"Two years ago, my father passed away and passed the throne to me. However, I was still young and ignorant. It was decided that my grandmother would assist me and act as regent. But I never expected that my grandmother would abuse her power, exploit the people, squander the national treasury, listen to the slander of treacherous officials, and persecute loyal ministers. Her crimes are too numerous to list!"
"Because I was young and ignorant, my imperial power was repeatedly stripped away by my grandmother. Therefore, I issued an imperial edict ordering Prince Gong to secretly assist me in exposing my grandmother's various crimes and to act on behalf of Heaven!"
"Originally, I did not intend to harm my grandmother. I only hoped that she would retire to the inner palace and live out her days in peace. However, I never expected that she would be overwhelmed with guilt for the various crimes she had committed and would commit suicide on the spot."
"I am truly heartbroken."
When Yu Jing'an said these words, his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was truly saddened by the death of the Empress Dowager.
However, in the blink of an eye, Yu Jing'an regained his composure: "Where is the Ministry of Rites?"
The Minister of Rites immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your subject is here."
"Although the Empress Dowager has committed various crimes, the blame lies with me for being unable to assume the great responsibility. During her regency, my grandmother did not have any merits but she did have hard work. After the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs has investigated this matter, you shall proceed with the funeral arrangements for my grandmother and bury her in the Imperial Mausoleum, with the assistance of the Imperial Observatory."
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau officials stepped forward and, together with the Minister of Rites, bowed respectfully: "Your subject obeys the decree!"
The ministers bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
The Empress Dowager was Emperor Yu Jing'an's grandmother, so he could not punish her severely, both morally and logically. Moreover, although the ministers were not convinced by the Empress Dowager's rule, they would not be convinced if the young emperor went too far at this time.
"Your Majesty." At this moment, a minister stepped forward: "The Empress Dowager has committed many crimes, among which the Grand Preceptor has made significant contributions. I have heard that the Grand Preceptor was injured by Prince Gong and is now resting in a side hall. May I ask Your Majesty how he should be dealt with?"
"Your Majesty, that sorcerer's crimes are unforgivable. In my opinion, he should be thrown into the imperial prison and never see the light of day again." Another courtier stepped forward to agree.
“I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing. The Imperial Preceptor aided and abetted the wicked and should be punished, but…” Yu Jing’an’s brows twitched slightly as he questioned, “If the Imperial Medical Academy had even half the ability, why would they be so beloved by the people of the capital?”
He glared at the courtier who had stepped forward: "I have not mentioned the Imperial Preceptor at all, precisely to avoid inciting discontent among the people. What are your intentions in being so eager to punish the Imperial Preceptor?"
When the Empress Dowager was in power, Xiao Chensheng held a very high position in the hearts of the people in the city.
Who knows what the people Xiao Chensheng saved would think if he were thrown into prison?
Upon hearing this, the court official immediately knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, I know my crime. It was my oversight. Please forgive me."
Yu Jing'an lifted his dragon robe and sat steadily on the dragon throne: "I will decide this matter myself. My beloved ministers, please be patient. Prince Gong has been working day and night to assist me and has not dared to slacken in the slightest..."
He looked at the Imperial Observatory and said, "Choose an auspicious time and begin preparing a banquet. I wish to welcome my elder brother back and wash away the dust of his journey."
"Yes." The Imperial Observatory accepted the order.
"Your Majesty," Su Shiyan stepped forward, "Where is Prince Gong now?"
"Your Majesty has important matters to attend to. What is it? Does Minister Su need Your Majesty's help?"
"Your humble servant dares not, for it is because I have not seen my sister for many years and miss her dearly. Therefore, your humble servant can only choose a day to visit her."
Yu Jing'an raised his eyes and looked at everyone in the hall: "The matter has come suddenly, and I am exhausted. If there is anything to report, please speak; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"
The news of the Empress Dowager's death spread throughout the capital in less than an hour. The petition from the officials also surprised the people. Although they did not know exactly what had happened, they had clearly heard the voices from the palace last night listing the Empress Dowager's crimes.
In addition to the news from today's morning court session, the soldiers patrolling the streets today, with dragon emblems printed on their armor—aren't they the Dragon Flag Army?
As to what exactly happened, the people began to speculate. Some said that Prince Gong had returned to seize power, while others said that the Empress Dowager would not tolerate Prince Gong and sent troops to attack Fucheng before recalling the Dragon Flag Army to Beijing.
The rumors circulating in the capital were a mix of truth and falsehood. Even the news of the Empress Dowager's death was met with skepticism among the people. If the Empress Dowager was truly dead, then who was in power now?
Could it be true, as rumored, that Prince Gong has returned to seize power?
However, during this morning's court session, it appears that Prince Gong did not assume regency, and the throne did not change hands.
However, the young emperor is still young. Will the future of the Great Jin Dynasty fall into the hands of a child?
At the same time that the people were speculating, many high-ranking officials in the capital were arrested. Depending on the severity of the case, the punishment ranged from being stripped of their official titles and ranks to the execution of their entire families. For a time, the people of the capital dared not say much, and did not even have the courage to glance at them when passing by.
Su Wanyan didn't feel sleepy when she was tense after not sleeping all night, but as soon as she had some free time, her eyelids would start to droop.
Yu Nanqing was ordered to adjust military supplies. Su Wanyan saw that an hour was almost up, stretched and yawned, and was about to go and give Xiaochen acupuncture.
Just then, a palace maid rushed in from outside the hall to report: "Your Highness, something terrible has happened."
"..." Could something bad possibly happen at this point?
Just then, the palace maid reported, "The Grand Preceptor... the Grand Preceptor has disappeared."
Su Wanyan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Gone?"
The palace maid nodded: "The messenger said that they can't find the Grand Preceptor anywhere. They've searched the front and back of the palace. Your Highness, what should we do now?"
What can we do? Just let it be.
Su Wanyan, who had just stood up, sat down again: "Go and report this matter truthfully to the Emperor, and let the Emperor decide."
"Huh?" The palace maid was taken aback.
Everyone says that the Imperial Preceptor survived entirely because of Princess Gong, and people thought that they had a close relationship. But she was so nonchalant about it.
Could it be that the rumors circulating in the palace are wrong?
"What? Aren't you going?" Su Wanyan glanced at her.
The palace maid quickly accepted the order: "Yes."
After the palace maid withdrew, Luo Xue stepped forward and poured Su Wanyan a cup of tea: "He was so badly injured, he probably can't have escaped far, Your Highness..."
She lowered her voice: "Should I go and bring him back?"
Su Wanyan found it amusing: "Why bring them back?"
It would be better if Xiao Chensheng disappeared at this time.
If it were her, and she had the ability to escape, she would run away too.
Are we really going to wait for the imperial court to punish us and let us suffer a prison sentence for nothing before we feel satisfied?
Besides, she didn't want Xiaochen to die, so this outcome was the best.
Su Wanyan yawned widely, stretching as she walked towards her bedchamber. Why did she have to run away an hour later of all times? It made her wait two hours for nothing.
As soon as Su Wanyan finished thinking about these words, she lay down on the bed and couldn't resist the drowsiness. She fell asleep in the blink of an eye.
The palace, the prison.
Su Shixu didn't even change out of his prison uniform; he was still wearing the same silver helmet.
The sound of chains clanging echoed from the cell door. He looked up, surprised, and stood up: "Big Brother?"
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