allonlinenovel Chapter 585 Going with the Flow
Chapter 585 Going with the Flow
Before entering the Phoenix Palace, Li Xi had already composed himself and, upon hearing the Empress say, "Enter," he quickly walked in.
Although Li Xi appeared anxious and worried, he did not actually lose his composure and even took Gu Shiyi with him to greet the Empress and others.
Li Chu and Dugu Jingyao returned the greetings. Li Tan and Li Ruo, as always, didn't really want to talk to Li Xi. Li Tan at least returned the greeting to Li Xi, though it was a bit indifferent on the surface, but at least it was proper. Li Ruo, on the other hand, acted as if the Prince of Zhao and his wife didn't exist.
Although the Empress was saddened, she still reminded Li Ruo, "Ruo'er, you must not be rude. Prince Zhao and Princess Zhao are your brother and sister-in-law. Quickly pay your respects."
Li Ruo pursed her lips before reluctantly returning the greeting. Li Xi didn't really care; he was used to Li Ruo's attitude. However, Gu Shiyi didn't visit the palace often and didn't encounter Li Ruo frequently, so she was naturally upset, but she couldn't show it on her face.
Li Xi returned to the main topic and asked, "Your Majesty, Shi Yi and I heard that Your Majesty vomited blood and fainted. We have been waiting for news of Your Majesty's recovery for a long time, and we were very anxious. That's why we thought of coming to the palace to see you."
With a slight smile on her face, the Empress said, "Xi'er, you are so kind, but I'm afraid His Majesty won't wake up for a while." As she said this, she couldn't help but shed a few tears.
Li Tan continued, "Father usually worries about state affairs, which takes a toll on his health. In addition, upon hearing the news of his grandfather's passing, he was so anxious that he vomited blood and fainted. The imperial physician said that Father probably won't wake up for a while."
Upon hearing this, Li Xi also felt a pang of sorrow. In truth, he didn't want Emperor Xuanzong to die either, but Empress Shude's affair forced him to take a gamble, especially since Li Chu had awakened. Therefore, his sorrow was not feigned.
Li Tan deliberately brought it up: "But if Father Emperor doesn't wake up, Grandfather Emperor's coffin can't stay in the temporary palace forever, can it? We need to return to the palace as soon as possible to hold the national mourning!"
Li Xi then came to his senses and said, "What Third Brother said makes sense, but after all, it is a national mourning. Although it can be handled by the Ministry of Rites, we still need to send someone to keep an eye on it. Moreover, some of the ceremonies for a national mourning should be performed by Father Emperor. But if Father Emperor cannot wake up for a long time, then..." Although he did not continue, who could not understand the meaning behind his words?
The Empress pretended to ponder for a moment and said, "If His Majesty is unable to wake up during the national mourning ceremony, according to the rules, his eldest son and grandson, Chu'er, should take his place."
Li Chu replied, "That's how it should be, but I've only just woken up and have been in bed for a long time. My legs haven't fully recovered yet, and I'm still in a wheelchair. Plus, there are several women in my household who are about to give birth, so I'm afraid I'm too weak to help them."
Then he glanced at Li Xi and said, "Mother, I think my second brother is good. He is a prince like me, and there is an order of seniority. He should be my second brother."
Li Xi felt that there might be a trap in such an easy job, so he said, "Elder brother, you flatter me. I think that although there is an order of seniority, the hierarchy of legitimate and illegitimate children is also very important. Although I am the second son, my third brother is the legitimate grandson, and in terms of status, he is more suitable than me."
Just as Li Xi was about to pretend to agree, the Empress said, "Tan'er is still young and hasn't experienced much, so naturally he's not as suitable as you, Xi'er."
Li Tan pretended to talk back: "Mother, how could I be so incompetent? Besides, didn't I handle things very well today? And my second brother even said that I am more suitable. Please give me a chance!"
