Chapter 252 The Liquidation Emperor
“…Royal brother.”
Prince Ning murmured in a dry, hoarse voice. In front of all the civil and military officials, as well as the imperial relatives, he did not have the courage to ask his elder brother, the emperor, on the throne for the reason. Even when their eyes met, Prince Ning's gaze couldn't help but waver and look away. But the next moment, he forced himself to look back, his eyes filled with pleading.
The Third Princess and Wang Shi stood below, both feeling uneasy.
The third princess's belly was slightly protruding, and she couldn't help but grab the prince consort's arm tightly, swaying precariously.
Wang Shi seemed to be thinking about something. While half-protecting the Third Princess, his face gradually relaxed, revealing a kind of resigned and detached attitude towards life and death. In other words, he accepted his fate and prepared to face what was to come.
Some of the reborn ministers seemed to have figured something out, their expressions becoming slightly subtle as they calmed down and prepared to wait for the new emperor's orders.
'If it's the new emperor's temperament... then that makes sense...'
'Hmm, I understand why you would do that…'
Qi Chengming looked around and waved during his coronation ceremony.
An unexpected person walked up. It was Zhao Fuman, whose eyes were bloodshot and whose face was covered in bruises, indicating that he had been up for at least three nights in a row, yet he was still in high spirits.
Song Gu: "...?!"
Zhao Fuman held up a thick scroll and read aloud: "In the first year of Hongren, the second prince was born. At that time, the Weiyong Army suffered a great defeat. Consort Rong exaggerated and went to Consort Hua's palace, causing Consort Hua to die after childbirth. She also spread rumors in the palace that the second prince was a lone star sent from heaven... The empress also contributed to this, and later treated the second prince harshly."
Song Gu's guess was confirmed, and his heart died with it: "..."
His expression was extremely complicated for a moment, and he was grinding his teeth.
The old Earl and his wife, who had finally entered the palace again after many years, were shocked and incredulous. The old Earl's wife raised her head and looked at her grandson above with tears in her eyes. She never thought that she would live to see this day of reckoning.
Prince Ning gritted his teeth, but his shoulders suddenly slumped. He felt a sense of disorientation, as if a long-hidden burden had finally been discovered, and an untimely sense of relief. He listened in a daze, no longer thinking about anything.
The third princess swayed as she listened.
Zhao Fuman hadn't finished speaking:
"In the sixth year of Hongren's reign, the third prince attempted to push the second prince into a well, but failed. Consort Rong then carried out the cleanup and killed several witnesses to cover it up..."
After recounting a piece of evidence, he distributed the papers with the signed confessions to the ministers for them to see.
"...In the fifteenth year of Hongren, Consort Rong secretly poisoned Prince Rui, who had been enfeoffed. The seventh prince had a secret conversation with his study companion and then instructed officials to impeach Prince Rui in court. The empress also contributed to the plot."
The seventh prince, who had just been granted the title of Prince, changed his expression. He looked around and saw that the people standing around him subconsciously gave him a strange look before resuming their posture and not daring to speak to him.
Although they didn't say anything, the Seventh Prince felt extremely uncomfortable, his whole body aching: "..."
"In the sixteenth year of Hongren's reign, the seventh prince instigated his foster mother's clan to frame Consort Xian's clan for attacking Prince Rui, who was returning to the capital... The Empress, Consort Shu, and Consort Rong each had their own people to spread rumors..."
Now there was one more person whose face turned pale – the maternal uncle of the deceased eldest prince, who knelt down on the ground with a thud.
Xiao Chengzi and Xiao Dezi forgot their smugness and looked indignant.
Your Highness has been through so much; what's being reported here is only a part of it! And we haven't even mentioned how rumors inexplicably started circulating in the palace, leading to a severe scolding from the Emperor Emeritus and being sent to your fiefdom! The Empress is so wicked, always stirring up trouble… Could she have been involved that time too?
Qi Chengming listened intently as Cui Anshi recounted each and every detail, his face expressionless.
These were originally obstacles that Emperor Hongren had promised to remove for him, to avenge him. However, several of these matters, though Emperor Hongren had clearly uncovered, were suppressed due to his fear of Qi Chengming. How could Emperor Hongren have the audacity to use this as a bargaining chip?
He's the emperor now; he doesn't need anyone to avenge him. He can take revenge on his own.
