Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 675

Chapter 675: Rising Tension

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If Fu Mingcheng was seeking attention, Yuwen You was simply looking for trouble. It was clear that the Great Empress Dowager was displeased with Yuwen Chu and Yuwen Guang, but before she could react, she fainted in anger. Now, with Yuwen You publicly asking if the Great Empress Dowager had any orders, it was obvious he hoped she would instruct punishment against Yuwen Chu, so he could immediately act as the enforcer.

As for the Great Empress Dowager's health and whether it was appropriate for her to make such decisions at this moment, it was not within his consideration. The more chaotic the situation, the better for him.

Almost as soon as Yuwen You finished speaking, Mu Gugu, with a hint of disgust, loudly interjected, "Linan Wang! The Great Empress Dowager has just woken up. What she needs most now is rest. Please don't disturb her rest."

Yuwen You smirked and said, "Mu Gugu, don't be so hasty. I know you've always cared deeply for Ying Wangfei. Even after Ying Wangfei was forbidden from entering Changxin Palace due to offending the Great Empress Dowager, you still secretly communicated with her, offering advice and assistance."

"Linan Wang, watch your words. I've rarely met with Ying Wangfei. How would you know that I've communicated with her or offered advice?" Mu Gugu was furious. This malicious provocation seemed intended to anger the Great Empress Dowager to the brink of death, then order the execution of trusted individuals, including her, under the pretext of the Great Empress Dowager's name, to appease the feudal lords.

The Great Empress Dowager remained silent with closed eyes.

Mingzhu looked at Yuwen Guang and said, "Your Majesty, privately, I think what the Great Empress Dowager needs most now is rest and treatment. Other matters can be postponed for discussion later."

"Sixth Royal Shenniang is right." Yuwen Guang nodded, then looked at Yuwen You and Fu Mingcheng and said loudly, "The Great Empress Dowager needs rest and treatment. All ministers, please withdraw."

Yuwen You wanted to challenge the authority of the new young emperor and test his character. He sneered disdainfully at Yuwen Guang and said, "Your Majesty, I bear the responsibility of defending the palace and the safety of the Great Empress Dowager and Your Majesty. There are thieves lurking, and the Great Empress Dowager hasn't given any orders. I dare not leave."

Fu Mingcheng added, "The Great Empress Dowager has just woken up, but she will continue to receive treatment, right? I think it's best to wait until the Great Empress Dowager is out of danger before we leave."

Yuwen Guang's face turned red with anger. "How dare you defy me?"

Yuwen You chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, please don't be so harsh. Uncle is just worried that Your Majesty, being young and inexperienced, might be deceived by villains." After saying this, he glanced meaningfully at Yuwen Chu.

As they bickered, Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu, along with Tang Chunlai, the imperial physicians, and others, earnestly discussed the Great Empress Dowager's condition. Yuwen Chu finally looked up coldly at Yuwen You and said, "Ninth Brother, there's no need to worry. With me here, there are few scoundrels who dare to cause trouble. Or would you like to try?"

Neither of them backed down, both emanating hostility, and their respective supporters began to clamor. Yuwen Guang shouted, "Everyone, withdraw! Imperial Guards, expel these disrespectful rebels!"

But no one listened to him. Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at the Great Empress Dowager. "Grandmother, are you still angry with your grandson?"

The Great Empress Dowager gestured to Mu Gugu, who called Peng Liang over. The Great Empress Dowager whispered a few words to Peng Liang intermittently, and Peng Liang nodded solemnly. He approached Yuwen Chu and whispered, "Your Highness, may I speak with you privately?"

Yuwen Chu withdrew his gaze and nodded calmly. "Let's go."

Everyone held their breath, nervously watching the two of them. It must be that the Great Empress Dowager was about to negotiate with Yuwen Chu. After all, the situation was already irreversible, and the Great Empress Dowager's own condition wasn't good. It was impossible to continue fighting endlessly; there had to be compromise from one side. It was just a matter of how far the negotiations would go.

After a short while, Peng Liang and Yuwen Chu emerged. Peng Liang approached the Great Empress Dowager and whispered to her again. The Great Empress Dowager nodded, and Peng Liang dismissed everyone else, leaving only Fu Mingcheng, Liao Zhang, and Yuwen You behind, saying loudly, "In the coming days, we will guard the Great Empress Dowager here."

Since there was nothing else to do, Yuwen Chu beckoned to Mingzhu. "Let's go back first."

Mingzhu looked at the Great Empress Dowager, feeling very conflicted and reluctant. Tang Chunlai had just told her that the Great Empress Dowager's illness was incurable and she could die at any moment. If she left now, it might be a final farewell. 

Yuwen Chu did not urge her to leave but patiently stood by, waiting for her. Mingzhu walked to the Great Empress Dowager's sickbed and said softly, "Aunt, I have to go now." 

She hoped the Great Empress Dowager would ask her to stay, but the Great Empress Dowager only looked at her in silence, then slowly nodded, indicating she should not stay. 

Mu Gugu said softly, "Her Highness said that it’s too dangerous here. Wangfei should take the child and leave."

 Mingzhu's eyes grew hot, and she silently bowed and left. 

Fu Zifei, unaware of the situation, thought Mingzhu had been driven out. She proudly passed by Mingzhu like a fluttering butterfly, rushing to the Great Empress Dowager’s side and crying, "Great-Aunt, you’re awake! You scared your grandniece so much..."

The Great Empress Dowager closed her eyes and remained silent. She was truly tired, but she was unwilling to silently pass away like this. That's why she had Peng Liang negotiate with Yuwen Chu just now, and had Tang Chunlai extend her life for her. Only by staying alive could she discuss other matters.

Mingzhu held Zhuangzhuang and walked out of the palace with Yuwen Chu. Both of them had a lot to say to each other, but they didn't know where to start, so they ended up quietly walking side by side.

As they approached the palace gates, Yuwen Chu said to Mingzhu, "Let's talk in the carriage."

"Okay." Mingzhu replied, but then she heard the urgent beating of drums followed by the melodious tolling of bells. She couldn't help but exclaim, "What's going on?"

In the early years of the dynasty, Emperor Taizu had erected large drums and bells outside the palace gates. They were only to be sounded in times of urgency, and once sounded, it signified a serious matter. Even when Yuwen Bai died back then, these drums and bells were not sounded, but today they were.

Yuwen Chu remained silent and said with certainty, "Zhongshan Wang has rebelled."

Zhongshan Wang had finally rebelled. After waiting for a long time, he finally found a suitable excuse. Yuwen Bai's death and the extermination of the Min family were all ready-made excuses. He wanted to eliminate the Fu family, who disturbed the court, and the ambitious Ying Wang, in order to protect the Yuwen family's rule and maintain the legitimacy of the dynasty. So he naturally had to rebel thoroughly.

Since such a major event had occurred, Yuwen Chu naturally couldn't accompany Mingzhu and their child back home anymore. He instructed Mingzhu, "Whatever questions you have, please wait for me to come back and discuss them together. Let's solve them together. Don't overthink or make decisions on your own, okay?"

Mingzhu nodded. "I understand."

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