The investiture of the crown prince is usually accompanied by the investiture of other princes as kings, who then go to their respective fiefdoms upon reaching adulthood.
However, this is the final step, which can only be done after a long banquet to commemorate Empress Yan and a procession on horseback through the entire city of Fengjing.
Whether it was due to illness causing confusion or concern that his body couldn't handle it, the Emperor brought forward this part of the ceremony.
Steward Wu, standing nearby, hesitated before finally looking to His Highness the Crown Prince for help.
It is true that the Emperor was recently conferred the title, but the Emperor's health is not good. Half a month ago, the Crown Prince's residence began to take over most of the government affairs, handling the small matters and reporting the big ones.
This is tantamount to the crown prince overseeing the country.
Chief Steward Wu, assessing the situation, neither wanted to offend the next emperor nor dared to defy the current imperial family, so he simply threw away the hot potato.
Changyan smiled and said, "In that case, let's do as Father says."
This country can't possibly change hands again, and the parade in Fengjing can happen anytime. It's better to let this group finish their show first.
The main hall of Fengtian Hall is the best stage.
He watched coldly as the three princes filed in.
As the eldest brother, Zhu Changhong undoubtedly took the lead, but compared to his former radiant self, he was somewhat dull and wooden, even lacking the energy he had on the day he kicked down the door at the wedding banquet.
"What's wrong with the Crown Prince?" the master of ceremonies couldn't help but whisper.
"Perhaps it's because Consort Ju didn't offer any advice that he became so listless," the Imperial Envoy muttered.
It seems that everyone in the capital knows that the eldest prince is sometimes shrewd and capable, and sometimes foolish and clumsy, depending on whether the person behind him has a good plan.
With Consort Ju falling into a coma, the Ju family's betrayal, and the inner torment, it was no surprise that he lost his former radiance.
Zhu Changyu, who came in second, remained honest, taciturn, and unassuming. His unremarkable appearance and humble origins gradually made him gloomy and indifferent, until he learned to put on a disguise and lie low.
He was the most ambitious of the princes, the most shrewd and capable, and a sharp blade about to be drawn.
They both knew that a contest was about to take place, yet they could still smile amicably, which was enough to prove their deep shrewdness.
Walking at the back was the Fourth Prince, Zhu Changheng. His limp had almost disappeared at this moment, and when he straightened his back, he could be described as a handsome young man.
Chang Yan's gaze revealed a complex emotion.
He remembered Zhu Changheng's whispers behind him before he entered the Fengtian Hall.
"Xiao Wu, the Crown Prince will be appointed soon. I know today will be eventful, so I wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with you." The lame boy took a deep breath. "Actually, my lameness is almost completely healed. With a little care, I can be just like a normal person."
"It's not that I'm trying to hide it from you. As a prince of the Dayu Dynasty, who wouldn't covet that position? Even when I asked to marry Sister Yao, it was to indirectly gain the support of the Jiang family."
"But later I realized that you were more suitable for that position than I was. The Jiang family's relationship with you was too close. Even if I married into the Yao family, I wouldn't get the Jiang family's support, so I gave up on my own initiative."
"I hope you won't mind that I once harbored ambitions to seize the throne. Considering that my fourth brother ultimately granted your wish, please show leniency towards the Crown Prince's family."
At that moment, Chang Yan was shocked.
Zhu Changheng hid it so well that no one could discover that her almost obsessive joy concealed a scheme.
It turns out that there are truly no innocent and kind people in this imperial city, and no one can regard power and money as dirt.
Those who are sensible are willing to take sides, while those who are confident persist to the end.
A single decision spun a chasm between fates and altered the course of the future.
Changyan raised his head and nodded slightly to the Fourth Prince. The moment their eyes met, they both revealed a calm smile.
"They're all...they've all arrived." The emperor on the dragon throne looked up wearily. "It's good that they're all here. Chief Steward Wu, please announce the decree."
Chief Steward Wu nodded, took out a golden imperial edict from behind the dragon throne, and loudly proclaimed, "...Today, the First Prince is hereby conferred the title of... the Second Prince is hereby conferred the title of... the Fourth Prince is hereby conferred the title of..."
The emperor's favor was on full display at this moment.
Zhu Changhong's fiefdom is in a rich region, and he was granted the title of Prince, making him the highest-ranking person besides the Crown Prince.
Zhu Changyu's fiefdom was in a remote area, and he was granted the title of Prince. Its wealth was even less than that of Anshui County, and it could be described as barren and impoverished.
Zhu Changheng's fiefdom was rather peculiar; it was actually Anshui County, and his title was also derived from Anshui, making him a prince who was neither here nor there.
"By imperial decree, in accordance with the ancestral teachings, all princes shall, upon reaching adulthood, proceed to their fiefdoms to assist the prefects in governing their respective cities. This is the imperial decree."
As the shrill voice faded, Zhu Changhong's eyes gradually focused. He glanced timidly around before slowly kneeling to receive the decree.
Zhu Changyu knelt down in silence and kowtowed three times.
Zhu Changheng remained calm and composed, kneeling to receive the imperial decree.
Three princes, three different thoughts.
Chang Yan watched coldly, sensing that a storm was about to break, but as the three stood up, the Fengtian Hall remained calm.
The Emperor finally felt relieved and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, go and pay your respects to the Empress, and then proceed with the procession through Fengjing. I am feeling unwell and must return first."
Everyone in the main hall respectfully saw the emperor off.
Once he stood up again, the long banquet became the most important event in the Fengtian Hall.
The eunuch Wu bowed and scraped beside him, "Her Majesty the Empress's palace has been cleaned. Would Your Highness like to go and offer incense now?"
Before Chang Yan could even nod, a series of shouts suddenly rang out from outside.
There were civil officials, military officers, palace maids, and eunuchs.
"What happened?" Eunuch Wu asked in shock. "On the day of the Crown Prince's investiture, how dare you all make such a fuss?"
No one responded to him.
The master of ceremonies, who had been holding the imperial edict, went outside for a quick look, then returned in a panic, saying, "So many people... so many people have poured in and taken control of the civil and military officials."
"The Imperial Guards, who were originally responsible for our safety, have all betrayed us and are pointing guns at us..."
Under a clear blue sky, the sun blazes brightly.
The Great Yu Dynasty, which had lasted for a century, was thrown into turmoil.
This was something that hadn't happened in decades, so it's no wonder that the palace maids and eunuchs were all in a panic and screamed in fright.
Chang Yan curled the corners of his mouth, showing no fear as expected. Instead, he asked curiously, "You held back before, waiting until Father Emperor left to lash out. Was it because you didn't want Father Emperor to worry? Or were you trying to give Father Emperor a surprise?"
The only response he received was the sound of Zhu Changhong raising the imperial seal of investiture to the crown prince and then smashing it to the ground.
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