Chapter 613 The general trend

As soon as Prime Minister Yun spoke, the atmosphere in the Hall of Mental Cultivation subtly shifted. Several ministers exchanged glances, seemingly weighing the best options for the current situation.

Emperor Tianyuan's gaze lingered on Prime Minister Yun for a moment, his complex expression showing both gratitude and helplessness.

"My dear Yun, you... you actually..."

Emperor Tianyuan's voice trembled slightly, and he obviously found it difficult to accept this fact.

Hua Lingyi's eyes were filled with surprise. How could Prime Minister Yun have switched sides so quickly? But she soon understood. In a life-or-death situation, everyone wants to survive. Even if one claims loyalty in ordinary times, in this critical moment, one still has to make the right choice to save their own life.

Prime Minister Yun bowed again and spoke to Emperor Tianyuan in a firm tone.

"Your Majesty, the overall situation is paramount. We, your subjects, all prioritize our country and our people. I hope Your Majesty will sympathize with our difficult situation and consider the long-term."

Seeing this, Jun Moyong looked at Prime Minister Yun and finally knelt down and bowed.

"Father, my Third Prince has grown a lot over the past year. I've heard that he never feels tired when accompanying the soldiers in training. Although he hasn't learned the art of ruling, he's diligent and eager to learn. With your guidance, I'm sure he'll be able to protect Tianyuan. Now that we've come to this, why don't you write an imperial edict? With my Third Prince handling state affairs, you can rest assured and recuperate."

When Jun Moyong said this, Emperor Tianyuan's eyes were full of surprise. You know, Jun Moyong's performance has been very good recently, and he is the most likely person to become the crown prince.

"Ayong, why are you also..."

Jun Moyong spoke hurriedly upon hearing this.

"Father, as I've said before, I only want to share your worries. As long as you're well, it doesn't matter who the crown prince is or who will inherit your position."

When Duke Liang heard Jun Moyong say this, he looked at Jun Moyong, then looked at Concubine De who was forced to kneel beside him, and finally spoke.

"Your Majesty, what His Royal Highness Prince Yao said is correct. The most important thing right now is Your Majesty's health. As for the government, I believe His Royal Highness Prince Wu will definitely take care of it. I will assist His Royal Highness Prince Wu with all my heart."

Although the other ministers did not understand why the prime minister and his men suddenly agreed with King Wu's enthronement, they knew that since the main people who were trying to gain power had given up, what was there for them to gain power at all, so they also agreed.

"Your Highness second the motion. We hope Your Highness will consider His Majesty's health. We will also work with Prime Minister Yun to assist His Highness Prince Wu."

A satisfied smile played across Hua Lingyi's lips. She looked towards Emperor Tianyuan, her eyes filled with both the triumph of a victor and a subtle hint of sadness. She gently parted her red lips.

"Your Majesty, do you see this? This is what the people want. Now, you only need to write this imperial edict, and everything will be settled."

Emperor Tianyuan looked at the ministers who were kneeling with their hands clasped in front of their heads, and the guards in the room who had drawn their swords. He took a deep breath, as if he was making a difficult decision.

He knew that once he wrote this imperial edict, it would mean that he had personally handed over the country to King Wu. King Wu was impatient and not very cunning, so he could be a military general, but handing the country over to him was equivalent to handing it over to Hua Lingyi.

Upon seeing this, Prime Minister Yun looked up at Emperor Tianyuan and spoke.

"Your Majesty, as the head of the civil service, you are aware of my abilities. Otherwise, I would not have made it all the way to the position of Prime Minister. I will wholeheartedly assist His Majesty the King of Wu in the future. Your Majesty, just focus on taking good care of your body."

Emperor Tianyuan remembered what Prime Minister Yun had said before about his responsibilities as Prime Minister, and then he took the brush with trembling hands. His eyes lingered on the blank imperial edict for a long time before he finally made the first stroke.

As the ink slowly extended, heavy words appeared on the imperial edict, as if every stroke was cutting into his heart.

"I feel my health is declining and it is difficult for me to continue to preside over the government. I am passing the throne to King Wu. I hope he will inherit the throne, work diligently and care for the people, and ensure the eternal stability of our Tianyuan Empire..."

As the imperial edict was completed, silence fell within the Yangxin Hall, the only sound clear being the brush's touch upon the imperial seal. Emperor Tianyuan trembled as he pressed the imperial seal upon the edict, as if sealing the last of his dignity and power with it.

Hua Lingyi took the imperial edict, examined it carefully, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face. She announced it to everyone present with a hint of pride.

"From today on, King Wu will be the new ruler of Tianyuan. You must assist him wholeheartedly and without error!"

Prime Minister Yun and Jun Moyong looked at each other again, then knelt down and bowed in the direction of King Wu.

"Your servants pay their respects to the new emperor. Long live the emperor."

Upon seeing this, several other ministers hurriedly followed suit to pay their respects.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live the Emperor."

Emperor Tianyuan sat silently on the dragon throne, looking ahead with empty eyes, as if he had aged a lot overnight.

King Wu was extremely proud when he saw Jun Moyong, who had been fighting with him, and a group of court officials who supported him kneeling in front of him.

"Good, very good. You all understand what it means to be a wise man who knows the times."

Then his eyes fell on Jun Moyong.

"Jun Moyong, I didn't expect that you would have this day......"

Just as he was about to continue mocking him, Hua Lingyi interrupted him.

"Your Highness, Prince Wu, to be honest with His Majesty, you are already the new emperor, about to ascend the throne. The Taiji Palace still has civil and military officials waiting for you to sit on the throne. Don't waste your time with someone of no value."

Meeting Hua Lingyi's warning gaze, King Wu spoke hurriedly.

"Your Majesty is right. It is I who am foolish."

Seeing that he was quite obedient, Hua Lingyi nodded slightly with satisfaction, and then turned her gaze to Jun Moyong and others.

"Everyone, please join me in going to Taiji Hall to congratulate the new emperor on his accession to the throne!"

Upon seeing this, Prime Minister Yun bowed and said.

"Empress Hua, the Emperor is in poor health and needs help urgently. A son would be the most dedicated attendant. Why not let His Royal Highness Prince Yong stay here to care for him? This would be a sign of His Royal Highness Prince Yong's filial piety to the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Hua Lingyi looked at Prime Minister Yun with some surprise.

"Prime Minister Yun's behavior today has surprised me a little. I remember that he was very optimistic about Prince Yao being the crown prince and had repeatedly requested the emperor to make Prince Yao the crown prince. His expression has changed so much that it's almost as fast as turning the pages of a book!"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Yun continued to bow.

"Empress Hua, as Prime Minister, I prioritize the well-being of the people. I am loyal to Tianyuan and the imperial court. Given the current state of affairs, I will prioritize the stability of the court and will not be bound by personal feelings or old positions. As for His Highness Prince Yao, he is indeed exceptionally talented, but if we consider the most suitable candidate to stabilize the government and appease the people at this moment, His Highness Prince Wu is the more suitable. Everything I do is for the future of Tianyuan."