Chapter 93: Confrontation He crossed all the turmoil and came towards her. ...
Today is the emperor's birthday after all. The young emperor is dressed in heavy and noble robes. He stands surrounded by layers of palace guards. He does not immediately order people to stand up, but slowly glances at the crowd, and finally fixes his gaze on Zhu Hao and Qi'an, who are half-hidden in the light and shadow of the palace gate.
The news of the day has already been delivered to the emperor.
The teacher unexpectedly took in a new woman in his house. This woman caused trouble in the street, prompting the teacher, who usually did not care about worldly affairs, to go to the prison to rescue her. This shows how much the teacher favored this woman. In addition, Yu Shu's wife and children knelt in the streets, cursing the teacher, but all the praise was given to him, a king who did nothing but wear fine clothes and eat delicious food in the ninth heaven... His wife kowtowed three times and nine times along the way, just asking for justice to let her husband rest in peace.
Jiang Zhi's lips curled up into an ambiguous smile. He had been lingering on the couch for a long time, and today he wanted to experience this wonderful show in person.
Supported by the Palace Guards and the Flying Dragon Guards, he slowly walked towards Zhu Hao, saying, "Ah Lin, no need to be polite."
The woman in the veil remained motionless upon hearing the voice, still bowing politely. Jiang Zhi paused and said nonchalantly, "Everyone, stand up."
Only then did the woman from Mi Li slowly stand up with the crowd.
Jiang Zhi stood at an arm's length away from Zhu Hao.
The emperor's will was clear, so looking around, only those wishing good luck and praying for peace were still kneeling at the steps of the palace.
Although Qi'an had a mischievous temper, he was usually obedient. But now, for some reason, he was trying with all his might to break free from Zhu Hao. With the emperor in front of her, how could Zhu Hao tolerate his temper? No matter how Qi'an struggled, she would not let go.
Unexpectedly, the child seemed to have taken the wrong medicine, and his nails dug into the tender flesh of her palm, causing her brow to jump in pain.
Zhu Hao cursed inwardly, thinking that once this matter was over, she would come up with a hundred or eighty ways to deal with him.
The sky suddenly darkened, and a figure blocked out the sun above her head. The person looked down at her, his gentle expression concealing a mysterious meaning: "Teacher likes you very much?"
Her mind raced, and Zhu Haoli replied, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor is solely concerned about the state and health of Great Ying. Therefore, I do not deserve your affection. However, I have often heard you speak of your majesty's wisdom and wisdom. You have been unable to see me recently, and I have been deeply concerned. Seeing your majesty personally here today to celebrate with the people, I think the heavy burden on your heart has finally been lifted. I think that when you return home, you may be able to benefit from your majesty's grace."
"Oh?" Jiang Zhi raised an eyebrow. The palace guards in front of him first stepped forward and felt around Zhu Hao's sleeves and shoes. After confirming that he had no hidden weapons, they stepped back from Jiang Zhi. The young emperor took two steps closer and suddenly grasped her chin. "What favor did I give you?"
This question revealed how much Song Xieqing loved her.
Zhu Hao lowered his head and looked respectfully, saying, "When Your Majesty heard that he was in good health, your worries would subside and you would be willing to spend more time with me... Isn't this a blessing from Your Majesty?"
"I dare to say something." Her voice trembled, and a faint blush spread across her face, which then faded to paleness in the blink of an eye. After a while, Zhu Hao whispered, "The Imperial Preceptor has lifted his heavy burden, so he can... accommodate someone as insignificant as me in his busy schedule. Otherwise, five or six out of ten sentences he would have mentioned Your Majesty."
As soon as she said this, her face suddenly changed color. Zhu Hao touched the ground with her forehead and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I... I am not blaming Your Majesty for monopolizing the thoughts of the Imperial Preceptor, but... but..."
Jiang Zhi maintained his usual cold smile. The woman kneeling in front of the steps kept saying "but" for a long time, but nothing came out.
Does the teacher actually like a woman like this? Although she is a little clever, she still lacks some skills...
He released the five fingers that were gripping Zhu Hao's jaw, but did not scream.
As soon as Jiang Zhi saw the woman's frightened expression as she pulled the child beside her and kowtowed repeatedly, he felt even less interested.
At this moment, Jiang Lin stepped forward and gestured towards Jiang Zhi. Jiang Zhi's fake smile suddenly disappeared, and he frowned and asked Mei Lianjun who was not far away: "What is she talking about?"
Mei Lianjun bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, Princess Suiping has prepared a birthday gift for Your Majesty in Fengzhu Palace. Your Majesty is respectfully invited to come and see it."
