The prince is more stable

Chapter 623 Sword Pointed at the Deposed Empress
This is probably what it feels like to be struck by lightning.

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes widened in shock, his eardrums rang, and his mind went completely blank.

The moment Zhao Xu uttered those words, Zhao Xiaoqian understood everything.

It turns out that Zhao Xu's real goal was to depose the empress!
Zhao Xiaoqian recalled Zhao Hao's words to him: there are no simple criminal cases in the palace.

Everything that happens in the palace is a bloody political struggle.

Zhao Hao also said that he should subtly probe Zhao Xu's thoughts and ask him what he wanted to achieve, and Zhao Xiaoqian would cooperate with Zhao Xu to get things done.

Zhao Hao even said that Zhao Xu would take the initiative to provide him with clues, and these clues were the direction Zhao Xu pointed out and the target of his efforts.

In retrospect, Zhao Hao was right about everything he said.

Zhao Xu indeed provided him with a clue, and the clue led directly to the Empress.

Shocked and stunned, Zhao Xiaoqian stared blankly at Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu remained calm and composed.

After a long silence, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled wryly and said, "If Your Majesty had just said so earlier, why would I have gone through all this trouble?"

Zhao Xu said calmly, "Zi'an understands?"

"I understand."

Now Zhao Xiaoqian understood that the so-called person hiding outside Consort Liu's palace, who was discovered by the Imperial Guards and fled in panic to the Empress's palace, etc.

It was all made up by Zhao Xu, just to shift the blame onto the Empress and then conveniently depose her.

Zhao Xiaoqian roughly understood why Zhao Xu did this.

Because Zhao Xiaoqian's investigation has progressed too quickly and accurately in the past two days, he has almost found out the real culprit in just two days. However, Zhao Xu's purpose is to use the case of the young prince to depose the empress.

If the real culprit is caught, the truth will most likely have nothing to do with the Empress. In that case, how could Zhao Xu possibly depose the Empress?

The faster Zhao Xiaoqian's investigation progressed and the more correct his direction became, the more anxious Zhao Xu became.

In Zhao Xu's eyes, this guy had actually gone astray and needed to be corrected in time.

So today, Zhao Xu finally couldn't help but summon Zhao Xiaoqian and fabricated a baseless clue to implicate the Empress in the case.

Zhao Xiaoqian had always known that Zhao Xu's relationship with Empress Meng was very strained.

It had nothing to do with Empress Meng's looks. In fact, Zhao Xiaoqian had seen Empress Meng on some occasions. She was a very dignified and graceful woman, and her appearance could be described as stunning.

Zhao Xu simply disliked her because she was personally betrothed by the Empress Dowager. He was utterly disgusted by the Empress Dowager, and even after she had been dead for so long, he still felt disgusted.

Because of his hatred for the Empress, Zhao Xu also developed a dislike for her.

Zhao Xiaoqian guessed that Zhao Xu's intention to depose the empress had probably been brewing for more than just a day or two. It was probably from the day he took power that he began to plan to depose the empress. However, the empress of a country cannot be deposed easily, and Zhao Xu was also afraid of the criticism from his subjects, so he had been holding back until now.

The death of the young prince finally gave Zhao Xu an opportunity.

How could one drag the Empress into a mess under reasonable circumstances, and then depose her in a justifiable way, so that the people of the land could not find fault with Zhao Xu? The death of the young prince was undoubtedly a good opportunity.

Zhao Xiaoqian stared at Zhao Xu, and now he was finally certain that the death of the young prince had changed Zhao Xu a lot; his personality had changed.

There were only two people in the hall. Zhao Xiaoqian lowered his voice and asked, "Does His Majesty intend to depose the Empress?"

Zhao Xu nodded frankly: "Yes, I want to depose her and make Consort Liu the Empress."

Zhao Xiaoqian remained silent, while Zhao Xu slowly said, "Zi'an, the idea of ​​deposing the empress has been on my mind for more than just a day or two. I have been pondering this matter since the day I assumed personal rule."

Zhao Xiaoqian said in a deep voice, "So, the death of the young prince just gives the Emperor a reason?"

"Yes, the Empress's existence has always been a thorn in my side. My harem does not want her to be there, and even less does it want her to rule over my harem."

Zhao Xiaoqian felt a tightness in his chest, unsure whether to offer advice or support.

Logically speaking, this is a matter between the husband and wife. It's normal for a couple to want a divorce if they can't live together. Zhao Xiaoqian is just an outsider, so what can he say?
But if she's deposed, she's deposed. Why do you have to smear her?
Zhao Xiaoqian, unfortunately, became the one who smeared the Empress.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't want to do this, not even for the emperor.

After a long silence, Zhao Xiaoqian said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this case cannot be investigated any further. Please appoint another official to investigate this case."

Zhao Xu stared into his eyes and said, "You oppose my decision to depose the Empress?"

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head: "This is a matter between husband and wife, how dare I interfere? I have no complaints about what Your Majesty wants to do, but I do not want to handle this matter personally."

Zhao Xu emphasized, "You are my most trusted minister. I can only feel at ease entrusting this matter to you. Otherwise, I would not have urgently summoned you back to the capital from thousands of miles away."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked up abruptly, met his eyes directly, and said frankly, "I feel a bit disgusted by this matter, so I don't want to do it."

Zhao Xu was startled. This was the first time Zhao Xiaoqian had openly contradicted him and refused him so bluntly, without showing any mercy.

