725 Sharing the Emperors Burdens and Working Together (2/2)
It wasn't the day for a court of meeting, but a meeting had been called. Everyone knew why this was so. It was because the Empress and the Sixth Prince had returned and were outside Chang'an.
Some of the ministers even knew that Mr. Thirteen of the Academy, Ning Que, was in the palace. They also knew that he had spoken with the Princess for an entire night. However, they did not know what they spoke about.
The Tang Empire was facing an extremely dangerous situation. And by comparison, whether the edict was real or not, and to whom the throne belonged had become unimportant.
Just as how Li Yu had anticipated, everyone in Chang'an, from the prime minister, the ministers, to the ordinary folk of Chang'an all wished that both parties would come to an agreement quickly so that the Tang Empire would not descend into internal strife.
After ascertaining that Ning Que and the Princess had talked for an entire night, the ministers' worries were assuaged. Since not any bloodshed had occurred, then this meant that the matter could be discussed.
Even those who supported the Queen who had managed to survive the chaos caused by He Mingchi stood straighter than usual. Their faces were more stern and solemn; they wisely kept silent.
They believed that even if the Academy could not let the Sixth Prince ascend the throne that was rightfully his, then at least the Empress and the Sixth Prince could receive sufficient compensation so that the matter could be settled.
The court meeting began.
Li Huiyuan walked out of his heavily guarded palace after ascertaining that his sister had convinced Ning Que. He sat on the cold throne, his face somewhat pale.
Behind the throne was a bead curtain. Li Yu sat behind that.
The ministers in the hall looked at the spot between the bead curtain and the throne.
Ning Que, who was wearing his black Academy uniform stood on the golden tiled floor, silent.
A eunuch announced the start of the meeting.
The Emperor began to read out his own crimes.
Then, something unexpected happened.
The Emperor left his throne, knelt before the ministers and kowtowed.
The ministers were all stunned speechless, they scrambled to kneel and return the bow.
The Emperor kowtowed toward the outside of the hall, asking for forgiveness for his sins from the Tang Army and civilians.
Finally, he knelt before Ning Que who stood beside the throne. He acknowledged his wrongs gravely and begged for the forgiveness of the Academy.
Had there ever been a Tang Emperor in the past thousand years who knelt during court meetings and acknowledged his wrongs?
The officials loyal to Li Yu's sister and brother were moved to tears, and even those officials of the queen's faction felt the sincerity of His Majesty and their expressions softened.
The bead curtain sounded and Li Yu walked out from behind it.
She bowed at the officials present and said, ”I only have one brother. As his sister, I should take responsibility for his mistakes. After the war, I will answer to the army and people of the Tang Empire. His Majesty will make the Sixth Prince Crown Prince. Mr. Thirteen will leave Chang'an to inform the Empress later.”
Under the current situation, it was undoubtedly the most appropriate arrangement in order to avoid dividing the Tang Empire and to prevent the ministers, army and people of Tang from making a choice between the two factions.
The approval of the ministers rang out in the hall.
Then, someone spoke.
The hall became deadly silent.
Because the person who had spoken was Ning Que.
”You said that you only have one brother.” He looked at Li Yu, ”...but you're wrong.”
Li Yu felt a little lost, now knowing why he would suddenly say that.
”You have two brothers.”
Ning Que said. Then, he pulled out his podao and hurled it at Li Huiyuan.
There was a clear splitting sound, and Li Huiyuan's head was separated from his body.
Blood sprayed wildly from the cut, and landing on the floor at an angle.
The golden-tiled floor of the hall was filled with blood.
Ning Que looked at Li Yu and said, ”Now, you only have one brother.”
All was silent within the hall.
Nobody could believe what they had just seen.
After a long time, some of the ministers howled in grief.
Many old ministers fainted.
The Tang Empire had existed for a thousand years.
Li Huiyuan was the shortest reigning Emperor.
He was the only Emperor killed in the palace.
Of course, only Ning Que knew that Taizu was also killed by the Headmaster in the palace.
The Emperor's head was cut off during the court meeting.
The gory scene was unbelievable, and many were stunned.
Li Yu was as pale as snow.
She looked at her brother who laid in a puddle of blood, and she fell to the ground.
Ning Que took out a white handkerchief from somewhere and started wiping the blood off his podao.
Then, he looked at the officials who were still in a state of shock and said, ”I heard many ministers talking about several issues like making choices and how to reunite the country. You were all so worried, so I have helped all of you to solve your worries.”
”The Emperor is already dead, so the only remaining son of the deceased Emperor can ascend the throne. Unless the His Highness the Prince is interested in taking this seat.”
Ning Que looked at Prince Li Peiyan who stood amongst the ranks.
Li Peiyan was extremely pale and didn't hear what he was saying.
”Fear of division, fear of internal strife, fear of making a choice will make the current situation even more serious. So now you don't have to make a choice, and the Tang Empire won't have to choose.”
Ning Que sheated his cleaned podao back into his scabbard. He looked at the officials and said, ”You don't have to make a choice because I think that what the Tang Empire needs most right now is unification. I hope that everyone can work with me.”