"You may not believe what I'm about to say,"
said the Duke of Chengguo, looking at the gathered officials.
"My so-called rebellion and escape was arranged by His Majesty."
Arranged by His Majesty?
Here we go again.
The officials looked at the Duke of Chengguo with expressions of helplessness.
It's truly hard to believe, just like Ning Yunzhao clutching the decree and insisting it was the Emperor's arrangement, telling you to ask His Majesty if you doubted it.
Are you just taking advantage of the Emperor's inability to speak and move to claim whatever you want?
Such a significant matter, only known by you and the Emperor? Is the Emperor treating state affairs as child's play or disregarding all civil and military officials?
"The events at the time were too sudden, and His Majesty suspected there was a traitor within the court, so he kept it secret," the Duke of Chengguo said calmly.
A traitor?
These words caused the officials present to show subtle changes in their expressions.
What? Are you not only washing yourself clean by taking advantage of the Emperor's silence but also seizing the chance to attack and retaliate against adversaries and maliciously accuse others?
The topic should not be allowed to stray.
"Duke of Chengguo, what event was too sudden?" an official hastily frowned and interrupted.
"At that time, the battle was raging, yet the Jurchen people suddenly proposed peace," the Duke of Chengguo said.
What's so sudden about that?
If the Jurchen people were at a disadvantage in the war, it's quite normal for them to propose peace, isn't it?
If there's anything strange, it should be His Majesty agreeing to peace when victory was at hand.
The court debated fiercely over this, and Ning Yan even resigned because of it.
The Duke of Chengguo also defied orders and did not back down.
"No, at the time, the battle was not unfavorable for the Jurchen people," the Duke of Chengguo said. "Besides the previous Jin soldiers, the Jurchen people gathered nearly fifty thousand more troops; if the battle were to happen, the victor was uncertain."
The officials looked at the Duke of Chengguo with more complex expressions.
No one expected the Duke of Chengguo to be this modest.
"In any case, His Majesty considered the Jurchen people's peace proposal exceedingly strange," the Duke of Chengguo continued calmly, ignoring their looks, "so he just went with the flow and agreed to see what the Jurchen people were up to."
"And what were they up to?" an official asked.
The Duke of Chengguo looked at him and pointed to himself.
"To sow discord, frame, and eliminate me," he said, and then pointed at the Imperial City, "and to launch a surprise attack on the capital."
Was this seen through by His Majesty?
Is His Majesty truly this wise and brilliant?
"His Majesty is wise and brilliant," the Duke of Chengguo continued without stopping, paying respects towards where the Emperor was, "He detected the Jurchen intentions immediately, so he turned their plan against them, condemning me. The Jurchen people did indeed mobilize their troops while I returned to the northern lands to covertly deploy forces, thus timely disrupting the Jurchen people's plot."
Uncle Qinghe was besieged by the Jurchen people in the northern lands, and the situation was critical, a fact known by all present officials. The Duke of Chengguo suddenly appeared, led his troops to the rescue, and repelled the Jurchen. This was also known by everyone.
Moreover, the reinforcements arrived in time to repel the Jin soldiers besieging the capital.
When summarized like this, it indeed sounds pre-arranged.
But....
While it sounds plausible, on closer thought, it's just nonsense!
"If you knew the Jurchen people had malicious intentions, you should have struck them down in one blow back then," an official said, furrowing his brows, "Why give the Jurchen people a chance?"
Indeed, setting aside other matters, just the siege of the capital brought immense casualties and losses.
Is this knowingly reaching an arm into the tiger's mouth to prove the tiger bites people?
"Only this way could the Jurchen people be crushed in one decisive strike," the Duke of Chengguo said, looking at him, "this is a courageous act of cutting one's own arm to survive."
Cutting one's arm to survive?
"I mentioned earlier that the Jurchen people had rallied the nation's forces at that time. The peace proposal was not only to confuse the Jurchen but also to let their momentum dissipate. If we had refused peace and fought directly, we would have paid a bigger price, and we might not have significantly weakened the Jurchen," the Duke of Chengguo continued, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "By letting them hold onto the arm, thinking their plot had succeeded, they committed all their strength, at which point giving them a strike was enough to be fatal."
Low murmurs of discussion arose in the court.
"Moreover," the Duke of Chengguo said.
His voice was neither high nor low, but it instantly quieted the discussions, and everyone looked over.
"The entire Jurchen army moved south, and our people successfully launched a surprise attack on the Jurchen capital," the Duke of Chengguo said, with a slight smile, "The final confirmation came three days ago."
Confirmation of what?
"The Jin country's emperor, Tuoba Zong, was gravely injured and succumbed," the Duke of Chengguo said.
What?
The emperor of the Jin country is dead!
The court was suddenly in an uproar.
"No wonder the Jurchen people suddenly withdrew their troops," Ning Yan said.
