Chapter 519 You should have said you wanted to be emperor earlier!
The chaotic situation Qin Mo had imagined did not occur in the capital city. At least, there were not a large number of city guards. There were just more constables from the government offices on the streets than usual.
Compared to the city guards, the yamen runners were much better at dealing with rumors and gossip. It seems that the various factions in the court were still concealing the news and wanted to reach a conclusion before announcing the death of Emperor Zhaowu.
Of course, the people who were kept in the dark were ordinary people. The high-ranking nobles and officials could not be kept in the dark. Even the high walls of the capital city could not necessarily stop messengers from spreading the news.
Qin Mo arrived at the palace without incident, where a tense atmosphere finally arose. Not only were the Imperial Guards and Imperial Attendants guarding the palace gates, but a large group of court officials were also gathered outside. Although the Imperial Guards were not wearing mourning clothes, many of them appeared anxious and restless.
When Qin Mo saw that the capital city had closed its nine gates, he had prepared for the worst and planned to use the Star River Heart's ability to conceal his presence to sneak into the palace. If the situation became urgent, he would take Wang Yushi away first.
Qin Jian and Qin Mu both have sons. If they have any wicked thoughts, even if Wang Yushi is at the Heavenly Realm, she will not be without danger.
But when Qin Mo saw the scene before her, she gave up the idea.
The various factions within the court still wanted to resolve this major issue based on the rules and etiquette that had been passed down for thousands of years in the Great Xia Dynasty, rather than resorting to violent tactics such as military remonstrances or petitions to the emperor.
That makes things easier. Our princely status is exactly what you lack and envy most. With this status, we are qualified to sit side by side and share the spoils.
"Announcement: Prince Heng, Qin Mo, requests an audience with Her Majesty the Empress!"
Qin Mo walked to the palace gate, took off the hood of his overcoat, and revealed his legendary handsome face.
The Imperial Guard captain guarding the gate was somewhat surprised. It was not surprising that Qin Mo could approach him silently, but why was His Highness Prince Heng dressed as a spy?
"Xiao Mingxun pays his respects to His Highness Prince Heng. The Grand Secretary, His Highness Prince Yan, and His Highness Prince Changle have ordered that all visiting members of the royal family must stay at the Imperial Clan Court and are not allowed to enter the palace to disturb the distinguished guests!"
Before the Imperial Guard captain could explain, a civil official ran over and stopped Qin Mo with neither servility nor arrogance.
"Announcement: Prince Heng, Qin Mo, requests an audience with Her Majesty the Empress!"
Qin Mo didn't even look at Xiao Mingxun, and coldly repeated it!
"...Your Highness Prince Heng, the Grand Secretary and the two princes have given orders..."
"The three of them gave orders? How come I didn't know? Let them come and tell me personally. Who do you think you are?"
“…”
Qin Mo retorted to Xiao Mingxun, leaving him speechless. Seeing the Imperial Guards standing there hesitant, she said irritably, "As the gatekeeper, you should do your job. Reporting is your duty, so don't worry about anything else!"
"Your Highness, please forgive me, I will inform you immediately!"
The Imperial Guard Captain turned around and ordered one of his men to rush into the palace to report. He didn't really like these civil officials either. They were always spouting classical phrases and labeling people. They insisted on morality and etiquette for every little thing, which was annoying.
With this incident in the palace, the civil officials finally got their chance. Starting before dawn, they blocked the palace gates, ordering the Imperial Guards and attendants around, displaying even more imposing manner than their commander.
All of this stems from the fact that the succession and continuation of the Great Xia throne requires the recognition and cooperation of the Ministry of Rites, and the enthronement ceremony also needs to be handled by the Ministry of Rites.
For the idea of "imperial supremacy" to take root in people's hearts, it needs the support of a whole set of Confucian doctrines, which is the specialty and expertise of civil officials.
Before a new emperor ascends the throne and has his own trusted confidants, he must also gain the support of all civil and military officials. Otherwise, the imperial decrees cannot reach all the prefectures and counties of the Great Xia. It can be said that at this time, the power of the civil officials is the greatest.
"Your Highness, a change has occurred in the palace. What are your intentions in forcing your way into the palace at this time? Are you... plotting a rebellion?"
Xiao Mingxun, who had just been choked, came to his senses and angrily rebuked Qin Mo with righteous indignation. He seemed to be a fearless and upright official.
"Treason? I came alone, following proper etiquette to request an audience with the Empress. How can this be considered treason? On the contrary, it is you..."
For the first time, Qin Mo looked directly at this principled civil official and said disdainfully, "On the contrary, it is you who have closed the city gates without authorization and surrounded the palace, preventing nobles from entering or leaving. What are your intentions? You are the ones plotting a rebellion!"
"Prince Heng, don't make baseless accusations. His Majesty has passed away. To prevent unrest in the capital and to avoid harming the nobles in the palace, the Grand Secretary and the two princes ordered us to stay here to protect them..." Xiao Mingxun was also anxious and even mentioned the death of Emperor Zhaowu.
"Has Xiao Xinyan entered the palace today?"
“…”
"I am asking you a question: Did Xiao Xinyan enter the palace today?"
"Of course he has been inside. The Grand Secretary is a high-ranking official of the empire..."
"Has the Prince of Yan entered the palace?"
"Has Prince Chang Le entered the palace?"
“…”
Before Xiao Mingxun could finish speaking, Qin Mo launched into a barrage of questions. He was usually kind to everyone, but that didn't mean he was easy to mess with. In his previous life, he had seen plenty of leaders who used their power to intimidate others. A series of oppressive questions could easily turn the weaker party into a coward.
"Qin Mu can enter this palace, Qin Jian can enter, Xiao Xinyan can enter, so why can't I, Qin Mo, enter? They are important officials of the empire, while I, Qin Mo, am just a nobody? Should I fight them and see who has a harder fist?"
“…”
Qin Mo knew that with Emperor Zhaowu's death, the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Changle would definitely be the first to enter the palace. They were all princes of the Great Xia Dynasty, so why couldn't he be allowed to enter?
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