Chapter 84 Coup
now......
Well, I'll just do my best.
Li Deshuang, the commander of the Imperial Guard, was summoned to the palace overnight. No one knows what the emperor and his minister discussed. The next day, Liang Chengqiu, the imperial bodyguard, led the Imperial Guard to Jiangnan.
Meanwhile, a team was quietly entering the capital. With the city's defenses removed, they entered the capital as if it were empty.
The emperor sat at her desk for a long time. The root cause of the chaos in Jiangnan was that the disaster-stricken people had nowhere to go and no food to survive, and were forced to become bandits. If the court had made proper arrangements, the casualties could have been completely avoided. Before leaving, she issued an edict to Liang Chengqiu.
If the bandits are willing to surrender, the imperial court will not only not hold them accountable, but will also provide them with food and silver subsidies, just like other disaster victims.
Once the rebellion in Jiangnan is quelled and the disaster victims are properly resettled, Lin Qingyue will return with a map of Jiangnan's terrain. She can then use her modern knowledge to renovate the waterways of Jiangnan and fundamentally control the floods.
Next came the matter of establishing girls' schools. She not only wanted to ensure that the people of Baisheng had food to eat, but also that women in the world would no longer be merely appendages of men. Women would be able to study, do business, and serve as officials just like men. Anything that men could do, women could do as well.
From now on, everyone at Baisheng will be equal.
There was one more crucial thing, and a smile crept onto Xiao Yu's lips. She was going to give her young lady a grand coronation ceremony, so that the whole world would know that her young lady was her wife.
The imperial edict instructed her to find the best writer in Bai Sheng to write it, using the most ornate language to praise the young lady.
Of course, the young lady is already excellent, and those words used to describe her are not enough to show even a fraction of her goodness.
She sat for a while longer before preparing to return to Funing Palace. It was almost time for dinner, and she needed to go back to dine with the young lady.
Just as he was about to leave, a palace servant rushed over and knelt down: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened, Prime Minister. The General of the Golden Guard has led a troop of men and has already reached outside the palace."
What?
Father-in-law and brother-in-law...
Xiao Yu suddenly stood up, looking somewhat dazed. His father-in-law and brother-in-law were plotting a rebellion?
Is there anything else she doesn't understand? The mastermind behind it all is her own father-in-law. The Imperial Guards had just left the capital when they rebelled. She lowered her eyes, paused for a moment, and then walked toward Funing Palace. She wanted to ask if the young lady knew about this.
Why would a young lady like Song Luoning go to Chenjia Village alone? Was it really just to fulfill her marriage contract?
Suddenly everything made sense.
It turns out that the person who led him to the capital was his father-in-law.
Xiao Yu couldn't figure out why he would do that.
At this moment, all she wanted to do was question Song Luoning: why did she lie to her? How much of her affection for her was genuine?
Xiao Yu felt wronged.
The Fu Ning Palace was peaceful and serene. Red lanterns hung from the high eaves, illuminating the entrance. Xiao Yu suddenly slowed her pace. When she pushed open the palace door, she didn't even have the courage to ask any questions.
"Why did Your Majesty return so late today?" Song Luoning smiled slightly at her and put down the book in her hand to ask.
Xiao Yu pursed her lips.
The young lady's smile couldn't be faked; she preferred to believe that the young lady was also kept in the dark.
Xiao Yu forced a smile: "Something happened..."
Just as the words were spoken, footsteps sounded outside the hall, and a palace servant hurried in: "Your Majesty, the Grand Princess's residence has also been besieged, and General Zhao, who is guarding the city, is requesting an audience outside."
The arrival of the general guarding the city at this time indicated that the situation was extremely critical. Xiao Yu did not delay: "Summon him!" After saying that, he went to the front hall.
"Your Majesty, has something happened?" Song Luoning asked, frowning.
Xiao Yu turned around, looked at Song Luoning, and hesitated for a moment: "My father-in-law and brother-in-law have rebelled."
There was no point in hiding anything at this point; the news should reach the palace quickly. Another reason was that she also wanted to see the young lady's reaction.