Amid the turmoil of the capital's siege and the emperor's illness, the court was in chaos, only confirming the retreat of the Northern Jin Soldiers, unaware that it was due to the Jin country's emperor's death.
"That's wonderful," a court official couldn't help but clap, visibly excited, "The Jin country's princes are numerous, and the princes hold their troops independently. Now that the emperor is dead, internal conflict is inevitable."
First, their army was depleted in the northern lands, then domestic turmoil; it is certain that the Jin country has been severely weakened this time.
The court officials looked at the Duke of Chengguo with complex expressions, their previous doubts having vanished.
If this was really planned from the beginning, then it truly is...
"Your Majesty, wise and enlightened!"
A voice rang out.
This voice was familiar to everyone.
Ning Yunzhao had already knelt before the emperor's throne inside the hall.
The throne was empty, but there was someone sitting behind the draped curtain of the throne.
The empress was sitting behind the curtain, but she was not alone; beside her was a bed on which the emperor lay.
Although the emperor could neither speak nor move, because it was said that his mind was still clear, they ultimately decided to let the emperor attend court and listen to the discussions of state affairs.
It seemed that in this way, the decisions made by everyone could be justified and proper.
"Your Majesty, wise and enlightened." Ning Yunzhao lifted his head, his expression more solemn and tragic than usual, and once again bowed heavily.
"Your Majesty, wise and enlightened." Duke of Chengguo followed closely, bowing his head in reverence.
The other officials no longer hesitated and hurried to follow in bowing.
"Your Majesty, wise and enlightened!"
For a moment, the hall resounded with a thunderous chorus.
Seeing the actions of these courtiers and hearing these praises, the empress couldn't help but wipe her tears.
"His Majesty truly is a wise and enlightened ruler," she said, choking back sobs.
But why did he have to contract such an illness?
She looked toward the emperor, noticing the tears streaming even more from his eyes.
The emperor's tears hadn't stopped flowing for days.
At first, everyone thought it was because the emperor was distressed about his illness, but as time went on, an imperial physician mentioned that it might be because he had no other way to express his feelings, only through tears.
Does that mean tears could be shed from sadness or happiness?
Now, with His Majesty's planning, the Emperor of Jin is dead, Jin Country is in chaos and gravely weakened. Learning of this, His Majesty must also be very pleased.
"His Majesty is also very pleased." The empress reached out to wipe the emperor's tears, trembling as she spoke to the outside, "Rise, my lords."
Many officials thanked and rose to their feet.
But Duke of Chengguo remained kneeling without moving.
"I have heard that the court has not yet appointed a Crown Prince?" he suddenly said.
The hearts of the officials present skipped a beat.
It has come!
As expected, Duke of Chengguo absolutely intended to intervene in the matter of appointing the Crown Prince.
"Duke of Chengguo, you are mistaken!" Ning Yunzhao's voice rang out, his expression stern with a touch of gravity, holding up a decree in his hand, "His Majesty has already appointed the Crown Prince."
"No!" The empress's voice immediately sounded from behind the curtain, sharp and trembling, "This is not His Majesty's decree!"
Upon hearing this voice, the officials present all sighed lightly.
It has begun again.
In recent days, the court has been in turmoil, with the prison of the Ministry of Justice filled with eunuchs and Jinyiwei. As confessions and interrogations continued, more people were arrested, causing chaos in the capital and widespread panic. But this is not the main issue; the main issue at court has been just one thing: the choice of the Crown Prince.
Ning Yunzhao, holding the decree every day, was resolute in wanting Prince Huai as the Crown Prince. At the same time, he was surrounded by a group of officials. But the empress naturally would not allow it, insisting that her eldest imperial son be the Crown Prince, with a group of officials supporting her as well.
Additionally, other princes were operating in secret, while some officials remained neutral and watched the spectacle, causing utter chaos for a time.
Every court session began and ended with disputes over the choice of the Crown Prince.
After much clamor and no resolution, the Duke of Chengguo has now returned and is beginning to participate as well.
"The decree of His Majesty is one that only Lord Ning has seen and obtained," Duke of Chengguo said, looking at Ning Yunzhao, "No wonder people have doubts; such matters require reason to convince."
The empress's eyes brightened from behind the curtain.
This meant that Duke of Chengguo also did not trust this decree.
Ning Yunzhao's expression remained calm.
"To Ning, His Majesty is reason itself," he said.
Duke of Chengguo smiled gently.
"You claim to be right, and he claims to be right," he said, "Reason left unexamined remains unclear."
"Duke of Chengguo, what do you mean?" the empress couldn't help but ask.
Duke of Chengguo saluted the place where the empress was.
"I suggest that we do not speak of the decree any further," he said.
How wonderful!
The empress nearly couldn't resist lifting the curtain and stepping out.
Duke of Chengguo smiled faintly.
