HCB Chapter 257 The Emperor's Last Will
Chapter 257 The Emperor's Last Will
Outside the Wolong Palace, a group of women stood there respectfully and politely waiting for Murong Shiling's summons. Those concubines of lower status did not dare to say a word, but just looked at the Queen and Concubine Lin with questioning eyes.
Among all the concubines, these two have the highest status. One is the head of the harem, and the other is the most beloved concubine by His Majesty.
Early this morning, they heard rumors that His Majesty was injured and there was an assassin in the Wolong Palace. At the invitation of the Queen and Concubine Lin, they came to visit His Majesty together. However, it was obvious that His Majesty did not welcome their arrival and could even be said to be disgusted with them.
Not long after, a eunuch walked out from the inner hall. It was Eunuch Fu, the eunuch who served Murong Shiling.
"Eunuch, what's the matter? His Majesty still refuses to see us?" Queen Li stepped forward and asked anxiously.
Eunuch Fu sighed, then shook his head and said, "Your Highness, in my opinion, you should all return first. His Majesty is in a very bad mood and doesn't want to see anyone. Moreover, His Majesty has said that if you ladies do not leave here, your status will be reduced by three levels, and even the Empress will be no exception."
The Queen was horrified when she heard this. She had never seen Murong Shiling so angry before. The concubines who were waiting with the Queen and others looked at each other in bewilderment. Many of them were probably not even as good as the palace maids after being demoted three levels.
But no one dared to directly ask to leave, as offending the queen would lead to bad consequences in the future.
At this moment, the charming and seductive Concubine Lin stepped forward and said to the Queen, "Sister, since His Majesty is unwilling to see us sisters at this time, I think we should all go back first. If we offend His Majesty, wouldn't that defeat our original purpose?"
"Sister Noble Concubine is right, Your Majesty, it's better for us to leave first."
Seeing that someone had taken the lead, the other concubines followed suit. It was more important to keep their positions than to meet the emperor.
Queen Li snorted coldly, "A bunch of useless people, get lost!"
Although those concubines were scolded, they felt as if they had been pardoned, and each of them left Wolong Palace with their maids.
Concubine Lin looked a little unhappy. The queen was really arrogant and she was conspiring to get rid of everyone. But since she had to wait here, she would just wait. She wanted to see if His Majesty would show her a good face.
Thinking of this, Concubine Lin also left in a grand manner with the palace maids and eunuchs.
Queen Li originally thought that even if Murong Shiling didn't see her, he would at least see them for the sake of other women. She didn't expect that she still overestimated these women. But it makes sense. The emperor has so many concubines. Although they seem to be favored on weekdays, when the time comes, he probably can't even remember all the names of these women, right?
Watching the ladies in the harem leave one by one, Murong Feng, who had been standing by in silence, finally spoke up, "Is Queen Mother still planning to wait here?"
Queen Li turned her head and glanced at him, "I must see Your Majesty today..."
"So what happens next?" Murong Feng's usually gentle voice suddenly turned stern. "What should we do after we see Father?"
"This..." Queen Li was speechless for a moment. What she said was true. When she heard that Murong Shileng was injured and it was related to Yu Qingli, she was very angry. But now that things have come to this, what does it matter if she meets Murong Shileng?
Persuade him to give up on Yu Qingli? This is probably unlikely, but now Yu Qingli has become Feng'er's concubine. Isn't Murong Shiling's behavior incestuous?
If this matter were to get out, the royal family would be completely disgraced.
Seeing Empress Li remain silent, Murong Feng continued, "In my opinion, it would be best for you to return to the palace for the time being. I believe that the reason why your father had Prince Yan imprisoned and did not mention Yu Qingli at all was probably for some reason. If your mother were to mention Yu Qingli rashly, it would probably only displease your father."
Murong Feng's words made Empress Li fall into deep thought. What he said made perfect sense. Judging from His Majesty's actions today, it seemed as if he had deliberately set a trap for the Prince of Yan. Could it be that His Majesty was already preparing to take action against the Prince of Yan? It was indeed better for her not to interfere in this matter.
Thinking of this, Queen Li glanced at Murong Feng. No matter when, her son could always solve the problem so calmly. It seemed that if the throne did not fall into his hands, it would be a shame to the talent bestowed upon him by God.
"Feng'er, let's go back together."
Murong Feng nodded slightly, followed Queen Li's footsteps, and left the Wolong Palace.
The mother and son walked side by side. Queen Li suddenly said, "Feng'er, will you blame me for imprisoning Yu Qingli without my permission?"
"Although your actions were somewhat inappropriate, you also have your own reasons. Besides, you would never harm me, so how could I blame you? Besides, Yu Qingli is just a chess piece. I don't like her that much."
