Chapter 388: Why Not Marry Me Instead
"Lord Lu, Lord Xiang, Lord Nie."
Yun Chu greeted each of them in turn.
Among these three, Lord Lu had always held the position of Junior Mentor, while Lord Xiang and Lord Nie had both been promoted by Chu Yi from the Six Ministries.
Since they were people recognized by Chu Yi, Yun Chu naturally trusted them as well.
"The Crown Princess summoned us here regarding the matter of the Regent, I presume." Lord Lu sighed. "Even Censor Zhou's death admonition couldn't change the Emperor's decision. I'm afraid this matter is beyond redemption."
Yun Chu said softly, "Do you know why His Majesty trusts Chu Rui so much?"
Lord Xiang quickly asked, "Why?"
Yun Chu's voice grew heavy as she explained the matter of the Emperor being poisoned by Gu in its entirety.
All three of them widened their eyes in shock.
They had heard of Gu poison before, but never imagined such a thing could happen to the current Emperor.
"The only solution now is to kill the child Gu inside Chu Rui's body, then kill him to end this once and for all." Yun Chu spoke each word deliberately. "What are your thoughts on this, my lords?"
If Chu Rui hadn't been appointed Regent, the three lords might have doubted the truth of Yun Chu's words.
But the Emperor's words and actions in court today were simply too outrageous, completely unlike his usual way of handling affairs.
In their understanding, although the Emperor wasn't particularly talented, he never erred on matters of principle and was very concerned about how history would record him. He would never do anything that would invite impeachment and scorn.
The Emperor could be considered a qualified ruler for maintaining the empire.
But today's events had set everything on an irreversible path.
Only Gu poison could explain all this.
"This matter is of grave importance." Lord Lu's gaze was solemn. "Why not invite the Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, and Grand Guardian to discuss this together?"
Yun Chu said, "I only trust you three."
She had once trusted Grand Tutor Xu too. Early this morning, she had sent him a message.
But Grand Tutor Xu said that Chu Rui had tried to win him over, giving him seven days to consider, and he didn't know whether he would side with Chu Rui or not.
Before that, he wouldn't participate in any of Yun Chu's secret plans.
Yun Chu smiled bitterly.
Chu Rui must have threatened Grand Tutor Xu with the Xu clan, which was why he was so conflicted.
Seven days, only seven days.
Whether Grand Tutor Xu compromised or not, it would be a heavy blow to her.
If Grand Tutor Xu refused, the Xu clan would face disaster.
If Grand Tutor Xu agreed, the Eastern Palace would gain another formidable enemy.
"Before the Crown Prince went on the expedition, he left me three thousand shadow guards." Yun Chu's voice was very low. "Before my father went to the Western Frontier, he also left me a thousand shadow guards. These shadow guards can each take on ten ordinary soldiers. If that's still not enough..."
She paused. "Although Lord Fan has been dismissed, his father and he commanded the Imperial Guards for twenty years. Of the eight thousand Imperial Guards... at least half can be persuaded to follow him."
"Good!" Lord Nie's blood boiled with excitement. "That traitor Chu Rui dares to harm the Emperor and covet the throne? He deserves death! Since we have shadow guards at our disposal, we need to find an opportunity to make Chu Rui leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation so we can take action!"
Lord Lu shook his head. "The Crown Princess summoned us here to plot in secret. Chu Rui must know the Crown Princess intends to deal with him. He will definitely not separate from the Emperor.""The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching..." Lord Xiang began, "With the Emperor critically ill, we can utilize the festival to hold a celestial worship ceremony. The Emperor must appear for such an occasion. We'll find an opportunity to divert His Majesty's attention and then strike... I have good relations with Lord Yu from the Ministry of Rites. I'll have Lord Yu propose the celestial worship."
Lord Nie immediately responded, "I'll persuade several other officials to jointly propose this."
Lord Lu stood up, "Diverting the Emperor might prove difficult. I wonder if His Majesty would leave if something happened to the Eldest Miss of the Li family?"
"As long as Chu Rui is present, His Majesty's attention remains entirely fixed on him." Yun Chu paused before continuing, "Leave this matter to my elder brother. Let him render the Emperor unconscious."
The four conspired in the Office of the Crown Prince's Household for two hours, finalizing all details.
Returning to the Eastern Palace, it was time for the midday meal.
Yun Chu had little appetite.
Just then, she received a letter from Chu Yi.
He must have written it three days ago, still unaware of recent court developments.
Yun Chu meticulously documented everything that had occurred from last night until today in her reply. Rather than letting that man speculate wildly, it was better to explain everything clearly at once.
After sending the letter,
she slept soundly.
Only with ample rest could she undertake great schemes.
She was about to send someone from the palace to summon her brother Yun Ze,
when Ting Shuang hurried in to report, "Crown Princess, the Zhuang... the Regent has arrived."
Yun Chu's eyes turned cold as she stood up.
Proceeding to the front courtyard, she saw Chu Rui standing beneath the flowering trees in the Eastern Palace's front garden, admiring the blossoms while toying with petals in his hand.
Dressed in white robes, he appeared frail and delicate, showing no signs of being the newly appointed Regent.
Hearing movement, Chu Rui turned around and smiled, "Crown Princess."
"Regent..." Yun Chu's lips curved with a mocking smile, "Daring to come alone to the Eastern Palace suggests you're accompanied by numerous hidden guards. That helpless invalid from two years ago has now become the Regent controlling court affairs. The Empress Dowager would surely be delighted if she knew in the afterlife."
Chu Rui stepped closer to Yun Chu, "When I previously asked the Empress Dowager to seek your hand in marriage from the Emperor, it wasn't merely empty words. You could reconsider now."
Hearing this, Yun Chu laughed outright, "Do you know what you're saying?"
"One should enjoy life while one can, doing whatever one wishes. Otherwise, dying without accomplishing anything would be such a pity." Chu Rui reached out to twirl a strand of Yun Chu's hair, "My early life was too bitter. Is it wrong to want to live unrestrainedly in my later years?"
At that moment!
Yun Chu abruptly drew a short sword from her sleeve.
Thrusting toward Chu Rui's abdomen.
But
it met resistance.
Chu Rui actually wore armor beneath his clothing.
"Is this all the Crown Princess can manage?" Chu Rui grasped her wrist and pulled out the short sword, "After gathering Eastern Palace Counselors for so long, you couldn't devise a proper plan? Must the Crown Princess personally attempt to kill me?"
Yun Chu stared coldly at him, "I know you wish to restore the throne that belonged to your father. But what isn't yours will never be yours. You'd better abandon this ambition soon."
"Even if this throne doesn't belong to me, it won't belong to Chu Yi either." Chu Rui's face still wore a smile, "Now, holding the Emperor hostage to command the nobles, with one order I could destroy your Yun family beyond redemption. Yun Chu, marry me, and I'll make you the most honored woman in this world."
"Spit!"Yun Chu, a noble lady who had never made such a gesture before, could no longer restrain herself.
Her eyes filled with disgust as she said, "You once claimed I resembled your elder sister. Marrying a woman who looks like your own sister—how utterly repulsive."
"You!"
Chu Rui seized Yun Chu by the throat.
His gaze darkened profoundly. "It is precisely because you resemble my elder sister that I have indulged you this far. Otherwise, I would have long petitioned the Emperor to depose you as Crown Princess!"
"Then I suppose I should thank the Regent!"
Yun Chu broke free from his grasp.
Inwardly, she was startled.
Chu Rui possessed such formidable strength.
Outsiders labeled him a sickly weakling, yet he might have begun martial training and scheming all this from a very young age.
OpenNovel