Chapter 984: Gradually Falling (Part 2)
It was still in the shed near the city gate.
Sun Shaozong held a silk handkerchief in his hand, and looked at the bloody words on it: "Prince Zhongshun intends to rebel, and Your Majesty is imprisoned in the Qianqing Palace", feeling helpless.
Something so simple and straightforward may have enough impact, but how can it convince people?
If this thing were really brought before the commander-in-chief of the three battalions and one guard, Li Tong's constant claim of injustice and denial would probably not be convincing enough - at least that guy's identity as the chief officer of Prince Zhongshun's palace was already a clear proof.
However, Sun Shaozong did not have high hopes. As early as when he heard that there were several letters written in blood, he had already predicted this result.
After all, a blood letter is unlikely to be very long, not to mention writing several letters at a time?
In the final analysis, if one wants to take the initiative to rescue the king, one must find the person who escaped in the hot air balloon.
only……
Looking up at the snow falling heavier and heavier, Sun Shaozong couldn't help feeling powerless.
Now, not only has the visibility been further reduced, but even the roads have begun to become congested. In this situation, wanting to catch up with the hot air balloon flying in the air by relying on one's own two legs - there are indeed many cavalrymen in the Dragon Guards, but how can Sun Shaozong trust them - is simply a foolish dream.
…
at the same time.
The eunuch who went to the Huben Camp to deliver the imperial edict had already fled back to the palace in a panic, and reported his experiences in the Huben Camp to King Zhongshun with exaggeration.
"This damned Sun Er is my enemy at every turn!"
Prince Zhongshun was immediately furious and wished he could eat Sun Shaozong alive. He also deeply regretted underestimating him. If he had known this would happen, he should have pinned the crown prince's death on him years ago and made it impossible for him to turn things around!
However, no matter how angry, regretful, or hateful King Zhongshun was, he was helpless at the moment.
After much thought, he could only bite the bullet and rush to Xiyuan again.
This time, the emperor did not carry a bird cage. Instead, he was walking back and forth on the gravel path, supported by two eunuchs.
This method was originally invented by Prince Yi Zhong. It is said that it can massage the acupuncture points on the soles of the feet, making people light, healthy and youthful.
However, Prince Zhongshun scoffed at this. He thought that they were just some broken stones. How could they compare to the tender and delicate hands of the beautiful maid in the palace?
If he had found the scene so ridiculous in the past, how angry he was when he saw it again now - they had agreed to conspire to usurp the throne, but why did he end up being the only one who was so enthusiastic?
No wonder they say the emperor is not in a hurry, the eunuchs...
Pooh!
Spitting secretly, King Zhongshun stepped forward and said with a wry smile, "Father is in a very elegant mood, but he didn't know that Monkey King is about to come and cause trouble in the Heavenly Palace!"
As he spoke, he repeated the situation of the Huben Camp with some exaggeration. Just listening to his statement, it seemed as if the army led by Sun Shaozong to support the king had already reached the outside of the Meridian Gate.
After listening to this, the retired emperor stopped, took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, then picked up another one and handed it to Prince Zhongshun.
Prince Zhongshun had just walked in a hurry and there were some sweat stains on his temples, so he said thank you and wiped the sweat with a handkerchief while preparing to continue exaggerating and urging the emperor to come forward to turn the situation around.
But when he raised his hand halfway, he suddenly felt that the handkerchief was a little strange. He looked at it carefully and found that it was not a handkerchief at all, but clearly a piece of cloth torn from clothes.
There was also a line of blood words written on it: Prince Zhongshun intended to rebel, and Your Majesty was imprisoned in the Qianqing Palace!
Prince Zhongshun's hands trembled, and he almost threw the blood letter away. He then quickly held it in his palm and asked in panic: "Father, this... this is..."
"It was just sent in from outside the palace."
The Emperor looked at Prince Zhongshun and added, "Sun Shaozong also has some."
“This, this…”
Prince Zhongshun became more and more panicked, shaking off the blood letter and stamping his feet repeatedly: "What should we do! Father, if Sun Er really lets find those two slaves, we will be finished! You must..."
“Wuwuwu… The Retired Emperor, The Retired Emperor! Wuwuwu… The Retired Emperor!”
Just as he was asking for help, he heard a loud cry outside. Then he saw an old eunuch with a white beard stumbling over, falling to his knees and wailing, "The Emperor! His Majesty, His Majesty has passed away!"
"What?!"
King Zhongshun was stunned when he heard this.
It was true that he wanted to wait for Emperor Guangde to die before ascending to the throne, but he never expected that Emperor Guangde would die so suddenly, especially at this critical juncture!
Just as his blood-written letter of treason was found outside the palace, the emperor died in the palace. Not to mention whether he could explain it clearly, even if he could, he would have no choice but to withdraw to avoid suspicion when choosing the emperor's successor!
Thinking of this, Prince Zhongshun was furious and pulled the old eunuch to his side, shouting, "How could he die? How did he die? The imperial physician clearly said that he was just suffering from a heart attack due to anger, and if he took good care of himself, he could live for at least a few more months!"
“Wuwuwu…”
The old eunuch cried, "Your Majesty is already seriously ill, and you, Your Majesty, have isolated the inside and outside. There is a lack of medical care and medicine, and we are short of food and clothing. How...how can we...wuwuwu..."
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
Prince Zhongshun exerted force on his hands, shaking the old eunuch's white head and making him tremble: "When have I ever been short of his medicine, let alone taking it, you..."
Suddenly, his body stiffened, and he stared blankly at the old eunuch who collapsed to the ground. Then he slowly turned his head and looked at the retired emperor.
"It's you?! It's you, right?!"
He pointed at his father with trembling hands and gritted his teeth, "You never thought of helping me ascend the throne, you just wanted to use me, right?!"
"shut up."
The emperor rebuked.
But in this situation, how could this bland rebuke calm Prince Zhongshun's anger?
He continued to point and laughed bitterly, "I should have figured it out earlier. How can an unloved son be as easy to manipulate as a four or five-year-old child? From the beginning, you wanted me to bear the crime of regicide, and then naturally rule the country from behind the curtain. When the child grows up, you will probably be dead, and it will be the right time to return the power to him, and you will get the reputation of not clinging to power..."
“That’s enough!”
The Emperor raised his voice, stared at Prince Zhongshun and said word by word: "Fourth Brother, I gave you a chance, but you..."
He shook his head and waved his sleeves gently, "Retreat. For the sake of our father-son relationship, I will protect your life. You should continue to be an idle person. You cannot sit firmly on this throne, let alone sit well on it."
After saying this, without even glancing at Prince Zhongshun who was being dragged away, he beckoned over a few eunuchs and ordered, "Draft an imperial decree to summon the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, the Nine Ministers of the Six Ministries, and the Left and Right Palace Commanders of the Five City Military Command to the palace to discuss matters."
"Order the Inspection Office to send more personnel to support Sun Shaozong, the Junior Official of the Dali Temple - tell him that the traitor who attempted to usurp the throne has been captured by me, and there is no need to worry about changes in the palace. Just focus on finding Consort Xian De and Consort Rong."
After a pause, he added: "Tell him that I know he has always been loyal, brave and diligent in the king's affairs, and he will be of great use in the future!"
