xymnovel Chapter 150 The Golden Chest Alliance
Chapter 150 The Golden Chest Alliance
Chapter 150 The Golden Chest Alliance (Two chapters combined into one)
"Good boy, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Du was taken aback. She looked at Madam Fu with a puzzled expression and frowned, saying, "Why would this be the last time you serve me? Has something happened?"
"Mother!"
With a sob, Lady Fu buried her head in Empress Dowager Du's lap, tears streaming down her face. She choked out helplessly, "Mother! Tingyi—He's going to be banished from the capital by His Majesty!"
"What?!"
Empress Dowager Du's cloudy eyes snapped open, her previously weak breathing suddenly becoming rapid, and her withered hand gripped Fu's wrist tightly: "Why would Yuanlang expel Tingyi from the capital for no reason? What exactly happened? Tell me the truth!"
"Empress Dowager—Tingyi has been framed by treacherous people! Someone secretly set a trap and used the witchcraft accusation to frame Tingyi. His Majesty was deceived for a time and became suspicious. He has already issued an imperial edict to remove Tingyi from his post as Prefect of Kaifeng and order him to leave the capital within seven days."
She deliberately omitted some details, attributing Zhao Guangyi's expulsion solely to being framed by treacherous individuals, while omitting everything else.
"Is this really true?!"
Upon hearing the signs that her two sons were turning against each other, Empress Dowager Du was struck dumb. Her whole body trembled violently, and her hand nearly knocked over the medicine bowl by her bedside.
She instinctively pressed, "Yuanlang—did he really issue an imperial edict to expel Tingyi from the capital? How come I didn't know anything about it?"
"Mother, this is absolutely true. How could I dare to hide it from you? Even my father knows about it." Fu wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and sobbed, "After Father learned that Tingyi had been wronged, he wanted to go to the palace to see the Emperor as soon as possible, but His Majesty refused to see him."
"Then he wanted to enter the palace to see you and tell you about Tingyi's grievances, asking you to help Tingyi. However, he was ultimately intimidated by the power of that villain and was afraid of offending His Majesty and implicating the Fu family, so he hesitated to enter the palace."
This is Fu's true objective!
Firstly, these words could be used to implicate her father, and secondly, they could also evoke Empress Dowager Du's protective instincts.
As the Empress Dowager, how could she tolerate her beloved son being wronged? How could she allow her subjects to be afraid to speak the truth because they feared a villain?
What's more, this official was also her in-law! He was from the illustrious Fu family, which had ruled for five dynasties!
As expected, Empress Dowager Du was immediately enraged upon hearing this. Without doubting Fu's words, she immediately called to the servants outside the door, "Someone! Go to the Prince of Wei's residence immediately and summon Prince Fu Yanqing to the palace, to my Celebration Hall!"
"Since Prince Fu Wei dares not come, then I will go and invite him myself!"
"I must get to the bottom of what happened today! I want to see just who is capable of controlling everything!"
The maid dared not delay and quickly retreated to deliver the imperial decree.
A hint of joy immediately appeared in Fu Shi's eyes.
Everything is going exactly as she predicted!
Before long, Fu Yanqing, dressed in a python robe, hurriedly stepped into the Qingshou Hall.
As soon as he entered the room, he caught sight of his daughter standing beside Empress Dowager Du's bed. His heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood everything!
He was outsmarted by his own daughter!
"Prince Fu Wei, you've come at the right time! I've heard that there are treacherous people in the court who have deceived His Majesty, causing Tingyi to be banished from the capital!"
Is this true? Tell me in detail!
Upon seeing Fu Yanqing arrive, Empress Dowager Du leaned back on the couch, her eyes fixed on him.
Upon hearing this, Fu Yanqing's heart sank even further.
He knew that once he stepped into the Celebration Hall, there was no turning back.
Because regardless of whether he answers Empress Dowager Du's question or not, his daughter will find a way to let Empress Dowager Du know the truth, and this matter will surely alarm the Emperor!
When His Majesty learns that he and his daughter, Lady Fu, came to see Empress Dowager Du together, he will surely suspect that he is colluding with Zhao Guangyi. Moreover, such matters will only become more complicated the more one tries to explain them!
As for concealing this matter?
That would mean completely offending Empress Dowager Du! If she were to find out in the future that her son had truly been banished from the capital, she would surely remember the deception she had made today, and she would inevitably feel resentment towards her.
In this way, he will please neither side!
In other words, he only had one option left.
That is to go with the flow, cooperate with the daughter, and try to keep Zhao Guangyi in the capital, or even—make him the crown prince!
no way.
"Who told me to raise such a wonderful daughter! She actually came up with such a terrible idea!"
This is practically using the lives of the entire Fu clan to force him to submit!
A hint of weariness flashed in Fu Yanqing's cloudy eyes. She composed herself, strode forward, sighed softly, and said with a sense of helplessness, "Yes, elder sister, this is indeed the case."
"I was already aware of this matter and intended to plead with Your Majesty, but the imperial decree has already been issued, how dare I offer any dissent?"
