Chapter 166 A Shocking Change (2)
The prince rushed toward the Taiji Hall without even having time to put on his clothes.
He had barely reached the door when Pang Shi, who was also not fully armored, stopped him: "Your Highness, please calm down. The situation is unclear. Your Highness must not go to Taiji Hall alone."
When Pang Shi stopped the prince, his head, which had been clouded by passion, finally calmed down a little. The incident happened so suddenly that he acted entirely on his intuition, but he did not expect the consequences of his rash actions.
Nine tolls of the death knell are an omen of an emperor's demise, but Emperor Jian'an was attending a wedding at Prince Xin's residence just a few hours earlier. He was in a very good mood all evening and showed no signs of illness. In fact, he only left with the Empress at the end of the night. If he were unwell, given his cautious nature, he would have returned to the palace to rest long ago.
The crown prince glanced subconsciously at the water clock in the room. It was only around the second watch of the night, which meant that he had passed away suddenly less than two hours after returning to the palace.
The death of an emperor was a very serious matter. Confirming death alone required the diagnosis of no fewer than three imperial physicians. Moreover, it was related to the transfer of power, so the ministers of the cabinet and the emperor's closest eunuchs had to be present. After finding the imperial edict, the successor was confirmed and the transfer of the throne was completed. One wrong step could very likely result in bloodshed on the spot. After everything was successfully transferred, an auspicious day was chosen for the burial. Finally, the funeral bell was rung to announce the emperor's death to the world.
Therefore, when the people of the capital heard the death knell, the emperor had already been dead for a long time, and even the date was wrong, let alone the time.
But now, even he, the crown prince, hasn't heard any news, yet the palace has suddenly begun tolling death knells? Who is so audacious? Is the news of Emperor Jian'an's death true or false?
The Crown Prince needed to see Emperor Jian'an and the Empress immediately; he had to know what had happened.
But this is a very sensitive time. As the crown prince, Emperor Jian'an did not complete the transfer of power before his death. Now, under the cover of darkness, the crown prince has no army besides the Eastern Palace Guard. He does not have the Tiger Tally and cannot mobilize the Imperial Guard. Moreover, Lu Ke, the commander of the Imperial Guard, has been deposed. The Imperial Guard is now temporarily being managed by the deputy commander Wu Zisang, who is not one of the crown prince's men.
The most conservative approach would be for him to remain in the Eastern Palace and wait for all the officials to enter the palace after hearing the news of the death knell before going together to see Emperor Jian'an and the Empress. However, no matter how powerful the officials are, they are still civil officials. In such a situation, whoever commands the Imperial Guards is the one in charge.
It can be said that the crown prince's situation is extremely dangerous.
If Wu Zisang is a member of the Sixth or Third Prince's faction, then he can only remain the Crown Prince until tonight.
Pang Shi will definitely do everything in his power to stop the Crown Prince from going to the Taiji Palace. Even if he is to go, he must first ascertain the situation before proceeding.
Seeing that Pang Shi was unwilling to back down, the Crown Prince pondered for a moment and then immediately instructed Wan Quan: "Take my token and go to Jinghe Palace to find out what happened. You must find the Empress Dowager and find out what happened. The Commander of the Imperial Guards may target me, but he will never make things difficult for the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager is the only person who can get close to the Emperor. Remember, get back as quickly as possible."
Wan Quan immediately agreed, quickly went back to his room to change into some comfortable clothes, and then headed to Jinghe Palace.
Just a few breaths after Wan Quan left, the bell rang again. The Crown Prince immediately looked up at the bell tower and counted again while fully conscious. It was indeed nine chimes.
Less than half a cup of tea later, the bell rang again, nine times as well.
Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the bell rang three times, and the news of Emperor Jian'an's death had probably already spread throughout the capital.
The Crown Prince paced anxiously around the East Palace, while the Crown Princess waited with him inside. Pang Shi sent out wave after wave of guards to gather information and to receive the officials who were about to enter the palace.
The death knell has sounded, and all the officials, especially the cabinet members, will rush to the palace as quickly as possible. He fears that these civil officials will be threatened and will be allowed in using the Crown Prince's pass tokens.
The guards rushed out to gather information, and soon one of them came running back, pale-faced: "Your Highness, all the palace gates have been taken over by the Imperial Guards. They refuse to let anyone out. I can't get any information either. I only know that they have received orders to guard the palace gates to the death, allowing entry but not exit."
