Jiuxi

Chapter 855: Between Advance and Retreat

Inside the Chongzheng Hall, dozens of important officials stood in silence.

At this moment, everyone's mood was extremely complicated. There was grief over the death of the emperor, as well as anger towards the real culprit behind the scenes. The most important thing was the unspeakable worry. They were not sure in which direction the situation would develop next, and whether Da Qi could safely survive this disaster.

And the most important point is, can the five-year-old Prince Yanning inherit the throne?

At the same time in Jingren Palace, Li Daoming snuggled up to Queen Ning, staring at the group of people in front of him with wide eyes. Among them, Lu Chen, the youngest and obviously different from the others, particularly attracted his attention.

Empress Dowager Xu did not care too much about the mother and son. She was still upset about the group of important ministers who forced her to drive Li Zongjian out of the palace.

But on second thought, even Li Shizhi had made a public statement, so perhaps he also thought that he was a little too impatient.

According to the conspiracy between Li Shizhi and Empress Dowager Xu, they would proceed step by step after the emperor's death. They would let Li Daoming support the overall situation for a period of time. After they had gained control of the internal and external power, they would depose Li Daoming on the grounds of being stubborn and unwise. At that time, Li Zongjian could sit on the throne with full justification.

Thinking of this, Queen Mother Xu temporarily suppressed her unhappiness and asked Xue Nanting, "I am a woman after all, and I don't understand how things in the court work. Please ask Prime Minister Xue to make a decision on the overall situation."

Xue Nanting hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Majesty, I think there are two most urgent matters at the moment."

"Prime Minister Xue, please speak."

"First, the death of the late emperor will inevitably cause a stir throughout the country, and people will certainly be in a state of panic. In my opinion, the empress dowager should issue an imperial decree to appoint Prince Yanning as the crown prince. After the late emperor's funeral, the crown prince will ascend the throne and inherit the throne. The two empress dowagers will be honored as grand empress dowagers, and the queen will be honored as queen dowager. At the same time, a general amnesty will be issued to the entire country. This will be the best way to calm the turmoil."

There was naturally nothing wrong with Xue Nanting's suggestion. Before his death, Li Zongben had only one son and two daughters, and Li Daoming was born to Queen Ning. He was the undisputed successor both in terms of legal principles and orthodoxy.

"Prime Minister Xue's proposal is very appropriate."

Queen Mother Xu nodded, and then said worriedly: "But Prince Yanning is only five years old, how can he handle state affairs?"

Xue Nanting said: "We can follow the old example of the previous dynasty, and let the queen mother supervise the country and assist the new monarch, and then return the power to the new monarch after he comes of age."

Empress Dowager Xu was delighted, and at the same time, she admired Li Shizhi, who was silent beside her, even more.

Li Shizhi had told her before that at such critical moments, she should try to ignore Xu Zuo's attitude and just focus on Xue Nanting, because the left prime minister is concerned about the overall situation and the safety of the Great Qi country is of utmost importance. He will definitely make a decision that is beneficial to Queen Mother Xu, because he hopes that the storm will subside soon and the situation will return to a stable track.

"Prime Minister Xue, this doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"

When Empress Dowager Xu was very satisfied, the voice that made her very unhappy rang out again.

Xue Nanting turned his head slowly and looked at Lu Chen, and asked, "What do you mean by that, Duke?"

Lu Chen narrowed his eyes slightly and said seriously, "The new monarch is young, so it is not wrong for the queen mother to govern on his behalf. However, the queen is the biological mother of the new monarch, so how can she be excluded? There are still more than ten years before the new monarch comes of age. If the queen cannot accompany the new monarch, won't it make people all over the world question the filial piety of the emperor of Da Qi?"

Suddenly, a big hat was put on.

Empress Dowager Xu raised her eyes slightly, perhaps because she was criticized by Lu Chen before, so she did not get angry immediately this time.

Li Daoming, who was only five years old, looked at Lu Chen. Although he didn't quite understand the conversation, he could intuitively feel the kindness of this young minister towards him.

Turning his head, Queen Ning looked normal, but she gently exerted force on Li Daoming's wrist, as if she wanted her young son to remember everything that happened today and every word everyone said.

Xue Nanting knew the deep meaning behind Lu Chen's words, and that was exactly the abyss that he didn't want to think about.

As the left prime minister of the current dynasty, Xue Nanting has been in power for more than ten years. He is not a newcomer to the officialdom. How could he not realize the strangeness of this regicide case?
In just one night, Chen Hong and others disappeared mysteriously, without a trace of either the living or the dead. The only trusted confidant left by the emperor was Yuan Yuji, who was only a few days away from returning to the capital. There is no need to elaborate on the complicated circumstances involved.

In other words, even if the emperor's assassination had nothing to do with Empress Dowager Xu, the latter must have been deliberately plotting to regain power in the harem, otherwise she would not have been able to replace various important positions in the Ministry of Internal Affairs with her own confidants in just half a day.

But what can Xue Nanting do?
More than two hours had passed from the time the emperor was assassinated to the opening of the Hening Gate. Empress Dowager Xu had already controlled the entire harem. Apart from the dozen or so palace maids who had died tragically, there were no other clues or evidence. Was he expected to accuse Empress Dowager Xu without any evidence?
Even if he did this out of courage, how would it end?
Really pushing Empress Dowager Xu to that point, without being sure of Shen Yulai's position, she had to cause a bloody riot in the palace?

Xue Nanting was not afraid of death, but the problem was that death could not solve any problems. Instead, it would only completely paralyze the Da Qi court, causing chaos both inside and outside the country.

