The two seal prints looked almost the same, but there was a difference at a closer look. It was known that on the imperial seal carved the words "Having received the Mandate from Heaven, may lead a long and prosperous life". However, Yun Shang noticed that the crossbar of the letter "t" of the word "Mandate" was missing in the seal print on the memorial presented in last October.
She picked up the newly-presented memorial to check and found no part of the words was missing.
Yun Shang took a tumble and quickly took several more old memorials to compare them with each other. Without exception, there was the same missing part on the each seal print.
Yun Shang was stunned. She stared the print coldly for a long time before she raised her head and asked, "Is the imperial seal a fake one?"
Luo Qingyan neither nodded nor shook his head. He put the memorial in his hand on the table indifferently and said in a hoarse voice, "Wang Yuanjun and Lin Jingyang had previously clamored outside Meeting Hall for meeting His Former Majesty, saying that he had evidence to prove that I have usurped the throne by plotting against the former emperor."
Yun Shang's throat seemed to be choked, and she didn't even dare to breathe heavily. "The evidence he meant is the imperial seal?"
Luo Qingyan nodded, "Many officials have seen them as they were kneeling outside Taiji Palace after I appointed Zhao Yingjie and Sun Bingzhi to lead the army.
"When I was about to invite His Former Majesty to Taiji Palace, Wang Yuanjun said that it was my man who disguised as the former emperor, so it wouldn't make any difference whether or not he would show up. Then he said that I had to use a fake imperial seal to replace the real one as I didn't find the real imperial seal after I usurped the throne and that I didn't expect the crossbar of the letter "t" of the words 'Mandate" on the real imperial seal had been missing by accidentally knock not long after the former emperor's enthronement. Luo Qingyan frowned with coldness in her eyes.
"Then, Wang Yuanjun took out an imperial edict he received before. He asked me to take out the imperial seal and compare it with the seal print on the edict."
Hearing this, Yun Shang understood why Luo Qingyan took out so many old memorials.
If the imperial seal in Luo Qingyan's hand was fake, where was the real imperial seal? Why didn't Xia Huanyu mention it? Did Xia Huanyu know about it?
"Your Majesty, how did you deal with Wang Yuanjun and Lin Jingyang?" Yun Shang asked hurriedly.
So many people had seen this. If Luo Qingyan deal with them rashly, it would cause some suspicion. At that time, it would be particularly disadvantageous to Luo Qingyan.
Yun Shang couldn't help but sneer. Xia Houjing's trick was really effective. However, Xia Houjing was still in Liucang City. It had only been a day since Luo Qingyan took over the thr
d."
Hearing this, Yun Shang looked up at Luo Qingyan. Luo Qingyan pursed his lips and looked cold, but there was no expression in his eyes. Luo Qingyan must have an idea, so Yun Shang felt a little relieved.
Luo Qingyan was right. Even if it was not a real one, as long as one hundred people said it was, then it would be.
Luo Qingyan ordered someone to put all the memorials back. Then he sighed and went back to the couch and lay down. "I always felt that the dragon throne symbolized the supreme power. I have to seat myself in it. Now when I really sit in it, I find that it is probably the most unstable chair in the world."
Yun Shang gently held Luo Qingyan's hand and said with a faint smile, "Your Majesty, don't worry. These messy things is going to pass."
Luo Qingyan nodded and closed his eyes.
Seeing the weariness on his face, Yun Shang didn't disturb him anymore. She just took a book and sat on the edge of couch, reading.
When Luo Qingyan woke up, it was already at dusk. He blinked his eyes and looked out of the window before he sat up. "Why do you let me sleep so long?"
Yun Shang smiled and said, "You can't deal with the memorials without a new seal. Why not have a good rest first? It doesn't matter."
Luo Qingyan also smiled and stood up. "I'm wondering what's going on in Liucang City. It must be Xia Houjing who ordered Wang Yuanjun to do so. He didn't know that I would ascend the throne so soon, but he had already arranged it. I always feel that I have underestimated him. How could such a cunning person be easily fooled?"
Luo Qingyan's thoughts coincided with Yun Shang's. Yun Shang kept silent for a moment and said, "A very bold idea just flashed through my mind..."
Luo Qingyan turned to look at Yun Shang who then bit her lips and looked up. "Your Majesty, is it possible that Xia Houjing hasn't gone to Liucang City at all? He has been in the Jin City all the time?"