Capital, Eastern Palace.
The candlelight is bright and the music is faint.
It was not publicized, but the air in the hall was filled with an irrepressible excitement and restlessness.
Crown Prince Yin Zhao held a secret letter in his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly with excitement.
The letter was sent by Concubine Xiao through an extremely secret channel. It contained only a few words, but each word was of great significance:
Your Majesty is seriously ill and on his deathbed. He is often in a coma and no medicine can cure him. He is like a candle in the wind and I am afraid that his time is running out.
"Good! Good! Good!"
The prince said "good" three times in a row, an unusual red glow appeared on his face, and his eyes showed the ambition that had accumulated for thirty years and was about to burst out.
He gulped down the wine in his cup and waved the letter in his hand to his trusted confidants: Cao Chunfeng, Gu Dingming, Chen Xiong, as well as the Duke of E, the Duke of Lu and other important military officials.
"Everyone! The time is coming!"
Everyone in the hall was greatly encouraged when they heard this.
Cao Chunfeng immediately stood up and saluted, his voice filled with uncontrollable joy:
"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness! His Majesty is in poor health, and the country relies on its long-standing ruler. This is God's will and the people's wish!"
"Your Highness has been regent for a long time, and your virtue is known far and wide. It is time for you to inherit the throne!"
Gu Dingming also echoed, his face full of flattery and expectation.
Chen Xiong was even more direct, saying in a gruff voice, "Your Highness, just give the order, and I, your humble servant, will swear allegiance and defend the new king until death!"
Duke E and Duke Lu exchanged glances and stood up to express their opinions: "We are willing to serve Your Highness at our utmost service!"
Soon, the Prime Minister Cui Kaiji, who received the news, hurried over with several ministers from the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, etc.
Cui Kaiji was more mature and steady, but at this moment he could not completely conceal the eagerness in his eyes.
He led the other ministers in paying their respects to the Crown Prince and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. If misfortune truly befalls Your Majesty, the weight of the nation and its people will fall squarely on Your Highness. We, the ministers, and our colleagues from the six ministries, will follow Your Highness's lead!"
This is almost equivalent to expressing loyalty and persuading the emperor to take the throne in advance.
The prince looked at the "loyal ministers and capable generals" in the hall and felt that all the forbearance, grievances and fears he had endured for the past thirty years were compensated at this moment.
He was full of pride, as if he could already see the supreme throne beckoning to him.
"Gentlemen, please stand up! With your assistance, I am truly relieved!"
The Crown Prince was already feeling somewhat elated, even changing his name in advance. "What I say today, and what you hear, must be done with caution. But when we succeed, I will not let you down! Come, drink this cup to the full!"
Inside the East Palace, an early celebration banquet was held in a secretive and fanatical atmosphere.
…
at the same time.
In the western suburbs of the capital, there is the Tianzi Mountain Palace.
As autumn deepens, the maple leaves all over the mountains begin to turn a breathtaking red and sway in the autumn wind.
It is like a dancing flame, and also like the last bit of vitality of a dying emperor that refuses to be extinguished.
Emperor Yongchang lay on the dragon couch in his bedroom, looking haggard, breathing weakly and rapidly, and it seemed as if he used up all his strength with every breath.
His once sharp eyes were now deeply sunken and cloudy, with only a glimmer of light flashing occasionally, proving that the emperor was not completely foolish.
Lu Chunfang, the old eunuch who has served the emperor for many years and is deeply trusted, is carefully wiping the emperor's forehead with a warm towel.
His movements were gentle and focused, but deep in his eyes there was a hint of imperceptible complex emotions.
In the shadows, a figure that almost blended into the darkness stood silently. It was the emperor's most mysterious shadow guard - Xiao Wuying.
His presence is extremely low, yet he is everywhere, like the emperor's last silent barrier.
Emperor Yongchang coughed violently for a while, and Lu Chunfang hurriedly patted his back gently.
After a long while, the emperor finally caught his breath, his voice hoarse like an old bellows: "Chun Fang..."
"I'm here." Lu Chunfang leaned over quickly.
"I...I'm afraid I won't make it through this autumn."
Emperor Yongchang gazed at the carved and painted rooftops, his eyes filled with endless fatigue and a hint of resignation. "Go and summon the Crown Prince... and Cui Kaiji... and several cabinet ministers... I have something to tell you."
Lu Chunfang was shocked and knew that the funeral arrangements were to be made.
He did not dare to neglect it and quickly responded: "I obey your order and will arrange it right away."
When the news reached the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Yinreng was overjoyed!
He thought that his father was finally going to make the throne clear, so he immediately summoned several important officials including Cui Kaiji, changed into solemn court robes, and rushed to the Tianzi Mountain Palace with great excitement and anticipation.
The autumn scenery along the way turned into flags of victory in the eyes of the prince.
He imagined the scene of his father handing the imperial seal to him in front of all the ministers, and the scene of all the ministers kneeling to worship the new emperor, and he could hardly suppress his laughter.
However, when he, Cui Kaiji and others knelt before the Yongchang Emperor's sickbed, holding their breath and waiting for the final edict, the Yongchang Emperor simply glanced at them slowly with a cloudy gaze, and intermittently explained some insignificant things:
He urged the Crown Prince to be diligent in his duties, and the ministers to assist him wholeheartedly. He inquired about the progress of the rebellion and the situation of the Northern Di people, and also expressed concern about the autumn harvest and taxes...
However, there was no clear mention of the succession of the throne, nor was there any imperial edict.
The prince knelt on the cold ground. From his initial excitement, he gradually became anxious and confused, and finally turned into cold disappointment and unspeakable anger.
Thirty years!
He waited for thirty years!
Seeing that they were about to reach the final step, the old father was still vague and refused to give him a quick death!
He suppressed the question that was about to burst out and dug his nails deep into his palm.
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