Daming Yuanfu

Chapter 2410: The Duke is not an assistant, but a regent (I)

Gao Fusi, along with two university scholars, Zhao Zhigao and Zhou Yong, hurried into the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Inside the palace, heavy curtains were hung low, the light was dim and depressing, and only a few palace lanterns emitted a faint light. In the dim light and shadow, the figures of the people were shadowy. The air was filled with a strong smell of medicine, mixed with a heavy atmosphere of sadness, making it almost impossible to breathe.

The emperor was half leaning weakly on the bed, looking haggard, his face as pale as paper, his eyes sunken, and the only remaining look in his eyes was filled with fatigue and relief.

The queen sat beside the bed with a sad look on her face, holding the prince who was still ignorant of the world in her arms. The prince seemed to sense the strange atmosphere around him, his face wrinkled into a ball, and he uttered a few babbling sounds from time to time. He turned his head to look at his father, and seemed to want to crawl over to be intimate with him, but was pulled back by the worried mother.

The emperor's gaze was directed towards the palace gate. When he saw Gao Youshi, his lips trembled slightly and he raised his hand with difficulty. The hand that once seemed so powerful was now skinny and bony, as if it could be blown down by a gust of wind.

Upon seeing this, Gao Youshi immediately ran to the imperial couch and knelt on the ground with a plop. His eyes were already filled with tears, and his voice was filled with tears: "Your Majesty, I haven't seen you for one night, and this is more than enough!"

The emperor shook his head slightly, motioning Gao Youshi to come closer. He slowly turned his head and looked at the prince in the queen's arms. His eyes softened instantly, filled with endless love and reluctance, as if he wanted to use this last look to engrave the prince's appearance in his heart.

He stretched out his hand hard, wanting to touch the prince's face, but his arms could not stop shaking. After a lot of effort, and with the help of the Queen's hand that brought the prince forward, he was able to gently place his hand on the prince's little hand.

"Practical, I am ill, and I have received a call from my ancestors." The emperor's voice was weak and hoarse, but it carried unquestionable majesty. "The prince is young, and you are the only one who can assist me when I am gone... Fortunately, you have always been strong, so you can take care of the prince."

Gao Youshi's eyes were filled with tears. He was about to answer when he saw the emperor turn his head with difficulty and said to the queen: "Zitong, after I die, you should teach the crown prince to serve the prime minister as a father... Before he comes of age, he is not allowed to rule the country. All state affairs will be decided by Rixin."

Queen Wang burst into tears and nodded her head, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I know the seriousness of the matter."

Gao Youshi listened to the emperor's instructions, his heart was filled with grief, and he could no longer hold back his tears, which rolled down. He kowtowed heavily, his forehead touching the ground, and his voice choked with sobs: "Your Majesty! You and I have known each other for more than 30 years. You once said that the monarch and his subjects would work together to create a great Ming dynasty for eternity. Why are you abandoning me and leaving first now..."

The emperor forced a difficult smile to comfort him, and said gently: "Life and death are determined by fate, and even the emperor cannot change it. Gao Youshi, please promise me..." After that, he moved his hand, as if he was going to pat Gao Youshi's shoulder as he did in the past.

Gao Youshi felt even more grief-stricken. He reached out to hold the emperor's hand, but found that it was not only weak but also cold. "I will do my best to assist the prince and teach him carefully, so that I can carry on your majesty's great ambition." As he spoke, he was already sobbing and his shoulders were shaking violently.

The emperor nodded slightly, with a look of relief on his face, but this relief was soon replaced by pain and sadness. He paused, as if he was gathering his last bit of strength, and seemed to be hesitating about how to speak.

After a long while, he looked at Gao Fusi with a hint of pleading in his eyes, and slowly said: "Fusi, although the imperial concubine made a big mistake, she was also deceived by the traitor. I have been with her for many years, and my love is as deep as the sea. Now that she is gone, I really can't bear to let her suffer alone in the underworld. I want her to be buried with me in Dingling. I have reserved three graves in the main room, and the right grave will be left for her. This matter... I hope you can help me."