Father and elder brother are plotting a rebellion?
Song Luoning stumbled, and Xiao Yu quickly steadied her. The young lady's face drained of all color instantly. She knew her father harbored such intentions, but out of consideration for family ties, she had only given him a subtle warning. She never expected him to...
If she had told the person in front of her the truth back then, would she have been able to prevent this disaster?
Why did Father insist on rebelling...?
Song Luoning looked somber and after a long pause said, "Does Your Majesty have a solution?"
The only people available were the palace guards. Xiao Yu closed his eyes and said, "Not yet. I'll go out and take a look now. Don't worry." With that, he turned and left.
"Wait!" Song Luoning chased after her. "I'll go with you."
Xiao Yu paused slightly, then nodded: "Let's go."
She wouldn't feel at ease leaving her here alone. If things didn't work out, she would try to protect her, or Song Yunzhou would consider their father-daughter relationship and not do anything to her.
The two entered the front hall together, where the city's garrison general was already waiting.
"How is the situation?" Xiao Yu asked.
The general guarding the city clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Prime Minister Song... Song Yunzhou asked me to convey a message: if the city gates can be opened, he will spare our lives..."
He didn't continue speaking, and Xiao Yu understood. She didn't want to die like this, but she also couldn't bring herself to do something as spineless as surrendering.
"Any news about the men who went after the Imperial Guards?" Xiao Yu pressed.
The general guarding the city remained silent.
Xiao Yu frowned. Logically speaking, the Imperial Guards had just left, so a fast horse should have been able to catch up. Why?
After a moment of silence, she said, "Let's go check the city gate." Suddenly she paused: "Does the palace have any secret escape routes or anything like that?"
The general guarding the city thought the emperor was going to flee and immediately showed a look of disdain, but still shook his head truthfully.
Xiao Yu didn't dwell on it any longer. If there really was a secret passage, how would a general guarding the city gate know about it? If he did, it would be an elder in the palace, or the Empress Dowager...
She must know about the Empress Dowager. Go find the Empress Dowager!
Before she could leave, a commotion arose outside the hall.
"Who is it?" Xiao Yu asked.
"Your Majesty, this is Lady Xiao," the palace attendant replied.
Yes, and so are they. Xiao Yu sighed. How could he protect them?
"Let them in," Xiao Yu said.
Jiang Wanrou and Chen Yu rushed in, looking anxious, and asked, "What exactly happened? Mother, how come I heard that our in-laws have rebelled? How could this be?"
How should she say it?
Xiao Yu glanced at Song Luoning, bit her lip, and thought, "If Song Yunzhou can let the young lady go, how could he possibly let his stepmother and the others go?"
They shouldn't be implicated.
Chen Yu tugged at Jiang Wanrou's sleeve: "Aunt, don't be anxious, listen to what my cousin has to say."
"You're right, we can't afford to panic right now." Jiang Wanrou took a few deep breaths: "What exactly happened?"
What else could it be?
Xiao Yu sighed and instructed the palace servants beside him, "Go and invite the Empress Dowager here."
"yes."
"Wait, gather all the women in the harem here."
The palace servant received the order and hurriedly left.
Xiao Yu gave the city garrison general a few more instructions, and the general sighed heavily and quickly left the front hall.
Xiao Yu considered it for a moment and then instructed, "If you have a chance later, you can leave first."
"..." Jiang Wanrou slapped Xiao Yu on the head. What did this unlucky child take her for? Could she abandon her child and run away for her own life? What kind of mother would do such a thing?
"Mom, why did you hit me?" Xiao Yu rubbed the spot where she had been hit.
Jiang Wanrou put her hands on her hips: "Tell me why I hit you?" This unlucky kid.
Xiao Yu sighed heavily and explained the implications to his stepmother again.
"You want me to abandon my child and run away alone?" Jiang Wanrou's eyes stung with tears. If there's a way, can't we all go together? When did this unfortunate child become so stubborn?
