The Red Mansions

Chapter 1636 Li Zan: The 8th Prince is a man of great stature and good character

Chapter 1636 Li Zan: The Eighth Prince is a man of great stature and a gentle character...

Palace, Palace

Just when Queen Song and Princess Xianning were feeling extremely worried about the "forced abdication" in front of the palace gate, they heard the voices of the nanny and the female official coming from outside.

"Empress Rong has arrived." A maid said.

Then a beautiful lady in a white dress and with a graceful and elegant demeanor walked quickly into the hall, spreading a rich fragrance along the way.

A golden hairpin swayed gently above her lush bun, and her movements were elegant and calm.

She is charming and attractive.

Queen Song asked curiously, "Sister, you are here?"

Concubine Duanrong said softly, "Sister, something happened outside, and I was worried in Funing Palace, so I came to see you."

When Queen Song raised her eyes, she called Concubine Duanrong over and asked, "People outside just said that everything is fine now."

Concubine Duanrong's eyes flickered as she trimmed her eyebrows. She asked, "Sister, such a big thing happened in the capital. Ziyu should be back by now."

Princess Xianning said, "After such a big incident, the master must come back."

Queen Song was silent for a moment and said, "Yes."

That little fox happened to go to Taiyuan at this time. What would they do if the rebel army broke into the palace?

At this moment, a maid dressed in silk and satin with an old face hurried into the palace and said, "Empress Rong, the Empress Dowager is in Wuying Palace asking Empress Rong to come over."

Imperial Concubine Duanrong was inexplicably happy, but her beautiful face showed no trace of joy. She said, "Sister, I won't accompany you. I'll leave first."

Queen Song watched Concubine Duanrong leave, and her heart was filled with speculation.

Princess Xianning frowned and said, "My mother..."

"There's something strange about your mother." Queen Song frowned slightly, her beautiful eyebrows as dark as emerald green, and there was a hint of doubt in her voice.

After all, they were sisters in the boudoir for many years, and Queen Song was still able to keenly capture some of Concubine Duanrong's emotional changes.

Palace Garden, Wuying Palace——

Empress Dowager Feng, with gray hair, sat expressionlessly on a pearwood chair, while Zhen Qing, dressed in a light blue dress, looked ashen, and her pale face was full of sadness.

"Empress Dowager, the Imperial Concubine is here." At this moment, a tall and straight young eunuch came in from the outer room and spoke.

As everyone was talking, they looked towards Concubine Duanrong.

"Your servant greets the Grand Empress Dowager Zeng." As Concubine Duanrong spoke, she walked quickly forward with her plump and graceful steps and spoke in a low voice.

Empress Dowager Feng said in a gentler voice, "Rong Fei is here."

Imperial Concubine Duanrong looked respectful, bowed, and said softly, "I don't know if the Empress Dowager Zeng has summoned you. What is it that you want to tell me?"

Empress Dowager Feng put down the blue and white porcelain teacup in her hand, looked at Li Zan beside her, and whispered, "Let Lord Li tell you."

Li Zan said, "Empress Rong, after consultation with Empress Dowager Zeng, I have decided to appoint the eighth prince Chen Ze as the new king, to serve as the heir to the ancestral temple and shoulder the responsibility of governing the country."

At this moment, Zhen Qing was sitting not far away. Her flawless white face seemed to be filled with dark anger, and her eyes were full of indignation and glare.

This Concubine Rong is here to steal her son Jie'er's throne. How hateful!

Concubine Duanrong deliberately asked, "Why... why do you want to depose the emperor and establish a new one for no reason?"

"The young ruler is in power and the country is in turmoil. The eighth prince has a noble appearance and a gentle character. He is worthy of the responsibility of the country." Li Zan's expression became serious, and his voice became clearer as he spoke loudly.

At this time, no one brought up the issue of Chen Ze's bloodline anymore.

Empress Dowager Feng took over the conversation and asked, "Where is Ze'er?"

Concubine Duanrong said softly, "Your Majesty, Ze'er is still studying in Funing Palace."

Empress Dowager Feng said quickly, "Let Ze'er come over."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Duanrong responded and ordered the female officials accompanying her to go to Funing Palace to find Chen Ze.

While Li Zan was speaking, he winked at the cabinet clerk beside him, then quickly left Wuying Hall to meet the eighth prince Chen Ze.

