Chapter 390: Supporting the Crown Prince's Ascension to the Throne
Li Yuande naturally wanted to decline, but pretended to be hesitant, saying, "His Majesty is unwell, and the imperial physicians have instructed that he should not overexert himself..."
Yu Hao stared at him with a stern face. Although his eyes were much more cloudy than when he was young due to his age, their sharpness had not diminished in the slightest: "How can anyone else have the right to question my decision?"
Li Yuande kept his head down as usual. The emperor couldn't see his expression, but he knew that beneath his obsequious exterior lay a restless heart.
Although he had secretly trained a group of assassins and bodyguards, none of them appeared just now, which shows how much the Empress had done under his nose over the years, not to mention the Imperial Guards coming to protect her.
Even if she didn't have the ability to win over the entire Imperial Guard, the palace was heavily guarded, and if she wanted to keep the news under wraps, the Imperial Guard wouldn't hear a thing for a while.
His own empress and confidants conspired to kill him, but at this moment, he was filled with rage and could not vent it. The emperor was breathing heavily and had to suppress his fear and anger as he dealt with Li Yuande.
Li Yuande held his whisk for a long while before raising a smiling face. "Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, this servant will not say anything. I will send someone to invite you."
After saying that, he snorted very lightly from the tip of his nose, and when he walked to the door, he was bumped on the shoulder by a guard who rushed back.
Li Yuande glared at him with considerable displeasure, said nothing, and pushed open the door to leave.
The guard knelt before the emperor and, without saying a word, clasped his hands in apology: "Your Majesty, the Empress and the Crown Prince are plotting a rebellion. I have learned that the Crown Prince has gathered three thousand elite soldiers and intends to force the emperor to abdicate."
The emperor coughed twice, leaning against the pillow, but didn't continue the conversation. "Help me up."
The guard did as he was told, and after helping Yu Hao change his clothes, he heard him continue, "Go to Jianzhang Palace for me."
"Go to Jianzhang Palace now?" The guard was dumbfounded.
Even if it was the Empress Dowager who overcame all difficulties to help His Majesty secure his throne, she has long since relinquished real power. What force does she have left to contend with the Crown Prince's elite troops?
"Secretly convey my imperial edict: urgently summon General Yuan to return to the capital and quell the rebellion of your ministers."
Upon hearing this, the guard's expression hardened, and he understood why His Majesty had sent him to Jianzhang Palace.
The Empress Dowager was also a member of the Yuan family, and her blood ties with General Yuan were stronger than water. Even if the general harbored resentment towards His Majesty, he would ultimately consider the Empress Dowager's safety.
Upon receiving the imperial decree, the secret guards headed straight for Jianzhang Palace without further delay. Fortunately, the emperor had brought out Prime Minister Lin to cover for his actions, so the empress and others did not pay attention to a mere secret guard.
When Lin Xiang entered the sleeping quarters, he saw the emperor bent over his desk, writing something.
He had a vague sense of unease, and the strange atmosphere along the way made it all the more unsettling. Unable to pinpoint what was wrong, he simply bowed and raised his hands in greeting, saying, "This old minister greets Your Majesty."
"Prime Minister Lin has arrived."
"Yes, may I ask what important state of affairs Your Majesty has summoned me for?"
The emperor put down his pen, clenched his fist and coughed twice. "How well has Minister Lin kept the imperial edict that I entrusted to him a few days ago?"
"Naturally, it will be hidden in the mansion. Everything will be done according to His Majesty's instructions. It will be brought out at the appropriate time to support the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne."
Lin Xiang answered with his head down, his tone measured and methodical, though a hint of helplessness lingered in his weathered eyes.
It doesn't matter who is the crown prince, but if we're talking about the imperial throne, the Yuan Dynasty is really not suitable.
Previously, the Crown Prince had not shown any abnormality, but in recent years he has become increasingly unruly, disregarding human life, forcibly abducting innocent women, and engaging in arson, murder, and looting.
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