families, and Madam Cui was also from their family.
The girl from the Qian family and the wife of Marquis Wenxin had stayed in the palace in the past. Now that the Empress Dowager has passed away, it is normal for them to stay in Yongzhao Palace to accompany the Queen.
But what about Mrs. Cui?
What reason was there for her to be kept in the palace?
Min San glanced at Madam Cui, a cold glint in his eyes. Actually, it wasn't impossible to let Madam Cui leave. This woman had betrayed her family, and she knew too much tonight. After she left the palace, if he could find a way to cause an accident, it wouldn't be difficult to get rid of her...
Just as this thought arose, the queen spoke again.
"However, I owe her a favor, so I must protect her and the Cui family. I believe that Prime Minister Liang and King Hui do not want to cause any more trouble."
Min San's face froze, and the others who had just come up with the idea also fell silent.
After a while, Liang Guangyi finally spoke: "Okay, I can make the decision and promise Your Majesty to let Madam Cui go."
Seeing that Liang Guangyi had said so, the others stopped refutation. Duan Zhiru waved his hand and asked someone to release Qian Qiyue and the other two. Qian Qiyue glared at them fiercely, then grabbed the wife of Marquis Wenxin and the wife of Mr. Cui and quickly walked to Tang Ning's side.
"Aning..."
"Don't be afraid."
Tang Ning patted Qian Qiyue's arm and said to Liang Guangyi, "You and Shi Qingrong wait here for a moment. I'm going to get the Imperial Guards' seal."
After saying that, she led Qian Qiyue and the other two into the hall.
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