Chapter 114 The end of the sixteen years of peace...

On the last night of the sixteenth year of Chengping, lantern towers lined both sides of the Imperial Street in front of the palace gates, and crowds thronged the area, their breaths swirling into mist in the air. Every face, craning its neck in anticipation, stared intently toward the palace gates.

"Thump, thump!"

Accompanied by a deep, resonant drumbeat, the vermilion-lacquered, gold-studded palace gates slowly opened, spilling forth a burst of flames. Twelve mythical beasts, their five claws outstretched, surrounded the Fangxiangshi, who danced joyfully as he emerged. In harmony with the powerful drumming, the Nuo people, clad in red turbans and blue robes, performed a grand and expansive Nuo dance, leaping and twirling, their torches drawing blazing arcs of light in the air.

Fang Xiangshi wore a majestic golden mask, his four eyes burning like starlight in the night. Dressed in black robes and crimson skirts, he wielded a spear and shield, his dance powerful and vigorous, yet also possessing an eerie beauty in the firelight, captivating and mesmerizing.

His supple waist twisted and turned, his boots stomping heavily on the ground to the beat of the drums, as he weaved and darted through the flickering flames, his graceful and powerful movements drawing cheers from the onlookers.

Suddenly, the twelve divine beasts and the mortal abruptly merged together, then abruptly dispersed. The crowd gasped as Fang Xiangshi, having already retraced his steps, danced wildly all the way to the top of the city wall.

A huge moon hung high in the night sky behind him, his figure embedded in the moonlight, shimmering and dancing like a phantom or a god.

He stood between heaven and earth, brandishing his spear and shield, his clear prayers carried by the night to the ears of every citizen below the city walls.

"Heaven above, earth below! Hear my prayers, may you avert disaster and bring good fortune!"

"May our dynasty's mountains and rivers be forever secure, and our nation prosperous and our people at peace!"

"My second wish is that the old year be swept away and a new year be ushered in for the whole world!"

"My third wish is that my Father Emperor enjoys good health, longevity, and everlasting blessings, like the rising sun and the constant moon!"

Amid the gasps of the crowd, he looked up and lifted the mask of the Fangxiangshi, revealing a face painted with eerie and beautiful cinnabar, as alluring as gold and jade.

He knelt on one knee, looked up at the sky, and said in a voice as clear as jade chimes: "Your subject is willing to offer his own life to pray for your father's longevity!"

The drums beat loudly, and the people gazed at the graceful figure standing on the city wall, their hearts filled with excitement.

Several eunuchs stepped forward from both sides, carrying golden trays. They took a deep breath and announced loudly, "His Highness the Crown Prince, on behalf of His Majesty, bestows blessings upon the people, wishing them peace and prosperity—"

As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuchs on both sides grabbed handfuls of gold coins and threw them down from the city wall.

Countless dazzling streaks of light tinkled and jingled like a sudden downpour.

The people were immediately overjoyed and cheered as they went to receive this "divine grace".

The guards stood in separate lines to maintain order and prevent overcrowding.

At the same time, both side doors opened, and more palace servants carried in jars of fine wine and boxes of exquisite pastries.

The people flocked to the restaurant, spontaneously forming long queues. They took out their own bowls and cups, carefully held them out, watched the fragrant wine slide from the long-handled wooden spoons into the bowls and cups, and then received the exquisitely packaged pastries. Satisfied, they left with the food and wine.

Enjoying the Nuo dance, scattering coins, and bestowing wine and food are grand ceremonies held at the end of each year. It is a day for His Majesty and the people to celebrate together, pray for blessings, ward off disasters, and bring good fortune.

Now that His Majesty is bedridden and the Crown Prince is overseeing state affairs, the people were initially worried about whether tonight's grand ceremony would go smoothly. However, seeing His Highness the Crown Prince personally perform the dance, they were all quite moved.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is truly filial and kind. If he were to ascend the throne in the future, he would surely be a benevolent ruler!"

"Yeah yeah!"

Amidst the clamor, an elderly man with white hair and beard suddenly knelt down in the center of the palace gate. Dressed in a tattered scholar's robe, he looked like an old scholar. "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day! Your Majesty is seriously ill and unable to recover. This humble subject dares to humbly request Your Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne as soon as possible to bring peace to the world!"

