Chapter 136: You Commit Insolence!
Mu Chang’s voice was not loud, but in this main hall, it echoed like a buzz.
Across the desk, the Emperor stared fixedly at him without speaking, like a stone sculpture.
Everyone in the Imperial Court knew that Prince Duan’s Mansion could legitimately take charge of the Imperial City Department by virtue of the imperial edict left by the Former Emperor.
They also knew that even though Yue Tang was a woman, she had already been granted the right to inherit by the Former Emperor.
Three years ago, she had already married into the wife’s family and given birth to a child, preparing to take charge of the prince’s mansion and the Imperial City Department.
Now that she had returned, everything from before would naturally continue.
The Former Emperor had passed away only three years ago; to put it exaggeratedly, the vermilion endorsement on the imperial edict he issued had not even dried yet.
What Mu Chang said was temporarily recover, which sounded like avoiding the claim of defying the Former Emperor’s decree, but no one in the Imperial Court was a fool, and Yue Tang was even less so!
Taking the Imperial City Department back from her hands—could the Imperial Court still remain peaceful?
Not to mention that the Emperor had just gone along with her wishes and used the matter of the Imperial City Department to punish Mu Chang, thereby demonstrating his determination to curb the Mu Family’s power.
Turning around and taking the Imperial City Department—wouldn’t Yue Tang become even more furious?
What Mu Chang was doing was not considering for him; this was just competing with Yue Tang.
The Emperor slowly clenched his fists resting on his knees and said, “Uncle also knows that I am inexperienced in handling affairs, and with the Empress Dowager constantly supervising, I truly dare not make any mistakes.
“If I bring up the Imperial City Department at this time, the Empress Dowager and the Shen Family will surely use it as an excuse to say that I am violating the Former Emperor’s decree and being harsh to my elder cousin.
“At that time, they will probably make a big fuss about it and refuse to return the imperial seal.
“I know Uncle has had a falling out with my elder cousin over this matter, but Uncle is already the esteemed Grand Tutor and should have the magnanimity of a prime minister who can hold a boat in his belly. Why bother inviting hidden dangers from the Empress Dowager’s side over her, who is outside the Imperial Court?”
“The Imperial City Department has nearly six thousand troops, originally meant for the king’s use. The Former Emperor made an exception with that imperial edict out of trust in Prince Duan’s Mansion; this was the Former Emperor’s benevolence!
“The Empress Dowager is the Former Emperor’s widow and is family with the Emperor. I cannot fathom on what grounds she would reprimand the Emperor over this and instead speak up for the princess.
At this point, Mu Chang brushed his sleeve, his expression darkening. “Taking the Imperial City Department into his own hands would be of real benefit to the Emperor.
“The Former Emperor let Prince Jingyang take charge of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and he still has three hundred thousand troops in Mobei. The only ones truly obeying the Emperor’s orders are these few tens of thousands in the Imperial Guard Camp.
“In case of any disturbance, does the Emperor truly not worry?”
The Emperor pursed his lips and gazed across, his expression unchanged, but his still body seemed to sway at this moment.
Prince Jingyang’s Mansion naturally had absolute strength.
If not for the Former Emperor’s order and those three hundred thousand troops in Mobei, how could Yan Bei, in his early twenties, have suppressed the Mu, Shen, and Chu families back then?
Suppressing those three families was equivalent to suppressing the Imperial Court.
In the past three years, he only needed to sit silently in the main hall without speaking, and no waves had arisen in the entire Imperial Court.
Fortunately, those three hundred thousand troops were far away in Mobei, and Yan Bei was far in the capital city, not posing an immense threat to the court.
Otherwise, how many people would have been unable to sleep or eat in peace these past few years?
But this could not erase the fact that Prince Jingyang’s Mansion had the strength to threaten everyone.
He silently lowered his eyes: “Even if the Imperial City Department is taken back, could these six thousand troops withstand Prince Jingyang’s Mansion’s military strength? Father Emperor loved me so much; everything he gave me is naturally the best. Prince Jingyang firmly held the Imperial Court when I was in trouble, and in one move stopped the Shen Family’s intention to support the Fourth Prince ascending the throne. He dispatched confidante guards south to escort me into the capital city. I do not believe he would disrespect me.”
“This time is different from that time; what didn’t happen before doesn’t mean it won’t now or in the future!” Mu Chang immediately followed his words. “Six thousand troops indeed cannot withstand the Mobei army.
“But with such close ties between Prince Duan’s Mansion and Prince Jingyang’s Mansion, if the Imperial City Department remains in Prince Duan’s Mansion’s hands, wouldn’t the imperial palace and Imperial Court become the world of these two prince’s mansions?
“The princess is already so formidable without power in hand; once she marries a husband and gives birth to a child and regains control in the future, if they want to do something in the imperial palace and Imperial Court then, they probably wouldn’t even need to mobilize the Mobei troops— just the Imperial City Department would suffice.”
