Chapter 676: The Deposed Princess Strikes Back at the Female General 123
Jiang Yanliu was stunned for a moment, then she understood that the Queen Mother was trying to appease Yier, so she made an exception and promoted her to Imperial Concubine.
The emperor treated them mother and son so cruelly. Although she knew that everything would be safe today, she was still heartbroken.
It is obvious that Yier is a thousand times better than King Rui and has made great military achievements. Why can't he compete for that position!
Yier always thought that she didn't understand, but in fact she saw it all. Now it has come to a point where it is a fight to the death. If she takes a step forward, she will have a bright future, but if she takes a step back, she will be doomed.
With her promotion, Yier's family background became even more prominent. In the past, she would have refused out of fear, but now she was eager to surpass Concubine Xiao.
Jiang Yanliu bowed to the Queen Mother and said, "I thank you very much for your grace. May your Majesty live a thousand years!"
Prince Rui was anxious. A prostitute actually became a royal concubine. Wouldn't that mean she would be on equal footing with her mother? Then his origin would be the same as Yuwen Yi's. He was obviously the most noble one among all the princes, so why should Yuwen Yi be the same as him?
"Grandmother, this is against etiquette. According to ancestral rules, there can only be one imperial concubine in the harem."
The Queen Mother glanced at Prince Rui and said in a cold and hard tone, "You said so. Since there can only be one Imperial Concubine, one should be demoted to a concubine. Imperial Concubine Xiao has made mistakes repeatedly, so it's time to give her a small punishment and a big warning."
Prince Rui's face changed, and he dared not raise any more objections. "My grandson is wrong. The affairs of the harem are decided by the Royal Grandmother. My grandson should not interfere."
The Queen Mother was very upset. The princes were all grown up and had their own thoughts. She could vaguely guess what was going on, but she was unwilling to point it out.
She is neither blind nor deaf, and she does not want to be a household lord. While she is alive, she wants to see her children live in peace. When she closes her eyes, she will no longer be able to see what happens.
The Queen Mother slowed down her tone, "Rui'er, I think the policy paper you wrote last time is very good. Although it is a bit bookish and just talk, it is still a good policy."
"You are in the Ministry of Personnel. You should read more and learn more, perfect your policy and implement it when the time comes. This is what you should do."
Prince Rui nodded in agreement, but he was quite disdainful in his heart. He was busy building up his own power and seizing military power, so he had no time to do such a trivial matter.
If that policy paper was really implemented, he would offend so many officials. The Queen Mother is pushing him into the fire pit.
The Queen Mother waved her hand and asked Yuwen Yi to come forward. Yuwen Yi half-knelt in front of the Queen Mother and called out "Grandmother".
The Queen Mother patted Yuwen Yi on the shoulder and said softly, "Good boy, I know you have been wronged, but you have always been a sensible child, you know what to do."
Yuwen Yi said: "My grandson will comfort the envoys from various countries and make sure they return with satisfaction."
The rewards given by the emperor were just icing on the cake. What really made the other countries submit was the deterrence of Prince Yi and the elite soldiers and generals in the north.
The Queen Mother asked Yuwen Yi to stand up and gave him many gifts. Finally, she said, "After the envoy leaves the capital, you can go to the Ministry of Justice. I have already discussed with the Emperor that you will stay in the capital from now on."
"Okay, go ahead and spend more time with your mother."
Prince Rui was so angry that his teeth were itching. If Yuwen Yi really had to stay in the capital, it would be even more troublesome to deal with him in the future.
The emperor couldn't wait to return to the palace.
"All the nations have presented their gifts. Now you can enjoy yourself. I am tired. Later, Prince Rui will go up to the Moon-Watching Tower for me, light the sky lanterns, and have fun with the people."
King Rui was delighted and immediately accepted the order and expressed his gratitude.
The person that the emperor values most is still him. Even if Prince Yi stays in the capital, he will only be a nuisance to the emperor. Only he is worthy of being the crown prince of Chen Kingdom.
The empress dowager didn't say anything. It was not the first time that Rui'er had done these things for the emperor. Rui'er had always done a good job in such high-profile occasions, so she had nothing to worry about.
"That's all for today. The assassin's body will be handed over to the Royal Guards for careful inspection to see if they can find any clues."
The Queen Mother knew that the Imperial Guards could not find out anything, and she did not really want to pursue the matter. It was best to let it pass vaguely.
The commander of the Imperial Guards was puzzled. Why did everything fall on his shoulders? He was just a gatekeeper of the palace.
At this time, a royal guard rushed in and knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, the missing Princess Ina has been found and is waiting outside the palace. She would like to see Your Majesty and the Queen Mother."
King Rui blurted out, "How is that possible?"
He used assassins to disguise as Ina. The real Ina should have been taken away and killed by his men. How could she be found?
Prince Rui quickly calmed down. It didn't matter if Ina was alive. She was knocked unconscious and taken away, and she had no idea who had kidnapped her. This assassination case would only be an unsolved case.
Ji Yunhuan straightened his red official robe, stood in the center of the hall, and looked up at the emperor and the empress dowager sitting on the high throne.
She was a military general of the second rank, wearing a crimson official robe, a white jade belt, and a thin layer of armor on her chest and wrists. Although she did not carry a sword, the battlefield in the north had tempered her temperament. She stood there, no longer the delicate orphan of the Duke's Mansion, but a general assisting the country!
Ji Yunhuan cupped his hands and said, "I have been ordered to protect the safety of the envoys from various countries. I dare not slack off. Today, I have sent people to protect each envoy. The dance troupe is composed of women, so they are more vulnerable to assassination. Not only are they protected by the Northern Border Army, but they are also taught etiquette by the palace ladies."
"Your Majesty ordered the Northern Border Army to withdraw from the Temple of Heaven, but the Northern Border Army did not dare to slack off. They saw someone sneaking towards Hongfu Street from the Temple of Heaven, so they sent a message back. I immediately ordered General Xue to take people to check. It is better to be safe than sorry. If nothing happens, it will be a wasted trip."
"It seems that Princess Ina was abducted by thieves. General Xue happened to rescue her. Fortunately, Princess Ina is safe. As long as we ask Princess Ina, we can find out the identity of the assassin and find out the mastermind behind it, so that Your Majesty can be safe."
Prince Rui was feeling uneasy, thinking it must be a coincidence. He acted secretly and Ji Yunhuan couldn't possibly discover it, let alone prepare for it in advance.
Even if he happened to save Ina, the person who kidnapped Ina would commit suicide and the blame could not be traced to him.
When the Queen Mother saw Prince Rui's expression, she knew that this matter was related to Prince Rui, and she didn't want things to get out of control.
Before the emperor could speak, the empress dowager spoke first: "General Ji has made great contributions this time and should be rewarded. Princess Ina was frightened, so she should be sent back to recuperate. There is no need for her to come to the audience."
Ji Yunhuan said: "Princess Yina is in good health. Since she asked for an audience, she must know something. Your Majesty was assassinated. Doesn't the Queen Mother want to find out the murderer behind it?"
There was a hint of pleading in the Queen Mother's eyes, "Huan'er, I have said that this matter ends here."
Ji Yunhuan refused to give in. "I will protect the safety of the delegation. I cannot let Princess Ina suffer innocently. I will get to the bottom of this matter!"
"This concerns your majesty's safety. Please summon Princess Ina."
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