Since the late emperor has not yet been buried, during these days of mourning, Helian Jue, along with court officials, concubines, and others, will come to keep vigil and mourn.
That night, everyone left, leaving only a group of eunuchs and palace maids.
As the new emperor, Helian Jue was determined to be a filial son, and he would come to the mourning hall whenever he was not involved in court affairs.
Consort Xiao, oh no, she's the Empress Dowager now, and she's a frequent visitor to the mourning hall.
She knelt at the foot of the late emperor's coffin, neither weeping nor wailing.
She just sat there quietly, her eyes fixed, and occasionally a couple of clear tears would roll down her cheeks.
Anyone who saw her in this state of utter despair would feel that she had the deepest affection and the greatest concern for the late emperor.
In reality, Empress Xiao was merely maintaining her public persona and reminiscing about everything she had suffered over the past twenty years.
Her tears were only for herself.
However, the effect was excellent. Even the willful, arrogant, and outspoken Yongchang had to admit: "Ah Xiao, you have not let my brother down!"
These days, a more casual way to address someone is with "A" followed by their surname. It's the same principle as "Little Wang" or "Little Zhang" in later generations.
That empress was also known as "A-Wu".
Yongchang was the eldest princess, and she didn't really care about her younger brother's concubines.
Even though Consort Xiao has now become Empress Dowager Xiao, Yongchang still relies on his status and the Empress Dowager's favor to call Consort Xiao "Ah Xiao" as usual.
Empress Dowager Xiao glanced at Yongchang indifferently, "I will treat His Majesty as he treats me, just as he treats me!"
He abducted her and made her a lowly female slave.
She then poisoned him, which angered him to death.
Empress Dowager Xiao felt that she still cherished old feelings, and now the person sitting on the throne was her and his own flesh and blood.
Empress Xiao did not pay much attention to her other biological children.
Because she knew that Helian Jue was a smart man and knew what to do.
"I have already dealt with the Tangquan Palace incident."
Helian Jue stood in the mourning hall, his eyes fixed on the coffin, when he suddenly spoke.
Empress Dowager Xiao, who was kneeling to the side, knew that Helian Jue was speaking to her.
How does a sage make a judgment?
Empress Dowager Xiao wasn't really that curious.
However, her son, the third prince, was involved in the Tangquan Palace Coup. Although he appeared to be a victim on the surface, he was not innocent in the end.
If the new ruler wants to completely eliminate the hidden danger, he can take this opportunity to strike!
The third prince lost a leg and is now crippled.
Empress Dowager Xiao's rare display of maternal love was her hope that the Third Prince could have a peaceful later life.
Even being exiled is better than being forced to commit suicide or being imprisoned.
"Helian Yu plotted rebellion and was ordered to commit suicide. His children and family members were demoted to commoners."
Helian Yu was the second prince, and his treason was officially declared by the late emperor. Even the eight great noble families dared not exonerate him.
Helian Jue did not implicate others; he simply allowed the man to commit suicide, which was already a very lenient and merciful act.
"Although Helian Jing made a minor mistake, fortunately it did not lead to a major disaster. Moreover, out of pity for his injury and disability, he is granted special leniency and demoted to a prince of the second rank, with a three-year salary reduction."
Helian Jing was the third prince. He was enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan by the late emperor, a first-rank prince.
Helian Jue only demoted his princely title to a county prince, which was definitely a favor to him.
Empress Dowager Xiao knew that Helian Jue was bestowing favors and winning people's hearts.
She bowed slightly, "I thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
This was also a favor done for Empress Dowager Xiao.
Empress Dowager Xiao was clever enough that her reply indicated that she appreciated the favor.
In the future, she will continue to help Helian Jue fight against Empress Dowager Ashina.
Of course, if there is a "later".
After a moment of silence, Empress Dowager Xiao couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Outside the city—"
Does Helian Jue really have a way to drive back those Turkic cavalry?
She knew Helian Jue had a large army, but when would that army arrive?
If we arrive too late, it will all be over!
Empress Dowager Xiao chose Helian Jue. Although she had a backup plan, she hoped that Helian Jue would win!
After all, she had placed the biggest bet on Helian Jue.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I have a plan!"
Helian Jue is also waiting for tomorrow.
If the Turkic cavalry attacks the city, that's fine. But if they remain stationary, Helian Jue is also prepared to launch hot air balloons.
These people are really an eyesore.
Helian Jue wanted to resolve the matter as soon as possible, clean everything up, and then let A Yuan and her children return to the capital with peace of mind.
"That's good!"
Seeing that Helian Jue was so confident and did not bluff or feign composure, Empress Dowager Xiao was relieved.
Silence fell over the mourning hall once again.
Neither Helian Jue nor Empress Xiao spoke.
The ground staff mother and son, who should have been close, were as estranged as strangers.
...
Empress Dowager Ashina ordered someone to keep an eye on Helian Jue. When she saw him come out of the mourning hall, she personally went to the East Palace.
Yes, when Helian Jue returned to the capital this time, he did not rush to move into the main hall of the late emperor, but instead returned to the Eastern Palace where he had lived for more than 20 years.
Firstly, he was too lazy to clean up;
Secondly, to show respect to his father, since the late emperor's coffin had not yet been buried in the imperial mausoleum, he could not rush to move into the late emperor's palace.
Thirdly, since A-Yuan isn't here, it doesn't matter where we stay.
Helian Jue had already planned that Xie Yuan would arrange all matters related to the palace and other arrangements once he arrived in the capital.
He's long been used to "enjoying life"!
The former Yue King's Palace was like this, and so is the current Imperial Palace!
"Axi, I just received news that the Turkic prince will order an attack on the city first thing tomorrow morning!"
No sooner had Helian Jue entered the Eastern Palace than Empress Dowager Ashina followed closely behind.
She said urgently, her voice full of worry for Helian Jue, "The situation is urgent, A-Xi, don't be willful anymore, the bigger picture is more important!"
It's just marrying a Turkic princess, Helian Jue hasn't lost anything, so why is he so resistant?
Could it be that Helian Jue, like his dead father, despised the Turks as barbarians?
snort!
Disdain for Turks?
It's too late!
He, Helian Jue, was raised by this Turkic woman herself!
If you really disliked it, why didn't you do it sooner?
Having received favors from her, they now despise the Turks as barbarians and feel that even a Turkic princess is unworthy of the Helian royal family…
Empress Dowager Ashina felt angry just thinking about it.
Now, she not only wanted to control her adopted son, but also genuinely blamed Helian Jue—
Your royal father may look down on Turkic women, but you have no right to!
Helian Jue was unaware of Empress Dowager Ashina's thoughts; otherwise, he would have cried out in protest: "I do not despise Turkic women, but rather I look down on all women except A Yuan!"
He used to genuinely disdain those women, thinking they were both ugly and stupid.
Now, his heart is already filled with Xie Yuan, and the only gaps are left for the four little ones and that brat Xie Zhen.
Helian Jue couldn't discern any intentions from the others.
Empress Dowager Ashina: ...She was even angrier!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
