Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 294 Fury (Part Two)

Emperor Jian'an couldn't understand it, and he couldn't figure it out.

Fueled by anger and jealousy, Emperor Jian'an lost all reason and composure. He issued an imperial edict and sent it out by the Vice Minister of Rites.

When Gao Yong and Eunuch Shen heard the news, they were both stunned.

"What did you say? The Emperor has issued an edict to bestow the title of Imperial Concubine upon General Pei?"

"Has Vice Minister Han, who was delivering the imperial decree, already left the palace? Quickly, send someone to bring him back!"

Enraged, Eunuch Shen abruptly sat up in bed. The sudden movement made him dizzy. Gao Yong reached out to support him: "Don't get agitated, lie down."

Eunuch Shen could no longer lie still; he was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan: "What should we do! Commander Gao, you must think of a solution quickly! General Pei will not tolerate such humiliation!"

Gao Yong rolled his eyes at him irritably: "What can I do? It's an imperial edict written by the Emperor himself. Who dares to stop it? Don't they want to die?"

"But……"

"There are no 'buts'," Gao Yong said resolutely. "Let the Emperor hit a brick wall, make a fool of himself, and he'll naturally quiet down."

"Even if we were to stop them, it wouldn't be our turn. There are definitely people who are more anxious than us."

There was indeed someone more anxious than Gao Yong and Eunuch Shen.

Empress Zhang, who was known for her virtue and magnanimity, could no longer maintain her facade. With tears in her eyes, she left the palace and returned to the Zhang residence. There, she tearfully complained to General Zhang, "...That Pei Qinghe is a jinx. The Emperor is bewitched. The moment I opened my mouth, he berated me, saying that I was narrow-minded, unworthy to be Empress, and should resign and give up the position of Empress."

"Father, you must stand up for your daughter!"

General Zhang's face was gloomy.

Zhang Yun's eyes flashed with anger, and he sneered, "What a fine emperor! He only got to sit on the dragon throne because of our Zhang family. Now he's already planning to dismantle the bridge before he's even crossed the river."

"My sister is virtuous and gentle, managing the harem and bearing princes without ever making a mistake. Yet he dares to demand a divorce! He shows absolutely no respect for the Zhang family!"

"Father, I'll go to the palace right away and ask him what he's up to!"

General Zhang glared fiercely at the furious Zhang Yun: "Don't make any unnecessary moves!"

"The Emperor has been thinking about Pei Qinghe for more than six years. Now he is blinded by jealousy and his actions are meaningless."

"Are we just going to let this go like this?" Zhang Yun said angrily. "In less than a day, this matter will spread. What will people think of our Zhang family? And my sister, she came back so wronged, are we just going to ignore her and let her be bullied!"

Zhang Jingwan's tears fell like broken pearls.

Zhang Yun, who always doted on his younger sister, couldn't bear to see her like this. General Zhang also felt sorry for his daughter, but he was much calmer than Zhang Yun: "Let's wait a moment."

"When?"

"Wait until Vice Minister Han arrives in Liaoxi City, and let Pei Qinghe get angry and overturn the table first." General Zhang sneered, "We'll make our move after Pei Qinghe has slapped the Emperor's face until it's swollen."

"By then, morality will be on our side."

"Jingwan, you should return to the palace now."

Zhang Jingwan was filled with grievances: "I don't want to go back. I want to stay at home for a few days."

"Nonsense!" General Zhang's face darkened. "You are the Empress, how can you abandon your husband and children to return to your parents' home? Do you really intend to hand over the Empress's position to someone else?"

"Return to the palace immediately!"

Zhang Jingwan returned home in tears, then went back to the palace, wiping away her tears. The imagined confrontation between husband and wife did not occur. Emperor Jian'an did not return at all; he went straight to sleep in the imperial study.

The next morning's court session proceeded as usual.

Prime Minister Pang, that old fox, acted as if nothing had happened. General Zhang and his son remained completely unperturbed.

Meng Liulang, on the other hand, would occasionally glance at Emperor Jian'an on the dragon throne.

Emperor Jian'an, perhaps having been somewhat irrational yesterday, was surprisingly calm and composed today, discussing government affairs with his ministers. After the court session, he made a point of keeping his father-in-law and brother-in-law behind.

Emperor Jian'an first told Zhang and his son that he had no intention of divorcing his wife, and that yesterday's words were just angry words between husband and wife.

General Zhang expressed his understanding of the emperor and praised him for his kindness and righteousness.

Emperor Jian'an breathed a sigh of relief and promised that Pei Qinghe would be made a Noble Consort after entering the palace, and that the position of Empress would forever belong to Zhang Jingwan. He also stated that he would make his eldest son the Crown Prince when he turned one year old.

General Zhang repeatedly thanked the Emperor for his grace.

Zhang Yun hadn't yet reached that level of cultivation; his skin wasn't thick enough. Hearing this, he couldn't help but ask, "Has Your Majesty considered what would happen if Pei Qinghe refused the imperial decree?"

Emperor Jian'an finally revealed the domineering and majestic aura of an emperor: "General Pei is a loyal and capable general, utterly devoted to me, and will not disobey my imperial decree."

Zhang Yun swallowed back a cold snort.

The emperor's confidence is so great that no one can say anything about it.

Meng Liulang went to Prime Minister Pang's residence.

Prime Minister Pang was fully aware of Meng Liulang's intentions, but pretended not to know. As soon as Meng Liulang mentioned the imperial decree for marriage, Prime Minister Pang changed the subject and talked about other things.

Meng Liulang was not as mild-mannered as his elder brother, and quickly lost his patience for beating around the bush: "His Majesty has made such an impulsive and rash move. As a senior civil official and a senior minister of the Eastern Palace, does Prime Minister Pang not intend to advise His Majesty?"

Prime Minister Pang sighed helplessly, "His Majesty has disregarded even the dignity of Empress Zhang and General Zhang, and Eunuch Shen is injured and still bedridden. How can I, as the Prime Minister, possibly speak up? Even if I were to swallow my pride and muster the courage to go, what would I even begin to say?"

After saying this, he let out another long sigh: "General Meng is loyal and upright, a man of strong character. Today I also want to advise you a few words: you must not speak of this matter, lest you incur the displeasure of the Emperor."

Meng Liulang's pent-up anger flared up instantly.

Before him stood his future father-in-law, not an outsider. Meng Liulang, his handsome face taut, said in a deep voice, “The Beiping Army has risked their lives for the Emperor. My father and several of my brothers have all died on the battlefield for the Emperor. If I speak out for General Pei, will I become a traitor? The Emperor’s heart is far too narrow.”

Prime Minister Pang twitched his lips and glanced at the impulsive Meng Liulang: "These two matters cannot be confused. The loyalty and righteousness of the Beiping Army are unparalleled, as everyone has seen, and the Emperor also values ​​and treats you brothers very well. This has nothing to do with welcoming General Pei into the palace as a concubine. Even if you suffer some grievances, that is General Pei's business."

"What's the meaning of your jumping out to speak out against injustice?"

Meng Liulang said coldly, "I just can't stand the Emperor humiliating a great general who fought on the battlefield to protect the country!"

"I, Meng Ling, am also a military officer. If someone disgusts me like this, I will never compromise or back down. I will definitely overturn the table and make a scene."

"Prime Minister Pang stood by and did nothing today; I hope he will never regret it."

After saying that, he got up and left in a huff.

Prime Minister Pang frowned, hesitated for a long time before getting up, and then stopped with a sigh as he walked to the door.

Meng Liulang stormed out of the Prime Minister's residence and went to the Pei family mansion.

(End of this chapter)