Noble First Daughter-in-law

Chapter 1301: Need to add or subtract
No sleep for one night.

The next morning, a thin fog rose in Chang'an City, and there was a faint smell of blood in the fog, which made the people who had been staying indoors all day feel frightened again and dared not go out easily.

In fact, the ban in the city was still in effect, and the city gates were tightly closed, and no one was allowed to leave the city.

The common people did not dare to move around freely, but the officials could not stay indoors.

Before daybreak, dozens of young eunuchs from the palace went out of the palace under the stars and went to the residences of various officials to pass on the message. So before the hour of Mao, at least 60% of the officials gathered in front of the Suzaku Gate. After obtaining the permission of the King of Qin, they entered the palace.

But there is no court meeting today.

The emperor also locked himself in the Liangyi Hall. For the entire night, except for the departure of Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi, the heavy palace door was never opened again. The sun gradually rose, and the sunlight should have shone into the hall through the windows, but there was still no sound from inside.

The ministers gathered at the door gradually became uneasy.

Especially when they saw the soldiers surrounding the hall, led by the burly Shentu Tai, his body was covered in blood, and no one knew whose blood it was. But at this time, no one dared to ask.

I didn't have time to ask.

Even though the young eunuchs who came to deliver the message kept their mouths shut, these officials whose eyes had been through frying pans could read a lot from their nervous expressions.

What's more, there were several melees in the city yesterday, and the roar of killing was deafening at Xuanwu Gate last night. Today, everything in the palace was managed and directed by the King of Qin and his wife, while the Crown Prince, his wife, and the King of Qi were nowhere to be seen. How could they not guess what had happened?
However, facing the Liangyi Hall with its closed doors and windows and a heavy atmosphere of death, everyone still felt their scalps tingling.

What should I do?
Someone stood at the door and said cautiously in a low voice: "Your Majesty, yesterday the Crown Prince, the King of Qi, and the Duke of Wushan rebelled, but they have been suppressed by the King of Qin. To reassure the civil and military officials and the people of the world, Your Majesty..."

At this point, the man choked.

Speaking of which, these officials are all well-educated. They usually quote from classics and speak eloquently. But today they seemed to be gagged. Even if they spoke, they were hesitant and could not express themselves clearly.

After all, throughout history, there has hardly been such a thing in any dynasty.

They didn't even know how to quote classics to persuade the emperor to accept what was happening and abdicate smoothly.

Just as everyone was hesitating, an old voice sounded in the crowd.

"His Majesty."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, everyone stepped aside and saw a white-haired, hunched figure walking to the front of the hall. It was none other than Ji Hong.

After the Tangquan Palace incident, he used the excuse of being old and sick to rest for several months and almost never attended court.

Seeing him coming, everyone felt even more desolate.

After all, when the emperor ascended the throne, it was Ji Hong who came to invite him. Unexpectedly, today, it is still Ji Hong...

Some people immediately stepped forward and said, "Lord Ji, you are the leader of the ministers. I'm afraid you still have to advise His Majesty on today's matter."

"Yes, His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin is wise and brave, and he should be crowned as the Crown Prince."

"There are evil people at work in this court."

"Master Ji, we still need you to set the record straight."

Listening to the chattering of the crowd, Ji Hong did not respond, but walked to the door of Liangyi Palace step by step, looked at the tightly closed door, listened to the silence inside, sighed softly, and then said: "Your Majesty, I, the old minister Ji Hong, come to resign. Please allow me to retire and return home."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Ji Hong slowly knelt in front of the Liangyi Palace and said in a hoarse voice: "I have served two dynasties and three emperors. I am old and weak. Even if I want to serve you, I am afraid that I am unable to do so and will cause trouble for the country."

The hall was still quiet.

Around too.

The ministers were originally noisy, but after hearing his words, they all quieted down. However, there were waves in their hearts. They looked at each other with strange looks in their eyes.

Ji Hong knelt in front of the palace, lowered his head and continued: "The only thing I can't let go of is Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty is already old, but you are still busy with all kinds of affairs, working day and night. I, an old minister, dare to make a suggestion. The dragon body is precious and should follow the order of the four seasons. The divine artifact is so great that it is appropriate to choose a wise man to inherit it."

"I am leaving now, but I wish the Great Sheng Dynasty will prosper forever."

After saying this, he bowed deeply.

"Master Ji..."

Two thin figures walked out from the side, leaned over and helped Ji Hong up. He looked up with tears in his eyes and saw that they were none other than Shangshu Shen Shiyan and Neishi Ling Pei Xu.

Last night, the two were sent back to their respective residences by Yuwen Ye's men, but they had hardly slept all night. They gathered here with the ministers early in the morning with red eyes. Although they knew what they should do, facing the closed palace gate, no one could speak. They did not expect Ji Hong to appear at this time and say those words.

Shen Shiyan said: "Master Ji..."

Ji Hong looked at them, then looked at the back of the crowd, saw two familiar figures, and smiled bitterly.

He said: "I am old, but young people can still do a lot." "..."

"You all, serve His Majesty well."

