Chapter 41: Yan Ji

Night.

Within the Beigong.

Liu Hu slowly regained consciousness, and upon opening his eyes, he saw Yan Ji.

"Your Majesty!"

Yan Ji was overjoyed, immediately leaning closer, "You've awakened?"

"Summon the Grand Tutor immediately to the palace!"

As if already aware of his condition, Liu Hu spoke with urgent haste.

"Summon the Grand Tutor?"

Yan Ji froze, "Your Majesty, why do you wish to summon the Grand Tutor?"

"Do you know what decree you issued earlier?"

Liu Hu's eyes instantly flickered with pain as he struggled to look at Yan Xian.

"Had I remained well, I might have done so."

"But now my life hangs by a thread—this matter must be abandoned."

Liu Hu's eyes still burned with anger, yet he was helpless.

"Your Majesty, how can this be allowed?"

Yan Ji was genuinely panicked.

If Liu Hu truly entrusted the empire to Gu Xi, she would never have a good end in this life.

She quickly grasped Liu Hu's hand: "Your body will recover."

"Even if Your Majesty truly meets with misfortune, I shall surely follow your wishes."

Liu Hu looked at Yan Ji, then finally shook his head: "Summon the Grand Tutor..."

"No! You must not summon the Grand Tutor!"

Yan Ji immediately shook her head, suddenly shouting, losing all her usual docility.

"Empress, you—"

Liu Hu's gaze turned sharp; he stared tightly at Yan Ji, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Your Majesty, rest assured—I shall surely do exactly what you wish."

Yan Ji trembled all over.

Her ambition raged wildly within her.

She ignored Liu Hu's expression and yanked her hand free.

She let his emotions grow ever more agitated.

She clapped her hand over her mouth, making not a single sound.

Liu Hu's expression grew ever more desperate.

He never imagined such a turn of events.

Perhaps precisely because his emotions grew more intense.

His breathing suddenly became rapid; he raised a trembling finger toward Yan Ji, but before he could speak, his eyes closed shut entirely.

Yan Ji stared fixedly at this scene, gasping for breath.

She forced herself to calm down.

She immediately sent messengers to summon Yan Xian, concealed the news of Liu Hu's death, and sealed off the entire palace.

No one could have anticipated such an event.

Liu Hu's health had always been good; though he indulged in pleasure, he was still young.

Who could have imagined the Emperor would suddenly pass away?

Even Gu Xi had not anticipated it—he had merely suppressed Liu Hu's decree.

As Regent Minister, Gu Xi controlled the Minister Tai and could naturally suppress imperial edicts.

How could he allow a prince's heir from the provinces to enter Jingcheng?

Human hearts are ever-changing.

The struggle over the succession involves immense interests—he could not afford to gamble.

Gu Xi had even prepared himself for a scenario like Huo Guang's in past years.

Yet after several days passed, he began to sense something amiss.

Yan Ji was steadily courting court officials and replacing key positions in the Imperial Guard with members of her own Yan clan.

This was, in fact, a normal signal.

But the Gu clan's moral flexibility was simply too extreme.

Added to the fact that Liu Hu had never appeared again.

How could Gu Xi not suspect?

He immediately sent the Gu clan's young men out of Jingcheng.

When he returned to the palace once more and was turned away, Gu Xi's suspicions were confirmed.

But clearly, Yan Ji also knew she could no longer hide it.

She had secretly brought Liu Yi, son of Prince Hui of Jibei, Liu Shou, into Jingcheng.

Then, with lightning speed,

before Gu Xi could act, she announced Liu Hu's death and proclaimed the imperial edict to the realm.

Liu Bao is unworthy; depose him as Crown Prince.

Install Liu Yi as the new Crown Prince.

And Yan Ji assumed regency over the court.

Beigong.

The ministers' expressions varied.

Some knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly, crying out: "We solemnly obey the Emperor's final edict!"

Others wore cold, stern faces.

By now, who could still fail to see through the scheme?

Liu Yi, a prince's son.

He suddenly appeared within Luoyang City, even as Gu Xi had suppressed Liu Hu's edict, and was about to inherit the throne.

