Xuanyang.
As time went by, the news of Emperor Longqing's death had spread here.
Chongyang True Immortal and Liu Sheng were still on the road, and heavy snow had begun to fall in the sky. It seemed that the whole world was mourning the death of Emperor Longqing.
Although the coffin has not yet been welcomed back, nine heavy and solemn copper bells have already sounded in the imperial city.
As the news of Emperor Longqing's death was officially announced to the world, there were cries everywhere in the palace.
Although Emperor Longqing ascended the throne for a short time, he was benevolent, virtuous, and generous towards others. In just a short period of time, he had already changed many of the shortcomings of Emperor Jiaming's reign, and he was indeed a wise emperor.
Many people are sincerely sad, but more people just follow the crowd and mostly perform.
On the contrary, outside the imperial city, ordinary people cried loudly.
They experienced the reign of Emperor Jiaming and personally felt the changes since Emperor Longqing came to the throne. Their crying was the true sadness from the heart.
Who knows what it will be like if there is another emperor?
Changle Palace.
Empress Li, the master of the harem, had long heard the news of Emperor Longqing's death. She shed tears every day. She was pregnant and the fetus in her belly almost aborted.
The imperial doctors in the palace tried their best to save the fetus in the belly.
As for external matters, all were left to the three pavilion elders to handle with full authority.
...
Jingyang Palace.
Concubine Hu had been waiting for a long time. When she heard the bell ringing, she immediately beamed with joy and quickly ordered the eunuchs beside her: "Go and announce that Xu Chief Assistant, Gao Ge Lao and Yang Shangshu of the Ministry of War will enter the palace."
Since the death of Yan Shoufu, Xu Ji, a cabinet scholar, has taken over the position of Shoufu.
Not long after, Xu Shoufu, Gao Ge Lao and Yang Shangshu from the Ministry of War hurriedly arrived at the front hall of Jingyang Palace.
"Xu Shoufu, is everything ready?"
Concubine Hu sat lazily on the table, holding a teacup in one hand, and took a sip of tea before she asked.
"Your Majesty, we have already discussed it. The country cannot live without a king for a day. The late emperor died unexpectedly. We unanimously agree to elect the eldest prince Zhao Wei to the throne as emperor!"
Xu Shoufu stood up quickly, bowed and saluted.
After hearing this, Concubine Hu put down the tea cup and nodded gently: "It's not too late, let's do it now!"
"If it is done well, you will all be the emperor's life-saving ministers!"
"yes!"
Xu Shoufu agreed and winked at the others, who quickly followed him and left Jingyang Palace.
"Chief Assistant, will this be okay?"
After leaving Jingyang Palace, Yang Shangshu stepped forward quickly and asked.
"What's going on? Look at how timid you are. When will you be able to squeeze out Zhuo?"
On the other side, the rough-looking Gao Ge Lao scolded.
"I'm just worried about the Dragon Riding Martial Saint and the Daxuan Sword Immortal..."
Yang Shangshu said nonchalantly.
"Hush, be silent!"
Xu Shoufu interrupted Yang Shangshu and continued.
After leaving Jingyang Palace and returning to Wenyuan Pavilion, it happened that Zhuo Yungui was not here to take care of the loss of Emperor Longqing.
Xu Shoufu then opened the ban on Wenyuan Pavilion and said slowly: "Now that the late emperor has passed away, only the two sons born to Concubine Hu can inherit the throne."
"Even if those two powerful men come, they can only choose from these two princes."
"Besides, since ancient times, the elders have been established rather than the young. Even if this matter is revealed, no one can say anything to the three of us."
"I think Concubine Hu is not a good one. If she doesn't follow her wishes, the emperor is still young and will definitely listen to his mother's advice."
"At that time, I and Gao Ge Lao will have nothing to do, but Yang Shangshu, I am afraid that if you squeeze out the hope of Zhuo to enter the cabinet, it will be completely reduced to an empty talk."
Upon hearing this, Yang Shangshu thought for a moment, gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and said, "Sir, Chief Assistant, what should I do now?"
"Tomorrow, you first organize your trusted ministers to draft a memorial and invite the eldest prince Zhao Wei to inherit the throne..."
After a while, the three of them had almost finished their discussion, and Yang Shangshu hurriedly left Wenyuan Pavilion.
Halfway through, he met Zhuo Yungui who was about to rush back to Wenyuan Pavilion.
"Master Yang, where are you going in a hurry?"
Zhuo Yungui saw Yang Shangshu walking in a hurry and asked casually.
"Uh...it's Mr. Zhuo!"