The crown prince was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, wishing he could go to the Taiji Hall in person to ask, but Pang Shi firmly blocked the doorway, preventing him from leaving.
A moment later, another guard rushed back: "Your Highness, the Third Prince has arrived at the palace gate with three hundred guards and wants to enter. The Imperial Guards said they would only let him in with five people, and that his men would have to be removed from their armor. The Third Prince disagreed, and the two sides started fighting at the palace gate."
The Third Prince's attempt to storm the palace failed, and he even clashed with the Imperial Guards. Therefore, he can be ruled out. The death of Emperor Jian'an should have nothing to do with him; otherwise, he would have taken over the Imperial Guards long ago and there would be no way he would have fought with them.
The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart tightened again. There was still one suspect: the Sixth Prince.
Thinking of this, his blood seemed to turn cold. Today was his big day, but if he chose to force the emperor to abdicate when everyone was least wary of him, then his cunning and ruthlessness would be the greatest the crown prince had ever seen.
If it really is him, the Crown Prince only has a few hundred guards from the Eastern Palace Guard Battalion, which is definitely no match for the thousands of Imperial Guards.
Thinking about this, he felt there was no need to hide any longer.
If it really is him, he definitely won't survive tonight.
He turned to the Crown Princess and said, "Go and wake Ke'er up and bring him here."
The Crown Princess felt a chill and immediately went to pick up the sleeping Aze.
Aze opened his eyes groggily and saw his mother holding him. He mumbled, "Mother? What's wrong?"
He shielded his eyes with his hand: "Why is it so bright? Is it dawn yet?"
The candlelight in the hall was too bright, making it impossible for him to open his eyes.
The Crown Prince ignored him and stared intently at Pang Shi: "You don't need to stay by my side. If it was Li Chengyao's doing, I won't be able to die peacefully tonight. Find a way to send Ke'er away, to Li Xiaoxiao's side, so she can protect him. She can take him back to Biyang County, or anywhere else. Change Ke'er's name, let him live a good life, and never think about revenge again."
Pang Shi's eyes were red: "Your Highness, perhaps things are not as we think? Please don't be so pessimistic."
The Crown Prince gazed at the night sky, which seemed to be extremely calm and suffocating before a storm, and murmured, "I can't just take things one step at a time. I have to plan ahead. Ke'er is my and the Crown Princess's only child. I must protect his life no matter what."
He said in a deep voice, "Let's go!"
Pang Shi had no choice but to step forward and hug Aze, then bow deeply to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. He was about to rush out the door when he saw a familiar figure leap over the palace wall, seemingly carrying someone on his back. In a few leaps, the figure landed in front of Pang Shi.
Such skill was unmatched in the entire palace. Upon seeing her arrive, Pang Shi felt relieved and turned around excitedly, saying, "Your Highness, Li Xiaoxiao has arrived."
Li Xiaoxiao carried Meng Guanqi over the wall and came in.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess's eyes lit up, and they quickly stepped forward, looking excitedly at Li Xiaoxiao, who was dressed in black.
Li Xiaoxiao put Meng Guanqi down from her back and wiped her sweat: "We're not late, are we?"
Pang Shi was still holding Aze in his arms: "Luckily, we almost missed it."
Li Xiaoxiao was taken aback: "Why are you hugging Aze?"
Meng Guanqi saw through the Crown Prince's plan at a glance: "Your Highness intends to send Aze to our family?" Is he preparing to entrust the young prince to us? Is the situation really that dire?
The Crown Prince nodded solemnly: "Now that we don't know who is friend or foe, I can't let Ke'er take this risk. I can only entrust him to you."
Meng Guanqi asked, "What's the situation in the palace now? Has Your Highness found out anything?"
He and Li Xiaoxiao were awakened from their sleep by the sound of the death knell. Meng Guanqi didn't count the tolling the first time and thought he had misheard, but it soon rang a second and a third time. This time, there was no way he could be wrong.
Emperor Jian'an has died.
As the newly appointed third-ranked scholar, he naturally knew the procedures for the death of an emperor. Emperor Jian'an was attending Prince Xin's wedding banquet last night. Even if he died suddenly upon returning home, he would not have rung the bell, let alone rung it so loudly that the whole city could hear it.
