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Chapter 446: Husband and Wife, Father and Son, Brothers
Chapter 446: Husband and Wife, Father and Son, Brothers
| Ningshou Palace. |
The youngest architectural community in the palace, which has been in use for less than ten years, was owned by the most powerful elders in the palace.
It was almost midnight.
The main hall of Ningshou Palace was still brightly lit, with more than a dozen internal attendants distributed inside and outside the hall door, each of them resembling clay carvings and wooden sculptures, afraid to make any sound.
The only exception was eunuch Xia Shouzhong from the imperial harems.
He stood closest to the imperial case in the hall, sometimes looking at the Emperor sitting on the dragon chair and sometimes looking out of the hall. Although his feet were as motionless as the roots of an old tree, his heart was as restless as ants in a hot pot.
For over ten years!
It has been over ten years, and since then, Xia Shouzhong has never seen the Supreme Emperor close his eyes and contemplate in the dragon chair.
However, before abdicating, the Supreme Emperor would silently contemplate every difficult and decisive event, ranging from a moment to just one or two hours.
But today, the Supreme Emperor has been sitting for half a day!
He was almost eighty now, and even if he was well-maintained regularly, how could he withstand such ups and downs?!
Xia Shouzhong deliberately advised with a few words but ultimately didn’t dare to exceed his duty. While feeling anxious, he saw a light outside the hall from far to near.
Xia Shouzhong was immediately overjoyed. In the quiet of the night, even if Emperor Guangde came, he would make people report first. Nowadays, only Empress Dowager Niu could drive in without reporting.
As expected.
After a moment of effort, an elderly woman walked slowly into the hall, leaning on a cane.
“Ouch~”
Xia Shouzhong let out a gasp of surprise as he quickly stepped forward and cursed with hatred, "You inconspicuous dogs, don't you know how to serve the Empress Dowager?”
This old woman was naturally Empress Dowager Niu, but when she turned her head towards Xia Shouzhong, she signaled that he didn't need to come forward to help, and then she climbed the imperial stairs without hesitation.
Although this imperial staircase was only on the third floor, it still made her breathing appear a bit heavy. After a short rest, she finally arrived at the imperial table.
However, she didn’t disturb the closed eyes and contemplation of the Supreme Emperor. Instead, she gently leaned the cane against the imperial table, poured the already cold residual tea, and picked up the purple clay pot, trembling to fill a glass.
Ka~
When the purple clay pot was placed back in the tray, it accidentally knocked and eventually startled the Supreme Emperor. He slowly lifted his eyelids and fixed his gaze on the steaming tea cup. After a while, he finally reached out his dry palm.
Phew
Seeing this, Xia Shouzhong breathed a sigh of relief and secretly praised that the Empress Dowager's face was indeed greater.
Unexpectedly, the Supreme Emperor's movements suddenly accelerated. He swung up his sleeve and vigorously brushed it, sweeping the teacup, along with the tray underneath, onto the ground!
Clang!
As the teacup shattered on the ground, it seemed that all the attendants inside and outside the Ningshou Palace had been hit with an arrow on their knees simultaneously, and then they all kneeled!
Only Xia Shouzhong hurriedly roared up the imperial rank and said with concern, "Your Majesty, are you okay?”
“Get lost.”
However, his concern was blocked by a hoarse roar before it could fully burst out of his throat.
Xia Shouzhong paused and hesitated as he looked towards Empress Dowager Niu.
Empress Dowager Niu was calm and tight, only using her chin to move outward and calmly commanding, "You all go down.”
Xia Shouzhong then led his attendants and exited the main hall of Ningshou Palace like a tide.
When only the husband and wife were left in the hall, Empress Dowager Niu supported the imperial case and walked around to the Supreme Emperor. She leaned against him and sat on the dragon chair, still persuading in a calm tone, "If Your Majesty has any discomfort, just vent it. Why bother venting your own body?”
“Hehe…”
On the wrinkled old face of the Supreme Emperor, a hint of mockery appeared, and he murmured, “”Whitehead is as new as ever, and it's as old as ever.” I never imagined that it took me until I was nearly eighty years old to understand the true meaning of these words.”
As he spoke, he patted the arm of the dragon chair lightly with his dry palm and sneered, "You are seventy-six this year, am I right? Although you are nine years later than Wu Zhao, you still have time to compete.”
Wu Zetian ascended to the throne at the age of 67, and the words of the Supreme Emperor clearly accuse Empress Dowager Niu of wanting to learn from Wu Zetian's plan to usurp the throne and establish herself as the Emperor.
Faced with such accusations, Empress Dowager Niu only frowned slightly and sighed, "It turns out that Your Majesty is suspecting the assassination of the Crown Prince, which is related to me.”
“Although I am old, I have not lost my sight, hearing, or heart yet.”
The tone of the Supreme Emperor's voice suddenly increased a few degrees, and he gritted his teeth a few times. He angrily said, "If the Emperor were changed this time, your precious nephew wouldn't have to test his Third Brother’s intentions in fear all day long.”
