Nagato has such a slim waist

Chapter 544 Critical Moment

The crying in the hall suddenly stopped.

The ministers who had been bowing their heads and crying in silence all raised their heads to see King Yonghuai's reaction.

The situation in the court is not complicated, it can even be called clear, so,
From the moment Emperor Tianshou passed away, this storm was destined to come, but how would it come and how would it end? Everyone was waiting...

Pei Jue flicked his sleeves slightly and took two steps forward.

He was very tall, and the look he gave Ruan Pu was quite condescending.

"According to the Shangshu's opinion, who is capable of taking on this important task?"

Ruan Pu's heart trembled slightly.

There was no emotion on Pei Jue's face. He just stared at him calmly, but it felt like countless knives were scraping his bones, making him inexplicably nervous. The words he had chewed over thousands of times in his mouth were extremely difficult to say out loud.

"I think that in terms of closeness, character, mind, virtue, and talent, among all the relatives, the best one is Prince Zhuangxian."

Pei Jue snorted.

It was neither light nor heavy, but it sounded like a heavy hammer to everyone's ears.

The prince of King Zhuangxian was Yuan Yue.

Ruan Pu's words were as expected.

Pei Jue's reaction was also expected.

This snort showed his disdain.

The faces of the courtiers in the palace all tensed up, including Ruan Pu himself...

The moment of silence seemed like a year.

Ruan Pu asked with gritted teeth: "What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Pei Cong said: "It's unbearable."

He glanced at Ruan Pu again and said calmly, "The minister may be old and his eyesight is blurry."

A contemptuous word made Ruan Pu's cheeks slightly hot.

He cupped his hands and lowered his voice, "I wonder if there is any basis for what Your Majesty said?"

Pei Cong didn't look at him.

He looked coldly at the other people in the hall.

"Is it a basis for the fact that the Crown Prince failed to take good care of His Majesty and caused His Majesty's death?"

Ruan Pu's face changed drastically.

When Yuan Shangyi was seriously ill, Pei Cong ordered Prince Zhuangxian to supervise the army on the battlefield, and asked the crown prince Yuan Yue to attend to him in the palace...

However, the emperor was surrounded by Pei Jue's cronies. Yuan Yue was called the imperial attendant, but apart from paying his respects to the emperor in the morning and evening and looking at him from a distance, he had no involvement in the emperor's affairs...

Why is he so incompetent in taking care of the patient?

This is really a case of wanting to accuse someone of something, and there is no shortage of excuses...

Ruan Pu was indignant, but when he looked around, most people had their heads down and had no intention of arguing with Pei Jue.

"Your Majesty." Ruan Pu had a sullen face, bowed again, and then faced the direction of Yuan Shangyi's coffin and said loudly:

"What do you mean by failing to take good care of the patient? Could you please explain it in detail, Your Majesty? I'm sure you all want to hear the truth, just like me."

Pei Jue narrowed his eyes slightly and looked back.

"Your Majesty's body is still warm, and it is inappropriate to argue in front of the coffin. Please move to the Zhenghe Hall."

The ministers exchanged glances.

Ruan Pu's confidence was also somewhat shaken.

After working together for many years, everyone knew Pei Jue's character. He was so calm that one could tell he was well prepared and had such confidence...

Could it be that at this critical juncture, Prince Zhuangxian did something?
Pei Jue's attitude caused a sudden wave of unrest in the court officials' hearts...

The Zhenghe Hall actually gives off a feeling of being surrounded by danger.

All the court officials were very nervous.

Everyone found a seat in the hall and sat down and waited.

Ruan Pu sat at the top left, shook his sleeves, and said coldly:

"You all have the country of Jin in your heart, so you should open your eyes and elect a wise ruler."

Someone responded loudly.

Someone smiled awkwardly.

Some people snorted with disdain.

Position determines attitude, attitude determines choice, and choice... determines not only one's own destiny and career, but also the rise and fall of the entire family...

Behind every calm face, there is a heavy heart.

Pei Cong did not come.

People were asked to wait for him in Zhenghe Hall, but he refused to show up.

Ruan Pu's face became increasingly ugly.

The tea in Zhenghe Hall also lost its flavor.
-
Pei Jue burned incense in front of the coffin, looked at the half-squatting Feng Yun for a moment, then held her shoulders and slowly helped her up.

Compared to the tense and cramped Zhenghe Hall, this place is quite peaceful...

A peaceful coffin.

Two calm faces.

Feng Yun gently raised her head and looked at him, "You are all still waiting, my king, please go quickly, I will stay here to accompany Yuan..."

Pei Jue: "Why don't you ask me anything?"

Feng Yun raised his eyes and shook his head slowly: "I believe the king has his own way to deal with the current crisis."

Pei Jue's face was visibly relieved. "As long as you trust me, that's enough."

A tall figure walked around the white curtains.

The wind blew up a corner of the robe, cold and silent...

Feng Yun said nothing.

A familiar voice was heard outside the door.

"My king, everything is ready."

It’s Tang Shaogong.

His voice is very recognizable.

There is no emotion, no warmth, just like an icicle from the treetops in winter that accidentally falls down and slides into the neck, making people shiver subconsciously.

Pei Jue hummed, and his footsteps quickly disappeared from Feng Yun's ears.

It was quiet all around.

Only Xiaoman and a few palace maids were waiting by his side.

Feng Yun's gaze slowly turned to the coffin.

She bent down and threw a few pieces of paper money into the brazier...

Tongues of fire licked up.

It's burning fiercely.
-
Tang Shaogong is much older than Pei Cong, and has a face that seems covered with frost. No one can easily find emotions from his face. He looks steady and mature.

"How confident are you, Your Majesty?"

Pei Jue's originally fast steps suddenly stopped.

