Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 424: Prince Cheng's Rebellion

Yun Chu's expression was grave.

She said coldly, "Issue the order immediately—all prefects and magistrates of cities near Ningzhou must strictly control the common people under their jurisdiction..."

The decree was issued within half a day, yet those prefects and magistrates simply couldn't restrain the common people.

Upon hearing that the Sweet Dew bestowed by the Heavenly Maiden could cure all diseases, the common people went mad, bringing their entire families to seek the Sweet Dew from the Heavenly Maiden.

When the common people in the capital heard about this, they were also tempted.

"Have you heard? A Heavenly Maiden has appeared in Ningzhou. Just by drinking the Sweet Dew she bestows, the plague can be cured without medicine, and those without the plague can also be rid of illnesses. It's truly miraculous."

"Anyway, Ningzhou isn't far from the capital. Why don't we also go and ask for some Sweet Dew to drink? It's better to drink it than not."

"Didn't you see the court has issued a decree forbidding us from blindly going to Ningzhou? We need a travel document to go there. Violating the decree will lead to arrest."

"Why won't the court allow us common people to go?"

At this moment, a group of scholars joined the discussion.

"Why won't they allow it? Of course, because this matter is full of strangeness."

"Such a severe plague, and even physicians are helpless. Can a mouthful of Sweet Dew really cure it? Is that possible?"

"Ningzhou has now gathered over a hundred thousand common people. With so many people, even basic needs like food and sanitation become problems. Something is bound to go wrong."

The common people, who had little education, held different views from the scholars.

"Because that Sweet Dew is bestowed by the Heavenly Maiden. The Heavenly Maiden is a celestial goddess, so of course she can cure the plague."

"If I get the chance, I will definitely go to Ningzhou to ask for a mouthful of Sweet Dew. My elderly mother has been blind her whole life, and I hope she can see again."

"My son has been frail since birth. I also want to take him to the Heavenly Maiden to ask for Sweet Dew. If he can just drink a mouthful, I ask for nothing else..."

"..."

Just as the common people were heatedly discussing, another report came from Ningzhou.

"Reporting to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, the ruler of Ningzhou, Prince Cheng, along with all his followers and manor soldiers, and the so-called Heavenly Maiden, are heading toward the capital. Along the way, they are still distributing Sweet Dew, attracting countless common people to follow. The number has already exceeded two hundred thousand!"

At this news, the entire court was shocked.

Two hundred thousand people was no small number.

After all, the troops stationed at the western border numbered only two hundred thousand, and the soldiers attacking the Eastern Tomb Kingdom totaled just over two hundred thousand.

Two hundred thousand common people was truly a massive figure, enough to make everyone in the court feel immense pressure.

"Prince Cheng is leading two hundred thousand people straight to the capital—this is a rebellion!"

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, please quickly dispatch troops to repel Prince Cheng's motley crew!"

Yun Chu pressed her thumb against her palm, deep in thought.

Those two hundred thousand people were all commoners. Though numerous, their combat effectiveness was actually quite weak.

The capital had thirty thousand garrison troops, each capable of fighting ten enemies. Even if a real battle broke out, the capital would not be at a disadvantage.

However, the opponents were unarmed commoners. Winning against the people would mean losing their hearts. Whether they won or lost, the outcome would be a loss.

Prince Cheng and Xie Shi'an were waging a battle for the people's hearts. In truth, as long as the people's hearts were fundamentally shattered, the matter would be resolved effortlessly, without the need for weapons or causing innocent bloodshed.She paused and said, "Since Prince Cheng has left Ningzhou with his men, this is the perfect opportunity for us to arrange for someone to enter the city and investigate the clues."

Lord Qiu was momentarily stunned. "What clues?"

"Lord Qiu, you are being obtuse," Chu Hongyu interjected. "That so-called Heavenly Maiden is undoubtedly a fabrication created by Prince Cheng to win over the common people. Since the Heavenly Maiden gained fame through the plague, then the plague must also be fake. Once we find evidence, won't this matter be resolved?"

Lord Qiu stared blankly. "The plague is fake?"

Many court officials only realized at this moment that the plague might be a hoax.

"General Xu, you shall lead a team to Ningzhou to investigate these clues," Yun Chu declared. "Also, Lord Xiang and Prince Shun—they sent letters earlier but have been silent these past two days. General Xu, make thorough inquiries."

General Xu accepted the order and set off for Ningzhou that very day with his men, riding at full speed.

After the court session concluded, Yun Chu had just returned to Kunning Palace when Ting Shuang came to report: "Empress Dowager, Consort Yuan arrived half an hour ago and is waiting in the drawing room. Shall I summon her now or later?"

Yun Chu rubbed her temples. "Let her in."

Consort Yuan was the birth mother of the Sixth Prince, Prince Cheng. After Prince Cheng was exiled to his fiefdom by the late emperor, Consort Yuan had quieted down and caused no further trouble. She only appeared at major palace banquets.

Now, she entered dressed plainly, her face filled with panic. "Empress Dowager, although my sixth son was usually unruly, he has improved greatly since going to his fiefdom. He would never dare to rebel—he lacks both the courage and the capability. I beg Your Majesty to see this clearly."

Yun Chu replied calmly, "Prince Cheng is marching two hundred thousand troops straight toward the capital, and you claim he lacks the courage?"

"He... he is distributing Sweet Dew to the people! Yes, distributing Sweet Dew!" Consort Yuan hurriedly explained. "My sixth son is doing this to manage the plague and pacify the populace—it's for the sake of the Chu dynasty! Empress Dowager, you must not be deceived by those court officials. I swear, my sixth son has no rebellious intentions!"

Yun Chu could see that Consort Yuan knew nothing of Prince Cheng's actions, and the Yuan family had not been involved thus far. But their current non-involvement didn't guarantee they wouldn't participate in the future.

"The Zimeng Hall in the palace is still vacant. Consort Yuan shall move there temporarily," Yun Chu stated evenly. "It must be lonely for you to reside in such a large palace alone. This family will have your entire Yuan family brought here to keep you company."

Consort Yuan froze, then suddenly understood. She shrieked, "Empress Dowager, what is the meaning of this? My family has committed no crime! Why are you arresting us...?"If I truly intended to arrest the Yuan family, they would be thrown into the dungeons, not invited to stay in the palace," Yun Chu took a sip of tea. "Once Prince Cheng's matter is resolved, I will release your family.""

"No!" Consort Yuan cried out hoarsely. "Empress Dowager, you cannot do this! I am your elder after all—you cannot treat me this way! Let me go to my sixth son. I am his mother—I will persuade him to return to Ningzhou with his troops. He will listen to me!"

Yun Chu set down her cup. "Attendants, escort the Consort away."

Two sturdy matrons entered the courtyard and seized Consort Yuan by the shoulders.

"Unhand me! How dare you lowly slaves touch me!" Consort Yuan raged. "Treating me like this is grossly unfilial! I will have the officials impeach you!"Yun Chu waved her hand dismissively; she was far too busy to waste time arguing with Consort Yuan.

The two matrons escorted Consort Yuan away.

Closing her eyes, Yun Chu mentally sorted through the recent events.

With Chief Li stepping in as mediator, the vast majority of neutral factions in the court were willing to jointly petition for the removal of the Regent.

But now, the emergence of the Heavenly Maiden had complicated matters. They would need to resolve this issue first before focusing their efforts on dealing with Regent Chu Rui.