Zhen Qing's face was as white as snow and covered with frost. She said, "You are so bold and reckless. Wait until King Wei returns from Taiyuan and we'll see how you end up!"

By now, Zhen Qing was a little panicked. It could be said that Zhen Qing had never thought of going this far.

In Zhen Qing's imagination, she should be standing on the city wall, scolding the officers of the Beijing camp, who would then confess that Li Zan and others were the masterminds behind the scenes. She would then give an order to arrest Li Zan and others, thus establishing her prestige as the queen mother.

But all this is just Zhen Qing's fantasy moment, just a fleeting flash of light and shadow in time and space.

Empress Dowager Feng said in a gentle tone, "Fei Rong, Ze'er is a smart and filial person. If we let him ascend the throne and become the emperor, he will surely become a wise ruler."

After a while, several burly young eunuchs, surrounded by a young man with a handsome figure and stern brows, walked into the hall.

"Mother." Chen Ze walked up to Concubine Duanrong, bowed respectfully, and said in a low voice: "Your son greets you, mother."

Concubine Duanrong looked at Chen Ze, pointed at Li Zan beside him, and introduced him, "Ze'er, this is Lord Li, you two can chat."

Li Zan looked at the heroic young man with a warm gaze, as if he had seen the future Holy Emperor. He encouraged him and said, "Your Highness, the court is in turmoil now. After you ascend the throne, you must carry on the will of Emperor Shizong Xian and carry forward the great cause of the Chongping New Deal."

Chen Ze's face showed a nostalgic look, and he said: "Lord Li, when my father was alive, he often taught me. Although I was young at that time, I dare not forget my father's teachings for a day."

Although Concubine Duanrong did not have too many expectations for the eighth prince, thanks to Lu Li's attention in the past, he had learned a lot about civil and military strategies, and how to govern a country over the years.

Empress Dowager Feng nodded with satisfaction and said, "Lord Li, please draft the decree."

Li Zan nodded, then looked at Qi Kun standing beside him and whispered, "Master Qi, let's write together."

Once the imperial edict is drafted and disseminated to all parts of the country, that is when the dust has settled and it will be difficult to change it.

Qi Kun sighed secretly in his heart, walked to a lacquered wooden desk, gently picked up a goat-hair brush, and began to write the imperial edict.

The first imperial edict was to depose the young emperor Chen Jie from the throne. It mainly listed the chaos in the court since Chen Jie ascended the throne, leading to natural disasters and warnings.

The second one was an imperial edict to establish the eighth prince Chen Ze. In the edict, Li Zan praised Chen Ze as rare and unparalleled in the world.

Zhen Qing, at this moment, sat on a pearwood chair beside her, quietly watching the two cabinet ministers handling the dethronement and enthronement. She felt her hands and feet were cold and she could hardly control herself.

They are trying to take away her son's throne. This is simply outrageous!

She, Zhen Qing, would never agree to it!

Just wait, when that bastard comes back, he will teach these people a lesson!

No, didn’t that bastard say it was just a show?

Here, Empress Dowager Feng looked kindly at the eighth prince Chen Ze with her old and fair face, and said, "When you ascend the throne and become the emperor, you must be a good emperor who works hard and loves the people."

Chen Ze had just vaguely sensed something, and now that he got confirmation from Empress Dowager Feng, his heart was inexplicably shocked.

Are they going to make him emperor?

Although Chen Ze had thought about this matter in the past, he never dared to dream about it.

Concubine Duanrong raised her eyes and looked at her son. There was an inexplicable sense of relief in her sparkling eyes.

Ze'er has really grown up.

After Qi Kun drafted the imperial edict, he immediately handed it to Li Zan who was standing beside him and said, "Lord, the imperial edict is ready."

Li Zan raised his eyebrows, his eyes sparkling, and whispered, "Use the seal."

As he spoke, a cabinet clerk held up a jade seal, dipped it in red ink, and stamped it on the imperial edict written on light yellow silk.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Feng said, "Lord Li, spread the imperial edict throughout China and abroad, and communicate it to all prefectures and counties."

Li Zan raised his thin eyebrows, his cold eyes were warm, he cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Madam."

"Prince Wei knows about the changes in the capital, he will most likely come over." Empress Dowager Feng paused slightly, her jade-like face beneath her emerald eyebrows, and spoke softly.

