Chapter 238 The Emperor Kneels and Admits His Mistakes to the People
The emperor looked at the queen with a crazy expression and placed the written edict of apology on the table.
"Queen, Chengyu died in Bingzhou, at the hands of Qi Yanzhou. Do you think you can find his whole body?"
Zhao Chengyu was the emperor's first child, born to the Empress. He was made the crown prince since birth and was loved by the emperor and empress.
But there is no sincerity in the imperial family. Even father and son will scheme against each other.
As their son grew up, their relationship gradually became distant.
Later, when Zhao Chengyu set his sights on the throne, he completely severed the relationship between father and son. Otherwise, he would not have chosen him to take the blame and abolished his position as crown prince!
Now that his son is dead, he is not sad, he is just glad that he is still alive.
The queen looked at the emperor who looked indifferent and was extremely disappointed and filled with hatred towards him.
"Does the emperor not intend to allow Chengyu to enter the imperial mausoleum?"
"Chengyu has repeatedly harmed the Qi family and almost killed the people of the city. He is immoral and vicious. How can he be enshrined in the imperial mausoleum?"
"Your Majesty, don't even think about putting all the blame on Chengyu!"
The queen said this viciously and turned away.
The emperor looked at the queen's back and said loudly: "Queen, the dead are gone, don't lose the big picture for the small!"
The queen left the bedroom in the blink of an eye, not taking the emperor's words to heart at all.
The emperor was worried that the queen might do something strange, so he sent his shadow guard to convey his order to put her under house arrest.
The queen was furious, but there was nothing she could do because the palace was the emperor's territory after all.
She stared at Zhao Chengyu's head, her tears falling like beads from a broken string, she cried in sadness and despair.
All the things in Fengqi Palace were smashed.
"Son, just wait, your mother will definitely avenge you!"
When the queen placed Zhao Chengyu's head in a side hall, the emperor had already taken the edict of repentance and was carried out of the palace by the shadow guards. Under the protection of the imperial guards, he climbed up the city wall.
Along the way, the shadow guards were spreading the news that the seriously ill emperor had issued an edict of repentance and would apologize to the people of the world on the city wall.
When the emperor, who had difficulty even standing, arrived at the city wall, the streets were filled with people and the sound of discussion continued.
"Didn't they say that the emperor had contracted an epidemic and was imprisoned in the palace and was dying?"
"There are so many doctors in the palace, plus Miss Ye's prescription for curing the epidemic, he won't die!"
"Why did the emperor suddenly issue an edict of self-criticism? He also wants to apologize to the common people?"
"I heard that Master Qi forced him to do so? If he didn't do this, he would have rebelled."
"The emperor has repeatedly dealt with the Qi family, but Master Qi has repeatedly given the emperor opportunities. Why? He is directly plotting a rebellion!"
"Because rebellion will lead to internal strife, the neighboring countries that are eyeing us covetously will take the opportunity to march straight in and destroy Beichen, bringing suffering to the people of the world."
"It turns out that Master Qi has been tolerant of the emperor for this reason."
The emperor listened to the people's discussions and his festering face became extremely gloomy.
Qi Yanzhou, just wait for me!
He tried to calm his breathing and not lose his composure.
Otherwise, all the efforts today will be in vain.
The luxurious carriage stopped at the city gate and the commander of the royal guards lifted the curtain.
"Your Majesty, we have arrived."
The emperor had lost so much weight that the dragon robe seemed particularly large on him.
The bright yellow fabric was soaked by the festering pus, leaving wet marks of varying sizes.
Even ambergris couldn't cover up the stench emanating from his body.
"Help me down."
The palace servant who was waiting beside the carriage immediately stepped forward and opened the two curtains, revealing the scene inside the carriage.
The people who were nearby looked at the emperor with his face full of ulcers and his skinny body, and hid back in fear.
They had heard many rumors, but they were far less horrible than what they saw with their own eyes.
"I have always suspected that the Emperor was pretending to be seriously ill in order to avoid being rebuked by the genius, but I never expected that he was so seriously ill."
"You have trampled on the people and murdered the good people. You deserve this retribution!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Commander Hu's gaze was fixed on the person who spoke, with murderous intent in his eyes.
It would be fine if these fools just talked about it normally.
Today you are gloating over other people's misfortune in front of the emperor. Don't you want to live anymore?
"Your Majesty, please let me go..."
Before he could finish his words, the emperor waved his hand.
"I am here today to make amends. I will accept whatever the people say."
The emperor is not without brains.
It’s just that all these years it was Eunuch De who made decisions for him without him using his brain.
Since he has chosen to put aside his dignity and face, he will maximize the benefits he gains!
Commander Hu responded respectfully and helped the emperor out of the carriage.
Outside the carriage was the sedan chair used to carry the master from the palace.
"Your Majesty, the city wall is too high. Given your current physical condition, you will have to ride in a sedan chair to get up there."
