Xiao Yu took the scroll, only to find it was a final testament.
"My eldest daughter, Pingyang, is intelligent and resourceful, with unmatched military achievements. It is a pity that as a woman, she cannot inherit the throne."
"I hereby issue this edict. Should I pass away, and the new emperor prove to be an unjust ruler, Pingyang may, by virtue of this decree, act as regent!"
"To strike down the corrupt emperor and the sycophantic officials, as if I were personally present!"
"Spring of the third year of Wude!"
Xiao Yu was stunned. When had the late emperor issued such an edict? He had never heard of it!
"This is impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"
"The late emperor, surely..."
Li Xiuning directly cut him off, "Look at the seal! Look at the handwriting! See if it is written in the late emperor's own hand!"
The handwriting was indeed Li Yuan's.
The seal was also the imperial jade seal used by Li Yuan when he was on the throne.
It was precisely because of this that Xiao Yu found it difficult to accept.
He had been the Right Minister before Wude!
It was not impossible for a will to be made in advance, but...
The fact that he had not heard even a whisper of this matter was the biggest doubt.
Furthermore, that final phrase, "as if I were personally present," was too much!
He had been dead for several years!
Li Shimin was also curious about what was written on the scroll. He waved to dismiss the imperial guards and strode over.
Xiao Yu, as if seeing a lifesaver, quickly handed the scroll over.
"Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess has somehow obtained a forged imperial edict, and is actually demanding to act as regent!"
Regency implied that the emperor's imperial power was being challenged!
Li Shimin, upon seeing this, would surely cause conflict between siblings!
Xiao Yu foresaw such a scene, a re-enactment of the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
If Princess Pingyang was arrested, Chai Shao would also be implicated.
Fang Anzhi, far away in Australia, would not be able to escape from it either.
Li Shimin took the edict and was initially surprised, as he had never seen this document before.
But upon further thought, he guessed what had happened!
It was definitely his elder sister who went to another world and asked their father for it!
With the answer in his mind, he put on a wronged expression.
"Imperial Sister, what do you mean by this?"
"Could it be that I have become an unjust ruler, and you wish to discipline me on behalf of the late emperor?"
Li Xiuning waved her hand, "This Princess merely wishes to prove that she has the right to carry a weapon in the palace."
"So that no one will accuse this Princess of overstepping her bounds in the future."
After speaking, her gaze fixed directly on Xiao Yu, and she repeated her previous question.
"You wish to strip An Zhi of his noble title and exile him?"
Xiao Yu remained defiant, his neck stiff as he said, "He who has a wife and takes another is rightfully subject to this law!"
Li Xiuning let out a cold command, "Where is the Ministry of Justice!"
"Your subject is here!"
From the crowd, the Minister of Justice hurried forward.
Although he hadn't seen what was written on the edict, judging by the expressions of Xiao Yu and Li Shimin, it was clearly this formidable woman's protective talisman.
Therefore, it was better to be compliant, lest he have that large spear pointed at his forehead...
"Go, retrieve the 'Discourse on the Laws of Marriage and Households' for this Princess!"
"The original copy!"
"Yes!"
The Minister of Justice did not dare to delay and personally rushed to retrieve the marriage laws.
Before Li Xiuning could speak, he cleverly opened it, found a particular clause, and presented it to her.
"Your Highness Princess, what Duke Xiao just mentioned is precisely this statute."
Li Xiuning's gaze turned to Deng Dengjie, "Prepare the ink and brush!"
As the ink and brush were brought, Li Xiu Ning directly began to make alterations to it.
This action not only stunned Xiao Yu but also surprised Li Shimin.
All the civil and military officials present were bewildered.
Wow, that's so domineering!
"Come, this Princess will read it to you!"
"Those who have a wife and take another shall be banished for one year, and the woman's family shall be penalized one grade. If one marries deceitfully, they shall be banished for one and a half years, and the woman's family shall not be punished. They shall be separated!"
"Those who expand the territory for the country are exempt from this clause!"
"How is it? Does anyone have any objections?"
The assembled civil officials: .........
Damn it, this is bullying, utter bullying!
Cheng Yaojin and the other generals, however, were amused. With this, their concubines at home would surely serve them with all their might upon their return!
Thus, they all clasped their fists and bowed, "Long live the Eldest Princess! We are convinced!"
Li Shimin sat by the steps, resting his chin in thought.
It seems I have also expanded the territory quite a bit, haven't I?
Xiao Yu felt as if he had swallowed a dead fly, and the ivory tablet in his hand snapped as it hit the ground.
"That is still not acceptable!"
"There can be no two mothers in a nation. If we are to speak in this manner, does it not mean that His Majesty can remarry the Empress?"
Li Shimin: ???
Damn it!
The moment I had this thought, you blurted it out?
Immediately, he saw all the civil and military officials staring at him.
He quickly rose and waved his hands, "How could I possibly do such a thing!"
"Imperial Sister, add another clause behind that: this law does not apply to the imperial clan!"
While he spoke righteously, his eyes were fixed on Xiao Yu, as if he wished to deep-fry the old fellow until he was golden brown on both sides.
Chai Shao then slowly walked out, smiling and saying.
"No, hasn't the topic veered off?"
"Are we not discussing An Zhi's remarriage into the main lineage?"
"So, who else has a problem?"
Your grandfather's problem!
The officials were speechless: ......
To change the law for their own son-in-law's remarriage into the main lineage, can we still have any shame!
Li Shimin, annoyed by Xiao Yu's words, saw that no one was speaking and said.
"Is that all? Then we are adjourned!"
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Without taking away a single cloud...
Everyone exchanged glances, "He just left??"
After causing such a stir, gathering all officials of fifth rank and above in the capital for a grand court session.
And in the end, it was just about taking a stance and discussing a marriage, and it was over?
It was absurd!
However, upon returning to the imperial harem, Li Shimin was looking at a booklet handed to him by Deng Dengjie.
It was the list of officials who had clearly taken sides and opposed the revision of the law.
"Summon Qi Wudao to see me!"
"Yes!"
Soon, a strong man was led in by Deng Dengjie.
"Your subject, from the Hundred Guard Division, Qi Wudao, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
"Bang!"
Li Shimin threw the booklet in front of Qi Wudao.
"Using this list, investigate for me!"
"No matter how big or small, find out all their wrongdoings!"
"Once confirmed, arrest them from the bottom up!"
"Yes!"
Qi Wudao took the booklet and then bowed and withdrew.
"Second Brother, why is this?" Empress Zhangsun emerged from behind the screen, asking in confusion.
"I want to see if I can provoke two of them to rebel!"
Li Shimin's words were casual, but his eyes were filled with a chilling glint.
Just then, Li Xiuning's figure appeared in the hall.
"Empress, pack your things, and come with this Princess to Australia."
Empress Zhangsun was slightly stunned, "Imperial Sister, why is this?"
"As a precaution!" Li Xiuning said lightly.