A palace attendant stepped forward and rebuked, "How dare you! How dare you utter such rebellious words!"

With tears in his eyes, the old scholar argued forcefully, "Even if Your Highness wishes to punish this humble subject with death, I will still speak out! I have heard that His Majesty's illness is difficult to diagnose, and we do not know when he will wake up! His Highness the Crown Prince is diligent in governing and loves the people, and was personally appointed by His Majesty, so why can't he ascend the throne sooner?!"

Another middle-aged scholar squeezed through the crowd, knelt down, and spoke passionately, "Yes, now chaos has returned to the northern frontier, and war has broken out again. The country needs a wise ruler to govern it so that the people can be at peace! I urge Your Highness to ascend the throne!"

Suddenly, a small group of people around them knelt down, their shouts like waves sweeping through the crowd.

The crowd of believers watched and agreed. Remembering the Crown Prince's sincere prayers for the people's well-being and for his father's longevity, and thinking of the peaceful and harmonious capital city since he took over the reins of government, they bowed down one after another.

A large group of people knelt down outside the palace gates in an instant.

On the city tower, Chu Jingze looked down at the dark mass of figures below, rose and bowed: "I am deeply grateful for my father's trust in me and have been entrusted with overseeing the country. For the emperor to be on the throne while the crown prince has changed is not a matter of loyalty and filial piety, but rather a disruption of the foundation of the nation. As his son, I only wish to serve him medicine and pray for his long life. This matter should not be mentioned again."

The following morning at court, the officials brought up the matter of the people's petition and knelt down on the spot, pleading: "Your Majesty is unwell, the Crown Prince should be enthroned as soon as possible to appease the people!"

Chu Jingze refused with the same excuse.

The next day, before dawn, several elderly ministers with white hair knelt outside the palace gates. Leading them was Lord Luo, who held aloft his memorial and proclaimed loudly, "We humbly request Your Highness, for the sake of the nation, to ascend the throne immediately!"

Chu Jingze flew into a rage and stormed off.

Another day later, several princes and high-ranking officials bypassed the Crown Prince and went directly to Shouhua Palace to see the Empress Dowager. They asked her to persuade the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. "His Majesty's health is probably not going to recover, and the affairs of state cannot be delayed! The northern border is in turmoil, and the court and the people are in a state of panic. We only hope that Your Majesty's decree will explain the advantages and disadvantages and persuade the Crown Prince..."

The Empress Dowager's heart clenched. Just as Chu Jingze had said, the time had come when the court officials' hopes were high, and she...

She slammed her hand on the table, her phoenix eyes flashing with authority. "The Emperor isn't dead yet! This palace is none of your business! Get out of here!"

Memorials requesting the Crown Prince to ascend the throne arrived like snowflakes. Two days later, the assembled officials accompanied Chu Jingze to visit Emperor Jiayu. After examining Emperor Jiayu, the head physician of the Imperial Medical Academy knelt and begged for forgiveness, saying, "Your Highness, we are incompetent..."

The ministers immediately knelt down, pleading, "Your Highness, for the sake of the country, please ascend the throne immediately!"

Chu Jingqi closed his eyes, then slowly knelt before Emperor Jiayu's bed. After a long silence, he finally said, "Father, your son... has overstepped his bounds."

On the day of the coronation ceremony, the sky was clear and bright, a rare sunny day in winter.

Dylan lowered her eyes, carefully adjusting Chu Jingze's nine-dragon, twelve-patterned robe, her fingertips tracing the intricate patterns. A smile had just appeared on her lips, but it suddenly froze.

Her fingertips trembled, and she suddenly clutched her lower abdomen, her previously rosy complexion instantly turning ashen.

"What's wrong?" Chu Jingze noticed something was wrong and immediately supported her slightly trembling arm.

"Your Majesty... I suddenly feel a sharp, excruciating abdominal pain..." Dylan's forehead was beaded with sweat, her voice weak and feeble, "I'm afraid I cannot accompany Your Majesty to the ceremony..."

