These fools, at this point, are still concerned about whether the imperial physicians have visited...
Consort Xian calmed her emotions and said unhurriedly, "The imperial physicians have already been here. They said His Majesty is weak in qi and blood and has caught a cold. The two doses of medicinal soup they administered were ineffective. The Emperor and I share a deep marital bond. With him so ill, how could I not call for the imperial physicians?"
Prime Minister Yang, you old scoundrel, once this matter is settled, you'll be the first on my list...
"That's not right!" Prime Minister Yang bypassed the screen and glanced towards the sleeping quarters. "Why haven't I even seen a shadow of an imperial physician? His Majesty is still unconscious, how could they have left?"
Consort Xian: "......"
Are you going to keep this up?
The other ministers were also bewildered, looking uniformly at Consort Xian, hoping she would provide an explanation...
Furthermore, Emperor Cheng was usually attended by Eunuch Zhao personally. Now that his life is nearing its end, why is Eunuch Zhao missing?
Consort Xian suppressed her anger, coughed lightly, and said, "It's time for the morning court. His Majesty is unwell, so the morning court is excused, but..."
She forcefully changed the subject, not dwelling on the matter of whether the imperial physicians were called. "However, last night, before His Majesty retired, he personally handed me an imperial decree, which can be considered his final arrangement for his affairs!"
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Yang frowned and asked in a deep voice, "Consort Xian, forgive my impudence, but even if His Majesty is unwell to the point of arranging his final affairs, he would not hand the imperial decree to Your Ladyship..."
The normal procedure would be to summon the Crown Prince back to read the decree. Even if the Crown Prince couldn't return, the decree could be sent to the Prime Minister or the Empress. What standing do you, a mere consort, have?
"What?" Consort Xian narrowed her eyes and walked up to Prime Minister Yang. "Are you suspecting me of lying, Prime Minister Yang?"
Consort Xian had anticipated Prime Minister Yang would oppose her, so she had already prepared her response...
"I dare not!" Prime Minister Yang cupped his hands and stared at Consort Xian. "It's just that His Majesty was able to preside over the morning court yesterday, and he was still in the imperial study reviewing memorials in the afternoon. Why did he suddenly fall ill last night?"
"Yes, Your Ladyship!" Minister of War, Xue Luhai, also looked suspicious. "Let's set aside the matter of the imperial decree for now. The priority is to help His Majesty recover..."
He's not dead yet, and you're already reading out his will. Are you that impatient?
Xue Luhai suspected that this imperial decree was forged.
Consort Xian's heart seethed with anger upon hearing this. She truly wanted to rush over and strangle these old men...
"All of you, shut up!" Consort Xian roared, sweeping her gaze coldly at those who opposed her. "I will reiterate, the imperial decree was given to me by His Majesty to read. Who dares to disobey?"
Prime Minister Yang: "......"
Xue Luhai: "......"
Is this a cornered dog jumping in desperation, or are you just flustered?
If you had nothing to hide, why would you be jumping around like this?
"All officials, heed the decree!" Consort Xian took out a scroll from her sleeve and angrily unfurled it, her delicate body trembling with rage.
The ministers who followed Consort Xian knelt on the ground as if their knees were equipped with magnets to receive the decree...
The subjects loyal to Emperor Cheng looked hesitant, delaying for a long time before refusing to kneel.
"Prime Minister Yang!" Consort Xian gritted her teeth, her eyes almost spitting fire. "Do you intend to defy the imperial decree?"
Prime Minister Yang exchanged a look with Xue Luhai, appearing speechless and extremely helpless...
Although they had sensed Consort Xian's intentions long ago, they hadn't expected her to be so ruthless.
If they resisted to the end today, they likely wouldn't be able to leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation alive.
"The immediate priority is to comply with her wishes for now, don't be too stubborn!" Xue Luhai whispered into Prime Minister Yang's ear.
Prime Minister Yang pondered for a moment, then grunted. He led the other ministers to kneel. "Your subject, your subject heeds the decree..."
Seeing this, Consort Xian finally felt a little relieved. She swept her beautiful eyes over the imperial decree and loudly read, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: My health has been deteriorating recently, and I am deeply concerned about national affairs, but I am powerless and filled with worry. Yet, I cannot abandon the people of the world!"
"Given that the Crown Prince is young and unable to bear the heavy responsibility of the nation, after careful consideration, I have decided to abolish Xiao Jinheng's position as Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, effective immediately, and enthrone the Second Prince Xiao Jinfeng as Emperor. All ministers are to work together wholeheartedly to assist him in resisting foreign enemies and rectifying the court. Anyone who dares to disobey will be summarily executed. Respect this decree..."
As soon as she finished speaking, the ministers began to murmur amongst themselves.
"Oh, this is outrageous!"
"Yes, even if Consort Xian wanted to support her own son as emperor, she shouldn't have skipped over the Crown Prince..."
"Hmph, in my opinion, she's been bewitched. She's been secretly hunting the Crown Prince all these years. Now that His Majesty is unwell, she's causing trouble, treating imperial power as a child's play, ambitious and engaging in power deals. She is the culprit!"
"Exactly. Right now, the Second Prince, Prince Ming, isn't even in the capital. Does Your Ladyship intend to ascend the throne herself?"
"......"
The voices grew louder and louder, almost drowning out Consort Xian.
She remained unfazed, twirling the imperial decree in front of everyone and sneering faintly, "What, are you suspecting me of forging the imperial decree? The imperial seal is on it, are you all blind?"
"Your Ladyship..." Prime Minister Yang stood up, clenching his fists tightly. "Even if the Emperor is muddled and incompetent, he would not rashly abolish the Crown Prince and enthrone Prince Ming. Therefore, this imperial decree must be fake..."
"Yes, everyone in the court knows that Your Ladyship has always wanted Prince Ming to be emperor. But your son is also a disappointment. Now that the Crown Prince's whereabouts are unknown and His Majesty is unconscious, you are stirring up political turmoil, fearing only that the world will not be in chaos. Your rebellious intentions are obvious. What else do you have to say?" Xue Luhai retorted.
"Indeed, the harem must not interfere in state affairs. This is an ironclad rule. But Your Ladyship is almost defecating on our heads, the ministers. You are truly wicked..."
Since the words were out in the open, the ministers no longer needed to save Consort Xian's face.
Even if they were to die today, they could not let her abolish the Crown Prince and cause chaos.
Consort Xian laughed heartily upon hearing this. "I have the imperial decree here, yet you dare to shout and question the majesty of the decree. Very well, since you all wish to die so badly, I shall grant your wish..."
With that, Consort Xian ordered Commander Jiang, "Go, drag these old fellows out and have them beheaded!"
"Yes!"