You are asked to marry in place of the tyrant, and you allow the tyrant to send you to marry?

Palace of Heavenly Purity

"Empress Dowager! I think that Daye is in danger now that we have no ruler. We must appoint a new ruler as soon as possible!"

There is a reason why Zhang Xingguo has been the prime minister for nearly twenty years.

Whenever Daye hadn't seen the emperor for a month or so, he would always jump out fearlessly and strongly demand that someone take charge of the government.

In the past, Empress Dowager Qiao and Zhang Xingguo were like brothers in arms, and neither could bear to see the country without a ruler for a day.

But now she doesn't think so.

She gently stood up and walked to Zhang Xingguo, staring at him coldly, and said with a smile:

"Zhang Xiang, are you teaching me how to do things?"

"I don't dare!"

After being questioned by Empress Dowager Qiao, Zhang Xingguo naturally did not dare to say much. He lowered his head and retreated to his seat.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Shanzhu, the head of the Hanlin Academy, became terrified and lowered his head.

"Queen Dowager, calm down! Prime Minister Zhang is just worried about the country and the people..."

Zhong Shanzhu was already full of grievances, and when he saw Zhang Xingguo being retorted, he really couldn't hold it in any longer.

But Queen Mother Qiao didn't give him a chance to continue, and interrupted impatiently:

"Of course I know that a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, but who says that Daye is leaderless?

The emperor just went on a long journey to travel around the world."

"Before he left, he had already handed over the government affairs to me.

My dear ministers, do you think there is anything wrong with me and Prince Changning running the government together, or do you already have a new candidate in mind?"

When Empress Dowager Qiao said this, she raised her eyes and glanced at the civil and military officials present with disdain, and the corners of her lips curled up subconsciously.

She wanted to see how far these people could go.

They can't just take the new king to the throne while Zhu Yunhao is away, right?

"Your Majesty, please calm down! This is a matter of national importance. I believe that none of the ministers have that intention..."

Fearing that Empress Dowager Qiao might misunderstand, Zhong Shanzhu hurried forward and replied in fear and trepidation, but secretly gave Zhang Xingguo a wink.

Zhang Xingguo understood instantly and quickly waved his hand back.

Soon, all the civil and military officials in the court shouted in unison:

"Please think twice, Queen Mother!"

In such a situation, even though Empress Dowager Qiao had many resentments, she did not dare to openly argue with the ministers on the spot.

So, she sneered, turned around slowly, and said:

"It seems that I am old and can no longer take care of state affairs.

Prime Minister Zhang, since you all unanimously demand the establishment of a new monarch, you should have a suitable candidate, right?

You might as well tell me so that I can also give some advice."

Older gingers are more spicy.

Everyone seemed to have expected Queen Mother Qiao to say this, so they smiled knowingly at each other.

"Reporting to the Queen Mother, Prince Changning has always been low-key, upright, and deeply loved by the people of Ningcheng. He is a rare candidate for monarch."

"I believe that only by supporting Prince Changning to ascend the throne can we ease the tension between the people and the court, deter neighboring countries, and help our Daye prosper."

Zhong Shanzhu was silent for a while. He originally didn't want to compete with Zhang Xingguo for words, but considering that Daye really needed a king at the moment, he couldn't help but step forward to speak again.

Upon hearing this, other civil and military officials also stepped forward to second the motion.

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, I think what Chief Zhong and Prime Minister Zhang said is absolutely right. Please understand."

"I second this motion~"

But in just a moment, all the civil and military officials in the court were of one voice, and no one disagreed with Prince Changning's ascension to the throne.

Empress Dowager Qiao was really furious now. Not only was her eyes blurry from anger, but veins were popping out on her face.

"You guys?! You are being unreasonable!"

Queen Mother Qiao's voice trembled violently. She raised her finger and pointed at everyone in the audience, shouting loudly in anger.

But everyone didn't take it to heart at all and insisted that Queen Mother Qiao agree to help Prince Changning ascend the throne.

Speaking of Prince Changning Zhu Zhengxun, he hasn't said a word since entering the Qianqing Palace, and everyone almost forgot about him.