Zhen Qing looked ashen at the moment, but her heart was filled with worry.

They are going to depose Jie'er from the throne.

At this moment, the beauty was so sad that she could hardly breathe.

At this moment, while Li Zan was talking, he came close to Empress Dowager Feng and said softly, "Your Majesty, please take over the affairs of the palace for the time being."

Empress Dowager Feng paused for a moment and said, "Just leave these to Concubine Rong."

At this moment, Concubine Duanrong paused for a moment, and with her emerald eyebrows, she looked at Empress Dowager Feng with a warm gaze. She walked closer and said, "I will imprison Zhen first."

As he spoke, he instructed the palace maids and eunuchs beside him, "Imprison Zhen in Kunning Palace for the time being, and we will discuss the rest later."

"Yes." Zhou Fang, the eunuch and the palace maid did not say anything else, and then spoke.

Li Zan cupped his hands and said, "Empress Dowager, tomorrow morning, I will summon all the civil and military officials in the court to support the new emperor."

As the saying goes, the longer the night, the more dreams you will have. Only after the status of the ruler and his subjects is determined, the rest of the things will be easier to handle.

At this time, everyone tacitly did not mention Jia Heng.

In other words, the negotiations with Jia Heng have to wait until Jia Heng returns from Shenjing City.

Empress Dowager Feng was also a little tired, so she left Wuying Palace accompanied by several maids and headed towards the back house.

At this moment, several maids and female officials helped the distraught Zhen Qing out of Wuying Palace and went to Kunning Palace for imprisonment.

At this moment, Concubine Duanrong stared at Li Zan, her eyes sparkling under her emerald eyebrows, and she said, "Lord Li, the soldiers are still lingering in the palace. The aura of war is disturbing the royal family and making people in the court and the public feel uncertain."

Li Zan was silent for a moment, then said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Now that everything has been completed, we will not allow the troops from the Beijing camp to disturb the peace of the palace."

Concubine Duanrong raised her eyebrows, her eyes clear, and asked, "What did Ziyu say?"

Li Zan thought for a moment and said softly, "Your Majesty can go and talk more with Princess Xianning."

Princess Xianning's attitude is crucial in the subsequent negotiations with King Wei.

Princess Xianning now has Prince Wei's child, so it is impossible for Prince Wei not to be cautious.

Concubine Duanrong said softly, "Xianning is in the palace right now. I will talk to her in a moment."

Li Zan didn't say anything else at this moment. His eyes were shining brightly as he said, "Your Majesty, in a few days, the Prince of Wei may come back. Whether you can force the Prince of Wei to give in at that time depends entirely on you and Princess Xianning."

Concubine Duanrong looked at Li Zan with a worried look on her face and said, "Then just strip Ziyu of his princely title immediately. Don't force him too much."

The palms and backs of your hands are all made of flesh, there's no need to tear each other apart.

Li Zan adjusted his face and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Prince Wei is a pillar of the country. No one in the government or the public would harm him. Even if his title of Prince is stripped, his title of Prince of a County will remain hereditary. He will live with the country. This is the way to protect him for the long term."

Imperial Concubine Duanrong nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Elder Li."

Li Zan nodded, his eyes shining brightly, and bowed in agreement.

After Concubine Duanrong finished speaking, she did not stay in Wuying Palace for long and went to the outer room.

As for the eighth prince Chen Ze, he stayed in the Wuying Palace, where Li Zan gave him instructions on how to ascend the throne in the next few days.

When Yan Ye saw this scene, he knew that the situation was now settled, and he couldn't help but feel an indescribable joy in his heart.

When the new emperor ascends the throne and rewards his meritorious officials, his title of prince will surely be restored.

Cao Bianjiao saw this scene from the side, and his tiger eyes under his thick eyebrows could not help but become a little gloomy.

In a few days, King Wei should come over.

……

……

In the palace where Queen Song is——

At this moment, Queen Song was sitting on a soft couch covered with a mattress, with a look of worry on her beautiful face.

Princess Xianning's sparkling eyes flickered for a moment under her willow-shaped eyebrows, and she said, "I don't know what the situation is like outside? The shouting and killing sounds seem to be getting weaker now."

Queen Song's tone was somewhat uncertain as she said, "It should be over now."

