vrcanaries Chapter 220 The True Prince of Jing'an
Chapter 220 The True Prince of Jing'an
The following day, an imperial edict issued by the emperor himself shocked the entire court.
During this period, the Empress ruled from behind the curtain, informing the bedridden Emperor, who then dictated the handling of state affairs.
Some ministers had always suspected the Empress's intentions, so when the imperial edict was issued through the Empress's mouth, some ministers questioned it.
"Meng Fuqing's ambition is known to all! Why would His Majesty allow her to act as regent and solidify her title of 'Prince Jing'an'? Isn't this sending a lamb to the slaughter? I urge Your Majesty, the Empress, to advise His Majesty to reconsider!"
Cui Jichu took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly, "It is said among the people that Meng Fuqing is the chosen one, and that with her in power, the dangers of natural disasters and man-made calamities can be averted."
His Majesty is physically disabled, yet he cares deeply for the people. If he can save them from their suffering, what is wrong with letting her act as regent? It is merely a regency, not the surrender of the empire…”
"That's utter nonsense! But how can we believe rumors spread by malicious people? How did Meng Fuqing manage to arrive in the capital so quietly? When did she arrive? Who knows? Perhaps she's the one who brought all the troubles in the capital these past few days!"
Upon hearing this, all the ministers echoed his sentiments.
After the ministers had finished expressing their opinions and things had quieted down, Cui Jichu spoke again.
"The Imperial Advisor observed the celestial phenomena at night and also calculated Meng Fuqing's birth date and time, concluding that the rumors were true."
The court officials were in an uproar. They still did not believe it and were convinced that Meng Fuqing was spreading heresy and misleading the public. For a time, the court was in chaos, just like a marketplace.
At this moment, Meng Fuqing led the Imperial Preceptor gracefully into the court.
With a gentle lift of his hand, one of the most vehemently opposed ministers was forced to kneel on the ground and then dragged to Meng Fuqing's presence.
All the officials and civil servants witnessed this strange and terrifying scene, and their minds went blank. They stammered and no one dared to speak.
"Spreading heresy? I like that kind of talk. God and demon are only a thought apart. Lord Su, is that right? Demons love to kill. Does Lord Su think I'm a monster?"
Lord Su could naturally discern the threat in Meng Fuqing's words. His survival instincts kicked in, and he stammered, "Lord Meng...you are a goddess..."
"What goddess! She's clearly a demon!" someone shouted angrily. "Where are the Imperial Guards?! Subdue this demon immediately and burn her at the stake!"
The moment the words fell, the man's body suddenly leaped into the air, flying off the court, and then rolled a great distance down the white marble steps upon landing.
When he finally stopped, he fainted.
"Offending me is an unforgivable offense," Meng Fuqing said softly. "Do any of you ministers have anything else to say?"
For a moment, the court was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.
Just then, someone rushed over and reported, "Report! Tens of thousands of refugees have gathered at the city gate, attempting to breach the imperial city!"
Now the ministers no longer cared whether Meng Fuqing was a god or a demon. The group of bloated and fat men made a chaotic mess.
"Where are the Imperial Guards?" Meng Fuqing shouted.
"Here!" Xiao Linyuan entered the main hall and bowed respectfully.
Meng Fuqing took out the military tally and ordered, "Send men to guard all the exits of the main hall. No one shall be allowed to leave except the Empress, palace maids, and eunuchs. The rest of you, come with me to meet the enemy!"
"Yes!"
Someone couldn't help but ask, "Meng Fu... Prince Jing'an, what is the meaning of your actions?"
Meng Fuqing turned to look at the man: "Since it concerns the safety of the capital, how can you ministers, as members of the city, remain indifferent?"
I sincerely invite all of you ministers to join me in overcoming this difficult situation. You only need to wait here for a moment; if I need your assistance, I will send someone to invite you again.”
After saying this, she strode away from the main hall, leaving the court officials looking at each other in bewilderment.
"Could she be trying to vent her anger by sending us to those refugees?"
The court became lively again. Some people tried to leave by force, but were stopped by the halberds of the Imperial Guards. After several attempts, they finally gave up.
Just as the court officials were about to curse, Cui Jichu had already secretly returned to the inner palace.
"Your Majesty...Does Your Majesty truly believe that Miss Meng is a goddess reincarnated?" The female official asked softly while massaging Cui Jichu's temples.
Cui Jichu opened his eyes with a wry smile, "You think her strange methods are some kind of magic tricks from a wandering sorcerer?"
She gently touched her neck; beneath her collar was a deep, crimson scar, so fine and deep that it seemed as if a moment or two later it would have pierced her flesh.
"With her and Xiao Linyuan here, today's crisis can be resolved without any effort."
Lost in thought, a eunuch suddenly came to report: "Your Majesty, Lord Cui has arrived."
Just as Cui Ji had anticipated, the refugees dispersed in an unexpected way.
Meng Fuqing stood on the city wall, with a speaker she had taken out of her spatial storage placed at her feet.
The sound startled everyone on and off the city wall, especially Xiao Linyuan, who was standing next to Meng Fuqing.
They watched as she took out a square object and placed it on the city wall, and soon a deafening sound rang out.
It was clearly Meng Fuqing's voice, yet she didn't speak.
"Fellow villagers, I am Meng Fuqing. Before today, I was just an ordinary citizen like you all..."
After some back-and-forth communication, the refugees below the city walls stopped their assault. Some were frightened by the sound, some heard the name 'Meng Fuqing,' and some wanted to hear how the imperial court could be so eloquent.
"...If you all can withdraw your troops, I assure you that the cold wave will recede within three days. Otherwise, you may do as you please. During these three days, you may remain outside the imperial city, and the court will provide all your food!"
"Are you trying to stall for time to call for reinforcements?!" someone shouted.
Meng Fuqing used a vine to slide across the screen and tapped on another recording.
"Reinforcements? As you all know, I am originally from Jing'an Prefecture. How can I possibly bring reinforcements from Jing'an Prefecture in three days?"
"Miss Meng, who are you? Why are you representing the imperial court?"
Meng Fuqing then said, "I am the Prince of Jing'an, personally appointed by His Majesty. Since His Majesty is unable to walk properly, I will handle state affairs on His Majesty's behalf."
……
The people who organized the refugees rushed to the front. They looked up and could see Meng Fuqing clearly. Seeing that she could make such a loud sound without moving her lips, they couldn't help but want to back down.
He hadn't believed the rumors that Meng Fuqing was a goddess reincarnated, but now, seeing it, he was starting to believe it.
Thinking this, he suddenly saw someone jump down from the city wall. He was startled, which made the horse beneath him restless.
Once he saw the face clearly, he immediately stopped his men.
He rode up to Meng Fuqing.
"What does Miss Meng mean by this?"
"I just want to say one thing to you in person."
"What?"
Meng Fuqing said, "I have planted grain in Jing'an Prefecture that yields a thousand catties per mu, and it will be harvested this autumn. Would you like to see if it is true or not?"
The refugees were still refused entry to the imperial city gates as before, but things were very different now. Not only were there temporary tents to protect them from the cold, but there was also a bowl of porridge with only a few grains of rice to fill their stomachs.
Looking at the scene outside the city wall, Xiao Linyuan recalled the scene where Meng Fuqing made the officials in the court donate grain according to their rank, and those who did not donate grain were not allowed to leave. His feelings were quite complicated.