Chapter 2650 - 2648: The Princess’s Rise to Fame

Chapter 2650: Chapter 2648: The Princess’s Rise to Fame

Su Yuanjing entered the main hall and saw Huizong sitting at the head, with singing and dancing in full swing, cups and goblets clinking, and the intoxicating atmosphere stirring further anxiety and anger in his heart.

He knelt in the hall and loudly said to Huizong, "Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report."

Huizong raised an eyebrow, seeing his serious expression, felt displeased in his heart, and said, "If it’s a private matter, speak, but if it’s an important public matter, then don’t bring it up. I am tired, and if there is anything, discuss it in court tomorrow."

Su Yuanjing said, "Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, how could there be personal matters? I speak on behalf of the people of the realm, hoping Your Majesty will issue an edict reflecting on oneself, to reassure the hearts of the common people."

"How dare you!"

Li Bangyan and Wang Fu jumped up in shock, pointing at Su Yuanjing and cursing, "Minister Su, how dare you have such audacity? Who do you think you are, daring to ask His Majesty to issue an edict of self-reflection?"

"Minister Su, on what grounds does His Majesty have any guilt?"

Wang Fu appeared to be a loyal minister sympathizing with the Emperor.

Huizong’s face also darkened, gripping the wine cup tightly and said, "Su Yuanjing, you indeed have a lot of gall! Who are you to claim to represent the common people? In the end, are you the emperor or am I? What is your intention?"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze.

The Empress intervened to diffuse the atmosphere, speaking for Su Yuanjing, "Your Majesty, Minister Su is loyal, he has no intention of rebellion. Hear him out first before punishing him."

Huizong held his temper and sternly asked Su Yuanjing, "I will spare your head for now, explain your meaning?"

Su Yuanjing knelt in supplication, tears flowing, and said, "Your Majesty, I risk speaking up for the sake of the Great Song’s state and fortune! Since ancient times, there are not two suns in the sky, no two rulers on earth. Your Majesty must have seen, there are two suns in the sky, this is not a good omen! This season should be the time of autumn harvest. The people’s year’s worth of grain is just about to be harvested, but it is roasted by the scorching sun, the year’s harvest may be entirely ruined. At that time, if it causes famine, people will become restless, which will surely shake the foundation of our Great Song Dynasty! Therefore, I request Your Majesty to issue an edict of self-reflection to reassure the people’s hearts. Also, send officials to assess the disaster situation, to relieve taxes for the people affected by the disaster. This is the act of a benevolent ruler and a wise emperor!"

Huizong’s face darkened further, glaring at Su Yuanjing with killing intent in his eyes.

Li Bangyan and Wang Fu added fuel to the fire, questioning Su Yuanjing, "Minister Su, you say this celestial phenomenon is inauspicious, do you have proof?"

Su Yuanjing said, "The Director of the Astronomical Observatory is evidence, he admitted himself, he lied in the main hall, deceiving the wisdom of the sage. If Your Majesty doubts, call him up for questioning and you will know."

Li Bangyan and Wang Fu smiled cunningly, said to Su Yuanjing, "Minister Su, if the Director of the Astronomical Observatory says otherwise, what then?"

Su Yuanjing replied seriously, "In the presence of the Emperor, how can he speak recklessly? If I have lied, I request Your Majesty to beat me to death outside the hall."

Huizong, his face dark, ordered, "Then bring the Director of the Astronomical Observatory here, I want to hear how he deceived me."

The Eunuch bowed and immediately sent someone to summon the Director of the Astronomical Observatory to appear before the emperor.

The Empress rose at this time, taking a group of palace women to withdraw.

She wanted to take Zhao Yuji away, but Zhao Yuji knelt before Su Yuanjing, kneeling with him and said, "Father, I believe in Minister Su’s loyalty. My mentor has also calculated, the extra sun in the sky is not a good omen. Since ancient times, an abnormal celestial sign always precedes disaster. Father, do not be deceived by villains and lose the people’s hearts."

Everyone in the hall was shocked, all eyes focused on the Little Princess.

The Empress, frightened, also knelt, reporting to Huizong, "Emperor, the child is ignorant and spoke nonsense, please do not get angry, I will take her down immediately to reflect."

Huizong glared at Lin Yuerong, "Empress, did you teach her this?"

"Emperor, I am wronged!"

The Empress shook her head repeatedly.

Zhao Yuji said, "Father, I wanted to say this, my mother has already scolded me, it was my disobedience, it has nothing to do with my mother. If Father wants to punish, then punish me."

Huizong looked at this three-year-old daughter, his face showing three points of delight, his anger dissipating a lot.

He ordered Lin Yuerong, "Empress, take Yuji down."

"I will obey!"

Lin Yuerong breathed a sigh of relief and quickly led her daughter out.

Minister Su knelt and reported, "Your Majesty having such a lovely daughter is the blessing of the common people!"

Huizong scolded, "Do not rush to flatter me, wait for the director to come, if he contradicts you, I will not let you off lightly."

Minister Su closed his mouth, patiently waiting in the hall.

After a while, the Eunuch hurriedly came in, knelt, and reported to Huizong, "Reporting to the Emperor, after returning home, the Director of the Astronomical Observatory suddenly fell ill from an old condition and passed away!"

"What?"

Everyone in the courtroom was startled.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan looked disappointed and questioned, "Where is the coroner? Has the cause of death been determined?"

Minister Su angrily shouted, "What do you mean by this? Are you insinuating that I killed him?"

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan quickly argued, "We are just concerned for our colleague, Minister, you are overthinking."

Earlier, the Director of Astronomical Observatory had sought help from Cai Jing’s mansion.

Cai Jing devised a plan, having Wang Fu and Li Bangyan divert suspicion, and then collude with the Director to frame Minister Su.

The Director knew the consequences of this action and decisively took medicine conflicted with his condition at home to end his life.

In this way, at least he could protect his family.

Minister Su, seeing the witness gone, instantly lost his confidence, not expecting his impulsiveness to have driven someone to death.

Huizong, face dark, scolded, "Minister Su, is this the outcome you wanted? Now without a witness, how am I to believe what you say?"

Minister Su, lying on the ground, had nothing to say, "I was reckless, please punish me, Your Majesty."

Huizong swept his sleeve, "You know you were reckless, I will not hold it against you, considering your loyalty to the state. But if you spread chaos again, do not blame me for being ruthless!"

He left with a cold face, leaving Minister Su in the hall exchanging glances.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan, smug, pointed at Minister Su, "Minister, why put yourself through this? The Emperor was just starting to enjoy himself, and you ruined it before it began."

"Indeed, we as ministers are supposed to ease the Emperor’s burdens, not make him uncomfortable!"

Minister Su cursed, "Deceivers of wisdom, harming the nation, I am ashamed to associate with the likes of you!"

He glared angrily, turned, and left.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan snickered and then went to report to Cai Jing.

The day’s events quickly spread in court.

The three-year-old Zhao Yuji, Princess Yuhua, instantly became famous in court, earning the praise of loyal ministers and righteous scholars.

Everyone raised their thumbs when mentioning her, then sighed in private, regretting that Princess Yuhua was a girl, saying if she were a boy, it would surely be a blessing for the Great Song!

At the same time, the Empress summoned Princess Yuhua’s mentor.

This mentor, dressed as a scholar, bowed and reported to the Empress, "Commoner Wuu Yong, paying respects to the Empress."