webnovelfull Chapter 275: Forced by Situation
Chapter 275: Forced by Situation
Xiao Jinghan's memorial was still on the way to the capital, but at this time, the entire capital was already in an uproar, and the secret in the memorial had already become known to everyone.
In the capital, no matter whether it was the dignitaries or the common people, whether it was the officials in the court or the street vendors, everyone learned a shocking news: it was Empress Dowager Xue who had poisoned Xiao Qichen with the Biluo poison and ordered Xiao Jingyi to kill Wu'an King Xiao Qichen. What was even more infuriating was that in order to successfully murder Xiao Qichen, Empress Dowager Xue actually acquiesced to Xiao Jingyi's act of collusion and betrayal!
However, this is not all. The most heartbreaking thing is that even Xiao Qichen's father, the founding father of Dazhao State, could not escape the clutches of Queen Mother Xue and was also killed by the Biluo poison!
You must know that the Wu'an Palace has been inhabited by war gods for generations. It can be said that without the Xiao family, the Dazhao Kingdom would have been destroyed by Yuewu long ago.
The god of war who had protected Dazhao for generations was actually murdered by the vicious woman in the harem!
"Your Majesty! Something bad has happened!" Eunuch Gao shouted and ran into the imperial study.
The imperial study was dark, and Emperor Wen was sitting on the dragon throne, motionless!
Gao Gonggong's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty! I'll have someone light the lamp right away!"
Emperor Wen licked his dry lips and asked in a somewhat hoarse voice: "Has it spread all over the capital? I..."
Emperor Wen's voice echoed in the darkness, with a hint of desolation and helplessness. He knew in his heart that this matter could not be undone, and the reputation of the royal family would be seriously damaged.
Eunuch Gao looked at Emperor Wen distressedly, tears flashing in his eyes. He knew very well the deep affection between Emperor Wen and the Queen Mother, and now such a tragedy had happened, which made him feel extremely sad.
Emperor Wen slowly stood up and walked to the window with heavy steps. He looked out at the night, his heart filled with regret and self-blame. If he had been able to stop his mother decisively, perhaps the situation today would not have happened.
Eunuch Gao stood aside silently, not knowing how to comfort Emperor Wen. He could only accompany him quietly, hoping that time would slowly heal the pain in Emperor Wen's heart.
Emperor Wen sighed deeply, turned around and sat back in front of the dragon throne. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down. At this moment, he needed to think about how to deal with this crisis next to ensure the stability and peace of the country.
Eunuch Gao looked at Emperor Wen cautiously and said softly, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has sent people to quell the matter, but the current situation is not optimistic..." His voice was full of worry and uneasiness.
Emperor Wen frowned, slammed the table angrily, and shouted: "Calm down? How can this matter be easily settled? What the people need is the attitude of the royal family! They want to see our respect and fair treatment of Prince Wu'an! Oh! Let Li Mingfu stop!"
Emperor Wen took a breath, calmed himself down, then turned to Eunuch Gao and asked, "What did you want to say just now?" His eyes were sharp, as if he could see through Eunuch Gao's inner thoughts.
Eunuch Gao lowered his head and said in a low voice: "The students in the capital are kneeling outside the palace, begging Your Majesty to clear the names of the two generations of King Wu'an! Your Majesty, this matter has spread throughout Dazhao, and has attracted widespread attention and discussion." There was a hint of worry in his voice, worried that this matter would escalate.
Emperor Wen's hands trembled slightly, a trace of pain flashed in his eyes, and he slowly lowered his eyelids. He said in a low voice: "Gao Rui, go and prepare a cup of poisoned wine. I want to go to the Cining Palace to visit my mother."
Hearing this, Gao Rui's face changed drastically. He knelt on the ground with a plop. Tears immediately welled up in his eyes. He choked and said, "Your Majesty! That's your biological mother! How could you have the heart to do that to her?"
At this moment, a figure walked out of the darkness. It was Kong Boda. His face was solemn. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Your Majesty, I just received news that Emperor Youli sent a message saying that he wanted to seek justice for his brother-in-law Xiao Qichen and his father-in-law. If they are not satisfied, the Youli royal family will no longer provide medicine to Dazhao. Moreover, he also said..."
Emperor Wen's heart sank instantly, his eyes became a little dazed, and he muttered to himself: "What else did he say?"
Kong Boda lowered his head and answered carefully: "He also said that if Dazhao cannot avenge the Xiao family father and son, he will end the alliance with Dazhao. Your Majesty, once Youli Kingdom forms an alliance with Yuewu or Beiliu, it will be a huge threat to our Dazhao!"
Emperor Wen frowned, put his hand on his forehead, and let out a long sigh: "Gao Rui! Which is more important, my mother or my country? My mother, how could she be so confused! Oh, let's go to the Cining Palace!"
Eunuch Gao couldn't help but sigh, then stood up and followed Emperor Wen to the Cining Palace.
Kong Boda, who was standing aside, had a flickering look in his eyes, as if he was thinking about something, and then he disappeared into the darkness without a trace.
As night fell, the sky gradually darkened, with stars twinkling faintly. The Cining Palace was illuminated by lights, magnificent and magnificent, but unusually quiet, without a single palace maid or eunuch. This quiet atmosphere made people feel flustered, as if something was about to happen.
Emperor Wen walked slowly into the palace, full of doubts and uneasiness. When he entered the palace, he found that only Empress Dowager Xue was sitting quietly at the table, which was filled with various dishes she liked.
Queen Mother Xue stared at the delicacies on the table, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a faint smile: "Xiao'er, you are here."
When Emperor Wen heard this address, his heart was shocked and his eyes froze instantly. Since he ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Xue had never addressed him in such an intimate way again. This sudden address made him feel both strange and intimate, and his thoughts could not help but drift back to the past.
He waved his hand, signaling Eunuch Gao to leave. Eunuch Gao quickly put down the wine pot in his hand, knelt down respectfully in front of Empress Dowager Xue, and said with a sob: "Empress Dowager, I will do my best to take good care of Your Majesty, please rest assured!"
Queen Mother Xue was deeply moved when she heard this, but her face remained calm. She nodded slightly, and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, trying to smile, but in the end she only managed an ugly smile. She looked at Eunuch Gao, a trace of gratitude flashed in her eyes, and she said softly: "I believe in you."
Eunuch Gao was in tears and said in a trembling voice, "May the Queen Mother have a pleasant journey!" After that, he turned and left, gently closing the door.
After Eunuch Gao left, Emperor Wen slowly walked to Empress Dowager Xue and sat down next to her. He picked up a pair of chopsticks, picked out a few dishes that Empress Dowager Xue liked the most, and placed them in the bowl in front of her. Emperor Wen lowered his head and said softly, "Mother, these are your favorite dishes. I specially asked the imperial kitchen to prepare them for you."
Queen Mother Xue's cloudy eyes were misty, as if she was reminiscing about the past, or lamenting about the present. She sighed and said firmly, "I don't regret anything I've done! As long as my son Xiao'er's throne is secure, I can give up anyone and anything!"