Li Chu continued, "Brother Tan, although you handled today's matter well, and we all agree, the national mourning is a major event that cannot be neglected in the slightest. Your temperament is still a bit impetuous, not as steady as your second brother. After you gain more experience, we will feel at ease letting you take charge of any major events."
Li Tan angrily turned his face away and refused to look at Li Chu anymore. Li Xi, still somewhat irritated, said, "Mother, Imperial Brother, you also need to give Third Brother a chance to grow. Otherwise, I'm afraid it won't be easy for him to change his temperament."
Li Ruo retorted, "Second brother, you make it sound so easy. I think you're just hoping that third brother will do something wrong so that Father will wake up and you can complain about him. That way, both eldest and third brothers will lose Father's favor, and you can then compete for the position of crown prince!"
Dugu Jingyao really didn't expect Li Ruo to be so outspoken. She just blurted out what Li Xi was thinking.
Li Xi did indeed have this idea. If he could use the national mourning period to make his two eldest sons dislike their father, he wouldn't have to risk raising an army. But if this method didn't work, he would consider other options.
The Empress Dowager promptly interrupted Li Ruo, saying, "Shut up! How dare you talk about such things!"
Li Ruo was also very angry and said, "Mother, what I said is the truth!"
Before she could finish speaking, the Empress opened her hand, but she didn't hit her. Li Ruo ran back crying.
Seeing this, Dugu Jingyao stood up and said, "Mother, you two talk first, and go see Ruo'er."
The Empress was also quite angry and said, "Jingyao, sit down. You are pregnant. Don't let her talk back to you and make you angry."
Dugu Jingyao said, "Mother, it's alright. My sister sometimes talks back to her brother, and when Father sides with him, she cries and goes back to her room. I'm the one who goes to see her. Ruo'er won't upset me. If you're worried about upsetting me, I can have Shijian accompany her."
Li Chu also said, "Mother, let A Yao go and take a look, otherwise she won't be able to sit here." Only then did the Empress allow it.
Gu Shiyi then pretended to say, "Why don't I accompany my sister-in-law?"
The Empress said, "I know that Princess Zhao means well, but I just reprimanded her because of Prince Zhao. I'm afraid she won't see you, and might even say something treasonous. It's better not to go."
Gu Shiyi thought to herself, "Do you think I really want to go? I'm just being polite." So Gu Shiyi said, "Your Majesty, I will obey."
Afterwards, Dugu Jingyao took Shijian to sit with Li Ruo. The remaining people continued to discuss the topic of national mourning behind closed doors.
The Empress said, "I am so sorry, Xi'er. It's all my fault for spoiling Ruo'er and letting her talk nonsense. I will definitely discipline her properly in the future!"
Since the Empress had said so, Li Xi, as a junior, couldn't blame Li Ruo anymore. Besides, he was used to Li Ruo's sarcastic remarks.
So Li Xi said, "Your subject knows that Ruo'er is still young, so your subject will just take it as innocent childish talk."
Li Chu continued, "Second brother, I know that although you are a bit strong-willed and your relationship with the third brother is not so harmonious, I believe that you would not have such thoughts on such an important matter as national mourning."
Li Xi was somewhat embarrassed, but he didn't show it on his face. He said, "Your Majesty is right. I was just bickering with my third brother and Ruo'er. It's not like I would joke about something as important as the national mourning."
Li Chu followed up by saying, "Mother, since my second brother has said that he would not joke about the national mourning, and he has been in court for some time now, he must know a bit about the officials of the Ministry of Rites. Why don't we let my second brother handle the arrangements?"
The Empress readily agreed, though Li Xi's expression was rather unpleasant. The Empress glanced at him, and Li Xi ultimately only said, "Your subject understands, but the overall situation is of utmost importance." The matter was then smoothly handed over to Li Xi.
Then Li Xi and Gu Shiyi left first. Li Chu saw that Dugu Jingyao had not returned yet and suggested that he go look for her. Li Tan also felt that there was no point in staying here, so he left with Li Chu.