Chapter 1992: Playing both sides

"Everyone has seen the seal on the imperial edict, and it is not fake." Qi Kai said: "As for whether this imperial edict came from the hands of your Majesty...the late emperor, no one knows now."

If you want to prove that the imperial edict in Zhao Lun's hands is fake, you can only start from two aspects. One is to prove that the seal is fake, and the other is to prove that the imperial edict came from a wrong origin and did not come from the hands of the old emperor.

The first method obviously won't work, because the seal is indeed real. So, if you want to prove that the edict in Zhao Lun's hand is fake, you can only start from the second aspect.

However, this is not easy either, because the old emperor has passed away, and no one can prove that the imperial edict was not written by the old emperor.

However, Zhao Xuan obviously did not intend to give up. He said: "The evidence will definitely be found, but it will take time. Qi Shangshu, you have to help me delay the time."

Qi Kai frowned slightly, understanding Zhao Xuan's plan.

Zhao Xuan obviously wanted to find clues to the origin of the imperial edict, and this was obviously not an easy task and would take a lot of time. Once Zhao Lun ascended the throne, Zhao Xuan would have lost this last chance. , Therefore, Zhao Xuan is preparing for him to delay Zhao Lun's accession to the throne.

If Zhao Xuan asked him to do other things, Qi Kai would probably refuse without even thinking. He didn't want to get stuck in it anymore.

But if it is just to delay time, it is not difficult for Qi Kai.

Thinking of this, Qi Kai said to Zhao Xuan: "If His Highness the eldest prince just asks Wei Chen to delay for some time, there is no problem, but if His Highness asks Wei Chen to do other things, I'm afraid Wei Chen can't do anything."

"You just need to help me delay some time." Zhao Xuan said.

Zhao Xuan also knew that under the current circumstances, it was basically impossible for Qi Kai to risk his life to help. Therefore, he could not ask Qi Kai to exert too much effort, and delaying time was not difficult for Qi Kai. , but it is very important to him, so he is very satisfied that Qi Kai can agree to help delay the time.

Hearing this, Qi Kai nodded to Zhao Xuan and said, "Okay, originally, the preparations for the enthronement ceremony can be completed within two days. I can help His Highness delay it until seven days. If it is after seven days, Your Highness still has nothing to do." If it proves that the imperial edict is false, the minister will have no choice but to hold the enthronement ceremony normally. "

Seven days?

Zhao Xuan frowned subconsciously. He naturally hoped that Qi Kai would help him buy more time, but he also knew that this was the limit of what Qi Kai could do. If the time was longer, Zhao Lun would probably replace him directly. People.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xuan nodded and said, "Okay, seven days will be seven days. If I can finally ascend the throne and become emperor, I will definitely not forget Qi Shangshu's contribution."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Qi Kai bowed his hand.

After the goal was achieved, Zhao Xuan left with his people. Qi Kai looked at the backs of Zhao Xuan and others in a daze.

Qi Kai's agreement to help Zhao Xuan was not impulsive. He had already weighed it in his mind and concluded that the advantages of this matter outweighed the disadvantages for him.

Helping Zhao Xuan, if Zhao Xuan succeeds, he will naturally have a share of the credit. Even if Zhao Xuan fails, it will not be too harmful to him.

The reason why Qi Kai agreed to delay the matter for seven days was because, whether it was the enthronement ceremony or the old emperor's funeral, many arrangements were required. Originally, he could have made arrangements in three days, but this was a royal matter after all. , is a big event. As the Minister of Rites, he handled these two things meticulously and perfectly without any fault. Even Zhao Lun couldn't say anything wrong, even because he handled the enthronement ceremony perfectly. , Shanda, and may also receive praise from Zhao Lun.

Seven days is not the limit he can give. He can definitely delay it for some more time, but in that case, Zhao Lun may be dissatisfied or even suspicious, which is not a good thing for Xiang Qikai. .

Therefore, seven days is a very suitable time. It will not anger Zhao Lun, but it can also give Zhao Xuan face, killing two birds with one stone.

"Go ahead. Everyone was busy all day and night yesterday. Now go back and have a good rest. Come back after you have rested." Qi Kai ordered: "The funeral affairs of the late emperor and the coronation ceremony of the new emperor are both major events that attract the attention of the world. I don’t want anyone to make mistakes because they don’t get enough rest and are in a trance.”

The reasons given by Qi Kai were so high-sounding that outsiders could not even express an objection. After all, he was indeed thinking about the overall situation and the sake of the former emperor and the new emperor.

Moreover, the people in the Ministry of Rites were indeed very tired under Qi Kai's high pressure before, and they really needed to rest now.

After Qi Kai's order was issued, the atmosphere in the entire Rites Department relaxed. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief and went back to rest one after another.

This incident soon reached the ears of Zhao Lun. When Zhao Lun saw that Qi Kai actually let all the people from the Ministry of Rites go back, he became furious and immediately ordered someone to call Qi Kai.

"Meet your Highness." Qi Kai looked very respectful in front of Zhao Lun.

"Qi Kai, what's the matter with you?!" Although Qi Kai's attitude was respectful enough, Zhao Lun's face was not good, and he asked: "I heard that you sent all the people from the Ministry of Rites back to rest? You What is this for?"

Zhao Lun was very anxious. He wanted to ascend the throne as soon as possible. He knew that the posthumous edict was false. If the time was delayed for too long, something might happen. Therefore, he wanted to ascend the throne as soon as possible. As long as he ascended the throne, Only then could everything be settled, and he could truly rest assured.

However, now Qi Kai actually began to buy him time, which made Zhao Lun very dissatisfied. If he was not yet the emperor, he even wanted to directly dismiss Qi Kai from his position as Minister of Rites and replace him with an obedient and sensible person.

Yesterday, Qi Kai clearly supported Zhao Xuan's affairs, he still remembered it!

Facing Zhao Lun's questioning, Qi Kai was not in a hurry. When he gave the order, he knew that this would happen. He said calmly: "Your Highness, I am doing this for your sake."

"For my sake?" Zhao Lun questioned: "If you really care about me, you should prepare for the coronation ceremony as soon as possible instead of wasting time here! Do you know how many important things we have to deal with in Yanfeng Country every day? You are harming the country!"

Seeing that Zhao Lun raised the matter to the level of the country, Qi Kai hurriedly said: "I am indeed thinking about your Highness. Your Highness, this coronation ceremony is a big event. If there are any mistakes during the ceremony, someone will question whether your Highness is the chosen son of heaven. At that time, it will inevitably cause a storm in the city, which is extremely unfavorable to your Highness. The officials of the Ministry of Rites, from top to bottom, have not had a good rest for a day and a night. Some people are already in a trance. In this state, continuing to prepare for the coronation ceremony is very likely to make mistakes."