sbdcsierra Chapter 873: Dethroning the Imperial Concubine
Chapter 873: Dethroning the Imperial Concubine
The emperor was not in the Yangxin Palace at this time, but was discussing matters with many ministers in the Grand Council.
At this moment, the expressions on everyone's faces were very solemn.
Because the latest urgent news from the border was that after the Great Zhou army had fought against the Xiongnu and won several victories, both large and small, it had capsized in the gutter this time...
Zhou Yuxi originally led an army to raid the Huns' camp and burn their food supplies.
Unexpectedly, there was a spy in the army, and the news was known to the Huns in advance. Zhou Yuxi was caught off guard and suffered serious injuries.
Although the spy has been found and dealt with according to military regulations, Zhou Yuxi is still in a coma. Because of this incident, the morale of the Great Zhou has become particularly low...
When the emperor found out, he was furious!
The ministers could not boost others' morale and destroy their own prestige, so they could only say: "Victory and defeat are common in the military, and a temporary defeat does not mean anything."
"Yes! I believe that with General Zhou here, we will definitely defeat those barbarians!"
"We have uncovered a spy in the army this time, which can be considered a blessing in disguise."
"Your Majesty, please calm down!"
"..."
Just then, Li Changde walked in from outside, with beads of sweat oozing from his forehead, and it was obvious that he looked very nervous.
Normally, His Majesty was discussing matters with the ministers, and he should not interrupt. But the matter was of great importance, and Li Changde dared not fail to report it.
"His Majesty……"
The emperor's voice still carried a hint of anger: "What's the matter?"
Li Changde also understood that now was not the time to talk about this matter.
However, the cabinet ministers, the Grand Secretary, and so many others were waiting in the Zhongcui Palace. Whether the ceremony of conferring the title of Consort Chen would continue would ultimately depend on the order of His Majesty.
Li Changde could only raise his hand to wipe the sweat off his face, and said with a stiff upper lip: "The ceremony for conferring the title of Consort Chen was halfway through when the imperial seal suddenly cracked..."
"So the Grand Secretary sent someone to ask Your Majesty how to deal with this matter?"
Hearing this, the emperor frowned deeply, and his first reaction was that someone wanted to harm Nian Nian!
Otherwise, why didn't the seal crack earlier or later, but had to crack during the enthronement ceremony?
Who doesn't want to see Nian Nian firmly sit on the position of Concubine Chen?
However, as soon as Li Changde's words fell, there was an uproar in the hall!
Especially those ministers who were worried about the border war, their faces all changed.
"This, this... The Great Zhou had just lost the war with the Xiongnu, and when Concubine Chen was holding the enthronement ceremony, the seal broke. If this isn't a warning from heaven, what is it?!"
A minister stepped out and knelt on the ground, saying loudly: "Your Majesty, in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty, there has never been an example of granting an additional title to a noble concubine. Moreover, Noble Concubine Chen has been in the palace for less than two years and has little experience. How can she be so young and be worthy of the position of noble concubine?!"
"Heaven is telling the world that if one's virtue does not match his position, disaster will follow!"
"I second the proposal!"
"Your Majesty, the enthronement ceremony should be stopped immediately, and the title of Concubine Chen should be abolished! Otherwise, the heavens will be angry, and who knows what disaster will befall..."
"Yes! If your majesty insists on doing it his own way, I'm afraid the lives of thousands of soldiers and civilians on the border will be in danger!"
"An ominous sign has appeared during the enthronement ceremony. Your Majesty must heed the warning from heaven!"
"..."
In the eyes of the world, God's will is sometimes more important than the emperor's edict.
Otherwise, when a major disaster occurred in a certain place, people would not think that it was God's dissatisfaction with the national politics or the emperor, so he sent down a warning, and even the emperor would have to issue an edict of repentance.
How could a royal concubine bear such a serious crime?
Moreover, the war with the Huns had just ended, and something like a warning from heaven had happened. Even if the emperor wanted to protect Shen Zhinian, he couldn't stop the gossip at this moment.
Those who had long been dissatisfied with the emperor's appointment of Shen Zhinian as Consort Chen were now criticizing her even more!
"Your Majesty, isn't the will of the heavens obvious enough? In my opinion, Concubine Chen is the reincarnation of an evil star, bringing an ominous sign!"
"Yes! The war between the Great Zhou and the Xiongnu has been going well, and they have won every battle. But on the day of the conferment ceremony of Concubine Chen, bad news came back. I think she is a jinx!"
"Noble Concubine Chen is an ominous person, how can she be worthy of the position of Noble Concubine?!"
"..."
Of course, with Shen Maoxue's current power in the court, there are still many people who speak for Shen Zhinian and protect her.
Unfortunately, this incident happened at such a coincidence that their voices were quickly drowned out by the public outrage...
Nangong Xuanyu sat on the dragon throne with a dark look in his eyes, as if brewing an impending storm.
He naturally wouldn't believe this nonsense!
Nian Nian had been in the palace for nearly two years, bringing him countless joys and giving birth to the fourth prince for him. Since she became the assistant manager of the six palaces, she had managed the harem in an orderly manner.
How could a woman who worked so hard and made such great contributions be unknown?
However, even an emperor cannot shut up the people of the world...
Everyone linked the defeat in the war with the Xiongnu and the breaking of the seal together. If the situation was allowed to develop, I'm afraid that Nian Nian would really be labeled a demon concubine by those who didn't know the truth.
Even if he defended Nian Nian at this time, people would not believe that Nian Nian was innocent. Instead, it would have the opposite effect, and people would think that Nian Nian was really a seductive concubine who bewitched the master and deceived him.
At that time, they should have shouted and called for the death of Nian Nian.
The best way is to calm the anger of the court officials and suppress the matter. After finding out the truth about the crack of the imperial seal, we can deal with it later.
Thinking of this, Nangong Xuanyu said in a deep voice: "The enthronement ceremony is temporarily cancelled."
"Until the truth is revealed, Concubine Chen will be secluded in Zhongcui Palace."
"Order the Ministry of Punishment, the Ministry of Justice, and the Dali Temple to investigate this matter thoroughly. No mistakes can be made!"
Feeling the murderous intent in the emperor's tone, Li Changde was shocked and said quickly: "Yes!"
However, the anger and fear of the ministers did not subside. They all knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, this is a strange sign from heaven. How can you just let it go like this?!"
"All signs indicate that Concubine Chen is a demon who has come to this world and brought disaster to the country and the people! If you do not depose her from her position as Concubine to calm the people, I am afraid that once the news spreads, it will cause great panic!"
"Yes! How can such an ominous person be worthy of serving the Lord?!"
"..."
Nangong Xuanyu threw the memorial in front of him to the ground: "Enough!"
"Noble Consort Chen was appointed by me with my golden words, and she is the biological mother of the Fourth Prince! You are calling for her to be beaten and killed because of an accident. Are you really acting as my master?!"
The ministers said in unison: "We dare not!"
"Your Majesty, we, the ministers, are only concerned about the safety of the people of Great Zhou and the long-standing foundation of Great Zhou. That is why we have to ask you to pay attention to the warning from Heaven!"