An Zishang was suddenly shocked when he heard this. He looked at Zhong Mingzheng's indifferent face and his heart was beating even harder. He understood that Zhong Mingzheng was trying to suppress Empress Zhenxianxiao and promote Imperial Noble Consort Zhao. However, everyone with a discerning eye knew the reason for Zhao's sudden death, so how could he put the blame on Empress Zhenxianxiao?
He knew that he should follow Zhong Mingzheng's wishes, but he was the Minister of Rites after all. This was a matter of great importance to the family's principles and etiquette. If he, who had served as the Minister of Rites for more than 20 years, did not take care of it, he would be despised by all officials and even the people of the world. So even though he was trembling with fear in his heart, he still gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty is right. The reputation of the Empress Zhenxianxiao has indeed been affected by Prince An, but after all... Empress Zhenxianxiao is the wife of the retired emperor, the only empress he canonized, and the niece of the empress dowager. She has a noble status. Before Your Majesty acts, you must take into account the face of the retired emperor and the empress dowager. What's more, Your Majesty is still in poor health and cannot be provoked again, so please think twice."
"What? Lord Shangshu, are you complaining that I'm unfilial? Don't you care about the face and safety of the retired emperor and the empress dowager?" Zhong Mingzheng curled his lips coldly.
"Your humble servant dare not!" An Zishang was so busy that he knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, "Your humble servant has absolutely no such intention. You humble servant is only thinking about Your Majesty! I don't want Your Majesty's reputation to be affected! Please understand!"
"I was concerned about the reputation of the retired emperor and the empress dowager, so I refrained from digging up the grave of that immoral woman and crushing her bones. I have done my utmost. Why does the minister still think that I have not considered the reputation of the retired emperor and his safety?" Zhong Mingzheng said slowly, as he stood up and walked slowly to An Zishang. He looked down at An Zishang with undisguised disgust in his eyes. After a pause, he said coldly, "It's her memorial day, so what?" ? I will use her death day to step on her and that crippled son's faces in front of the whole world. I will let the whole world know that this bitch and her crippled son are no longer royal nobles. Not only will I use her death day to ascend the throne, but after I ascend the throne, I will also remove her incense and depose her as queen! "At this point, Zhong Mingzheng slowly squatted in front of An Zishang and said coldly, "What? Does the Minister have any objection?"
"I dare not!" An Zishang's face was pressed to the ground, his forehead was already covered with sweat. He held his breath hard, but even so, he was still gasping for breath.
"Of course the Minister doesn't dare. The Minister has always been a man of current affairs, so he naturally knows that one should act accordingly," Zhong Mingzheng curled his lips coldly, looking at An Zishang who was trembling all over, and said sarcastically, "At the beginning, the Minister married his eldest daughter to me, but it was not enough, so he tried every means to send his youngest daughter to the East Palace. The Minister is really good at this. Today, no matter whether the person standing here is me or Prince An, the Minister, as the father-in-law of the country, is sure to make a profit."
"I dare not!" An Zishang trembled even more violently, his voice trembling. He kept kowtowing and expressing his loyalty, "I am loyal to Your Majesty and have no second thoughts. Your Majesty, please understand!"
"In that case, I believe that Your Excellency the Minister is willing to do anything for me?" Zhong Mingzheng said slowly.
"Please give your orders, Your Majesty! I am willing to go through fire and water and sacrifice my life for you!" An Zishang kowtowed even harder.
"Princess An of Prince Rong, as a princess, should be virtuous and abide by her duties, but she is jealous, vicious and cruel, killing people and even hurting her husband. Her behavior is really abominable and unforgivable," Zhong Mingzheng leisurely looked at An Zishang's sallow face, and continued to speak slowly, word by word, "but considering her contribution to giving birth to the prince, I will show mercy and allow her to commit suicide. The Minister will personally pass the order."
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