Chapter 12 The Storm
The hall was quiet again, and Han Ruzi saw the backs of many people, and they all had rich expressions: the empress dowager's elder brother, Shangguan Xu, was trembling, and he probably thought it was a conspiracy against the Shangguan family; His kneeling posture was the most standard among all the people, but he tried his best to hide behind Prime Minister Yin Wuhai; the back of the old prime minister was also shaking, showing not fear, but decay, which meant that all of this was out of his control Middle; Shi Shenmingzhi, the right inspector, arched his back slightly, as if he was about to jump up at any moment...
All of this may be just imagination, Han Ruzi stopped his wild thoughts and came to Zhongzhangxi Liu Jie.
The eunuch put down his other leg, stood on his knees, lowered his eyes, and presented the unique seal in the world to the emperor.
Han Ruzi took the brocade box, and it was heavy in his hands. It was difficult for Liu Jie to hold it for so long. A treasure seal was placed in the box. It was a whole piece of white jade, slightly damaged. He only glanced at it, and then cast his gaze at Yang Feng. Not sure what to do next.
Yang Feng has lowered his head and refused to give any more reminders.
The same is true for other people, only Donghai King who is kneeling at the door occasionally casts jealous eyes.
There are many seals of the emperor, and this one is the most precious. Only when it is affixed can a formal imperial edict be promulgated. Known as the "Great Sima of the Southern Army", it can only become a real job after the emperor issues a decree.
Han Ruzi's heart was pounding, mastering the seal meant mastering the imperial power ten steps away and within a thousand miles, and with a single sentence, he could bring his mother into the palace...
But he didn't even manage within ten steps, and looking around, there were not many people in the room who were trustworthy.
"I'm still young... I don't understand government affairs, and I rely on... all the support of the Queen Mother. Please give... Baoxi... to the Queen Mother." Han Ruzi stammered. He was too nervous to guess. He was even more nervous when he would be killed sooner or later.
"Observe the decree." Jing Yao said, got up and came to the emperor, took the brocade box, heaved a sigh of relief, and was about to turn around to see the queen mother, the prime minister Yin Wuhai raised his head and said: "Your Majesty's filial piety can be learned from the sky, why don't you award it to the emperor?" The purpose is to reward those who are mothers in the world, so as to take the lead in the world."
Jing Yao really wanted to slap himself hard, but he almost made the same mistake again. He wanted the seal to be used by the queen mother in a legitimate way, and the emperor had to issue a decree. The experienced minister dealt with this matter, he only thought about how to deal with Liu Jie afterwards.
"Okay." Han Ruzi replied briefly, feeling a little empty in his heart. He knew that Baoxi didn't really belong to him, but he still felt the regret of losing it, or the desire to possess it, and even felt that he had failed Liu Jie, but asked Yang Fengwang for help. After a glance, he was finally convinced that the choice of handing over the seal was correct: the old eunuch blinked his eyes in a very discreet manner.
The prime minister struggled to get up and went to draft the edict himself. It took some time. Most people in the hall were kneeling. Jing Yao regretted that he moved too fast, holding the seal case, neither standing nor kneeling.
Listening to the opening of the curtain of the Zheng Pavilion, a middle-aged woman walked out of the palace, and said in a serious voice: "The Empress Dowager has a decree. The seal is an important weapon of the country. It is established by the ancestors and cannot be changed. It will still be kept by Liu Jie, the head of the seal."
Everyone in the room raised their heads and looked at the female officer in surprise. Prime Minister Yin Wuhai, who was writing, also stopped writing, trying to figure out what the Queen Mother was thinking.
Jing Yao was particularly surprised, but being able to deliver a hot potato was exactly what he wished for, so after a moment of hesitation, he immediately went to Liu Jie and returned the seal box.
This is a puzzling game, and Han Ruzi can only understand the outline.
The emperor didn't stay in the Qinzheng Palace for too long. Prime Minister Yin Wuhai personally drafted the edict, and the other ministers unanimously approved it, and sent it to the hearing cabinet for the Empress Dowager to review. After the Empress Dowager changed a few words that were too flattering, the edict was sent to When it comes out, it will be approved by the emperor, stamped with a seal, and officially come into effect.
In this way, through an edict praising the mother's virtue, the right to use the seal of the Great Chu Emperor fell into the hands of the Queen Mother, and Han Ruzi was sent out of the Palace of Qinzheng for the second time.
Liu Jie, the eunuch who guarded the imperial seal with death, retreated to the corner, and said nothing else. The right inspector Shi Shen Mingzhi, who is famous for his uprightness, looked pensive, and he was probably thinking about major events in the world. Watching the emperor off, trying to hide his relaxed mood...
Han Ruzi didn't get anything, and he was still very excited in his heart. After all, the emperor was being watched. His hand could not be stretched ten steps away, but there was a hand stretched out ten steps away. Maybe it was when he walked back to the inner palace. On the way, there are countless hands dancing in the dark, but he can't see it for the time being.
As soon as he returned to his residence, Yang Feng poured a basin of cold water on the emperor's excitement. At the door of the bedroom, Yang Feng ignored the etiquette, grabbed the emperor's arm, pushed him in, and waved his hand to prohibit other people from entering. A court lady was wiping the utensils, but was also kicked out by Yang Feng.
"The situation is urgent." Yang Feng's expression was extremely severe, with a touch of accusation, "Please tell me the truth, Your Majesty."
"Of course." Han Ruzi felt that Yang Feng was losing his composure.
"Has Your Majesty ever had contact with Liu Jie, the chief seal?"