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes were clear and resolute. Zhao Xu understood his gaze; he knew that Zhao Xiaoqian had made up his mind and would absolutely not participate in the matter of deposing the empress.

"Zi'an, why?" Zhao Xu said softly, "You have always supported all my decisions, why not this time?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "Perhaps it has crossed my bottom line. I know that the palace and the court may seem dignified, but all sorts of dirty and disgusting things happen there. I have indeed experienced quite a few disgusting things."

"But I simply cannot accept that the innocent Empress is being smeared. She did nothing wrong, yet she is to be accused of murdering a prince. Not only will she be deposed, but she will also suffer the scorn of the world for the rest of her life. Her infamy will even be recorded in the annals of history..."

Zhao Xiaoqian stared intently at Zhao Xu and slowly said, "Your Majesty, this is not right."

"If Your Majesty wants the real culprit, I will find him quickly. Even if you cut the real culprit into a thousand pieces, I will not utter a single word of objection. If Your Majesty wants to resist the Liao Kingdom, I will lead the army north to kill the enemy and expand our territory to repay Your Majesty's kindness."

"Your Majesty wishes to recover Yan and Yun. Your Majesty has been preparing for war, enduring hardships and sleeping in the open. I will support Your Majesty in whatever you do, and I will even die for you. But there is one thing I cannot agree to, Your Majesty. I cannot do it."

Zhao Xu's tone grew colder: "Zi'an, if you don't do this, I can find someone else to do it."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "Your Majesty, I know, and I have no power to stop you. You are the sovereign, and I am the subject. All I can do is stay away and not get involved."

Zhao Xu sneered: "Does not participating in evil mean you are good?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was silent for a moment, then said, "To turn a blind eye to evil is still evil, but this is all I can do now, because I know that I cannot stop you at all."

Zhao Xu stared intently into his eyes for a long time before finally sighing helplessly, "I will not force you to do what Zi'an is unwilling to do. This case will be handed over to Zhang Dun."

Zhao Xiaoqian rose and bowed deeply: "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."

Zhao Xu shook his head: "Zi'an, you still need to continue investigating the real culprit who murdered the young prince."

"I do intend to use this matter to depose the Empress, but at the same time, I will not let the real culprit go unpunished. Do you understand what I mean, Zi'an?"

"Your Majesty, I understand. I am very sorry for failing to live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

Zhao Xu stood up, took his hand, patted it, and sighed, "A husband has things he should do and things he shouldn't do. I understand your temperament, and I shouldn't have forced you in the first place."

As he spoke, Zhao Xu suddenly laughed: "Actually, Zi'an, you adhere to your bottom line principles. I trust you even more now that you are that kind of person."

"Today you would rather confront me than help me do this evil deed. If someone uses the same methods against me in the future, I'm sure you will stand by my side without hesitation, right?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled: "Although I have many flaws, I am at least a loyal subject."

Zhao Xu patted his shoulder hard and said in a deep voice, "Zi'an, even brothers and friends are bound to have arguments. Let's forget about the unpleasant thing that happened between us just now, and pretend it never happened."

"We've known each other for so long, and this is the first time we've ever argued. It's already pretty good. Zian doesn't know that I've argued with Zhang Dun countless times. That old scoundrel Zhang Dun is a born stubborn fool. Every time, I feel like slapping him across the face."

"But afterwards, I still had to rely on him, trust him, and entrust him with state affairs. I treated Zian the same way."

"Zi'an need not worry about deposing the empress. Zi'an should find the real culprit who murdered the young prince, and then go to the three armies to inspect them a few times to see how good the 50,000 elite imperial guards I have selected for you are."

"Compared to matters of the palace, the recapture of Yan and Yun is of paramount importance. Zi'an, focus your efforts on this. I await your good news."

…………

As Zhao Xiaoqian walked out of Yanfu Palace, he felt heavy-hearted, yet he also felt a little like laughing.

He, who usually does all sorts of immoral things, was only asked to smear the Empress today, but he actually refused, causing a rift between the emperor and his minister.

So what exactly is he insisting on?
Kind? Just? He's never been kind to any of those things.
He had no prior acquaintance with Empress Meng, so why would he uphold his so-called bottom line for her sake?

Ironically, Zhao Xiaoqian himself couldn't find the reason.

In life, whatever we do, whether good or evil, we should act according to our conscience.

Zhao Xiaoqian's conscience told him that he shouldn't depose the empress.

Therefore, Zhao Xiaoqian decisively refused.

That's probably the only explanation.

After stepping out of the palace gates, a thought suddenly popped into Zhao Xiaoqian's mind.

Could it be that I'm actually a good person?
Back at the Chu King's residence, Zhao Xiaoqian walked listlessly into the Yin'an Hall, only to find Zhao Hao enjoying a hearty meal and drink.

Zhao Hao held a large, roasted leg of lamb in both hands, eating it with grease dripping from his mouth.

Zhao Xiaoqian stepped forward and snatched the lamb leg from Zhao Hao's hand. Zhao Hao was startled and looked up at him: "What are you doing?"

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored him and ordered towards the outside of the hall, "Tell the cook to prepare a low-fat meal for my father."

"You're almost as fat as a ball. In a few years, you'll be riddled with health problems. Do you dare bet that this unfilial son of mine won't pull the plug?"

As Zhao Xiaoqian spoke, he glared at his father, then took a big bite of the lamb leg.

Yes, it really is delicious. Luckily, I'm in good shape, so I can afford to eat like crazy.

(End of this chapter)