“Your Niu family will then be able to maintain wealth and prosperity for a long time.”
“Good calculation, indeed, a good calculation.”
“But hasn't your precious nephew thought about it? The Crown Prince is also my grandson and my closest relative! If you cut off his descendants, you are also cutting off one of my bloodlines. Why should I still protect your entire family?”
As he spoke, he clenched his fists and opened his beard and hair, glaring ferociously at the Empress Dowager beside him!
However, Empress Dowager Niu still looked at him calmly, without any fear or retreat."Your Majesty, if you can prove that the Crown Prince's case was indeed committed by our Niu family, you may as well have our Niu family's entire family executed, and I have no complaints.”
“If there is no evidence, you are still determined that our Niu family did it. Your Majesty, please kill the entire Niu family together with me. I will have no complaints.”
“You…”
After hearing these words, the Supreme Emperor became increasingly angry, staring at the wrinkled old face of Empress Dowager Niu. He raised his hand several times and tried to hit her, but ultimately couldn't take it down.
Sixty-one years of companionship!
From a teenage girl to a seventy-year-old woman, it was rare; from guarding the border of Jiangnan; from the powerful princes and concubines to the empress dowager of the matriarch world.”
How many joys and sorrows have been shared during this period, and how much life and death were interdependent?
He was afraid it was just like the wrinkles on his old face, and he couldn't count them clearly!
How could these fetters be easily abandoned?
Moreover, after eleven years of abdication, the Supreme Emperor had long since lost his decisive decision to kill.
Ah~
With a long sigh, the Supreme Emperor collapsed on the cushion behind him and said in a faint voice, "My third son has always been a skilled person, otherwise, I wouldn't have passed the throne to him. Now that someone has cut off his descendants, how can he be willing to give up?”
Empress Dowager Niu smiled slightly and leaned her body against the shoulder of the Supreme Emperor. She said calmly, "Didn't I say that? If it can be proven that it was our Niu family's fault, he can kill the entire Niu family, and I will never stop him.”
The Supreme Emperor let out another faint sigh and then silently leaned against the Empress Dowager Niu on this dragon chair, gradually feeling a little tired.
He was wandering between to sleep and not to sleep, but suddenly he heard a sound of footsteps coming from outside.
Who would dared to come in and disturb him at such a time?
The Supreme Emperor sat up a bit angry, but Xia Shouzhong, with a strange expression, came forward and reported, "I would like to inform the Supreme Emperor that the Qianqing Palace has sent a message saying that the Emperor is coming to report happy news.”
To report happy news?
The Supreme Emperor's eyebrows furrowed unconsciously. At this moment, what good news could there be to report?
Unconsciously looking back at Empress Dowager Niu, she also had a surprised expression on her face.
The Supreme Emperor hesitated for a moment and then said, "Anyway, I have not slept yet. Let the Emperor come and see me.”
Xia Shouzhong was ordered to bow down and retreat.
The Supreme Emperor was filled with suspicion and had the intention to discuss it with Empress Dowager Niu for a few words. However, when he thought of the suspicion of the Niu family, he still had some grudges, so he silently pondered alone.
“Father, Father.”
About a quarter of an hour later, a few passionate shouts suddenly rang out from outside the hall. Then, Emperor Guangde stumbled in, took a few steps forward, and fell to the ground with a burst of tears, shouting, "God bless me, bless the Great Zhou Dynasty, God bless my royal family! That unfilial son... has planted offspring.”
“What?”
Upon hearing this, the Supreme Emperor was stunned momentarily and then showed a hint of helplessness with a wry smile. However, he immediately turned into a surprised expression and said urgently, "What happened?! Quickly, tell me what's going on.”
As he spoke, he raised his voice and ordered, "What are you waiting for? Why don't you bring a chair for the Emperor yet.”
Two eunuchs quickly lifted a chair and placed it on the left end of the imperial case.
Emperor Guangde thanked him and wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief. This time, he happily sat down on a chair and said that Liu Luanwei, the Minister of the Attendant Mansion, had accidentally discovered that Li-Shi was suspected of being pregnant. Therefore, the five imperial doctors and Wang Kun went through a consultation and diagnosed the entire process.
The Emperor couldn't help but sigh and shook his head, saying, "I didn’t think that the woman had bore the baby of the Crown Prince.”
“It seems that although the heavens are angry with the Crown Prince for his immorality, they have still left room for me. So it seems that this child must be a great-grandson without a doubt.”
As he spoke, his face darkened, and he solemnly said, "Actually, it's not just the Crown Prince who has lost his virtue. I've heard that there are many unscrupulous people among the descendants of this family nowadays, including those who bully men and women, those who spoil concubines and destroy wives, those who raise prostitutes, and those who set up other homes.”
“I heard that there are still some people who have an affair with women outside and dare not be included in the royal family list even after giving birth. It's annoying and hateful.”
“This kind of shameful behavior should be well managed by the Emperor.”
