northernbook Chapter 834: Court Meeting, Imperial Edict
Chapter 834: Court Meeting, Imperial Edict
"The eldest prince has loved chrysanthemums since he was young. These are all rare treasures that the Empress asked someone to buy from the common people at a high price."
"After the eldest prince passed away, the queen, who had never been interested in flowers, began to learn how to grow them."
In the end, no one expected that a person who had never planted flowers could grow the chrysanthemums in this garden so well!
There was no particular emotion on Aunt Wu's face, but one could tell from her voice that she wasn't in good condition either, and she seemed very worried about the Queen.
Shu He didn't say anything, but followed her to the queen's flower garden.
"The Queen."
Hearing her voice, the queen, dressed in plain clothes, turned around and looked at her, then gestured to her.
After watering the chrysanthemums, she came out of the flowerbed and said, "I'm coming."
She wiped her hands, and her previously delicately combed bun loosened up and was tied behind her with only a white silk ribbon, which was simple and not messy.
Shu He actually didn't want to come to see her, but after receiving the letter from Zhu Heng, she had to come.
"The Grand Tutor sent a letter saying that the Emperor will be attending court tomorrow."
He probably knew that Baili Moqing had left Kyoto, so he dared to show up.
This Emperor Qiwen was truly absurd. In order to avoid Baili Moqing, he actually waited for half a month before going to court to handle state affairs!
She even suspected that he was deliberately ignoring the government affairs, forcing the officials to ask Baili Moqing for help, and then forcing him to leave Kyoto, so that no one would force him to issue a self-criticism edict.
"I already know." She looked calm, with an incomprehensible composure.
"When Liu Qin came to deliver the imperial edict, he also said that the decree to depose the empress had been drafted and would be ready for court tomorrow."
Even though he was mentally prepared, Shu He was still horrified when he heard these words in person. "Could it be that he really wants you to bear this stigma?"
"Isn't it good to be deposed?"
She spoke softly, a faint smile on her lips.
"I've long been tired of being the Queen. If it weren't for my unrequited revenge for Xun'er, I wouldn't have wasted so many years in this cage-like place."
Shu He's eyes flickered slightly, and he was worried about her. "But even if the queen is deposed, the emperor will not let you leave the palace."
For women in the harem, there is no third option except being sent to the cold palace or dying.
She should be well aware of this.
"I didn't say I was leaving the palace?"
She smiled at her, her unmade-up face seemed many years younger, her eyes were clean and clear, like the eyes of a young girl who had just entered the world and was not polluted by anything.
What does she mean?
She doesn't want to leave?
"Don't worry, the emperor's edict of apology will definitely be issued along with the edict deposing the empress, and the truth behind the second son's death will definitely be recorded in history books!"
"This, consider it my atonement for my past mistakes."
Shu He looked at her, feeling extremely uncomfortable. It turned out that the queen had guessed the purpose of his entering the palace.
She felt even more guilty.
"Your Majesty, your reputation is ruined by the decree of the abdication. Why would you..."
Seeing Shu He stop talking, the Queen turned to look at her and finished her unfinished words for her, "Why did you agree to admit to having an affair with someone?"
Shu He nodded slightly and looked at her quietly, his heart filled with confusion. What woman could tolerate her man slandering her like this? What on earth was she thinking?
Baili Moqing said she had other plans. What were those plans? Leaving the palace?
No, she just said, she didn't want to leave.
The queen's expression remained calm, and she ignored Shu He's wild guesses.
Her tone was relaxed and lazy, revealing a hint of silence. "In this world, I have no place to come from. The friends I met in my youth have long since disappeared under the erosion of time. No one will remember me, and no one will care about me."
"So, what does fame or not have to do with me?"
Shu He opened her mouth, wanting to say that there was someone waiting for her outside, and someone who cared about her.
However, when she thought of the crime the emperor wanted to accuse her of, she felt that it was not appropriate to say this.
She seemed to see Shu He's concerns and thoughts, but she didn't say much. Instead, she asked her: "Do you believe Baili Moqing?"
Shu He was stunned for a moment, and then he understood what she meant.
Was she worried that she would follow in her footsteps?
She lowered her eyes, and when she raised them again, her eyes were full of determination, "I believe him!"
When the queen heard this, she said nothing more, but gave Shu He a very complicated and meaningful smile.
Before leaving the palace, Shu He went to find Meng Fang again, wanting him to help her.
He looked hesitant and embarrassed, but after all, they were friends who had been through life and death together, so he finally agreed.
The next day, the marriage team set out early in the morning. Meng Fang led the team, and hundreds of people were with him.
At the same time, in the Golden Palace, Emperor Qiwen, who had not appeared for half a month, finally appeared!
When he reappeared, his face was pale, with many more white hairs on his temples, and his eyes, which had originally been bright and lively, now revealed fatigue and weakness.
Shu He, dressed in eunuch's clothes and disguised her appearance, quietly stood in the corner of the hall. She could tell at a glance that there was something wrong with Emperor Qiwen's condition.
All the officials bowed first, and then they heard the weak and feeble voice of Emperor Qiwen, "Stand up."
All the officials stood up and looked up, only to find that the emperor seemed to have aged twenty years. They were all shocked.
Grand Tutor Zhu was standing at the front and could see the most clearly. He tilted his head slightly and looked at Prime Minister Yan next to him.
The two looked at each other silently, and both saw the surprise in each other's eyes.
They originally thought that the emperor was just avoiding reality and therefore staying at home, but they didn't expect that he was actually so seriously ill.
As there are many state affairs piling up, the court will deal with state affairs first today.
Control floods, build water conservancy projects, resettle refugees, and provide disaster relief to the people...
Emperor Qiwen handled all matters very well. He basically agreed to all the suggestions made by Zhu Heng and Yan Xiang, and also pointed out some problems that the Grand Tutor and the Right Prime Minister had not thought of.
This was Shu He's first time to witness a court meeting, and also her first time to listen carefully to Emperor Qiwen handling state affairs.
It has to be said that perhaps Emperor Qiwen was not a good father or a good husband, but he was still qualified for the people of the world and for the throne.
Perhaps Prince Xiaoyang and Murong Lian were right. Emperor Qiwen in his teenage years did have the appearance and qualities of an emperor. He was the most suitable person to be the emperor among all the people of Tianqi at that time.
However, he was old, and he valued reputation, power, and self-esteem, which led him to become suspicious, cruel, and crazy.
……
Time passed quickly, noon was approaching, and the government affairs were finally completed.
When all the officials had nothing else to report, almost everyone assumed that the court meeting was coming to an end. After all, without Prince Li, no one would dare to force the emperor to issue a "repentance edict."
Unexpectedly, the emperor actually stood up in person. Liu Qin walked forward with two volumes of imperial edicts on the tray in his hand.
Emperor Qiwen took out one of the imperial edicts and walked to the front of the hall.
"Today, I have something else to announce."
The officials stared at the edict and subconsciously held their breath.
At this moment, a loud voice came from outside the palace: "The Queen has arrived!!"