Volume 3: Dragon and Snake Movement Chapter 436: The Abandoned Queen Wins
Even though the eunuch who went to the cabinet to announce the arrival of Lord Wu in the palace was a tight-lipped person, but for such a serious matter as deposing the empress, even a good man like Lord Wu did not dare to easily draft an edict after hearing what the emperor said in front of the emperor. He thought that he could not bear the blame for helping the emperor depose the empress alone, so he sincerely requested the emperor to summon Grand Secretary Kong and Grand Secretary Zhang to resolve the matter together.
When the two of them arrived at the Qianqing Palace, Confucius gave the emperor a few words of righteous advice, and Zhang Yu also advised the emperor earnestly, but when the emperor showed an attitude of being determined, the two looked at each other and finally chose to remain silent. This lack of objection was tacit approval by Wu Gelao.
Originally, the person who was most obsessed with the primogeniture system was the former Prime Minister Jiang Ge Lao. As for the other three, Grand Secretary Kong often advocated the restoration of the old system of Taizu, so the appointment of the virtuous was also the old system. Grand Secretary Zhang Yu was promoted by the emperor himself. Who would follow the queen whose mother's family was already in decline and had caused several shameful incidents to go all the way to the end?
However, when the imperial edict was actually being drafted, the three of them looked at each other, especially Academician Kong, who was bearing the subtle looks from Zhang Yu and Elder Wu on both sides. Seeing that he might be blamed for the dethronement of the empress, he had to speak up and say, "Your Majesty, although the empress was dethroned for a crime this time, it would still hurt your reputation if it were spread out."
Unsure of how the emperor would react to this suggestion, Kong Daxueshi inevitably hesitated. But after weighing the pros and cons, he still gritted his teeth and continued, "If possible, why not ask the empress dowager for an imperial decree to accuse the empress of being unfilial."
After these words came out, Zhang Yu and Wu Ge Lao could not help but look at each other quickly, and secretly shuddered at the same time. This move by the Grand Secretary Kong was really vicious. If the emperor wanted to depose the empress, it would be like a common man wanting to divorce his wife. It might not be difficult in the case of the decline of the Yue family, but it would probably make him bear the reputation of being unfaithful and fickle. However, if the empress dowager came forward, it would be like a common uncle or aunt accusing a son or daughter-in-law of being unfilial. No one could say anything.
The only problem is that the emperor may not have to bear the blame, but the empress dowager may be accused of mistreating her son and daughter-in-law behind her back. After all, the last time the empress's seal and ribbon were taken away and she was banned from Kunning Palace, it was also the empress dowager who did it!
Sure enough, the next moment, the two saw the emperor frowning, his anger evident in his words: "I am no longer a three-year-old child. Can I not take the responsibility of deposing the queen? Is it necessary to disturb the queen mother? If there are people in the public who say that I have been unfaithful to my first wife, then let them say it! All three of you remember what I have said today. I will not appoint another queen in the future!"
The emperor had said such serious things. The three of them looked at each other for a while, knowing that the situation was irreversible. Wu Ge Lao laughed and said, "As for the emperor's family affairs, it is natural for the emperor to make the decision himself. We are just following his orders."
Scholar Kong despised the spineless yes-man Wu the most. When he heard Zhang Yu say that he would leave it to the emperor, he was too lazy to say anything more and simply said, "In that case, I will draft the decree."
Anyway, if this matter gets out, you won’t be able to shirk responsibility!
Just as the emperor ordered Liu Feng, the steward of the Qianqing Palace, to grind ink and serve, and Wu Ge Lao smiled and walked forward to stretch the paper, waiting for Kong Daxueshi to splash ink and write a wonderful article to depose the empress, Kong Daxueshi, who was standing silently with his pen in hand, heard hurried footsteps. Then, an extremely cautious voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, the queen mother is here."
The Emperor had just heard that the Lady Dowager and Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying had all left the palace and returned home, and he thought that the Empress Dowager had tacitly agreed to this matter. However, he did not expect that when the three elders of the Cabinet gathered in the Qianqing Palace to draft a decree to depose the Empress, the Empress Dowager suddenly arrived.
Even though he was no longer the age when he had to rely on his mother for everything at the beginning of his reign, and he was never the type to be afraid of his mother like a tiger - it was more like going against his mother, but at this moment, he still felt a little nervous. However, when he hurriedly left the East Warm Pavilion and arrived at the main hall, he saw a group of people coming in at the gate.
The Queen Mother did not ask Yuquan to help her, but walked in front alone. When she saw the Emperor and the three elders behind him, she said in a deep voice: "Yuquan, take the others down."
What category did this other person belong to? The three scholars, including Kong Daxueshi, were all in a dilemma. Fortunately, the Queen Mother said, "The Emperor and the three ministers, let's go in and talk."