Yang Shangshu originally had something in his mind, but when he saw Zhuo Yungui asking questions, his expression changed slightly, and then he replied: "The late emperor has passed away. According to the wishes of the chief minister, I summoned the ministers of the Ministry of War to discuss matters such as stabilizing the morale of the army."
"This is a big deal, Mr. Xu has thought carefully about it."
Hearing this, Zhuo Yungui nodded and said nothing more.
Seeing that the other party was not suspicious, Yang Shangshu greeted Zhuo Yungui and left in a hurry.
After Yang Shangshu left, a trace of suspicion appeared on Zhuo Yungui's face. This matter of stabilizing the morale of the army was just a matter of summons. Why did he summon Yang Shangshu into the palace?
It doesn't seem very simple.
At this moment, a jade talisman around his waist flashed slightly, and with a movement of his mind, the message in it was read.
"The two pavilion elders and Yang Shangshu went to Jingyang Palace this morning."
The message was very short, but with just these few words, Zhuo Yungui was able to read a huge amount of information.
"Heh, let's see what kind of waves you can create..."
Zhuo Yungui put away the jade talisman, then took out a red communication talisman, then sneered and walked slowly towards Wenyuan Pavilion.
...
The second day.
Following the death of Emperor Longqing, the whole country was in mourning. All weddings, weddings, entertainment, and celebrations were banned. The entire Xuanyang City was filled with dancing white silk ribbons.
People spontaneously took to the streets to mourn for Emperor Longqing.
Jingyang Palace.
The eldest prince, Zhao Wei, was wearing a black gold robe with auspicious cloud patterns around his waist, and was playing Cuju on the lawn.
Several young eunuchs stood in the middle of the courtyard tremblingly, not daring to move.
Zhao Wei volleyed the ball, and the ball flew out like a cannonball, hitting one of the young eunuchs in the chest.
The little eunuch seemed to have been hit by a stone, and immediately flew out together with the ball.
As soon as it hit the ground, a mouthful of blood spurted out. It was obvious that the force on the ball was not small.
"Trash, replace!"
Zhao Wei cursed, and there were two big eunuchs beside him who took the injured little eunuch away and replaced him with another one.
At this moment, Concubine Hu came over and saw the actions of the eldest prince Zhao Wei. Instead of punishing Zhao Wei, she smiled and said: "Your Majesty, your cultivation has improved again."
As the eldest prince, Zhao Wei has abundant cultivation resources and can be said to have everything he needs. At a young age, he is already at the seventh level of martial arts.
"Mother concubine!"
Zhao Weizheng was about to take action. When he saw Concubine Hu coming, he immediately showed a bright smile and ran over in three steps at a time.
"Your Majesty, in the blink of an eye, you have grown so big."
"Seeing you makes me feel old."
Concubine Hu gently stroked Zhao Wei's head, but found that his head was almost touching her chin.
"How old is my concubine? She is still so young and beautiful."
Although Zhao Wei was naughty, he did not hesitate to praise Concubine Hu.
"You kid..."
Concubine Hu laughed, and then asked seriously: "Your Majesty, your father has passed away, and the country cannot be without a king for a day. Now that you are not young, do you want to be the emperor?"
"Sit on top of those thousands of people."
Zhao Wei behaved extremely well: "I obey my mother and concubine's instructions in everything."
"The mother-in-law asks the child to do it, and the child will do it."
Hearing this, Concubine Hu smiled and tapped his head with her finger: "You kid, your little mouth is always so sweet, unlike your father..."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Wei raised his eyebrows and interrupted: "Why does the concubine bring up that heartless man?"
"Since the Queen's wedding, when has he been to Jingyang Palace?"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Hu quickly covered his mouth and then said, "Silly boy, you can't talk nonsense now."
"After you ascend the throne and take control of the government, if you want to do something, do it..."
Since Empress Li became pregnant, Emperor Longqing Zhao Ying has basically been living in Changle Palace and accompanying Empress Li.
This made Concubine Hu extremely jealous of Empress Li, and she often complained in front of the two princes.
Zhao Wei often showed righteous indignation in front of Concubine Hu, saying that if he ascended the throne in the future, he would definitely seek justice for Concubine Hu.
Hearing what Concubine Hu said, Zhao Wei still pretended to be obedient and nodded.
Concubine Hu stroked Zhao Wei's head with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, then you just wait for mother's good news."
After a pause, she then ordered: "It's better to put on mourning clothes, so as not to be talked about by outsiders."
Seeing Zhao Wei nodding, she returned to the front hall and waited for news from Wenyuan Pavilion.