If one still remains oblivious at this point, how could one possibly hold a position in this court?

Gu Xi's expression was also extremely grim.

At this moment, his gaze, sharp as blades, locked tightly onto Yan Ji.

And Yan Ji, for the first time, showed no trace of her former fear of Gu Xi, meeting his stare without flinching.

Seeing Gu Xi hesitate and still not kneel, she spoke out: "What does the Grand Tutor mean by this?"

"The Emperor has passed away. As a subject, how can the Grand Tutor refuse to kneel?"

Before Gu Xi could respond, Deng Zhi let out a cold snort: "Empress, when exactly did the Emperor pass? Why are we only now learning of this news?"

Yan Ji cast a cold glance at Deng Zhi, a flash of killing intent in her eyes: "The Emperor's countenance turned furious, his anger overwhelming his heart."

"There was no time to summon the ministers before he ascended to heaven."

"What is the intent behind your questioning, General of the Chariots and Cavalry? Are you doubting me?"

No sooner had she finished than the Senior Eunuch Fan Feng, voice trembling with tears, echoed: "The Emperor's sudden passing was indeed unexpected; there was no time to summon all the ministers."

"Could your words, General of the Chariots and Cavalry, be meant to unsettle the ministers' hearts?"

"Grand Tutor," Jiang Jing also wept as he spoke: "You are a pillar of the court—how can you stand by while the General of the Chariots and Cavalry stirs unrest among the ministers?"

Both of them were close ministers of Liu Hu.

Their successive statements inevitably lent greater credibility to Yan Ji's account.

Seeing this, other ministers began speaking up as well.

"Grand Tutor, you have served three emperors and wield immense power; the late Emperor always trusted you deeply—how could you act thus?"

"The late Emperor has already left a final edict entrusting the Empress with regency; we must obey it. Is the Grand Tutor unwilling to relinquish his power?"

"The Gu family has long been blessed with imperial grace: in the past, Wu Hou returned to Ji, and Wen Cheng Hou relinquished authority—both were paragons of virtuous ministers. What is the Grand Tutor's purpose now?"

"."

One after another, accusations surged like tidal waves.

Yan Ji's political tactics were indeed formidable.

She sought to overwhelm with force—

Using the ministers' pressure to disrupt the situation; leveraging the Emperor's favor to confirm the cause of death; then, relying on the final edict and other conditions to directly challenge the Gu family's prestige.

She meant to force Gu Xi to bow!

The atmosphere grew ever more serious, as if conflict was about to erupt at any moment.

At that instant, the Grand Commandant Yang Zhen roared: "Enough!"

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"The Grand Tutor was entrusted by the late Filial Harmony Emperor as a guardian minister, and Empress Hexi also placed the heavy burden of Han upon the Grand Tutor."

"The late Emperor treated the Grand Tutor as a father—how could he possibly have left such a will?"

"I believe this is clearly a forged edict!"

Yang Zhen was renowned in court for his integrity and uprightness, and enjoyed Gu Xi's Favor.

At this moment, for both public duty and personal loyalty, he would inevitably speak out.

With his words, it was as if a switch had been flipped.

Lai Li also shouted angrily: "Correct!"

"When did the Crown Prince ever fail in virtue?"

"Why should he be deposed without cause?"

"Moreover, if the Empress's words are true—that the late Emperor died suddenly—how could there be a final edict?"

The Minister of the Secretariat, Chen Zhong, rose to his feet at once, glaring furiously at Jiang Jing and others, and roared: "You are committing treason!!!"

"How dare you slander the Empress?" Yan Xian, enraged, glared at Chen Zhong: "The Emperor's final edict is right here!"

"If you persist in slandering her, you are committing rebellion!"

"Correct!" The Chancellor Liu Shou spoke coldly, scanning the assembly, then fixed his gaze on Gu Xi and said gravely: "Grand Tutor, since the late Emperor has left a final edict, it must not be altered."

"I humbly beg the Grand Tutor to reconsider— the reputation of the Gu family's generations now rests entirely upon you."

"Liu Shou, you are aiding the tyrant!"

