Chapter 567.2: Turning the Tide
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As Princess Ning'an approached Eunuch Wei, she saw another figure on the ground and her eyes turned cold, "You, get out from there!"
The figure timidly emerged.
Princess Ning'an frowned, "You are——"
Eunuch Wei hurriedly blocked the person behind him and pleaded, "Princess, it's not intentional. This servant won't dare do this again, this servant...!"
Princess Ning'an looked at Eunuch Wei's hand gripping the other person's wrist and realized what was going on. She chuckled, "Turns out Eunuch Wei also enjoys a snack, huh? Such a thing is strictly forbidden in the imperial palace, but this princess is merciful at heart, and tonight I didn't see anything."
Eunuch Wei pulled the palace maid behind him to kneel down, "Thank you, Princess! Thank you, Princess!"
After Princess Ning'an left for the Emperor's bedchamber, Eunuch Qin emerged from behind the large tree.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Can we trust this person?" Eunuch Qin referred to the palace maid who was brought in temporarily to play along in the act.
"Yes, you can trust her. Don't worry." Eunuch Wei reassured him. After all, who didn't have a few trusted subordinates? It was her who reported the news that Princess Ning'an entered the Huaqing Palace.
"Eunuch Wei."
Princess Ning'an's indifferent voice came from inside the bedchamber.
"Coming!" Eunuch Wei gestured hurriedly to Eunuch Qin to leave.
Eunuch Qin looked at the Emperor's bedchamber with a serious expression and left the Huaqing Palace.
"Princess!" Eunuch Wei approached Princess Ning'an with a smile.
Princess Ning'an, sitting on the Emperor's chair, put down the completed decree in her hand and said to Eunuch Qin, "All right, stamp this decree with the imperial jade seal."
"This..." Eunuch Wei stared at the decree, his eyes widening, "Princess!"
Princess Ning'an smiled faintly, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with what I wrote? His Majesty’s dragon body is unwell and he’s unable to personally govern. Meanwhile, Empress Dowager Zhuang colluded with traitors to harm His Majesty. The country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Is there anything inappropriate about letting the Crown Prince handle state affairs on behalf of His Majesty? Isn't that the rule our ancestors established?"
Indeed, it was a rule established by their ancestors, but the latter part of the decree went against the rules!
How could ‘she’ go to the imperial court to supervise?
Eunuch Wei tried his best to dissuade her, "The Empress... might not readily acknowledge this."
Princess Ning'an sneered, "She'll either accept everything in the decree or reject it all. This princess bets… she'll let her son take over the governance!"
Of course, Empress Xiao would let the Crown Prince take over governance, even if it meant having one more Princess Ning'an to supervise the country.
Empress Xiao probably didn't even bother to pay attention to the widowed princess, who had been groveling before her everywhere recently.
But would things really go so smoothly?
Princess Ning'an wasn't a lamb to be slaughtered, she was a wolf!
Would it be the Crown Prince ousting Princess Ning'an, or Princess Ning'an ousting the Crown Prince? That was hard to say!
In the old days, Empress Dowager Zhuang gradually gained absolute control over the imperial court from being a regent, ruling with an iron hand!
Eunuch Wei was on the verge of tears.
This was it, it was really over this time.
……
At night, a falcon hovered over the imperial palace, emitting a cold and solemn cry before soaring into the night sky.
Early the next morning, Empress Xiao received a message summoning her to the Huaqing Palace, where Eunuch Wei was to announce an imperial decree.
After Empress Xiao finished dressing and grooming herself, she headed to Huaqing Palace with a complicated expression.
Eunuch Wei had been waiting early in the main hall of Huaqing Palace.
Empress Xiao walked over angrily and whispered, "Was His Majesty awake last night? Didn't this Empress tell you to report to me immediately if His Majesty wakes up? Did you just ignore this Empress's words?"
Eunuch Wei thought to himself, it's not that I ignored your words, it's that Princess Ning'an didn't give me any time to prepare.
As soon as Eunuch Wei entered the room, Princess Ning'an already had the decree drafted. Even if he rushed over to inform the Empress, the result would've been the same.
Eunuch Wei awkwardly said, "It was His Majesty's decision, and this servant couldn't do anything about it. Please forgive this servant, Your Majesty."
Empress Xiao coldly gave him a glare, "Wei Quan, you have quite the nerve!"
Eunuch Wei felt bitter in his heart but remained silent.
Before long, the Crown Prince also arrived, looking confused.
"Imperial mother?"
"Son?"
Empress Xiao frowned. Why did even the Crown Prince come? Did the imperial decree concern him?
Empress Xiao glanced at Eunuch Wei and said lightly, "Since both this Empress and the Crown Prince are here, go ahead and announce the imperial decree."
Eunuch Wei smiled nervously, "It's a matter of great importance. His Majesty's intention is to announce the imperial decree in the presence of Your Majesty the Empress and other esteemed highnesses."
Only imperial concubines of at least the third rank could be addressed as "Her Highness."
Soon, Imperial Consort Zhuang, Imperial Concubine Shu, Imperial Concubine Yu, and the other imperial concubines arrived at Huaqing Palace one after another.
Princess Ning'an also came.
With so many people present, they just all assumed that she was here to hear the imperial decree and thus didn't pay much attention to her.
When Eunuch Wei saw everyone was gathered, he unfolded the imperial decree in his hand. "Announcing the imperial decree to everyone——"
The crowd, led by Empress Xiao, knelt down in unison.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: After reigning for twenty-one years, despite diligent efforts day and night, Zhen has found myself lacking in virtue and devotion. Now, lying on the sickbed, with Zhen’s dragon body unwell, and recognizing the Crown Prince's noble character, which closely resembles my own, Zhen hereby appoints the Crown Prince to assume the reins of government from this day forth, temporarily overseeing the state affairs in Zhen’s stead.”
Upon hearing this, Empress Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness, it was a decree supporting the Crown Prince's ascension.
The other imperial consorts and concubines were also surprised by the content of the decree, but what shocked them was not the Crown Prince temporarily assuming power but the fact that the Emperor was relinquishing his authority, indicating the severity of his illness.
It might even be fatal.
Just like the late Emperor...
"Furthermore," Eunuch Wei cleared his throat.
Everyone was startled.
There was more?
"The Crown Prince is still young, newly entering into political affairs, Zhen is also concerned. Therefore, Zhen has established the position of regent. It shall be held by——"
Eunuch Wei opened his mouth, a strong sense of terror flashing in his eyes.
"Held by whom?" The Crown Prince asked.
Princess Ning'an subtly hooked her lips up.
Eunuch Wei broke out in a cold sweat. After a while, he gathered his courage and read the words on the decree, "The regent position shall be held by Princess Xinyang!"
Princess Ning'an felt as if she was struck by lightning!
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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