After Mu Sheng exchanged identities with his stand-in, he traveled westward under the supervision of the imperial envoys, and finally entered Qingyang City. The Changping Jun's Mansion where he lived before had been taken back by the imperial court, and now he could only Was temporarily arranged to live in a post house.
At this moment, Mu Sheng was resting leisurely in the post house. Along the way, he was the imperial envoy who came to pick him up with various temptations. Although the imperial envoy was respectful and polite to him, he was very strict in his manner and had almost no useful information. If he asked, he would do it for him. The imperial court was running an errand. As for what it was about, don't ask too much. He wouldn't know if he asked, and he wouldn't tell if he knew it. Mu Sheng looked helpless and had no choice but to follow the escort team all the way west and stay at the capital posthouse.
The next morning, at the Prime Minister's Mansion, Gao Zhong trotted all the way to report. Seeing that Huo Zheng was still busy with official duties, Gao Zhong came forward to report: "Your Excellency, Mr. Xiangguo, Mr. Sheng has arrived in Qingyang City last night, and his subordinates have arranged for him to be there. Stay in the inn."
Hearing this, Huo Zheng nodded and said, "Okay, we will enter the palace immediately. In the name of His Majesty, we will summon Young Master Sheng to the palace to read out the imperial edict. You can go and make arrangements immediately."
Gao Dian nodded and said: "My subordinates will make arrangements immediately."
In the post house, there was a knock on the door of Young Master Sheng's room, but it was the chief officer of the post house.
The director of the post office said politely: "This is to inform Marquis Anle that someone is coming from the palace. He is going to take Marquis Anle into the palace to see His Majesty. Please wash yourself before entering the palace to see His Majesty."
Mu Sheng heard this and said, "Yes! I understand."
Mu Sheng straightened his clothes in the mirror, and the post house sent a maid to bring him a new set of clothes. After changing into formal clothes, he went out and came to the door of the post house. He saw the royal carriage and horses parked at the door of the post house. The door was guarded by dozens of imperial guards, and three eunuchs were waiting in front of the carriage. The first one was actually an old acquaintance, Yang Liu.
When Yang Liu saw Young Master Sheng coming out, he greeted him with unprecedented enthusiasm and bowed deeply, almost bending his waist to the ground.
After Yang Liu saluted, he raised his head and said with a charming smile: "I have seen Anle Hou. Lord Marquis, please get on the chariot."
Seeing Yang Liu's great gift, Mu Sheng was a little surprised, and then he stepped forward and greeted him: "Eunuch Yang, I haven't seen you for a long time."
Mu Sheng took another look at Yang Liu's clothes and said with a smile: "Eunuch Yang, it seems that in the past few days since I left the capital, Eunuch Yang has had a prosperous official career and soared into the sky?"
Yang Liu still smiled charmingly and said: "Master Marquis, you have given me a reward. This servant has been given the opportunity to serve in front of the emperor. Only then has he gained your majesty's trust and taken over the position of steward of the inner court. I am so graceful and worthy of your majesty's trust."
When Mu Sheng heard this, his heart moved. Is this buddy Yang Liu good at it? It’s only been a few years since we last met, and now we’ve become the chamberlain? Then where did Eunuch Lu of Luliang go? This is the person closest to His Majesty and cannot be changed easily.
Mu Sheng did not ask any further questions, and congratulated: "Congratulations to Eunuch Yang on your promotion, oh no!... Manager Yang, I am afraid that I will have to rely on Manager Yang to speak kindly to me in front of His Majesty in the future!"
Hearing this, Yang Liu looked panicked. He waved his hands repeatedly and said: "Master Hou, you are really embarrassing me by saying this. In front of you, Master Hou, my slave Yang Jin is still Yang Liu in the past. I don't dare to overstep. I'm afraid there will be more in the future." I rely on you, Lord Marquis."
Mu Sheng said: "Yang Jin? Manager Yang changed his name?"
Yang Jin said with some pride: "The Marquis doesn't know something. This slave has been promoted to the position of steward of the inner court, and he can be regarded as a decent person. Huo Xiangguo thought that the slave's previous name was indecent and he was serving in front of the emperor, so he helped the slave change it. Know your name, be cautious in your words and deeds, just take one word, cautious.”
Mu Sheng held up his palms and smiled and said: "Okay, this is a good name. It's worthy of being the Prime Minister."
