Fortunately, Zhi Liu took the blame.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please save this servant!" Zhi Liu was dragged away, her eyes filled with pleading, calling out to the Empress again and again, but the Empress still did not save her.
After everyone was taken away, Yi De sneered at the Empress, "Empress, as the Empress, how dare you allow palace servants to poison the Emperor? What are your intentions! Guards, take the Emperor to Weiyang Palace."
At Yide's command, the eunuchs behind her surged forward. Lu Fushou tried to stop them but was pushed to the ground. The Empress clenched her fists in anger, her face turning ashen, but she could say nothing, because if this bowl of medicine was brewed by Zhi Liu, the Emperor would have fainted again in her palace.
Moreover, several imperial physicians said that mixing the medicine with peony would be poisonous, and there were so many ministers watching.
Now, she only hopes that Emperor Mingde can wake up and that the Crown Prince can hold on.
If it were just Empress Yide coming to Fengqi Palace alone, it would be fine; she could use her status as Empress to put him in his place and deny the poison incident. But with ministers coming in a large group, she simply couldn't compete with them.
In particular, with Yan Shiren and Qiu Chengshi both absent, she was no match for the court officials.
People came quickly and left quickly. Before long, Phoenix Perch Palace was empty. After everyone, including Prince Hui, left Phoenix Perch Palace, he ordered, "Close the palace gates!"
Now, it's not unreasonable for him to take charge of this matter. First, Emperor Mingde has fainted and is unconscious, the Empress Dowager is not here, the Empress is suspected of plotting to harm Emperor Mingde, the Crown Prince is the Empress's son, so he should naturally avoid suspicion, and the eldest prince is in the Northeast, while Zhao Bi is openly in Chu.
With only Consort De remaining, how could he allow her to rule the six palaces?
As the highest-ranking member of the imperial clan and Emperor Mingde's uncle, his gesticulations, though somewhat far-fetched, were met with no disapproval.
Phoenix Palace was only visited briefly before it was closed.
The Crown Prince was still under house arrest in the Eastern Palace. When he learned of the situation, he was extremely anxious and wanted to see the Empress, but he was stopped by Huo Baichuan, who was by his side. "You can't go anywhere right now. You'd better stay here obediently."
"But I cannot do nothing. My mother has been wronged, and as her son, I cannot stand up for her. I am heartbroken." The Crown Prince looked painfully in the direction of Taihe Hall, his heart breaking as he thought of the injustice Emperor Mingde had done to him.
Huo Baichuan patted his arm and nodded. "I know you're in pain, but no matter how painful it is, you have to endure it. Once you get through this, everything will pass, and everything will be alright. Those who achieve great things inevitably have to suffer grievances. The Empress may suffer grievances today, but she will be rewarded with wealth and honor in the future."
Even so, the crown prince was still deeply saddened upon hearing this. He slammed his fist against the wall. "My lord, is there really no other way?"
Seeing his pain, Huo Baichuan stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "There is a way, but you will have to suffer for it."
Upon hearing that there was a solution, Zhao Yi immediately grabbed Huo Baichuan's hand and asked excitedly, "What other solution is there?"
"Your Highness, please be patient and sit down. Let me explain slowly," he said, gesturing to a chair.
The crown prince sat down and asked impatiently, "My lord, do you have any good ideas?"
"It's not exactly a great method, but it will allow you to avoid direct conflict and will also improve your reputation in the future. Do you remember when your nineteenth uncle relinquished his fiefdom?" Huo Baichuan said slowly, but he lacked the unruly spirit that Zhao Shu used to know. Who knows what he has been through these past few days.
The crown prince was extremely intelligent and understood immediately. "Very well, I will take care of it right away."
The rumor that Emperor Mingde had fallen into a coma again spread like wildfire throughout the capital. However, no one mentioned Zhiliu, but instead took things out of context and spread the story that the Empress had murdered Emperor Mingde.
However, before the rumors spread completely, the Crown Prince submitted his resignation, a memorial requesting to resign from his position as Crown Prince.
While Yide was spreading rumors about the Crown Prince, Zhao Shu and Sun Yun naturally also spread some misinformation in the capital, making it impossible for the public to believe which version was the truth.
The Crown Prince wants to resign from his position!
Consort De and Zhao Bi both thought it was wonderful; if they didn't agree now, when would they? Originally, they were looking for more evidence of the Empress's crimes, but now they didn't need to look anymore.
It's unclear how Zhao Bi managed to approve the Crown Prince's request in just one day, agreeing to let the Crown Prince relinquish his position and move out of the Eastern Palace.
When the Empress learned that the Crown Prince had actually relinquished his position, she fainted. However, Zhao Yi was no longer the Crown Prince at this time and was able to go to Fengqi Palace to take care of her.
The following day, another major event was announced in the court: Qiu Cheng resigned from his post, and his resignation was approved.
Now, only Yan Shiren remains in the court.
It is worth noting that when Emperor Mingde awoke, after only two or three days of unconsciousness, the court was in turmoil. He questioned Zhao Bi, "Who are you? Was this all your doing? Yes or no? Answer me!"
Zhao Bi was still afraid of Emperor Mingde's majesty. He knelt down with a thud and said, "Father, I am innocent. I did nothing. It was my seventh brother who wanted to give up the position of Crown Prince, and you agreed. Also, it was you who personally ordered that Lord Qiu resign from his post and affix the imperial seal. Father, I am innocent."
Emperor Mingde frowned, recalling that such a thing was indeed true. He had agreed to the Crown Prince relinquishing his position, and he had also agreed to Qiu Cheng's resignation from his official post.
But why did he agree? He shook his head, unable to recall it no matter what.
After resigning from their official posts, both the Crown Prince and Qiu Chengshi kept a very low profile, closed their doors to visitors, and nothing happened in their residences.
Despite the bustling atmosphere in the court, Zhao Bi ultimately couldn't bring himself to kidnap Emperor Mingde. After Emperor Mingde recovered somewhat, he resumed attending court as usual.
Seven or eight days had passed since Qiu Cheng resigned from his post. Suddenly, a minister in the hall presented a memorial, saying, "Your Majesty, since Lord Qiu has resigned, his vacancy must be filled. I would like to request that Lord Yang return to court. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