After hearing this, Emperor Guangde's eyes flickered slightly, but on the surface, he stood up and responded solemnly, saying that he would let people secretly investigate the words and deeds of the clan's children and punish those who were not worthy.
“I heard that the Crown Prince was assassinated, and I haven't been calm for a day and a night. I believe the Emperor feels the same as me," said the Supreme Emperor. "Now that this good news has come out, you should rest earlier to avoid overwork and injury to your body.”
At this point, he suddenly remembered something and quickly pursued. "By the way, did you ever find out the person behind the assassination of the Crown Prince?”
Emperor Guangde hesitated a bit and said, "Nowadays, many shreds of evidence have faintly pointed to Second Brother.”
“It won't be him.”
Without hesitation, the Supreme Emperor firmly said, "This is of no benefit to him. If his remaining parties had such skills, they would have saved him long ago.”
Upon seeing this scene, Emperor Guangde knew that it was impossible to take advantage of the situation and kill Prince Yizhong.
So he nodded and said, "I think the same way too. I have ordered Xu Furen to continue investigating the culprit behind the scenes.”
“Well, this matter must be thoroughly investigated and the traitor must be completely executed.”
The father and son spoke a few more words before Emperor Guangde stood up and retreated.
After seeing off Emperor Guangde's departure, Empress Dowager Niu, who had been silent beside him, suddenly said in a faint voice, "Even if it is from your clan relatives and children, it is not your descendants after all.”
“So what do you want me to do?”
The Supreme Emperor suddenly stood up and looked down at Empress Dowager Niu from a high position. He fiercely demanded, "Pierce this lame lie, drive him completely to the corner, and then face my son in battle! Play a great play that is more exciting than the change of treason, to leave a lasting reputation in history and become a joke for those sour and corrupt literati?”
After finishing this statement in one breath, the Supreme Emperor's chest rapidly undulated and he reached out to hold onto the imperial table before collapsing on the dragon chair.
Empress Dowager Niu remained silent for a long time before suddenly slowly closing her palms and reciting the Buddha's name with low brows and pleasing eyes. "Amitabha, God bless the Emperor to find out the true culprit as soon as possible, so that our Niu family will not suffer unjustified injustice.”
As soon as Emperor Guangde arrived outside the walls of the Qianqing Palace, he collided head-on with Prince Zhongshun.
“Go, all down.”
Prince Zhongshun drove away all the accompanying attendants like flies, carrying a lantern and walking side by side with Emperor Guangde. He lowered his voice and said, "Did the old man ever see any flaws?”
“Flaws?”
Emperor Guangde sneered with a calm face and said, "My father has seen everything in his life. How could such a trick be concealed from him?”
“So he…”
“Listening to his means, he should acquiesce.”
Emperor Guangde sneered and said, "However, he secretly marked a boundary for me. The ”Imperial Grandson” must be found from the royal family.”
Seeing two eunuchs in front, Prince Zhongshun paused for a moment until he entered the palace before nodding and saying, "I should look for it from the royal family. The old man is quite reasonable this time.”
“Being reasonable?”
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Emperor Guangde sneered and said, "It's just a matter of conscious wrongdoing, unwillingness to punish the old godly woman, and even less wanting to leave behind the stigma of father-son cruelty. It's just a temporary compromise.”
As he spoke, he gritted his teeth and punched the beam-column, saying in a hateful voice, "One day, I will exterminate the nine clans of the Niu family.”
Prince Zhongshun followed him and cursed the Niu family a few times, but then changed his tone and praised, "I never expected that the Sun family, Erlang, had such courage and insight at such a young age. If he hadn't made this decision in time, we would have been much more passive in a few days if this matter had spread.”
As he spoke, he hesitated and said, "This kid is so bold and young, and he has already become famous in the Capital city. If he really establishes his foothold in the court in the future, it may not be a blessing for the court.”
Emperor Guangde shook his head and said, "Since ancient times, I have only heard that newborn calves are not afraid of tigers. When he settles down and has children and grandchildren, the edges and corners will be almost polished. Besides, children and grandchildren will have their children and grandchildren too.”
He originally intended to say ”children and grandchildren have their own blessings,” but when he thought about the current situation of the Crown Prince, he couldn't help but feel dejected.
At this moment, Prince Zhongshun suddenly took out a booklet from his sleeve and respectfully presented it with both hands. "Your Majesty, please take a look at this thing.”
Emperor Guangde took the pamphlet with some confusion and flipped through it, only to find that all the records above were examples of having a baby at an old age over fifty years old, and even two special cases of seventy years old and rare.
“Your Majesty has had a strong foundation since childhood; how can you still not compare to these folk people?"Prince Zhongshun timely advised, "But your Majesty has a deep relationship with the imperial Sister-in-law, and you rarely spoil other concubines normally. If you find a few good and meticulous cultivators, you may be able to give birth to another prince.”
Although Emperor Guangde didn’t respond, he repeatedly rubbed the booklet. It was obvious that he was moved.
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