Emperor Xingzhao was merely ill; his mind was not addled.
At this juncture, he did not need to hear much to understand Consort Huang's intentions.
He glanced at Consort Huang, her makeup disheveled, then at Su Xiaoqi, impeccably dressed. His hoarse, stern voice emerged from his dry lips:
"Guards, drag Consort Huang away. Summon the Grand Secretariat ministers to the hall."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, no, please no, your concubine does not leave. Your concubine did not intend to harm Your Majesty.
It is Liang Man and Liang Xinyue who wish to harm you.
It is them, it is them with their wolfish ambitions."
Consort Huang cried out with such desolation that the attendants pulling her hesitated.
The Eldest Princess shot them a stern glare. The attendants, startled, immediately dragged her away.
Had she fallen out of favor?
Su Xiaoqi, seeing how secretive the subsequent events were, dared not involve herself further.
She immediately used the excuse of needing to prescribe, fetch, and brew medicine to leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Shen Yun, concerned for her safety while navigating the palace, wanted to accompany her.
However, Emperor Xingzhao called out to him.
"Minister Shen, you, you stay."
His heart felt weary.
He was ill, but his eyes were not blurred and his heart was not blind. He knew precisely who was a ghost and who was a person among these individuals.
He dismissed everyone else, leaving only Shen Yun alone.
Wang Enze, who had been a mere background figure, twitched his brows slightly, looking at Shen Yun with surprise.
He only knew that Shen Yun's calligraphy had always been highly favored by Emperor Xingzhao.
He had not realized that at this moment, Emperor Xingzhao would be willing to speak with him alone.
Taking advantage of no one paying attention, he lightly patted Shen Yun on the back and turned to leave.
Emperor Xingzhao not only sent away the Eldest Princess and Wang Enze.
He even dismissed the eunuchs and palace maids.
This clearly indicated how confidential the matters to be discussed were.
Indeed, as soon as they were gone, Emperor Xingzhao said in a hoarse voice:
"Minister Shen, have I truly grown old, become incapable, and should abdicate in favor of someone more capable?"
Shen Yun's heart gave a jolt.
This was too sensitive a topic.
How was he to answer this question?
To say that he had indeed grown old and should abdicate in favor of someone more capable.
Was that not seeking death?
Then to reply that he had not aged and was in his prime, capable of ruling for another ten or twenty years.
Well, such insincere words were difficult for even Shen Yun, who considered himself somewhat thick-skinned, to utter.
Thus, he remained silent. After some thought, he finally said, "Your humble subject once met a Taoist priest. He is already past the age of knowing destiny, yet his body remains robust, showing no signs of decline.
Your Majesty has not yet reached sixty years of age. Compared to that Taoist priest, you are naturally younger.
As for abdicating, that is even less something to discuss.
His Highness the Crown Prince has been somewhat remiss in his recent conduct and still requires Your Majesty's guidance. More cultivation is essential for the fortune of the empire and for Daliang."
This answer might not have been brilliant, nor did it flowery words.
However, Emperor Xingzhao took it to heart.
And he was very pleased to hear it.
Shen Yun did not directly say he was young, nor did he say he should abdicate.
He merely drew a comparison with another person to suggest that he was still young.
He also pointed out that the Crown Prince had recently handled affairs poorly and needed his father to oversee him.
Emperor Xingzhao, as if reminded, sighed:
"The Crown Prince is truly unfit for important tasks. It is I who have been foolish!"
Shen Yun lowered his head and remained silent.
The Emperor could say such things, but as a minister, he could not.
It was like how one's own son could be scolded or beaten, but a stranger who dared to interfere would certainly be punished.
He would not be such a foolish person.
Emperor Xingzhao waited for Shen Yun's reply for a long time. His aged, cloudy eyes moved, and he continued to ask:
"How about Prince Duan?"
Shen Yun was once again presented with a life-threatening question.
His heart skipped another heavy beat, this time even heavier than before.
What should he say?
To say Prince Duan was good, exceptionally good.
He had an excellent reputation throughout the court, handling official matters with ease and great proficiency.