Qi Chengming didn't say anything at the time, but even though he was incredibly busy for the next three days, he still had Cui the secret agent investigate thoroughly. There was no need to keep a close eye on those old stories; just keep an eye on Emperor Hongren's people. Those suppressed clues and evidence would be easier to trace back to. Sure enough, the investigation was quick. "A new emperor, a new court," the servants understood this principle; once you asked the right people, few would remain silent.
In this way, the matter became clear, and then Zhao Fuman, the former chief eunuch of the retired emperor, read out the evidence...
Zhao Fuman read for a long time, and the crowd in the hall below remained silent. No official was stubborn enough to insist on offering advice at this time. The new emperor was already purging the old guard during his own coronation ceremony, unwilling to wait a moment longer... Wasn't that enough to make them understand his determination this time?
Many of those present were unfamiliar with the current emperor's temperament and dared not step forward in the first place. Now, they were even more determined to listen carefully and figure out the new emperor's personality so that they would know how to get along with him in the future.
Finally, Zhao Fuman stopped. The thick stack of evidence in his hand had been turned to the last page—an unusual bright yellow, an imperial edict.
"The commoner Yu, who murdered my birth mother, is guilty of heinous crime. She is hereby given a cup of poisoned wine in the Cold Palace. The entire Yu clan, except for one branch spared by the Emperor Emeritus, shall be executed or exiled as appropriate." Zhao Fuman read the imperial edict with practiced ease.
However, the latter half of what he said was utter nonsense. Ever since the Third Prince rebelled and forced the emperor to abdicate, the few remaining members of the Third Prince's faction were wiped out as if the land had been plowed clean, and the remaining members of the Yu clan were also captured. They deserved this fate.
The ministers listening below were starting to understand the situation.
After listening, they had almost finished reading the offerings in their hands.
The new emperor… these pieces of evidence mention three people, yet only the mother of the third prince, who had already been demoted to commoner status, was explicitly punished by imperial decree, while the empress and the seventh prince remained silent. Why is there only one charge, accusing her of murdering the emperor's birth mother? Wouldn't repeatedly instigating the emperor's murders be a far more serious crime? Furthermore, everyone else has been granted titles, even the seventh prince, who also plotted against the new emperor, received one. Why is the empress the only one not mentioned?
What does the new emperor mean by this?
"Have you all seen this clearly? Now, tell me what you mean?" Qi Chengming gestured for them to speak.
The most quick-witted were the censors.
Imperial Censor Zhao immediately stepped forward and said solemnly, "Your Majesty has redressed your mother's grievances, and your filial piety has moved Heaven! The late Empress lacked compassion and the virtues of an Empress. I request that you abolish the position of the late Empress!"
The officials were in uproar.
The Emperor Emeritus is still alive! He only abdicated an hour ago, how dare you say that!
Having been hinted at beforehand and already aware of the situation, the Imperial Clan Leader, Uncle, gritted his teeth and said, "We, the members of the Imperial Clan, second that proposal."
Should they side with the Retired Emperor or His Majesty? There was no need to even think about it. The Imperial Clan Court Commander was on good terms with the Marquis of Weiyong's family, and his eldest grandson was even the current emperor's study companion! Moreover, His Majesty's words were reasonable and well-founded; such an empress was unworthy of the throne. The members of the Imperial Clan in the capital were persuaded with little effort.
A cacophony of angry voices erupted in the main hall, all protesting against the order:
"No! How can Your Majesty depose his mother because he is a son? Censor Zhao, are you trying to put Your Majesty at a disadvantage?" "The late Empress was the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty's legal mother... This action violates filial piety. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!"
Qi Chengming's gaze swept over several important officials.
Wang Chuandao looked troubled and struggled violently. Grand Scholar Mu remained silent, somewhat disapproving, but neither of them moved.
They knew how determined the new emperor was to make such a bold move at his coronation. But it was still far too reckless! Things don't always have to be done so openly, nor can they be accomplished by simply charging ahead. The new emperor, brimming with pride after his ascension, would be disappointed!
Qin Liusong glanced at them, indicating a differing opinion. He directly stated, "Your Majesty deeply mourns the kindness of Consort Hua in giving birth to you. How can you back down in seeking justice for your mother? I second your proposal to depose the late Empress!"
Shen Shuzhi agreed without hesitation, head held high: "I second that! A person without virtue or talent is unfit to be the mother of the emperor!"
His judgment wasn't great; he couldn't choose the true chosen one from among the princes. But he wasn't blind! He knew which to choose between the emperor and his ministers!
