The Imperial Palace.
As soon as Shen Hechuan returned to the palace, Situ Qinghe, Luo Kejin, Grand Tutor Wang, and Jiang Chongfan arrived.
Shen Hechuan couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"They've come at just the right time!"
"Come in first!"
As he spoke, he looked at the little shadow beside him.
"Go and summon the Minister of Rites to the palace."
Xiao Yingzi glanced at Shen Hechuan without making a sound before hurriedly giving the instructions.
Soon, the ministers entered one by one, first bowing to Shen Hechuan.
Shen Hechuan threw down the folded document in his hand and spoke first.
"My dear ministers, you have arrived at just the right time. I have something to tell you."
Situ Qinghe bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I also have important matters to report to you today."
Shen Hechuan: "Please wait a moment, my dear minister. We'll discuss everything once the Minister of Rites arrives."
Upon hearing this, the ministers exchanged bewildered glances, and immediately knelt on the ground, trying to stop Shen Hechuan.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely forbidden!"
Shen Hechuan's gaze was resolute; he had made up his mind.
"I'm sure you've all heard about what happened outside the palace today."
"I saw it with my own eyes. The divine bird that the people call the phoenix did indeed circle above Jingchun's head for several weeks."
This is the divine bird choosing its empress; Heaven's will is clear!
He paused, his voice becoming even more resolute:
"Therefore, I have decided to bring forward the wedding date, and the investiture ceremony will be held next month! This is a great blessing for all people, and I believe that the spirit of the late Emperor in heaven will be pleased."
Upon hearing this, Situ Mingji hurriedly kowtowed: "Your Majesty! There must be something fishy about this matter. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and not fall into the trap of treacherous people!"
Jiang Chongfan also prostrated himself, saying, "Your Majesty, this old minister seconds the motion! There are many doubts about this matter, and acting hastily may be inappropriate!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan's face turned cold.
"Then, in your opinion, what is wrong with this matter?"
Jiang Chongfan: "Your Majesty, this matter is far too coincidental."
Moreover, this phoenix, this divine bird, only exists in ancient books; we have never seen it before. Why has it appeared today?
"Moreover, why are so many people having a feast at Gu Jingchun's doorstep today? Everything is happening too coincidentally."
It is likely that someone with ulterior motives deliberately created this illusion of 'the goddess choosing a queen, receiving the mandate of heaven' to achieve their own ends."
After Jiang Chongfan finished speaking, Situ Qinghe nodded again and continued, "Your Majesty, since ancient times, the saying 'receiving the mandate of Heaven and following the mandate of Heaven' has always been a prophecy for emperors."
And now, this prophecy has appeared upon a woman; it may even be detrimental to your throne!
"This will probably also affect your standing among the people."
"Listen to this, the people of Tiandu City are now spreading the word about the divine bird's descent into the world."
If things continue to develop like this, even if you manage to govern well and achieve great success, and make an unparalleled contribution, the people will probably attribute it all to Gu Jingchun.
"Can you really bear to watch your reputation and achievements be replaced by a woman?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan's face turned cold, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
His gaze fell on the old tutor Wang, who had remained silent.
"Grand Tutor, what is your opinion?"
Grand Tutor Wang squinted, slowly raised his head, and spoke in a slow tone.
"There are indeed many suspicious points in this matter. Your Majesty should send more people to investigate in order to prevent it from being used by certain people and falling into their trap."
As for the wedding, this old minister believes that everything should be decided by Your Majesty.
After all, Your Majesty, you dedicate yourself to handling state affairs every day, and everyone sees this. It's not something a small prophecy can change.
Shen Hechuan nodded and then asked Luo Kejin.
"Minister Luo, what do you think?"
Luo Kejin's eyes darted around before he spoke.
"I think the Grand Tutor is right."
Shen Hechuan snorted coldly.
"Luo Aiqing is truly a cunning old fox."
******
Meanwhile, in Gu Jingchun's mansion.
Gu Jingchun stood in the courtyard, looking at the spot where he had stood, his brows furrowed.
A moment later, Lanxin flew down from the roof.
“Miss, there is nothing unusual on the roof.”
Gu Jingchun then looked at the trees not far away.
Lan Xin: "I've already checked that tree, and there's nothing wrong with it."
Gu Jingchun nodded, then looked around at where he was standing.
"Find someone to search every part of my yard, inside and out."
Just then, Liu Xiaoer rushed over.
"My lord, something terrible has happened! People from the palace have arrived."
******
On the streets of Tiandu.
Gu Jingchun sat in the carriage heading to the palace, lifting the curtain to look out the window.
Just then, a group of people pulling an oxcart passed by her horse-drawn carriage.
Gu Jingchun's gaze fell on the people pulling the cart, and he frowned slightly.
Lan Xin noticed Gu Jingchun's furrowed brows and couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what's wrong?"
"Is something wrong?"
Gu Jingchun thought to himself that they were just a few ordinary farmers. Although those people looked a bit strange, it wasn't like there weren't any such people.
Thinking of this, Gu Jingchun shook his head.
"It's nothing."
After saying that, he lowered the carriage curtain.
The oxcart that had just passed her carriage soon arrived at the city gate.
When the group reached the city gate, the soldiers guarding the city scrutinized them carefully.
Niu Er just smiled sheepishly at this.
The other person frowned in disgust before letting them pass.
Not far after Niu Er and his men drove out of the city gate, a small hidden weapon was shot out and pierced the necks of the guards at the gate.
In an instant, several guards fell to the ground, lifeless.
This reaction quickly caused panic among the surrounding people, who screamed, "Murder! Murder!"
As soon as they finished speaking, the once orderly crowd instantly descended into chaos.
Upon hearing the commotion, the general guarding the city immediately descended from the city gate, ordering it to be closed while simultaneously calming the panicked civilians.
******
Meanwhile, Gu Jingchun had already arrived at the palace.
She was taken directly to the Wanhe Hall.
As soon as he entered, Shen Hechuan immediately ordered the little shadow beside him to issue an imperial edict.
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
I have been ordained by Heaven to rule over all nations, and I must rely on virtuous and capable individuals to assist the ancestral temple.
Gu Jingchun is of noble character and intelligence, gentle and virtuous, skilled in etiquette, and has long been known for her refined manners. From a young age, she has upheld family precepts, mastered poetry and rites, and possesses pure virtue and a kind and gentle heart.
I observe that her virtue is sufficient to be a model for the nation; I examine her conduct and she is a worthy example for the six palaces.
Now, in accordance with ancient custom and by the imperial decree of the Empress Dowager, you are hereby appointed Empress. This is my decree. You shall respectfully accept this auspicious mandate, follow the proper conduct within the palace, serve your mother-in-law and mother-in-law with reverence, and maintain harmony with your sisters-in-law, so as to assist me in my duties, jointly uphold the ancestral sacrifices, and ensure the eternal peace and prosperity of the nation.
The announcement was made public, so that all may know.
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun abruptly raised his head, his gaze fixed directly on Shen Hechuan.
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