There were few women in the palace to begin with. Apart from them, there was only the Empress Dowager and two imperial concubines. They quickly gathered in the front hall of Funing Palace.
Um?
Xiao Yu frowned and asked the palace maid beside him, "Where is Consort Liu? Was she not informed?"
The palace servants reported truthfully, "We have all informed them, but Consort Liu is nowhere to be seen in the hall."
They've disappeared?
Have they already escaped?
Now is not the time to dwell on it. Xiao Yu nodded to indicate that she understood, and then directly explained the situation to them. She placed her hopes on these old palace elders. Emperors often leave themselves a way out, and this secret is known only to themselves or their closest relatives.
She had only recently ascended the throne and was not very familiar with the situation in the palace.
As expected, the Empress Dowager revealed the secret passage in the palace.
Xiao Yu immediately arranged for people to leave.
The night, which should have been quiet, was brightly lit in the palace, with palace servants hurrying to and fro, each with a look of panic on their face.
"What will you do if we leave?"
Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Don't worry, I've already sent people to find the Imperial Guards. They'll be back soon."
Xiao Yu didn't tell the truth. The people who went to look for the Imperial Guards had returned, but the Imperial Guards themselves hadn't.
Others may not know, but Song Luoning does. Her expression darkened, and after a long silence, she said firmly, "I'll stay and keep you company."
"What nonsense are you talking about? If you want to stay, stay together. Why are you leaving?" Jiang Wanrou said.
“I’m not leaving either,” Chen Yu echoed.
Xiao Yu's eyes reddened slightly. The greatest luck she had ever had was meeting these caring relatives. Such a good family, yet the original owner of this body did not know how to cherish them.
Unfortunately, she doesn't know if she'll ever have another chance to get to know them properly.
Jiang Wanrou said, "Empress Dowager, Imperial Concubine, you may leave now."
The Empress Dowager glanced at her and said in a deep voice, "How could I be someone who is afraid of death?"
Jiang Wanrou choked, pursed her lips, and decided that she wouldn't leave first. If they wanted to leave, they could leave; she would stay with the unlucky kid.
After arguing for a long time, neither of them was willing to leave first.
Xiao Yu was also helpless.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" A palace servant stumbled in: "Prime Minister Song and his men have broken in and are killing everyone they see! Your Majesty, you must escape for your life!"
Xiao Yu's heart sank immediately: "How could it be so fast?"
"Someone opened the city gates..." The palace servant didn't finish his sentence, but Xiao Yu understood. Someone inside the palace was working in cahoots with those outside.
"Leave and summon all the palace guards and soldiers."
The order had barely been given when the palace doors were kicked open, and a deep voice rang out: "Your Majesty, it's best not to waste any more effort."
Xiao Yu turned around and saw Song Yunzhou. The three Song brothers led troops into the hall, and standing next to Song Yunzhou was the Empress Dowager Liu, whom they had been searching for.
At this moment, Xiao Yu also understood why Consort Liu appeared so coincidentally when Xiao Chengze wanted to kill her, and why she met Song Yanyu at Gongchen Gate so coincidentally. It turned out that it was all part of their plan.
Xiao Yu was puzzled. Why did they go to such great lengths to become emperor? Why did they have to put him in this position first?
She glanced around and saw that there were also court officials present, all of whom were Song Yunzhou's faction. It was obvious who they were supporting. Xiao Yu wasn't flustered, but she felt aggrieved. The people who had given her warmth were now going to die with her.
If I had known, I should have had them tied up and sent out of the palace just now, so many people wouldn't have died in vain.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Song Yunzhou waved his hand, and a line of soldiers rushed in, slowly approaching.
"Since ascending the throne, Xiao Yu has disregarded the nation and its people, shown no kinship, murdered members of the royal family, and lacked any virtuous character, causing widespread resentment among the people and constant natural and man-made disasters..." Song Yunzhou said loudly.
Is it because of her?
Xiao Yu sneered. How could he even bring himself to say that?
