The Directorate of Ceremonial, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Eastern Depot joined forces.
The efficiency of such a collaboration was, of course, unquestionable.
Before long, they had brought the entire imperial palace back under Emperor Xuande's control. All of Empress Sun's previous machinations were truthfully reported to the Emperor.
Fortunately, Ding Yun had healed his illness. Otherwise, it was likely he would have been infuriated to death on the spot.
Initially, he had believed his Empress, Madam Sun, merely controlled some factions within the inner court. However, the reality proved that Madam Sun had also colluded with officials outside the palace.
Although these officials had been misled into protecting the Crown Prince's residence, such a matter of internal and external collusion enraged him to no end.
What did an emperor fear the most?
He feared internal and external collusion the most, whether it was between eunuchs and ministers, or consorts and imperial relatives.
Even more so, the collusion between consorts and external officials.
These were matters that made an emperor extremely wary.
Because it meant that whatever happened within the palace could very likely be known by officials outside very soon. It also meant that his secrecy and security as emperor would be threatened. If such collusion developed to a certain scale, even regicide might not be impossible!
In addition, the discovery of the poison powder on Empress Sun, and its confirmation by the imperial physicians, was like the last straw that broke the camel's back. It finally led Emperor Xuande to formally decide to depose the Empress and the Crown Prince.
However, it was fortunate that he had two sons. If he had only one, then perhaps even after all that had happened,
It would have been difficult for him to decide to depose the Crown Prince.
After all, if he had only one precious heir.
If the Crown Prince was deposed, who would inherit the throne?
Although he had daughters, setting aside whether he was willing to appoint a daughter as Crown Princess, even if he were, the court officials would certainly not agree, and neither would the scholars of the land.
A hen crowing at dawn was a great taboo to them!
However, deposing the Empress and the Crown Prince could not be accomplished simply by his issuing an imperial decree.
This required a process.
It first needed to pass through the imperial court, then be affirmed by the imperial clan and the ancestral temple. Only after the imperial registry was amended would the positions of Empress and Crown Prince truly be abolished.
In short, it was a rather troublesome matter.
Without sufficient justification, it was difficult to get it approved.
Just like the original body, he was not deposed simply by Emperor Xuande issuing a decree. He knew that it would be difficult to obtain the approval of the imperial clan and the civil and military officials if he issued an edict to depose the Empress himself.
That was why he had forced the original body to resign on his own.
But this time, it would not work. Empress Sun and Crown Prince Zhu Qizhen obviously would not resign or request their own deposition. Therefore, the official procedure had to be followed, and the civil and military officials of the entire court had to be persuaded.
Thus, that night, although the palace was under lockdown, the imperial decree to depose the Empress and the Crown Prince was not yet issued.
It was not until the next morning, when Emperor Xuande ascended the throne invigorated, that he formally announced the matter, stating his intention to depose the Empress and the Crown Prince. Then, without waiting for the opposition from the court officials, he had the chief eunuch read out all the evidence collected the previous night.
He read it out for all the court officials to hear.
Following this, there was no longer any doubt that no one dared to object to the deposition of the Empress. After all, Empress Sun was now proven guilty of attempting to murder the Emperor, and her clan deserved extermination. To merely depose and imprison her was already considered extremely lenient.
How could they persuade him otherwise?
However, there were still those who objected to the deposition of the Crown Prince.
The reason was very simple: they believed that Empress Sun's actions were her own, and the minor Crown Prince could not have been involved.
He should not be punished for her actions.
Moreover, as the legitimate eldest son, the Crown Prince's position was natural and should not be abolished without cause. Furthermore, they were still unaware of some of the events that had transpired in the palace and still believed that Emperor Xuande might not have much longer to live. At such a time, suddenly deposing the Crown Prince,
Could easily lead to chaos in the succession to the throne.
Therefore, they had to disagree with this matter.
Most of the officials in the court bowed their heads and pleaded:
"We humbly request Your Majesty to withdraw this decision."
"Not only do I agree to this matter, but my mother also agrees. Furthermore, I know what you are worried about, which is likely that I do not have much longer to live, and deposing the Crown Prince now might cause turmoil in the court after my death.
Perhaps even lead to a struggle for succession?
Then I will tell you today that my illness has been cured by Immortal Master Jingci. Let the head of the Imperial Academy step forward and speak about my current health!
Furthermore, I also learned of future events through Immortal Master Jingci. Qizhen is not a wise ruler, and there is even a possibility that he will lead to the loss of 400,000 troops and a large portion of the nobility, resulting in an imbalance of civil and military officials in the court, favoring corrupt officials and harming the country and its people.
Therefore, the Crown Prince must be deposed.
