Baoxiang looked at He Qing with some uneasiness. She always felt that this true master had bad intentions, which made her feel uneasy, but she had no choice but to answer them one by one.
He Qing then realized that he had misunderstood the Empress Dowager. This girl was not given by her, but left by Empress Dowager Zhang herself.
Of the four maids who served the emperor that day, only Zhang was fortunate enough to conceive a prince, instantly becoming the venerable Empress Dowager. The rest were supposed to retire to the West Palace, but Baoxiang, familiar with Zhang, persuaded her to stay by her side. Because of her unique status, she was able to oversee all matters of Kunhua Palace.
The Empress Dowager took into consideration Empress Dowager Zhang's current condition and thought it would be better to have someone familiar around to counsel her, so she agreed.
The result is what it is now.
Empress Dowager Zhang must have been very sensitive with such a personality. To avoid being overly sensitive, He Qing told her a few Taoist philosophical stories and gave her two Taoist scriptures so that she would have something to do instead of lying there in a daze all day. Then he got up and said goodbye.
While appeasing Empress Dowager Zhang can be done slowly, the other matter can be resolved immediately.
Thinking Kunhua Palace wasn't far from Ziping Hall, where the Grand Empress Dowager was temporarily managing government affairs, He Qing decided to go there and tell her so that arrangements could be made immediately. Empress Dowager Zhang needed someone around her who could take care of her emotions. A comfortable environment would make her feel relaxed and happy, which would be good for both her and the fetus.
…
Gu Zheng came out of the Ziping Palace, followed by Liu Zhong, the official of the Inner East Gate Division.
He was summoned today by the Empress Dowager so that he could represent the court and go to the residence of Prime Minister Xue Zhidao to announce the imperial decree and appease the people.
When more than a dozen court officials impeached Xue Xianggong, he immediately submitted a memorial of apology and remained at home, claiming illness. Consequently, the Grand Empress Dowager sent several conciliators to appease him, from eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department to officials from the Ministry of Rites, and finally to Gu Zheng, the President of the Hanlin Academy and the Director of Imperial Edicts. The conciliators, along with the rewards, became increasingly prestigious, demonstrating that the Grand Empress Dowager still treated Xue Xianggong with leniency and bore no grudge against him despite the impeachment.
At this moment, Gu Zheng was holding the imperial edict in his hand, chatting with Liu Zhong, but in his heart he was thinking about the audience he had just had.
The Empress Dowager's actions had become increasingly methodical over the past few days. He couldn't quite pinpoint the source of the feeling, but Gu Zheng had a strong feeling about it. This feeling had become even more pronounced during the audience today.
He supported the Grand Empress Dowager and petitioned to restore her to the throne. This was done with the support and tacit approval of Prime Minister Xue, and there was a tacit understanding between the two. However, the Grand Empress Dowager sent him to deliver the imperial edict to appease Prime Minister Xue, and the meaning behind this needed careful consideration.
As he was still pondering, he looked up and caught a glimpse of a person standing in the corridor not far away, seemingly waiting to be summoned by the Empress Dowager. He was dressed in a green robe, with long hair tied up high and a lotus crown on his head. He was tall and straight, with an elegant demeanor, but he looked like a Taoist monk. Gu Zheng was slightly stunned by the sight.
During the reign of Emperor Ling, there were many Taoist priests in the palace, but after Emperor Xian ascended the throne, he disliked these things and they were no longer seen. Therefore, it was really surprising to suddenly see someone dressed like this in the palace.
As if she had noticed his gaze, the woman suddenly turned around. Her face was beautiful, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, and her temperament was as elegant as orchid. She didn't look like a man at all. When their eyes met, they were both startled.
However, at this moment, someone came out of Ziping Palace and summoned the man to come in.
Gu Zheng also withdrew his gaze and asked Liu Zhong beside him, "Manager Liu, who is that?"
"That is Master Wushang Huiru." Liu Zhong glanced back and said, understandingly, "She volunteered to become a nun to pray for the country, and now she is living in the Daowen Palace to practice."
"The fact that he can ask for an audience in Ziping Palace shows that the Empress Dowager trusts and values him very much." Gu Zheng said with a smile.
Liu Zhong nodded and said, "Of course. The Empress Dowager has been summoning the Master almost every day lately to discuss Taoism. I heard that whenever she sees the Master, the Empress Dowager is in the best mood of the day. Those under her command always go to her at that time to ask for help."
Gu Zheng's eyes flashed when he heard that, and he looked back again. Unfortunately, the man had already entered the hall and there was no trace of him.
After this strong statement, she issued another decree, bestowing many rewards on Xue Zhidao, and ordered him to recover quickly and return to the court without delay.
As for the dozen or so ministers who jointly wrote a letter to impeach Xue Zhidao, some were reprimanded, some were demoted, and some were fined copper.
She saved Xue Zhidao's reputation, and a few days later, Xue Zhidao returned to the court, once again shouldering the responsibilities of a prime minister. His first memorial after returning to the court was to request the Empress Dowager to bestow rewards upon the country.
This was originally a favor that the new emperor would bestow after ascending the throne, but now it has been changed into a means for the Empress Dowager to win over the hearts of the people, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Many in the court were originally on the sidelines, believing the previous impeachment was merely a test. If the Grand Empress Dowager dealt with Xue Zhidao, the position of top official in the Council of State would remain vacant, giving them a chance. Now that Xue Zhidao had sided with the Grand Empress Dowager, their combined power was enough to silence any dissenting voices, and so they temporarily quieted down.
Now that Xue Zhizhi has returned to the court, the Empress Dowager has shown favor to him, and all the ministers have been promoted according to the rules. Even if there is dissatisfaction, it has been suppressed. For a time, the court was harmonious and peaceful.
He Qing still maintained the frequency of going to Kunhua Palace and Yangshou Palace every day. In the beginning, he often gave advice to the Empress Dowager, but later he gradually spoke less.
Power is the best medicine, bringing a sense of well-being and elation, allowing one to witness the world's most beautiful scenery. This is true even for women. The Empress Dowager has now emerged from her initial fears, gradually savoring the benefits of holding world power and beginning to develop her political wisdom.
She began to read history books and various memorials from the court, trying to understand the structure of the entire court and the characteristics of each official, gradually expanding her control over this behemoth.
At this time, she didn't need anyone's advice.
She was even somewhat wary of those who wanted to touch this power. After realizing this, He Qing never intervened in court affairs again. She simply watched the Grand Empress Dowager act with a cold eye, feeling a bit anxious in her heart.
Everything seems peaceful now, but that is only because the real conflict has not yet broken out.
He Qing hadn't forgotten that this dynasty only had three years left to live. Even though she had changed history, preventing the selfish and mean King Zhongshan from becoming the new ruler and preventing the court from falling into the ridiculous "ritual dispute," some fundamental things hadn't changed.
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