Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 383 The coup attempt fails
Hassan's voice was like cold water being poured into a pot of boiling oil...

The entire Chongwen Hall was completely destroyed.

"Is Lady Xue the Ainuer Princess of Xiz?"

"Minister Xue, your beloved concubine... is actually the legitimate daughter of the late King Xiz?"

"Aunt Xue... Lady Xue?"

"This...how is this possible?"

All the officials were shocked, but the one who lost his composure the most was Xue Qingzhi.

His face was drained of color, and his mind was blank.

“This humble official…this humble official has taken her into his household for many years and has never heard of her having such a background…this…this, where did you get this information? Could it be a mistake?”

Empress Dowager Chengqing was also deathly pale and remained stunned for a long time.

"It sounds utterly absurd..."

She doesn't believe it.

Unbelievable is that the birth mother of the witch she had been so determined to get rid of, the lowly concubine she had never even glanced at, was actually... the long-lost legitimate princess of the Xiz Royal Court.

"Your Excellency Hassan, this is no trivial matter. We absolutely cannot... have mistaken the person for someone else?"

Hassan turned around abruptly, “Your Majesty, you are mistaken. The bloodline of the Xiz Royal Court is that of the Canglang, and we cannot tolerate the slightest disrespect… Your humble servant was ordered to search for someone, how could I have mistaken him?”

It was clear that Hassan was very dissatisfied with the Queen Mother's questioning.

The temperature inside the hall suddenly dropped.

Li Zhao remained seated upright, his gaze calm.

After the noise in the hall subsided, he spoke calmly.

"Your Excellency, please calm your anger. What the Empress Dowager said is not entirely unreasonable... This concerns the diplomatic relations between our two countries and the continuation of our bloodlines. Does Your Excellency have any evidence?"

Hassan was clearly prepared.

He took a scroll bound with gold thread from the deputy envoy and held it high.

"The late king's edict is here!"

The golden book bears the royal seal, the red clay still intact, exuding solemnity.

Hassan's voice was deep and resonant, his eyes filled with unreserved sincerity and excitement.

"Reporting to Your Highness, the Crown Prince of Liang, this is a secret royal file personally drawn by the late King, recording the princess's physical characteristics... The crescent-shaped birthmark below the left scapula is unique to the bloodline of the Grand Consort, there is absolutely no mistake..."

He paused, his voice choked with emotion, "The princess has suffered greatly in a foreign land. We are heartbroken to learn of her plight... We implore Your Highness to allow us to bring her back... We, the people of Xiz, will forever be grateful for Your Highness's great kindness..."

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

All eyes fell on Li Zhao's face, wondering how he would decide.

Li Zhao slowly flicked his sleeve.

Without looking at the Empress Dowager's ashen face or the surprised and uncertain expressions of the officials, he said in a deep voice, "Summon Imperial Physician Zhang Huaicheng and the maidservants of the Eastern Palace who serve Lady Xue to come to the palace to report."

A moment later, Zhang Huaicheng and several palace maids and nannies who served Xueji entered the palace together.

One by one, the maids and nannies cautiously confirmed that Yukihime had a birthmark under her left shoulder blade.
Comparing the details in the gold book, the physical features are exactly the same.

Upon hearing this, the Xizi envoy immediately set off to the Eastern Palace to see the princess.

Zhang Huaicheng quickly said, "Your Excellency, please calm down. Lady Xue... Princess Ayinur has been poisoned and is still in critical condition... She is currently unconscious and should not be disturbed. It will be better to see you again when she is fully conscious..."

He carefully chose his words, yet they still moved the Siz envoy and his entourage to tears.

Hassan knelt heavily towards the direction of the East Palace, kowtowing to the ground, and cried out, "Your Highness, I am late, causing you to suffer this undeserved calamity..."

Behind him, the wolf guards also knelt on one knee, their right hands on their chests and their heads bowed low.

The hall was filled with solemnity.

Li Zhao's gaze swept across the steps and landed on Empress Dowager Chengqing.

