After reading my mind, Daddy, why don't you smile?

Chapter 515 Accepting fate

The next day, the battle between Zhao Ying and Zhao Xi for the throne officially began.

Shangguan Shu's coffin and funeral paraphernalia were carried in a grand procession from the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion through the main street of the capital, and into the Shangguan family's ancestral tomb outside the capital.

Shangguan Chengjing, as the eldest son, carried the coffin, and the others followed behind. Even Shangguan Qingyue wore mourning clothes and looked even more pitiful among the crowd.

This is the effect you want.

The causes and consequences of Shangguan Shu's unjust death at Shenwu Gate were spread out, and with the deliberate exaggeration, the people were talking about it, and the public resentment was like a pot of water boiling on the fire, ready to boil.

Zhao Ying also wore mourning for Shangguan Shu. Although she knew he was still alive, it was actually him in the coffin, and Zhao Ying's heart ached again.

She couldn't help but think that Shangguan Shu's life was a tragedy that was beautifully embellished and gorgeous. He had been silently manipulated, and everything he got was not what he wanted. He lost everything he wanted and loved.

The woman who claimed to love him pushed him into an endless abyss.

He wanted to break free from control, but the only way to do so was through death.

In fact, isn't it a tragedy for her and her children?

But this time, she would never allow those tragedies to happen!

After the funeral, the old duke brought the other three dukes and the patriarchs of the old clans into the palace and knelt outside the Golden Palace, demanding that the culprit Zhao Xi be severely punished and that an explanation be given to the clan.

The petition from the four generals of the Southern Region was also sent urgently over 800 miles to the dragon table of Emperor Jianxi. There was only one request, that Zhao Xi should pay with his life for the murder.

Outside the Jinluan Palace, the civil and military officials trembled at the scene before them. Taifu Yang angrily scolded the old Duke and others, "You are forcing the emperor to abdicate!"

An official stepped out and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, "Grand Tutor, what you said is wrong. How can you say that you are forcing the emperor to abdicate? A prince who breaks the law is guilty of the same crime as a commoner. Prince Ding Zhao Xi designed to wrongfully kill Grand Tutor Shangguan. There are witnesses and evidence. A life must be paid with a life. This cannot be denied!"

Prime Minister Yin said, "Nonsense! The prince is the legitimate son of His Majesty, how can he sacrifice his life for a minister? Besides, the one who killed Shangguan Shu was Shangguan Zhu, not Prince Ding!"

“Hahaha…” Shangguan Dan sneered, “What the Prime Minister said is that the murderer should be punished by the murder weapon, not the person who ordered it?”

The neutral officials remained silent. They thought that the unjust killing of a court official must be punished with death, but this man was the emperor's legitimate son and the one who had the greatest hope of becoming the crown prince... Alas, in ancient times, the emperor was guilty of the same crime as the common people when he broke the law, but when was he really guilty of the same crime as the common people?

There was a lot of noise outside the palace. Inside the Golden Throne Hall, Emperor Jianxi looked at the petition letters one after another, and after a while, he gave an order.

Zhou Ji, Shangguan Zhu, and Qiancheng were sentenced to death and executed in the autumn.

Since Hengbi did not have an official title, he was not involved.

When the order was passed down, everyone understood that the emperor wanted to sacrifice the pawn to save the king, and the emperor was still loyal to Prince Ding.

Prime Minister Yin and Grand Tutor Yang breathed a sigh of relief, but the old Duke and his entourage looked gloomy. After the court was adjourned, the old Duke did not leave and remained kneeling outside the palace. Emperor Jianxi did not come out either.

Everyone thought that the matter would be dealt with hastily, but Prince Ding's mansion was surrounded by the people.

In the middle of the night, a large number of people stood outside Prince Ding's palace and threw eggs and rotten vegetables. Some radical elements even broke into the palace. Fortunately, the garrison of the capital arrived in time and brought Prince Ding into the palace overnight.

The next day, all the officials who were originally from Shangguan Shu's lineage quit the court.

At this time, Prime Minister Yin and Imperial Tutor Yang discovered that the key to solving this matter was Zhao Ying.

After Prime Minister Yin and Imperial Tutor Yang returned from the palace, they went to the princess's residence. Zhao Ying was not surprised by their arrival.

After the formalities, Taifu Yang got straight to the point, "What exactly does it take for Your Highness to let this go?"

They were really scared if the situation continued like this. Fortunately, Prince Ding was not a pushover and had placed the families of the Southern Region generals under house arrest. But they were afraid that they would ignore it...

