Concubine Zheng and Concubine Li were the destabilizing factors in the palace. They should be imprisoned for now. After a while, they would grow old and sick, and after being bedridden for more than a month, they would probably die. However, holding a funeral would be another expense, and Zhu Youxiao felt a little distressed.
"How's the thing I asked you to do going?" Zhu Youxiao said calmly after looking at Chen Hong who was kneeling on the ground.
In fact, he had already learned the general idea from Wang An, and asking Chen Hong at this time was just a formality.
Although the emperor's tone was calm, Chen Hong knew that the master in front of him was not to be trifled with. Nodding vigorously, Chen Hong said cautiously, "Your Majesty, it's done."
"Very good, what about those who lean towards Concubine Li?" Zhu Youxiao asked with a stern face, staring at Chen Hong.
"I have sorted out those people. Would Your Majesty like to take a look at it?" Chen Hong took out the name list from his sleeve, held it up in both hands and presented it to the emperor.
"No need. Send them all to the imperial farm to farm. The court is still short of food." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand.
He disdained to care about these matters. He only cared about Concubine Li's movements. He only needed to remove her minions. As for the servants who came to her for retirement, he naturally did not ask too much. After all, these people would not be needed for much longer. Soon there would be no place for them in the palace.
Three days ago, Zhu Youxiao gave Chen Hong an order that in addition to strictly investigating and cleaning up the palace, he also had to secretly kill the eunuchs and palace maids who were loyal to Li Xianshi.
Since Chen Hong said this at this time, I think the mission is accomplished. After this incident, the eunuchs inside the palace should be much more obedient, and their own safety can be relatively guaranteed.
The turmoil in the inner court naturally affected the outer court. Many eunuchs were executed, and many ministers were naturally implicated. For a time, the people in the outer court were also in panic.
You must know that if a minister secretly colluded with a eunuch, that would definitely be suspected by the emperor and would absolutely not be allowed. Now that Emperor Tianqi was purging the inner court on such a large scale, how could they not be afraid?
For a moment, everyone wondered if His Majesty was about to launch a major case. The court officials even put Xiong Tingbi's matter aside and all stared at the Emperor Tianqi's next move.
However, there was no movement for several days in a row. Instead, a group of eunuchs and palace maids were dismissed from the palace. This incident was like a small stone thrown into the sea, which passed without any ripples.
Although the ministers were guessing what His Majesty wanted to do, they really couldn't figure it out for a while. Fortunately, His Majesty did not investigate further, and the matter gradually came to an end.
This made many people breathe a sigh of relief, but then more news came out.
Many people have heard the news that His Majesty appointed Xiong Tingbi because of a dream. This is known to everyone and is not new news, but the following news is the new headline.
The reason why Your Majesty made this decision was because there was a Taoist priest in the palace who interpreted the dream and asked Emperor Tianqi to appoint Xiong Tingbi.
It is said that he is an abandoned disciple of the Qingyun Sect, a supreme immortal sect, named Han Li. He is very mysterious and is said to be proficient in the art of immortality.
As soon as this news came out, it caused an uproar.
Emperors seeking immortality has never been a thing. There was Qin Shi Huang in history, and there is also a precedent in our Ming Dynasty, that is Emperor Jiajing!
When that emperor was in power, he was a devout Taoist and longed for immortality. What day was that?
Think about Yan Song, think about Yan Shifan!
Thinking of this, the court officials were suddenly horrified. Could it be that such a person would appear now?
For a while, people were in a panic, and impeachment petitions flew into the palace like snowflakes, but all of them fell into the sea and no response was received.
Under such circumstances, another piece of news came out, that is, this so-called abandoned disciple of the immortal sect Qingyun Sect was sent into the palace by Wei Zhongxian, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department. Because of this incident, Wei Zhongxian was rewarded and promoted to the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department.
So Wei Zhongxian instantly became the target of public criticism. This was not going to produce a Yan Song, but a Liu Jin!
So the memorial impeaching Wei Zhongxian once again flew into the Forbidden City.
At this time in the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youxiao was flipping through the mountain-high notebook in front of him, with a smile on his face.
Sure enough, things finally developed in the direction I had set. In that case, it was time to start the next plan.
After tapping the manuscript in his hand, Zhu Youxiao said nonchalantly to Chen Hong beside him: "Go, call Wei Zhongxian!"
Soon Wei Zhongxian walked in from outside. Seeing Zhu Youxiao sitting there looking at him expressionlessly, Wei Zhongxian immediately panicked.
Without caring about anything else, he knelt on the ground with a plop, banged his head on the ground, and kowtowed: "Slave servant, slave servant, it's unfair!"
Wei Zhongxian has been scared these days. Now all the ministers outside the court are impeaching him. He has not been able to enjoy himself for a few days before encountering such a thing. Now the only one who can save him is the emperor.
Although Wei Zhongxian wanted to explain to the ministers, he didn't dare. Although the dream interpretation had nothing to do with him, how dare you defend yourself? Could it be that the emperor did it?
The Taoist priest had indeed been summoned by himself, but it was the Emperor who had ordered him to come. Wei Zhongxian was like a mute who had swallowed Coptis chinensis, unable to express his suffering.
Looking at Wei Zhongxian who looked aggrieved, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Get up. I didn't say you were wrong. Why are you kneeling?"
Wei Zhongxian was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed, and quickly got up from the ground: "Your Majesty is very perceptive. I will never be able to avenge you even if I die!"
"Alright!" Zhu Youxiao waved his hand to interrupt Wei Zhongxian's flattery and said directly: "Things have come to this point. Those people just want you dead. It is really not easy to do something comfortable in the palace. I am in such a state, let alone you. Don't worry too much. I can still save your life."
After hearing this, Wei Zhongxian was shocked. Saving his life? Doesn't that mean he would lose his official position?
Why did he castrate himself and enter the palace? Wasn't it for wealth and glory?
If I lose this position, I might as well let myself die. If it was okay before, who am I now? How can I, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the East Factory, continue to be so cowardly?
Thinking of this, Wei Zhongxian became furious. "You want to kill me, right? Then I'll kill you all. Let's see who dies first."
When Zhu Youxiao saw Wei Zhongxian's eyes flickering, he felt happy in his heart. This man was indeed unwilling to give up what he had obtained.
A little bit of money can make people lose their mind, let alone Wei Zhongxian who castrated himself?
If it were me, I would probably fight back too, so let's see what Wei Zhongxian would do next.
"Okay, I asked you to come here to reassure you. Don't be afraid, go back!" Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, and his meaning was very clear: go back and wait!
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