The three scholars, Kong Daxueshi, had been in the officialdom for many years. At the beginning of their careers, they had also experienced the period when the empress dowager was in power. Therefore, they had long understood the empress dowager's character. Of course, no one would hesitate to refuse. As for the emperor, he would not argue with his biological mother in front of others. However, when the four monarchs and ministers followed the empress dowager to the East Warm Pavilion, they only heard one sentence without turning their heads.
"While the three ministers are discussing state affairs in the Qianqing Palace, I have something I must say. The Queen was previously confined in Kunning Palace for her crimes, but she still does not repent, acts recklessly, is disobedient and unfilial, and has no respect for her son or daughter-in-law. Although the Queen was chosen by me for the Emperor back then, now that things have come to this, she has to be deposed."
Almost as soon as the Queen Mother finished speaking, the surprised and delighted Academician Kong immediately responded and said loudly: "Your subject shall obey the Queen Mother's order."
Wu Ge Lao and Zhang Yu didn't even have time to secretly curse Confucius for being a playboy before someone else got the better of them. However, they immediately discovered that the emperor's face was not happy at all, but gloomy, as if a violent storm would blow up in the next moment.
At this moment, they both realized that although it would be a great opportunity for some emperors to shirk their responsibilities and accomplish their goals by following the Empress Dowager's decree to depose the Queen, it was obvious that the current Emperor was not happy about it, very unhappy!
Scholar Kong also realized this in a moment. Although the emperor's reaction was completely unexpected, in his opinion, it was just unnecessary self-esteem and persistence, and he would be able to figure it out when he looked back. Therefore, he only glanced at the queen mother, and when she nodded slightly to him, he immediately went to the small desk prepared for him, and after a little thought, he began to write furiously.
The emperor wanted to stop him several times, but was stared at by the empress dowager's stern eyes. In the end, he simply ignored Confucius and left with a cold snort. Seeing him like this, the empress dowager was relieved. But when Wu Ge Lao mentioned the title of Concubine Gong that the emperor had just mentioned, she said, "Since the empress and the emperor have been married for many years, it is better to depose her and make her Concubine Jing."
The title of Concubine Gong is probably unbearable for someone of the Queen's character. Although it doesn't matter if she wants to die or not, she can't leave too much room for gossip. After all, she and the Emperor have been married for twenty years.
When Academician Kong finished drafting the edict, he called Zhang Yu and Lord Wu to present it to the empress dowager.
After a quick glance, the Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, that's enough. You three remember, this time the Queen is deposed because she is disobedient and unfilial, and has no manners of a Queen, nor the demeanor of a son or daughter-in-law."
The words were so clear that the three scholars, Kong Daxueshi, naturally understood. In other words, the Queen Mother had already expressed that she hoped that they would insist in front of outsiders that the Queen's dethronement was unfilial, and not anything else! Thinking of the Queen Mother who once ruled behind the scenes and was very straightforward when she gave up power, and now taking the blame for the Emperor at a critical moment, even though the three of them were dissatisfied with the Queen Mother's ruling behind the scenes when they were young, they now have some respect for her.
His heart was filled with rage, but he was unwilling to go to the concubines. He even didn't want to go to Concubine Yu in Yonghe Palace. Finally, he went to the martial arts field in the Imperial Garden to vent his anger, where he danced with the sword until he was exhausted and sweated all over. He then soaked in the warm water pool next to him until he didn't want to move a finger. Then he asked someone to change his clothes for him, and then he rested alone in the other room in the Imperial Garden.
However, the emperor did not return to the palace, but the edict deposing the empress had already left the palace in the evening. Faced with such a big thing, the first to explode were the censors, the imperial censors and the imperial secretaries who were almost crazy. If the news had been spread earlier, they could have greatly improved their reputation just by advising and admonishing the emperor, but now things have come to the final step in an instant, what else can they do?
In order to persuade the emperor not to depose the empress, he went to the palace to protest? What a joke! The effort and reward were totally disproportionate!
What's more, the decree of the Empress Dowager clearly stated that it was written that it was the Empress Dowager's decree! The Empress's biggest crime was even more certain: she was disobedient and unfilial, and she had no son-in-law or daughter-in-law!
Along with this imperial edict, the farce that took place in Kunning Palace today spread like wildfire.
The second prince delivered food to the emperor and empress in the palace. The emperor was fine, but the empress was vomiting and having diarrhea and insisted that she was poisoned. The second prince insisted that it was Zhang Shou who killed him. As a result, all the imperial doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau jointly diagnosed the empress, and found that the empress had often fasted and deprived herself of water, which led to anorexia. The so-called poisoning was a fabrication... I don't know how many jaws dropped from these confusing news.
