Zhao Shu sneered. So, after all this time, it turns out that it was one of their own people who were the black sheep.
"Is the former Grand Tutor dead?"
"He's dead. I heard he fell from his horse."
"Yide's death has nothing to do with my mother. Why does Jiecao treat my mother and me so badly?" She couldn't understand. Her mother hadn't done anything; she had only stopped her father.
"Your mother is intelligent and capable. The Empress Dowager plans to pass on the edict given by the Emperor Taizu to your mother." He had never met Jiang Ying, but from the few words others spoke, he heard nothing but praise for this woman.
Zhao Shu frowned. "What imperial edict?"
"The edict that commanded eighty-one generals was issued after Emperor Taizu ascended the throne. He had swept away all opposing forces in the country. The generals who had fought alongside him and were invincible were enfeoffed in various places or retired. This edict could mobilize troops and summon members of the imperial family and ministers to depose and install emperors. In short, it surpassed the power of the emperor."
Zhao Shu sighed. No wonder the late emperor wanted to depose the empress, no wonder Emperor Mingde wanted to ruin the empress dowager's plans. If she were the emperor, she would do the same. With a sword hanging over her head, how could she feel at ease?
As the saying goes, "How can one tolerate another snoring beside one's bed?" This is no small matter of sleeping soundly; it's a matter of being overthrown at any moment. It's really boring for an emperor to be so fearful.
"This edict can only be used once. The Empress Dowager has never used it before. It must be used when Dayong is facing a life-or-death crisis," Huo Baichuan explained.
Zhao Shudong meant to prevent the emergence of incompetent rulers. If the late emperor and Emperor Mingde had acted dutifully and were not incompetent, there would have been no problem. In the end, it was because the two of them lacked confidence.
"What happened to that imperial edict later?" Zhao Shu asked.
This time, Huo Baichuan didn't keep him in suspense. "It's still in the Empress Dowager's hands. Even if she takes it, it's useless if she doesn't spread the word."
She was a daughter, and no matter how much the decree was passed down, it wouldn't reach her. The thought of obtaining the decree briefly crossed her mind before it vanished.
"Let's go back to the capital." We've heard enough of the story; all that's left is to eradicate this rebel force completely, nip it in the bud! A major overhaul.
She didn't ask Aunt Huo what role she played here, and Huo Baichuan didn't say much either. If they were to dwell on the past, it would probably break their hearts. They could only settle scores and grievances.
Knowing too much will shorten your lifespan.
She stood up, opened the window, and said, "Aren't you leaving? Are you going to stay for the New Year?"
Huo Baichuan pretended to go to the bed, saying, "If you dare to stay, I dare to leave."
"Shameless." She rolled her eyes at him.
Huo Baichuan climbed out of the window in a very unseemly manner. Zhao Shu was about to close the window when he quickly stopped her, saying, "If my elder sister were one of their people, the Huo family would never let her take charge of the family. I would never appear in front of you."
"I know." Zhao Shu nodded, truly believing what he said. Huo Baichuan had no reason to lie, nor would he stoop to lying. Who in heaven and earth had he ever been afraid of?
"Song Tianhe originally wanted to go home, but his elder sister was arrested. They sent a message to Song Tianhe, but he didn't know that your mother was at his home, so he chose to go and rescue his elder sister. Later, he was kidnapped, also for his elder sister's sake. In fact, his elder sister was fine; it was all false information."
After he finished explaining, Little Fatty came over, carrying his special chair, and the two quickly disappeared from Zhao Shu's sight.
Concern leads to confusion. Whether the news is true or false, it's pitiful that Song Tianhe's life, which should have been peaceful, was ruined by those heartless people. It shows that getting something for nothing is a tradition.
Emotions can be very harmful.
Half a month later, Zhao Shu secretly returned to Prince Yong's residence. She first exchanged news with Prince Yong, and the two sighed upon hearing about each other's recent experiences.
At Qionghua Courtyard, Prince Yong said, "Don't worry, my daughter. I will go to the palace to cry for your grandmother."
Zhao Shu laughed. Her father was so adorable. She nodded hurriedly, "Okay, Father, go and cry."
"Wait, your father will definitely have your royal uncle send you the treasury." He flicked Zhao Shu's forehead and walked away gracefully.
After seeing Prince Yong off, Zhao Shu immediately ordered Xiao Zhu Zi and others to invite the court officials to the palace to help her, as Yi De's comeback would be difficult to deal with.
When Prince Yong entered the palace, Yi De also entered the palace. The two met on the long palace corridor. Prince Yong frowned, his head aching badly. Some memories that he had deliberately forgotten surged back like a tide. He staggered and almost fell. If it weren't for Uncle Fu supporting him, he would have definitely lost his balance and fallen.
Jiang Yue looks so much like Jiang Ying, yet he didn't lose his composure when he saw her, but he did when he saw Yi De, which shows how important Yi De was in his memory.
"My nineteenth brother is still as charming as ever, but my sister-in-law has grown old." She is no longer the A-Qing of yesteryear. Her words and actions, her smiles and frowns, all express the affection of the past, but the genuine warmth can no longer be found.
Prince Yong took a deep breath and said expressionlessly, "I...I only have one sister-in-law, so please be careful with your words, my lady." Yi De had no title during her lifetime, and at this moment, Prince Yong could not find a suitable way to address her.
"My nineteenth brother has truly saddened my sister-in-law." She said no more, and instead of traveling with Prince Yong, she turned and went to the Taihe Palace.
Watching her leave, Prince Yong knelt down in anguish, two lines of tears falling, and choked out, "Ying'er, are you still alive?"
Meanwhile, Zhao Shu stood far away at a corner of the palace wall, looking at her father. She wanted to go over and offer some words of comfort, but she didn't know what to say. Should she say that the dead cannot be brought back to life? Everyone knows that. Should she say that her mother did not wish for him to be like this? What would be the use?
All words of comfort seem so pale and powerless. If saying "Don't be sad" could make one feel less sad, or "Don't be heartbroken" could make one feel less heartbroken, then there would be no such heartbreaking words as "heartbreaking."
"Little Zhu, actually, your father should take a concubine, don't you think?"
"This servant is a eunuch and does not understand, but this servant thinks that what Your Highness said makes sense."
Deletion is never a complete replacement; Zhao Shu always remembered this saying.
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