Even the emperor could not decide what to do after his death. Zhu Yijun was very clear about this, so he even used the phrase "I hope you can help me", which shows that he attached great importance to this matter.

Gao Youshi's heart tightened. As the chief writer of the Wanli edition of the Ming Dynasty Code, he certainly knew how difficult this matter was, and he was caught in a dilemma. According to the ancestral system, the main tomb of the imperial mausoleum only had space for the emperor and the empress. Although he didn't know how the emperor left three tombs in Dingling, it was already a small matter.

The problem now is that, in addition to the ancestral system not allowing it, Concubine Zheng had just caused such a big mess. If Concubine Zheng were to be buried in the main tomb of Dingling Mausoleum, it would be easy to imagine what kind of uproar it would cause. The ministers in the court would definitely find it difficult to accept it, and it might also cause a lot of controversy.

But at this moment the emperor is already on his deathbed. Although he and he are nominally king and subject, they are actually as close as brothers. How can I refuse directly? Wouldn't this make the emperor die with regret?

Gao Youshi raised his head and looked at the emperor, his eyes full of pain and entanglement. He said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, I know the deep love between you and the concubine. But this matter is not only related to the ancestral system, but also to the dignity of the royal family and the rules of the court. I dare not make a decision on my own at this moment... But since Your Majesty has this idea, I will still work for it. But there will definitely be a lot of resistance in the court. I hope Your Majesty can understand that I dare not guarantee that I will succeed."

The emperor sighed, his eyes full of helplessness and sadness. He knew how difficult this matter was, but when he thought of what he had promised Concubine Zheng, he still wanted to fight for it: "Pragmatic, I know this is difficult for you. But I really can't let her go, and I don't want to be separated from her, and even the last companionship cannot be realized. Everything is entrusted to you. No matter what, I hope you can find a way to let her accompany me in the underworld."

Gao Youshi gritted his teeth, tears welling up again, he choked and said: "I obey your order..."

After hearing Gao Youshi's promise, the emperor closed his eyes slightly, and seemed to feel relieved. His breath became weaker and weaker, and the rise and fall of his chest became shallower and shallower. Gao Youshi saw that the situation was not good, and was about to call the imperial physician, but unexpectedly, the emperor slowly opened his eyes, a trace of the last clarity flashed in his eyes, and he glanced at the people around him, and his lips opened and closed slightly: "I... am gone..." As soon as he finished speaking, his hands fell weakly to the side of the bed, and his head tilted to one side.

"Your Majesty!" Gao Youshi was heartbroken. He threw himself on the bed and burst into tears.

Upon seeing this, the queen was also overwhelmed with grief and hugged the prince and cried bitterly: "Your Majesty! Why are you leaving like this, leaving us an orphan and a widow!" She cried so hard that her heart was broken and her tears flowed out like a flood.

Zhao Zhigao and Zhou Yong also knelt down hurriedly, tears streaming down their cheeks, lamenting how sad they were.

For a moment, the Qianqing Palace was filled with crying, and everyone was immersed in great grief, as if the whole world had collapsed with the emperor's departure.

After an unknown amount of time, Gao Youshi slowly stood up and looked at the emperor's body. He swore in his heart that he would definitely complete the emperor's request, even if there were mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead, he would never back down. However, how to properly deal with the matter of Concubine Zheng's burial in the main tomb of Dingling Mausoleum became a huge stone weighing on his heart.

With a face full of sorrow, Gao Youshi slowly walked out of the emperor's bedroom, followed closely by Zhao Zhigao and Zhou Yong. The three of them came to the side hall, where the candlelight flickered, and the light and shadow flickered on the faces of the people in the hall, creating a depressing and solemn atmosphere, as if even the air had solidified.