"That's good. I was worried that you wouldn't understand my painstaking efforts. I was thinking that perhaps my decision to marry you and Yu Qingli was a mistake. Is it too late to correct it now?"
"No, mother, perhaps we can take advantage of this incident to see if Yu Qingli is as useful as we think."
Murong Feng had a faint smile on his lips, but it made people feel creepy for no reason.
The autumn wind, accompanied by the flying fallen leaves, adds a sense of bleakness to this already cold autumn day, making people feel very uncomfortable.
There was a solemn and murderous atmosphere in the Wolong Palace at this time. The eunuchs and palace maids were kneeling on the ground, and Murong Shileng was sitting on a chair with a gloomy face.
Eunuch Fu walked in cautiously, fearing that he would be angered by saying something wrong.
"Your Majesty, the ladies have all returned to their respective palaces."
Murong Shiling responded, then asked, "How is the King of Yan now?"
"He has been taken to the Heavenly Prison as ordered."
"Did he say something?"
"She didn't say anything and was very cooperative. Instead, it was that concubine Qing from his palace who went to ask the Queen Mother for help."
Murong Shileng snorted coldly. It seemed that the Prince of Yan had a loyal and good servant by his side, but the Queen Mother would not care about such matters.
"Don't worry about her. But this Prince of Yan, have I been too permissive with him these years? He has become so presumptuous!"
"So, Your Majesty's intention..."
Murong Shiling's eyes turned cold. "This time, we must completely resolve this hidden danger. Xiao Fuzi, go prepare your writing brush and ink. I need to issue an order."
Eunuch Fu was about to leave when he heard a voice from outside the palace announcing, "The Queen Mother has arrived—"
The Queen Mother? Murong Shiling was a little surprised. Ever since he ascended the throne, the Queen Mother had been living in seclusion, not intervening in the affairs of the court. Even the affairs of the palace were left to the Queen to handle. How could this happen this time?
Could it be that the Queen Mother really came back for Murong Yan?
Thinking of this, Murong Shiling ordered Eunuch Fu, "Go out and report to the Queen Mother. Tell her that I'm not feeling well and can't..."
"Your Majesty, don't you even want to see me?"
Before Murong Shiling could finish his words, the Queen Mother's voice was heard, making him stand there awkwardly.
"Mother..."
"Does the Emperor still have eyes for me, his mother? He even deceived me. It's really heartbreaking."
Murong Shiling quickly explained, "Mother, it's not like that. I just wanted to..."
"Your Majesty, there is no need to explain. Some things cannot be explained clearly. Since I came here today, I believe Your Majesty should also know my purpose."
Murong Shiling frowned slightly, "Mother, is it true, as I suspected, that you have come here for the Prince of Yan?"
"That's good to know. Your Majesty, I already know that you have imprisoned the Prince of Yan on trumped-up charges. I don't want to repeat the whole story. Now, I want to ask you for a favor. How about releasing the Prince of Yan for my sake?"
The Queen Mother's words sounded very tough, which surprised Murong Shiling. When did the Queen Mother, who had always supported him, become so concerned about Prince Yan?
This matter is really getting weirder and weirder.
"Mother, the Prince of Yan has ill intentions towards me. With such ulterior motives, I'm afraid I can no longer keep him."
"Really? I'm afraid you can't make the decision on this matter."
"What do you mean, mother?"
The Queen Mother glanced at Murong Shiling and said, "Come here, please bring back the late emperor's will!"
As soon as the Queen Mother finished speaking, a eunuch lowered his head and respectfully raised a tray in front of Murong Shileng, who was horrified.
If he had heard correctly, the Queen Mother was asking for a will? How could that be possible? He had been on the throne for so many years, and he had never heard of any will. What was going on?
"You all stand down!"
At the Queen Mother's command, all the palace maids retreated.
The Queen Mother took the imperial edict from the eunuch and handed it to Murong Shiling personally, "Your Majesty, please take a good look at it!"
Murong Shiling opened the imperial edict with a puzzled look on his face, and after seeing the contents inside, his expression became complicated.
This imperial edict was indeed written by the late emperor, but the content inside was unacceptable to Murong Shileng. The late emperor said in the edict that Murong Yanhui was a rare genius among all his children, and he should have passed the throne to him, but because Murong Yanhui had decisively refused him when he had sought to discuss it, the throne fell into Murong Shileng's hands.
Therefore, the late emperor made a request that Murong Yanhui should not be killed by Murong Shiling during his lifetime, because for Canghe, Murong Yanhui's existence is indispensable. After all, he was once the God of War!