Chu Jingze carefully examined her face, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. But seeing that her pain was genuine and not feigned, he said gently, "Summon the imperial physician to examine you. You should rest well first. I'll go over there first. If you feel better, you can come back later."

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness." Dylan lowered her head gently, her long eyelashes concealing the expression in her eyes, revealing a rare vulnerability.

Chu Jingze handed her over to Liu Yue, then turned and walked away. His tall figure, clad in flowing robes, gradually disappeared into the morning light.

Dylan stole glances at his retreating figure until he completely disappeared outside the palace gates, the pain on her face vanishing instantly. She straightened up and softly called out, "Qingyi."

A figure nimbly flipped through the window and entered.

"Let's go, let's go save the princess first."

The solemn bells and drums of the enthronement ceremony resounded through the sky. On the high platform, Chu Jingze was about to receive the Imperial Seal of the State from the master of ceremonies.

"Wait!"

A cold, sharp shout came from below the imperial steps.

The Empress Dowager, adorned in a phoenix crown and court robes, entered with an imposing entourage, surrounded by armored guards. Her makeup remained heavy, and she gazed majestically at the high platform.

"I have not agreed to the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne."

Chu Jingze slowly turned around, his face showing no sign of panic. "Grandmother, what a grand display."

His cold gaze swept over the black-armored soldiers below the stage, who had already subtly surrounded the Imperial Guards. "Grandson, do you know when the Capital Garrison began to obey the Empress Dowager's orders?"

A pale, thin figure emerged from behind the Empress Dowager. Feng Mian had not seen the sunlight for a long time and was just recovering from a serious illness; his skin was so white it was almost translucent, as if he could be blown away by a gust of wind.

She coldly raised half of the gold-inlaid bronze tiger tally in her hand, her voice clear and cold as jade, carrying an unquestionable authority, "The Crown Prince plotted against His Majesty, colluded with the Northern Barbarians, and attempted to commit patricide, treason, and usurp the throne."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached the ears of everyone present clearly, each word like a thunderclap.

"The Imperial Guards have been deceived. If they lay down their weapons now, they will not be held accountable. If they remain obstinate..." She paused slightly, her meaning clear.

An uproar arose, the officials were alarmed, and discussions ensued.

Lord Luo's hair and beard bristled as he roared, "Your Highness, you must be careful with your words! Such accusations that threaten the very foundation of the nation, if not supported by solid evidence, are tantamount to framing the Crown Prince, and their intentions are despicable!"

Feng Mian ignored Luo Gong, only looking at Chu Jingze with pain in her eyes, "Brother, you used the lives of the head of the Imperial Medical Academy and his family to force him to poison Uncle, causing him to be bedridden and unconscious. He is currently preparing the antidote. Once Uncle wakes up, everything will truly be beyond repair. If you turn back now..."

"Absurd." Chu Jingze stepped forward, the dragon patterns on his robes gleaming in the sunlight. "Who would fabricate such absurd claims with you?"

"Brother! The capital's military camp has already surrounded the palace. You cannot ascend the throne today under any circumstances. I have the testimony of the chief minister..."

"Xiaoman, don't be misled." Chu Jingze remained calm, his gaze falling on the tiger tally in her hand. He sighed, "Father still trusts you the most. It's just a pity that you only have half a tiger tally, which can at most mobilize half of the troops in the capital region. Do you think I have no backup plan?"

As soon as he finished speaking, thousands of armored guards suddenly appeared around the palace walls, the sound of swords being drawn ringing out menacingly, forming a standoff with the capital's main camp.

On the high walls on both sides, countless archers quietly appeared, their sharp arrowheads gleaming coldly, aimed at the square below.

Feng Mian's heart skipped a beat. That's it. The Luo family went to great lengths to illegally mine and forge weapons in the northern border region, naturally to support their private army.

The air was heavy and tense.

Chu Jingze's murderous aura suddenly vanished, and his gaze softened as he looked at Feng Mian, extending his hand to her. "Xiaoman, be good."

His voice became gentle, as if he were not facing a thousand armies, but simply calling out to his playful younger sister on an ordinary day.

Come to me.