"Grandmother... just now she asked me to deal with the witch, saying that she was of lowly status and had caused chaos in the court. If she was not killed, it would not be enough to quell the criticism from the court and the public, and it might ruin the ancestral foundation. She said that she should discuss another crown prince. Do you still stand by those words?"

Empress Dowager Chengqing's expression changed.

His lips trembled twice, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Li Yan hurriedly helped her up, looking at Li Zhao with a hint of anger.

"Your Highness, your grandmother is also worried about the affairs of the country. Why are you being so aggressive?"

Li Zhaodao said, "Princess Xizi encountered danger within the territory of Daliang. During her time in Daliang, she was harmed by treacherous people and her life was hanging by a thread... This is not just a matter concerning my family, nor is it a trivial matter in the harem... As the Crown Prince Regent of Daliang, I have the responsibility to protect our friendly nation and also the duty to thoroughly investigate the culprit and restore justice to the princess."

Xue Qingzhi trembled all over.

Empress Dowager Chengqing felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

Li Zhao glanced at their faces and smiled slightly.

"I hereby grant the Yiyuan Garden in the eastern suburbs as a place for the princess to recuperate and rest. I will increase the number of elite imperial guards to protect her, and the imperial physician Zhang Huaicheng will be in charge of her care. All necessary expenses will be directly allocated by the Crown Prince. The Xizi delegation may send a special representative to await orders in the outer palace to ease their longing… During this period, a thorough investigation into the princess's poisoning must be conducted. If any villains take this opportunity to cause trouble, no matter who they are or what banner they fly, they will be enemies of my Great Liang… I will execute them without mercy!"

"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Hassan was moved to tears and bowed in gratitude.

“Your Highness’s kindness will be forever remembered by Siz. My king will surely repay it handsomely.”

Li Zhao nodded slightly, his tone solemn and sincere.

"There is one more matter that I believe your esteemed envoy has also heard of. Since this is an opportunity for our two countries to discuss it, I might as well inform you of it at the same time..."

Without waiting for Hassan's reply, he surveyed the entire Chongwen Hall and announced in a clear voice.

"My heart belongs to the sixth daughter of the Xue family, who is the direct descendant of Grand Princess Ayinur. She is the wife I have chosen. Once the rebel army is quelled, I will welcome her into the family in grand style, with the ceremony due to a Crown Princess, by opening the central gate and informing the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

Hassan and the deputy beside him quickly exchanged a glance.

Before they left, they already knew about Xue Liu's relationship with the Crown Prince and her situation in the capital.

At this moment, the Crown Prince made a public announcement, giving Xiz ample face.

Hassan understood immediately, bowed again, and spoke with great respect.

"His Highness the Crown Prince's kindness and loyalty are deeply appreciated by Xiz. Once I inform my King, I will dispatch a high-ranking official with generous gifts to the capital to personally participate in this grand event. This is to congratulate Her Highness the Princess, to congratulate His Highness the Crown Prince, and to celebrate the everlasting friendship between our two nations..."

"Good!" Li Zhaolang said loudly.

A single word sealed the deal.

To elevate Yukihime's status to a strategic level, maintaining diplomatic relations between the two countries...

Who would dare call Xue Sui a "lowly born witch"? Her mother was the esteemed Grand Princess of the Xiz Royal Court. She carried the noble blood of the Xiz royal family.

Is there any need to discuss the marriage between Xue Sui and Li Zhao again?
Who would dare utter a single word of dissent?
Who dares to say she's not worthy?
Empress Dowager Chengqing used Xue Sui's background to attack Li Zhao, but where did she get a foothold?
With the controversy over etiquette and law no longer in place, what reason is there to force the crown prince to abdicate?
A meticulously planned coup attempt to depose the heir apparent instantly turned into a laughable farce.

The Empress Dowager swayed, and if it weren't for Consort Cui supporting her tightly, she would have almost collapsed to the ground.

