Chapter 934: How Awkward
Zhuge Shu was in charge of the affairs of the Imperial Guard. Unlike the officials of the outer court, he was definitely present in the palace. Xie Xian changed into his court clothes and entered the palace. Before he entered the gate of Taiji Palace, he heard Empress Xiao’s cold voice from inside:
“Are you plotting a rebellion? Hurry up and let me in!”
“His Majesty has decreed that no one is allowed to take a step inside without being summoned.”
“I am the Empress!”
“I am the general of His Majesty’s cavalry and only listen to His Majesty’s orders.”
Empress Xiao couldn’t be bothered to be angry at this time. Her heart was like it was soaked in ice, and she felt that things were not going well. No matter how bad things were between the two of them, if she came to Taiji Palace, the Emperor would more or less give her face. Even if she did not see him, he would send the Head Chief Duo Fu instead of the Suwei General.
“Get out of my way!”
Zhuge Shu was the one confronting Empress Xiao.
Presumably, this person was also an insider. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so unyielding as to not allow Empress Xiao to enter. One had to know that the relationship between the empress and the emperor had been relatively stable recently, and it was not to the point where they were at loggerheads.
“General Wei!”
Although Zhuge Shu and the Empress were confronting each other, the first person to see him was not the two of them, but Duo Fu, who had been shivering behind the door and observing in secret.
He pushed open the door of the hall as if he had seen his savior and rushed out.
Halfway through, she suddenly realized that something was wrong. She stopped and walked over to Xie Xian with square steps. She could no longer see anyone else, and her legs were trembling as she walked.
” General Wei,” Duo Fu said while trembling,””His Majesty has summoned you. Please follow me into the hall.”
Empress Xiao took two steps in front of Xie Xian and looked straight at Xie Xian with a dense gaze. General Wei, General You, What do you mean?”
Xie Xian lowered his eyes slightly.”
With just one sentence, Empress Xiao knew…It was over.
Emperor Yong Ping was definitely in trouble.
Otherwise, no matter what, he, Xie Xian, would not be able to make the decision in Taiji Palace. The Empress of a country needed him to speak when she entered Taiji Palace.
Empress Xiao staggered. Gui Zhi hurriedly went forward to support the Empress. She only felt that the Empress’s pair of ice was cold, like a dead person. She was also afraid. The atmosphere in Taiji Palace was too strange.
“Jiang Xia King and Princess Consort…They were still waiting in the East Hall. They had been urged a few times. They were afraid that they would come at any time.”she said softly.
Xie Xian nodded slightly and looked at Zhuge Shu.”Guard the West Hall. No one is allowed to enter or leave. Those who violate this rule will be killed without mercy.”His words were terrifying.
Zhuge Shu’s heart trembled and he could only nod.
Xie Xian raised his hand at Duo Fu and was led into the West Hall. On the dragon bed where Emperor Yong Ping rested, the Emperor, who had just turned twenty, was lying on it, bleeding from all seven orifices. His fingers scratched his chest, and the blood was greenish black.
Although Empress Xiao was mentally prepared, she was not as shocked as she was when she faced the scene. She was so frightened that she directly sat on the ground.
Gui Zhi also wanted to help her up, but she was so frightened that her entire body was trembling. She was brought to the ground by Empress Xiao, and her legs were weak.
“Emperor…Your Majesty…” Empress Xiao gritted her teeth.”
“Now isn’t the time for this.”Before Xie Xian could finish his words, Zhuge Shu’s loud voice could be heard from outside,
“Please stop. Without the emperor’s summons, no one is allowed to enter!”
Immediately after, King Jiang Xia’s slightly aged voice sounded,”
“Then I’ll have to trouble the general of the cavalry to pass the message. We’ve long had an edict waiting for you. The Emperor and Empress are going to hold a family banquet, but why is everyone here? Instead, His Majesty has never appeared. Now, even the Empress has disappeared.”
“Is your health not good, Imperial Brother?” If that’s the case, why don’t you tell us to disperse first?”
King Jiang Xia coughed twice.
Without waiting for him to speak, the Eldest Princess stood out.”That won’t do. What’s wrong with Imperial Brother? At least give us a word and don’t make us worry.”
Xiao Baoshu followed behind without saying a word.
Zhuge Shu could tell that these people would not give up until they saw the Emperor. It was easy to say that Prince Jiang Xia would not force himself on them because of his status, but the Eldest Princess of Xuancheng was lawless. If she really made a fuss, she might really break in.
The Eldest Princess of Xuan City was Xie Xian’s little brother-in-law’s wife, so she could really be killed without mercy.
If he dared to kill them, Xiao Baoshu and Xiao Baoxin would be able to kill him alive.
However, he hesitated. Xie Xian had previously said that he was not allowed to enter or leave. However, the other party did not disobey and wanted to barge in. He only wanted to pass the message. It was just a show. If he refused again, it would not look good.
“Wait a moment.” Zhuge Shu gave his adjutant a look and ordered his men to stand guard before returning to the hall.
“Time waits for no man. I’ll have to trouble the Empress outside.”Xie Xian glanced at Empress Xiao indifferently. He could see the fear in her heart, but he didn’t explain and only said,
“Tell me the truth, there’s no need to hide it. After that, there will be a subject.”
“Just don’t let Prince Jiang Xia leave the palace.”
Empress Xiao was now a grasshopper tied to the same thread as Xie Xian. If she could not fly out, he could not escape either.
No matter what Xie Xian was planning, she was already on his side. Moreover, only his camp had nothing on them, not even a son. The Emperor did favor the Xiao family of Lanling and transferred the original provincial governors of Ning and Yi to another place in the capital. The two brothers each led a provincial governor, but the sky was high and the Emperor was far away. The only one who could rely on in Jiankang was the Xie family.
However, this Xie Xian of the Xie Clan was unfathomable and could not be understood at all.
Empress Xiao hated Emperor Yong Ping to death.
Although the previous emperor had also been killed, he had been an emperor for more than ten years. He had enjoyed himself and had been awe-inspiring. Their emperor had been fighting since he ascended the throne, not giving him a chance to breathe. It was not easy to have more than half a year of peace, but he did not know who had fallen into someone’s trap. He did not even leave her a son and a daughter before he died.
“Alright, I’ll go see the King of Yuzhang.” Empress Xiao took a deep breath. Although her face was still pale, her eyes were clear. It was obvious that she had returned to her senses.
“General Wei.” Zhuge Shu knocked on the door and said,”The King of Jiangxia and the King King of Yuzhang are seeking an audience.” Your Majesty.”
Xie Xian ignored her and only lowered his voice to walk in front of Empress Xiao. He said in a very small voice,”Just say…Your Majesty… There’s a posthumous edict.”
Empress Xiao turned pale with fright and stared at Xie Xian in shock. What was this person trying to do?
Xie Xian’s eyes were crystal clear, and he remained calm in the face of danger.
Empress Xiao thought it through in a flash. She had no choice but to do it.
Xie Xian was guarding against Prince Jiang Xia. At most, he would be an assistant minister while she was still the Empress Dowager. However, if Jiang Xia King took the opportunity to stir up trouble or push out the King of Yuzhang, would there still be a place for her in the palace?
How awkward was her identity?