Something must have happened in the palace.
Moreover, with Emperor Jian'an dead and the bells ringing in an unusual way, tonight must be an extremely dangerous night for the Crown Prince.
He hasn't completed the handover of power yet, so he absolutely cannot afford any trouble at this time. Those lurking demons and monsters in the shadows will likely seize this opportunity and come out in full force to eliminate him.
So he didn't have time to think much and immediately had Li Xiaoxiao take him into the palace. From afar, he saw the imperial guards and the Third Prince's soldiers fighting at the palace gate. The scene was chaotic. Li Xiaoxiao found a secluded spot and carried him over the wall to get in.
The Crown Prince said, "I sent Wan Quan to find the Empress, but he hasn't returned yet. The other guards are all searching for information in various places. All they know is that the important places have been taken over by the Imperial Guards, and there is no other information."
Unfortunately, Pang Shi wouldn't let him leave the East Palace, so even though he was anxious, he could only wait.
Meng Guanqi said, "General Pang is right. Your Highness's safety is the most important thing right now. All the officials are trying their best to get into the palace. It would be the safest thing to do for Your Highness to meet with them and then go to see His Majesty and the Empress together."
Firstly, this would clear the Crown Prince of suspicion, since he had not left the Eastern Palace since hearing the bell, and Emperor Jian'an's death was at least unrelated to him. Secondly, with all the officials in charge, the most important thing besides Emperor Jian'an's funeral was the succession to the throne.
Those old foxes are well aware of how dangerous the Crown Prince is right now. If they can get into the palace, they will definitely rush to the Eastern Palace to meet him as soon as possible.
Meng Guanqi said, "The Imperial Guards have blocked the Third Prince's troops, and the Third Prince is helpless and still cannot get in. It is clear that this matter has nothing to do with him. Has Your Highness ever suspected the Sixth Prince?"
The Crown Prince said, "It is precisely because I suspect him that I want to find a way to send Ke'er away to you and your husband. But I know nothing about him now and have no evidence to prove that it was him."
Meng Guanqi affirmed, "More than half an hour has passed since the bell rang, but the gates of the East Palace remain quiet. Therefore, this matter should have nothing to do with the Sixth Prince. If it were him, he would have immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to surround the East Palace and arrest you."
The Crown Prince pondered, "It wasn't the third prince, nor the sixth prince. Could it be that Father Emperor passed away naturally? But why was the funeral bell tolled so hastily? It's as if it's deliberately telling everyone that Father Emperor has passed away."
There is no other reason besides this.
Moreover, the death knell rang three times in a row, so even if someone didn't hear it clearly the first time, they would hear it clearly the second and third time.
Meng Guanqi looked at him: "Now, there is only one person in the entire palace who can find out what happened. Has Your Highness sent anyone to find the Empress?"
The Crown Prince said, "I have already sent Wan Quan there, but he has not returned yet. I'm afraid he has encountered some trouble. He knows that I am waiting for his news, so he dares not delay."
Could the Empress be trapped as well? Meng Guanqi frowned. Emperor Jian'an died without any warning, and there was no news from the Empress. He couldn't make any further deductions. No, he still had to find out what had happened by finding out the Empress.
He was just about to send Li Xiaoxiao to sneak into Jinghe Palace to gather information when he suddenly saw a figure running quickly towards him in the darkness. It was Wan Quan; Wan Quan was back.
The Crown Prince was overjoyed: "You're back? How did it go? Did you find out anything?"
Wan Quan, panting, supported the Crown Prince's arm: "Your Highness, the Empress said that Wu Zisang is her man, and that she ordered the Imperial Guards to guard all the palace gates. She told you to wait in the East Palace until all the officials enter the palace, and then we can go to Jinghe Palace to find her together."
Wu Zisang is the Empress's man? The Crown Prince was overjoyed. Great, this wasn't Li Chengyao's trap. He immediately asked, "Has Mother said anything about Father's condition? What exactly happened? And who tolled the death knell?"
Wan Quan's expression was solemn: "This servant was unable to enter Jinghe Palace. Her Majesty the Empress moved a chair and sat at the palace gate, refusing to let anyone in. She said that she would only allow people to see His Majesty's body when all the officials and the Crown Prince arrived together."
Meng Guanqi felt a chill run down his spine. This was too unusual. Could Emperor Jian'an's death be related to the Empress?