Looking into Li Zhao's smiling eyes, a chill ran from her feet to the top of her head. "Good...very good...I've truly seen something new today..."

"The Empress Dowager is unwell..." Li Zhao smiled and said, "Someone, help the Empress Dowager back to Cixi Palace to rest. Summon the imperial physicians to take good care of her."

Empress Dowager Chengqing gave him a deep look before being helped out of the main hall by palace servants.

Xie Yanzhan, Tian Huaitong, and the others exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions a complex mix of emotions...

Who could have imagined that the lowly concubine on her sickbed would harbor such a shocking reversal of identity...

Just moments ago, they were wavering under the Empress Dowager's authority, trying to force the Crown Prince to back down by threatening the fate of the empire. Now, they seem like nothing more than clowns, wishing they could disappear into a crack in the ground...

"Your Highness is wise!"

A deep, resonant voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw at the entrance of the palace, the Imperial Censor Zhou Zhengping with a white gauze wrapped around his head.

He walked in shakily, showing none of the resolute grief and indignation he had displayed when he stood up against the pillar in blood. He then solemnly knelt down in the direction of Li Zhao.

"Your Highness, I, Zhou Zhengping, pay my respects. On that day, I remonstrated with my blood on the imperial steps. I was foolish... I was blinded by treacherous officials and almost committed a grave mistake. I beg Your Highness to punish me..."

"Lord Zhou has suddenly realized his mistakes and is concerned about the country. What crime has he committed?" Li Zhao's voice softened.

Zhou Zhengping was filled with shame. "Your Highness, with your profound wisdom and forbearance, has demonstrated the magnanimity of our great Liang Dynasty. This is a blessing for the nation and a fortune for all its people..."

The entire hall was astonished!

Zhou Zhengping's sudden defection—did he hit a pillar and damage his brain?
Li Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly, understanding dawning on him.

This old stubborn man is inflexible and believes in the most important principles.

"Why must you do this, Lord Zhou?"

Zhou Zhengping raised his chin, his expression earnest.

"Your Highness, Miss Xue, despite her hardships, remained true to herself and was willing to sacrifice her life to save her mother. She is a woman of great righteousness and exceptional filial piety... All the previous rumors were fabricated by villains to deliberately smear her... Now, thinking back, this old minister is filled with shame... Such a virtuous and noble woman is a perfect match for the Crown Prince, and she and His Highness are truly a match made in heaven..."

“Lord Zhou is absolutely right,” Zhou Chongli responded immediately, echoing, “Miss Xue is of noble birth and of high moral character, truly a perfect match for the Crown Prince…”

Led by Zhou Zhengping, the wind suddenly reversed direction...

Xie Yanzhan and others who had previously endorsed the Empress Dowager could only follow the trend and helplessly lower their heads, remaining silent.

Li Zhao took in everyone's expressions.

"I am aware of your sincere concern, sirs. Lord Zhou is still recovering from his injuries, so please return to your residence to rest. Once you are fully recovered, the court will have someone to rely on."

Zhou Zhengping was moved to tears and kowtowed repeatedly: "This old minister... thanks Your Highness for your great kindness."

Li Zhao nodded slightly, his tone turning cold.

"Reconsidering the heir apparent is an act that will bring chaos to the nation. I will pretend I did not hear these words today, and I will not allow them to happen again. As for Xiao Song... his son Xiao Yan raised an army in rebellion, a crime that cannot be forgiven. Once he is beheaded, he will be punished according to the law to serve as a warning to others."

All the ministers bowed in unison and agreed.

Li Zhao's gaze swept past the crowd, as if piercing through layers of palaces, and landed on a quiet corner of a secluded mansion.

"My father is gravely ill, and I have been overseeing the state affairs. However, the court is in turmoil, and the people's hearts are unsettled. With Xiao Song imprisoned, the position of Prime Minister cannot remain vacant for long. The late Prime Minister Lu Jing, a veteran of two reigns, is highly respected and virtuous. Although he has retired to enjoy his retirement, at this time of national crisis, I wish to invite the old Prime Minister to return to service and temporarily assume the position to assist me in stabilizing the court and coordinating the suppression of the rebellion..."

