Chapter 948 - 944: To Secure the Nation
The young eunuch respectfully took the national letter, took small steps, and walked around from behind the black-painted sandalwood pillar to the steps at the side of the imperial throne where Bai Qingyan was seated, handing the national letter of Xiliang to Wei Zhong.
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was gazing at the national letter of Xiliang, King of Guangan, acting with the demeanor of a elder, assumed a lecturing posture: "Your Majesty, why are the other relatives absent from today’s enthronement ceremony and state banquet? Your Majesty’s conduct... is lacking in proper etiquette."
Liu Rushi raised his eyes at these words, glanced at the King of Guangan who was taking advantage of his seniority, and forced himself to swallow his words, not wanting Zhou’s family affairs to become a laughingstock for Yan, Rong, and Xiliang, and thus susceptible to exploitation.
Mrs. Dong looked towards the King of Guangan with a cold gaze, fully aware that his sudden boldness likely stemmed from newfound backing, and today, unless things came to a head... the situation would not end well.
But Bai Qingyan, as the Emperor of Zhou, would lose face by responding, thus granting face to the King of Guangan.
The essential task is to diminish the power of the vassals; they cannot be allowed to take advantage of the situation.
Mrs. Dong said, "The relatives King of Guangan mentioned are all here. None of the relatives from the Bai family who have arrived in Dadu City are missing."
The King of Guangan maintained a stern face and bowed to Mrs. Dong: "Empress Dowager, although the former royal household of the Jin Dynasty bears a different surname from His Majesty, they are just like us vassal kings, being from the same family as His Majesty’s grandmother, the Eldest Princess, and thus should also be considered relatives of His Majesty. Such a grand occasion should be celebrated together with His Majesty."
Seeing that King of Guangan was being unreasonable and was intent on embarrassing the Empress in front of foreign envoys, not fearing that foreign countries would learn of Zhou’s family troubles, Liu Rushi could no longer hold back, and spoke coldly: "Claiming to be relatives of His Majesty without any real connection, the former royal relatives, His Majesty allowing them to live is already merciful. To demand more is to overreach, and even a clay Buddha knows to preserve itself, don’t be ungrateful."
Before King of Guangan could speak again, Mrs. Dong interjected: "King of Guangan..."