Chapter 309 Green Plum
However, even though Li Yuanzhao ruthlessly killed the entire Meilu clan and gave Shen Churong a grand funeral befitting a prince, the court and the public were still filled with surging anger over General Shen's death.
If Shen Churong had died a glorious death on the battlefield, wrapped in a horse's hide, it would have been an honor for a military general. Although people would feel sorry for him, they would not say much.
But General Chen was not like that.
He was killed by the Meilu clan, who had already surrendered to the Great Qi, in a despicable and treacherous manner!
And this Meilu clan is none other than the maternal clan of Chen Meiren Jue La Yun Dan!
Jue La Yun Dan was already quite controversial in the harem due to her arrogance, willfulness, and flamboyant behavior.
Although the incident of him breaking into Qiushui Residence with a whip and whipping Wang Shiqing was suppressed, it had already spread among the people, and the impression that he was "arrogant and lawless" had been deeply rooted in people's hearts.
At the beginning of the war between the Great Qi and the Tubo, many court officials secretly cursed this "prince of peace" as a "traitorous servant who brought disaster to the country," believing that he had bewitched the emperor and caused the war.
Now, his maternal clan has committed such a heinous crime, causing the death of General Shen!
With old and new grudges piled up, the anger towards Jue La Yun Dan instantly spread from the inner palace to the outer court, and from the outer court to the common people.
In the streets and alleys, people were filled with indignation.
Some say he had been having an affair with his maternal clan for a long time, while others curse him as a "Tibetan spy" hidden in the harem...
Public opinion was almost unanimously demanding that the emperor severely punish Jue Layundan, behead him, and avenge General Shen.
The imperial court was also in turmoil.
The court officials submitted a series of memorials, pointing out that Consort Chen was "the source of national disaster" and "a remnant of a criminal clan," demanding that His Majesty uphold justice by punishing her as a relative, upholding the law to serve as a warning to others, stabilizing the morale of the army, and appeasing public anger.
However, amidst the shouts of killing, Liu Jinzhang stepped forward and offered a different perspective.
“Your Majesty, I believe this matter requires careful consideration. The crime committed by Lady Lu should be severely punished. However, Consort Chen has been in the palace for many years and has long lived in the inner palace, and has lost contact with her maternal family.”
"Furthermore, when Your Majesty waged war against Tibet, you used his status as a prince to demonstrate justice. If you were to exterminate Tibet as soon as you have pacified it, it would be seen as crossing the river and burning the bridge. This would not only cause panic among the newly subjugated Tibetan tribes, but would also invite criticism from neighboring countries and damage Your Majesty's reputation for benevolence and integrity."
Tu Qing added, “Prime Minister Liu’s words make sense. Now that Consort Chen has entered Your Majesty’s harem, she is Your Majesty’s person. Her life, death, honor, and disgrace are all dependent on Your Majesty’s grace. If Your Majesty were to easily punish a concubine for the crime of a foreign tribe, wouldn’t that make Your Majesty appear to be incompetent in managing your subordinates? This action would likely damage the majesty of the imperial family. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider.”
The two factions held their own views and argued endlessly in the imperial court.
Only Li Yuanzhao, sitting on the dragon throne, remained silent throughout.
"Enough." After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice not loud, but it instantly silenced the commotion in the hall.
She stood up, her gaze sweeping over the court officials below the steps. "I have my own decision on this matter. We will discuss it later. Court adjourned."
Having said that, he turned and left, leaving the courtiers looking at each other in bewilderment.
His Majesty's silent and ambiguous attitude has made the situation even more unpredictable.
Some speculate that His Majesty might be thinking of past affections and is reluctant to take action.
Some believe that His Majesty is weighing the pros and cons, hence his hesitation.
Ningxiang Palace remained locked, and Juela Yundan was still confined within.
He was completely unaware of the fall of the Tibetan Empire, the extermination of the entire Molu clan, and the overwhelming anger and controversy from the outside world.
On this day, Huang Mian brought his newly made tea and snacks to the outside of Yan Ying Hall to request an audience.
