Chapter 358 - 358 King Ping Enters the Capital
358 King Ping Enters the Capital
In her free time, she finally completed the making of the Cooling Summer Pearls.
She repeatedly pounded the incense clay.
It wasn’t until the incense mud was as delicate as dough, soft, gently stretched, and tough that the incense beads made wouldn’t crack and shrink. The fragrance would also last longer.
After hammering the incense clay, Yu Youyao began to rub the beads together. They were shaped and dry!
After working for two hours, Yu Youyao stretched. “It’s finally done. It’ll be done in three days.”
Chun Xiao handed her a cup of tea.
Yu Youyao took the tea and drank it. Only then did she suddenly realize that she was sweating a lot. It was very uncomfortable for her clothes to stick to her body. “Get some water from the kitchen. I want to take a shower.”
Moudling the incense clay was a physical task that lasted for two hours.
Chun Xiao quickly went down to make arrangements.
After Yu Youyao finished bathing, Xia Tao ran in in a panic. “Young Miss, Young Miss, it’s all over the news outside. His Highness, King Ping, has brought his heir into the capital. This morning, he dragged his seriously injured son to the palace gate and asked to see the emperor…”
“What?!” Yu Youyao’s eyes widened in shock. She lost her grip on the teacup in her hand and it fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
The news of King Ping entering the capital spread throughout the court like a thunderclap.
Xia Yansheng, the Cabinet Grand Secretary who was over 70 years old, had just left the court. He had just changed into his usual clothes and did not even have time to take a sip of tea. His old body trembled as he asked the servant beside him to put on his court clothes. He sat in a small sedan chair and was carried into the palace.
The a.s.sistant Minister of Revenue, Yu Zongshen, who was also the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Library, and the fourth-grade Imperial Censor, Yu Zongzheng, rushed into the palace, including the other court officials.
It was said that King Ping, who was over forty years old, had entered the capital at full speed. Without even taking a break, he carried a bundle of thorns and headed straight for the palace gate.
King Ping had a burly figure and exuded a heroic aura. He took off his python robe and knelt at the palace gate.
Under the scorching sun above his head, he shouted one after another, “I, Liang Xiao, King Ping of Zhenliang Prefecture, and my heir, Liang Jingye, request to see His Majesty.”
Last year, he had been seriously injured in the battle with the Southern Barbarians. Before his injuries had recovered, he had been riding his horse at full speed, causing his old injuries to relapse and blood to stain his chest.
He was originally a young and strong king who controlled a large number of troops. He was in charge of a war and guarding his territory.
However, at this moment, her face was withered and he was kneeling at the palace gate in low spirits. He was so weak that he seemed to be on the verge of death.
Kneeling beside him was his only legitimate son, Liang Jingye, the heir of King Ping. “I, Liang Jingye, and my father, Liang Xiao, King Ping, request an audience with the Emperor.”
The journey was tiring. Even the young and strong Liang Jingye was in a sorry state.
When the officials pa.s.sed by the palace gate, they couldn’t help but take a few more glances at the father and son. They couldn’t help but feel anxious and panicked.
However, no one dared to chat with them and rushed into the palace.
“I, Liang Xiao, King Ping of Zhenliang Prefecture, and my heir, Liang Jingye, request to see His Majesty.”
“I, Liang Jingye, and my father, Liang Xiao, King Ping, request an audience with the Emperor.”
The father and son knelt at the entrance of the palace and shouted, but they did not dare to cross the line.
The royal court was already in an uproar.
The emperor, who had not been to court for a long time, did not even have time to change out of his dragon robe. He only wore his Daoist robe and went up to the throne room.
He was almost 50 years old. As he had not been to court for a long time and had been taking mineral pills for a long time, his forehead was green and his eyes were slightly dark, making him look listless. When he heard the court officials arguing below, he was annoyed. He supported his arms and rested his forehead on the dragon throne.
“The va.s.sal kings are not allowed to enter the capital without an order. Otherwise, they will be punished with treason. King Ping is so rebellious, he should be killed on the spot.”
“That’s not right. King Ping was seriously injured all the way into the capital and even brought his heir along. He must have something important to discuss with the emperor. The emperor should meet King Ping before dealing with him.”
“That’s true. King Ping is guarding the southern border, and this is a serious matter. In the past few years, the Southern Barbarians have been restless and invading. There aren’t many generals available in the court, and even if there are suitable candidates, the Southern Barbarians are good at poison and have strange methods. Only by knowing one’s own strength and the enemy’s strength can one defeat the enemy and win. Therefore, we still have to rely on King Ping for the war in the southern border. We really shouldn’t be so arbitrary and execute them on the spot.”
“What a joke. Our Great Zhou Dynasty is a vast country. Do you think we’re afraid of that small Southern Barbarians?”
“King Ping’s entry into the capital without an edict violates the ancestral teachings. This trend can’t continue, and this behavior can’t be indulged. Otherwise, if the va.s.sal lords everywhere follow suit, wouldn’t it be chaotic?”
“Although King Ping’s actions are not rebellious and have no ulterior motives, his heir is seriously injured and he has even brought his heir into the capital alone without bringing a single soldier. What else can he have in mind?”
“No matter what, King Ping has violated the ancestral rules. He shouldn’t be tolerated.”
“King Ping has guarded the southern border for many years and has worked hard. With his status, entering the capital on his own will only lead to death. However, he still entered the capital. Even if the emperor is here on account of the relationship between the emperor and his subjects. He should meet King Ping.”
In the court, the court officials argued until their faces turned red. Some tried to mediate, while others added fuel to the fire.
Immediately, there was chaos.
The current emperor, who was sitting in the golden hall, only felt countless flies buzzing in his ears.
The scene in front of him reminded him of the Di Clan’s wanton invasion of the north more than three years ago. King You, Yin Lixing, had been defeated repeatedly and lost several cities.
When the news reached the palace, the court officials also talked about how Yin Lixing had a large army and his contributions were shocking. It was only right that King You, Yin Lixing, enter the capital to meet the emperor and let the Marquis of Weining take over the war in the north.
Note: Yin Lixing is the father of his heir, Yin Huaixi. He guards Youzhou and is known as the King of the North. Due to his outstanding military achievements, everyone in the world respects him.
While King You was still on his way to the capital, there was news from the capital that his heir, Yin Huaixi, had died in battle without a corpse. Consort You and the princess had committed suicide by taking poison and burning the You Residence.
When King You saw him, he said, “If you want me to die, I have no choice but to die!”
Then, he vomited blood and died in the golden hall.
King You had committed suicide before the three divisions had even gone through the trial. If news of this matter were to spread, it would damage the reputation of the royal family and it would be difficult to explain to the va.s.sal lords everywhere. In order to prevent the world from being in turmoil and the court from having the same goal, King You’s death was not announced. After pretending to go through the three divisions’ trial, they hastily convicted King You of colluding with the enemy to commit treason. The emperor took into account their brotherhood and gave him a cup of poisonous wine. This matter was let off lightly.
King You liked to eat, drink, and play since he was young. He was not good at literature or martial arts. He was famous for being a good-for-nothing.