Chapter 151: Imperial Edict of Succession
Minister of Works Li is indeed close to the Third Prince. In my opinion, it's very possible that the Third Prince seeks revenge for the Li family. 。After all, he is a prince, so he's not afraid of Mi...The words of the emissary to the Moon were a bit hard for the guests to understand.
Although it was a visit to relatives, the intention was clearly to get closer to the new emperor. No matter who they had been thinking about before, now they were like the Li family, having made another choice.
But now, to bring up the issue of a succession edict again Does Gu Yue Country even have a stance on this What if the succession edict doesn't list the name of the new emperor How would they even handle that situation With the Emperor refusing to come down from his throne, wouldn't their princess become even harder to marry off
Some people were waiting to see the joke, thinking that this was obviously a moon envoy who had drunk too much and was talking nonsense.
Some people believe that the Gu Yue Kingdom might have thought this marriage alliance was difficult to achieve and were also dissatisfied with the Emperor and Empress Dowager's attitudes, which is why they changed their course.
Some people believe that the original purpose of returning to the Moon was to come down for Liuheng. They just happened to be caught off guard because the previous emperor died suddenly. Since he had previously interacted with Empress Li, the Regent King, and Sixth Prince, his heart would have desired Sixth Prince to ascend the throne most.
But whatever the reason, since this word has already been thrown out, someone has to catch it.
Some felt curious, some were filled with anticipation, and others felt bored.
For example, Jiang Feng and Chi Hongfang knew that Ye Wenyan had a good relationship with the Emperor, and they also knew that the Emperor was the absolute person chosen by the Divine Emperor, who could not be changed. At this moment, they were really annoyed by the envoy from Guiyue. Even Chi Hongfang slapped the table at that time: "What do you mean by people from Guiyue Are you here to disrupt the ceremony Does it matter to you in Guiyue who inherits the throne and receives the imperial decree This is our own business in Be Qi!"
The emissary returning to the moon replied, "Of course it's related. After all, we're going to pick up a county princess."
Fēng Zhāo lián also slammed the table: "What a load of crap! I've begged you countless times to marry me, don't you hear"
The envoy to the moon simply ignored her, and only asked the Regent King: "Did the late emperor have any imperial edict"
When Quan Ji looked at Empress Dowager Li, the latter was slightly agitated, leaning forward. She first glanced at Prince Regent, then at Sixth Prince, and finally spoke: "Yes! The late emperor had an edict for succession."
As soon as these words were spoken, Quan Qingcheng immediately became nervous. He understood that once a decree of succession truly existed, the name written on it would definitely not be his.
For how many years had he only been able to count the number of times he’d seen his father with both hands His father barely remembered his name, let alone pass the throne onto him. What's more, there was a legitimate prince, and everyone knew that the late emperor had always wanted to pass the throne to his eldest son.
He was restless, his mind churning with what would happen if the imperial edict were revealed and his name wasn't on it.
At that moment, a familiar voice rang in his ear: “Don't panic, I'm here, what are you afraid of Even if the imperial decree says it's not you, your throne was given by the Emperor. Do you think Guiyue dares to defy the Emperor Just be a good emperor, and if the Kingdom of Guiyue is restless, just take that broken country down. It'll save us from the hassle of having relatives and hostages.”
Quan Qingcheng felt at ease, although he didn't understand why, even from so far away, Ye Wenyan's voice could reach his ears, and only his ears. Everyone else couldn't hear it. But he blindly trusted Ye Wenyan, especially with their Emperor status. No matter how strange Ye Wenyan acted, he thought it was perfectly normal.
Empress Dowager Li's words caused Third Prince to burst into laughter, and he immediately followed up, "This prince has also heard about the imperial edict. Since it's been mentioned today, why not show us the edict Let's see what our father emperor truly intends. At least then we sons can have a better understanding."
Quan Qinghua frowned, slamming his cup onto the table with a heavy thud. He fixed his gaze on the Guiyue envoy and said in a composed voice, "Nonsense!" Then he turned back to the Guiyue envoy, "Do you know who established the new emperor"
Yun Chen took over the conversation: "Observing the stars for the Emperor, Yan Hua Palace established as the imperial court. Could the Emperor's decree not surpass the former emperor's will Is this Gui Yue openly disrespecting the current Emperor"
As soon as the words "Emperor" and "Venerable" were uttered, Guiyue's envoy's face turned extremely ugly. But since the words had already been spoken, he had no way to step down gracefully. He could only swallow his pride and accept the humiliation. As a citizen of Guiyue, losing face meant tarnishing the reputation of his entire nation, which was unacceptable.
So he changed his tune: “I just want to take a look. The will certainly can’t compare to the Imperial Decree, but looking shouldn’t be a problem, right Regardless of who the previous emperor wanted to install, it’s too late now, so I’m just here for the show.”
The regent, who had kept his opinion to himself until now, nodded and asked Empress Li in a loud voice, "I dare ask, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, where is the late Emperor's will"
Empress Dowager Li stood up and said, "The late emperor's imperial edict was placed on top of the night pearl in the Chengguang Hall. It couldn't be fake."
"Then have someone bring it here!" The Regent made his final decision and immediately pointed to a eunuch by his side, sending him to the Chengguang Palace.
To reassure the people and to prove the authenticity of the imperial edict, this trip wasn't just a matter of taking an eunuch. Pool Hongfang, Jiang Feng, and both chief ministers were also included. Even Yunchen and Wu Fu accompanied them.
