Chapter 1573: Delivering Themselves to the Door?

The news spread once more, circulating from the mouths of the hundred officials.

The entire world was shocked!

Common folk discussed it endlessly, the people barely able to believe this matter.

Was this still their Dark Lord who had ignored court affairs for eight years?

Has a ghost possessed him?

A new variety of food yielding forty stones per mu? One wouldn't dare even imagine it!

But regardless, Xu Que had ultimately done a good deed this time.

The common people sang praises and recited virtues for Xu Que one after another.

What ordinary people saw was merely that Xu Que had researched a new type of crop that could allow the people to eat their fill.

As for those in high positions, what they saw was far more.

In an official residence, several middle-aged men sat around a stone table, their expressions grave.

"What are your views on this matter?" asked the middle-aged man seated at the head, lifting his teacup and speaking slowly.

He was Xuan Yuan Qifa, Xuan Yuan Wanrong's paternal cousin, and likewise one of the heavyweights in the court.

As for the others, they were loyal followers of the Outer Relatives Faction.

"Setting aside whether these things were truly produced by His Majesty, the fact that the old fool, the Minister of Works, publicly memorialized this matter shows he has already taken His Majesty's side."

The middle-aged man seated below pondered for a moment before speaking, "If my guess is correct, I fear His Majesty has now developed the intent to seize power; this incident is merely a probe."

"In my view, His Majesty's sudden awakening this time may not be a bad thing; if he can henceforth devote himself to court affairs, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for our Eastern Tang," someone argued in defense of Xu Que.

"Foolish!"

The leading middle-aged man slapped the table and said sternly, "Have you all forgotten how much we have done over these years to support Her Majesty the Queen? If His Majesty regains power, how long do you think it will take for Your Majesty to uncover these matters?"

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

Each new emperor brings new ministers; the few present all understood this principle.

Without Xuan Yuan Wanrong, even if Xu Que continued to ignore court affairs, the power would ultimately still rest in his hands, and the ministers below would still serve Xu Que.

Yet Xuan Yuan Wanrong appeared, and precisely when she entered the Imperial Palace back then, she displayed astonishing ambition.

She tried every possible method, used every means, courted court officials, appointed favorites based on kinship, and forcibly hollowed out Xu Que, seizing control of Eastern Tang's authority.

Even before the two of them entered this world, the entire Eastern Tang Kingdom had reached a point where people knew only of Queen Xuan and had forgotten there was an Emperor named Xu.

Nowadays, whether opening a bar or developing crops, it all represented one thing.

That former His Majesty the Emperor was declaring to the Kingdom—he has returned!

"Then, in your esteemed opinions, how should this matter be handled?" someone asked.

Everyone fell silent, their gazes meeting, each seeing the thoughts in the other's heart.

They absolutely could not allow their His Majesty the Emperor to regain power!

Inside the Imperial Palace, Xu Que once again entered negotiations with Xuan Yuan Wanrong.

"How about it, can you hand over the Imperial Seal to me this time?" Xu Que said triumphantly, "I easily secured a million taels for military expenses; who under heaven is more suited to be emperor than I?"

Hehe, once I get my hands on the Imperial Seal, the first thing I'll do is depose you, this Queen, and demote you to a plebeian!

When you are wandering the streets, lonely and helpless with no one to rely on, I will go on a lavish tour, letting this woman witness my imperial procession!

Just thinking about it feels wonderfully sweet...

"No," Xuan Yuan Wanrong said indifferently.

"Ai, that's more like it, we two are now grasshoppers tied to the same string... wait, what did you just say? No?"

Xu Que immediately flew into a rage: "You woman have no honor! We agreed that once I resolved the trouble, you would hand over the Imperial Seal to me!"

The Imperial Seal is the Son of Heaven's command; without the Imperial Seal, Xu Que's Imperial Edicts were utterly useless.

The fact that he could mobilize the Minister of War was entirely due to the Six Ministries Transfer Order given by Xuan Yuan Wanrong.

Xuan Yuan Wanrong said indifferently, "Everything you have done does not count as a strategy for governing the nation; combined with your reputation in the Cultivation World, all this is likely just some petty trickery and deception from a minor Celestial Path; how can you expect me to trust you?"

Damn!

This woman is actually going back on her word!

Xu Que was so angry he nearly laughed: "Xuan Yuan Wanrong! You can't play like this!"

"I am stating facts; furthermore... when exactly did I say that as long as you resolved the trouble, I would hand over the Imperial Seal to you?"

"You clearly promised... uh, well..."

Xu Que suddenly froze.

That's right, this woman seemingly never promised him anything at all...

"Fine! You win!"

Xu Que was speechless for a long while, then could only stiffen his neck, turn around, and leave.

Dammit, I must think of a way to make this woman spit out the Imperial Seal.

Isn't she just relying on the fact that all the court officials listen to her? Later, once I prove my capabilities, I'll have plenty of ways to take back the Imperial Seal!

He had investigated the current court factions, which were roughly divided into three groups.

One group consisted of the outer relatives led by Xuan Yuan Wanrong; these fellows were the largest faction in the court, firmly holding onto authority.

Another group comprised the Former Emperor's Old Ministers who supported him as their leader, swearing to defend the dignity of the imperial house to the death.

The final group consisted of ministers loyal to the court itself, such as Gong Qiwei and other young-generation officials.

Speaking nicely of this third group, they are wise birds choosing a tree to rest in; speaking harshly, they are fence-sitters.

They see whose faction is powerful and stand on that side!

"Hmph, Xuan Yuan Wanrong, since you are unkind, do not blame me for being unrighteous!"

A smile appeared on Xu Que's face. To deal with Xuan Yuan Wanrong, he first had to deal with these Outer Relatives Party Members.

Otherwise, any decision he made would be blocked.

"Damn, it's not easy to become better, but isn't ruining someone's reputation a piece of cake?"

It's time to show you what it means to be an internet troll from an era that experienced an information explosion!

The next day, in the court.

Xu Que had just sat down on the Dragon Throne, his bottom not even warm yet, when someone stepped forward to memorialize.

"Your Majesty, this minister has a memorial to present!"

It was none other than Xuan Yuan Qifa!

Xu Que narrowed his eyes and stared at him for a long while.

I was just thinking about going after you lot, and you actually delivered yourselves right to my door?

Xu Que laughed inwardly, waved his hand, and said: "Speak."

"Emperor, these past years have seen continuous great droughts, the Imperial Treasury is empty, the common people can barely survive — this is likely a punishment from the heavens. I implore Your Majesty to issue an Edict of Self-Blame, to seek the forgiveness of the heavens, to bring down great Rain, and to ease the suffering of the people."

An Edict of Self-Blame!

The entire court instantly exploded into an uproar!

Xuan Yuan Qifa's move was essentially putting the Emperor directly on the fire to roast.

An Edict of Self-Blame is essentially a written confession, telling the common people what wrongs one has committed, and begging the heavens for forgiveness.

If it were a Bright Lord, issuing an Edict of Self-Blame wouldn't matter much, but if it's Xu Que...

The idiotic things he's done over these years are not few. If he issues an Edict of Self-Blame, it would be equivalent to publicly announcing to the Kingdom everything he's done over the years.

In this way, Xu Que's newly established prestige would instantly plummet to rock bottom among the common folk.

When that time comes, Xuan Yuan Qifa can perfectly continue to claim that the Emperor is temporarily unfit to preside over court affairs, and continue to let Xuan Yuan Wanrong hold the reins of power.

As long as Xuan Yuan Wanrong doesn't fall, the Outer Relatives will endure forever!