Jiang Zhi smiled and pointedly said to Jiang Lin, "Don't worry. The birthday gift is already well placed in Fengzhu Hall. Could it possibly grow wings and fly away? It's not my Saker Falcon. It will disappear once it flies into Fengzhu Hall..."
He saw Jiang Lin about to raise his hand to gesture again, but Jiang Zhi immediately turned his head away, pretending not to see it, and turned to the kneeling Zhu Hao and said, "Alright, stand up."
Hearing this, Jiang Lin slowly lowered his hand which had been raised in the air.
Jiang Zhi turned his scrutinizing gaze to Qi'an, and was about to speak when a woman staggered out from the palace gate with disheveled hair and rushed straight to the emperor. Seeing this, the palace guards and the Flying Dragon Guards immediately surrounded Jiang Zhi and forced the woman to kneel down at the steps of the palace.
The woman cried out to heaven and earth, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I have been wronged!"
On ordinary days, he would not have the leisure to listen to these ants complaining about trivial grievances, but when he thought of this woman cursing the teacher in the street, and not forgetting to praise him with every word...
Jiang Zhi found it funny. What merits and virtues could be praised about a king who had been on the throne for three years, slaughtered loyal and good people, done nothing, and neglected state affairs?
He actually wanted to hear how this woman would curse Song Lang. Jiang Zhi suppressed the slightly sarcastic arc on the corner of his mouth, put on a compassionate look and said, "What injustice have you suffered? Just tell me, I am going on tour today not only to have fun with the people, but also to listen to their livelihood..."
Zhu Hao held down Qi'an who was about to rush towards his mother. She was confused and worried. Madam Yu was clearly under Xiangyu's care, so how did she get out of the house?
Inside the mansion gate, Xiang Yu hid behind the eaves pillar, his hand pressing on the hilt of the sword.
The woman's forehead slammed heavily on the steps, and the sound of her voice shook everyone's heart. Qi'an burst into tears, "Mother! Mother!"
The woman seemed not to hear anything. She could feel the veins on her forehead throbbing with the sound of the kowtow. Her hands were trembling, but she still did not forget to hold the struggling Qi'an tightly.
Mei Lianjun and Jiang Lin's eyes met, then quickly looked away.
Jiang Lin wanted to go forward to support the woman, but he saw her suddenly pull out a silver hairpin from her bun and put it straight to her throat.
Jiang Lin had no choice but to retreat. Jiang Zhi's eyelids twitched, and he took several steps back surrounded by palace guards.
Mei Lianjun said, "Madam Yu, today is His Majesty's birthday, and it is inappropriate to see bloodshed. I hope you will put down your hairpin for the time being. Please tell me slowly about your grievances."
The woman ignored him and instead pushed the silver hairpin closer. A drop of bright red blood rolled down her neck.
Zhu Haoyin had some guesses, but when he saw the child struggling desperately beside him, he felt his internal organs twisted into a knot.
The woman wept bitterly, looking up to the sky. She demanded, "The Yu family has served in the military for three generations, a family full of loyal warriors! They've either been guarding the borders or suppressing rebels. My husband's father died in battle before the Qing army. How could he have surrendered to the Qing army? Although my husband has been missing for three years, Your Majesty, will you grant my husband a chance to defend himself in this palace? Have you ever asked what happened to him during those three years?"
At that time, many people had gathered outside the emperor's procession, all of them stretched their necks, cracked melon seeds and watched this shocking drama that would not be seen once in a century.
The woman's words puzzled everyone. Hadn't they said she had defied the Imperial Tutor's authority and cursed him publicly? Hadn't they said she had blamed the Imperial Tutor entirely for her husband's death? And what was she up to with this sudden change of tone?
Before anyone could react, the woman continued, "The entire court is full of civil and military officials who are like the emperor's sharp swords! Now that Daying is plagued by internal and external troubles, Your Majesty has pointed the tip of the sword directly at his own humerus! Attacked on the best generals of the court! This subject, I will shed my blood today to prove my resolve! I will teach the people of the world to see Daying as a laughing stock. With such a ruler, how can the country last long? If His Royal Highness Prince Ling were still alive, Daying would never have come to this point."
It was Big Brother again… Jiang Zhi didn't show it on his face, but his eyes were darkening. Even if Big Brother was still around, what would it matter? He was the legitimate heir. Even if he hadn't led Big Brother away from the army, wouldn't he have been the one to ascend the throne?
Although the throne was just the compensation given to him by the old immortal... Thinking of this, Jiang Zhi chuckled. How could it be given to him? It was clearly...