Gao Fusi sat down heavily, looking ahead with empty eyes, as if he was still immersed in the grief of the emperor's death. After a moment, he forced himself to be alert, looked at Zhao Zhigao and Zhou Yong, and said in a hoarse voice: "The emperor left a will to let Concubine Zheng be buried in the main tomb of Dingling. What do you think about this?"

Zhao Zhigao sighed softly, his face full of fatigue and helplessness. He was sick and often felt that he would meet his ancestors at any time, and he felt deeply about this. At this moment, when Gao Youshi asked him, he slowly said: "Prime Minister, since the emperor has this last wish, we should obey it from the perspective of the relationship between the monarch and his subjects.

Besides, the emperor and Concubine Zheng have been in love for many years. Now that the emperor has made a request before his death, if we do not follow it, it will be against the emperor's will. However, this ancestral system is here, I am afraid that it will be difficult for the court to accept it, and it will definitely cause a lot of controversy. " Zhou Yong frowned slightly, thought for a moment and said: "I am not good at etiquette and law. The prime minister has always been far-sighted. This matter still depends on your decision. I will listen to you. However, if we really follow the emperor's will, we have to consider the difficulties. I hope the prime minister can weigh the pros and cons and make a proper decision. "

Well, what he said is useless if he doesn't say it.

Gao Youshi frowned, feeling very conflicted. He knew that it was not easy to let Concubine Zheng be buried in the main tomb of Dingling Mausoleum, not to mention the ancestral system... The emperor's position as the wise leader of the restoration was very stable, and even a will had a strong effect.

The biggest problem now is that Concubine Zheng caused this upheaval and almost plunged the court into turmoil. How many ministers and people are dissatisfied with her? Even if the emperor used a lot of means to deal with it in the end and put the main blame on Zheng Guotai and Li Wenjin, but as the saying goes, if you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself. Does it mean that if there is no major crime on the surface, then there is really no crime?

If she were really allowed to be buried in the main tomb chamber of Dingling Mausoleum, it would not only be difficult to convince the public, but it might also leave hidden dangers for future generations and affect the reputation and stability of the court.

Even from the perspective of the Queen and the Crown Prince, once this was done... what was the Queen guilty of, that she had to share the glory that belonged to her alone? The Crown Prince was young and inexperienced now, but he would eventually grow up and rule the world. Would he be willing to do that?

But now Gao Youshi couldn't go against the emperor's will directly - if this got out, no matter how good the reason was, he would be accused of being disloyal and unjust, and suffer countless criticisms. Oh, the emperor treated you so well, and you lied to him in person?

Thinking of this, Gao Youshi secretly sighed in his heart and said slowly: "You two, this matter is of great importance and it is not something we can decide easily. In my opinion, we should first consult the Queen Mother and invite the Queen to Kunning Palace to listen to their opinions before making a decision. After all, this is a major event for the royal family, and the opinions of the Queen Mother and the Queen are crucial."

Zhao Zhigao and Zhou Yong looked at each other. They also knew that things were difficult. If they could get the Queen Mother to speak, then success or failure would all be the Queen Mother's responsibility... Both of them saw recognition in each other's eyes and nodded in agreement.

Soon, the three of them followed the empress to Kunning Palace. This place was blocked by the Jing army two days ago, but now it has been properly tidied and solemn.

Empress Dowager Li sat in the main seat with a sad look on her face. When she saw Gao Youshi and others coming in, she frowned slightly, with a hint of doubt in her eyes. After Gao Youshi explained his purpose, Empress Dowager Li's face suddenly darkened, and her eyes were full of dissatisfaction and anger.

"Concubine Zheng has committed such a heinous crime that has turned the capital upside down and almost endangered the country. How can she be buried in the main chamber of Dingling Mausoleum!" Empress Dowager Li said firmly, with unquestionable majesty in her voice, "My son has been virtuous in his life, but it is only because he doted on her too much that she has become so bold. The sins she has committed cannot be evaded by saying that she was deceived. This matter must not be done according to the emperor's words, and the rules of the royal family cannot be broken!"