Mu Chang’s voice grew even slower, but as he watched the Emperor’s fingers rubbing on the cup wall, every word he uttered became heavier.
The Emperor was the Emperor; as a subject, one could not overstep his status. Words like those from Madam Mu about dividing the world—they could only think about them in their hearts.
But precisely because he was the Emperor, what he cared about most was this world and this imperial power.
No matter how incompetent or useless, anyone sitting in that position would never be indifferent to potential threats.
Yue Tang had forced the Emperor to state his position against the Mu Family, so he, Mu Chang, would cut off her retreat at the bottom of the cauldron and shatter her delusions!
First take back the Imperial City Department into the Emperor’s hands, even if under the name of “temporary reception.”
In the short term, let alone producing an adult offspring to inherit the Prince Duan position as per regulations, she absolutely could not produce even an underage offspring!
Without accident, half a year later the imperial seal would return to Zichen Hall. With over a year of her marrying a husband and giving birth to a child, it would be enough time to deal with her!
“Uncle is overthinking it.”
Just as his thoughts wandered, the Emperor, silent for a moment, said this.
He brewed two cups of tea for each other just like in the morning, then pushed one cup across: “My elder cousin is just a princess, and Prince Duan’s Mansion has only her left. She still needs to rely on me—how could she possibly threaten me?
“No matter how capable she is, could she touch things she shouldn’t?
“Moreover, if she oversteps, I will certainly treat her impartially and punish her according to the law.
“The Emperor is mistaken.” Mu Chang’s eyes shone brightly. “Human desires are endless.
“Back then, it was her who stayed in the capital city, not you the Emperor, who was personally taught by the Former Emperor and the Empress often summoned before them. She personally served herbal medicine at the Former Emperor’s and Empress’s sickbeds.
“How does the Emperor know that such unparalleled favor did not breed something in her heart?
“Did the Former Emperor and Empress promise her anything back then?”
“Uncle’s words are absurd!” the Emperor said. “That was only Father Emperor and Mother Empress pitying her, loving her by association because she was born in the same month and day as me! What Father Emperor and Mother Empress promised her was nothing more than wealth and peace; as a woman, what else could they promise?”
The Emperor’s speech quickened, his brows slightly furrowed, and he turned his face away, no longer meeting Mu Chang’s gaze.
Mu Chang gritted his teeth and continued: “Does the Emperor truly believe that the Former Emperor transferring Yan Bei to the capital city as regent, enfeoffing the Shen woman as Empress Dowager when gravely ill, and issuing a decree for her to hold the seal until the new sovereign comes of age—all of this was considering for the Emperor?”
The Emperor’s averted face turned back, a glint of dark light flashing in his eyes.
A cold smile played at the corner of Mu Chang’s mouth: “If everything the Former Emperor did was considering for the Emperor, then I dare ask the Emperor: why did the Former Emperor not clearly establish an heir while alive? Why did he write on Prince Jingyang’s imperial edict ‘to assist the new sovereign’ instead of specifically naming the Emperor?”
The Emperor’s taut cheeks began to tremble: “I am the only legitimate son of the Emperor and Empress. Not explicitly naming an heir—doesn’t that mean the throne passing to me is beyond doubt?”
He pursed his lips tightly, took a deep breath, and continued: “I do not understand what the Grand Tutor is trying to say.”
“Thinking that being the legitimate son of the Emperor and Empress allows smooth ascension to the throne—absolutely not; this notion is utterly absurd!” Mu Chang steadied his breath and said word by word, “I want to remind the Emperor that Your Majesty’s imperial power was once the Former Emperor’s imperial power.
“When the Former Emperor was alive, there was no constraint in the Imperial Court holding him back.
“His decisions could be made entirely as he wished!
“In other words, the Former Emperor could establish whomever he wanted!
“His favor toward Princess Yongjia was obvious to all. The Former Emperor made exceptions for her everywhere, letting her as a daughter marry a husband, give birth to offspring, and inherit the throne—what difference does this make from passing the Prince Duan heir apparent position to her?
“This is merely a difference in title!
“Has the Emperor ever considered that if she were a princess, and there were no suitable prince in the imperial palace to succeed, under the same circumstances, would the Former Emperor have let her marry into the wife’s family, give birth to a child, and inherit the throne?”
“Absurd!” The Emperor stood up. “From ancient times to now, there has never been a precedent for establishing a Crown Princess!”
Mu Chang looked up at him: “I did not say to establish a Crown Princess; why is the Emperor so agitated?”
The Emperor was stunned.
Mu Chang also stood up: “What I said was only letting a princess marry into the wife’s family and act as regent. With the princess marrying a husband to inherit the throne as precedent, then establishing a princess’s son to succeed to the throne afterward—is that anything rare?”
His words were not loud, but each one rang out clearly, striking the Emperor’s ears like thunder!
This young Son of Heaven, usually mild and composed, now had his chest heaving, hands behind his back standing behind the desk, his gaze sharper and colder than snow light.