But the most surprising thing was undoubtedly the chef Fang from Yangzhou Guild Hall, who everyone thought was unlucky at first, but in the end everyone exclaimed that he was lucky! Who would have thought that the chef Fang was forcibly summoned by the second prince to the other courtyard to cook, and then innocently carried the charge of murdering the queen and was taken to the palace for questioning, but in the end he was not only acquitted, but was also directly selected into the imperial kitchen!
When he was taken back to Yangzhou Guild Hall in a horse-drawn carriage, Chef Fang was completely dazed. He even stumbled when he got off the carriage and almost fell out of it. But before he could stand still, he heard a loud and deafening sound of firecrackers. At this moment, he was so scared that his legs went limp and he almost fell to the ground again.
"Congratulations, Chef Fang! Congratulations, Chef Fang!"
"You still call him chef? He is the imperial chef appointed by the emperor!"
"This is truly a blessing in disguise! God is blessing you!"
Amidst the cacophony of congratulations, Chef Fang was pulled up by someone with a bewildered face. However, he felt that he could hear what was said but could not understand it. It was just like the dream-like feeling when he was politely escorted out of the palace with trepidation.
He finally made his way through the three layers of crowd and entered the Yangzhou Guild Hall amid the sound of firecrackers. He saw the head of his own guild, Lu Chaibang Yu, coming up to him with a big smile, shaking his hand tightly and swinging it up and down.
"Chef Fang, you really brought honor to our Yangzhou! The plan for the imperial chef selection contest has just spread in the outer city. Others are not sure if they can get in even if they rack their brains, but you have directly got the opportunity to join the imperial kitchen. We Yangzhou people are proud of you! You are not afraid of the second prince's power and insist on your own cooking skills. In the future, all chefs in the world will take you as a role model!"
What does this have to do with anything? How am I not afraid of the Second Prince's tyranny? After I was forcibly invited to the Second Prince's villa - that invitation was actually almost like kidnapping - I didn't dare to refuse that tough but irritable son of the dragon and grandson of the phoenix. I just did whatever he said? Moreover, I just used all my skills to make a table of tea and snacks, how can I be considered a chef?
Seeing that Chef Fang was almost dizzy, Yu Huichu rolled his eyes and quickly ordered someone to close the door, isolating the noise and clamor outside. Then he whispered, "Chef Fang, when you left the palace, did you hear that the queen was deposed?"
When he saw Chef Fang's pale face, Yu Huishou knew it without asking. Needless to say... people don't know anything about this! He patted Chef Fang's shoulder sympathetically, and said kindly but with a bit of envy: "In short, your suspicion has been cleared and you have entered the imperial kitchen. Cheer up..."
It took great effort for Yu Huishou to pacify Chef Fang, who was dejected and did not have the aura of an imperial chef at all. Then he learned the inside story of today's series of events - of course, only the inside story that Chef Fang knew.
Even so, he was still frightened, and nearly broke out in cold sweats. He immediately ordered the waiter to boil water for Chef Fang to wash away the bad luck. After all this, Chef Fang, who was almost exhausted, ate half a bowl of silver noodles, and then he gradually came to his senses. However, before he could shake his head and sigh about his damn luck, there was a sudden knock on the door.
At this time of night, the sound was really frightening. Especially for Chef Fang, who had just experienced a thrilling incident today, he was so frightened that he shivered and dropped his chopsticks. Seeing his horrible appearance, Yu Huichu rolled his eyes and went to the door to inquire in person. As a result, he spoke to the person through the door for a few words, and then he happily opened the door and let the person in.
Seeing that Chef Fang was looking at the fat guest he brought with him with a look of doubt, Yu Huishou, who led the guests in, stepped forward to Chef Fang and whispered, "This is the most proud student of Dr. Zhang in the Imperial College, Lu Zhu, the head of Jiuzhang Hall. His father used to be the Minister of War. Although he is not now, he is still the chief academic officer of Daming Public College. He is the prodigal son who has turned over a new leaf and become a genius as the emperor said!"
Chef Fang was confused. Why would such a great person look for him? Even if he became the royal chef, he would still be a world away from being a great chef!
Lu Sanlang had sharp ears and heard the words of Yu Huishou clearly, especially the two words "Lu Zhu", which made him remember him. But facing the frightened Chef Fang, he acted gentle and amiable. Because he remembered that Zhang Shou was the best at treating people with this side. Sure enough, he walked forward and comforted Chef Fang in a gentle and gentle manner, and Chef Fang finally calmed down.
Of course the most important thing is that Lu Sanlang comforted him that the deposed empress had nothing to do with him, and that he became the imperial chef because the emperor sympathized with his humiliation and appreciated his cooking skills.
Only when he saw that Chef Fang had completely calmed down did Lu Sanlang say with a smile, "After all the imperial chefs in the imperial kitchen were cleared out, the Yangzhou Guild Hall had its first imperial chef. Chef Fang, are you interested in being a judge in the next cooking competition? And Yu, are you interested in bringing your Yangzhou Guild Hall's staff to show up?"