He paused, then added a touch of regret to his tone, saying sadly, "It's just a pity about Tingyi. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the country and its people, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he worked tirelessly and devoted himself to the cause. Now, he has been framed by a villain and has ended up being banished from the capital. It's truly heartbreaking."
Fu Yanqing was cautious throughout his life and served as a veteran of five reigns. Because of his in-law relationship, he was deeply respected by Empress Dowager Du. As soon as he said this, Empress Dowager Du believed most of it.
Anger flared up throughout Empress Dowager Du almost instantly. She slammed her hand on the soft couch, coughed violently a few times, and then shouted angrily, "Absurd! Utterly absurd!"
"When did the imperial court become the domain of these treacherous villains? I am not yet dead, how can I tolerate these petty people deceiving Yuanlang and causing my son to turn against me?!"
She grew increasingly agitated as she spoke, her breathing becoming more rapid. Pointing at Fu Yanqing, she said, "Father-in-law, tell me who this villain is who framed Tingyi? I will immediately send someone to summon Yuanlang so we can confront him face to face, clarify the matter, and clear Tingyi's name!"
After saying this, she was about to summon Zhao Kuangyin to the palace again.
"Empress Dowager, no!"
Fu Yanqing and Madam Fu's expressions changed drastically, and they immediately spoke in unison to stop them.
If Zhao Kuangyin were to arrive, the two of them would be in dire straits!
If Zhao Kuangyin were to learn that he and his daughter had joined forces with Empress Dowager Du's influence to plead for Zhao Guangyi, he would surely be furious.
At that time, not only will Zhao Guangyi's life be in danger, but he and his daughter, and even the entire Fu family, will face annihilation!
Empress Dowager Du was taken aback by the two's sudden actions and frowned, saying, "Why not?!"
Her question immediately stumped Madam Fu.
Fortunately, Fu Yanqing was no ordinary person. He immediately found a suitable reason and took a small step forward, lowering his voice to say, "Elder sister, it's not that I'm unwilling to inform His Majesty of this matter rashly, but the villain who framed Tingyi has a special identity. If we mention it now, it will not only fail to save Tingyi, but will also harm him."
"Special status?"
Empress Dowager Du frowned even more deeply: "Who exactly is this person?!"
Fu Yanqing took a deep breath and slowly uttered two words: "Zhao Pu".
"What?! This person is actually Zhao Pu?!"
Empress Dowager Du was instantly shocked, her fingers trembled violently, and her face was full of disbelief: "Impossible! Zhao Pu is Yuan Lang's trusted minister, who has followed Yuan Lang for many years and has been loyal to my Zhao family. How could he do such a treacherous thing?"
In Empress Dowager Du's heart, Zhao Pu had always been steady, reliable, and loyal. In the past, he had served Zhao Hongyin tirelessly. She could never believe that Zhao Pu was the one who framed her beloved son.
"Your Majesty is unaware of this."
Madam Fu also came to her senses and quickly stepped forward, continuing her father's words: "Ever since Secretary Zhao decided to support His Majesty in making Zhao'er the heir apparent, he has become like a different person, fearing that Tingyi will threaten Zhao'er's position as heir."
"In the imperial court, he attacked Tingyi like a madman, targeting him at every turn. Zhao Pu played a significant role in Tingyi's expulsion from the capital by His Majesty."
She paused, then said worriedly, "I know that Secretary Zhao is worried that Tingyi will compete with Zhao'er for the crown prince position in the future, which is why he resorted to this underhanded tactic of framing Tingyi."
"But Mother, if you summon His Majesty now, he will only become more convinced that Tingyi is wicked and that's why she came to you for help. At that point, His Majesty will only grow more disgusted with Tingyi, and who will be able to save her then?"
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again, and she looked extremely aggrieved.
Upon hearing this, the confusion on Empress Dowager Du's face finally dissipated.
Fu's words were not without reason. Zhao Kuangyin had always valued Zhao Pu's opinions. If the matter of Zhao Pu framing someone were brought up now, given Zhao Kuangyin's trust in Zhao Pu, the matter would backfire and further exacerbate the misunderstanding between the two brothers.
But if we don't seek out Zhao Kuangyin, how can we clear Zhao Guangyi's name and prevent him from being expelled from the capital?
Empress Dowager Du fell silent, her pale face clouded with worry.
This was her most beloved third son, and the thought of him leaving her soon broke her heart.
Fu Yanqing saw the Empress Dowager's expression and knew that the time was ripe. She suddenly said quietly, "Elder sister, now that things have come to this, there is only one way to save Tingyi."
"What method?" Empress Dowager Du suddenly looked up.
"Find a way to make Tingyi the crown prince!" Fu Yanqing said in a surprising statement.
Upon hearing this, not only Empress Dowager Du, but even Lady Fu, who was standing to the side, was stunned.
She never expected that her father would be even bolder and more imaginative than she was!
In her plan, it was already a miracle that Zhao Guangyi could stay in the capital, while her own father was actually thinking of directly making her husband the crown prince?!
If this matter succeeds, then I will become the Empress, the mother of the nation!