Ye Wen still leaned against the back of the chair watching the play, but seeing Yun Chen glance her way as he was about to leave the hall, she used sound transmission magic to speak to him. She only said one sentence—"Just go and get it with peace of mind."
Yun Chen was truly at ease, just like Quan Qingcheng. It was inexplicable, as long as Ye Wenyan said not to panic, he wouldn't panic; as long as she said to be at ease, he would be at ease.
Feng Zhaolian was originally supposed to return to her seat, but after this commotion, she didn't want to go back. She just held onto Ye Wenyan's sleeve and said, "Ayan, you support the emperor who hasn't even grown his hair yet, right Rest assured, although I don't fancy him, because of your relationship with him, I will definitely be on his side. This matter was caused by Gu Yue, and I feel guilty in my heart. So if the emperor makes a fool of himself later, I will disown my relatives and uphold justice. That stupid instigator, I won't kill him but I have to scold him to death! My lord, I don't believe that I, a noble princess, can't deal with a court official Who does he think he is"
Feng Zhaolian was eager to try, but the Sixth Prince sitting opposite her remained unmoved, only occasionally sipping his wine.
Ye Wenyan looked at him for a while and asked Feng Zhaolian, "Have you taken a liking to that Sixth Prince If it were he sitting on the throne, would you be willing to marry him"
"I'm willing to kill him!" Feng Zhaolian was so angry she wanted to flip the table, "Ayan, how can I make you understand My heart already belongs to someone. No matter who it is, they won't be my choice. Although I'm just the king of Gu Yue's cousin, don't think my temper is a joke. Just because you're an emissary, or even if my imperial cousin came himself, I still say the same thing today: I won't marry, no matter what. Love who you want."
Ye Wen said with a nod, “From what I can see, you’re still a principled person.”
A group of people walked away with a whoosh and a whirl, and finally came back with another whoosh and a whirl.
The late emperor's will was entrusted to Jiang Feng, in order to demonstrate fairness and openness.
The Regent summoned Jiang Feng to his seat, and then people like Quan Qingcheng stood up and walked down to the lower part of the hall.
Though he was the new emperor, his predecessor was his father. Seeing the imperial edict was like seeing his former emperor, so it was necessary to perform a kneeling ceremony.
Thus, he, along with the Regent and the two empresses dowager, led the way by removing their robes and kneeling down.
Then the guests present also rose to their knees. Hearing the Regent's words, "Please, Master Jiang, read the imperial edict!",
Jiang Feng nodded and carefully opened the imperial edict, reading aloud: "I am now sixty years old, my lifespan is approaching its end. I have seven sons, but no crown prince has been established. In order to ensure the security of our Northern Qi state and the peace of our Jiangshan, this edict is left on the Mingzhu above the Chengguang Hall. It will be taken out on the day of my death as the sole evidence of succession. The seventh son, Qingcheng, is my youngest son, with a noble character and a long lifespan. According to my intention, I value youthfulness, and now I designate my seventh son, Quan Qingcheng, to succeed me as emperor!"
Jiang Feng read very loudly, especially when he read to the seventh prince Qingcheng, his voice became much louder. In the end, it was almost like shouting, and he shouted with particular excitement.
Even after the last decree was read, the phoenix in Feidian still swayed to his words, lingering for a long time.
Everyone was stunned, not just the Regent and Empress Dowager Li, but even Quan Qingcheng and Empress Dowager Yu were speechless.
Never in his wildest dreams did Qian Qingcheng expect that his father, the Emperor, would truly have a heart for establishing his youngest son as heir. And to everyone's astonishment, he had even penned an imperial decree, concealing it behind the Night Pearl in the Chenguang Hall, specifically instructing Qian Qingcheng to ascend to the throne!
The sixteen-year-old boy's tears fell instantly. All those years, the paternal love that had almost faded away completely was all replenished at this moment. He suddenly realized that he had misunderstood his father. His father didn't love him any less; he was protecting him. In a way that seemed indifferent and even forgetful, he allowed him to live a solitary life these past years, safe and sound, without getting involved in any party disputes or being constantly remembered and calculated by anyone day and night.
No matter how much his older brothers struggled, the throne ultimately belonged to him.
The emperor wiped his face, missing his father more and more.
However, Empress Cuyu frowned and even raised her head to glance at Jiang Feng. She thought to herself how bold this Minister Jiang was to dare to read the imperial edict randomly!
Yes, it was just rambling. Because the late emperor had her attending him in those last few years, including when he was writing this imperial edict, she was present as well.
At that time, the previous emperor had lived with her. The one he regretted most in his life was her, because since the crown prince couldn't speak, he couldn't pass on the throne to him. Over the years, he hadn't even bothered with the crown prince's studies. He just thought that a mute son could become a carefree and wealthy prince in the future, which would be best.
The emperor passed his eldest son the throne. She had seen it with her own eyes as the previous emperor wrote the imperial edict. It was genuine.
Jiang Shangshu, this is crazy!
"Jiang Feng! Are you mad" This was the Regent King's voice, the scholar with a face like jade finally unable to maintain his composure, almost roaring, "Jiang Feng! To usurp the Emperor's last edict is a capital offense!"
Jiang Feng shifted his gaze from the imperial edict, looking at the Regent King with disdain. After a long pause, he suddenly burst into laughter...cing you to spend a fortune to keep him quiet. 。"Ye Feng snorted coldly, "Don't think you have more grievances just because you were threatened." 。Jiang Xiu, you have nothing to be wronged about. Afte...