"this……"

At this moment, Crown Prince Li Ming felt his breathing become rapid and his heartbeat quickened.

It was as if a Devil Fruit was beckoning to him.

Crown Prince Li Ming was somewhat conflicted.

really!

If I could get to that position sooner, I wouldn't have to worry about someone trying to take it from me all the time.

Most importantly, by then I will be the ruler of a country, and with a wave of my hand, who would dare to disobey?

This really is a method that solves the problem once and for all!

However, he would then be branded as a regicide!

That's his own father!

Crown Prince Li Ming's pupils contracted slightly, his heart still filled with some inner turmoil.

"Your Highness,"

Seeing that Li Ming was hesitant, Song Xianze continued, "As the saying goes, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles!"

If Your Highness truly secures that position, you will forever be the ruler, while Prince Xin will forever be his subject!

With the roles of ruler and subject already defined, what trouble could he possibly cause?

Even if we have gunpowder, muskets, and cannons, Your Highness, with a single imperial edict, surely we can obtain these things?

In Dongning, what isn't Your Highness's?

Your Highness, there is no time to lose; a decision must be made as soon as possible!

"Let me think about it again, let me think about it again..."

Crown Prince Li Ming stood up and paced around the room.

He rubbed his hands together in front of him, his eyes slightly glazed over, and a fierce struggle raging within him.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Ming's eyes gradually became clear, with a hint of coldness in them.

He didn't turn around, but simply asked, "How can I avoid being discovered?"

"It kills instantly upon contact with blood!"

Song Xianze said calmly, "It's a poison from Southeast Asia that's rarely seen in China and unknown to outsiders."

This poison, just as its name suggests, is lethal upon contact with blood!

Colorless and odorless, yet highly toxic!

We can let…

"Stop talking!"

Li Ming interrupted Song Xianze directly, coldly saying, "I don't want to hear the process, I only want the result!"

"Understood!"

Song Xianze quickly bowed and said.

"in addition,"

Li Ming stared at Song Xianze and said, "This matter must not be leaked; it must be kept absolutely secret!"

Moreover, it must be done with absolute meticulousness, so as not to arouse any suspicion!

"Understood!"

Song Xianze bowed again and said, "Your Highness, just wait for the good news!"

Immediately, Song Xianze bowed again and withdrew.

In the empty hall, only Crown Prince Li Ming stood there alone.

He looked up at the high rooftop, a smile playing on his lips.

After a moment, Li Ming couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Hahaha……

Laughter echoed throughout the East Palace, lingering for a long time.

...

After leaving the Eastern Palace, Song Xianze began to plot.

That evening, Song Xianze received a close attendant of the emperor in his courtyard.

After giving his explanation, the attendant kowtowed in gratitude, tears streaming down his face.

After watching his attendants leave, Song Xianze then met with the imperial physician on duty at the Imperial Hospital.

Not only that, but he also gave instructions to all the palace maids and eunuchs in the palace.

Late at night on March 23, Emperor Tongxu was already fast asleep.

At this moment, a close attendant sneaked into the palace. He came to Emperor Tongxu's side with a small porcelain bottle and secretly placed some in the emperor's nostrils, mouth, and ankle wounds.

They didn't even spare the corners of the eyes and ears.

Having done all this quietly, the attendant withdrew.

Inside the palace, everything was normal, and no one noticed anything unusual.

In the middle of the night, rapid breathing suddenly came from inside the palace.

However, the eunuch on duty did not pay any attention to it.

The next morning, when the eunuch entered the room, he found the Tongxu Emperor lying dead on his bed.

"Summon the imperial physician! Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

The eunuch called out urgently.

Before long, the imperial physician arrived at the palace. After examining the patient, he concluded—

Heart failure, sudden death!

Meanwhile, the soldiers on duty sealed off the palace and investigated the situation of the eunuchs on duty.

However, everything was normal and there was nothing wrong with it.

On March 24th, the imperial palace in the capital was draped in white mourning clothes.

The news of Emperor Tongxu's death spread throughout the palace and the capital.

Upon hearing the news, Crown Prince Li Ming was heartbroken. He left the Eastern Palace, weeping all the way, and rushed to the Imperial Palace.

Along the way, countless palace maids and eunuchs praised Crown Prince Li Ming's filial piety upon seeing this.

"Your Highness, you are truly benevolent and filial!"

"Having such a crown prince is truly a blessing for our great nation!"

...

Li Ming paid no heed to the gossip of the palace maids and eunuchs.

Upon arriving at the main hall, Li Ming knelt beside Emperor Tongxu, grasped his hand, and began to weep bitterly.

"Father, why did you leave so suddenly... Your son can't bear to leave you... How can I live without you..."

Amidst the cries of weeping, the reputation of Crown Prince Li Ming for his benevolence and filial piety spread throughout the palace.

The civil and military officials who rushed to the scene upon hearing the news couldn't help but admire His Highness's benevolence and filial piety upon hearing the cries of grief from inside the palace.

"Prime Minister Lin, as the Right Chancellor and Grand Secretary, you are the head of the civil service and should set an example."

Now that the late emperor has passed away, the country cannot be without a ruler for even a day. For the sake of the court, we must persuade His Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne as soon as possible!

An official from the Crown Prince's faction whispered something to Prime Minister Lin.

What's the rush?

Lin Xiang glared at the official and rebuked him, "The late emperor has just passed away, and now you're trying to persuade His Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne? What do you think you're doing? What are your intentions?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!