Chapter 185 The First Confession

As soon as the edict to depose the crown prince was issued, the court changed dramatically.

Although Xie Tingzhou had a wound on his face, he went to court as usual. Whenever his colleagues asked him about it, he would frankly say that he was beaten by his brother for stealing someone's beauty.

In the past two days, the atmosphere in both the court and the palace was very depressing. The censors did not dare to make trouble at this critical juncture, and therefore did not dare to impeach Xie Tingzhou.

The throne was vacant, and the court officials were busy submitting memorials. There were two piles of memorials on Emperor Tongxu's desk, one pile was supporting Qin Wang Li Zhaonian, and the other pile was petitioning to establish Qi Wang as the crown prince.

Qi Wang Li Yanchang, who was out of reach of the throne in the past, seemed to have the ability to compete after the former crown prince Li Jincheng was eliminated.

Emperor Tongxu's eyes were sunken and he looked haggard, but he still bent over his desk.

This incompetent emperor worked day and night, standing his last shift, as if to prove the word "devoting all his efforts".

"Your Majesty." Defu stepped forward and advised: "It's time to rest."

Emperor Tongxu said "hmm", turned his head to look at the sky, and said: "Light the lamp."

The palace maid entered the hall, and the lights were lit in the Hanzhang Hall.

Emperor Tongxu looked for a while, and his eyes began to blur, and he couldn't see the words on it clearly.

He leaned back in the dragon chair, and spoke after a long while: "Where is Shiyu? Call her in."

Defu: "Yes."

Shen Yu entered the hall, "Your Majesty."

"Come closer."

"Yes." Shen Yu walked closer and met Emperor Tongxu's turbid eyes.

"Yes, she is good-looking." Emperor Tongxu looked for a long time before saying.

Shen Yu's expression did not change, but her heart began to be uneasy because of this inexplicable sentence.

Emperor Tongxu said: "You come and read the memorial for me."

Shen Yu was startled and knelt on one knee, "Your Majesty..."

Defu was also shocked, but did not dare to speak.

"Get up." Emperor Tongxu said, "I didn't ask you to kneel."

Shen Yu stood up and said, "I am a guard in front of the palace, and I dare not interfere in the government affairs."

Emperor Tongxu said leisurely, "My eyes are not good, but I don't use my eyes to see people. You read the memorial for me."

Shen Yu and Defu understood that this sentence meant trust.

Defu was secretly shocked. This honor was really unprecedented.

If Emperor Tongxu was not in his twilight years, there would be no worry that he would not be able to reach the highest position in the court one day.

What a pity.

It's a pity that every emperor has his own ministers. Who knows what the situation will be like after the new emperor ascends the throne.

Even Defu himself has to start thinking of ways to find another way to make a living.

Shen Yu stepped forward and saw that the cup on the table was not filled with tea, but ginseng slices soaked in the slightly yellow water.

Has it come to this? She thought.

Shen Yu wanted to read the memorial, and Defu hurriedly left the Hanzhang Hall.

The sound of reading the memorial in a clear and melodious voice rang out in the hall.

Emperor Tongxu closed his eyes and always wrote his comments after Shen Yu finished reading a memorial.

Emperor Tongxu half-closed his eyes, as if he was about to fall asleep.

He remembered the last long talk with Shen Zhongan, which was a few days before the war between Yanliang and Guan.

He said: "You always praise your daughter to me. Your daughter is so good, why not let her be my daughter-in-law, which will also be considered as the loyalty between us monarchs and ministers."

"That won't work." Shen Zhongan rejected it immediately. He said: "My girl is very wild and doesn't like to be detained in Shengjing. If she enters the palace with her temper, she will make a big fuss for you."

"You spoiled her." Emperor Tongxu drank tea, "Leave it to me, I will discipline her for you."

"Which of your sons is suitable?" Shen Zhongan asked: "The successful ones are all married, and my daughter doesn't want to be a concubine."

Emperor Tongxu thought for a long time, and he really couldn't find a candidate. Those who were not married were afraid that they were not worthy of the beautiful little girl.

Shen Zhongan smiled heartily, "No, don't think about it. A child without a mother should be spoiled. She's a girl, so let her be."

"Zhongan." Emperor Tongxu suddenly said, "Although I am ten years older than you, I am not as open-minded as you. I am bound by the Great Zhou and trapped myself. Now my health is getting worse day by day. I must go before you."

The topic suddenly became heavy.

Shen Zhongan said, "Your Majesty, what you said..."

Emperor Tongxu interrupted him, "I was born in the royal family. The flesh and blood affection is indifferent. Brotherly friendship may be a murderous blade. Only you, only you, can I talk to you properly."

Emperor Tongxu did not call himself "I" in front of him.

"I can't hold on any longer. If I die one day, you will take care of the country of the Great Zhou for me." He said so.

However, the person he was willing to entrust the country to died earlier than him and died in the hands of his son.

The last pillar of the Great Zhou fell in the bitter snow and wind at Yanliang Pass.

Tears seeped out from the corners of his wrinkled eyes and sank into his gray temples.

He didn't know whether he was crying for his deceased friend or for his crumbling country.

"Your Majesty, this is a memorial submitted by the Ministry of Rites." Shen Yu paused.

Emperor Tongxu asked, "Why don't you continue reading?"

Shen Yu said, "The former crown prince... no, Li Jincheng wrote a letter of apology and put it in it."

Emperor Tongxu opened his eyes, "Give it to me."

He secretly wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeves, and the faint weakness in his eyes disappeared.

Emperor Tongxu sat up and took the letter of apology, "Give me the candlestick."

Shen Yu took the candlestick.

The letter of apology, which was several thousand words long, burned in Emperor Tongxu's hands.

He looked at Shen Yu in the firelight, and it seemed as if he was looking at another person through her.

Emperor Tongxu murmured, "This is my first explanation to Shen Zhongan."