Chapter 479
It was not a secret that Wang Yu had been hoarding troops in Yuzhou over the years; however, in the past, as long as Wang Yu did not express his intention toward the Northern Expedition, the ministers would turn a blind eye and would rather regard him as demonstrating his power to the emperor. Thus, the emperor would not recklessly act against Yuzhou.
Whether it was possible to start a war with Wang Yu, most courtiers do not want that to happen, not only because of the edict left by the late emperor but also because once this war breaks out, Daqi would inevitably pay a heavy price.
The risk of this battle was too high, and it was better to maintain the status quo.
However, now it was not that the court and the emperor wanted to start a war or not, but Wang Yu who was ready to make a move and of course, the court could not just let itself passively be beaten…
The atmosphere inside the hall became even more complex, as if it were shrouded in a thick layer of dark clouds.
Only Yuan Minggang remained immovable and continued his report to the emperor on the throne. “Your Majesty, last night I went to arrest Gu Xi, Duan Rou, and their entourage, and captured a total of 40 guards and servants of Wang Yu but Gu Xi, County Princess Duan Rou, and Imperial Consort Fang escaped and their whereabouts are unknown.”
Upon hearing that Imperial Consort Fang had escaped, courtiers could not help but feel something amiss, while some felt that the royal guards were still at a disadvantage. If the royal guards captured Gu Xi and Imperial Consort Fang alive, they would naturally be used as hostages, and with this, Wang Yu would no longer dare to act recklessly.
The emperor sitting on the throne watched as the expressions of his ministers changed below, but his expression remained calm, as he solemnly ordered. “Continue to pursue, be sure to bring Gu Xi and the imperial consort back to the capital!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Yuan Minggang received the order with a sonorous clasped fist.
With Imperial Consort Fang and Gu Xi’s escape, courtiers were no longer interested in discussing other political matters, and the court hastily dispersed after Yuan Minggang excused himself.
Courtiers were preoccupied with the upcoming war, especially the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War.
On the contrary, the emperor was energetic, as if he had taken miraculous medicine, and he did not even feel cold when facing the cold wind.
After going to court, the emperor did not go to imperial study but went to the Shouning Palace to see Empress Dowager Liu. Empress Wei was also present, while other servants were sent out.
Empress Dowager Liu was sitting on the kang with an extremely complicated expression, after all, she had been fighting with Imperial Consort Fang for most of her life. It could even be said that, besides the late emperor, the people she hated the most were Imperial Consort Fang and Wang Yu.
The late emperor passed away and Wang Yu was far from Yuzhou. Over the years, Empress Dowager Liu naturally could only focus all her anger toward Imperial Consort Fang. Unfortunately, she could not do anything to Imperial Consort Fang.
Empress Dowager Liu had been holding her resentment and anger for 11 years.
“Your Majesty,” without waiting for the emperor to salute, Empress Dowager Liu eagerly asked in a trembling voice, “Is Fang Qinlian really dead?!”
Empress Dowager Liu had just heard the news of Imperial Consort Fang’s death from Empress Wei and still felt unreal. Her heart seems to have sent a bottle of Five Flavors*.
(*means that your mood has become very complicated)
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