Outside the Shangyang Palace.
The eunuch on duty stopped Zhang Zhengyang and stood on the steps.
“Lord Zhang, His Majesty is already asleep. If there’s anything, you can submit a memorial in the imperial court tomorrow.”
“I have something important to report. Please report it, Eunuch Xu.”
Zhang Zhengyang looked at the brightly lit palace and heard the sounds of singing and dancing. From time to time, there were women chasing and laughing.
Eunuch Xu said, “We don’t dare to disturb His Majesty’s rest. Lord Zhang, please leave.”
“I request an audience with Your Majesty!”
Zhang Zhengyang knelt outside the palace gate with tears streaming down his face. He kept begging to see His Majesty. He kept knocking his head against the ground. Blood oozed from his forehead.
A long while passed.
There was no response from the palace. Zhang Zhengyang’s expression changed from firm to miserable. After kowtowing three times, he got up and left with difficulty.
“I’ll take my leave!”
In the palace.
Forty to fifty beautiful palace maids were dancing and playing in the hall. Emperor Yongxing was not on the throne in front of them.
After Zhao Yuan ascended the throne, his dynasty was called Yongxing. This year was still the 18th year of Hongchang, and next year would be the year of Yongxing.
Eunuch Xu quickly arrived at the small pavilion in the rear hall. He entered and knelt down. “Your Majesty, Minister Zhang has left the palace.”
Emperor Yongxing leaned against the soft couch. More than twenty people stood on his left and right like stars surrounding the moon. They were all high officials. On his left was the Minister of War, Liang Dong. On his right was the Minister of Personnel, Xie Wei.
The two of them were originally Zhang Zhengyang’s trusted aides, but at this moment, they had already submitted to Emperor Yongxing. As the dynasty changed, the civil and military officials could clearly see that the powerful Minister Zhang would definitely fall. They had to make preparations early.
Emperor Yongxing asked, “Was there any disobedience when Minister Zhang retreated just like that?”
Eunuch Xu said truthfully, “Your Majesty, Minister Zhang looks desperate and has no complaints.”
“Minister Zhang is quite tactful.”
Emperor Yongxing waved his hand and dismissed Eunuch Xu. He asked the eunuch serving at the side, “Defu, have you found out who is spreading rumors?”
Li Defu was originally an inner eunuch in Prince Qin’s Mansion. He had been serving Emperor Yongxing since he was young. Now, he has become the Director of Ceremonies and the commander of the Uniform Guards.
“Your Majesty, too many people were seen in the palace that night. It will take some time to investigate.”
Emperor Yongxing said coldly, “What’s wrong with entering the palace to quell the rebellion? I’m asking who’s spreading rumors about me killing Sixth Brother?”
Ever since the imperial edict was issued, all kinds of rumors spread throughout the Divine Capital, such as usurping the throne, being unfilial, and so on, faintly destabilizing Emperor Yongxing’s throne.
Li Defu knelt down. “Your Majesty, I deserve to die. I have yet to completely control the Uniform Guards.”
Emperor Yongxing frowned slightly. He wanted to call for someone to drag this piece of trash out and beat him to death, but he was in a hurry to ascend the throne and there were too few people he could use.
The commander of the Uniform Guards was too important. He would rather have loyal trash than let outsiders take the position.
“Your Majesty, anyone with a discerning eye knows that this is a lie. Those people don’t care about the truth at all. They just want to tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation.”
Xie Wei said, “Instead of tracking down the traces of the rumormongers and letting people lead us by the nose, it’s better to point to the source. There are only those three who benefited from this rumor!”
Among the six princes of the late emperor, the eldest prince was banished to the Cold Palace, the sixth prince was dead. Only three people were qualified to replace Emperor Yongxing
Emperor Yongxing nodded slightly, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. He was still soft-hearted when he killed his first brother, but it would be much easier to kill again. If not for his reputation, he would have killed his three younger brothers’ entire families now. The rumors in the capital would have collapsed.
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