Chapter 342 The ruthlessness and kindness of the royal family.

The people feel that the current Qing Kingdom is very unfamiliar.

Now that His Majesty has passed away, the day for the whole country to mourn has not even arrived, but fighting has already broken out in Kyoto?

Everyone is at risk.

Not only the common people, but also some ministers in the court were in a state of panic and anxiety in addition to being shocked and sad. The unfathomable nature of Emperor Qing had long been deeply rooted in people's hearts. Although he had not done anything too shocking in these years, he left traces everywhere in the details. Now that the core of the Qing Kingdom had died, they should also find a way out.

"The court cannot be in chaos."

That being said, the entire Kyoto is now in chaos. "What is the situation in the outside world like now?"

The entire palace was busy, busy in a suppressed and tense atmosphere. Many eunuchs and palace maids had heavy expressions, while some of the more alert ones had their eyes darting left and right, as if they were making plans in advance.

"The rebels in the city have been completely wiped out, and the people in the Overwatch Council have also suffered heavy casualties."

Hanguang Hall seemed a little deserted. Shu Wu (the elder minister) tried to make his tone sound more gentle, "It's just that, after all, the Second Prince has the emperor's handwritten will in his hand. Why doesn't the queen mother check to see if it's real?"

Hearing this, the Queen Mother did not answer the question, but only inquired about the battle situation of both sides: "When does Chengze decide to attack the city? Does he need to send the Imperial Guards to help resist?"

"Queen Mother!"

Shu Wu half-hunched over and said in a hoarse voice, "Forgive my rudeness, but those who are fighting and killing each other outside are all your grandchildren!"

"Shu Qing, you are a senior minister, trusted by His Majesty. At this time, you should consider the court!" The Queen Mother did not care about the other party's tone. At their age, emotions are just their weapons. They can be used when needed and completely discarded when not needed. Anyone who takes it seriously will lose. "The royal family's affairs are state affairs."

Beside me were several pots of burning charcoal and the ashes of burnt paper used for memorial services. A gust of wind blew from somewhere, causing the flames to sway and stirring up a cloud of paper ashes.

The Queen Mother looked at the flickering flame with an expressionless face.

Shu Wu lowered his body even lower.

His eyes were cloudy, yet exceptionally clear. He said in a deep voice, "I understand the truth, but since your Majesty's will is here, I will follow it."

"Are you determined to do this?"

"I have no choice but to obey!"

"How foolish!" The Queen Mother took out an unopened letter from her bosom and placed it on the table beside the bed. "Do you know what this letter says?"

"This"

"Haha, you mean the letter hasn't been opened yet, how can we know the information inside?" The Queen Mother suppressed her voice and said, "The letter came from the Second Brother, so we can know what it says without even reading it, right?"

She grabbed a corner of the envelope, slowly reached out her hand, and threw it directly into the copper basin.

This letter was not written by Emperor Qing, but if it was written by him personally, and it was used to designate an heir, I wonder what he would think now that it has become useless paper money to commemorate himself.
Shu Wu stared at the copper basin and the slowly burning letter paper for a long time without saying a word.

"Now that the person is gone, what he said is no longer important."

Perhaps because the Queen Mother's movements were too large, she suddenly coughed twice. She felt a little tired, but her body relaxed a little. "The most important thing now is to stabilize Qing! Let me ask you, if I insist on letting the second son ascend the throne, what will become of this court?"

Shu Wu did not think about the subsequent changes, but only thought of one person in his heart - the eldest princess!

"I understand."

The empress dowager nodded slowly. The ministers outside were unaware of this so-called will. Burning it in front of Shu Wu was a way to strengthen her determination and also to show her attitude to the old ministers in the court.

As long as the consequences of the matter do not exceed the consequences of letting the second son take the throne, the crown prince's ascension to the throne is inevitable.

"I heard that you were the one who taught the eldest prince when he was young?" The Queen Mother looked at him calmly, "You have devoted your whole life to the court. Today, you should do your last bit of work!" "Please give your orders, Queen Mother."

"Chengze's mother is still in the palace. Go to the boss' place."

Shu Wu felt a chill in his heart. At this time, the eldest prince Li Chengzong was in charge of the palace guards and was the commander of the imperial guards. It was obvious that he was really going to push the second prince to a dead end by going to him without asking.

"When people get old, their hearts become soft!"

The Queen Mother glanced at Shu Wu with disdain and said, "I will give the second son a chance to repent. Let him put down the soldiers and come to the palace!"

If the Second Prince were allowed to enter the palace at this time, he would probably become a prisoner in the blink of an eye, and then become the salute before the Crown Prince ascends the throne.
Is this the royal family?

"Queen Mother!"

A eunuch outside the door reported carefully, and then walked in lightly: "His Royal Highness the Second Prince has attacked the city, with about 50,000 people."

The Queen Mother waved her hand and said, "Go ahead."

Shu Wu knew that the Queen Mother did not overly force her old ministers, but she was conflicted at this time.

If she wanted to maintain stability, she should not have overly provoked the Second Prince at this time, let alone used his mother as a threat.

After bowing, Shu Wu turned and walked out of Hanguang Hall and headed towards the palace gate. At this time, the eldest prince was still on duty.

He can't change anything.

But this decision could perhaps be left to the eldest prince.

He walked to the gate of the Taiji Hall somewhat dejectedly, ignoring the calls along the way. He looked back at the hall where His Majesty's figure seemed to remain unchanged, and then sneered: "Your Majesty, it's better for you to leave, it's better for you to leave!"

Crack!

Crack!

There were bursts of firecracker sounds coming from the streets outside the palace. In the square in front of the palace, there were some messy sacrificial teams holding white banners, which made the sounds seem shrill.

Looking at the soldiers' alert expressions, Shu Wu felt like there was something he wanted to get out, and he felt extremely depressed!

He endured the discomfort and headache and walked towards a figure in a daze.

The eldest prince had a solemn expression and was dressed in plain clothes. He didn't shed any tears, which actually made Shu Wu feel much better. There were several eunuchs walking out of the palace beside him. They were there to convey the imperial decree, which was nothing more than some treason, wanted order, and house seizure...

"teacher."

The eldest prince held Shu Wu's arm. His expression was well concealed. He only looked heavy, not sad. "Don't be too sad. Please take care of yourself."

Shu Wu had a blank expression on his face. It seemed as if he had become deaf and could not hear any sound.

He needed to put all the options in front of the eldest prince as soon as possible. He ignored the eldest prince's consolation and said anxiously: "The Queen Mother has issued an order. Now you can choose, either pick up a knife and kill Concubine Shu! Or, arrange for someone to send her out of the city!"

"teacher!"

The eldest prince was shocked, but at the same time he felt that it was right.

This is your own teacher.

"I know what to do!"

The two looked at each other in silence, and Shu Wu finally returned to his mansion and died that night.
(End of this chapter)