Li You is the Commander of the Palace, and the Palace Departnt was already the Emperor’s personal guard, capable of entering and leaving the Imperial Palace at will. To obstruct Li You, there must be a reliable justification.
Since the Emperor punished Beauty Xu and Tang Yusheng, his illness worsened. Du Zheng served without leaving his side for a mont, yet the Emperor’s condition showed no improvent. He hadn’t uttered a complete sentence and hadn’t even opened his eyes in recent days.
All affairs within the palace were being handled by her.
Du Zheng and his n could only watch from the sidelines. She made no significant moves, and Du Zheng dared not question her.
Empress Xu did not intend to seize power now. Both the Emperor and Du Zheng’s n were barely hanging on, and she needed to utilize them to deal with Prince Qi.
In the future, when the Heir of Prince Qi ascends the throne, the account of killing his biological father must not be attributed to her, or it will inevitably beco a wedge between them.
The timing must be grasped precisely.
Hence, the true state of the Emperor’s illness must not be revealed.
Empress Xu carefully calculated, almost ticulously, yet she forgot one point: the people from the Palace Departnt were not under her control, and Li You was a man who had his own thoughts.
Empress Xu said, "Imdiately go to the Emperor’s sleeping quarters." The only person who could stop Li You was herself. Unfortunately, the people by her side were not confident they could capture Li You; otherwise, she would imdiately seize him, either to kill or imprison him.
Empress Xu hurried to the Emperor’s sleeping quarters.
Just stepping off the sedan chair, she saw Du Zheng standing outside the hall, his eyes red, looking disconsolate. Li You stood not far from Du Zheng, with a solemn expression, speaking with the Imperial Physician.
Empress Xu’s heart sank, and Li You’s deanor suggested he had already been inside.
Seeing Empress Xu, Li You’s gaze intensified, and both he and Du Zheng saluted her.
"Your Majesty the Empress," Li You said, "May I boldly ask, with the Emperor in such a state, why do you hide it from everyone?"
Empress Xu replied, "Why would I do such a thing? Does Mr. Li not know? If any news gets out, who will deal with Prince Lu and Prince Qi? Is it Mr. Li?"
"And after dealing with Prince Lu and Prince Qi," Li You asked, "Your Majesty, do you an that once they are dealt with, everything can be unhidden?"
"Is this the Emperor’s will, or is it yours, Your Majesty? So, the one who ordered the troops from the two prefectures has never been the Emperor, but you, Empress?"
Empress Xu frowned, "What do you an by this, Mr. Li? Are you accusing ?"
"I wouldn’t dare," Li You said, "I am rely asking Your Majesty the truth. We’ve always been inford that the orders ca directly from the Emperor in his sickbed, not from another’s mouth."
Empress Xu stared fixedly at Li You, "Then let ask Mr. Li, what’s the difference? If the Emperor could speak, would there be another arrangent?"
Li You saluted again, "I don’t know, I dare not presu the Emperor’s intentions."
Empress Xu’s gaze turned cold. Li You implied that the Emperor, unable to speak, naturally could not refute.
Li You continued, "Yet, regarding who issued the orders, even if it can’t be clarified with all the courtiers, it should be let known to Pri Minister Xie and a few key ministers."
The Emperor’s intention versus that of Empress Xu’s is different, even if the Emperor would give the sa command, it is not the sa.
No matter right or wrong, Empress Xu could push it onto the Emperor, and the Xu Family could use the Emperor as a shield.
Empress Xu naturally understood Li You’s implication. Her expression involuntarily changed, and she realized such words couldn’t be clear; otherwise, everything would change.
Li You continued, "The key ministers should also know the Emperor’s real condition now."
"Li You," Empress Xu suddenly raised her voice, "What is your intention in doing this?"
Li You did not answer but continued, "As long as the Empress summons Pri Minister Xie and others to the palace, allowing them to see the Emperor, I will not have another word to say."
"When the late Emperor was gravely ill, such arrangents were also made. Even if a new ruler is to be established, it’s the key ministers who pave the way."
If it is truly like this, what use does she, the Empress Dowager, hold then?
Under the instigation of Pri Minister Xie and his n, the new Emperor might even target the Xu Family. A young ruler cannot have a powerful Empress Dowager by his side.
A powerful Xu Family would certainly be suppressed.
Empress Xu would never allow such a thing to happen. If she couldn’t convince Li You, she would have to act against him.
Empress Xu looked at Li You, "Very well, I will order soone to call Pri Minister Xie. From now on, all affairs are handed to Pri Minister Xie and Mr. Li. I hope you loyally safeguard the dynasty of Daqi. Should there be even a slight mistake, you will be held accountable."
After saying this, Empress Xu stord outside in anger.
After taking two steps, Empress Xu was still uneasy. She looked towards Du Zheng, "Why is Du not attending to the Emperor?"
Du Zheng answered, "I will go imdiately."
Empress Xu said, "You must understand, the Emperor is more important than anything. Before Pri Minister Xie and the officials from the Central Secretariat arrive, no one else may enter the Emperor’s bedroom."
Empress Xu finished speaking and continued forward. After boarding the sedan chair, Empress Xu looked at the female official beside her, "Gather my confidants and imdiately execute Li You, claiming Li You attempted to assassinate the Emperor."
The female official understood. Empress Xu feigned agreent to Li You to prevent him from being on guard since there were quite a few of Li You’s n in the palace. When the ti cos, it might be impossible to apprehend Li You all at once.
Empress Xu said, "Li You carries weapons, and soone could assist him, so we cannot act openly."
The female official responded, "I will handle it right away."
Empress Xu did not return to her sleeping quarters but had a Palace Attendant bring out the Heir of Prince Qi. Together, they hid in a relatively secluded hall to guard against any mishaps and in case Li You brought people to search for her.
Though Li You is the Commander of the Palace, not everyone from the Palace Departnt follows his orders, as many have long pledged allegiance to the Xu Family.
Li You stood outside the hall, waiting. A Palace Attendant brought him a cup of hot tea. Li You, not in the mood to drink it, waved the attendant away. The attendant bent down as if to step out, but at that mont suddenly drew a dagger from his waist and lunged at Li You.
Instinctively, Li You drew the long knife at his waist to block. The attendant, failing in his strike, got his arm cut by Li You’s blade. Yet, the attendant did not retreat, gritting his teeth as he lunged forward again and grabbed Li You. At the sa ti, crossbows appeared from the palace wall, sending dozens of arrows speeding towards Li You.
...
Empress Xu’s fingers subconsciously caressed the teacup, waiting for news from outside.
If all went well, Li You could imdiately be detained in the palace. This step, though dangerous, had to be taken, or everything would be wasted.
Empress Xu appeared calm on the surface, but her palms were already cold with sweat.
Had it not been for the suspicion that acting against Li You would arouse in Pri Minister Xie, she would have already made her move against Li You rather than waiting until today.
Seeing that the plan was about to succeed, Li You surfaced at this ti. Even though killing Li You would cause trouble, she could not afford to let him remain.
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