The surrounding youths were also shaken when they heard Dian Wei's voice, which carried a hint of sorrow.
"Yes! We all know that health is the greatest asset, how can you not take care of yourself like this?"
For a moment, everyone stared at the gate of Deyang Palace with red eyes, hoping that the faith in their hearts could stand before them once again.
Dian Wei's words startled Xu Rong for a moment, but he quickly recovered and, sensing the emotions of the surrounding youths, Xu Rong immediately looked at Dian Wei with a cold face.
Xu Rong angrily rebuked, "How dare you question His Majesty...?"
"I wouldn't dare!!"
Dian Wei's expression hardened.
"Since you dare not, then eat those things. You've collapsed before you could even repay His Majesty. How can you face His Majesty's nurturing?"
"You are all His Majesty's beloved generals. He has poured so much effort into you. If His Majesty were to wake up and find you all fallen, do you think he should be happy for your loyalty or heartbroken for your foolishness?"
"I....."
Xu Rong's reprimand made Dian Wei lower his head.
"Alright...! His Majesty will be fine. You must take care of yourself too. Only in this way can you better protect His Majesty!!"
Xu Rong stepped forward and patted Dian Wei on the shoulder, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
"promise!!"
Dian Wei stopped being stubborn and loudly agreed. He then took the food from Wen Chou's hand and started eating it heartily.
The next morning, after a night had passed, Liu Hong, lying on the couch, still showed no signs of waking up.
Dou Miao, looking weary, sat by the couch, silently watching Liu Hong's youthful face.
"Hong'er, Hong'er, what are you still worrying about in your sleep...?"
As Dou Miao whispered, she also reached out and gently stroked Liu Hong's slightly furrowed brows.
"Don't worry! With your mother here, the Han Dynasty you've been working so hard for day and night won't fall into chaos. As for those who have ulterior motives and are hostile to you, your mother will also help you get rid of them..."
Seeing Liu Hong's brows gradually relax, Dou Miao couldn't help but smile.
"Empress Dowager, it's time to attend court!"
"Okay! Let's go!"
Upon hearing the eunuch's reminder, Dou Miao, dressed in the Empress Dowager's magnificent robes, glanced at the Emperor on the bed with concern in her eyes, then got up and left, heading towards the Chongzheng Hall.
The first day of the eleventh month is the monthly grand court assembly. According to regulations, all officials in the capital with a rank of 300 shi or above must attend.
Therefore, every previous court assembly was a gathering of officials, who were almost always crammed together, chest to back.
But today was very different from the past. The Chongzheng Hall, which was usually crowded and bustling, was now completely silent, and there were far fewer officials standing in the hall than at a typical small court assembly.
Upon closer inspection, apart from the top dukes, ministers, and high-ranking officials, there were only a little over seventy officials in the Chongzheng Hall today. Most of the upright officials and some low-ranking but powerful officials were not present.
Everyone stood there with their eyes downcast, fully aware of what had happened yesterday. Those officials who hadn't been present were probably visiting the prisons of the Sili Yamen, the Tingwei Fu, and the Zhongwei Fu.
"The Empress Dowager is holding court!!"
As a sharp shout rang out, Dou Miao, dressed in the magnificent robes of an empress dowager and with a cold expression, walked out from the inner palace.
Seeing that only the Empress Dowager appeared, the officials couldn't help but feel a chill. The Emperor was always diligent in his duties and had never missed a court assembly since his ascension to the throne, but he was absent today.
"Has His Majesty not woken up yet...?"
"Even the three renowned doctors from the medical school are helpless? Could it be...!"
For a moment, the officials in the Chongzheng Hall couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"
After Empress Dowager Dou took her seat, all the officials hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.
"Gentlemen, you may dispense with the formalities!"
"Thank you, Empress Dowager!!"
Dou Miao glanced at the empty throne, then turned to look at the officials in the hall.
Looking at the officials standing there with their heads bowed, Dou Miao said in a deep voice:
"You are all important ministers personally promoted and appointed by the Emperor. I will not hide it from you, but the Emperor fell ill yesterday afternoon due to exhaustion and remains unconscious to this day!"
"Then His Majesty...?"
Liu Shu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, couldn't help but ask, and the other officials also looked at Empress Dowager Dou with worried expressions.
"With three doctors from the medical school present, the Emperor is now safe and sound; he is simply temporarily unable to handle state affairs! Please rest assured, my lords!"
"That's good, that's good...!"
Liu Shu nodded in relief and then returned to the queue.
"Although the Emperor is unharmed, there are some accounts I still need to settle..."
Upon hearing Empress Dowager Dou's words, apart from Chen Fan and a few others, the other officials in the hall exchanged bewildered glances. Accounting? What accounts?
They couldn't help but think of the officials who had been arrested by Yang Qiu, Xun Shuang, Song Feng, and the others.
Dou Miao then looked around at everyone and said coldly, "Those incompetent officials hold their positions without doing anything, causing the emperor to work day and night. I will not let them off lightly..."
"The Commandant of the Capital Region, the Minister of Justice, and the Commander of the Imperial Guards!"
"Your subject is here!"
"It's over...!"
Seeing Yang Qiu, Xun Shuang, and Song Feng step forward, and with the Empress Dowager's murderous expression, the officials couldn't help but sigh inwardly and began to mourn for those who had been arrested.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
