"Go to sleep. We need to attend the palace banquet tomorrow at noon and prepare early." Wen Liu is already a third-rank official. Although he is a third-rank official, he is still eligible to attend the palace banquet.
An Shuyi nodded, stopped thinking about it, and closed her eyes to sleep.
The next day, the two got up early, washed up, ate breakfast, and then took a bath. Then the servants helped them with their hair and makeup, and put on their headdresses. This time, their clothes were no longer ordinary clothes, but the official robes of a third-rank official for entering the palace.
These were made by the palace's clothing workshop. When the ladies of noble birth were invited to the palace, they all had to wear official robes.
After the two had finished getting ready, it was almost time. They got into the carriage and headed to the palace. They didn't show themselves and followed the other ladies of the court into the palace.
After arriving at the main hall of the palace banquet, I was led by a palace maid to a designated place to sit down. Then I just had to wait for the emperor to arrive. Originally, there would also be an empress and empress dowager, but now there was only the emperor in the palace. The others were princes, princesses, and concubines.
After waiting for a long time, the Emperor finally arrived, with the Crown Prince by his side. Meanwhile, the Consort requested to be sent to the Cold Palace and had no chance to come out.
After the Emperor spoke at length, the banquet began. The palace maids brought the dishes to the tables and set them up. In the middle of the hall, dancers were performing, creating a lively atmosphere.
An Shuyi and Xia Hua sat together, eating something every now and then. As time went on, the Emperor's expression began to darken. The two exchanged a glance, knowing that it was almost time.
Before the old emperor could even fall, a large number of assassins flew down from the roof and headed straight for him.
"Protect the Emperor!" the chief eunuch shrieked. A bodyguard flew out from behind and blocked the assassin's sword. Then, other guards appeared and began to fight.
The ministers and women were so frightened that they retreated and huddled in the corner. The other princes and princesses were escorted back by palace maids and eunuchs. An Shuyi and her companion followed suit.
Soon after the assassins appeared, a group of soldiers carrying broadswords rushed into the hall. If it weren't for the fact that their clothes were different, both of them would have suspected that Xiao Zili had made a move beforehand.
The soldiers rushed in and killed the guards. The ministers then retreated even further, leaving only the guards and secret agents protecting the emperor.
"Hahaha, old emperor, we meet again."
Everyone stared in surprise at the appearance of the Right Chancellor. Wasn't the Right Chancellor already dead? Why was he here? Could it be a fake?
An Shuyi and Xia Hua exchanged a glance and wrote words in their palms. "Hua Hua, didn't you see that the old man was dead? Could it be that he's not dead?!"
Xia Hua wrote in her hand, "I saw it with my own eyes when the guards killed them that day. They died. Maybe they were doubles who were watching first."
The two could only watch as the Right Chancellor and the Emperor confronted each other, with the Right Chancellor already eagerly donning his dragon robe.
The Emperor pushed aside the guards in front of him and said, "Xingye, if you let these soldiers withdraw now, you will still have a chance to live. But if you insist on doing so, these soldiers will only perish here."
The Right Chancellor was not afraid at all. "You old emperor, you're not afraid, are you? Well, that's right. After all, this hall is full of my men, and the guards and soldiers in other places have also been killed."
"Are you still waiting for Marquis Anbei? Unfortunately, he has already sided with me. Once I become emperor, I will enfeoff him as a king of a different surname. What can you give him?"
"I see." The Emperor nodded in understanding.
“Your Majesty, no one is on your side now,” the Right Chancellor said, turning to the other ministers. “I will be the Emperor from now on. Haven’t you thought it through and decided which side you’re on?”
Before he finished speaking, two ministers stepped out from the crowd and said, "Your Majesty, we will listen to you."
The Right Chancellor laughed loudly, "Good, so I am a man of such high moral character. Then you all stand aside, and those who are unwilling can die with the Emperor." After saying that, he raised his hand, preparing to kill the Emperor and the other ministers.
The Emperor glanced at the Right Chancellor, then at the fearful ministers. "We have been ruler and subject for decades. How could I not know that you had other plans? Unfortunately, you were too happy too soon. Besides, Marquis Dingbei has already been killed." As soon as he finished speaking, many archers appeared on the roof.
"Kill them all for me, leave no one alive, and take Ye Xingye's head."
"yes."
Many arrows rained down from the rooftops. The Right Chancellor was protected by assassins in the middle, watching his men dwindle. He hadn't expected that even after reaching the palace, he would still fail.
The other two ministers wanted to speak with the emperor, but the next second, they were shot through the body by arrows and fell to the ground. Soon, all the people brought by the right prime minister were killed, leaving only a few people protecting him.
However, the emperor ordered his secret guards to take action, and they quickly took down the right prime minister's head, thus averting the rebellion.
"My beloved ministers, the traitor has now been beheaded. I still have matters to attend to in the palace. You may return to your residences."
"Yes, Your Majesty." After bowing, the ministers left with their families, and An Shuyi and Xia Hua also left the palace.
After boarding the carriage, the two disappeared inside. When they reappeared, they had returned to the palace. As soon as they entered the main hall, they saw the emperor being helped away. The two followed him into the emperor's bedchamber.
"Father!" Xiao Zicheng knelt on the bed, looking at his father lying on the bed with a face full of grief.
"Cheng'er, your father is alright, but his health is not as good as before. He may not be able to attend the morning court. Starting tomorrow, you will attend court in his place."
"Father, I will go and call the imperial physician. You will be alright." He had not yet married the granddaughter of the Duke of Dingguo. He was all alone, without his father. He really couldn't guarantee that he could keep those ministers calm.
The Emperor shook his head and took her hand. "Don't call the imperial physician. It's no use. My father originally wanted to hold on for a few more years, to kill those ambitious traitors, and to appoint some ministers who would listen to you."
"But my health isn't good enough, so I can only assist you from behind. Don't worry, with Father Emperor here, they won't dare to do anything. Besides, Father Emperor has already written the edict of succession, and he's just waiting for the right opportunity to pass the throne to you."
"Tomorrow at court, find a reason to send away those adult princes. As for the princesses, marry them off to the sons or grandsons of ministers to win people's hearts."
"Promote the ministers you favor in the court, and cultivate your own people as soon as possible." His son was still too young and not ruthless enough, and his mind was only on his children's affections.
If he had the same ambition as Xiao Zili, he wouldn't have to worry anymore. Over the past ten years, he had tried to eliminate Xiao Zili more than once, but Xiao Zili was too capable. He not only made contributions everywhere, but also won the praise of the ministers.
He was unremarkable before, but starting ten years ago, he began to become very capable. He always managed to do things very well, leaving no room for criticism. It must be because the Duke of Huguo was teaching him, otherwise he could not have become so capable.
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