Chapter 256 Succession

Xiao Ji swept his eyes across the hall, taking in the situation inside. It was obvious that the hall had experienced a fight, with several corpses lying around. When his eyes swept over King Wu lying on the ground, Xiao Ji's gaze involuntarily shrank.

King Wu, wearing armor, was lying alone on the ground with a large pool of blood under him. Everyone was concerned about Xiao Yuancheng, and no one noticed that King Wu's eyes were still open, staring at the emperor.

Even when Xiao Ji looked at him, he met Xiao Ji's eyes. The corners of his mouth, which could no longer make a sound, twitched, as if he wanted to say something.

He is clearly not dead yet, but no one cares about him anymore.

This is the fate of a loser, just like King Ning, whose body is still forgotten in the ice cellar and no one presides over his funeral.

Even Xiao Ji, the enemy, couldn't help but feel a little sad.

But all this happened in a moment. Xiao Ji finally walked past King Wu indifferently and arrived at the hall.

Seeing Xiao Ji coming, Xue Chen was very "inadvertently" surprised and said: "Your Highness Prince Zhao, your leg is healed?!"

King Wen felt a surge of blood rushing to his head, causing him to ache in his liver area and even feel dizzy in front of his eyes!

This Xue Chen! This old bastard! Is he really clueless or is he doing this on purpose?!

After Xue Chen's "reminder", everyone in the hall's eyes were fixed on Xiao Ji's legs!

Sure enough! Beneath the heavy silver armor, his legs stood straight and powerfully, his steps steady. The armor even made him look even more upright and heroic! Where was the slight limp he used to walk with?!

"You...your leg..." Xiao Yuancheng struggled to raise his hand, pointing at Xiao Ji's leg, his voice hoarse and broken.

"It was still a little painful at first, but now, in a moment of urgency, it's almost as bad as before. It seems to be almost healed."

Xiao Ji wiped the sweat and blood off his face and walked step by step to Xiao Yuancheng's couch. The strong smell of blood invaded Xiao Yuancheng's nostrils, making him a little dazed.

Xiao Yuancheng looked at his son who seemed to have been reborn, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Just like what others thought, he didn't believe that Xiao Ji's leg was just healed. There must have been signs of recovery a long time ago, but he had been hiding it.

If it were a month ago, Xiao Yuancheng would have been extremely suspicious, but now that he felt his life was coming to an end, he only felt fear and joy.

"well……"

Xiao Yuancheng uttered these two words in a hoarse voice.

When King Wen heard these two words, his face suddenly turned ugly. Could it be that now that Xiao Ji's leg was healed, he would not be able to get a number at all?

No! He has to buy time.

"Since Sixth Brother has arrived, I believe the rebels outside are no longer a problem. Father, please close your eyes and rest, waiting for the imperial physician to treat you. I look forward to serving you."

Then Xiao Yuluan raised her voice and said, "Your Majesty! Have you forgotten what happened just now so quickly? The issue of the crown prince concerns the foundation of the country. Now that both princes are here, and Marquis Xue is here as a witness, I, Your Majesty, please appoint the crown prince immediately! It will be worth my actions just now. Does Your Majesty still suspect that I am plotting to usurp the throne?"

This sentence made Xiao Yuancheng's face rarely show a trace of shame. He gave up on Xiao Yuluan, but Xiao Yuluan saved him from the dire situation right after.

"Ahem, auntie...how could it be...I...I will appoint the crown prince now...help me up..."

Xiao Yuancheng's gaze slowly shifted between the two princes, his every breath tugging at the hearts of everyone in the hall. Prince Wen unconsciously clenched his fists in his sleeves, his knuckles turning white from the exertion.

"Father!" Prince Wen spoke first, his voice choked with deliberate sobs. "Your Majesty, I am willing to serve you day and night, praying only for your health. Regarding the succession... we can discuss it after you recover."

As he spoke, he observed the emperor's expression out of the corner of his eye, trying to read the tendency on that old face.

Xiao Ji just stood there quietly, meeting the emperor's gaze calmly.

Such an indifferent look made Xiao Yuancheng's heart tighten. He couldn't help but think of Xiao Ji when he was little. At that time, the child looked at him with eyes full of admiration and warmth, but now...

"Ji'er, are you blaming me?"

