"King Ning's vengeance is truly difficult to exact!"
After reading the information about King Ning in the blank copy of the Book of Life and Death, Ding Yun couldn't help but sigh. The information recorded was insufficient to serve as direct evidence.
Over the past decade, King Ning had meticulously cultivated an impeccable reputation, earning praise from all quarters.
This was especially true when compared to other members of the royal family, whose reputations were tarnished by their notoriety and unchecked transgressions.
He even outshone Emperor Qianyu, whose sons, during their lifetimes, were merely reprimanded for their unlawful acts and never punished according to law. King Ning, however, had truly exiled his grandsons to the frontier for their crimes, as dictated by law.
Such an act was widely hailed as a testament to his adherence to justice over kinship.
While corrupt princes and nobles who were aware of his past deeds and had engaged in illegal activities might scoff, the common folk were largely unaware.
Without sufficient evidence to convict him, it would be difficult to appease the public.
As for directly using the blank copy of the Book of Life and Death to eliminate him, Ding Yun found that too easy a fate. A clean death would not suffice. He wanted to thoroughly expose King Ning's wickedness and years of hypocrisy to truly satisfy his desire for revenge.
If he were to die early, would he not become a victim of the saying, "The Duke of Zhou fears rumors in the day, Wang Mang appears humble before usurping the throne; if he had died then, who would know the truth or falsehood of his life?"
After careful consideration, Ding Yun decided to set aside the matter of revenge for the time being. After all, both King Ning and the grand eunuch who had carried out the deed theoretically had several hundred years left to live. There was no need to worry about them dying prematurely and losing the opportunity for vengeance.
His next step was to continue writing names until all the names from the original host's memory were recorded in the blank copy of the Book of Life and Death. Afterward, he would meticulously analyze the relationships between these individuals, clearly identifying who could be utilized, who could be trusted, who needed to be suppressed, and who required special vigilance.
He had to admit, this golden finger was incredibly useful.
Information that would have previously required countless efforts from the Imperial Guards and secret agents to uncover could now be clearly and comprehensively documented in the blank copy of the Book of Life and Death simply by knowing a person's name and locating them.
No one could deceive her.
Even without the ability to alter lifespans, this item alone was a divine tool for governance, proving immensely valuable both in her current pursuit of becoming empress and in the future, should she achieve that goal.
...
The following day, the officials convened for their customary court session.
King Ning, though eager to attend and ascertain the situation within the imperial palace and gauge his brother's reaction to the definitive lack of an heir, maintained his composure. As princes typically did not attend court sessions, he refrained from appearing too unusual, suppressing his curiosity.
He remained at his manor, patiently awaiting the news that his allied officials would bring him after the court session concluded.
Meanwhile, high-ranking officials in the court were already aware that a significant event had transpired within the imperial palace the previous day. The emperor's extensive purge within the palace grounds the night before had not been kept secret, and they had even surmised that it involved the empress.
This was not because they were privy to the details or participants, but because they were astute observers. They understood that once the empress became involved in the succession struggle, extricating herself unscathed would be difficult.
Emperor Qianyu's sudden, sweeping purge of the imperial palace indicated that something had gone awry. Given that the emperor himself was clearly not the victim, it was evident who had been affected.
They were uncertain whether the empress had been injured or killed, but regardless of the outcome, it was certain that the emperor's temper would be foul that day. Consequently, the assembled officials, upon entering the court, unusually refrained from whispering amongst themselves in small groups.
Even after the emperor appeared and the customary salutations were exchanged, not a single person dared to speak or present a memorial, fearing they might be the first to incur his wrath.
"Why is everyone so quiet today? Has nothing of consequence occurred in this vast realm that requires reporting?
Never mind, if you have nothing to report, I do!"
After surveying the assembled ministers, the emperor sternly declared the events of the previous night in a loud voice.
He did not divulge the most sensitive details, primarily stating that the empress had been attacked the previous day with the "Nine Dragon Palm" technique. Fortunately, a potent elixir had protected her heart meridian, saving her life.
He then commanded the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate the matter.
The investigation was to focus on all individuals who possessed knowledge of the "Nine Dragon Palm" martial art.
Subsequently, without any prompting from King Ning's faction or the emperor's direct inquiry, officials began discussing how the "Nine Dragon Palm" was a unique martial art of the Prince of Qin's lineage, implying that its practitioners were either from that family or remnants of the Nine Dragon Palace.
"Although theoretically, if the Prince of Qin's lineage were the culprits, they would be unlikely to be so foolish as to use their own inherited secret technique for assassination. It is more likely a setup.
However, their potential involvement cannot be entirely ruled out.
Therefore, the Ministry of Justice is to conduct an investigation, and the Prince of Qin's lineage is to provide evidence and conduct their own internal inquiry to prove their innocence."
Everyone understood that this was likely a frame-up, but no one could be certain that the Prince of Qin's lineage was not involved. This was King Ning's masterful strategy. He had no intention of destroying the Prince of Qin's lineage with this move; rather, by planting a seed of doubt, he hoped that Emperor Qianyu would view them with suspicion in the future, believing they had harmed his daughter.
How could he then consider their descendants for succession?
Although Emperor Qianyu suspected the Prince of Qin at this moment, he could not immediately order a confiscation of their property and a thorough investigation. Thus, he decided to issue an imperial decree allowing them to investigate and prove their own innocence.
Essentially, "I suspect you. You must provide evidence to prove your innocence.
Otherwise, you will be deemed guilty and apprehended."
No official dared to oppose such an unreasonable decree, for he was the emperor. Allowing the Prince of Qin's lineage to investigate and prove their innocence was already considered magnanimous, even indicating a degree of trust.
After all, if there were no trust, he could have simply ordered their arrest without allowing them to investigate themselves.
This was the power of imperial authority!
Once the matter of the empress's assassination was temporarily settled, and the officials breathed a sigh of relief, preparing to present other matters, Emperor Qianyu calmly continued:
"Several days ago, during the morning court, I expressed my intention to establish Yu'er as the Imperial Crown Princess. You all opposed, citing that it was unprecedented in history, that 'female chickens crowing at dawn' and the inversion of yin and yang would bring great disaster.
I have since reviewed the historical records.
When Empress Ziyi reigned, the people were warm and well-clothed; when Empress Hua Xu reigned, the world was auspicious; and when Empress Nuwa reigned, the Nine Provinces were unified. If my reading of history is correct,
these three were all ancient empresses.
Since ancient times have seen female rulers, and these three empresses are all revered ancestors of humankind, from whence comes the notion of 'unprecedented'? Therefore, I hereby decree that my legitimate daughter, Zhou Yun, shall be established as the Imperial Crown Princess.
She shall be guided by the virtues of the three ancient empresses.
Let this decree be proclaimed throughout the land!"