Therefore, Qin Ji has to do two things at once: find a way out for Wei Tingsi.
From this perspective, Qin Ji is more qualified to be a father than Wei Caitao.
Qin Ji was pleased with Zhao Shu's quick reaction. Working with smart people was never tiring. He sighed and said, "His Majesty has always been irrational in the matter of Yi De. I need you to do something."
Zhao Shuyi straightened up and said seriously, "Please speak."
“Chang’an values righteousness. The Emperor rescued him from the Wei family and entrusted him to my care. This is a life-saving and nurturing grace that he must repay. Now the situation is dire, and we can no longer win by conventional means. I want you to go find him and help him. Don’t let him be blinded by the life-saving grace.”
Speaking of the past, his expression was solemn. "In my life, I have done right by the Emperor and by Yide. My only wish in my old age is that he can be well. Although he is not my biological son, I have treated him as my own son all these years."
"He also regards you as his own father and will be filial to you in the future." Zhao Shu knew that Wei Tingsi would do so. He was a man of deep feelings, and a gentleman of his word. His character was not as good as Wei Caitao's.
"I don't care about his things. As long as he's doing well, that's all that matters. You pack your things and go to Chu. He's in Chu." He said he didn't care about anything, but Zhao Shu could tell he was happy.
Actually, whether he has ulterior motives or not is not important. As the old saying goes, raising children is for old age and storing grain is for famine. It is already very good that he can genuinely consider Wei Tingsi's needs. This kind of heart is enough for him to take good care of this old man who does not look old.
However, she didn't really want to leave the capital. "Do I really have to leave the capital?"
"The Empress Dowager, Lord Xie, and the Huo family boy are in the capital. Don't worry, nothing will go wrong. Even if they cause trouble, the military power is still in Chang'an's hands. It doesn't matter who wins or loses. You're only going to see him to prevent the capital from falling. We still have a glimmer of hope. Oh, by the way, the Crown Prince will go with you."
Zhao Shu remembered that in her previous life, it seemed to be like this: Zhao Bi ascended the throne, and Huo Baichuan, Wei Tingsi, and others disappeared from the court. The crown prince was deposed, the reduction of the power of the princes was successful, Emperor Mingde died, and Zhao Bi ascended the throne. All of this indicated that Yide and his faction had won. So what role did Wei Tingsi play in this matter? Logically speaking, he held military power, was very capable, and had a lot of influence, but his ending was not good. If we analyze his personality, it must be that Emperor Mingde sought repayment for his kindness.
"What if something unexpected happens if my brother, the Crown Prince, doesn't return to the capital?"
This means, what would happen if Emperor Mingde suddenly passed away?
Qin Ji stared intently at Zhao Shu, not expecting her to say such a thing. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "All the princes who had the potential to contend for the throne have gone to Xiliang."
Zhao Shu suddenly remembered Xiao Zhu's report when she returned to the capital. Emperor Mingde had originally decreed that all the princes should study at their residences, but Zhao Bi insisted on going out. So Emperor Mingde issued the same decree to all the princes and sent them to Xiliang.
Emperor Mingde understood that his sons would stop at nothing to seize the throne, and that someone must have colluded with the vassal kings to bring all the princes together to keep each other in check.
The more Zhao Shu thought about it, the more she felt that getting rid of the princes was Huo Baichuan's conspiracy, to clear out the place and then take down Yi De and the others all at once.
Clearly, Qin Ji and she were thinking the same thing. "You know what to do, right?"
Zhao Shu smiled and said, "Understood." Since the goal is to eliminate Yi De and the others in the capital, then when they go to Xiliang, they will eliminate all the princes, and then the crown prince will ascend the throne.
It's that simple.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow." I'd like to see what kind of trouble Yide is up to today.
Qin Ji didn't say anything more and personally escorted Zhao Shu to the Taihe Hall. With Qin Ji protecting her, she could walk sideways in the palace.
Zhao Shu had been delayed for a while and missed the wonderful heartfelt exchange between Emperor Mingde and Emperor Yide. In fact, Zhao Shu felt like vomiting as she listened. What were two hypocritical people trying to express their true feelings for?
As soon as they entered the side hall, they heard a eunuch's high-pitched announcement: "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."
Zhao Shu immediately perked up, pricked up her ears, and listened attentively. The Empress had suffered too much in the past years, and this time she must be heartbroken. She was the Empress, and now she was posthumously honored as Empress. People who did not know the past might think she was a concubine.
Emperor Mingde knew that since Yide had entered the palace, her status was a big issue. Although he was displeased when the Empress arrived, he did not refuse to turn her away, since the ministers were watching.
The Empress was, after all, the rightful Empress.
"Summon." The Empress's voice was clearly devoid of any tenderness.
Zhao Shu couldn't help but feel sorry for the Empress. They were husband and wife, and she couldn't help but say that she couldn't let go of Yi De's words.
The Empress arrived in full regalia, wearing a bright yellow robe adorned with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, and a ruby-red, bright yellow, and peacock blue folded crown with three dragons and two phoenixes. Her demeanor was dignified and majestic, fully displaying the noble dignity of an empress.
The doors of the Taihe Hall opened, and the Empress walked in against the light, her steps unhurried, her demeanor dignified and composed. The elegance and nobility in her eyes and brows formed a sharp contrast with Yide's exquisite beauty.
No matter how beautiful you are, you have never been a living empress, and you do not have the demeanor of a mother of the nation.
Emperor Mingde was mesmerized. He had never seen an empress who stood like a real phoenix on a branch, dignified yet not stiff, magnificent and dazzling.
Yi De frowned, her eyes burning with anger and jealousy, as if they were about to consume her. If she wore this dress, she would surely be the true empress!
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Without waiting for Emperor Mingde to tell her to rise, she stood up straight and then glanced back at the tightly closed gate, saying, "There are many ministers waiting outside. With rebellions raging and war raging, the affairs of state must be extremely busy. Your Majesty must be preoccupied with state affairs. I am a woman who does not understand and cannot help, and I feel very sorry. I am also afraid that Your Majesty will have to worry about the affairs of the inner palace. I am terrified and beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
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