Because of Wen Hu's attack, the atmosphere in the court plummeted to freezing point.
Cheng Ping raised his hand to point at Wen Hu, but then suddenly realized something and immediately lowered it again, saying firmly, "What are you doing? Threatening us with your life and death?"
"yes."
Wen Hu walked down the steps with an air of nonchalance and said, "Lord Cheng, are you going down to be buried with His Majesty?"
"I..." Cheng Ping bit his lip until it bled, but in the end he was not so stubborn as to risk his life.
Wen Hu said, "It's good to be alive."
The officials around Cheng Ping who had originally opposed Wen Hu fell silent, stammering. However, the eunuch standing beside the dragon throne shouted at Hua Li, "Wen Hu, you have murdered two emperors in succession. You... you are a dragon slayer!"
Upon hearing this, Wen Hu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Dragon Slayer Hand?"
"good!"
I like the title "Dragon Slayer"!
Wen Hu said to Xiang Hua, "Considering that you gave this Pillar of State such a majestic name, I will spare your life. From now on, you will continue to serve His Majesty."
"Your Majesty?" Xiang Huachao glanced at Yuan Li's corpse.
Wen Hu said, "His Majesty died suddenly. Does this mean that Xijing no longer needs an emperor?"
As he spoke, Wen Hu bowed to Wen Tai and said, "Uncle, you are the Pillar of State and Prime Minister, so it is up to you to make the arrangements at this time."
Wen Tai straightened his official robes, slowly stood up, and said, "After Yuan Li ascended the throne, he still regarded Yuan Zhengzong as the Crown Prince. Now that Yuan Li has passed away, the Crown Prince should naturally succeed him."
The officials understood instantly.
Although Wen Hu killed Yuan Li, he wanted to protect Wen Tai's reputation and did not intend to openly usurp the throne.
But Yuan Zhengzong... was just a child who was not even three years old.
From now on, he and Wen Tai will oversee the country. How is this any different from usurping the throne?
From this day forward, Xijing will be renamed Wen.
"The first major event after the new emperor ascended the throne was to launch a military campaign westward."
Wen Hu glanced at Cheng Ping and said, "Lord Cheng, you are the Vice Minister of War, so you must not be negligent."
Cheng Ping trembled all over, and finally said weakly, "Yes, sir..."
...
The Imperial Harem of Xijing.
He Wu sat blankly in the chair, two tear tracks remaining on her cheeks.
She has almond-shaped eyes and a small red mole between her eyebrows. She has a naturally charming appearance, and even when she's crying her eyes out, she only evokes pity.
Objectively speaking, He Wu has had very good luck.
She entered the palace at the age of eighteen and was immediately conferred the title of Noble Consort Yi. Not long after, she became Empress. Her newborn son was made Crown Prince. Now, in her early twenties, she is already the Empress Dowager, the mother of the nation.
If Da Jing is still the same Da Jing.
If the world is still the same world.
She is indeed someone that countless women envy.
But now, she is very clear about her situation.
The slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin.
"Young Pillar of State, I'll go report this..."
Bang!
Before the palace maid outside could finish speaking, Wen Hu pushed the door open and entered.
He Wu nodded to the palace maid. Just as the maid was about to close the door, Wen Hu said in a deep voice, "Keep the door open. I, the Pillar of State, am here to discuss state affairs with the Empress Dowager. Anyone who spreads rumors will be chopped up and fed to the dogs!"
"This servant wouldn't dare!!"
"roll!"
Wen Hu walked up to He Wu, gave a perfunctory bow, then sat down next to her, picked up the teapot, and drank as casually as if he were back in his own home.
"Congratulations, Empress Dowager. From now on, you are the most powerful woman in Xijing."
He Wu wiped her face with a handkerchief and forced a smile, saying, "Young Pillar State is joking. The most powerful family in Xijing will always be the Wen family."
"Your Majesty, please don't say that."
Wen Hu waved his hand and said, "You are the Empress Dowager of Xijing, and your two elder brothers are the Minister of Justice of Dongjing and Zhao Huan's most trusted retainer. Only your He family is worthy of praise."
He Wu asked, "What brings you here, Little Pillar of State?"
"Does the Empress Dowager have any further objections to the Crown Prince's enthronement ceremony?"
"The Minister of Rites has come. I don't know much about these matters, so I'll do as he says."
"Now I can rest assured."
Wen Hu put down the teapot, suddenly leaned out and stared at He Wu closely, saying indifferently, "The Empress Dowager is in the prime of her life, truly a beauty."
He Wu's eyes widened in panic, and she turned her face away, saying, "Please, Little Pillar of State, show some self-respect."
"snort!"
Wen Hu snorted coldly, grabbed He Wu's chin, turned her face around, and sneered, "What are you pretending for in front of me? I killed Yuan Li and let his son become emperor, which is already being good to him. Speaking of grievances, Yuan Xiu is the one who harbors the grudge."
"Little...Little Pillar of State...Let...Let go!" He Wu pleaded.
Wen Hu stood up, threw He Wu to the ground, and said, "You don't need to worry about what I'll do to you. I, the Pillar of State, have no interest in a woman like you. But I must remind you..."
Wen Hu squatted down, staring at He Wu, and said, "I know you were involved in Yuan Li's secret recruitment of his people. I can kill the emperor, so I won't hesitate to kill the empress dowager. Do you know what people outside call me now? They call me the Dragon Slayer! The Dragon Slayer, hahaha!!"
"Your Majesty, Yuan Li is a smart man. If you help him, you might have a chance to succeed. But your son is too young. From now on, you should be a good mother and a good Empress Dowager and help me educate the Emperor well."
"Only in this way can you and your son live a good life."
"Do you understand?"
He Wu finally couldn't hold back her tears and started crying.
Wen Hu said sternly, "Do you understand?"
"Understood." He Wu nodded.
"Not sincere enough."
Wen Hu got up and sat back down in his chair, crossed his legs, and said, "Before the Empress Dowager entered the palace, she was exceptionally talented and famous for her dancing. You can perform a dance for me, and that will be considered as proof that you truly understand."
"you……"
"What, you're unwilling? Or haven't you figured it out yet?"
He Wu bit her lip, slowly got up, and whispered, "This palace... is Wu!"
...
Dongjing.
It's already February, the sun is shining brightly, and occasionally a spring rain falls.
Zhao Hu held up an umbrella and escorted Zhao Cheng away from the palace.
A procession of ceremonial guards stood at the corner ahead. As Zhao Cheng approached, two palace maids, holding umbrellas, escorted a woman as she slowly walked towards them.
Upon seeing the woman under the umbrella, Zhao Cheng quickly bowed and said, "Zhao Cheng greets the Empress Dowager."
Having only been Empress Dowager for a year, Tu Haiping had clearly gained weight and already looked like she was living a life of luxury.
She took Zhao Cheng's hand and said, "General, there's no need for you to be so polite."
Zhao Cheng asked in confusion, "What's the matter that's so urgent, that you'd trouble the Empress Dowager to wait for me in the rain?"
Tu Haiping said, "I don't understand politics, and I never get involved. The Princess taught Wushang about these things. As for me, I just make sure he and Wuyou eat well and are healthy. I want to ask, is Wushang doing a good job?"
Zhao Cheng said, "Wu Shang is a good child. He is willing to learn and is also steady. But as His Majesty, he is still too young, so I will not comment on him for now."
Seeing Tu Haiping lower her head in thought, Zhao Cheng bowed again and said, "Empress Dowager, the southern expedition is imminent and I have many affairs to attend to. Please tell me what you need."
Tu Haiping then turned her head to look at the line behind her.
Come here!
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