A new Crown Prince will not be appointed for now; we will discuss it again in a few years. I should still be able to live for another twenty years."
Emperor Xuande's words explained his reasons for doing so and incidentally implicated Ding Yun. The officials, upon hearing this, clearly saw it as the machinations of a sorcerer harming the nation.
The name Immortal Master Jingci sounded somewhat unfamiliar, and many ministers exchanged glances. Some even privately asked others who this Taoist priest was and why they hadn't heard of any Taoist priest being brought into the palace to treat the emperor recently.
As they were murmuring privately and preparing to impeach this so-called Immortal Master Jingci, the head of the Imperial Academy had already stepped forward, clearly stating that after joint diagnosis by several imperial physicians from their academy, it could be confirmed that His Majesty's health had indeed recovered, and all his old ailments had disappeared. Theoretically, he could live for another twenty to thirty years.
Upon hearing this from the head of the Imperial Academy, some ministers began to waver. Since the Emperor's health had recovered,
The impact of deposing the Crown Prince was not as significant.
It was not entirely unacceptable.
In any case, His Majesty currently had two sons. If the Crown Prince were deposed, it was undeniable who was most likely to ascend the throne next. At most, it would be a matter of re-aligning oneself. Both imperial princes were young, and changing allegiance would be an easy task.
At this moment, a minister finally recalled who Immortal Master Jingci might be and hesitantly stepped forward to ask:
"May I ask Your Majesty, your so-called Immortal Master Jingci.
Is it not the former Empress Hu? I vaguely recall that she was indeed titled Immortal Master Jingci at the time?"
"That's right, it's her.
She has dedicated herself to Taoism for several years and has now achieved cultivation. Not only has she cured my illness and prolonged my life, but she has also helped my mother regain her youth. I will bestow further rewards upon her later."
Emperor Xuande answered this question very readily.
However, as soon as he uttered these words, the entire court was in an uproar. Some ministers even stepped forward to declare that there must be something fishy about this, perhaps it was the revenge of the deposed Empress Hu. Others felt that Emperor Xuande should not be consulting oracles, and that her so-called cultivation achievement was definitely a fabrication.
How could a mere female Taoist achieve cultivation?
The court was on the verge of chaos, buzzing with arguments.
The noise made Emperor Xuande's head throb. He had to quietly instruct the chief eunuch beside him to quickly invite his mother over, preparing for her to testify and convince these ministers that Immortal Master Jingci had indeed cultivated successfully and that he was not being deceived.
This would help finalize the deposition of the Crown Prince sooner.
Half an incense stick later, the sound of the Empress Dowager's arrival was heard from outside. Emperor Xuande on the dragon throne quickly descended to greet her. The ministers, who had been arguing fiercely, all fell silent, preparing to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
Then, Empress Dowager Zhang and Ding Yun entered.
The veteran officials who had served for three dynasties among the hundred officials forgot to pay their respects the moment they saw Empress Dowager Zhang's current appearance. They stood there stunned, their mouths agape, some even subconsciously muttering in disbelief, "How is this possible?"
"No need for excessive ceremony. Rise, all of you.
This empress dowager knows that some things you scholars do not believe, always saying that one should not discuss strange phenomena and deities. But I, who have regained my youth, am standing before you now, truly and genuinely. You cannot choose not to believe, even if you wanted to.
I believe Immortal Master Jingci would not speak nonsense.
Therefore, the Crown Prince is to be deposed today.
Furthermore, do not think that Immortal Master Jingci did this with much ulterior motive, or for herself. Previously, His Majesty and I discussed restoring Immortal Master Jingci's status as Empress, but she clearly refused.
All the evidence proves that she is by no means ordinary.
She does not covet earthly power and riches.
The possibility of her prophecy being true is therefore extremely high.
In any case, His Majesty is now in good health. There is no need to risk appointing a prince who might be a foolish ruler as heir.
Therefore, I implore all of you not to harm the country and its people!"
Empress Dowager Zhang did not walk to the side of the dragon throne to speak. Instead, as soon as she reached the center of the imperial court hall, she stood beside her son, Emperor Xuande, and said this.
At this point, the attitudes of the officials
Clearly shifted to some extent.
More people felt that deposing the Crown Prince was not entirely unacceptable.
After all, the Empress Dowager had indeed regained her youth.
At this moment, Ding Yun, who had been silent until now, turned to the Empress Dowager and said that she had other matters to attend to and would leave first.
Then, she immediately soared into the air, seemingly weightless.
She flew out of the imperial court hall.
Her actions, though seemingly casual, were enough to prove her extraordinary nature and shatter the worldview of the civil and military officials, making them believe that what Emperor Xuande and Empress Dowager Zhang said was true.