coobybook Chapter 212 The Emperor's Disappearance
Chapter 212 The Emperor's Disappearance
Empress Shen walked directly into the Golden Palace, stood still, and then turned around to look at the ministers who had followed her in.
The ministers looked at Empress Shen with varying expressions. Grand Tutor Dong stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, what do you mean by saying that the Emperor cannot attend the morning court session?"
Empress Shen sneered, her eyes and expression unreadable as she looked at Gao Ming at the door. "You'll have to ask Eunuch Gao about that. Why hasn't His Majesty returned from the Jing Prince's residence last night? He didn't even attend the morning court session."
Gao Ming frowned.
At this moment, Grand Tutor Dong turned to look at Gao Ming, his expression puzzled, and asked, "Eunuch Gao, what exactly is going on?"
Gao Ming ignored Grand Tutor Dong and instead looked calmly at Empress Shen, saying, "Where His Majesty goes and what he does is His Majesty's business. This old servant is merely a servant; how could I presume to guess His Majesty's thoughts?"
Empress Shen narrowed her eyes at Gao Ming, then sneered, "How dare you! Things have come to this point, Gao Ming, are you still not going to tell the truth?"
"If you refuse to tell the truth, then I will have no choice but to have you tied up and interrogated." Empress Shen's face was full of threat.
Her words caused a change in everyone's expression. They began to whisper among themselves, and many more, unaware of what had happened, questioned Gao Ming: "Eunuch Gao, is the Emperor actually at Prince Jing's residence?"
"Yes, where did the Emperor go?"
Some people who knew that Prince Jing's mansion had been surrounded by the Imperial Guards were speculating about what had happened, while others who knew half or all of the story were observing the situation from the sidelines.
These people include Shen Zhiyuan and his son, Prince Yu, and Tang Zhenhong.
Empress Shen didn't say anything more, just stared at Gao Ming.
This time, Gao Ming didn't beat around the bush. He looked at the ministers and said directly, "My lords, His Majesty is indeed at Prince Jing's residence. However, His Majesty is currently unable to attend court due to other matters. That's why he sent this old servant to inform you that today is a day off."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice rang out from outside, "You're talking nonsense! The Emperor is clearly unconscious right now, so how could he let you come and tell everyone about today's day off?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Sun Cheng, the commander of the Imperial Guards, walking in from outside.
"Commander Sun, is this true?" Grand Tutor Dong asked anxiously.
“Everything I said is true. This is a report from the Imperial Guards who accompanied the Emperor to Prince Jing’s residence. Moreover, I have already gone to Prince Jing’s residence to receive the Emperor on the Empress’s orders, but Prince Jing made me wait outside and refused to let me see the Emperor. Isn’t this because he has something to hide?” Sun Cheng said indignantly.
After hearing Sun Cheng's words, everyone looked at Gao Ming with suspicion.
Upon hearing this, Tang Zhenhong angrily retorted, "Commander Sun, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. It's the Emperor who won't see you, not Prince Jing who won't let you see the Emperor."
If what Sun Cheng said is true, then Prince Jing would become a traitor who imprisoned the Emperor. Even if the Emperor were to be safe now, he cannot allow Prince Jing to become a traitor. He is not only the Emperor's son, but more importantly, he is also his granddaughter's husband. If something happens to him, wouldn't his Yue'er also become a traitor?
Sun Cheng scoffed, "Lord Tang's granddaughter is the Princess Consort of Prince Jing, so of course you have to speak on Prince Jing's side."
"Bullshit! I was just telling the truth. How did that make me side with Prince Jing?" Tang Zhenhong roared.
The old Prince Yu also said with a gloomy face, "Commander Sun, don't make false accusations. Prince Jing is the Emperor's own son. How could he possibly harm his own father?"
“Your Highness is mistaken. Long Fu was once the Emperor’s own son, yet he still attacked the Emperor.” Grand Tutor Dong said hesitantly.
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiyuan glanced indifferently at Tang Zhenhong and Prince Yu, and said in a deep voice, "Since both Lord Tang and Prince Yu say that His Majesty is safe at Prince Jing's residence, then please accompany me to Prince Jing's residence to invite His Majesty back!"
As he spoke, he looked at Empress Shen and said, "Your Majesty, I request permission to lead a few officials to Prince Jing's residence to bring the Emperor back."
He was now thinking that since Emperor Tianqi was in a coma, he could use this as an excuse to arrest Prince Jing, and then, because the emperor was in a coma and the country could not be without a ruler for a day, he could put Long Jun on the throne.
"Very well! I grant your permission..."
Before Empress Shen could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a voice, "Isn't today a day of rest? Why is everyone still here?"
Everyone turned to look at the newcomer, and Empress Shen saw that the newcomer's eyes were filled with hatred.
She had already ordered the Imperial Guards to surround the Prince Jing's residence, not letting a single bird escape. How did Long Shang get out?