"No."
"Has Your Majesty ever had contact with anyone outside the palace?"
"No."
"Did Your Majesty know about Liu Jie's actions today?"
Han Ruzi shook his head, "My every move—" the door opened, and the court lady Meng E walked in, looking at the two of them vigilantly. Han Ruzi continued: "I don't know anything, please believe me. I was more surprised by this than anyone else.”
Yang Feng stared at the emperor for a while, then nodded, "I believe in Your Majesty, please also trust me, just wait here, and let me restore the situation."
Han Ruzi glanced at Meng E, and said to Yang Feng, "I don't understand, isn't the matter settled?"
Yang Feng didn't look back, nor did he rebuke the maid, "The matter of Liu Jie, the chief seal, was settled, but you didn't. Fortunately, you saved some of it yourself, and gave the seal to the Queen Mother. There is not much time..." Yang Feng turned around Walking outside, he stopped for a moment when he passed by Meng E, and said coldly, "Protect Your Majesty's safety."
When it comes to disobeying the etiquette in the palace, Meng E has gone too far. She seems to have no understanding of these things at all. Except for her expressionless face, she is out of tune with other people. Facing the much higher status of the Zhongchang servant, she even He was stingy with giving a reply, and just looked back unceremoniously.
Yang Feng pushed the door and left.
The eunuchs and palace maids who were guarding outside filed in and brought a late lunch, more than a dozen dishes, half of which were fish. Han Ruzi was already very hungry, but now he had no appetite, but the rules of eating were not up to him. They brought everything back and forth, followed by snacks and tea, and the whole ceremony took nearly half an hour to come to an end.
Han Ruzi sat on the couch, looked at a landscape screen obliquely facing him, and suddenly realized that he had nothing to do. The ceremony, fasting, and enthronement were all over, and the seal was handed over. This was the last link between him and the "emperor" Interruption, at a glance, the unremarkable future is in front of him, and there will be no change until death comes. The most frightening thing is that he is sitting here alone, and the battle outside is raging.
The eunuchs and maids removed the cases, screens and untouched food in an orderly manner. Han Ruzi really wanted to stop them and ask them what they thought of the emperor, but he had already learned his lesson and didn't want to hurt anyone by talking too much. All he can do is smile and praise dishes that have had a bite or two.
What happened in the Palace of Qinzheng obviously spread to the inner palace. Although the emperor's kindness has not received a direct response, the waiters' eyes are somewhat flickering, as if they are suspicious of something.
The waiters had all left, and Meng E was the only one left. She closed the door, set up a round stool, and sat at the door, staring at her toes, as if she was listening to the sounds outside.
"Have you eaten?" Han Ruzi asked.
"En." Meng E somehow replied.
"This year's spring came earlier, and some plants have already sprouted."
This is not a question, so Meng E does not answer.
"It's so boring to sit here, can I go out for a walk?"
Han Ruzi thought that Meng E would find a high-sounding reason to prohibit herself from going out, but she simply replied two words: "No."
Han Ruzi didn't insist, "What else can I do besides sitting here?"
"You can go to bed and I'll wake you up for dinner."
Han Ruzi glanced at the Nuan Pavilion in his left hand, he didn't feel sleepy at all, he sat on the couch in a daze, and asked, "You haven't been in the palace for long, have you?"
Meng E slowly turned her head and glanced at the emperor, "How do you know?"
"I guessed it." Han Ruzi smiled. In fact, it's not difficult to guess at all. Meng E's temperament is so unique in the palace that even a young man with little experience can recognize it.
Meng E continued to stare at her toes.
"How long have you been in the palace?"
"Where are you from?"
"Is there anyone else in the house?"
"Do you like life in the palace?"
...
Han Ruzi asked a question every once in a while, and didn't care whether the other party answered or not. In the end, there was nothing to ask. He began to talk about his life, "I used to live in a small place, but there were many flowers and plants. I used to think that outside There will be more flowers and plants. I didn’t expect to see all the pavilions and pavilions when I came out. When I was five years old, I moved. The house was bigger and there were more servants. Everyone was very kind to me, bringing me all kinds of toys and returning I tell stories, I love listening to stories, you can do anything, fox fairy, knight, general... When I was eight years old, I moved again and changed to a building. I ran up and down more than ten times a day, my mother said This is good for your health. Then when I was ten years old, I moved into the palace. It’s strange to say that I lived here for a month, but I didn’t even have any impression of it.”
Meng E stood up suddenly, stretched out her left hand, signaling the emperor to shut up, and pressed her right hand on the door, really listening.
Han Ruzi was very surprised, this is the inner palace, why did Meng E put on the posture of facing an enemy?
Meng E sat down and said nothing.
"Zhongzhangxi Liu Jie is a loyal minister, but I don't know anything about what he did today. I haven't heard his name before. I hope...the Queen Mother can understand." Han Ruzi became more and more Believe Yang Feng's words, the scene in Qinzheng Palace is not completely over.
"Why did you tell me this?" Meng E turned her head and asked.
"I think... I guess... I think... you might be able to see the Queen Mother."
Meng E neither admitted nor denied it.
Han Ruzi was silent for a while, but he still couldn't figure out why Liu Jie's actions made Yang Feng so nervous, and Meng E, she was obviously more than just a court lady.
Undoubted footsteps came from outside, Meng E stood up suddenly, moved the round stool, waited for a while, and opened the door suddenly.
Standing outside was the East China Sea King who opened his mouth and was about to call the door. He was not with anyone. He didn't care about the maid. It's a disaster."
(seeking collection and recommendation)