Princess Xianning frowned, and a thoughtful look appeared on her snow-white face. She said softly, "Mother, I have a feeling that the situation is not good."

Queen Song's eyes were warm under her beautiful eyebrows, and she asked softly, "What's going on?"

At this moment, a tall, fair-faced maid entered the hall and whispered, "Your Highness, Imperial Concubine Duanrong is here."

Queen Song heard this and asked curiously, "Sister, what's going on outside? What did the Queen Mother call you for?"

On the graceful and beautiful face of Concubine Duanrong, a smile of great prosperity hung, and she said, "Sister, the war outside has disappeared."

Queen Song raised her eyebrows, her eyes warm, and asked, "What's going on?"

Concubine Duanrong's snow-white face seemed to be covered with a layer of blushing aura. She pursed her slightly pink lips and said softly, "The Queen Mother means to depose the young emperor Chen Jie and let Ze'er ascend the throne."

Queen Song: “…”

What's going on? How can Ze'er ascend the throne and become emperor?

At this moment, Queen Song was probably feeling shocked.

Because in Queen Song's opinion, Concubine Duanrong has never been a competitive person, but it was this non-competitive character that reaped the biggest rewards in the end.

Imperial Concubine Duanrong seemed to be a little emotional, and said: "Sister, the Queen Mother and the Cabinet said that a country without a permanent ruler will be in doubt if the ruler is young. Ze'er is a little older, so it just so happens that he has taken over."

Queen Song calmed her complicated mind and said softly, "Ze'er, he is smart, kind and filial. If he can ascend the throne and become emperor, it will be a good thing for the country and the people."

At this moment, Queen Song raised her eyes and glanced at Chen Luo not far away. An indescribable feeling of sadness surged in her heart.

She is the elder sister, and her Luo'er has not become emperor yet.

Princess Xianning had slender, curved eyebrows and eyes filled with disbelief. She asked in surprise, "Is my brother going to ascend the throne?"

Why would my younger brother become the emperor out of the blue?

"The Empress Dowager Zeng has already made the decision. The cabinet has drafted an edict to make your eighth brother the emperor. It will be delivered to the capital in the next two days." Concubine Duanrong explained.

After saying this, Concubine Duanrong turned her head to look at Princess Xianning and said, "Xianning, your brother has ascended the throne this time, and he needs you, as his elder sister, to take better care of him."

Princess Xianning's beautiful eyes sparkled under her slender eyebrows, and she asked with concern, "Mother, does the gentleman know about this matter?"

Princess Xianning was not a person without political wisdom, and she probably realized that this was a coup that was concealed from Jia Heng.

I'm afraid that it's just Xiang Zhuang dancing with a sword, aiming at Pei Gong.

When Concubine Duanrong heard this, the smile on her cold and beautiful face froze a little, and she said, "Didn't Ziyu go to Taiyuan?"

Princess Xianning asked, "What should we do after the master comes back?"

Under the pair of eyebrows that were as beautiful as green and dark blue, and the pair of charming eyes that were flowing with waves, Concubine Duanrong said, "After he comes back, it won't be too late for mother to talk to him again."

Queen Song was talking to her mother and daughter beside her. It was obvious that she was thinking a lot and was somewhat unsettled.

Would that little fox really be willing to give up his son's throne to someone else?

Instead of doing this, it would be better to take her son over right away, let him ascend the throne and become emperor. He will surely become a wise and holy ruler.

Under the slender eyebrows of Concubine Duanrong, her beautiful eyes sparkled like water. She whispered, "Zi Yu is in Taiyuan, Shanxi now. I don't know how he is doing."

Princess Xianning's charming eyes seemed to be filled with charming waves. She felt worried and whispered, "The master should be here in the next two days."

Concubine Duanrong felt inexplicably worried and sighed, "Yes."

I’m afraid Zi Yu won’t let this go when he comes back.

But she was also forced. Who made Zi Yu defile the palace and tarnish the emperor's bloodline?

Emperor Sejong treated him well, so how could he do such a shameless thing?

Queen Song raised her eyes and glanced at the vast sky outside. She felt complicated and said in a low voice, "Sister, it's getting late. Let's have dinner first."

Concubine Duanrong responded softly, then picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks and started to eat, but her mood was quite uneasy.

……

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