Chapter 568 568 Drama Queen Siblings (First Update)
The others didn't react as strongly as Princess Ning'an, but they were also quite puzzled.
"Your Majesty...why have you appointed a princess as regent?"
The one who asked the question was Consort Zhuang.
If it were revealed today that Princess Ning'an was acting as regent, she would ask the same question.
Empress Dowager Zhuang set a precedent for women to oversee the country, but Empress Xiande was the empress, while Xinyang was just a princess.
Besides, I've never heard that His Majesty dotes on this princess.
The relationship between the emperor and Princess Xinyang was indeed not very close. Princess Xinyang and Marquis Xuanping were betrothed by the emperor. Most people did not know that the emperor was actually following the late emperor's last will and testament. As a result, the couple did not get along, which inevitably made people think that the emperor had arranged the marriage randomly.
Princess Xinyang likely harbored resentment towards the emperor, or so everyone thought.
So why did the emperor appoint her to oversee the country?
"Could this imperial edict be fake?"
Consort Zhuang really has no sense of propriety; she dares to say anything.
Empress Xiao was the first to turn pale. She stood up and looked coldly at Consort Zhuang: "Consort, what do you mean! The imperial edict is written clearly in black and white and is stamped with the seal of Zhao Kingdom. Do you not trust the Zhao Kingdom's jade seal, or do you not trust His Majesty's decree?"
The imperial edict does contain a section appointing the Crown Prince as regent. To say it's fake would be to deny the Crown Prince's authority as well.
Empress Xiao doesn't care who is in charge of the country or not; the Crown Prince will be attending court in place of His Majesty!
Consort Zhuang chuckled and said, "Who knows if someone might take advantage of His Majesty's unconsciousness to steal His Majesty's imperial seal and then draft an imperial edict? Is that right, Eunuch Wei?"
Eunuch Wei's temples throbbed. "Madam Zhuang, you're usually so dull, how come you're so clever today?"
That's right, that's the truth!
But unfortunately, I can't admit it!
Empress Xiao said solemnly, "Eunuch Wei, please tell everyone the whole story of His Majesty issuing the imperial edict."
"Ah...this..." Looking at the imperial edict, which was clearly still in Princess Ning'an's handwriting, Eunuch Wei forced himself to say, "His Majesty woke up at Hai Zheng (9-11 PM). Princess Ning'an was also there at the time, so His Majesty asked Princess Ning'an to draft the edict and then asked this old servant to bring the imperial seal to stamp it."
Consort Zhuang gave a sneer: "Let Princess Ning'an write the imperial edict? How come Princess Ning'an is always there when His Majesty wakes up, but when we go to visit him, he never wakes up?"
This refers to an earlier incident where the emperor had Princess Ning'an draft an imperial edict to punish the Empress Dowager.
Empress Xiao said coldly, "Isn't that because none of you can wake His Majesty? Don't you have any idea whether His Majesty wants to see you or not?"
Isn't that right?
All the women in the harem combined are not as important as Princess Ning'an.
Consort Zhuang was completely speechless and had no words to refute.
"Princess Ning'an, take a look. Is this the imperial edict that was written on behalf of someone else last night?" Empress Xiao gestured for Eunuch Wei to hand the edict to Princess Ning'an.
Princess Ning'an took it and examined it carefully; it was her handwriting, without the slightest flaw.
But she could never confuse her title with Xinyang's title.
Therefore, the imperial edict was switched.
Even if I told the truth now, no one would believe me, and besides... it wasn't a convincing truth.
Princess Ning'an's hand, gripping the imperial edict, throbbed with veins.
Eunuch Wei was terrified.
Princess Ning'an probably doesn't think he did it, does she? I swear to God, he hasn't touched the imperial edict since it was placed in the brocade box last night! Who knows how Ning'an inside became Xinyang?
Princess Ning'an took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and said, "Yes, sister-in-law."
Empress Xiao raised an eyebrow: "Princess Ning'an and Eunuch Wei are loyal to His Majesty. You should be able to believe what they say. Besides, the crime of deceiving the emperor is punishable by beheading. Who would dare to falsely convey an imperial edict?"
Eunuch Wei thought to himself, "There are plenty of people who forge imperial edicts, but do you really believe this one?"
Princess Ning'an began, "It seems Princess Xinyang hasn't returned to the capital yet..."
As long as she hasn't returned to the capital, there's still room for maneuver. They can draft one imperial edict, then another, and another, or find a pretext to remove her from her position as regent. It's not a difficult thing to do at all.
Before she could finish speaking, she heard the young eunuch at the door rushing in, panting, saying, "Princess Xinyang has arrived—"
Princess Ning'an: "..."
Everyone stood up and looked towards the gate of Huaqing Palace.
Amidst the auspicious snow and golden dawn, Princess Xinyang, dressed in a pale gold gauze palace gown and wearing a bamboo hat, slowly approached, supported by a young maid.
Princess Xinyang's beauty was known throughout the world. Even after the most beautiful years of her life had passed, she was still incredibly beautiful.
Today, she wore a veiled hat, concealing her stunning beauty, but her regal bearing in every gesture still captivated the eye.