"His Majesty, so wise and enlightened, hasn't he already made arrangements?" he continued.
Already made arrangements?
Those present looked at him with some confusion.
"Have you all forgotten?" Duke of Chengguo also looked around at the crowd, "Did not Miss Jun suggest to His Majesty that Prince Huai be made Crown Prince, and did His Majesty not tell everyone to deliberate?"
It was outside the Imperial Mausoleum when Miss Jun said this, known by everyone. Subsequently, the emperor did not give a clear answer but instead asked the court officials to deliberate, which is also well known.
"Then, let everyone follow His Majesty's orders and carefully discuss whether it is feasible to establish Prince Huai as the Crown Prince," said Duke of Chengguo. "Isn't this complying with the imperial decree?"
The court fell silent.
Is this how to comply with the imperial decree?
"Such an imperial decree is not only known to Lord Ning alone, but we all have heard and seen it with our own eyes," Duke of Chengguo continued. "This way, by discerning the outcome clearly, we can persuade everyone with reason."
It seems to make sense.
These words also sound reasonable.
The court stirred slightly, and low murmurs arose.
But what result can come from such chaos now? Instead, Ning Yunzhao's side is even weaker since he relies on the emperor's decree.
Duke of Chengguo looked at everyone and stood upright.
"In that case, I will first express my opinion," he said.
These words made the court fall silent again, and all eyes focused on him.
"I think Prince Huai is very good," Duke of Chengguo said.
The empress sat down on the dragon bed with a thud.
It's over.
....
......
"Duke of Chengguo asked everyone to discuss the court affairs, saying he would use reason to convince people, but then."
Seventh Chen said, at that moment seemingly unable to hold back laughter, the words couldn't continue.
Dust-laden, Miss Jun was unfastening her cloak and looked at him.
"But then?" she asked.
"But Duke of Chengguo brought thirty thousand troops and stationed them outside the capital, refusing to go to the Capital Suburb Camp, saying he wanted to defend the capital and keep the Imperial City stable," Seventh Chen laughed, winking, "He said he would only leave once the Crown Prince is established, and the government is stable, to prevent the Jin thief from causing trouble."
He laughed heartily as he spoke.
"I see, this is clearly a threat to stop everyone from causing trouble."
At many times, military generals with military power can play a key role in imperial succession.
Moreover, the war has just settled, Duke of Chengguo's prestige is even greater, and he has expressed support for Prince Huai, so many officials in the court must carefully consider their choices.
Miss Jun held her collar slightly absent-minded.
So this matter....
"It's done!"
Someone suddenly lifted the curtain and rushed in, their voice trembling.
Miss Jun turned her head to see Manager Liu.
His expression was excited.
"Just now, the palace issued a decree, designating Prince Huai as the Crown Prince," he trembled as he spoke.
......
......
The designation of the Crown Prince also involves a ceremony.
First, the Crown Prince's ceremonial robe must be made; the emperor hadn't planned on making the young son the Crown Prince before, so the palace didn't prepare ceremonial robes for someone of Prince Huai's age.
There was a sudden rush to make them, and many etiquettes needed to be taught, which made Prince Huai's mansion no longer as it was before, with its doors tightly shut and no one daring to approach, but instead was bustling with visitors.
"Besides the Crown Prince's robe, the emperor's robe also began to be prepared," said Duke of Chengguo. "After all, His Majesty's health is poor, and after the Crown Prince's designation is complete, everyone will discuss the abdication process, allowing His Majesty to peacefully recover."
Miss Jun nodded.
"Didn't Zhu Zan come back this time?" she asked.
She was not concerned with the matter of abdication but asked about Zhu Zan.
Duke of Chengguo smiled warmly.
"We still need vigilance in the northern lands," he said, "Let's have him return after a while."
Miss Jun nodded, watching the bustling people at Prince Huai's mansion.
"Do you want to meet His Highness?" Duke of Chengguo asked.
Prince Huai was no longer the former Prince Huai. With Miss Jun's status, it wasn't easy to meet Prince Huai at this time.
Though, of course, this was merely protocol. If desired, it would simply be Duke of Chengguo's word.
"I want to see the Empress Dowager," Miss Jun thought, looking at Duke of Chengguo.
........
.......
The heavy palace doors were pushed open by the eunuchs, and sunlight spilled in, brightening the room.
But the doors were soon closed again.
"The imperial physician said it's better for the Empress Dowager's recovery not to be exposed to light," a eunuch carefully said.
The woman beside him was merely wearing the county magistrate's ceremonial dress, and for an eunuch who was accustomed to seeing empresses and princesses, such people were hardly in their sight.
But facing this woman, he showed a posture even more humble than before the empresses and princesses.
Because this woman's status wasn't only that of a divine doctor, the hero who saved the capital's people, but also because at this moment, the Crown Prince's designation ceremony was taking place in the court.