The two chatted for a while, and Mu Sheng was slightly shocked by Yang Jin's reaction. How could this look like a celebrity next to an emperor? Yang Jin's posture seems a bit like an attitude reserved for welcoming a master?
Although Mu Sheng was confused, he didn't think too deeply about it. Yang Jin, the steward of the inner court, carefully helped him get on the carriage from the palace.
Before Mu Sheng got into the car, he suddenly turned around and greeted Yang Jin: "Manager Yang, are you riding in the same car with me?"
Yang Jin refused and said, "Master Hou, how dare this servant dare? Master and servant are different, so we can't mess with the rules?"
Mu Sheng still insisted: "It's okay, Manager Yang. Just come up. If you need anything, I'll take care of it. I have some personal matters that I would like to ask the Manager."
When Yang Jin heard this, his heart moved. He knew that Gongzi Sheng wanted to inquire about the news in the palace. This was a good opportunity to get closer to his future master. After Yang Jin's repeated invitations, he half-promised and got on the carriage.
Yang Jin knew in his heart that the late emperor had passed away a long time ago. Although he didn't know about Huo Zheng and others' tampering with the imperial edict, the palace accepted Anlehou into the palace so solemnly. In addition, Huo Zheng and others not long ago He conspired to depose An Guojun and his son Xiu. Even if he thought with his buttocks, he could guess who the successor written in the late emperor's edict was. If he didn't hurry up and close the relationship with his future leader, how long would it take?
Fortunately, Yang Jin had spent some time with Gongzi Sheng before during the Tai Chi Palace Incident, and he had some emotional foundation. He had advantages that others did not have, and he could talk a lot.
Until this moment, Yang Jin never expected that Young Master Sheng would become the heir to this empire? It wasn't until Yang Jin was ordered to come to the post house to welcome Prince Sheng into the palace that he understood everything.
In the carriage at this moment, just as Mu Sheng was organizing his talk to tentatively ask Yang Jin about the news in the palace before entering the palace, Yang Jin took the initiative to come forward and said: "Master Marquis, if you have any questions, just ask me. Yes, this slave must do his best, tell everything he knows, and speak everything he wants."
When Mu Sheng heard this, his heart moved and he said: "In that case, I want to know why my father urgently summoned me to the capital this time?"
Yang Jin said: "Master Hou, this servant who tells the truth really can't tell you now. Huo Xiangguo has specifically explained that all the news about His Majesty can only be known after you enter the palace, Master Hou."
Mu Sheng's heart moved when he heard this, and he nodded and said: "Yes, I understand, but have there been any major events inside and outside the court recently? I am a vassal in Zhi County far away. Now that I have just arrived in the capital, my eyes are dark, right?"
Feeling the slight shaking of the carriage, Yang Jin sighed and said: "Master Marquis, you don't know, a lot of big things have happened in Beijing in the past few months..."
Next, Yang Jin told Gongzi Sheng in detail everything that happened to Anguojun Gongzixiu.
After hearing this, Mu Sheng was extremely shocked. After being stunned for a long time, he said: "How long has it been since the incident with the former prince? How could Young Master Xiu be implicated for this matter? This is incredible. It's hard for others to say, but I know it very well. , based on the status of Young Master Xiu in His Majesty’s mind, it is absolutely impossible for Your Majesty to completely destroy Young Master Xiu because of this matter, does this really make no sense?”
Yang Jin naturally understood what was going on. He knew that Huo Zheng and others were secretly causing trouble, but now he and the Prime Minister were already a grasshopper on the same rope, and he had to put in a good word for them.
Yang Jindao: "I speculate that it may be related to your Majesty's recall of the former crown prince's widow from Yunzhong County. According to what I heard, your majesty summoned the former crown prince's widow, Crown Princess Cui, and the former crown prince's five sons before he took action to imprison An Guojun. Two girls, so everyone in the government and the public speculated that Your Majesty was probably bewitched by the widow of the former crown prince, and that’s why he decided to get rid of An Guojun and his party."
Although Mu Sheng still had some doubts in his heart, it seemed that the thing hidden under the water might be more thrilling and there were many things that didn't make sense, but after hearing Yang Jin's explanation, he only believed half of it.
Mu Sheng suddenly said: "I see, it's a pity that Yang Lin and Yang Yan have made great contributions to the court. How could they not think of getting involved with the former prince's affairs with Young Master Xiu? It's unbelievable."