Everyone was stunned. They didn't expect the emperor to ask this, but they were also shocked by what this question meant.

On the other side, the veins on King Wen's forehead bulged, and he could no longer hide his jealousy as he looked at Xiao Ji. However, his eyes soon shifted to Xue Chen's face, signaling him to prepare for action. Who would have thought that Xue Chen was looking elsewhere.

Xiao Ji, who was standing opposite King Wen, naturally saw his little movements, but all this had already been settled in his mind, so he slowly nodded towards Xiao Yuancheng's eyes.

King Wen's eyes flashed with surprise and delight. Was Xiao Ji crazy? How dare he admit it? Even at this point, why didn't he pretend?

King Wen was thinking of asking Xue Chen to take action, but now he suddenly felt that it was not necessary.

Xiao Yuancheng showed a trace of embarrassment and a bitter smile on his face, "It's because I abolished you..."

"Because you killed my mother and helped the person who broke my leg."

As soon as the words fell, the hall suddenly became quiet. Apart from the sounds of fighting in the distance, you could hear a pin drop in the hall.

Everyone's eyes fell on the father and son. Was there something else behind the Queen's death?

Xiao Yuancheng's cheeks twitched violently, and his cloudy eyes suddenly widened. He didn't expect Xiao Ji to say this in public: "Rebellious son! You...what nonsense are you talking about!"

"What nonsense?"

Xiao Ji slowly took a step forward, his tall figure casting a shadow over Xiao Yuancheng. He didn't raise his voice, but instead lowered it, speaking more deeply. Every word was filled with years of accumulated hatred:

"Isn't there something you did in the Queen Mother's medicine? Was my fall from the horse really an accident?"

Xiao Yuancheng, who was caught off guard, immediately became furious and said, "I... I was originally planning to pass the throne to you, but now... it seems that's no longer necessary!"

Upon hearing this, King Wen instantly revealed a delighted smile. He couldn't help but look at Xiao Ji with a sly smile. Xiao Ji also looked at him and asked calmly, "It was you and King Wu who did it, right? King Ning should have done it too?"

Xiao Ji smiled, his bloodstained cheek twitching, looking seductive and evil, "Now they are both... dead."

Upon hearing this, King Wen could no longer sit still. "What do you mean? How dare you slander my father and brother?!" Are you cursing him?!

However, Xiao Ji ignored Prince Wen and looked at Xiao Yuancheng again. He opened his lips and uttered three words - "Who cares?"

This frivolous and disrespectful attitude made Xiao Yuancheng's blood boil, and he suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood, staining the bright yellow dragon robe red. He pointed at Xiao Ji with a trembling finger and used up his last bit of strength to scream:

"Rebellious... rebellious son! You... you don't care, then I... I will write it down..."

Every word he spoke was consuming Xiao Yuancheng's last bit of life, but fortunately the word "wen" had already appeared. Before others could react, King Wen had already kowtowed in ecstasy.

"Your Majesty, I obey your command! Thank you for your grace, Father!"

After that, he didn't bother pretending anymore. King Wen suddenly stood up, turned to the people in the hall, and opened his arms. "Everyone heard it! My father's will has passed the throne to me!"

He expected to be worshipped like a mountain, but—

Xiao Ji indifferently raised the sword in his hand and pointed it at him, letting out a clear sneer.

Princess Xiao Yuluan adjusted her cuffs gracefully without even raising her eyelids.

Xue Chen folded his arms and turned around, as if he heard nothing.

The smile on King Wen's face froze. "You...what do you mean? Are you trying to disobey my order?!"

"Xue Chen, are you stupid? Why don't you protect me?"

"Golden Guards! Golden Guards!"

However, no one moved in the hall. Xiao Yuancheng, who was lying on the couch with his breath almost gone, looked at this scene, and his pupils, which were about to dilate, seemed to widen again.

In his last consciousness, Xiao Yuluan walked up to him slowly and gently covered his eyes. Then, Xiao Yuancheng only heard—

"Your Majesty passed away without having the opportunity to appoint a crown prince. I am acting as regent."

"My great-aunt is the daughter of two emperors. She is of noble status and exceptional ability. I beg you to ascend the throne!"

Xiao Yuancheng's heart suddenly stopped and he died completely.