Chapter 1237: Long live the Crown Prince!
"Milords, how is it? Check if this imperial edict is real or fake. Was it forged?"
When Duke Guo and the others checked that there was no problem with the imperial edict, n.o.ble Consort Zhou immediately struck the iron while it was hot and asked in an overbearing manner.
However, Duke Guo, Prime Minister Chen, and the other officials still had great doubts in their hearts.
n.o.ble Consort Zhou"s overbearing manner caused the civil and military officials below to look at each other in dismay. Then, they turned to look at Duke Guo and Prime Minister Chen in unison.
Duke Guo looked directly at Eunuch Zhang and asked with a dark expression," Eunuch Zhang, how is His Majesty now?"
Things had happened too quickly. First, it was said that Jiang Zhennan had poisoned the Emperor. Then, when these old officials wanted to enter the palace to visit the Emperor and find out the truth of the matter, n.o.ble Consort Zhou stopped them and even said that they could not disturb the Emperor"s rest.
Then, this scene happened the next morning.
Duke Guo felt that something was very strange.
He had a vague guess that this was a scheme by n.o.ble Consort Zhou, the Third Prince"s faction.
This was clearly a sign of a usurpation of power.
Jiang Zhennan poisoned the Majesty? That sounded too strange!
Hmph, it was very likely that they had poisoned His Majesty and then framed Jiang Zhennan.
Because they knew very well that if Jiang Zhennan had been there, they would never have succeeded in seizing the throne. Therefore, they had to take down Jiang Zhennan first.
Thinking of this, Duke Guo Gongjue muttered to himself, "I wonder how they set up this conspiracy, but it"s obvious that their plan is to seize power."
Duke Guo"s expression changed again as he said loudly," Imperial Concubine, what if I insist on seeing His Majesty?"
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Dehong, who had been watching from the side and letting his trusted aide speak, suddenly knelt down in front of Yuwen Feiye. His expression was respectful and serious as he shouted, "Long live the Crown Prince!"
As soon as Zhou Dehong finished shouting, his trusted aides and the Third Prince"s followers immediately reacted quickly and shouted, "Long live the Crown Prince!"
The other officials were stunned at first, but then they looked at Duke Guo and Prime Minister Chen in unison as if they were waiting for their decision.
There were also some officials who did not show it on the surface, but their hearts were secretly moved. They first looked at their kneeling colleagues, then at Duke Guo and Prime Minister Chen, whose faces were gloomy and ugly. Finally, they looked at Eunuch Zhang, who often accompanied the Emperor in the throne room. Their eyes were fixed on n.o.ble Consort Zhou and Third Prince Yuwen Feiye, who sat high up on the throne.
And then…
"Long live the Crown Prince!"
Everyone present understood the meaning of this kneel.
That was to acknowledge Yuwen Feiye as the Crown Prince!
There was only an imperial edict and no sign of His Majesty!
The atmosphere suddenly became very tense!
Other than that, no one else spoke!
As time pa.s.sed…
During this period of time, the officials knelt down one after another!
Seeing more and more people kneeling, n.o.ble Consort Zhou and Yuwen Feiye"s Third Prince"s people all smiled proudly. They seemed to be laughing at the fact that they might have won the bet but also at the officials who were still struggling!
In the end, only a few old officials and the loyal followers of the Emperor were left standing there!
n.o.ble Consort Zhou and Yuwen Feiye were both pleasantly surprised!
They had not expected the plan to progress so smoothly!
Before they could carry out the next step of their plan, most of the civil and military officials in the court had already acknowledged the two imperial edicts and Yuwen Feiye"s ident.i.ty as the Crown Prince!
What a pleasant surprise!
However, the two of them glanced at the few old officials standing in front of them, their faces filled with displeasure and anger.
n.o.ble Consort Zhou"s exquisite face sank as she asked sternly," Lord Guo, Lord Chen, Lord Zhang…Look, everyone has already acknowledged the Third Prince as the Crown Prince, but you still insist on seeing His Majesty?"
Duke Guo"s face darkened as he stubbornly asked," What if I insist on seeing Your Majesty?"
n.o.ble Consort Zhou and Yuwen Feiye"s expressions turned cold, and their eyes shone with a sharp and angry light.
Yuwen Feiye exuded a royal aura. He shouted at Duke Guo with a cold face," Lord Guo, it looks like you"re going to do this the hard way. Since that"s the case, then I need not be polite to you!" At this point, he shouted coldly, "Men!"
As soon as he said this, a group of soldiers rushed in from outside. It was obvious that these people were the Imperial Guards of the Imperial Palace!
It was obvious that the Third Prince and n.o.ble Consort Zhou had already taken control of the Imperial Guards.
Seeing the leader of the Imperial Guards, the eyes of all the officials widened in shock.
This...
Duke Guo"s face darkened when he saw this person.
He asked sternly," Lord Lin, what do you mean?"
Lin Yincheng, who was also the leader of the imperial guards, replied expressionlessly, "A clever man when to make his move."
Hearing this, Duke Guo suppressed his anger and asked again," So, you chose to betray His Majesty?"
Lin Yincheng revealed a disdainful smile and said," Lord Guo, you can"t say that. The Third Prince is the Crown Prince, that was personally conferred by His Majesty. So I"m being loyal for obeying his orders!"
Then, he knelt down to Yuwen Feiye and said, "Long live the Crown Prince!"
Yuwen Feiye immediately laughed and said," Lord Lin, you may rise!"
Then, Yuwen Feiye turned to Duke Guo and said," Lord Guo, a wise man knows how to read the situation!"
Duke Guo snorted coldly." Hmph!"
Looking at the way these people refused to enter, Yuwen Feiye said, "Since you are so stubborn, then don"t blame me! Lord Lin, Guo Mingyi, Chen Liangzhi, and the others colluded with the traitor Jiang Zhennan and are suspected of harming His Majesty. Detain them all!"
"Yes, sir!"
"This is slander!" Prime Minister Chen and the other old officials immediately retorted angrily!
Yuwen Feiye sneered and then asked the other officials below," My lords, is this slander?"
The civil and military officials looked around at the imperial guards, who pointed their sabers at them. They wiped off their cold sweat and said in unison," The Crown Prince is wise!"
Yuwen Feiye looked at Chen Liangzhi, Guo Mingyi, and the others complacently when he heard the answers. Then, his face darkened, and he said sternly," Guo Mingyi, Chen Liangzhi, and the others are suspected of colluding with the traitor Jiang Zhennan to murder His Majesty. Put them in the imperial prison for them to await their punishment!"
"Yes, sir!"
Lin Yincheng and his subordinates obeyed the order.
Right at this moment…
"Give me medicine, give me medicine…"
Yuwen Longyan, who was in a sorry state, ran out from behind and ran straight to n.o.ble Consort Zhou. Then, he knelt down in front of her and pleaded pitifully," Beloved Consort, give me medicine, give me medicine! I promise to be obedient!"
Yuwen Longyan"s sudden appearance stunned everyone!