The Queen Mother had expected her to ask this. She was silent for a moment, her eyes deep and a hint of helplessness on her face.
"I have no choice. The Queen's family has become increasingly powerful. Huang Yanjing used to suppress them, but now that Huang Yanjing is dead, they can no longer suppress them.
The fourth prince and the fifth prince are both in their party. They came to Beijing ostensibly to pay their respects to the emperor, but in fact they wanted to start a coup and push the crown prince to the throne. The crown prince is easily influenced and listens to the empress and the emperor's brother-in-law in everything. Then the empress's family will control the government and the foreign relatives will have monopoly on power. This is something I absolutely do not want to see.
I am not only a mother, but also the Empress Dowager. Not only must I consider my own feelings, but I must also care for the country and the people. The current emperor is wise and intelligent, diligent and devoted to his people. No one is more suitable to be emperor.
So I could only ask Liu Sheng to arrange people to intercept the fourth and fifth brothers halfway. Now they are still being held in a secret place.
Huang Yanjing's plan was so well-planned that I had no choice but to follow his instructions. This included passing the throne to his son, Yan Suizhi. I suspect this was also his attempt to seek justice from the late emperor.
After all, it was me who dragged them mother and son into this palace fight, making them pawns for their entire lives. This is what I owe them. Since I owe them, I must pay it back.
Since the Crown Prince and the Eighth Prince were born into the imperial family, they had to make sacrifices. While enjoying the honor and wealth of the royal family, they also had to bear responsibilities and swallow their grievances. There was nothing we could do about it. Wouldn't it be better for me to let them leave the court, stay away from the disputes, and live out their next lives in peace and stability?
"Wanyun, wait a few years. As long as the fourth and fifth sons sincerely submit to the emperor, release them. After all, they are my grandsons. The eighth son is still young. When he grows up, there is no need to give him real power. Let him be an idle prince in the capital. There can only be one emperor, and this world can no longer withstand disputes."
The Queen Mother finished speaking in one breath, her energy was running out and she was panting.
Xie Wanyun was overwhelmed with emotions. She didn't know what to say. She had a vague suspicion, but she didn't dare confirm it. After all, people are selfish; who wouldn't be devoted to their children and grandchildren? Yet, the empress dowager was so selfless, considering only the nation and the people, regardless of personal feelings or gains and losses. How many people in the world could boast such a broad mind and generosity?
Her eyes burned with admiration for the Queen Mother. She nodded solemnly, "Your Majesty, I understand your earnest wishes. Don't worry, I will follow your instructions."
The Queen Mother nodded gently, "I know you will. Our Xie family has produced another queen, who will be the Queen Mother in the future. The Crown Prince has the blood of our Xie family and will definitely be a good emperor in the future. I am relieved."
He patted Xie Wanyun's hand and said, "This can be considered as a little selfish of my family."
"Thank you, Queen Mother." Xie Wanyun said sincerely.
Everything is going well now, except that the unjust case of the Xie family has not been redressed. Only then can she and the Queen Mother be truly relieved.
She also knew that it was not the right time yet. Overthrowing the previous dynasty right after the emperor ascended the throne seemed too hasty and might even be seen as questioning the late emperor.
I've waited for so many years, there's no need to rush.
Empress Xie personally arranged the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
The Empress Dowager did not like noise, so even court ladies were not invited to the birthday banquet; only concubines in the palace attended.
Emperor Dezong's concubines have now been promoted to the rank of Grand Concubine and Grand Concubine.
Someone at the banquet remembered the deceased emperor and couldn't help but grieve again. Crying is contagious, and if you don't cry when others do, it seems you don't miss the late emperor enough.
For a moment, the hall was filled with crying.
Empress Xie Wanyun watched coldly, and waited until everyone had cried enough before she said calmly, "Today is the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday. Please accept my condolences, ladies and gentlemen."
The crying stopped immediately, and everyone realized that the master of the harem had changed.
Furthermore, the new emperor doted on the empress to the utmost, and apart from her, he had no other concubines. Some ministers petitioned the emperor to take in more concubines to continue his lineage, but the emperor rejected their requests, stating that he already had a virtuous empress and a crown prince, and had no intention of taking in new favorites.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com