Thinking of this, a fiery glint flashed in Fu's eyes!
Empress Dowager Du, lying on her sickbed, was also stunned and asked, "Should Liting be made crown prince?"
"Exactly."
Fu Yanqing nodded and said sincerely, "Elder sister, my decision to establish Tingyi as heir is not for my own selfish reasons, but for the long-term stability of our Great Song Dynasty!"
"I'm sure you've seen Tingyi's abilities. He's meticulous, kind, decisive, and deeply respected by the court officials. He's far more suitable to be the crown prince than Zhao'er."
"Furthermore, elder sister, have you perhaps forgotten the old days of the Zhou dynasty?"
The four words "the old stories of Zhou" struck Empress Dowager Du's heart like a heavy hammer.
A look of worry instantly crossed her face. "How could I possibly forget?"
"When Emperor Shizong of Zhou passed away, he left behind a young crown prince to ascend the throne. With a young ruler, the country was in turmoil, and the court and the country were in chaos. It was during this opportunity that Yuan Lang was able to ascend the throne and become emperor. If Zhou had had an older and more capable ruler, would the throne have fallen to my Zhao family?"
"My older sister is a wise person."
Fu Yanqing echoed, "To tell you the truth, elder sister, if my nephew weren't so young, I would have sent troops to defend the king and protect the Zhou dynasty long ago."
"But the ruler is young and the country is in turmoil, and the people are restless. Even I, your maternal grandfather, dare not rashly launch an attack, for fear that it will cause even greater unrest and harm the people of the world."
"The lessons of the past should serve as a guide for the future. The disaster of a young ruler and a suspicious state should not be ignored by my elder sister!"
Hearing these words from Fu Yanqing, Empress Dowager Du naturally believed them without a doubt.
After all, this man is Guo Zongxun's maternal grandfather!
Moreover, almost every word Fu Yanqing said touched on Empress Dowager Du's deepest concerns.
Zhao Kuangyin had suffered many hidden injuries from his early years of fighting on the battlefield. Now that the world was not at peace and the surrounding countries were eyeing him covetously, given his nature, he would inevitably have to lead the army in person.
Life is unpredictable. If one day Zhao Kuangyin were to suffer any mishap during his personal campaign, and Zhao'er were so young, how could she possibly protect the Zhao family's empire?
Empress Dowager Du was truly uncertain, and the worry on her face deepened, while her eyes became hesitant.
Fu Yanqing saw through her thoughts and quickly pressed his advantage, saying, "Older sister, do you know Lou Zhaojun?"
"Lou Zhaojun?"
Empress Dowager Du was slightly taken aback, then shook her head.
"This woman was the empress of Gao Huan, the founding emperor of the Northern Qi Dynasty; she was truly a remarkable woman!"
Fu Yanqing slowly began to explain: "After Gao Huan passed away, Lou Zhaojun assisted her sons Gao Yang, Gao Yan, and Gao Zhan in ascending the throne one after another, thus stabilizing the Northern Qi dynasty."
"Throughout her life, she possessed profound moral integrity and foresight, never bending the law for personal gain, and always considered the well-being of the nation. Ultimately, she became the Empress Dowager of three reigns in the Northern Qi Dynasty," leaving her mark on history and earning the respect of all.
He paused, then gently coaxed, "Elder sister, how similar is your current situation to that of Lou Zhaojun back then?"
"The Crown Prince is still young. Both Tingyi and Guangmei are capable men. If you can persuade His Majesty to make Tingyi the Crown Prince, and after Tingyi ascends the throne, Guangmei can be made Crown Prince, and after Guangmei passes away, the throne can be passed to Zhao'er."
"In this way, we can avoid the hidden dangers of a young ruler and a suspicious state, and ensure harmony among brothers and unity between the ruler and his ministers, so that the Zhao dynasty can enjoy long-term stability."
"Moreover, even by the time Zhao Dezhao ascends the throne, he will have grown up, and the tragedy of the Zhou dynasty's young ruler and the resulting uncertainty of the state will never happen again!"
"And you, my dear sister—"
Fu Yanqing's voice softened slightly, a mysterious expression on her face, and her tone became increasingly seductive: "At that time, you will be the Empress Dowager who has assisted three emperors, and you will surely be remembered in history, just like Lou Zhaojun of yesteryear!"
Empress Dowager of three reigns, her name etched in history, the Zhao family's empire forever secure —
Every word Fu Yanqing spoke made Empress Dowager Du's heart tremble!
A wonderful dream she had never imagined, a dream that seemed so easily attainable to her, suddenly appeared before her eyes.
Her originally pale face began to turn rosy, and her heart pounded even harder!
Yes, if this arrangement could be made, it would not only protect his beloved son Zhao Guangyi and restore harmony between his sons, but also ensure that the Zhao dynasty would not repeat the mistakes of the Zhou dynasty, and he himself could leave his mark on history!
What could be more wonderful than this?!
With this in mind, Empress Dowager Du said almost without hesitation, "Very well! Let's do as my father-in-law says!"