The imperial harem had three thousand beauties, each one a great beauty, yet it must be admitted that wherever Princess Xinyang appeared, no man would pay attention to them.
Princess Xinyang gracefully approached Empress Xiao, about to bow and pay her respects, when she accidentally stepped on her skirt and fell flat on her face in front of Empress Xiao!
Empress Xiao: ...No need for that.
"Hurry up and help your master up!" Eunuch Su sternly scolded the maid.
The maidservant pursed her lips, bent down, and grabbed Princess Xinyang.
That's right, it's about arresting.
His movements were rough, and his eyes held a hint of disdain.
Eunuch Su: "..."
Princess Xinyang straightened her clothes and said to Empress Xiao, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Empress Xiao nodded.
The Crown Prince came over and bowed to Princess Xinyang, saying, "Aunt."
Empress Xiao said to Princess Xinyang, "You've returned just in time. There's an imperial decree to announce to you, but... why are you wearing this?"
"I ate the wrong thing a few days ago and had an allergic reaction, so I broke out in a lot of red rashes and it was hard for me to be seen in public." As she spoke, Princess Xinyang lifted her veil, revealing her chin covered with red rashes.
Empress Xiao felt a chill run down her spine after just one glance. She quickly waved her hand, wiped her nose with a handkerchief, and said, "Alright, be careful what you eat. Now, accept the decree."
The person accompanying Princess Xinyang was not her personal lady-in-waiting Yu Jin, but a maid with an unfamiliar face. However, Empress Xiao did not care about Princess Xinyang's affairs, so she didn't bother to ask.
Eunuch Wei read the imperial edict aloud to Princess Xinyang alone.
Princess Xinyang knelt, but the little maid did not.
No one at the scene realized that something was wrong.
By the time everyone realized what was happening, Princess Xinyang had already received the imperial edict: "Xinyang accepts the edict, long live the Emperor!"
Then, she turned her head, handed her noble hand to the maid behind her, and said in a pretentious tone, "Help this princess up."
The maidservant pulled her up with a look of disgust, almost tearing her arm off.
Princess Xinyang's veil was made of mesh, so that one could not see inside from the outside, but could see outside from the inside.
She glanced at Princess Ning'an beside her and asked in confusion, "And who is this...?"
“I am Ning An,” Princess Ning An said calmly to her.
Princess Xinyang nodded and said, "So it's Sister Ning'an. You've changed so much, I almost didn't recognize you."
Ning An gave a half-bow.
Princess Xinyang nodded in return.
Empress Xiao said to everyone, "Alright, there's nothing more to do here, everyone can leave now."
Princess Xinyang said, "I'll go in and see His Majesty."
"Yes." Empress Xiao agreed. Princess Xinyang had returned from outside the city, and it was only right and proper for her to pay her respects to the Emperor.
The Crown Prince is going to court tomorrow, and Empress Xiao has too many things to tell him, so she left with the Crown Prince.
Consort Zhuang and the others naturally had to leave as well.
Princess Ning'an turned to return to Bixia Palace when Princess Xinyang called her back.
Princess Ning'an stopped and looked at her: "Is there anything else you need, Sister Xinyang?"
Princess Xinyang asked with concern, "You don't look well. Are you ill?"
Princess Ning'an pursed her lips and remained silent.
Eunuch Wei hurriedly explained, "Princess Xinyang, you may not know this, but His Majesty was recently assassinated. It was Princess Ning'an who shielded His Majesty from the attack. Princess Ning'an must still be recovering from her injuries."
Princess Xinyang said, "I see. I didn't expect such a big event to happen in less than a month since I left the capital. Sister Ning'an put aside her own family for the greater good and risked her life to protect His Majesty. I really admire her. If Sister Ning'an doesn't mind, would you like to come in with me to see His Majesty? We sisters haven't seen each other for many years. It's a good opportunity to catch up."
Eunuch Wei looked at Princess Xinyang strangely. When did Princess Xinyang become so enthusiastic?
His gaze unconsciously swept over Princess Xinyang, and when it landed on her hand holding the imperial edict, his temple throbbed violently!
What's going on?
Princess Xinyang had hairy arms!
Princess Ning'an hesitated for a moment, about to refuse, when Princess Xinyang grabbed her wrist through her sleeve first: "Sister Ning'an, you don't mean to refuse me, do you?"
In public, she naturally couldn't refuse. With Princess Ning'an's powerful backers in the palace falling one after another, she certainly couldn't refuse Princess Xinyang, who had just been appointed regent.
Otherwise, it wouldn't fit the persona she's been trying so hard to please Empress Xiao these past few days.
Princess Ning'an said, "How could that be? Let's go inside."
Princess Xinyang, holding Princess Ning'an's hand, stepped into the bedchamber.
Eunuch Wei watched Princess Xinyang's retreating figure and rubbed his eyes hard.
Did he see it wrong?
What woman has hairy arms?
A gust of cold wind blew by, lifting Princess Xinyang's veil, just as she turned her head.
When Eunuch Wei looked closely, he almost fell to the ground.
Princess Xinyang not only had hairy arms, but she also had an Adam's apple?!
(End of this chapter)
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