The emperor ignored the sedan chair and looked at the people who were crowded together.
"I am here to make amends, not to enjoy myself. Help me up."
"I obey your command!"
Commander Hu and his cronies held the emperor's arms, sharing his weight and making it easier for him to walk.
Even so, the emperor had great difficulty climbing the stairs due to his poor health.
When he was about to faint, Commander Hu gave him a golden pill, which allowed him to successfully climb up the city wall.
Eunuch De’s treasures are also hung on the city wall.
After being exposed to the sun for these days, the mahogany box had faded a little, and the fluttering red cloth was covered with dried rotten egg liquid, making it dirty and disgusting.
When the emperor found out that practicing Taoism to seek immortality was a lie made up by Eunuch De, he wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.
However, due to his health and fear of Eunuch De, he did not dare to show it.
Now that the opportunity for revenge is right in front of him, he certainly won't let it go.
"Commander Hu, cut this rope."
Commander Hu knew that what was tied under the rope was Eunuch De’s vitals.
He thought the emperor wanted to help Eunuch De take him back, so he immediately pulled the rope.
But he was stopped by the emperor.
"Stop! Don't you understand what I'm saying? Cut the rope!"
"Your Majesty, if you cut it directly, the wooden box will fall and break."
As soon as Commander Hu finished speaking, the emperor's shadow guard appeared.
There was a flash of cold light, the hemp rope broke, and the wooden box fell down.
The people standing under the city gate immediately made way.
“Boom!”
The wooden box fell to the ground and something the length of a little finger rolled out of it.
"Tsk tsk, it turns out the eunuch's 'treasure' is a fire stick!"
"What kind of fire stick is this? It's obviously dog shit."
"Don't tell me, it really looks like my little yellow's poop!"
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Amid the people's laughter, a beggar suddenly rushed forward and crushed him with his foot.
When the officer guarding the city gate saw this, his face turned pale with fright.
Because Uncle De had asked them to keep an eye on his "baby" and not to let anything go wrong.
"Stop it now, you beggar! Don't seek death!"
The police wanted to rush forward and catch the beggar, but there were too many people watching.
And deliberately obstructed him.
By the time he arrived at the crushed "dog shit", the beggar had already run away.
People also deliberately kicked it everywhere, making it impossible to collect it.
This means that after a hundred years, Eunuch De will have no complete body left!
At this time, Commander Hu's voice with inner strength rang out.
"Quiet!"
The people's eardrums were hurt so much that they immediately shut up and looked towards the city wall.
The miserable emperor stood in the middle of the city wall, and the eunuch held a huge umbrella for him to block the dazzling and scorching sun.
But the high temperature made him sweat all over, and the sweat flowed into the festering wounds, making him so painful that he could not stand steadily.
Commander Hu knew that he had angered the emperor by speaking for Eunuch De, so he immediately stepped forward to support him and try to make amends for himself.
The emperor needed help and did not refuse.
He took out the written edict of repentance and read it to the people.
But because of his weak body, his voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.
Finally, he read a sentence and Commander Hu repeated it to the people.
The edict of confession was so sincere and heartfelt that even the emperor was moved, but the people remained indifferent.
After all, no matter how nice the words are, they are not as good as doing something that benefits the people.
But when the emperor knelt down facing the people in the street, he shocked everyone.
"The emperor has always knelt before heaven and earth, but now he actually... actually..."
"The people of the whole city almost died because of him. If the plague spreads, no one will be able to escape. What's wrong with kneeling down?"
"That's right. The emperor's knees are as precious as gold. Are the lives of ordinary people not as precious as gold?"
"I think the emperor realizes he did something wrong and is apologizing sincerely."
The emperor saw that the direction of public opinion had changed and continued his efforts.
"If a son does not teach his parents well, it is the fault of his father. I am deeply saddened and ashamed of what the eldest prince has done. I apologize to the people of the world on his behalf.
I would like to thank Qi Yanzhou for eliminating a scourge for the Beichen Kingdom. Now the eldest prince is dead, and his body is not intact. He has received the retribution he deserves.
But I cannot shirk my responsibility, and I am well aware of the suffering of the people. I have decided to reduce taxes by half for three years. Even if a natural disaster occurs, food prices will not rise. ”
When Commander Hu said the last sentence on behalf of the emperor, the people under the city wall immediately cheered.
To them, it doesn't matter who is the emperor.
A good emperor is one who can make them live a rich and stable life.
"The emperor has finally come to his senses, may God bless you!"
"Reduce taxes, lower food prices, demolish Taoist temples, our hard times are finally over!"
"Long live the emperor!"
The emperor stood up with the help of Commander Hu, and looked at the people who were grateful to him with a proud look on his face.
Qi Yanzhou, did you see it?
I have also won the hearts of the people!
He decided to let the Qi family go for the time being and wait until a heavy snowstorm hit the north, blocking roads and cities before taking action.