Zhao Ying was dressed in plain white and spoke in a low voice, "You ask me? Then I will tell you, I want Zhao Xi to pay for my husband's life!"

Prime Minister Yin frowned, "I hope Your Highness will think twice. Prince Ding is none other than Your Highness's biological brother. How can you ask your loved one to pay for the life of an outsider?"

"Since he knew that he was my close relative, why did he still plot to harm my consort?"

Taifu Yang and Prime Minister Yin saw that this was not the right thing to do, so Taifu Yang pointed it out directly, "In my opinion, Your Highness is claiming to be seeking revenge for your husband, but in fact, you want to use this opportunity to overthrow Prince Ding and take the throne yourself!"

Zhao Ying curled her lips with a smile, no longer hiding her intentions, and casually raised the teacup and took a sip, "So what?"

"Your Highness is too arrogant!" Prime Minister Yin was so irritated that he stood up and shouted angrily, "Your Highness is just a woman, why do you want to covet the supreme position!"

"Why? They are both my father's children, so Zhao Xi is fine, but I am not?"

Taifu Yang lowered his voice, as if trying to comfort him, "Forgive me for being disrespectful, but since ancient times, men have been true dragons, and women can be true phoenixes, and only dragons and phoenixes can bring good luck! If... the phoenix wants to be a dragon, wouldn't that be going against the will of heaven and breaking the law of our ancestors?"

"The laws of our ancestors were also set by you men. Why should I follow them?"

Prime Minister Yin narrowed his eyes, "Your Highness is so stubborn that he might hurt himself! Your Majesty is wise and powerful, how could he allow Your Highness to act recklessly!"

These words seemed to have touched Zhao Ying's heart. Zhao Ying stopped talking and asked someone to send the guest away.

As soon as the people were sent away, news came from the palace that Emperor Jianxi had summoned him.

Soon, Zhao Ying knelt outside the Yangxin Palace. Emperor Jianxi said that he would have to keep kneeling unless he admitted his mistake.

The queen wanted to plead for mercy, but was forcibly sent back to Kunning Palace by the guards and detained.

Inside the palace, Emperor Jianxi was lying on his side, eating grapes fed by Concubine Qi. Zhao Xi glanced at him and couldn't help but said, "Father, sister..."

"You don't need to plead for her. I spoiled her and let her covet the throne. Not only that, she even openly opposed me!"

"Father..."

"Don't say any more. I'm tired. I need to take a nap..."

"Your Majesty, please sleep well. I will fan you." Concubine Gang said softly.

Zhao Xi walked to the outer hall and looked at Zhao Ying kneeling under the scorching sun outside. He felt the familiar pain in his chest again. He slowly closed his eyes, and the overwhelming pain leaked out unexpectedly.

The eunuch standing by thought he was not feeling well and hurried to greet him.

He raised his hand and said in a lost voice, "Go and bring some ice basins to the princess."

"But as for Your Majesty..." The eunuch was a little embarrassed.

"I am with my father, go quickly!"

"The slaves obey the orders!"

After dinner, Emperor Jianxi finally asked, "Has Chengqian not begged for mercy yet?"

Wu Yonggui nodded timidly.

Concubine Xiang said sarcastically, "Princess, you are such a fool. Do you really want to make His Majesty angry? You don't even think about His Majesty's health..."

Emperor Jianxi was not angry, but with a faint smile on his face, he said calmly, "My beloved concubine is considerate of me."

"Oh no, Your Majesty, the princess fainted?"

"What?" Zhao Xi stood up immediately upon hearing the voice and walked out of the hall.

Outside the palace, Zhao Ying had been exposed to the sun for a whole day, her fair face had turned red, and she hadn't had any water, so her lips were dry. She fell to the ground like a dried flower.

Zhao Xi stepped forward, picked her up and carried her to Kunning Palace.

"Go call the doctor!"

……

"Don't worry, Your Highness. The princess is just overworked and has a bit of heat stroke. She will be fine after a good night's sleep."

As night fell, the imperial physician left. The maid fed Zhao Ying a bowl of heat-relief medicine, and then was driven out of the side hall by Zhao Xi.

Zhao Xi sat beside the bed, looking at the unconscious Zhao Ying. The candlelight was dim, reflecting on his face, making it look a little gloomy.

After a while, he stretched out his hand and covered her face.

Looking closely, the hand was shaking.

As soon as they got close, Zhao Xi's breathing stagnated and he closed his eyes uncontrollably.

At the same time, the sea of ​​my heart was surging and huge waves were surging.

He admitted it.