Chapter 22 Mutual Protection
Chapter Summary: Oh dear! My rival is here!
Inside the Guiyuan Hall, perhaps due to the weather today, the atmosphere seemed rather gloomy.
Liu Shiyu stood solemnly before the young emperor's throne as usual, watching the actions of the people below. The phoenix throne beside her, specially commissioned by the Tang family, had never been sat on by her since it was placed there.
Liu Shiyu never amplified her power; she considered herself merely a subject of Shao Yuan.
As a subject, I should stand here just like all the other officials.
Fu Zheng strode into the hall, not avoiding Liu Shiyu's stern gaze at all. Once he stood still, knowing that Liu Shiyu would not make things difficult for him easily, Fu Zheng confidently raised the jade tablet and stood in front of the officials, nodding to Liu Shiyu in acknowledgment.
Liu Shiyu made no move, but slowly withdrew his gaze and said softly to the eunuch official, "Let's begin."
After saying that, Liu Shiyu put her hands behind her back and clasped them tightly.
On the throne, Liu Zhizhou's eyes held the majesty befitting a young emperor. But when he gazed at the slender yet resolute figure before him, his eyes softened instantly, and he couldn't help but murmur, "Sister."
"What matters do you gentlemen have to report today?" Liu Shiyu's resounding voice echoed throughout the hall, silencing the officials. She keenly sensed something unusual, yet remained as composed as ever. "If you have nothing to report, then I will speak..."
But at this moment, Fu Zheng picked up the jade tablet, stepped forward, and said loudly, "Your Highness, please wait, I have something to report."
"Your Excellency, please speak."
Liu Shiyu stared proudly, while Fu Zheng lowered his eyes and replied.
"Your Majesty's birthday is approaching, and it is time for the dance. I recall that when the late Emperor ascended the throne at the age of ten, the Empress Dowager returned the reins of power to him when he was twelve. Therefore, I humbly request Your Highness to follow the example of the late Empress Dowager and request to return power to Your Majesty, so that Shao Yuan may be restored to the rightful throne."
"Imitate the late Empress Dowager?" Liu Shiyu's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this.
Back then, the late emperor was surrounded by loyal and steadfast ministers, so it was only natural for the late empress dowager to return power to the emperor. It seems that the late emperor was wise and discerning for most of his life, but in his later years he became engrossed in nature and neglected the administration of the court, which left many troubles for the young emperor.
By returning power to Liu Shiyu at this time, it was tantamount to handing over the country to someone else.
Even if Liu Shiyu were willing to relinquish control, the Tang family would never allow it. Caught in a dilemma, every step fraught with difficulty. Standing on the edge of danger, Liu Shiyu calmly replied, "If I do not return the reins of government today, what will the Censor-in-Chief do?"
Fu Zheng clearly had a solution.
He raised the jade tablet, knelt down, and loudly proclaimed, "Your Highness, I humbly request that you return power to the rightful heir, allowing Shao Yuan to reclaim his rightful place."
As soon as he finished speaking, half of the court officials behind Fu Zheng knelt down, stroking their robes, and said in unison, "We humbly request Your Highness to return power to the rightful ruler and allow Shao Yuan to reclaim his rightful place."
Seeing this scene, Xu Luchuan looked at his father and brothers kneeling in the crowd and gripped the jade tablet in his hand tightly.
Before Liu Shiyu could even get angry, Liu Zhizhou was already furious and was about to speak up to defend him, but Liu Shiyu noticed and raised his hand to stop him. Looking into Liu Zhizhou's eyes, which were untouched by the world, Liu Shiyu shook his head.
Looking at Liu Zhizhou, he believed in Liu Shiyu, but he also wanted to share her burdens.
Unfortunately, his older sister always preferred to shoulder the burden alone until the very end.
Looking back at the indignant faces below the steps, Liu Shiyu felt no fear. In fact, she had anticipated this since hearing that the Prime Minister had claimed illness and would not attend court that morning. She knew that this day would come sooner or later, but she hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly.
Suddenly, Liu Shiyu laughed. He laughed at the half of the court officials for their ambiguity and at Chang An for overestimating his abilities.
When did this young man become someone he could control?
Grand Commandant Dong Xingbin, who had been observing for a long time, finally couldn't help but speak up: "The Prime Minister has a good plan. What is the purpose of forcing Her Highness to return power at this time? However, no matter how much the Censor-in-Chief says, Her Highness is still Shao Yuan's legitimate princess and His Majesty's elder sister. Her Highness is loyal to Shao Yuan and has no disloyalty to His Majesty. In my opinion, some people's intentions are obvious."
Dong Xingbin had fought in wars for half his life and had always been the least willing to participate in court intrigues.
However, he and the Tang and Wei families had been friends for generations. His eldest daughter, Dong Yuanhui, had even married Tang Wuzheng's eldest son, Tang Sheng'an, forming a marriage alliance between Dong and Tang. With the officials pressuring him like this today, even if he was unwilling, he had to speak up for the sake of the Tang family.
Upon hearing this, Fu Zheng argued forcefully and refused to back down.
"The Prime Minister's responsibility is to assist the Emperor and uphold the order of the court. The fact that the Princess has been ruling in his place for two years is already against the established order. What is wrong with asking His Highness to return power now? Does this mean that Shao Yuan's court can only rely on women? If this is recorded in history, wouldn't it be a disgrace?"
Upon hearing this, the officials erupted in uproar.