When the emperor returned to the palace in a happy mood, the empress, who learned the news, smashed the Fengqi Palace that had just been cleaned up by the palace maids.
"Your Majesty, you have such a cruel heart that you are willing to use your son's lifelong reputation to win the hearts of the people!"
She laughed maniacally, like a madman.
Then she hugged Zhao Chengyu's head and cried bitterly.
After crying, she helped Zhao Chengyu to tidy up his remains with heartache.
"Son, your mother will avenge you. No one who has hurt you will escape!"
Qi Yanzhou, Zhao Chengan, Eunuch De, and the Emperor, none of them can escape!
When the emperor's carriage arrived at the palace gate, something big happened inside the palace.
The eighth prince's mother unfortunately drowned.
The queen had just lost her son, and she felt sorry for the eighth prince who lost his mother at a young age, so she brought him to her side to take care of him.
The concubines all saw through the trick.
But the queen's family was powerful, so no one dared to say anything, and no one tried to investigate the truth.
***
Dingzhou City.
As the sky gradually darkened, Qi Yanzhou and Ye Chutang returned to the post station with a full load.
The postmaster has already asked the kitchen to prepare the food.
There was wine and meat, it was a very rich meal.
"Everyone eat and drink well. If there is not enough, just tell the postman."
Wu Chenggang smiled and thanked him.
To be on the safe side, Ye Chutang tested the wine and food as usual.
Only after making sure it is not poisonous will everyone start eating.
Of course, the Chen family and the Ye family did not have this treatment, and they still ate black-faced dumplings with pickles.
After the escorting officials and the Qi family had finished eating, the two families devoured the leftovers like vicious dogs.
After Qi Yanzhou accompanied Ye Chutang to finish his meal, he said, "Ah Tang, I have to go out for a while. I'm not sure when I'll be back. You should go to bed early and don't have to wait for me."
Ye Chutang didn't ask any more questions and nodded, "Okay, be careful."
"I will."
As soon as Qi Yanzhou left, Old Madam Qi came to Ye Chutang and chatted with her.
Ye Chutang saw that Madam Qi had something to say, so he took the initiative to ask, "Mother, just say whatever you want to say."
Madam Qi hesitated for a while and swallowed back what she was about to say.
"The Lotus Festival is coming soon. I heard that Luoxia Lake in Dingzhou is full of various lotus flowers, competing for beauty. You can go and see them with Qingyu."
Ye Chutang knew that this was not what Madam Qi wanted to say.
I think it is a topic that is not convenient for the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to discuss, so let her aunt of the same generation talk to her.
"Okay, my elder sister and I will go to Luoxia Lake for a walk."
"I'm going to look after Qingyu's child."
Old Madam Qi chatted with Qi Qingyu for a few words.
After Qi Qingyu agreed, he left the post station with Ye Chutang.
Han Chong was worried that the two of them were in danger, so he said, "Madam Qi, I will send two people to protect you secretly."
Ye Chutang was not clear about the situation in Dingzhou, so he did not refuse.
"Thank you, Master Han."
Luoxia Lake is not far from the post station, and it takes a quarter of an hour to walk there.
Dingzhou is not as prosperous as the capital.
But it was too hot during the day, so everyone chose to go out for a stroll at night, and the streets were very lively.
Whether it is a shop or a stall, all kinds of lotus lanterns are hung in preparation for the Lotus Viewing Festival.
Although Ye Chutang was full, he would still buy some snacks if he wanted to eat them.
Every time, Qi Qingyu rushed to pay the bill.
"Sister-in-law, please don't argue with me. You have taken good care of our family of four during our exile. Let me return the favor."
"It's a bit strange for the elder sister to say that."
"Then don't be so formal and don't compete with me for money."
Ye Chutang did not reject Qi Qingyu's kindness, and nodded with a smile, "Okay."
All the way from the post station to Luoxia Lake, Qi Qingyu bought delicious food for Ye Chutang.
The two chatted and laughed, and soon arrived at the lake.
Luoxia Lake is very cool after nightfall, and many people come here to play, and the scene is bustling everywhere.
The lotus flowers bloom in the morning, and only the buds can be seen at other times.
The summer breeze blows on your face, bringing with it the fragrance of lotus leaves, dispelling the heat left over from the day.
The lanterns float on the lake, swaying with the waves.
There is also a large flower boat in the center of the lake.
On the deck, there was singing and dancing, and the sound of piano was melodious, showing the elegance of the people.
You can see people selling lotus flowers and lotus seeds everywhere.
Ye Chutang asked for some peeled lotus seeds and took Qi Qingyu to a place with fewer people.
She stood by the railing, eating lotus seeds, and asked, "Eldest sister, do you have something to say to me?"
When Qi Qingyu thought of her mother's words, a blush appeared on her face.
She didn't dare to look directly into Ye Chutang's eyes. She looked at the flower boat in the center of the lake and coughed lightly.
"Sister-in-law, did you and Azhou have your wedding night?"
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