"Now, this old minister has finally lived up to the late emperor's trust and found the late emperor's children who were left among the people, so that my Baisheng royal family can be restored to its rightful place."
Xiao Yu was taken aback. The old emperor's son?
Before she could react, a man dressed in fine clothes walked in from outside the palace and stood next to Consort Liu. It was not hard to see that the man's features resembled Consort Liu's.
Could he really be the old emperor's son?
A hint of hesitation flashed in Xiao Yu's eyes. Since he was the old emperor's son, it was only right for him to inherit the throne. Why did he have to make such a fuss?
She didn't believe the nonsense about just finding someone; such a meticulous plan must be suspicious.
Could it be...?
A chilling thought flashed through his mind: it was definitely Consort Liu's son, given Song Yunzhou's eagerness...
She couldn't help but glance at Song Luoning. This man should be a bit older than the young lady. If Song Yunzhou really had something going on with Consort Liu, wouldn't he have already hooked up with the young lady while her mother was still alive?
Song Luoning was also frowning, seemingly lost in thought.
"What are you standing there for? Take them all down!" Song Yanqi shouted.
"Why are you going to take me down too?" At this moment, the Empress Dowager stepped forward, her murderous aura no less than that of Song Yunzhou.
I almost forgot, this Empress Dowager comes from a military family, how could she not have some skills?
Then Song Yanqi's imposing aura suddenly weakened, and he turned to look at Song Yunzhou.
"Prime Minister Song, why did you bring troops into the palace in the dead of night? Are you trying to depose the Emperor or stage a rebellion?" the Empress Dowager demanded loudly.
this......
The courtiers who came with them all looked at Song Yunzhou. They were indeed siding with Prime Minister Song, but they didn't intend to rebel.
Song Yunzhou naturally felt their gazes, but he didn't even glance at them. He said earnestly, "This matter concerns the century-old foundation of Baisheng. If the Empress Dowager insists on stopping it, this old minister will protect the royal bloodline even if it means bearing eternal infamy."
The implication is that it doesn't matter if you're the Empress Dowager or not; if you obstruct me, I'll arrest you.
Upon hearing this, the court officials all gasped in shock, knowing that saying such a thing was a capital offense.
The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.
The Empress Dowager didn't seem to mind and smiled, "Prime Minister Song says this child is the late Emperor's heir who was left among the common people. Do you have any evidence to prove that?"
Blood was drawn in an instant.
Yes, but where's the evidence?
You can't prove it with just words. Just because you say someone is a descendant of the late emperor doesn't mean they are.
None of the officials were fools; all their eyes turned to Prime Minister Song.
Song Yunzhou gritted his teeth. These good-for-nothing bastards were more trouble than they were worth. He took a deep breath and took a jade ruyi from the man's neck.
"Please look, everyone. This is what the late Emperor bestowed upon the little prince when Consort Liu was giving birth. Who could have imagined that this would happen in the end?" Song Yunzhou said sadly.
“This was indeed one of the late emperor’s personal belongings.”
"I have also heard that the late emperor bestowed it upon the young prince."
"It seems that this child is indeed the late emperor's son."
Could it be true? Or was my guess wrong?
Xiao Yu couldn't help but look at the Empress Dowager, only to see her staring blankly at the jade pendant.
What's going on?
Why are you spacing out at a time like this?
"Empress Dowager," Xiao Yu whispered a reminder.
The Empress Dowager came to her senses and sternly rebuked, "Nonsense!"
The late emperor clearly bestowed the jade pendant upon their daughter, but unfortunately, the child was murdered by villains shortly after birth. How did the jade pendant end up in their hands? Could it be that Song Yunzhou and Consort Liu were the murderers who killed her son?
The Empress Dowager suppressed her anger and resentment. If it really was them, she would definitely seek justice for her son and make them pay for their crimes in blood.
Song Yunzhou said calmly, "The ministers present can all testify that the late emperor was assassinated on his way to the temporary palace. It was at that time that Consort Liu gave birth to a son. Unfortunately, the little prince was lost during the escape. Does the Empress Dowager have any further questions?"
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