After entering the palace, he also enjoyed a period of great success.
However, with new beauties constantly emerging in the harem, his talent and charm were quickly overshadowed.
If it weren't for his elder brother, who was an official in the court, taking care of him, life would probably have been even more difficult.
Now that Consort Chen has completely lost power, the harem is about to be reshuffled again. Naturally, he is unwilling to be idle and tries every means to find an opportunity, even if it is just to send some food, show his face in front of His Majesty, and evoke a trace of old feelings.
He stood in the corridor outside the palace for a long time. The cold wind of early winter, carrying fine snow, made his fingertips stiff and his nose red, but no eunuch came to announce his arrival.
Just as he was feeling uneasy, worried that the emperor might not want to see him, the door to Yanying Hall opened.
Wang Yanzhi came out from inside.
He wore an extremely expensive snow-white fox fur cloak, the pure and glossy fur making his complexion appear even whiter and more like jade.
His brows and eyes were relaxed, his demeanor composed, and he was bathed in the radiance of the favor bestowed upon him, a stark contrast to the yellow cotton cloth shivering in the cold under the eaves.
Huang Mian's expression changed slightly, but he quickly composed himself and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Attendant Minister Wang."
Wang Yanzhi glanced at the food basket in his hand and said casually, "Consort Huang, His Majesty is currently reviewing memorials and may not have time to see you for the time being."
Huang Mian's heart sank immediately.
No time?
He had clearly just come out from inside!
Wang Yanzhi clearly didn't want to give him the opportunity to show his face in front of His Majesty.
But he dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction, and only said, "I see. Thank you for reminding me, Minister Wang. Well... I will come again later."
Wang Yanzhi looked up at the gray sky where light snow was falling, and suddenly said, "I heard that the green plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden are in bloom. The white snow reflecting the green calyxes is quite beautiful. If Consort Huang has some free time, why don't we go and admire the plum blossoms together?"
Huang Mian's eyes suddenly lit up!
He had been trying to win over this Wang Shiqing, who was currently enjoying the emperor's favor, but had no way to do so. He never expected that the other party would take the initiative to invite him today!
This is a golden opportunity!
He quickly replied, "It is my honor to be invited by Minister Wang. Please!"
The two dismissed their attendants and headed towards the Imperial Garden.
Tiny snowflakes fell silently, landing on the rugged artificial rocks and bare branches, as well as on the green plum buds that had not yet fully bloomed.
Walking along the path among the plum trees, Huang Mian's mind was racing, and she was already thinking about how to start a conversation and build rapport.
But then Wang Yanzhi stopped in front of a green plum tree, reached out and gently brushed away a bit of snow from the petals.
"I've heard that these green plum trees are extremely rare; even in this imperial palace, there are only a few of them."
Huang Mian hadn't expected that he really was just there to admire the plum blossoms, and that he was so leisurely.
But he quickly chimed in, “Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, and naturally deserves to enjoy all the rare things in the world. Although this green plum is rare, it is a blessing for it to be planted in the Imperial Garden for Your Majesty to enjoy.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Yanzhi turned his head and glanced at him.
His gaze was calm, yet Huang Mian felt, for no apparent reason, that he could see right through people's hearts.
Wang Yanzhi turned his gaze back to the green plum blossom and continued, "But even though it is so rare and dazzling, attracting everyone to stop and marvel... it can only bloom for a little over a month."
"When this snow melts and spring comes, the Imperial Garden will be ablaze with vibrant colors, and who will remember these few green plum trees that once stood alone in the snow, admiring their own beauty?"
His tone was very soft, as if he were talking to himself, "By then, they will have long since withered and fallen into the mud, becoming nourishment for those colorful flowers."
Although Huang Mian came from a poor family and had not received much formal education, he could tell that Wang Yanzhi's words were not simply about reminiscing about plum blossoms, but clearly had a hidden meaning.
He was both surprised and suspicious, and couldn't help but tentatively ask, "Minister Wang... why did you suddenly say that?"
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