Night.
Inside the North Palace.
Liu Hu gradually awoke and the first thing he saw was Yan Ji.
"Your Majesty!"
Yan Ji was overjoyed and hurried over, "You’re awake?"
"Summon... the Grand Tutor into the palace at once!"
Seemingly aware of his own condition, Liu Hu said with a hint of urgency.
"Summon the Grand Tutor?"
Yan Ji froze, "Your Majesty, why do you want to summon the Grand Tutor?"
"Do you know the decree you issued before?"
A flash of pain appeared in Liu Hu’s eyes as he looked with difficulty at Yan Xian.
"If I could... I might have done it."
"But now my life hangs by a thread... this matter must be ended."
There was still anger in Liu Hu’s eyes, yet he was helpless.
"Your Majesty, how can this be?"
Yan Ji was truly panicked.
If Liu Hu really entrusted the grand enterprise to Gu Xi again, she would probably never have a good ending in her life.
She quickly grabbed Liu Hu’s hand: "Your health will recover."
"Even if sothing happens to Your Majesty, I will definitely fulfill your wishes."
Liu Hu looked at Yan Ji and eventually shook his head, "Summon the Grand Tutor..."
"No! You absolutely cannot call the Grand Tutor!"
Yan Ji imdiately shook her head, suddenly shouting, no longer obedient as before.
"Empress, you..."
Liu Hu’s eyes changed suddenly as he stared closely at Yan Ji, his eyes full of disbelief.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly help you accomplish what you wish to do."
Yan Ji trembled all over.
The ambition in her heart was rampant.
She ignored Liu Hu’s expression, directly withdrawing her hand.
Letting Liu Hu’s emotions grow more agitated.
She covered her mouth, making no sound.
Liu Hu’s expression grew more desperate.
He never expected such a turn of events.
Perhaps it was because his emotions were becoming increasingly intense.
His breathing suddenly beca rapid, his hand shaking as he pointed at Yan Ji, but before he could speak, he closed his eyes.
Yan Ji stared at this scene, gasping heavily.
She forced herself to calm down.
Then she imdiately sent soone to summon Yan Xian, directly concealing Liu Hu’s death, sealing the palace completely.
No one could have foreseen such a thing.
Liu Hu had always been in good health, slightly addicted to pleasures, but he was still young.
Who would have thought the Emperor would suddenly die like this?
Even Gu Xi did not expect it; he had only suppressed Liu Hu’s decree.
As the regent minister, Gu Xi controlled the Ministry of Personnel and could suppress the decree.
How could he allow the vassal prince’s heir to enter the capital?
Hearts could change.
The struggle for the nation’s foundation involved great interests; he could not gamble on it.
Gu Xi had even prepared to act like Huo Guang did in the past.
But after a few days, he vaguely noticed sothing unusual.
Yan Ji was constantly winning over court officials, even replacing key positions in the Forbidden Army with mbers of the Yan Clan.
This was actually a normal signal.
But the Gu Clan’s morality was too flexible.
Coupled with Liu Hu’s continued absence.
How could Gu Xi not speculate?
At that mont, he sent the Gu Clan mbers out of the capital.
When he tried to enter the Imperial Palace again and was blocked, Gu Xi was already certain.
But obviously, Yan Ji also knew she couldn’t hide it anymore.
She had secretly had King Hui of Jibei’s son, Liu Yi, brought into the capital long ago.
Then, in a swift and decisive move.
Before Gu Xi could act, she announced Liu Hu’s death, openly proclaiming the imperial edict to the world.
Liu Bao lacked virtue; demote Liu Bao from the position of Crown Prince.
Instead, install Liu Yi as the Crown Prince.
And have Yan Ji assu regency in the court.
.....
North Palace.
The ministers wore varied expressions.
So fell to the ground, weeping and crying out, "We humbly obey the imperial edict!"
Others wore a cold expression.
At this point, who could not see the truth of the matter?
Liu Yi, a vassal prince’s son.
Suddenly appeared in Luoyang when Gu Xi had already suppressed Liu Hu’s edict, about to inherit the throne.
If one did not realize it by now, how could they stand on the court?
Gu Xi’s expression was extrely grim.
At this mont, his eyes were as sharp as a blade, fixed on Yan Ji.
Yet Yan Ji, at this ti, no longer feared Gu Xi as before, eting his gaze boldly without retreat.
Seeing that Gu Xi had yet to kneel, she asked, "What does the Grand Tutor an by this?"
"The Emperor has passed away; as a minister, how can the Grand Tutor not kneel?"
Before Gu Xi could respond, Deng Zhi scoffed: "Empress, when did the Emperor pass away? Why are we only hearing about it now?"
Yan Ji glanced coldly at Deng Zhi, a flash of murderous intent in her eyes: "The Emperor was struck with wrath and anguish."
"There was no ti to summon the ministers before he ascended to heaven."
"What is the Cavalry General’s intention with such questioning? Could it be he suspects this palace?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Fan Feng, the Chief Attendant, chid in with a sobbing voice: "The Emperor’s sudden passing was truly unexpected; there was no ti to summon everyone."
"Is the Cavalry General’s remark perhaps intended to disturb the hearts of the ministers?"
"Grand Tutor," Jiangjing also cried out: "You are a key figure in the court, how can you watch as the Cavalry General disturbs the ministers’ hearts at this ti?"
The two were both close ministers to Liu Hu.
Their words undoubtedly lent more credibility to Yan Ji’s explanation.
Seeing this, other ministers also began to speak up.
"Grand Tutor, you have served through three reigns, wielding imnse power. The late Emperor always trusted you greatly; how can you behave like this?"
"Since the late Emperor left an edict for the Empress to govern the court, we must comply. Is the Grand Tutor reluctant to relinquish his power?"
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