Wan Quan then said, "This servant would like to ask more questions, but Her Majesty the Empress has asked this servant to leave."
The news that Wan Quan brought back was of great importance. At least for now, it seemed that the Crown Prince's safety was assured. Now, all that was needed was for the officials to enter the palace and go together to see the Empress to find out what had happened.
Meng Guanqi suddenly remembered something: "Is His Majesty in Jinghe Palace?"
Wan Quan was stunned: "That should be it. The Empress blocked the doorway to prevent anyone from going in and seeing His Majesty's body."
Meng Guanqi asked, "Where is Eunuch Liang, who serves His Majesty? Have you seen him?"
Wan Quan shook his head blankly: "No."
He only saw the Empress and the people from Jinghe Palace; he didn't see any of the people who usually accompanied Emperor Jian'an, including Liang Qisheng.
Li Xiaoxiao suddenly understood what Meng Guanqi meant: "Do you suspect that the emperor's death is related to the empress?"
Meng Guanqi immediately glared at her. How could the crime of regicide be so easily pinned on the Empress? The Crown Prince was still here. Even if she thought that way, she couldn't say it like that. Could she also say that she suspected the Crown Prince's mother of killing the Crown Prince's father? How could the Crown Prince accept that?
The Crown Prince's face immediately turned horribly dark, but he knew that Li Xiaoxiao always spoke her mind and never liked beating around the bush. Moreover, although Meng Guanqi's suspicion was extremely disrespectful, it was the only reasonable explanation for the current situation.
At this moment, at the palace gate, the Third Prince watched as his soldiers were repeatedly repelled by the Imperial Guards. The city gates were firmly guarded, and his side had not made an inch of progress. He grew increasingly anxious.
The longer it drags on, the worse it will be for him. Anyone with eyes can see that there is something fishy about Emperor Jian'an's death, and the Third Prince has a gut feeling that this matter is related to the Crown Prince.
The sixth prince got married last night. His father was in excellent spirits when he left and even drank a cup of wine. How could he have died less than two hours after returning to the palace? He would never believe that no one had murdered him. It's just a pity that these imperial guards are too troublesome. He only has three hundred soldiers under his command. How can he successfully enter the palace?
He grew increasingly anxious as he fought, wishing he could draw his sword himself. Suddenly, he heard several carriages approaching from behind, and a stern voice rang out: "Stop!"
It's the voice of Grand Secretary Yang Shimin!
The Third Prince's spirits lifted, and he immediately signaled the guards to stop their attack. He stepped forward and said, "Lord Yang, you've finally arrived!"
Yang Shimin stepped down from the carriage, and the carriages behind him also stopped. Several ministers stepped out of them. The Third Prince was startled. How fast! All the cabinet members had arrived.
Yang Shimin looked at the mess on the ground, his brows furrowed deeply: "What happened here?"
The Third Prince immediately said, "Hearing the funeral bells ringing in the palace, I felt that something was amiss. How could Father Emperor have died for no reason? Someone must have framed him, which is why I brought the Imperial Guards here. However, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, Wu Zisang, is truly despicable; he actually wouldn't let me in!"
Yang Shimin looked towards the second floor of the city gate tower: "Is Wu Zisang here?"
A general in gleaming armor appeared on the wall, followed by four or five armored soldiers, each carrying a large torch that, as usual, illuminated the dark night sky.
Wu Zisang bowed to Yang Shimin from atop the wall, saying, "Greetings, Grand Secretary Yang, and all the ministers."
The third prince immediately pointed at him and cursed, "Wu Zisang, do you want to rebel? What right do you have to stop me from going in?"
Wu Zisang said expressionlessly, "This humble servant has never said that His Highness the Third Prince is not allowed to enter. It is only that one must remove his armor and weapons before entering the palace, and that no more than five guards may accompany him."
Remove his armor and weapons, and be guarded by no more than five men. What difference is there between him and going in to his death? The Third Prince was almost furious and started cursing, but Yang Shimin hit the nail on the head: "Whose orders are you taking to guard the palace gates now?"
Several ministers looked at Wu Zisang with solemn expressions. This question concerned who was in charge in the palace now.
If it were the crown prince or any other prince, the situation would be extremely dire.