"Women are not fit for refined pursuits."
"How can women share the same ruler? What kind of behavior is this!"
...
"The traitors are disloyal; their intentions are plain to see."
"His Majesty has not spoken, what ability do you have to make His Highness return power to him!"
Opponents echoed, while those who sided with them refuted; the court was quite a scene today.
Amid the chaos, Xu Luchuan's gaze pierced through the officials and landed on Liu Shiyu.
This was the first time he had truly looked at her since the start of court. In the dimly lit Guiyuan Hall, Liu Shiyu was surrounded by light. She single-handedly dispelled the gloom, undeterred by the trials of wind and rain.
Looking into her eyes, Xu Luchuan suddenly felt that everything seemed insignificant in Liu Shiyu's eyes. Looking again at the noisy assembled officials, Xu Luchuan slowly put away the jade tablet in his hand. He closed his eyes and began to rest as if nothing had happened.
Shen Ruoshi watched as jade tablets flew overhead, completely unaware of the strange behavior of those around him, preoccupied only with frantically dodging them.
When he turned around again, he found Xu Luchuan standing calmly with his eyes closed beside him. But before Shen Ruoshi could speak, Jiang Tu, who loved watching the drama unfold, sarcastically remarked, "Hey, Chief Justice, your father and the others are arguing like this, and you still have the mind to close your eyes and rest?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan opened his eyes but ignored Jiang Tu. He only glanced casually at Liu Shiyu, who remained unfazed despite being surrounded by the court officials.
But for some reason, Xu Luchuan suddenly remembered her usual rascal-like manner and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
This laugh had no effect; all the officials fell silent and turned to look at him.
The Guiyuan Hall fell into complete silence.
Xu Luchuan stood awkwardly in place, looking at Liu Shiyu, but Liu Shiyu seemed to have no intention of saying anything.
This made him clench his fists.
You, Liu Shiyu, if you don't help me now, you won't see me for the next two weeks!
Before Liu Shiyu could speak, Xu Qinguo flicked his sleeve and snorted. Xu Luwei was about to speak up to defuse the situation when Fu Zheng preemptively asked, "Why is the Right Supervisor laughing?"
Xu Qinguo's disdainful snort just now seemed to have pierced Xu Luchuan's heart. After Fu Zheng finished speaking, he focused his gaze, resolutely pulled out the jade tablet, and blurted out all the words he had been holding back for a long time.
"Your Excellency, I laugh at your indifference to His Highness's merits and deeds. You only know how to spout pedantic and pretentious nonsense in court. It is truly shameful for you to serve the Emperor!"
Xu Luchuan's words were forceful and resounding. Although a large part of his motivation was to oppose Xu Qinguo, every word was piercing and incisive, giving everyone present a jolt.
Standing on the steps, Liu Shiyu looked at Xu Luchuan along with the other officials, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "Xiao Lü, I never expected you to go to such lengths to help me!"
Upon hearing this, Fu Zheng glared angrily and retorted threateningly, "How dare you! I advise you to watch your words, Xu Youjian!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Shiyu narrowed her eyes at Fu Zheng. She could no longer allow him to stir up trouble, nor could she allow him to turn his anger towards Xu Luchuan. It was time for this farce to end.
Liu Shiyu's gaze was icy as he sternly declared from the main hall, "Enough!"
Fu Zheng looked up in surprise, and Liu Shiyu then spoke.
"If it is considered shameful to share the throne with a woman, then I must ask... where were you gentlemen on the day Prince Ling forced the emperor to abdicate?"
"Will he stand here in this grand hall, just like today? But that day... why did you all just watch as the young crown prince was dragged off the throne, and not one of you dared to speak out? If it weren't for me and Lady Tang risking our lives to protect him, this young prince would have truly fallen into the hands of that disloyal and unfilial traitor!"
"Two years have passed. I have purged the court and cleansed the court of corrupt officials. Yet all I have received in return is this: 'Those who cannot share the throne with a woman...'"
"Since that's the case, I truly apologize to all of you. I, Liu Shiyu, will break with convention! I respect and value you all! But if anyone dares to say anything more, please don't blame me for being impolite."
Liu Shiyu spoke with unwavering resolve. If she were truly driven to a dead end, she would have no choice but to fight and destroy to create a brighter future.
She had no other choice.
But looking around, none of the officials below dared to speak again...
Liu Shiyu suddenly felt dazed. She felt so tired; why did she still have to pretend to be tireless? But the Tang family wouldn't allow Liu Shiyu to collapse, and neither would Shao Yuan. But did the greater good of the world really concern her? For whom was she living?
Her mother was a pawn, her aunt was a pawn, and she was also a pawn of the Tang family. No one treated them like human beings; they only saw their lives as fragile as paper.
Liu Shiyu looked around blankly, unable to see where the road ahead led...
Xu Luchuan was forgotten by the crowd, and everyone's attention returned to Liu Shiyu. He also looked at her and keenly noticed her fatigue.
In that instant, Xu Luchuan seemed to understand Liu Shiyu. He even felt her pain.
The apparent calm did not lull Liu Shiyu into a false sense of security. Fu Zheng was still plotting, waiting for an opportunity to rebel.
But at that moment, a deep male voice rang out from outside the hall, sending chills down the spines of those who recognized it. The man declared, "Anyone who dares to defy authority and disrupt the court will be killed."
As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Shiyu suddenly looked up at the open palace door, and she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the person.
He's finally back...
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