After his death, the Chu Empire had no successor.
It seems that the court officials had just suggested that the Queen Mother make plans early and select someone with outstanding character from the royal family to succeed her, which annoyed her sister-in-law.
As expected, the Queen Mother's expression turned stern, and she frowned and shouted, "Your Majesty's body is still warm, can't you even wait a few days? Is this the world for the He family, or for you civil officials?"
This was too harsh a statement, and everyone immediately knelt down to apologize, having no choice but to acquiesce to the Empress Dowager's proposal. Then the Minister of the Imperial Clan Affairs Department stepped forward and requested that the late emperor be buried first, and then the Ministry of Rites would prepare the funeral rites according to the old rules and simultaneously issue an obituary.
After everything was done and everyone had left in order, and only the servants were left in the hall, He Qing stood up.
Empress Dowager Lin's expression, which had just relaxed, immediately tensed up again, her brows furrowed tightly, "Anping? Why are you here?"
Princess Anping, this was the title given to her in a hurry when He Qing's nephew ascended the throne two years ago and lavishly rewarded her. When he checked the royal family relatives, he found that she had grown up without even a title, so he gave her the title in a hurry.
She was just like her name, unremarkable and unremarkable, attracting no one's attention. If she hadn't stepped forward at this moment, the Queen Mother might not even have remembered that such a person existed.
In the past, He Qing would have been very afraid of this rather strong imperial sister-in-law, but now, perhaps because he knew what was going to happen next, or perhaps because the tired look on her face was too clear, He Qing suddenly found that the fear in his heart was insignificant.
She took a few steps forward, knelt before Empress Dowager Lin, and directly stated her plan, "Anping wishes to be ordained as a monk and pray for the great Chu royal family. I beg your permission, sister-in-law."
This proposal was obviously beyond Empress Dowager Lin's expectations. She was startled and turned around to carefully look at this sister-in-law, whom she had no impression of.
She is a grown-up girl now and should get married in one or two years.
"Why do you think of this?" she asked.
He Qing said calmly, "The palace has been quite unstable in recent years. Anping is of royal blood and is supported by the people of the world. He has no other abilities, so he can only do his best in this way."
She had gone over these words in her mind countless times, and when she spoke them aloud, they seemed to flow smoothly and without any flaws.
Empress Dowager Lin was clearly deeply moved. She was different from He Qing. Although He Qing had also experienced many things, the impact on her was negligible. But for Empress Dowager Lin, every misfortune was almost like a death sentence. The situation was changing so quickly that she couldn't help but feel fear.
Especially after losing her husband and son one after another, although she managed to concentrate on handling affairs, she was actually very mentally unstable.
At this time, she also wanted to seek some support.
Even if it is something illusory.
So after a brief consideration, she didn't object, but instead said, "Have you thought it through? Once you become a nun, you will no longer be a princess of the royal family, and you won't be able to marry and have children."
He Qing kowtowed and said, "When my brother was alive, he built a palace for asking questions in the imperial garden. Anping wishes to stay here for a long time to cultivate. I ask my sister-in-law to help me."
Empress Dowager Lin suddenly understood why she had made this choice. Perhaps she had been frightened by the series of misfortunes of the past few years, and dared not hope for the future, so she simply sought stability. At least with the reputation of praying for the royal family, no matter what happened in the future, no matter who sat in that position, they would be able to tolerate her.
He looks quiet, but he is actually a smart person.
Empress Dowager Lin naturally had no objection. She was the one who made the final decision on this matter, and she immediately ordered an edict to be issued in the name of the late emperor, conferring upon He Qing the title of Supreme Master Huiru, granting him residence in the Asking Dao Palace, where he would study Daoist teachings, observe the precepts, and pray for the well-being of the Great Chu royal family.
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.
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