“You are spreading alarmist talk! She is just a princess, not a princess!”
“I naturally know that!” Mu Chang paused. “I was just making a hypothesis. The Former Emperor gave her too much preferential treatment; thus, it is not impossible for her to develop undue ambitions.
“The Former Emperor was a wise ruler of his generation, governing the realm impeccably.
“Even when he suddenly passed away and the Emperor ascended hastily, the world has remained stable these following years.
“This suffices to show the Former Emperor’s brilliance!
“When gravely ill, he even enfeoffed the Shen woman as Empress Dowager—did he not consider his aftermath?
“Why did he not clearly establish an heir and pass on the throne?
“Forgive my bluntness; this can only be because he had doubts about the Emperor!
“He had misgivings about you the Emperor—”
“Shut up!” The Emperor suddenly shouted lowly, his anger surging through his veins to his forehead, temples, and entire face.
“Mu Chang, you dare to speak recklessly about the Former Emperor—this is lese-majeste!”
Mu Chang said “Your Majesty” and calmly knelt down: “If Your Majesty thinks I am wrong, you can drag me out and behead me!
“But I still must say: without the Mu Family, under the heavens, there will be no one behind Your Majesty!
“That the Former Emperor never established an heir until the end is known to all in the Imperial Court!
“There are plenty of opportunistic people in the world. If Prince Duan’s Mansion gains power and stands shoulder to shoulder with Prince Jingyang in the Imperial Court—and as I know, the Shen Family is already privately contacting the princess, and the Fourth Prince is also the princess’s younger male cousin!
“If at that time they join hands, using that Your Majesty has no imperial edict to question Your Majesty’s legitimacy, and both prince’s mansions push the Fourth Prince to ascend— what will Your Majesty do then?!
“I am willing to die for Your Majesty without regret; I fear not beheading, but I hope Your Majesty takes these loyal words to heart!
“The Imperial City Department in the princess’s hands will bring endless future troubles!
“Please, Your Majesty, think thrice!”
He prostrated on the ground and kowtowed.
Like a loyal minister remonstrating to the death with utmost devotion.
The Emperor’s entire body was tense, gritting his teeth as he gazed at him on the ground, his pointing right hand trembling uncontrollably.
After kowtowing, Mu Chang raised his head and met his gaze without evasion.
In this main hall, aside from each other’s sound of breathing, all other noises seemed to have vanished.
The cold wind lifted the curtain inside the room, and the flame in the tea stove was blown swaying east and west.
No one knew how much time passed; only when the reboiling teapot emitted gurgling sounds did the Emperor lower his hand, step back, and sit down in his original seat.
Moments later, he lifted his bloodshot eyes to look ahead, his voice slow but already steady: “Do you have evidence? About the Former Emperor possibly setting a precedent for a princess marrying into the wife’s family.”
Mu Chang’s gaze shifted down, and he lowered his head: “Your Majesty, this is not important; it is just my speculation.
“For years, I have accompanied Your Majesty day and night, never leaving your side, and cannot spare to seek any evidence.
“However, even if Princess Yongjia is just a princess, she is a princess in the capital city.
“She is closest to the imperial power at that time; she received the best education, excelling in both civil and military arts, brave and strategic. All her actions on the path of revenge, Your Majesty already knows clearly.
“With such a princess right under your eyes, are you really at ease handing the Imperial City Department to her?”
The Emperor said nothing.
His gaze passed over the top of Mu Chang’s head and through the half-open window to the distant clouds.
“You may rise.”
His voice was somewhat hoarse, yet carried much more strength than usual.
Mu Chang thanked the imperial grace and stood up.
The Emperor’s retracted gaze fell on his face, and he suddenly smiled silently: “Uncle, please sit.”
Mu Chang was silent for a moment, then cupped his hands in salute again, sitting primly on the edge in observance of sovereign-subject propriety.
“But regarding Father Emperor not establishing an heir, why have I never heard Uncle analyze it before?” the Emperor said in a gloomy voice. “I resided long outside the capital city and in the past only knew to study following Grandfather and Uncle, ascending the throne in confusion and ignorance, truly knowing nothing.
“Yet I did not know Uncle had long seen through everything. If so, why did you not teach me some arts of kingship earlier?
“If I had understood earlier that I was not the favored one, or known earlier that I did not have Father Emperor’s favor, would I not have studied diligently sooner and spared Uncle so much trouble later?”
Mu Chang said slowly: “Your Majesty need not dwell on it. As Your Majesty said, Your Majesty is the only son of the Former Emperor and the primary Empress—how could you not be valued? You are of course the true Son of Heaven.
“I just now considered future hidden dangers for Your Majesty and in urgency spoke out of turn; please do not blame me, Your Majesty.”
“But I agree with you,” the Emperor said slowly. “I think Father Emperor and Mother Empress truly did not value me that much.”
Mu Chang glanced at him and then lowered his eyes.
