freenovelworld Chapter 505: Issue a self-criticism edict to set things straight
Chapter 505: Issue a self-criticism edict to set things straight
Fengxian Hall is a family temple for worshiping ancestors and holds a very important position in the emperor's heart.
The smile on his face disappeared instantly and he asked with a serious face.
"What happened over there?"
Su Peisheng didn't dare to hide anything.
"Your Majesty, the Fengxian Hall was unfortunately struck by lightning. Although the fire was extinguished by heavy rain, the tablets inside were partially damaged."
"What!" The emperor stood up angrily, "I want to go and see for myself!"
An Lingrong stood up and wanted to follow to find out what was going on.
When she stepped out of the main hall, she saw Su Peisheng's hand waving slightly and stopped.
The Fengxian Hall has a special status, no less than the ancestral hall of a noble family.
Since An Lingrong entered the palace, she had only had the honor of paying homage to them on the winter solstice, New Year's Eve, the Emperor's and the Empress Dowager's birthdays, and on two occasions of enthronement.
Now that there has just been a lightning strike, it would be better for her not to show up.
But at that time the emperor was staying in Yongshou Palace, and when he recovered, it was inevitable that he would have some thoughts in his mind.
An Lingrong called Xiao Linzi to her side and whispered instructions.
"Fengxian Palace was struck by lightning, and I am unable to come out. Please quickly pass this news to the Sixth Prince and ask him to go and accompany the Emperor."
It was recorded in the history books of the previous dynasty that after the three main halls of the Forbidden City were struck by lightning, the emperor in power had no choice but to issue an edict of remorse.
Now that Fengxian Hall has been struck by lightning, I wonder how those censors of the previous dynasty will submit their memorials?
When the emperor hurried to Fengxian Hall in the rain, a group of people were already kneeling on the ground.
Su Peisheng pointed at Xiao Xiazi who had arrived earlier and asked.
"How's it going in there?"
"Your Majesty, this servant..."
"Su Peisheng, I can see for myself."
The emperor flicked his sleeves and strode into the rain.
As soon as he stepped into the temple, the scene before him made him heartbroken: the altar was charred black and the air was filled with a pungent burnt smell.
Although the tablets that were disturbed earlier have been put back to their original places, many of them are now pitch black, and the bottom one has a slight crack.
The emperor stroked the tablet that he had carved stroke by stroke with heartache, suppressing the anger in his heart.
"Su Peisheng, investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me!"
"Since the time of Emperor Taizu, Fengxian Hall has weathered countless storms and never been struck by lightning. Now something like this has happened. I want to know where this lightning came from!"
In the past, the emperor of the previous dynasty was forced to issue a self-criticism edict after being struck by lightning. The emperor asked himself and realized that he currently did not have the prestige of Emperor Yongle.
Some ministers of the previous dynasty were already quite resistant to his thunderous methods, and this time they must not be allowed to use the lightning strike to abuse their power for personal gain.
Even if the lightning strike was an accident, the emperor would put the blame on someone else.
Su Peisheng has served the emperor for many years, and the master and servant have long had a tacit understanding.
With just one look from the emperor, he knew what to do.
"Come here! Check everything carefully. Don't let anyone who's suspicious go! Anyone who shows any abnormality will be taken to the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation!"
Su Peisheng became furious and went into the house to check it himself.
As soon as Hongzhan jogged to the door, he bumped into the emperor who was about to go out.
"Your son pays respects to the Emperor!"
When the emperor saw his son's body stagger, he quickly reached out to hold him back.
He looked at his son's innocent face, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart, but he still couldn't help but blame him.
"Hongzhan, why are you here at this time?"
After Hongzhan stood firm, he replied respectfully.
"Your Majesty, I heard something happened in Fengxian Palace, and I wanted to come and keep you company."
When the emperor looked at Xiao Linzi who was holding an umbrella for him, he knew that Hongzhan was called over by Concubine Shu.
"It's raining heavily outside. How could your mother bear to let you go out at this time?"
As he spoke, he held Hongzhan in his arms with heartache.
Seeing that the emperor frowned, Hongzhan hurriedly explained.
"Father, my mother has always been thinking about you. But she was afraid of offending our ancestors, so she sent someone to notify her son to come here."
He gently put his arms around the emperor's neck and gently wiped the water droplets from his head.
"Father, you've been soaked by the rain. Please go to my son's brother's place and have some ginger tea."
"Okay, I'll go to your brother's place to rest."
The prince's residence was close to Fengxian Hall, and in less than half a minute, the father and son were drinking boiling hot ginger tea.
The emperor took the opportunity of drinking tea to look at the layout of the prince's residence. The small main house was divided into three parts by the corridor lattice windows, and the bedroom and study were well separated.
This is somewhat similar to his taste, worthy of being his son.
"Hongzhan, why is there not a single decent ornament in your room? Is it because the servants in the Imperial Household Department are not doing their job well?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has not neglected this son. Please allow me to report in detail."
Hongzhan stood up and bowed to the emperor. "I accidentally learned from a casual conversation with Uncle Chengle that five taels of silver is the annual expenses of ordinary people. Some poor families don't even have five taels of silver."
"I am fortunate to be born into the royal family and have the blessing of my father, so I have no worries about food and clothing."
"Your Majesty, you care deeply about the people of the world and lead by example in practicing frugality. Although I am still young, I know that you bear a heavy burden. As your son, I should share your heart and mind."
After hearing this, the emperor patted Hongzhan's shoulder heavily.
"Even you understand my earnest desire to serve the people, but those ministers of the previous dynasty only cared about their own interests and obstructed my efforts to reduce the burden on the people."
"Hongzhan, the Emperor will wait for you to grow up!"
The emperor left behind these incoherent words and led his men away.
Everyone thought that as the emperor, he could call the wind and rain, but who knew how much he had suffered at the hands of the ministers of the previous dynasty?
There were many old ministers left behind by the previous emperor, and his brothers who were at odds with him often held him back, so he had to compromise in many cases.
Probably no emperor in history has ever lived a life as miserable as he did.
On the way back, the emperor became more and more angry, and the candles in the Yangxin Palace were lit until late at night.
The next morning, as the emperor had just sat on the dragon throne, those censors who had given him a headache stood up and made speeches as he had expected.
"Your Majesty, I was shocked to hear that Fengxian Palace was struck by lightning. I am deeply saddened... I dare to ask Your Majesty to issue an edict of apology to set the record straight!"
Ma Qi, who was standing at the front of the civil officials, criticized the censor bitterly when he fell behind.
"Master Shi! The cause of the lightning strike in Fengxian Palace has not yet been determined. Why are you accusing the Emperor of something so serious right off the bat?"
After he finished speaking, he turned around and bowed to the leader.
"Your Majesty, I suspect Shi Lei has ulterior motives. He...he..."