Turning around, she looked at him: "100%."

Tang Shaogong's eyes twitched slightly. Pei Cong said, "I don't do things that I'm not sure of."

Tang Shaogong lowered his eyes, "Yes."

He had seen countless people who were both wise and brave, who were able to maintain peace in the country through literary means and to stabilize the country through military means, but there had never been anyone like Pei Cong...

When Tang Shaogong arrived in Xijing, he was not implicated in Li Zongxun's treason because of his meritorious services. He even became an enviable staff member of Prince Yonghuai.

Everyone said that he was a shrewd villain who sold out his master for fame and fortune.

but……

Only Tang Shaogong knew that Li Zongxun had never been his master in his heart. Although he became Pei Jue's aide, Pei Jue's ideas were not something he could easily shake.

It would be more accurate to say that he is a servant rather than a staff member.

Pei Jue and Li Zongxun are very different.

He doesn't actually need a staff.

But I have to keep people by my side...

Tang Shaogong thought he had a great strategy, but he could not see through Pei Jue's thoughts at all.

As Pei Cong stepped over the threshold of Zhenghe Hall, the buzzing discussions in the hall came to an abrupt end.

The courtiers subconsciously held their breath.

Whether it is the new party or the old party...

Without exception, everyone stood up and bowed to the tall, graceful and stern man.

"Meet Prince Yonghuai."

Pei Cong raised his sleeves and said, "No need to be polite."

He strode through the middle and sat down on the large rosewood chair in the middle of the Zhenghe Main Hall, standing steadily with a sharp gaze.

The chair is under the steps.

And in the middle of the hall.

Just like Pei Jue's current status...

The dragon throne on the Danbi is vacant and waiting for you.

Your Majesty Dan, he is above everyone else, and no one can shake him.

Ruan Pu said, "I wonder why the prince summoned me here?"

Pei Jue glanced over and saw a faint smile at the corner of his lips.

People rarely saw a smile on Pei Jue's face.

At this moment, he actually laughed.

"Someone, bring Prince Zhuangxian to the palace."

Everyone was slightly shocked.

Ruan Pu also raised his neck.

They had no idea what Pei Jue meant until they saw Yuan Yue being tied up by four imperial guards and dragged up to the center of the hall.

"Gentlemen, save me..."

Yuan Yue's cheeks were pale and his eyes were red, and he was obviously frightened to death.

"I have not harmed Your Majesty. No, I am innocent... I hope you will understand my mistake."

Pei Jue looked at him coldly.

Ruan Pu took a breath, and anger appeared in his eyes.

"May I ask Your Majesty, why is this happening?"

Pei Cong said nothing, but raised his hand to high-five.

Immediately afterwards, several imperial doctors were brought into the palace.

Pei Jue said calmly: "Say again what you said in prison."

The imperial doctors didn't dare to look up.

One of the younger ones leaned forward and kowtowed to Pei Jue, then said tremblingly:

"In reply to your Majesty, the weather has been warm and cold since the beginning of spring. Your Majesty has caught a cold and it has triggered an old illness. But as long as you take good care of yourself and rest more, you will be well again when the weather gets warmer..."

Pei Ran nodded.

"go on."

The imperial physician looked at his companion and his face wrinkled with nervousness.

"Every day, we ministers attend to your majesty with great care, fearing that your majesty will catch a cold again and make your condition worse. But, but the prince is unruly and regards himself as the heir to the throne. He often does not listen to my advice. It is freezing cold, but the prince is dissatisfied with the stuffiness in the palace and wants to open the doors and windows and hang the curtains high. He will not listen to me..."

Yuan Yue's face changed drastically.

"You bullshit!"

The imperial physician said, "I am not talking nonsense. The palace maids and eunuchs can all testify to this. I am not the only one who has seen the Imperial Hospital..."

Yuan Yue stared at him intently.

"You, you slandered me? Why did you slander me? Was it because Prince Yonghuai was tortured into confessing..."

"How dare you!" Ao Zheng scolded, stood up and bowed to Pei Jue who was in the upper position.

"Prince Yonghuai has devoted himself to state affairs. How can the Crown Prince be so reckless and speak nonsense to destroy the King's reputation?"

After saying this, he snorted again and turned to his ministers.

"Could it be that the prince really has a rebellious heart and deliberately took advantage of Your Majesty's serious illness to harm him..."

Yuan Yue yelled, "That's nonsense."

He looked at Ao Zheng, then at Pei Jue, and the fear in his heart was beyond words.

If he had ever dreamed of ruling the world one day, it was all gone at this moment.

Right now, what he wants is how to save his life.

It only took him a moment to understand.

His knees went weak and he knelt down.

The prince of a royal palace kowtowed heavily in front of Pei Cong.

"Your Majesty, please spare my life. I failed to take good care of Your Majesty, but I am loyal and have no intention of harming Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will understand."

He called out to the king.

I call myself a minister.

Kneel down and beg for mercy.

It must be said that Prince Zhuangxian has a good brain. Seeing that the situation is hopeless, he is able to bend and stretch...

The ministers were speechless.

Ruan Pu's eyes closed silently.

He didn't even know whether he should blame Yuan Yue for not living up to his expectations...

But he knelt like this.

The throne will no longer belong to him.

He showed weakness, admitted his mistakes, called himself a subject, failed to take good care of the late emperor, and was submissive in front of Pei Cong. How could he be a king?

There was silence in Zhenghe Hall for a long time.

Pei Jue looked at him indifferently, his face stern and his eyes calm.

"Prince Zhuangxian failed to take good care of the sick, causing the illness to worsen and there is no way to save the emperor. However, considering that he has a repentant heart, I will not punish him severely. From today on, he will be stripped of his title and imprisoned in the palace to reflect on his mistakes for three years."