Wu Zisang said, "This humble servant is here on the orders of Her Majesty the Empress to guard the palace gates and wait for all officials to enter the palace to handle His Majesty's funeral arrangements. Each of you may bring three guards into the palace. Her Majesty the Empress has been waiting for you all at Jinghe Palace for a long time."
The Third Prince was extremely anxious: "My lords, do not be fooled! How can we listen to Wu Zisang's one-sided story? Her Majesty the Empress never interferes in politics, so how could she command the Imperial Guards? Someone must be using her name to lure you into the palace and threaten you. If you go there, you will only be throwing good money after bad, never to return! I know that the Minister of War can mobilize the Qilin Army from the outskirts of the capital in times of crisis. Why don't you, Lord Wu, immediately mobilize the Qilin Army to protect Her Majesty and confront the one who truly controls the palace and is plotting a coup? Only in this way can we gain leverage in negotiations. If you listen to Wu Zisang's slander and enter the palace, not only will you not be able to see Her Majesty the Empress, but the lives of all the ministers will also be threatened. We must not take this risky step."
Without a large army at the gates, there's no leverage for negotiation. What good are a few old intellectuals? This matter can only be resolved by force.
Wu Xiuwen's brows twitched slightly as he began to ponder seriously.
Wu Zisang retorted, "What does the Third Prince mean by this? Are you implying that I am following the orders of one of the princes? His Highness the Crown Prince has remained in the East Palace since the bell rang and has not left. The First Prince, Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince all reside in their respective residences outside the palace and have not yet arrived. Does the Third Prince suspect that His Highness the Crown Prince is staging a coup? I would like to ask, now that he is the Crown Prince, what is the point of doing this?"
Wu Zisang said, "Turn right after entering the palace and walk straight ahead to reach the East Palace. If you gentlemen do not believe me, please go to the East Palace and see if the Crown Prince has been staying there all along."
The third prince's eyes darted around, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Father has already passed away, yet he still sits upright in the palace and doesn't come out? Is this filial piety? I think he—"
Wu Zisang interrupted him without any politeness: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is sitting in the East Palace and not coming out because of the Empress. The Empress has asked you officials to go to the East Palace to meet the Crown Prince after entering the palace, and then go to Jinghe Palace to find the Empress. There will be a reason for that. If you don't believe me, you can go with us. However, the rules I just mentioned cannot be changed. Right now, apart from the Imperial Guards, no one in the palace can wear armor or carry weapons."
Wu Xiuwen stepped forward: "Grand Secretary Yang, what do you think? Is Wu Zisang's statement credible? Should I go and mobilize the Qilin Army?"
Yang Shimin pondered for a while with his eyes half-closed, then slowly shook his head: "The Crown Prince is kind and honest. Even when rumors of misfortune circulated, he never attempted to force the emperor to abdicate. Now that the world is at peace, what benefit would it bring him to do so? I believe in his innocence. I will go to the Eastern Palace to find him now."
He flicked his sleeves and walked at the front. The imperial guards, their hands on their swords at their waists, automatically made way for him, their eyes full of respect.
Seeing that Grand Secretary Yang walked ahead without hesitation, the ministers exchanged glances and followed him toward the East Palace.
Seeing that his attempt to sow discord had failed, the Third Prince stomped his foot in frustration. But he was too eager to know what had happened, so he immediately removed his armor, threw down his weapons, and, with five guards, chased after the cabinet ministers toward the Eastern Palace.
The guards at the East Palace saw several high-ranking officials from the cabinet, followed by the Third Prince, and immediately reported to the Crown Prince: "Lord Yang from the cabinet and the Third Prince have arrived."
The other princes, being less favored, lived in more remote locations in the capital, and probably haven't arrived yet.
The crown prince stood up and went out to greet him personally.
When Yang Shimin saw the Crown Prince, his heart calmed down a bit: "Your Highness, are you well?"
The Crown Prince said, “All is well. Lord Yang, please come into the palace. My mother asked me to stay in the palace to wait for the arrival of these officials. The guards of the Eastern Palace are doing everything they can to prevent me from going out. I am very anxious right now.”
Just as Yang Shimin was about to speak, he spotted Li Xiaoxiao holding the sleeping Aze, and Li Xiaoxiao's husband, Meng Guanqi.
Li Xiaoxiao is Aze's bodyguard, so it's not surprising that she's here. The question is, how did her husband get in?
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