Yang Jin sighed: "Who says it's not the case, but this is the crime of treason, and the Yang brothers' great achievements in the past cannot be offset by their merits."
Mu Sheng thought about it and suddenly became a little nervous. Young Master Xiu was also dealt with. Will it be his turn next? Then he gave up this ridiculous idea. It was impossible. He had already gone to another place and became a vassal. He had no value anymore. He was considered an outsider and was unlikely to block some people's "road to progress"...
Thinking of this, Mu Sheng thought for a while, did the emperor intend to appoint the son of the former crown prince's widow as his heir? In other words, is it possible to pass on the throne to the grandson from another generation? According to Yang Jin's remarks, this possibility is not completely ruled out.
While he was wandering in his thoughts, the carriage slowed down, and Yang Jin reminded him: "Master Marquis, we are arriving at the palace soon. I will get off first."
Mu Sheng nodded and said, "Okay."
After a cup of tea, the carriage stopped moving. Mu Sheng got out of the car and looked up at the tall palace gate. He didn't know what he was thinking. He was stunned for a while, and then followed Yang Jin into the palace.
The two of them passed through numerous palace restrictions and arrived in front of the main hall of Zhangtai Palace, the outer palace. This was where the emperor's daily work was done. Mu Sheng straightened his clothes a little before entering the main hall.
The emperor himself was not seen in the main hall. Only his uncle, Mr. Zhao of the Shaofu, Prime Minister Huo Zheng of the left, Prime Minister Wang Yi of the right, the three auxiliary ministers, and the imperial censor Zhongcheng Gao Zhong were also with Prime Minister Huo.
After Mu Sheng entered the palace, he stepped forward and bowed deeply: "I have met all of you, sir. I wonder why your Majesty called your ministers to come here."
When Huo Zheng saw that Young Master Sheng was polite and handsome, he also felt somewhat fond of the heir to the empire.
Huo Zheng pretended to look sad and stepped forward: "Marquis Anle, Your Majesty has a will."
Seeing Huo Zheng's sad face, Mu Sheng felt something bad in his heart. He heard that there was an order, so he had to kneel down to listen to it.
Huo Zheng turned his head and glanced at Gao Zhong. Gao Zhong immediately stepped forward, opened the imperial edict and announced: "Young Master Anlehou kneels down to welcome the imperial edict."
"In response to Tian's favorable timing, I received your order and the edict reads: Now the emperor's fourteenth son, Mu Chen, is the first heir of the clan and is destined by God. I hereby strictly abide by the initial edict... I sincerely inform heaven and earth, the ancestral temple, and the country to confer a book of treasures and establish him as emperor. The Crown Prince, who is currently enthroned in the East Palace, has maintained his authority for tens of thousands of years, and has the heart to spread all over the world. I have been suffering from a long-term illness, and I think that all the plans in one day cannot be left alone for a long time. I hereby order the Crown Prince to ascend to the palace with a seal, be in charge of the common government, and oversee the army. In the country, all matters reported by Baisi are decided by the crown prince..."
After reading out the edict, Mu Sheng was greatly shocked. He knelt there for a long time and couldn't calm down... He didn't even see the emperor's face? Why did he suddenly be declared the crown prince? Were there no signs beforehand?
Ordinarily, before the emperor establishes a prince, he will give some hints in private, or at least there will be an inspection period, an observation period or something like that?
Does the company require interviews, written tests, and a three-month probationary period to join the company? What a good guy! Just skip all the steps and throw the employment contract in your face?
The prince is not an ordinary position. This is the emperor's successor. He is a proper leader. How could he be appointed so hastily?
At this moment, Mu Sheng was completely confused. It could be said that he was appointed as the crown prince without any preparation beforehand... It was a surprise rather than a shock...
This is just like your daily life, just an ordinary social worker with no money and no background. Suddenly one day the boss of the company comes to you and says, you have a great future, you can go directly to work as the boss tomorrow! Everyone's jaw would be shocked. Maybe the company is already in trouble and owes a lot of debt, so it has found a scapegoat as its legal representative. By the time it comes to its senses, the boss has already taken his sister-in-law with a huge sum of money and left Lu Run abroad... …
Mu Sheng couldn't believe that the emperor would suddenly make him the prince out of nowhere? Before entering the palace, he thought of ten thousand reasons for the emperor to summon him, but he did not expect that he would be appointed as the prince. There was no sign in advance.
