Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 53.1

Chapter 53.1

Previously, when Li Zhi was just a rich merchant, he never thought he would become an emperor or even hold an official position.

One day, the emperor caught a glimpse of Li Zhi’s sister, and from then on the Li family had to get entangled with the royal family.
Emperor Qingde insisted on appointing Li Zhi as an official, and after some thought, Li Zhi decided to accept.

As a prominent merchant in Yangzhou, Li Zhi entered the world of politics with a polite demeanour towards other officials, but inside, he was determined not to feel inferior or be judged by others.

At that time, the southwest was in turmoil, and the treasury was nearly empty. Li Zhi stepped up and generously donated 100,000 silver coins, which delighted Emperor Qingde, who then appointed Li Zhi as a grain transport officer.

Then he got the chance to be in the imperial army. The battlefield felt familiar to Li Zhi, much like the business world he knew. Once he reached the front lines, he thrived and earned top military honours. Being the elder brother of Noble Concubine Chun, he gained the favour of Emperor Qingde. This led him to be the Marquis of Pingxi and soon placed him in charge of the imperial guards.

He knew that the emperor was bewitched by his sister’s beauty and acted foolishly. But he didn’t make any complaints, as he was also benefiting from that foolishness. Besides, with Emperor Qingde being nearly 30 years older than his sister, even if the emperor offered him the throne, Li Zhi wouldn’t have cared. He would prefer to take his sister back to Yangzhou to continue their business and find her a suitable husband closer to her age.

After stepping into the role of commander of the imperial guards, Li Zhi started to plan. If his sister had a son, he would do everything in his power to ensure his nephew took the throne. However, if she only had a daughter, Li Zhi was prepared to seize the throne for himself and change the dynasty. This choice was made because he was ambitious, but it was also a matter of survival. If he didn’t take action, he, his sister, and the entire Li family would be at the mercy of Empress Shen and the Crown Prince.

Li Zhi didn’t have any grudge against Empress Shen or the Crown Prince, but he understood the harsh reality. In this battle, the winner would take everything while the loser would leave with nothing. Not wanting to lose everything, including their lives, he felt that he should defeat Empress Shen and her son.

Having served as the commander of the imperial guards for many years, Li Zhi had gained complete control over them. The entire imperial city was under the watchful eye of the guards, and at any moment, he could choose to rebel and take the throne without fear of opposition from the civil officials. Yet, Li Zhi preferred a more subtle approach, patiently waiting for the right moment.

That moment came when Eunuch Shi delivered the news that Emperor Qingde had decreed that Noble Concubine Chun was to be buried alive with the emperor after his death.

After receiving Eunuch Shi’s message, Li Zhi couldn’t help but laugh and scoff at the situation.

He understood that Emperor Qingde had come out from his confused mind and become sober at the final step before his death. It seemed that the emperor realised that the legacy left by his ancestors was far more significant than any romantic entanglement. However, the woman he had cast aside was none other than Li Zhi’s own sister. When his sister’s youth was being trampled by an old man, he didn’t do anything, but how could he stand by and watch his sister, still in her early twenties, face such a grim fate?

So, before Emperor Qingde could remove him from his position, Li Zhi and a few trusted allies decided to step down from their roles.

This abdication was framed as an “active” transfer of power from Emperor Qingde to him, rather than a coup or rebellion by Li Zhi.

While this plan might seem ridiculous at first glance, when they took a closer look, they found it was actually the most suitable one.

Firstly, it was common knowledge that Emperor Qingde had favoured the Noble Concubine Chun for years, neglecting both Empress Shen and the Crown Prince. To shield his beloved from potential backlash from Empress Shen, Emperor Qingde chose to pass the throne to Li Zhi. Although this decision might have disrespected his ancestors, it was a testament to his affection.

Secondly, it was widely known that Emperor Qingde was bedridden, and Empress Shen, along with the Crown Prince, had barred the Noble Concubine Chun from visiting the emperor. Even if some people were sceptical, most people would likely believe that.

Lastly, Li Zhi had already mastered Emperor Qingde’s handwriting. If he could produce a copy of the imperial edict saying that the throne belonged to Li Zhi after Emperor Qingde’s death, Li Zhi could claim the throne legitimately. Even if the entire world doubted him, it wouldn’t be a big issue.

With Emperor Qingde, Empress Shen, and the Crown Prince all gone, Li Zhi now wielded military power and had loyal supporters among both civil and military officials. All he needed to do was put on a good show.

At the city gate, backed by Eunuch Shi and Gu Jichang, Li Zhi firmly refused to accept it.

The ministers surrounded the carriage carrying the imperial edict, making it clear they wouldn’t let him leave unless he agreed to take the throne.

The two sides pulled the rope to both sides until night fell. As the curfew started at night, the crowd that had gathered to watch the drama gradually dispersed.

With that, Li Zhi had no choice but to head back to the Marquis’s mansion with his family.

For the next three days, he instructed his servants to shut the gates, allowing no one in or out.

Have a nice day!