Answering this way would likely mean not the Crown Prince, but Prince Duan, was in trouble.
But to reply that Prince Duan was not good, that he frequented pleasure quarters and neglected state affairs.
That would also not do!
Shen Yun remained silent for quite some time this time.
He felt somewhat frustrated as to why he had encountered such a tricky question.
But then he suddenly felt fortunate.
It was fortunate that he had encountered such a question.
If it had been someone else.
Whether from the Crown Prince's faction or Prince Duan's faction.
It would likely have been impossible to provide an answer that satisfied Emperor Xingzhao.
Of course, he himself could not provide an answer that completely satisfied the Emperor.
However, he could make the Emperor as satisfied as possible.
"Replying to Your Majesty, your humble subject once worked with His Highness Prince Duan for a period." When Prince Duan first returned to the capital, he was assigned the task of compiling historical records at the Hanlin Academy.
At that time, Shen Yun was a compiler in the Hanlin Academy.
This statement was very factual.
Emperor Xingzhao nodded and said that it was precisely because he knew they had worked together that he was asking him.
"His Highness Prince Duan conducted himself prudently, worked diligently, and was learned. He offered much guidance to your humble subject.
During the compilation of historical records, if subordinates had any improprieties, His Highness Prince Duan would point them out openly, without any favoritism, and with great dignity."
Emperor Xingzhao pondered for a moment and said ambiguously, "Is that truly so?"
Shen Yun nodded, "Your humble subject's time with His Highness Prince Duan was limited, and my knowledge is also limited. I truly cannot offer Your Majesty further advice. Your humble subject is guilty."
Saying this, Shen Yun respectfully knelt and kowtowed, his face showing regret.
Emperor Xingzhao immediately believed him.
He had already deeply trusted Shen Yun. Although there had been some minor disagreements regarding his wife,
It was precisely because his attempts at both persuasion and pressure had failed to sway Shen Yun's resolve that Emperor Xingzhao had come to trust him even more.
Shen Yun's performance in court was reported to him by the Imperial Guards one by one.
According to the Imperial Guards' reports, Shen Yun was diligent and loyal in his duties, never forming factions with other ministers.
Nor did he, like other newly appointed Jinshi scholars, rush to find a patron and endlessly align himself with the Eastern Palace and the Crown Prince.
In this regard, Shen Yun was unique.
He acted impartially and was exceptionally capable.
The tasks assigned to him were all completed exceptionally well. He was a minister who truly worked for the welfare of the people, a capable minister of governance!
Emperor Xingzhao had reigned for thirty years. He had always been wise and enlightened.
It was only his old age and physical frailty, the torment of illness that had worn down his will and wisdom, that had led him to make frequent blunders in recent years.
But he still possessed the discernment of character.
He had taken a liking to Shen Yun and wished to retain him for his successor.
However, due to his inherent suspicious nature, cultivated from long tenure in power, he could not resist testing Shen Yun's character again and again.
Hence the two questions mentioned above.
After hearing Shen Yun's answers, Emperor Xingzhao closed his eyes.
At this moment, Feng Bao's soft inquiry was heard from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, the ministers of the Grand Secretariat have arrived."
Emperor Xingzhao opened his eyes and said weakly, "Enter and convene."
Shen Yun, hearing this, was about to rise and withdraw when Emperor Xingzhao glanced at him and said, "Minister Shen, stay. Your calligraphy is very suitable for drafting imperial decrees."
Before his words had even faded, seven ministers of the Grand Secretariat entered in single file.
Led by the Chief Grand Secretary Song Sanqing, followed by the Second Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe.
The other ministers of departments and academicians from the Hanlin Academy entered the hall, knelt, and collectively paid homage, shouting "Long live the Emperor."
Emperor Xingzhao had been lying down for a long time. The miraculous medicine had taken effect, and his body had improved considerably. He was now able to sit up.
With Feng Bao's support, he sat up and said in a low but incredibly clear voice, "I intend to depose the Crown Prince and establish Prince Duan as the heir apparent!"