He glared coldly at the woman in front of the steps. The next moment, the silver hairpin pierced her throat. The woman fell to the ground, blood gushing from her throat. Her eyes were still open, but she was no longer breathing.
Zhu Hao held back her tears and let go of Qi'an. The child howled and threw himself towards his mother's gradually cooling body. Mei Lianjun took a step forward, but finally retreated silently.
Everyone suddenly understood that the woman's original curse on Song Lang and praise of the emperor was just a temporary measure to meet the emperor.
After all, without the emperor's tacit consent, how could the imperial teacher dare to wield a sword and kill the general in the Golden Palace?
It wouldn't be long before this shocking news spread far and wide. The emperor was inherently absurd, and this incident had only intensified his brutality. While the Flying Dragon Guards were keeping him in check, preventing anyone from making private comments, what would happen after that? Jiang Zhi's reputation would only deepen. Unworthy of his position, he had lost the people's support. How could he possibly rule the world?
Several of the late emperor's brothers are still sealed outside the capital, and they are all eyeing the throne covetously. Now Daying is facing internal and external troubles. The emperor has been on the throne for three years, and the rules and regulations have been relaxed and the people have lost their support. Now this kind of thing has happened. Several uncles must be watching in secret, waiting for the right time. One day they may lead their troops to the capital and find an excuse to "clear the court" to march into Daying.
Reputation? Jiang Zhi scoffed. Why did he need such empty reputation? Did this woman think she had planned everything and had many clever schemes?
He glanced at the woman's body and the crying child lying on it with disgust, and said calmly, "How could she die so easily? Besides, she said she was General Yu's wife, but she really was? This woman insulted my teacher the other day, so I'll give her a..."
"Five horses torn apart."
These four short words were enough to make everyone present go weak in the knees.
Several palace guards stepped forward and were about to pull the crying child away, but Zhu Hao had already stepped forward. Qi'an was clinging to his mother's body regardless of his life. Zhu Hao and Mei Lianjun worked together to pull Qi'an away.
Upon seeing this, the palace guards immediately carried the woman's body and were about to leave.
"slow."
Everyone turned around and saw a handsome man in long gown and jade crown.
Li Qingrang approached and bowed, saying gently, "Today is Your Majesty's 1000th birthday. I believe that it is inappropriate to shed blood..."
Mei Lianjun's eyelashes trembled slightly when she heard the man flattering her, "Your Majesty, since ascending the throne, has been virtuous and holy, carrying the mandate of Heaven. Today is your holy birthday. How can your Majesty, the Son of Heaven, allow this woman to be stained with blood and bad luck? In my opinion, it would be better to wrap her up in a straw mat first, and wait until after today to execute her by being torn apart by five horses."
Jiang Zhi disdained everything, including fame, public support, and history, let alone the so-called bad luck?
Amidst the subdued atmosphere of everyone holding their breath, the emperor suddenly smiled. He looked at the cowering civilians on the street and ordered, "Because today is my centenary birthday, we must exorcise the bad luck as soon as possible... I'm sure the onlookers, witnessing this woman committing suicide, have also been exposed to a great deal of foul air. Come, arrest all the people within a ten-mile radius..."
He said, "Lose your eyes."
The palace guards sprang to their feet, surrounding the surrounding civilians. Jiang Zhi smiled and casually walked towards the imperial sedan chair. He had already stepped on the back of a palace maid. Suddenly, he turned around and fixed his eyes on Zhu Hao: "You, follow me into the palace."
Zhu Hao suppressed her disgust and bowed, "Your Majesty, please understand. It's not that I'm disobeying you, but..."
Jiang Zhi interrupted her, "No matter how eloquent you are, no matter how many excuses you come up with, as long as you refuse me, you will be disobeying my order, and disobeying my order will result in death. Do you understand?"
He ignored the chaos around him, calmly twirling the jade ring on his finger, and said, "Isn't the teacher also in the palace? I personally brought you to him. You should be grateful."
Jiang Zhi glanced at Qi An, who was crying loudly, with a hint of amusement in his eyes, "If you are scared, why not ask this child to accompany you?"
How could she not hear that these words were meant to intimidate or coerce?
The people either fell to the ground trembling, or kowtowed with tears in their eyes, wishing for good fortune. It was unbearable to watch, as if they were being tortured by a blunt knife.
She held her hands flat and was about to respond, but she heard a horse neighing amid the noisy voices.
Wherever he passed, dust and smoke were blown, and he came towards her across all the chaos.
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The author has something to say: The emperor is a pure pervert who can't stand others doing well.
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