“Everyone, I think that while my brother is still alive, it is not appropriate to discuss the issue of changing the emperor.

Since ancient times, Daye has had its own laws. While the emperor is still alive, how can we allow you to change them without authorization? "

What shocked all the civil and military officials present was that Prince Changning, whom everyone was trying to support, actually had the same idea as the Queen Mother.

The two of them seemed to have discussed it beforehand and were determined not to let him ascend the throne right now.

Isn't that a real attempt to usurp the throne?

"Prince Changning, we are so cautious in making such a decision because we admire your talent. You actually..."

Zhang Xingguo never dreamed that Prince Changning would actually refuse to replace Zhu Yunhao and ascend the throne.

He was shocked instantly, his eyes widened in disbelief.

Upon hearing this, Li Yi, Zhao Zilei and others could no longer stand.

"I agree with Prime Minister Zhang's idea, and this is also the opinion of all the gentlemen present. Please think twice, Prince Changning!"

Li Yi stepped out calmly, holding up a sign of advice and spoke seriously.

Zhao Zilei, who was standing by, heard this and quickly echoed:

"I second your motion! Please reconsider, Prince Changning!"

"Please think twice, Prince Changning~"

Soon, there was a unanimous voice at the scene again.

Queen Mother Qiao and Prince Changning looked at each other, shook their heads helplessly and sighed.

"Forget it! We can discuss this matter later. Let's end it here today!

My dear ministers, the emperor is not in the palace for the time being. I beg you to stand on the same line with me and Prince Changning to fight against the foreign enemies together!"

Empress Dowager Qiao felt so suffocated that she wished she could leave the Qianqing Palace right now.

At this point, she raised her eyes and glanced at the whole audience, then said coldly:

"As for the matter of appointing a new ruler, I have already discussed it with Prince Changning.

Before the emperor issues an edict, Prince Changning will never ascend the throne without authorization, nor will he have any such thoughts. Withdrew from the court!"

"Farewell to the Queen Mother, farewell to Prince Changning~"

As soon as Empress Dowager Qiao finished speaking, all the civil and military officials in the court hurriedly presented their gifts respectfully, but everyone was somewhat unhappy in their hearts.

……

Yan'an Temple

"Mother, we were so decisive just now. Will we offend the civil and military officials in the court? Obviously, they had discussed it beforehand."

After leaving the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Zhengxun followed Empress Dowager Qiao back to Ren'an Palace.

As soon as he entered the door, he couldn't wait to ask Empress Dowager Qiao.

It has to be said that Zhu Zhengxun was confused at this time.

He has been guarding Ningcheng and has never thought of competing with his brother Zhu Yunhao for the throne. He is also very low-key and approachable.

If he had not received the urgent imperial edict personally written by Empress Dowager Qiao, he would never have led his soldiers back to Yecheng.

Not to mention that he intended to seize the dragon throne that everyone was eyeing while Zhu Yunhao was away from the palace.

"Don't worry, my son. Even if you give them ten guts, they still wouldn't dare to do it!

Although your brother is poisoned and doesn't have much time left, as long as he is still alive, you can't rush to take the throne."

What was a little different from what Zhu Zhengxun had imagined was that Queen Mother Qiao, contrary to her usual behavior, actually put on a smile to comfort him.

In the past, Queen Mother Qiao would indeed be eager to persuade Prince Changning to ascend the throne and completely replace Zhu Yunhao.

But her current thoughts really made Zhu Zhengxun very confused.

But he was a person who did not like to fight or compete, so he did not care about how Empress Dowager Qiao arranged it.

He is used to letting things take their own course.

"Now that the northern kingdom is about to invade, Loulan is ready to attack, and there are frequent riots in southern Yunnan, Daye is facing internal and external troubles. What should we do next?"

Thinking about the precarious situation in Daye and the fact that it is surrounded by enemies on all sides, how can Zhu Zhengxun not be anxious?

But Queen Mother Qiao did not seem nervous at all and remained calm and composed.

What Queen Mother Qiao said next shocked Zhu Zhengxun.