Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 609 - 606: Absurd_1

The Emperor intended to emulate Wei Kingdom, abolishing the Prime Minister’s position and establishing a cabinet. This was no small change for the Jin court.

She still remembered in her past life, the Emperor passed away without abolishing the position of Prime Minister.

From ancient times till now, whenever an Emperor wanted to strengthen centralization and imperial power, reforms were inevitable. Even if not reforming, they would undertake major endeavors.

But this Emperor was now old and muddle-headed, obsessed with the pursuit of immortality.

Could it be that he wanted to pave the way for his successors?

As for the matter of the Emperor’s fall from his horse as mentioned by her uncle, she always harbored doubts about it. But with no one inside the palace knowing the details of the Emperor’s fall, she couldn’t find out more.

"In the time before the handwritten letters of the Left Prime Minister and the second Prince were presented by the Imperial Censor, did something happen in the court that made the Emperor intend to abolish the position of Prime Minister?" Bai Qingyan asked again.

Since Bai Jinxiu was not in the court, her knowledge was quite limited. But Dong Qingping was different... as a court official, he naturally knew some things.

Dong Qingping greatly admired Bai Qingyan’s acuity in political matters. He nodded and said, "The Emperor wanted to build a nine-fold platform for the State Preceptor to pray for national prosperity. All the court officials agreed, praising the Emperor’s wisdom. Only Prime Minister Lu objected, and his objections were very tactful and without any intense or offensive words. He only mentioned that currently, the Jin Kingdom’s treasury was tight, and the people’s livelihood and the soldiers’ provisions at the border should be prioritized. The Emperor had already spent a lot on renovating the palace, so the construction of the nine-fold platform could be postponed for a few years. Otherwise, if the construction began now, it might incite public resentment. Later, the Grand Historian observed celestial phenomena and requested the immediate construction of the nine-fold platform, and was subsequently impeached by Prime Minister Lu and the Imperial Censor Station for accepting bribes."

As expected...

The Emperor wouldn’t abolish the Prime Minister’s position without reason. After the death of her grandfather Bai Weiting, the Emperor’s true nature gradually emerged. He grew increasingly impatient with anyone obstructing his plans. By abolishing the Prime Minister’s position and setting up a cabinet, he further consolidated power and strengthened imperial authority. This wasn’t about reforming but about his sole dominion over Jin Kingdom, impervious to any opposition.

He wanted to ensure no one in the entire Jin Kingdom dared to defy him, and that whatever he decreed, no one would dare disobey.

Prime Minister Lu was a very shrewd person, best known for self-preservation. However, he still had principles and wasn’t completely oblivious. His objections must, in his view, have placed the Emperor first. Yet even so, the Emperor couldn’t tolerate it.

The current Emperor had become more unrestrained.

She pressed her lips together, thinking of the Heavenly Master, which led her to think of King Liang.

The Heavenly Master came from the Liang Palace, but few knew that this Heavenly Master was actually found by Li Mao’s son, Li Mingrui.

Bai Qingyan recalled Bai Jinxiu telling her earlier that the Imperial Censor accused Li Mao of being involved in the rebellion case of the second Prince back then. However, the letters were later found to be forged, and Li Mao never returned to court. Even when King Liang invited him back, Li Mao submitted a resignation.

At that time, Bai Qingyan wondered if King Liang intended to use Li Mao’s authority as Left Prime Minister for his own benefit, and Li Mao, unable to evade, claimed illness to stay away from court.

Now it seemed that Li Mao was trying to reduce obstacles for the Emperor to abolish the position of Prime Minister.

But how would this benefit Li Mao? Or perhaps... Li Mao simply wanted to obey the Emperor’s wishes?

Bai Qingyan paused, holding the chess piece, and suddenly had a wild guess.

She looked up at Dong Qingping: "The Crown Prince returned to Dadu yesterday. Today... has anyone brought up the matter of building the nine-fold platform again?"

Dong Qingping knew Bai Qingyan had grasped his implication. He nodded as he placed his chess piece: "Exactly. The Grand Historian suggested in light of astronomical phenomena that construction of the nine-fold platform must begin immediately for His Majesty to awaken."

"Absurd!" Bai Qingyan threw the chess piece into the box, her chest heaving with anger.

The dignified Emperor of Jin Kingdom was treating state affairs as a mere child’s play!

Connecting all the events, Bai Qingyan finally understood. She had indeed overestimated this Emperor...

Thinking he wanted to strengthen centralization and imperial power and undertake significant endeavors. In the end... it was all to build a nine-fold platform!

At first, the Emperor probably wanted to force his way, abolishing the position of Prime Minister and consolidating power in his hands. Then, no one could stop him from building the nine-fold platform. Seeing this, Li Mao stepped back, unwilling to become the fool who opposed the Emperor and incurred his displeasure, nor did he want to wholeheartedly support the Emperor like before.

After all, this endeavor wasted significant resources. If it went wrong, not only would the Emperor blame him, but he would also bear a bad reputation posthumously. Thus, Li Mao simply stayed home to avoid conflict. freēwēbnovel.com

The Emperor, encountering difficulties in abolishing the Prime Minister’s position and reforming the official structure, grew impatient for the nine-fold platform and pretended to fall from his horse, hastily summoning the Crown Prince, thinking the Crown Prince’s filial piety would compel him to build the platform.

Bai Qingyan’s hands trembled with anger.

She didn’t need further verification to know that the nine-fold platform was meant for the Emperor to seek immortality elixirs.

For a mere platform, the Emperor feigned coma after falling from his horse, nearly causing a significant crisis!

Had Bai Qingyan not been in Dengzhou at the time, and if Fu Ruoxi had taken the Empress’s advice to lead troops to Dadu to support King Xin’s ascension, the Emperor wouldn’t have even had the chance to seek immortality. Fu Ruoxi’s troops entering the city would have signaled the Emperor’s demise.

The Emperor’s actions were no different from those of King You of Zhou!

Dong Qingping picked up the chess pieces from the board and sighed: "If this Emperor continues to rule Jin Kingdom for several more years, our fate might indeed be sealed."

"No, that’s not right..." Bai Qingyan looked at the chessboard with the black pieces Dong Qingping had picked up. She suddenly spoke, "Before the Emperor fell into a coma, he called Grandmother back to the palace to take charge. Grandmother guarded his bedchamber meticulously. If the Emperor was pretending, Grandmother... would have noticed."

She picked up her tea cup. This matter... she already had a rough outline in mind.

But she still needed to see Fu Ruoxi to be sure.

"Uncle, once I understand matters regarding Fu Ruoxi, I will return to Shuoyang. If anything happens in the court, please find a way... to inform my second sister, Jinxiu. Jinxiu would surely send word to me!" Bai Qingyan solemnly bowed to Dong Qingping.

Bai Jinxiu, being a homemaker and having just encountered risks during pregnancy and premature birth, might have missed some details. With her uncle’s help, things would be different.

Since Dong Qingping had called Bai Qingyan here and said so much, he intended to keep her informed in the future. He nodded: "Alright, uncle understands."

Leaving the Dong residence, Bai Qingyan headed to the Crown Prince’s estate, preparing to ask the Crown Prince for a favor to see Fu Ruoxi in prison and confirm her thoughts.

Given that Fu Ruoxi was a serious offender now, Li Jin might not allow her visit without the Crown Prince’s approval.

Just as Bai Qingyan approached the Crown Prince’s estate, she encountered Quan Yu who was just leaving.

Seeing Bai Qingyan, Quan Yu hurriedly stepped forward to pay respects.