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The reactions of the others weren't as intense as Princess Ning'an's, but they were equally perplexed.
"His Majesty... Why did he appoint a princess to oversee the state?"
It was Imperial Consort Zhuang who asked this question.
If Princess Ning'an had been the one appointed to oversee the state right now, she would have asked the same question.
Ever since Empress Dowager Zhuang was given the title Empress Xiande, she set a precedent for female rule. However, Empress Dowager Zhuang held the title of Empress, while Xinyang was merely an imperial princess.
Moreover, there was no indication that His Majesty doted on this princess.
Indeed, the relationship between the Emperor and Princess Xinyang could hardly be considered close.
Princess Xinyang and Marquis Xuanping’s marriage was decreed by the Emperor, but most people were unaware that the Emperor was simply following the late Emperor's wishes. Seeing that the husband and wife didn’t get along, this inevitably made people think that the Emperor had haphazardly arranged their union.
Princess Xinyang likely harbored resentment towards the Emperor, everyone thought so.
So why would the Emperor appoint her to oversee the country?
"Could this imperial decree be fake?"
Imperial Consort Zhuang was quite outspoken, daring to say anything.
Empress Xiao’s face was the first to darken. She stood up and looked coldly at Imperial Consort Zhuang, saying, "What does imperial consort mean?! The imperial decree is clearly written in black on white paper, stamped with the imperial jade seal of the State of Zhao. Are you doubting the imperial jade seal of the State of Zhao, or are you doubting His Majesty's intentions?"
The imperial decree also appointed the Crown Prince as regent. Calling it fake would mean denying the Crown Prince's authority as well, right?
Empress Xiao thought that regardless of who supervised the state, the Crown Prince was to represent His Majesty at the imperial court!
Imperial Consort Zhuang sneered, "Who knows if someone took advantage of His Majesty's unconsciousness, stole his imperial jade seal, and drafted this decree? Isn't that right, Eunuch Wei?"
Eunuch Wei's temples throbbed. Oh, Imperial Consort Zhuang, you’re usually so foolish, why so clever today?
Indeed, that's the truth!
But unfortunately, I can't admit it! contemporary romance
Empress Xiao said sternly, "Eunuch Wei, explain to everyone the process of His Majesty issuing this decree."
"Erm... Well..." Eunuch Wei, looking at the unmistakable handwriting of Princess Ning'an on the decree, spoke hesitantly, "His Majesty woke up, and Princess Ning'an was there at that time. His Majesty instructed Princess Ning'an to draft the decree and had this servant bring the imperial jade seal to stamp it."
Imperial Consort Zhuang mocked, "Instructed Princess Ning'an to draft the decree? How come every time His Majesty wakes up, Princess Ning'an is around, but whenever we visit, His Majesty never wakes up?”
This was alluding to when the Emperor had Princess Ning'an draft an imperial decree regarding Empress Dowager Zhuang's fate.
Empress Xiao retorted coldly, "That's because none of you can wake His Majesty up. Don't you know it in your hearts whether His Majesty wants to see you or not"
Wasn't that true?
All these women in the harem combined weren't as important as Princess Ning'an alone.
Imperial Consort Zhuang was completely silenced, unable to argue.
"Princess Ning'an, take a look at this decree. Is it the one you wrote as a proxy last night?" Empress Xiao gestured for Eunuch Wei to hand the imperial decree to Princess Ning'an.
Princess Ning'an took it and examined it closely. It was her handwriting, without any flaw.
But she would never confuse her title with Xinyang's.
That meant the decree had been switched.
But even if she spoke the truth now, no one would believe her, and besides... It wasn't a believable truth either.
Princess Ning'an's hand clenched around the decree, her veins bulging.
Eunuch Wei was terrified.
Princess Ning'an didn’t think it was him, did she? For heaven's sake, he hadn't touched the imperial decree after placing it in the brocade box last night! Who knew how it turned from Princess Ning'an to Princess Xinyang?
Princess Ning'an took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "Responding to sister-in-law, it is."
Empress Xiao raised an eyebrow and said, "Princess Ning'an and Eunuch Wei are loyal to His Majesty. Can't you trust their words? Furthermore, the crime of deceiving the monarch carries a death sentence. Who would dare forge an imperial decree?"
Eunuch Wei thought to himself, there are plenty who would forge an imperial decree, there’s even one in front of you. Do you dare believe?
Princess Ning'an spoke up, "Princess Xinyang seems to have not returned to the capital..."
If she hadn't returned to the capital yet, there was still room for maneuvering. If one imperial decree could be drafted, so could a second or a third. Alternatively, she could find a pretext to abolish her regent title. It wasn’t something difficult to accomplish
As Princess Ning'an was about to speak, she heard a young eunuch gasping for breath as he rushed over to say, "Princess Xinyang has arrived——"
Princess Ning'an: "..."
Everyone stood up and looked out toward the gates of Huaqing Palace.
Like the auspicious snow-capped Jade Mountain and the golden dawn, Princess Xinyang, adorned in a delicate golden palace gown and wearing a bamboo hat, slowly approached with the support of a servant girl.
Princess Xinyang's beauty was renowned throughout the land, and even though she had passed the prime of her youth, she still looked unbelievably beautiful.
However, today she wore a veiled bamboo hat, obscuring her captivating face, yet her regal demeanor still captivated everyone's attention.
There were three thousand beauties in the harem, each one stunning in their own right. However, it was undeniable that whenever Princess Xinyang appeared, no man would spare a glance at them.
Princess Xinyang gracefully approached Empress Xiao, intending to pay her respects, but she accidentally stepped on her robe, stumbling and falling before Empress Xiao, prostrating herself!
Empress Xiao: ...There's no need for that.
"Why don't you help your mistress up?" Eunuch Su scolded the servant girl accompanying Princess Xinyang.
The servant girl pursed her lips and roughly grabbed Princess Xinyang, pulling her up.
Yes, pulling.
The action was crude, with a hint of disdain in her eyes.
Eunuch Su: "..."
Princess Xinyang adjusted her attire and addressed Empress Xiao, "Your Majesty the Empress, may you be in good health."
Empress Xiao nodded.
The Crown Prince approached and bowed to Princess Xinyang, "Aunt."
Empress Xiao asked Princess Xinyang, "You've returned just in time. There's a decree to announce to you, but... why are you wearing a veil?"
"A few days ago, I had an allergic reaction to something I ate and developed a rash, which is inappropriate to be seen." With that, Princess Xinyang slightly lifted the veil, revealing a chin covered in rashes.
Empress Xiao felt uneasy at the sight and quickly waved her hand, wiping the tip of her nose with a handkerchief, "All right, pay attention to what you eat next time. Receive the decree now."
Accompanying Princess Xinyang wasn’t her personal court lady, Yu Jin, but an unfamiliar servant girl. However, Empress Xiao didn't care about Princess Xinyang's affairs, so she didn't bother to inquire.
Eunuch Wei read the imperial decree to Princess Xinyang separately.
Princess Xinyang knelt, but the servant girl did not.
No one at the scene realized anything was amiss.
By the time everyone reacted, Princess Xinyang had already finished receiving the decree, saying, "Xinyang receives the decree, long live His Majesty the Emperor."
Then, she turned and handed her noble hand to the servant girl behind her, saying in a haughty tone, "Help this princess up."
The servant girl pulled her up with a look of disgust, nearly dislocating her arm.
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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