Only then will the country be in real turmoil and the world will be in chaos.

So even though he knew that Empress Dowager Xu wanted to take the opportunity to cut the Gordian knot and completely control the power of the harem, he could only agree temporarily. Of course, when it came to issues of principle, such as forcing Empress Dowager Xu to drive Li Zongjian away, Xue Nanting would not hesitate or be vague on such matters.

After hearing what Lu Chen said, Xue Nanting's mind raced, and he finally nodded and said, "The Duke is right."

At present, the seven important officials seem to be united, but in fact, there are still differences between civil and military officials. Xiao Wangzhi and Li Tianrun will obviously support Lu Chen's proposal, while the two prime ministers, Li Shizhi and Hu Jingwen cannot move forward and retreat together, especially between the two prime ministers, Xue and Xu have a personal relationship but have not formed a party. Queen Mother Xu remained silent, as if she was considering the matter.

Lu Chen looked calm. The reason why he did this was very simple. It was not that he intended to anger Queen Mother Xu, but some things would be very difficult to reverse if you did not fight for them at the beginning.

He knew that Xue Nanting was considering the overall situation and wanted to at least keep the situation stable through the most critical period of the succession of imperial power, and then proceed slowly.

However, he knew the truth about the emperor's assassination better than Xue Nanting, and also knew the back-up plan of Li Shizhi and Empress Dowager Xu.

When Empress Dowager Xu became the regent with full legitimacy, Xue Nanting and Xu Zuo would be her targets. No one would be able to block Li Shizhi's path to advancement. If he did not establish Empress Ning's position right away to provide an additional protection for the young Li Daoming, how would he have room to take his time?

In the extremely strange and tense atmosphere, Queen Ning suddenly said, "Mother, I have a few words to say, may I?"

In front of seven important ministers, Empress Dowager Xu had no choice but to nod and say, "Go ahead."

Empress Ning took Li Daoming's hand and walked forward two steps. Facing the ministers, she said earnestly and with difficulty concealing her sadness, "My Lords, you are the pillars of the Great Qi and the imperial court. Now that His Majesty has passed away, we, an orphan and a widow, all rely on your support. Prime Minister Xue's proposal just now was mature, prudent and reasonable, and Duke Qin's words also showed consideration for our mother-son relationship, which I am very grateful for."

These words were very comprehensive and touched everyone present. Even Empress Dowager Xu could not find any fault with them.

Empress Ning turned to face Empress Dowager Xu, pulled the young prince to kneel together, and said sincerely: "I also ask my mother to consider the late emperor's sake and supervise the country to protect the new emperor. How dare I stand shoulder to shoulder with you, my mother? Please just set up a seat next to the new emperor and allow me to accompany him. I have no other request."

Li Daoming suddenly said in a crisp voice: "Grandmother, please agree to my mother's request."

Watching this scene, all the important officials couldn't help but feel sympathetic and were quite moved.

The words that Empress Dowager Xu had prepared were blocked in her throat. She could only reach out and pull Empress Ning and Li Daoming up. She sighed and said, "Why are you doing this? You are Daoming's biological mother. You should accompany him as he grows up. How could I let you stay alone in the harem?"

Queen Ning was very grateful.

Lu Chen looked at the queen who was once so graceful and elegant, and now she was so cautious as if she was treading on thin ice, and he said something silently in his heart.

What a smart person she is, it’s a pity that the person lying on the dragon bed doesn’t have the same mind as her.

After Empress Dowager Xu comforted the mother and son, she turned to look at Xue Nanting and asked, "Prime Minister Xue just mentioned two things. I wonder what the second thing is?"

Xue Nanting coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, the funeral rites for the late emperor cannot be neglected. But before that, I think we must find out the truth of last night, find the real culprit, and punish the late emperor with a proper punishment. Otherwise, the people of the world will be uneasy, and this matter will become a permanent stain on the court of Da Qi."

Empress Dowager Xu felt a little uneasy, but when she glanced at Li Shizhi who was still calm, she immediately calmed down and nodded, "Of course. My dear ministers, you can go to Chongzheng Hall first. I, the Queen, and Prince Yanning will be here later, and then we can discuss this matter."

"The minister obeys the order."

The seven important ministers bowed and left.

Queen Ning glanced at their departing backs and suddenly felt a little panicked. However, looking at her ignorant young son beside her, she suppressed all negative emotions and maintained her sad and respectful attitude. There was nothing wrong with her from the inside out.

About an incense stick later, inside the Chongzheng Hall.

The ministers saluted upwards, but this time the person who appeared before them was not the familiar figure of Emperor Li Zongben, but Empress Dowager Xu, who had not appeared in public for a long time.

After the ceremony, Queen Ning and the five-year-old Prince Yanning Li Daoming accepted the worship of the ministers, and then the mother and son sat down side by side.

There was another seat behind them, which was slightly higher. Empress Dowager Xu sat down there with a solemn expression.

"My dear ministers, the emperor was murdered by a traitor at the beginning of the morning hour last night and has passed away."

The grief-stricken voice of Empress Dowager Xu was heard, followed by the cries of grief from the ministers.

Although their feelings for the emperor were not as deep as those for the previous emperor, in such an environment, everyone's sadness would be infinitely magnified.

Amidst the cries of grief, an extremely angry voice rang out.

"Who on earth is so crazy and mad that he dares to do such a treasonous act? I dare to ask the Queen Mother to order a thorough investigation. This person must be crushed to ashes, his property confiscated and his entire family exterminated!"

(End of this chapter)