The eldest eunuch kowtowed to the queen and said, "Your Majesty, I have to continue to run my errands. The previous dynasty granted me death but not death. According to the rules, I have to fill in the autopsy form."
The queen couldn't see her expression, she just nodded and went in. Once inside, she heard a "pop" and a drop of blood fell to the ground.
This is a nail piercing into one's own flesh.
"Prince, even if mother tried her best, she would never let your son become the king and end up like this."
Outside, a eunuch came over, felt her breath, took out a silver needle, pricked the soles of her feet, and turned around to report: "Concubine Wei is ill."
"Now that the illness is gone, you should quickly restrain yourself according to the rules, move out as soon as possible, and move to the original palace. Don't bump into the Queen. When the rain stops, notify the Ministry of Rites."
The great eunuch said, sighing in his heart. Even though he knew that it was relatively hasty to bury him as a concubine on a chosen day, at least he still maintained his final status.
Prince Lu's Mansion
With the patter of rain, Ma Shunde and several horsemen galloped to the gate.
"Mr. Ma!" A hundred households guarding Prince Lu's Mansion were talking to several teams. When they saw Ma Shunde, they immediately came out and saluted respectfully.
"You come in such a hurry, but what is your purpose?"
Ma Shunde had already dismounted, threw the horse's reins to a guard, and while looking inward, he took out a token and shook it, saying: "Of course there is a decree. You guys, lead people immediately to surround the entire Prince Lu's Mansion.
Get up, don’t let anyone out! It’s going to end today!”
In Ma Shunde's arms lies the imperial edict that he came to read. When today passes, the situation in the capital will change again.
When Baihu and several teams heard this, their hearts skipped a beat. Although Ma Shunde's words were not explicit, they were still a reminder.
Could it be that today Prince Lu’s family will have to be kept in the palace, just like the prince more than ten years ago?
Oh my god, this is a big deal!
In fact, no one wants to do this kind of thing of killing members of the royal family. Who knows whether the verdict will be overturned in a few years, and whether the emperor will regret it?
The emperor regretted it and would only vent his anger on the "sword" that killed the prince. A few years after the prince's death, didn't the hundreds of families who killed the emperor's grandson all die inexplicably?
It is better to die of illness and retain dignity, but to be punished with guilt will be empty-handed and nothing will be gained.
But at this time, no matter how worried he was, this was the job he was doing and the responsibility lay, and he couldn't resist. Baihu swallowed his saliva and responded: "I humbly obey my duties."
Ma Shunde's face was as dark as water. Fortunately, it was not to kill King Lu. Even so, he would have had a deep hatred with King Lu, but there was nothing he could do about it.
"Why don't you give this job to Mr. Zhao?" Ma Shunde strode in with a smooth stride and soon arrived at King Lu's residence.
As a prince, King Lu has always been low-key, but he has everything he should have. The palace is very large, and the main courtyard is even more impressive. In this courtyard alone, hundreds of people can stand without feeling crowded.
The small square in front of the courtyard can accommodate more people.
"Gather all the wives, concubines, and servants in Master Liu's house here. Our family has something to say!" Ma Shunde said in a high voice, showing the token that could be used to mobilize soldiers.
"Your Majesty!" Upon hearing this, the servant Zhao Zhu hurriedly turned back and entered the house. He told King Lu who was sitting silently on the couch about the situation outside and asked, "What should we do now?"
"Help me out." King Lu gritted his teeth and got up from the couch, but his legs were a little weak. At this time, his whole body was trembling.
He slapped his thigh hard, hating his own weakness, but until this moment, the despair of "It's finally my turn" made him finally feel powerless and understand what imperial power is.
I originally thought that as King Lu, after years of planning and laughing at his two older brothers, I could reap the benefits. It was so smooth sailing that I even felt that I was out of my father's control. In a few years, even if my father was After noticing his own little movements, there was nothing he could do about it.
But he didn't expect that now facing his father, he would still be so powerless. If nothing else, he would even tremble in the face of the possible consequences. Is it really okay for him to be so weak?
"Master, minister, father and son, alas, is this imperial power?"
"Who can know your intention? You will be proud of the prince with a smile."
"The last time I read this word, I thought it was very good. But now I realize that it is just hypocritical."
He was helped out of the house. The rain outside had calmed down a bit, but it was still raining. Among the people summoned, there were wives, concubines, and servants of the palace's housekeepers. Almost everyone was here. They all looked panicked and stood in the rain. , my clothes were soaked and I didn’t dare to say anything, I was really embarrassed.
King Lu stood on the steps. Such a scene made it difficult for him not to think about what happened more than ten years ago.
"Did the prince be like this back then? Could it be that I also had the same fate?"
"Are all the people in my house going to be slaughtered? What awaits me is an imperial edict granting death?"
"Sixth Master, you still don't listen to the order!" Ma Shunde had no expression on his face, stood up with his face in his hands, glanced at King Lu, and urged in a sharp voice.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome the holy legend." King Lu, supported by Zhao Zhu, walked down tremblingly and knelt down together with all the people in the palace.
"In accordance with the destiny of heaven, the emperor said: The punishment of the country is three thousand, and the crime is no greater than unfilial piety. The common people are ignorant, and the offenders are rare. Besides, King Erlu is my son. It is appropriate to lead the teachings and enlighten the four directions."
"But my mother and concubine were ill, so she forgot to visit her, drank too much, and behaved in such a wanton and despicable manner that I have heard of her."
"Although he is my son, how can he teach the world if he only borrows the law? It is better to move to the left and lead the king of Ninghe to avoid his fault. I admire this!"
Ma Shunde took out a volume of imperial edict, unfolded it and stood on the steps and read aloud. The edict was very short, and it was not a death sentence as King Lu thought. It turned out that he was renamed a county king.
King Ninghe, although he was demoted one level, his end was much better than what he had expected before. It was considered a very good result.
King Lu felt relieved and collapsed directly on the ground. The ground was covered with rainwater. He didn't mind. He just felt that the stone weighing on his heart was finally lifted away.
Great, I am still alive, but I am demoted to a county king!
Not only King Lu breathed a sigh of relief, but all the wives and concubines kneeling behind him also breathed a sigh of relief.
King Lu could think of the tragic massacre of the prince's family more than ten years ago, couldn't they?
They also thought about it and were still frightened. Now they know that the prince has been demoted from prince to county prince. He is still the prince. At most, his rank is lower. This is a good result. At least they can save their lives. You can even live a life of glory and wealth without dying or suffering. This is the best thing.
Princess Lu... no, it should be Princess Ninghe now. When she saw her husband paralyzed there, and the eunuch who announced the order from above was still waiting, she hurriedly pushed her husband: "Your Majesty!"
King Ninghe finally came to his senses, yes, he wanted to take the order!
The newly minted King Ninghe quickly got up and asked his servant to clean his hands quickly with a handkerchief before stepping forward to receive the order.
"My son, I accept the order!"
"King Ninghe, please take this imperial decree." Ma Shunde glanced at him and said with a hint.