Gao Youshi didn't know what he was feeling at the moment, but at this moment he could only bow and say, "The Queen Mother is wise. But the Emperor's last words are here, and we are really in a difficult situation. Please ask the Queen Mother to issue an imperial decree so that we can act and give an explanation to the people of the world."

When Empress Dowager Li heard that an imperial decree was going to be issued, she understood that Gao Youshi was looking for a scapegoat. However, when she thought about how she, the empress dowager, was surrounded by soldiers in the palace two days ago, she couldn't swallow this breath. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Just as you said. When you draft the edict, you must handle this matter properly. You can't let Zheng break the rules of the royal family, and you can't let the people of the world think that the court is unfair. Everything must be based on the overall situation and the ancestors' country."

After a pause, Empress Dowager Li finally remembered that she had not yet asked the Queen's opinion on this matter, so she asked as a remedy, "What do you think, Queen?"

Queen Wang's eyes were red, and she wiped her tears and said, "I am deeply saddened and have no idea what to do."

Empress Dowager Li couldn't help but sigh and consoled him, "I was like this back then... Then don't think about these trivial matters and let Gao Qing's family handle it."

After coming out of Empress Dowager Li's palace, Gao Fusi was about to leave when the Empress Dowager called him from behind. He was a little surprised, but he immediately bowed and asked the Empress what she wanted.

The Queen said to Zhao Zhigao and Zhou Yong, "You two gentlemen may go and do your work first. I have only a few words to say to the Prime Minister and will not keep you for long." Zhao Zhigao and Zhou Yong said hurriedly that they dared not, then said goodbye and left.

The empress signaled to the eunuchs she trusted, and the ceremonial guards immediately moved away a little. The empress then walked in front, with Gao Youshi following behind her.

Perhaps because Gao Youshi had been her biggest supporter in the outer court for many years, the Queen did not hold back on Gao Youshi and said bluntly, "Concubine Zheng's behavior was extremely absurd. Not only did she almost kill me and the Crown Prince, she also poisoned the Emperor. This is intolerable. How can I allow her to share the incense with my wife and me in the future! Mr. Gao, do you think what I said makes sense?"

Gao Youshi replied: "What the Queen said is reasonable." Indeed, from the Queen's point of view, there is nothing wrong with what she said.

"Since Mr. Gao can say so, I am relieved." The Queen nodded. Just when Gao Youshi thought that the brief conversation would end here, she unexpectedly said quietly: "But I also know the friendship between Mr. Gao and the emperor. Since you have promised the emperor, I am afraid it will be difficult for you to disobey the order, so... you can follow the emperor's will and bury Concubine Zheng's coffin in the right grave of the main chamber, but don't put an inscription on the tombstone or set up a spirit tablet."

Gao Fusi was shocked: "Empress..."

"Mr. Gao, don't be surprised," the Queen raised her hand to stop him. "The Emperor has high hopes for you. I don't want you to have any worries while assisting the Crown Prince."

After a pause, he continued, "Besides, you have been very kind to my mother and me over the years, especially during this turmoil. If it weren't for you, my mother and I would have been buried alive... Just think of it as me repaying you."

The Queen said "I" very naturally, but Gao Youshi was in awe. He said respectfully, "Don't worry, Queen. The Queen Mother has already issued an order. I will handle it properly. In addition, I still need your support for the will."

Queen Wang nodded slightly: "Everything will be done according to the Queen Mother's wishes. Mr. Gao, you are not only the Prime Minister now, but also the Crown Prince's father. You are in charge of the country according to the Emperor's will... I think there is no need to let the harem interfere in state affairs as it did in the past."

This "good news" was so surprising that Gao Youshi's hair stood on end.
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