The consequences of this matter were clearer to Emperor Rui than anyone present, but now he was pushed to the brink, and all of this was beyond his control!
"Let朕 finish! For so many years,朕 has forbidden anyone from mentioning this matter, not because朕 was heartbroken by what Prince Bijing did."
"...朕 was more filled with guilt and shame! Old Lord Bijing fought alongside the late Emperor, risking life and death. For the Great Yu Dynasty to have its current territory, it can be said that he contributed half the credit..."
"But... but all of this, because of朕's selfishness, has led to an irreversible situation... For several years,朕 has been having nightmares day and night, never sleeping a peaceful night..."
"Not long after the Prince Bijing's mansion incident, there was a great drought across the land! Everyone whispered behind our backs that this was because朕 had unjustly executed a loyal minister, and Heaven could not bear it, so it was punishing the Great Yu Dynasty..."
"朕 didn't believe it before,朕 is the Son of Heaven... How could killing a minister cause the entire empire to perish? But now the Great Yu Dynasty is truly riddled with holes!"
"Many things, you have to believe them..."
Emperor Rui spoke neither hastily nor slowly. Although his tone was calm, the sorrow on his face could not be hidden. The more he spoke, the uglier his complexion became. The more he recalled the past, the more he felt how indescribably foolish he had been back then...
The new faction of officials, upon hearing Emperor Rui's words, felt more disagreement in their hearts, and at this moment even began to doubt if they had followed the wrong master.
But to the old faction of officials, Emperor Rui's heartfelt confession was sincere and moving, showing that he truly felt he had made a mistake and was not trying to test them.
Especially when they heard that Emperor Rui not only intended to exonerate Prince Bijing's mansion but also to issue a decree of self-reproach and apologize to the world, they truly believed that Emperor Rui had repented.
As for the matter of the surrender document, Emperor Rui did not bring it up at this time. The two matters he had just proposed already caused much grumbling among them, let alone him taking the initiative to step towards the destruction of the nation.
If they knew that the Great Yu Dynasty was to submit to the Hua Xia Dynasty and henceforth be a vassal, he, as emperor, would certainly not be able to continue, and with the reckoning of previous affairs, whether his life could be saved was still unknown.
These people would certainly no longer obey his commands. Perhaps the first to rebel against him would be these very people.
As expected! The debate over exoneration had not yet ended when the storm of the decree of self-reproach erupted again. Following this, there was another round of heated discussion in the hall, with everyone arguing until their faces turned red!
However, this time, with the strong support of the old faction of officials, Emperor Rui's two proposals finally gained a few supporters, all of whom held high positions and considerable power...
After heated debate, Emperor Rui agreed to postpone further discussion on the two matters. The group remained in the sleeping chambers until the afternoon before leaving the palace. The expression on each of their faces was extremely solemn.
Suddenly, a clap of thunder sounded, and the originally clear sky began to turn overcast...
"The sky is about to change, cause and effect, retribution is inescapable! Alas!" The old ministers looked at the gloomy sky and were moved, exchanged glances with each other, and then hurried back to their residences.
Although Emperor Rui agreed to postpone, it was only a postponement, not a complete abandonment. It seemed that some matters needed to be prepared in advance...
The new faction of officials, at this moment, had no mind to care about the sky. As soon as they left the palace, they rushed home in a hurry.
Some began to secretly reconnect with other princes who had extended an olive branch, while others had to return to prepare for damage control in advance, looking as if they were planning to flee before the truth was revealed...
People bustled within the imperial palace, chaos reigned outside, and those in the know were filled with anxiety...
Now, throughout the capital, apart from the common people who knew nothing, the quietest place had become around the emperor, and the quietest person was Emperor Rui himself...
The next morning, the capital, which had been under a scorching sun for months, was suddenly hit by torrential rain, with dark clouds overhead accompanied by thunder and lightning.
At six o'clock, the morning court began. The officials who arrived that day were exceptionally numerous. The emperor's unexplained disappearance the previous day, along with the hushed messages passed between officials, had made everyone restless.
Even several princes who were usually exempted from morning court stood in their proper places below, not wanting to miss a single piece of news.
Emperor Rui wore a bright yellow dragon robe, but because he had recently lost a lot of weight, coupled with a somewhat tired expression and poor spirits, it looked loose and ill-fitting on him.
The morning court proceeded as usual. Officials from each department reported on matters of moderate importance, while most observed the emperor's expression.
Seeing that Emperor Rui on the dragon throne showed no abnormality and that his tone of speech was similar to usual, those people were slightly relieved.
All those unwilling to revisit the case prayed silently in their hearts, "Just wait a little longer! Wait until we have arranged all our escape routes before bringing it up!"
They then thought that the emperor's decision to postpone likely took the consequences into account. After all, it was a move that affected the entire system. Until he found suitable candidates, he wouldn't be foolish enough to reshuffle the entire court.
However, things often do not go as planned...
Just as the officials were avoiding the crucial points and finishing their reports, a silence fell upon the imperial hall. They kept looking up, and "longing to see" probably described these people accurately.
But after waiting for a long time, they still did not hear the grand eunuch by the emperor's side announce, "If you have anything to report, do so; otherwise, the court is dismissed!" This indicated that the emperor still had something to say!
Time ticked by, and Emperor Rui remained seated steadily on the dragon throne, neither speaking nor allowing them to withdraw.
Those below could not fathom the emperor's intentions, and each of them was like ants on a hot pan, waiting anxiously.
The atmosphere in the hall was oppressive, making it difficult to breathe. Many even regretted not feigning illness that day and why they had voluntarily walked into this battlefield...
After about the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Emperor Rui moved his somewhat stiff body, cast his gaze around the ministers below, and then slowly began to speak.
Emperor Rui: "Do my esteemed ministers have anything else?"
All Ministers: "Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty!"
This answer indicated that they had nothing else to report and should be dismissed.
Just as the ministers thought the ordeal was over, a sharp voice rang out in the hall. Upon listening closely, one could still hear the trembling hidden within this voice.
"His Highness Prince Bijing of the First Rank, Great General of National Defense of the Great Yu Dynasty, the Heir of Prince Bijing's Mansion, General of Cavalry, Huo Qiyuan, has something to report!"
As the voice sounded, everyone saw the grand eunuch by Emperor Rui's side walk out from the back of the hall, bowing. Behind him followed a tall, silver-haired, and imposing handsome man.