Although the Crown Prince was decided upon by the court's discussion, no one would forget that the first person to propose Prince Huai as the Crown Prince was her.
The Crown Prince is not just a Crown Prince. It won't be long before he rules the world as the new Emperor, the master of this imperial palace.
And she is the greatest benefactor of this master of the imperial palace.
This woman not only cured the new Emperor's illness and healed his smallpox but also saved his life, transforming him from a prince doomed to die silently into the revered Son of Heaven.
Although, his original fate was indeed to be the Son of Heaven.
Miss Jun stopped walking.
Two eunuchs quickly lifted the curtain, revealing the Empress Dowager lying on the bed.
The Empress Dowager has been unconscious until now, with the imperial physicians at a loss, saying she suffered too much shock, injuring her mind and spirit. As to when she will wake up, it's uncertain; she can only be nourished with herbal medicine.
Miss Jun walked over, and the eunuchs dropped the curtain, concealing the figure.
The eunuch leading the way waved his hand, leading the others out, leaving only Miss Jun in the Empress Dowager's chamber.
If it were in the past, no eunuch would dare allow Miss Jun to face the Empress Dowager alone.
But now, it's not as it was before.
Miss Jun sat down, looking at the seemingly sleeping Empress Dowager, stared seriously for a long time, then reached out to touch the Empress Dowager's head, slowly stroking it for a moment, lifted her hand, and a slender silver needle appeared in her hand.
With the appearance of the silver needle, the Empress Dowager woke with a start as if from a nightmare, gasping for breath, eyes wide open.
Her eyes flickered in confusion for an instant, then focused on Miss Jun in front of her, her face turned blue and purple, and she struggled to get up fiercely.
"You, you dare wake me now!" she rasped, "Aren't you afraid I will reveal the truth?"
She spoke with a fierce gaze.
"Unless you kill me, otherwise I will certainly reveal the truth."
Miss Jun smiled slightly.
"Now no one cares about your truth anymore," she said, "and there are more people who won't let you reveal the truth."
Because the overall situation is already determined.
Just like when Prince Qi became the Crown Prince back then.
Those sordid truths no longer need to be unraveled; everyone wishes only to see the bright and beautiful.
The Empress Dowager glared at her fiercely.
"Are you here to show off?" she rasped.
Miss Jun shook her head.
"I just want to ask you a question," she said.
The Empress Dowager looked at her.
Miss Jun also looked at her.
"Fostering for so long, is there really no affection at all?" she asked.
This statement was headless and tailless, baffling.
The Empress Dowager's eyes were also bewildered. She stared at Miss Jun, suddenly thought of something, and was instantly stunned, then horrified, and shrank back violently.
"You, you," she shouted tremblingly, with a look of terror, pointing her finger at Miss Jun, "are you human or ghost?"
Miss Jun looked at her and stood up.
"I once thought I was neither human nor ghost, but now I feel, you are the ones who are neither human nor ghost," she said, then turned and walked outside.
The Empress Dowager huddled on the bed, watching the back of this woman, with a horrified expression, as if seeing that woman turn her head, but it wasn't Miss Jun's appearance, rather a girl around seven or eight years old.
"Imperial Grandmother, Imperial Grandmother," she called with a giggle, holding up a bamboo pole net approaching her, "Look, I caught a butterfly to make an applique for you."
The Empress Dowager involuntarily yelled out and pushed hard with her hand.
"Go away, go away," she shouted.
The girl shattered and disappeared in her hands.
The woman walking to the door stopped her steps, turned around to glance at her.
"No!" The Empress Dowager suddenly screamed hoarsely, her face turned grim, as if this could dispel all fears, "No! Not at all!"
Miss Jun murmured an 'oh', retrieved her gaze, turned and continued walking, the curtain lifted and fell again, blocking the Empress Dowager's sight.
"No! No!" she kept on saying, her body slowly curling up, hugging her knees, trembling, "No, no, not at all."
The palace doors closed, the eunuchs bowed to see Miss Jun off, watching her departure.
It was unknown how far she walked, Miss Jun's hands clasped in front finally relaxed, and she sighed gently. Ahead was the front hall, where the Crown Prince's investiture ceremony was being held, although it was simplified and without music due to the Emperor's illness.
Should she take a look?
Although she's not qualified to go, she knows where she can sneak a peek, after all, she did such things often in her childhood.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Miss Jun's lips, but in the next moment, her smile froze, because there was a person standing on the palace road ahead.
With a tall stature, a bright red robe, but the dazzling sunlight avoided him, clearly standing in the sunlight, yet as if shrouded by shadow.
Lu Yunqi?
Why is he here?
Why has he come out again?
Miss Jun's face changed suddenly.
....
......
(Five thousand four hundred words, this sentence was too long, couldn't finish writing.... will continue tomorrow, muah)