Chapter 185 The First Confession
As soon as the edict to depose the crown prince was issued, there was a drastic change in the court.
Although Xie Tingzhou had a wound on his face, he went to court as usual. Whenever his colleagues asked him about it, he would frankly say that he was beaten by the other person's brother for stealing someone's girlfriend.
The atmosphere in both the court and the palace has been very depressing these past two days. The censors did not dare to cause trouble at this critical juncture, and therefore did not dare to impeach Xie Tingzhou.
The throne was vacant, and court officials were busy submitting memorials. There were two piles of memorials on Emperor Tongxu's desk. One pile was of memorials supporting Li Zhaonian, the Prince of Qin, and the other was of memorials requesting that the Prince of Qi be made the crown prince.
Prince of Qi Li Yanchang, who was once out of reach of the throne, seems to have the ability to compete after the former crown prince Li Jincheng was eliminated.
Emperor Tongxu had sunken eyes and looked haggard, but he was still hunched over his desk.
This incompetent emperor worked day and night, standing his last shift, as if to live up to the phrase "devoting one's life to one's cause".
"Your Majesty," De Fu stepped forward and advised, "It's time to rest."
Emperor Tongxu said "hmm", turned his head to look at the sky, and said, "Light the lamps."
The palace maid entered the hall and lights were lit in Hanzhang Hall.
Emperor Tongxu looked at it for a while, and his eyes began to blur and he could not see the words clearly.
He leaned back in the dragon chair and spoke after a while: "Where's Shi Yu? Call her in."
Defu: “Yes.”
Shen Yu entered the palace, "Your Majesty."
"Come closer."
"Yes." Chen Yu walked closer and met Emperor Tongxu's turbid gaze.
"Yes, she is well-born." Emperor Tongxu looked at her for a long time before saying.
Shen Yu's expression did not change, but she began to feel uneasy because of this inexplicable sentence.
Emperor Tongxu said, "Come and read the memorial for me."
Shen Yu was startled and knelt on one knee, "Your Majesty..."
De Fu was also shocked, but did not dare to speak.
"Stand up." Emperor Tongxu said, "I didn't ask you to kneel."
Chen Yu stood up and said, "I am a guard in front of the palace, and I dare not interfere in government affairs."
Emperor Tongxu said leisurely: "My eyesight is not good, but I don't use my eyes to see people. You read the memorial for me."
Chen Yu and De Fu both understood that this sentence meant trust.
De Fu was secretly shocked. This honor was truly unprecedented.
If Emperor Tongxu had not been approaching death, there would be no need to worry about not being able to reach the highest position among the ministers in the future.
What a pity.
Unfortunately, a new emperor always appoints his own ministers. Who knows what the situation will be like after the new emperor ascends the throne?
Even Defu himself has to start thinking of ways to find another way out.
Chen Yu walked forward and saw that the cup on the table was not filled with tea, but ginseng slices soaked in the yellowish water.
Has it come to this? she wondered.
Shen Yu wanted to read the memorial, so Defu hurriedly left Hanzhang Hall.
The sound of someone reading memorials in clear and melodious voices could be heard in the hall.
Emperor Tongxu closed his eyes and always made his comments after Shen Yu finished reading a memorial.
Emperor Tongxu half closed his eyes, as if he was about to fall asleep.
He recalled the last long conversation he had with Shen Zhongan, which was a few days before the war broke out in Yanliang Pass.
He said, "You always brag about your daughter to me. Your daughter is so good. Why don't you let her be my daughter-in-law? This will also fulfill our relationship as king and subject."
"That won't do." Shen Zhongan rejected it immediately. He said, "My girl is very wild and doesn't like being detained in Shengjing. If she enters the palace, she will definitely make a big fuss for you."
"You've spoiled me like this." Emperor Tongxu drank tea, "Leave it to me, I'll take care of it for you."
"Which of your sons is suitable?" Shen Zhongan asked, "The successful ones are all married, and my daughter doesn't want to be a concubine."
Emperor Tongxu thought for a long time and really couldn't find a candidate. Those who were not married were probably not worthy of the beautiful little girl.
Shen Zhongan smiled brightly.
"No way, don't even think about it. A child without a mother needs to be spoiled. And she's a girl, so just let her be."
"Zhong'an." Emperor Tongxu suddenly said, "Although I am ten years older than you, I am not as open-minded as you. I am bound by the Great Zhou and have trapped myself. Now my health is getting worse day by day, and I will definitely die before you."
The topic suddenly became heavy.
Shen Zhongan said: "Your Majesty said this..."
Emperor Tongxu interrupted him, "I was born in an imperial family, and the affection between family members is indifferent. Brotherly love may be a murderous weapon. Only you, only you, can I talk to you properly."
Emperor Tongxu never called himself "I" in front of him.
"I can't hold on any longer. If I die first one day, you will take care of the Great Zhou for me." He said.
However, the person to whom he was willing to entrust the country had passed away before him and died at the hands of his son.
The last pillar of the Great Zhou fell in the bitter wind and snow at Yanliang Pass.
Tears seeped out from the wrinkled corners of the eyes and sank into the gray temples.
He didn't know whether he was crying for his deceased friend or for his crumbling country.
"Your Majesty, this is a memorial submitted by the Ministry of Rites." Chen Yu paused.
Emperor Tongxu asked, "Why don't you continue reading?"
Chen Yu said: "The former crown prince... no, Li Jincheng wrote a letter of apology and put it in it."
Emperor Tongxu opened his eyes and said, "Give it to me."
He secretly wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, and the weakness that had been in his eyes disappeared.
Emperor Tongxu sat up and took the letter of apology, "Give me the candlestick."
Shen Yu took the candlestick.
The letter of confession of guilt, which consisted of several thousand words, caught fire in the hands of Emperor Tongxu.
He looked at Chen Yu in the firelight, and it seemed as if he was looking at another person through her.
Emperor Tongxu murmured, "This is my first explanation to Shen Zhongan."
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