After saying that, he pulled out a roll of documents from his sleeve and handed it to Shen Shiyan, then turned around and left without looking back.

Not until he walked away did everyone sigh and turn around again, but the door of Liangyi Palace was still closed. No one knew whether the people inside heard what had just been said.

Pei Xu glanced at Shen Shiyan: "What is this——?"

Shen Shiyan also hurriedly unfolded the document and took a closer look. It turned out to be an imperial edict drafted by Ji Hong.

The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims:
I have received the mandate of heaven and rule over the world. I work hard day and night, wishing peace and prosperity for the country. However, the Crown Prince and the King of Qi have not cultivated virtuous policies, have disregarded the emperor and their parents, secretly harbored rebellion, and plotted to disrupt the country. Every time I think of this, I feel deeply distressed.

The King of Qin is a man of great talent and loyalty. He once pacified the invaders and settled the eight directions, and his contributions have been great to the country. Now he has eliminated the evil and protected me. His achievements are great and are admired by the government and the people. I see that his virtue is worthy of the responsibility of the ancestral temple; I see that his talent is worthy of the honor of inheriting the throne.

I have abolished the crown prince and stripped the title of King of Qi to rectify the state law. I have specially appointed King of Qin Yuwen Ye as the crown prince and granted him the power of regent and overall control of all affairs. I will retire to the deep palace and enjoy my old age. I hope you can carry on my legacy and bring glory to the country.

Announce it to the world, and the envoys will hear about it.

At one look, everyone couldn't help but gasp.

In fact, every word of the words above are almost the voice of the people present today, but in the end they still have to consider their own face and their own lives and property. After all, as long as the emperor does not speak, he still holds the power of life and death over them, so no one dares to really speak.

Unexpectedly, when Ji Hong came here, he did everything that needed to be said and submitted every document that needed to be submitted.

Shen Shiyan turned around hurriedly and bowed deeply to the old and hunched figure of Ji Hong who had already walked away. The ministers around him also followed him and bowed deeply to the old minister.

After bowing, Shen Shiyan immediately turned around, holding the document in his hand and kneeled down towards the closed door of Liangyi Hall.

At this moment, Shen Wuzheng's voice sounded beside him.

"Wait a minute."

Shen Shiyan frowned and turned around, only to see Shen Wuzheng walking out of the crowd. He took the document from his hand and glanced through it, then said softly, "I'm afraid this document needs some additions and deletions."

Shen Shiyan was very surprised: "Add or subtract? What else is needed to add or subtract?"

As the Shangshu Pushe, he drafted countless imperial edicts and issued countless decrees for the emperor. This imperial edict could be said to be almost perfect. Why would there be any additions or deletions?
But Shen Wuzheng said calmly: "There must be additions and subtractions."

After saying this, he ignored the hesitation of the people around him, picked up the document and turned to leave. He walked hurriedly and arrived at Qianqiu Palace in a short while.

As soon as he arrived at the door, he saw Shan Tong'er and a group of personal soldiers guarding there. Although Yuwen Ye had already controlled the entire Chang'an City, necessary precautions still had to be taken. When he saw someone approaching, Shan Tong'er immediately came forward. Seeing that it was him, he breathed a sigh of relief: "Brother Shen, why are you here?"

Shen Wuzheng said: "There are some things that I need to show King Qin."

"Oh, then go in."

Shen Wuzheng didn't say much, just nodded and walked in. As soon as he arrived in the courtyard, he saw Wo Xue silently holding some clothes and walking towards the side hall. He immediately asked, "Why are you here?"

Wo Xue saw him and hurriedly bowed: "Sir Shen, I am here to escort Madam Chu back."

"Mrs. Chu?"

"Yes, yesterday the princess asked me to go and meet Madam Chu. After meeting them, I returned to the Prince Qin's mansion and stayed overnight. Today, I escorted Madam and the little prince to the palace."

"Yuan Qian is here too?"

"Yes, the princess just took Madam Chu and the little prince to the side hall to rest. Lord Shen, is he here to talk to the princess about something?"

Shen Wuzheng pondered for a moment, then immediately shook his head and said, "It's okay, no need to tell her I was here."

"..."

Wo Xue glanced at him and said softly, "Yes."

Shen Wuzheng didn't say much to her. He took the document and walked into Qianqiu Palace. As expected, he saw Yuwen Ye sitting alone inside.

Although the entire palace was on high alert and the Qianqiu Palace was surrounded by fully armed elite soldiers, he did not slack off at all. He was still wearing armor and reading a book in his hand. But as soon as Shen Wuzheng saw his dim eyes, he knew that he definitely did not read a single word.

Hearing footsteps, Yuwen Ye raised his head and asked, "Why are you here?"

As he spoke, his eyes flickered again: "Over at Liangyi Palace..."

Shen Wuzheng bowed to him and said, "Your Highness, Prince Qin, Lord Ji Hong just came to resign from his post to the Emperor. Before leaving, he handed everyone this draft of the imperial edict. But I think there should be some additions and deletions. Please make your decision, Your Highness."

After saying that, he handed the document to Yuwen Ye.

Yuwen Ye was surprised when he heard this.

There will be more later