However, not a single member of the Imperial Guards present stepped forward.
"Why aren't you moving? Do you also want to rebel?!" the emperor roared.
Cheng Tishou, the commander of the Imperial Guards, stepped forward, walked to Lu Zhao's side, and stated his position.
"Your Highness, I was unaware that His Majesty's arrangements today were intended to deal with you."
Before Lu Zhao could express his opinion, the emperor shouted, "Cheng Tishou, you were promoted by me, how dare you betray me!"
Commander Cheng said apologetically, "I was promoted by the Regent. When the Regent is not around, I obey the Emperor's orders. When he is around, I naturally obey him."
The emperor was so angry that his blood surged and he almost vomited blood. He even regretted breaking ties with Lu Zhao.
The current situation is very unfavorable to him.
"Your Majesty, where is Gu Chaoxi?"
The emperor suddenly remembered that Gu Chaoxi was still in his hands.
Judging from Lu Zhao's anxious appearance, the emperor could guess that Gu Chaoxi held a very important place in his heart.
By taking her hostage, they essentially gained control of Lu Zhao's weak point!
The initial panic caused by Commander Cheng's betrayal subsided slightly.
"Consort Yun, bring the person out."
"Gu Chaoxi is in my hands. Lu Zhao, you care about her! If you want her to live, cripple your right hand right now in front of me."
"I can grant your request, as long as you are willing to relinquish your status as regent and give power to me, I will not kill her!"
"I'm sorry, your beloved concubine is not feeling well, so I'll have to bring her out myself."
The door to the side hall was suddenly opened from the inside. Gu Chaoxi walked in front, followed by Xiangzhu carrying the unconscious Gu Ruiyun, who was bound hand and foot. Through the crack in the door behind them, they could vaguely see a palace maid lying inside.
Seeing that Gu Chaoxi was safe and sound, Lu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, took a few quick steps forward, grabbed her hand, and looked her up and down.
Are you injured?
Gu Chaoxi winked at him, "Don't worry, I'm smart enough, she can't hurt me."
After saying that, she turned to look at the emperor's shocked and ashen face. "Oh dear, the sleeping potion in the palace wasn't working well. She didn't manage to knock me out; instead, I knocked her out. We sat in the side hall for a while. Your Majesty won't be upset that I didn't come out earlier, will you?"
Lu Zhao gripped Gu Chaoxi's hand tightly, pulling her behind him to shield her.
"Your Majesty, you may be wary of me as much as you like, but you shouldn't have set your sights on her."
The emperor knew from the moment he saw Gu Chaoxi emerge unharmed that he had no chance of winning today.
The Imperial Guards were not on his side, and he no longer had any hostages.
The emperor truly regretted his actions; he shouldn't have rashly broken ties with Lu Zhao. Seeing that Lu Zhao was genuinely angry, he panicked, feeling that everything was spiraling out of control.
His lips moved, and he wisely lowered his head. "Uncle! I was only displeased with you because I listened to slander. I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this once, Uncle, for the sake of Grandfather!"
"This mess today was all instigated by Gu Ruiyun. I hereby banish her to the Cold Palace. From now on, I will diligently study the art of governing the country and dedicate myself wholeheartedly to my Great Yu!"
Gu Chaoxi was indignant and couldn't help but speak up for Lu Zhao, "Your Majesty, you ascended the throne at the age of eight, and the Prince assisted you for nearly ten years! During these ten years, he fought against external threats and brought peace to the country. First, he led expeditions to the border to intimidate the neighboring small countries, and then he quelled the rebellion of Prince An and others. He shed the blood of his brothers to help you consolidate your throne. Without him, could you have secured the throne?!"
"Not to mention the ten years of daily assistance and instruction in the ways of the emperor. Now, with just a few words, someone has made you suspicious of your own uncle. Is it just their flattery, or has Your Majesty long been dissatisfied with the prince's regency and wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible?"
The emperor was embarrassed and furious to be publicly insulted.
"Shut up!"
"Uncle, after this incident, I truly regret my past actions. My grandfather left a will before his death, asking you to assist me well. I was blinded by greed and did not trust you."
While playing the victim, the emperor invoked the late emperor's name, reminding Lu Zhao that his throne was passed down to him by the late emperor and that Lu Zhao could not usurp it!
Jin Yang returned from outside the palace at this time, carrying a box in his hands.
"Your Highness, I have brought it."
When the emperor saw the box, for some reason, his heart skipped a beat and he felt extremely flustered.
Listening to the emperor's sophistry, Lu Zhao, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.
"Jinyang, send someone to summon all civil and military officials to the palace. I have the late emperor's edict to announce."
Lu Zhao was worried that Gu Chaoxi would be frightened, so he first sent her to the palace where he used to live to rest, and instructed the palace servants to take good care of her before turning around and heading to the Hall of Diligent Governance.
The civil and military officials, bewildered, hurriedly entered the palace and gathered in the Hall of Diligent Governance. Some astute individuals discovered that something major seemed to have happened in the palace, and they all entered the palace with utmost vigilance.
The emperor sat at the head of the table, his heart pounding with fear.
No matter how much he tried to apologize or bring up his parents and the late emperor, Lu Zhao ignored him, only concerned about whether Gu Chaoxi was frightened or hungry.
This summoning of all civil and military officials made him even more uneasy.
What is Lu Zhao trying to do? Is he trying to get him to issue an edict of self-reproach in front of all the civil and military officials?
A more terrifying suspicion took shape in his mind, making him afraid to think about it any further.
Once everyone was present, Lu Zhao took out the imperial edict from the box.
"I have a late emperor's edict to announce, and I ask all of you to be my witnesses."
"Lu Zixuan, receive the late Emperor's decree!"
The emperor had no choice but to kneel down to receive the imperial decree, and the prince, civil and military officials followed suit and knelt down as well.
"In his will, the late Emperor decreed that as my time draws near, my greatest concern is for the succession of the Great Yu. My eldest grandson, Lu Zixuan, is still young and his mind is not yet settled. If he lacks both the talent of an emperor and the diligence to govern, his uncle Lu Zhao may depose him and establish a new emperor!"
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