Chapter 452: Forcing the Emperor to Abdicate

The weather today is unusually good, with gentle breezes and a clear sky, so bright that it seems to wash away all the haze.

Madam Zhaohua helped the emperor drink the medicine as usual, and then chatted with him in a sweet and gentle manner in front of the bed.

The effect of the medicine took effect quickly, the emperor's eyelids gradually became heavy, and soon he fell into a coma.

Madam Zhaohua stood beside the dragon bed, staring down at the man who once dominated her destiny but now was as withered as a dead tree. An indescribable complexity flashed through her heart.

Having come to this point, her fingertips unconsciously tightened the handkerchief, and a mixture of determination and slight panic surged in her chest.

It's not her fault. It was this deep palace and this cruel fate that pushed her here step by step.

He is already on his last legs anyway, so he should at least leave a way out for the living, right?

Once this thought arose, it quickly overwhelmed the insignificant guilt, leaving only a cold heart.

In the evening, Murong Jun entered the palace. The moment the mother and son's eyes met, they could see a hint of irrepressible, almost burning excitement in the depths of each other's eyes without words.

The prince seemed unaware.

He remained as calm as a mountain, and went to the government offices step by step to inspect and handle a few routine official duties. He did not return to the East Palace until dusk.

The prince had just finished his dinner when the eunuch from the palace arrived and said that the emperor summoned the prince for an audience.

What is supposed to come will eventually come.

His mind was clear and he stood up calmly, followed the eunuch and went straight to the emperor's bedroom.

The smell of medicine could not be dispelled in the hall, making people feel uncomfortable breathing.

The emperor was sitting on the bed, and Madam Zhaohua gently fed him a bowl of porridge with a silver spoon.

Her face was gentle and concerned, but only she knew that she was almost unable to suppress the annoyance in her heart.

She was raised in luxury, and had never done any housework. How could she have ever done such things as serving tea, water, or medicine?

Even though there wasn't much she needed to do every day, she still felt physically and mentally exhausted being trapped here.

What’s more important is that after facing this gray and lifeless old face every day, the little patience I had left has long been exhausted.

Many times, she hoped that the emperor would just die to avoid torturing her.

But before the overall situation is settled, she still has to control her temper and do everything she can to save the emperor's life.

In fact, wasn’t the emperor keeping the mother and son hanging in the same way?

Because only in this way will they work hard to serve him and take care of him, fearing that he would die if he is not careful.

Fortunately, after tonight, she will be free and liberated.

When the tall figure of the crown prince appeared, the emperor frowned subconsciously: "What are you doing here at this hour?"

The prince sneered in his heart, but a trace of surprise appeared on his face: "Father, it was you who sent the imperial court to summon me to the palace to meet you."

"When did I summon you?"

The emperor's brows furrowed even more tightly, his eyes full of confusion.

The prince glanced at Madam Zhaohua standing beside him and said calmly, "The person who delivered the decree is indeed someone who serves in front of the emperor. As for whether someone has falsely conveyed the emperor's will, the emperor needs to be careful."

The emperor's gaze then turned to Madam Zhaohua with scrutiny.

But he didn't question the prince in person. He just waved his hand impatiently and said in a tired voice, "Forget it, you can leave now."

At this moment, Murong Jun, who had not said a word just now, stepped forward quickly and closed the heavy door of the palace tightly with a "clang".

Murong Jun's voice trembled slightly with excitement: "He can't leave!"

The emperor's face darkened instantly, and he shouted sternly: "Jun'er! What are you doing?"

The prince stood quietly where he was, his eyes calm, just waiting to see how Murong Jun would continue this drama of forcing the emperor to abdicate.

The arrow has been drawn, and Murong Jun has completely torn off his disguise.

He almost screamed at the emperor: "Father! What are you still hesitating about at this point? Issue an order! Issue an order to depose the crown prince now! Haven't you always wanted your son to sit on the throne of the Crown Prince?"

His eyes flashed with an almost insane light, and he pointed his finger directly at the crown prince: "To the outside world, just say that he was rebellious and intended to assassinate the emperor! Who among the civil and military officials in the court dares to question the emperor's decision?"

"Shut up! You bastard!"

The emperor was so angry that he was shaking all over, his chest heaving violently, and he almost couldn't breathe.

How could these things be said in front of the prince?

Even if this was what he secretly planned in his heart, but to say it out loud like this...

The emperor glanced at the prince, but was met with a pair of calm eyes. Under the calmness, it seemed as if there was a chill that could swallow everything.

The prince asked the emperor calmly: "Father, are you really going to do this?"

"What did I do wrong?"

"Murong Jun, how are you better than me?"

The emperor was rendered speechless by this calm questioning, a mixture of shame, anger and fear churning in his heart.

It's because you're so nice!

It’s so good that it makes me feel like a thorn in my back and a fishbone stuck in my throat!

I’m afraid you can’t wait for me to close my eyes!

You are the biggest threat to my throne!

The emperor suppressed his turbulent thoughts and finally decided to appease the prince first.

The current situation is definitely not the time to completely break off relations with the Crown Prince!

Some time ago, he did make a lot of arrangements and deliberately suppressed the power of the prince.

Yes, the prince has been operating for many years and has a deep foundation and many followers. How could he possibly uproot them in such a short time?

According to his original plan, he was to proceed step by step and complete the handover of all power within the next six months.

Then it would be natural for him to depose the crown prince.

But a devastating illness put all matters on hold. How could the emperor have the energy to take care of these things?

Murong Jun is such a brainless guy, if he were to confront the prince head-on now, it would be tantamount to courting self-destruction!

idiot!

"Absolutely not!"

The emperor forced himself to stay alert and sternly glanced at Murong Jun, "Don't listen to Jun'er's nonsense!"

"I did not summon you today. I think my subordinates made a mistake. Go back and have a good rest. Don't worry too much."

The prince turned around as he was told. Murong Jun suddenly pulled out a dagger from his boots and shouted at the prince, "Stop."

"Who told you to leave?"

His voice was hoarse: "Father! We can't delay any longer! Today! Right now! You must issue an order!"

The prince's gaze once again turned to the emperor on the dragon couch.

He had a half-smile, a mocking expression that showed he knew everything.

"Father, it seems that I am afraid that I will not be able to leave tonight."

He looked at Murong Jun who was blocking his way and said sarcastically, "Fifth brother, you are so eager, can't you wait to take my position as the crown prince?"

He paused for a moment, then slowly added a more pointed sentence: "Or, are you just impatient to sit on your father's throne?"

boom--

It's like thunder exploding in my ears!

The emperor was horrified.

He was not stupid. Considering the fact that the prince entered the palace without any preparation and Murong Jun's performance, he had already understood that Murong Jun was trying to force him to issue an edict.

How could an emperor who had been in power and in charge of the world for decades have ever been subjected to such coercion?

Especially since this coercion came from his son whom he had favored for many years!

Perhaps, there is also the woman he loves the most?

A surge of anger at being betrayed by my loved ones suddenly surged into my heart!

His eyes suddenly shot towards Madam Zhaohua: "This matter..."

His voice was distorted by extreme anger and disappointment. "You also knew about this?"