Their words reminded many people.
Grand Tutor Wu narrowed his eyes, seized the key point and stated: "This old minister requests that the late Empress be deposed—and that the late Consort Hua be posthumously honored as Empress Dowager."
Grand Tutor Wu had countless disciples, and many of these officials were initially frowning and looking troubled, believing that His Majesty's actions were somewhat excessive. After all, to immediately try to publicly condemn his own stepmother was far too...unfilial. Did an emperor need a reason to punish those who had harmed him? There were countless ways to do it directly; who would stop him? Why make things difficult for them now?
Isn't this forcing them to stop it?
But as soon as the others spoke, it was as if they had been enlightened.
...His Majesty is unwilling to let the late Empress, who harmed people, sit on the throne of Empress Dowager and enjoy a day of glory. That position can only be left to the deceased Consort Hua.
The Minister of Rites gripped his official tablet thoughtfully.
His Majesty's decision not to confer the title of Empress Dowager upon the late Empress as is customary is likely due to the rules of etiquette. Given the current situation, some are already saying His Majesty has violated filial piety; conferring the title of Empress Dowager upon her would make the matter even more irrelevant.
He glanced up, neither daring to second nor to object, and simply sighed.
Grand Secretary Cao, however, thought much deeper: If the Empress falls, won't the legitimate son also fall? Even if Prince Ning must be granted a higher title as per custom, his status will be greatly diminished. What threat does the deposed Empress's son pose? His Majesty must be using this purge to consolidate imperial power and suppress dissent… This is not something that can be easily swayed by their vehement opposition!
Therefore, although Grand Secretary Cao was once a confidant of the retired emperor, he did not hesitate to turn the bow of the ship and kneel down to agree, saying, "Your subject seconds the motion!"
The hall fell silent.
Officials on both Grand Tutor Wu's and Grand Secretary Cao's sides, including many lower-ranking officials, hesitated and changed their minds: "Your Majesty, I second that proposal." "This humble official requests that it be rescinded..."
Even so, most of the people present believed that this action violated filial piety and opposed it.
"The late Empress was immoral and repeatedly plotted to harm Your Majesty. I request that she be punished." The Minister of Personnel and the others were getting tired of arguing and made their implied memorial.
This time, many people echoed the sentiment, asking the emperor to punish them.
Prince Ning, the Third Princess, and Wang Shi knelt on the ground, their faces pale, saying nothing.
Qi Chengming knew this would be the outcome; his ministers were hinting to him to directly punish the late empress and her family!
Anyway, this is feasible, isn't it? His Majesty can avenge his mother, refrain from bestowing the title of Empress Dowager upon the late Empress, and settle scores with his enemies. He can achieve everything he desires! Ultimately, the most prominent violation of the established rites by the new emperor is his attempt to depose his stepmother as his son.
This one point alone is not enough!
Qi Chengming, lost in thought about his next move, remained expressionless before suddenly shifting his focus: "Punishment is warranted, but let's leave that aside for now. Seventh Brother, what do you have to say?"
Grand Scholar Mu's gaze suddenly sharpened as he realized something was amiss.
The new emperor, setting aside his own words, expressed his dissatisfaction with their compromise proposal and insisted on deposing the late empress. Grand Secretary Mu, having served three emperors, possessed a keen political sense and initially believed the new emperor was acting out of filial piety towards his mother and, fueled by his newfound power, resorting to such crude methods to exact revenge during his coronation ceremony. Therefore, Grand Secretary Mu remained silent.
He was just waiting for the new emperor to have suffered a setback with his courtiers, so that he would come to his senses, accept the ministers' conciliatory suggestions, and restore his former shrewd methods without losing face, thus bringing the matter to a close.
This insistence on it now means...
This is the new emperor's plan!
It's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost. In a flash, Grand Secretary Mu thought deeply and felt a chill run down his spine. He rushed to the front of the new emperor's questioning of the seventh prince, disregarding the embarrassment of doing so, and said: "This old minister just dozed off. What the Minister of Personnel said is reasonable! This old minister requests that the late Empress be deposed... and that all those responsible be punished!"
Grand Scholar Mu spoke each word carefully.
Other ministers: "..."
Weren't we finally managed to smooth things over?
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The author's note: This matter will not be resolved until it has passed—let's see what Qi Chengming wants to do on his first day on the throne.
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