"Hmph! Do you truly intend to rebel? To defy the late Emperor's final edict and slander the Empress!"

"."

Accusations rose and fell in a ceaseless chorus.

Though this should have been a moment of mourning the Emperor's death, the court now resembled a noisy marketplace.

Who will yield?

Whether for interest, or for the last shred of integrity within their hearts.

This was destined to be an unprecedented struggle.

Yan Ji never took her eyes off Gu Xi.

She had made all possible preparations.

If Gu Xi truly insisted on fighting to the death, she would abandon all other concerns and bury Gu Xi deep within this imperial palace.

She had no path left to retreat.

If you're going to do something like this, either don't do it at all, or do it completely.

As long as she could control the court.

Then she could turn black into white, and even if history later recorded it, she would fear nothing.

Gu Xi had not spoken a word.

He merely cast a cold glance around at Yan Ji, Jiang Jing, and the others.

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

No one had anticipated this scene.

The arguing ceased abruptly.

Deng Zhi, Yang Zhen, and the others did not hesitate a moment; they rose and departed one after another.

Watching their backs, Yan Xian's face darkened with rage as he growled: "Why not kill them all while we have the chance?"

"No!"

Before Yan Ji could speak, Liu Shou hurriedly shook his head: "The Grand Tutor enjoys immense prestige throughout the realm; if we act rashly, it will surely spark great chaos."

"Indeed."

Yan Ji also nodded, speaking coolly: "Right now, the Tiger-Wardens, Imperial Guards, and Southern Army are all under our control. Even if he resists, as long as he does not leave Luoyang, he cannot escape my grasp."

"If he truly intends to rebel—"

As she spoke, a faint smile crossed Yan Ji's face. "Then it would suit me perfectly—I would no longer need to worry about the people of the realm."

"The Grand Tutor will never rebel."

Liu Shou shook his head. "The Gu clan's prestige is immense throughout the Han realm."

"The Grand Tutor is a clever man."

"He would never gamble the Gu clan's reputation."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Liu Shou turned to Yan Ji again and said: "Our immediate priority is to have the new emperor ascend the throne as soon as possible."

"Once this is accomplished, the great matter will be settled!!"

Yan Ji gave a slight nod in agreement: "Correct. Issue the Empress Dowager's edict: let the new emperor ascend the throne tomorrow!"

"Yes!"

All within the room hastily bowed.

From beginning to end, not a single person cared for the Emperor's corpse, which had already begun to emit a foul odor.

Fortunately, it was not summer.

Moreover, Yan Ji had employed some preservation methods.

Otherwise, Liu Hu's body might have already rotted away.

Guan Jun Hou Fu.

The ministers naturally followed Gu Xi all the way to the mansion.

Their expressions were all grim.

At this moment, they were truly at a dead end.

If Yan Ji were allowed to settle this matter, they would surely never recover—and the Han would be doomed to an irreversible path.

Watching the solemn faces of the ministers,

only after entering the mansion did Gu Xi speak for the first time, his expression complex, as if in reflection: "I truly fall short of my grandfather."

"Grand Tutor—"

Their expressions shifted slightly.

"If my grandfather were still alive, the Han would surely never have reached this point."

Gu Xi, unconcerned, continued murmuring.

After speaking, he turned to the ministers, his expression returning to normal: "Do not panic, all of you."

"These people are wrong to believe that the Gu clan's rise to power rests entirely on me."

"If my guess is correct—"

"They will hasten the new emperor's ascension."

"At that time, you may all follow me to welcome the Son of Heaven."

Hearing this, their expressions changed drastically.

Welcome the Son of Heaven?

Was Gu Xi truly giving up?

"Grand Tutor!" Yang Zhen immediately spoke. "What are you—?"

He found it hard to accept.

Gu Xi was a entrusted guardian minister.

How could he allow this to happen?

"Boqi, do not rush—just watch."

Gu Xi waved his hand dismissively, as if unwilling to elaborate further.

Seeing this, the ministers grew even more anxious.

But Gu Xi refused to say more; he directly saw the ministers out, then went to meet Liu Bao.