Please reinstate Lu Jing?
It was another groundbreaking decision.

Lu Jing's students and friends are all over the world. He is upright and incorruptible and has great prestige in the army and among the noble families. Not long after Emperor Chongzhao ascended the throne, he used an excuse to let him retire and live a peaceful life. When his grandson became the top scholar in the imperial examination and married a princess, wasn't that a sign of his apprehension?

One emperor and one courtier.

If he were to return to public life, it would not only signify the complete end of Xiao Song's era, but also mean that Li Zhao would gain a solid backing, and directly extinguish the Empress Dowager's hopes of supporting Prince Wei, Li Yan...

"Gentlemen, do you have any objections?"

Li Zhao's voice was clear and melodious, yet it carried a hidden pressure.

"Your Highness is wise!" Zhou Zhengping was the first to respond loudly.

"The return of Prime Minister Lu to public service is a blessing for the nation."

"...Prime Minister Lu...is highly respected and virtuous, and I...have no objection."

"I have no objection."

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

The smile on Li Zhao's lips vanished, and his eyes turned cold and menacing.

Where is the Vice Minister of the Chancellery?

The Vice Minister of the Chancellery's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to remain calm and stepped forward, saying, "Your subject is here."

Li Zhao's voice was cold and sharp as he gave the order in a deep voice:
"Immediately issue an edict to severely reprimand Ma Kun, the commander of the defense of the capital region, and order him to lead his troops to reinforce the Wei River. If he dares to shirk his duties and avoid battle again, thus delaying military operations, he shall not be surprised that the law is merciless. He shall be dismissed from his post on the spot and executed without pardon."

"I...obey the order!"

"The Ministry of Revenue is ordered to procure provisions and laborers, and the Ministry of Works is ordered to expedite the production of military equipment to ensure the needs of the front lines are met! Anyone who pays lip service to this order or neglects their duties will be treated as a traitor and severely punished without exception."

One order after another was issued, swift and decisive, with an imposing presence.

Xie Yanzhan and the others were naturally unwilling, but the situation was already set in stone...

They had no choice but to follow the other officials and kowtow in agreement.

"Retreat!"

Li Zhao, with a hint of coldness in his eyes, turned and strode away.

Only his ministers, each with their own thoughts, remained, watching his cold, resolute figure as they dispersed amidst the lingering buzz of his voice...

Several officials who were on good terms with him deliberately followed the distraught Xue Qingzhi, feigning concern.

"Congratulations, Minister Xue! This is truly... a momentous occasion!"

Xue Qingzhi's face turned pale and then red, and he repeatedly clasped his hands in greeting, pretending not to notice their gloating.
"Colleagues, please have mercy, please have mercy..."

Those people were familiar with him and were so curious that they couldn't help but ask.

"That Lady Xue... oh no, I mean Grand Princess Xiz, has been in the manor for all these years, and Lord Xue really hasn't noticed a single clue?"

"Alas, I am ashamed, I am truly ashamed to say..."

Xue Ji has been in the manor for nearly twenty years, but he used to see her only a few times a year and had no interest in listening to what she had to say. How could he have known about such a hidden story?
Xue Qingzhi shook his head, deliberately lowered his posture, and bowed apologetically, "Brother has other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. Gentlemen, we'll talk again later."

He strode ahead.

A gust of wind blew away a corner of the gloom that shrouded the imperial city, allowing a sliver of sunlight to filter through.

The real storm was approaching, rumbling along the banks of the Wei River, accompanied by the hoofbeats of Xiao Yan's rebel army...

　Xue Sui: There are only two days left in July. Time flies so fast. I heard that your day is less than twelve hours?
　　Reader: It's a secret that can't be revealed... Why don't you tell me about your affair with the Crown Prince?

　　Li Zhao: Shy.

　　(End of this chapter)