According to Xiaoyue's custom, before the emperor passes away, he will summon his important ministers to give instructions on his affairs and pave the way for the new emperor.
Even if the emperor suddenly falls ill and passes away, his ministers and their relatives will come to kneel and pay their respects, keeping vigil and bidding farewell to the emperor.
Before the late emperor passed away from a serious illness, the ministers waited at the palace gate for an audience, but no one came to summon them to the palace until the late emperor died.
Moreover, Empress Dowager Wu later said that the late emperor's illness was contagious and that she was afraid of infecting him, so she exempted him from the kneeling and mourning rituals.
The palace servants responsible for the late emperor's burial were all killed by Empress Dowager Wu on the grounds of fearing infection.
Until the late emperor was buried in the imperial mausoleum, no one except Empress Dowager Wu and the Imperial Preceptor saw his remains.
"The reason we don't let you see the late emperor's body is because he died from poisoning, and his whole body turned black. If anyone sees it, they will all know that his death was not normal!" Su Ruojin didn't waste any more time with Empress Dowager Wu and gave the answer directly.
"You're talking nonsense!" Empress Dowager Wu shouted.
Duke Xian also asked Su Ruojin, "Your Highness, do you have any evidence?"
Duke Xian had personally witnessed the terrifying power of the Gu poison used by Gao Hongyuan, but what the princess was saying was simply too outrageous.
"Evidence? You can open the coffin and examine the late emperor's remains. Not only was his body blackened, but even his bones were black!"
The ministers were in uproar. Who in history had ever dared to open an imperial tomb to examine the emperor's body?
Empress Dowager Wu laughed heartily upon hearing this, "Su Ruojin, you only dare to spout nonsense and slander me because you're sure no one dares to open the imperial tomb."
Su Ruojin, although you are the Regent's Consort of the Great Chu, you still dare to disregard me, Xiaoyue.
"If you don't apologize, the soldiers of Xiaoyue will never allow it."
Empress Wu spoke with righteous indignation and without the slightest hint of unease.
She knew very well that the things Su Ruojin mentioned were long past events, and it would be extremely difficult to investigate them thoroughly.
Su Ruojin looked at Empress Dowager Wu, who had a smug look on her face, and remained calm. "Empress Dowager Wu, it is indeed impossible to verify the death of the late emperor for the time being. However, Ji Yanzhuo is not the son of the late emperor. Do you agree?"
When the matter was brought up again, Empress Dowager Wu was startled, but she still tried her best to maintain her composure. "Hehe, Su Ruojin, what's wrong with one thing? Now you have to slander me on another matter?"
Su Ruojin smiled faintly, "Since Ji Yanzhuo's biological father is also in the hall, why not let them recognize each other by dripping blood?"
What! ! !
The hall erupted in uproar once again.
"Guards! Drag Su Ruojin out of here! How dare she spout such nonsense!" Empress Dowager Wu was furious, so furious that she lost her mind and forgot Su Ruojin's identity.
"Who dares to challenge me? Hu Qing!" Xiao Yanchu, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
Hu Qing stood directly in front of the guards who had entered the main hall on Empress Wu's orders. He hadn't brought any weapons into the hall, but he wasn't afraid of dealing with these guards.
"Empress Dowager, why don't you let the Princess Consort finish speaking?" Duke Xian spoke up.
"Duke Xianguo! Do you not trust me, but instead trust people from other countries?" Empress Dowager Wu looked at Duke Xianguo.
Lu Hong then stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, why not have an examination? That would prove everything, and the innocent will be proven innocent. It would also quell unnecessary rumors."
"Lu Hong, you! Fine, fine, Lu Hong, I was truly blind!" At this point, how could Empress Wu not know that Lu Hong was not one of her people at all!
She trusted him so much, promoted him, and even married Yuening off to the Lu family!
Turns out he's an ingrate!
Lu Hong ignored what Empress Dowager Wu said and directly asked Su Ruojin, "May I ask, Your Highness, who is the Emperor's biological father that you speak of?"
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