"Grand Tutor... did Father Emperor truly... pass away?" Liu Bao, only eleven years old, his face full of grief.

Gu Yi wore a serious expression as he looked at him, slowly nodding: "The Crown Prince need not grieve too deeply."

"Tonight, Your Highness must remember to rest well."

"Tomorrow may well be the moment Your Highness ascends the throne."

The throne?

These two words, both familiar and strange, suddenly welled up in Liu Bao's heart.

He stared blankly at Gu Yi and asked in confusion: "Wasn't Father Emperor going to depose me?"

"A forged edict, nothing more."

Gu Yi smiled faintly, his expression resolute as he looked at Liu Bao and said: "With this minister here, I will absolutely not allow any upheaval to befall the Great Han."

Liu Bao stared blankly at Gu Yi, and out of his absolute trust in Gu Yi, he nodded.

He then reached out his small hand and grabbed Gu Yi's arm, mumbling: "Please set your mind at ease, Grand Tutor."

"If I truly can become emperor."

"I will not let Father Emperor down the way he let down all of Grand Tutor's painstaking efforts."

He was indeed very clever.

Especially under Gu Yi's tutelage.

He could see the changes in court and countryside even more clearly.

He knew perfectly well why all of this had come about.

Gu Yi smiled and likewise nodded: "Good!"

Gu Yi had been silently watching all of this, and his heart too was somewhat flustered.

Even he had not expected matters to develop to this point today.

Gu Xi's move to eliminate Wang Sheng back then had indeed caused an enormous impact.

It had not only spared the Great Han from the decadence of Wang Sheng's period of monopolized power, but also given Emperor Liu Gu no chance to wreak havoc on the court.

This was undoubtedly a good thing for the Great Han.

But in all things, fortune and misfortune depend on each other.

Liu Hu's weakness of character was seized upon by others, completely bringing about this situation.

The existence of the Gu clan had altered the great trend.

But the weaknesses of a person's character could never be completely changed.

Liu Hu had actually already changed somewhat.

It was only the flattery of recent years that had made him somewhat blindly confident, allowing the weaknesses in his character to be exposed once again.

He could roughly guess what Gu Xi wanted to do.

In fact, the Gu clan's most powerful weapon today was its prestige.

This was not only prestige in court and countryside, but also in the army!

This was entirely prestige built up over generations of great merit to the realm, something no other clan could match.

Yan Ji had done all of this very well.

Luring in the ministers and controlling the Imperial Guard to create the prevailing momentum.

She had even done it better than she had in the original history.

If it were not for the existence of the Gu clan, she would absolutely have become the master of the Great Han.

But now it was not so.

Gu Xi's prestige was so high it even surpassed Gu Kang's.

Even Gu Kang back then had been able to overawe the entire court with the force of one man.

Let alone Gu Xi?

Although if one were to speak of greatest benefit, Gu Xi playing it safe now would be best.

But for these people.

There are always some things destined to surpass life itself.

Gu Yi could not interfere either.

After thinking it over, he still did not let Gu Xi take the risk.

Instead, he took out from his pack what might be the only item currently of any use—the Lucky Card.

He chose to use it directly.

Although Gu Yi was not sure whether this thing would work, he had to try.

After all, it was a Mystic-grade item.

Judging by the example of the Longevity Card, Mystic-grade items were not ineffective.

Moreover, unlike the Longevity Card.

The Lucky Card had a time limit.

Its effect could only last one day.

Logically speaking, the effect it brought should be somewhat better.

As for a dedicated gacha pull, Gu Yi still held back.

This upheaval was indeed somewhat of a crisis for the Gu clan.

But it was not yet to the point of making Gu Yi use Achievement Points again.

The Gu clan's prestige over several generations was simply too great.

Moreover, Gu Xi had long since sent the Gu clan's juniors back to Hebei.

Even if Gu Xi were to fail at the last moment, the Gu clan would at most be dismissed from office, and would not face a lethal calamity.

And soon, they would have to face the chaos of the Three Kingdoms.

If anything truly went wrong, by then he would still have every opportunity to take matters into his own hands and defy fate to alter destiny.

(End of chapter)