"Ah—" Jin Xiaohe screamed, she couldn't believe her eyes. This eunuch was actually trying to strangle Emperor Wen to death! She looked at everything happening before her at a loss, her mind blank.
Emperor Wen struggled incessantly on the bed, but due to his weak body, he was unable to break free from the eunuch's restraint. His hands clawed at the air, but he could not grab anything. The eunuch's face was ferocious, as if he had turned into a demon.
As time passed, Emperor Wen's struggles grew weaker and weaker, until he finally stopped. The eunuch loosened his grip, tossed the pillow aside, and walked out of Emperor Wen's bedroom with an expressionless face.
Jin Xiaohe stood blankly by the bed, looking at Emperor Wen's erect body, her face filled with fear and despair. She knew that Emperor Wen was dead, and had been murdered! Tears slid down her cheeks and dripped onto the ground.
Jin Xiaohe felt extremely terrified and helpless at this moment. She didn't know what to do to escape this terrible disaster. She could only stand there quietly, waiting for the judgment of fate.
The eunuch walked into the court with an expressionless face, as if he had lost all emotion. His voice was low and heavy: "Your Majesty has passed away!"
These four words exploded in the court like a bolt from the blue. For a moment, the court fell into a dead silence, and then became noisy again.
The ministers whispered to each other, with expressions of shock and disbelief on their faces. They began to talk among themselves, some burst into tears, some were stunned, and some angrily accused others. The whole court was in chaos.
When the queen heard the news, her body froze instantly, and tears burst out like a broken dam. She sobbed in agony, her voice shrill and sorrowful. Her cries echoed throughout the court, heartbreaking.
The queen's maids rushed forward to support her, but she could no longer bear the blow and almost fainted.
At this moment, the virtuous king stepped forward. He glanced sharply at the crowd and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty's sudden death must be suspicious. This king must investigate thoroughly and find the murderer!"
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's expression changed. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Uncle Emperor, what do you mean by this? Are you saying that I killed my father?"
The virtuous king sneered and said, "Don't worry, Prince. I didn't say that. However, Your Majesty has always been in good health. How could he pass away so suddenly?"
The Crown Prince glared at the virtuous king and sneered, "What do you mean, uncle? Are you saying that someone murdered our father?"
The virtuous king said, "Indeed, I suspect someone has deliberately plotted to murder Your Majesty. Otherwise, how could Your Majesty have passed away so suddenly?"
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow and said, "Uncle, do you have any evidence? If you don't, you are slandering me!"
Lang Ming and Lu Zheng quickly grabbed the virtuous king. Lang Ming said, "Your Majesty has passed away. The virtuous king is deeply saddened! Your Highness, please forgive me!"
The wise king stared at them with his eyes wide open and said in a firm tone: "Let me go! I must find out the truth!" His eyes revealed an indomitable determination and anger.
The prince's face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it. He said coldly: "Come here! Help the wise king down!" His voice was cold and majestic, which made people feel afraid.
After Emperor Wen passed away, according to common sense, the crown prince should have observed mourning for a month.
However, Prime Minister Li Mingfu invited the head of the Tianshi Sect to the palace. The head counted on his fingers and then solemnly declared, "Emperor Wen died because of an evil spirit! Crown Prince Chu Chengli should ascend the throne immediately to ensure Emperor Wen's ascension to the Pure Land!" His words were filled with mystery and solemnity, moving everyone present.
The next morning, just as the sun rose, the entire capital was shrouded in a golden glow. At this beautiful moment, the coronation ceremony of Crown Prince Chu Chengli officially began.
Inside the palace, the eunuchs were busy early. They began with a grand ceremony in the palace's front courtyard, burning incense and offering prayers to heaven. During this ceremony, the eunuchs lit vast quantities of firewood and incense, filling the air with smoke and fragrance. This ritual was intended to pray to heaven, praying for the divine blessing on the new emperor's accession to the throne and for the prosperity of the nation. It also symbolized that the new emperor's power came from heaven, that he was a favored son of heaven, and that he shouldered the heavy responsibility of ruling the empire.
After the burning incense offering to heaven, the new emperor, Chu Chengli, clad in a magnificent dragon robe and crown, rode in a sedan chair slowly toward the Temple of Heaven. The Temple of Heaven was where the emperor offered sacrifices to heaven and earth and prayed for a good harvest, and it was also a symbol of imperial power. At the Temple of Heaven, Chu Chengli would offer sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth and recite a sacrificial text to express his respect and gratitude. This ritual was not only a manifestation of religious belief but also a symbol of the sanctity and inviolability of imperial power.
After completing the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, the new emperor led his ministers back to the palace and went to the Taimiao to offer sacrifices to his ancestors to express his respect and gratitude to them.
Chu Chengli stood in front of the Taimiao, burning incense, toasting and presenting flowers with a solemn and pious expression. He sincerely prayed to his ancestors to bless the country with prosperity and peace.
Finally, the new emperor led his ministers back to the ceremony venue, climbed onto the high platform, put on a gorgeous dragon robe, put on a dazzling crown, and sat solemnly on the exquisitely carved dragon throne.
At this time, the palace band played solemn music, and all officials lined up in an orderly manner below the stage, and came to the court in order of rank. They knelt respectfully and saluted, shouting "Long live the new emperor" to express their submission and loyalty to the new emperor.
The new emperor stood up, holding the imperial edict in his hand, and solemnly announced his accession to the throne, declaring to his subjects that he had become the new emperor and that the whole country must obey his rule and leadership.
Afterwards, the ceremonial officer presented the imperial seal, and the new emperor took it and placed it on the throne. This action symbolized the supremacy of the emperor's power and also marked that he officially took control of the imperial power.
The entire coronation ceremony was filled with a solemn and sacred atmosphere, showcasing the majesty and dignity of imperial power. The new emperor's accession to the throne marked the beginning of a new era. He shouldered the heavy responsibility of governing the country and safeguarding the people's livelihood, leading the country towards prosperity and strength.
At this moment, a resounding voice rang out: "Chu Chengli is plotting to murder Your Majesty! He must be executed!"
Chu Chengli stood up from the dragon throne. He looked at Chu Chengjin, who was striding into the hall, with a gloomy face and said sinisterly: "Second brother! You ordered someone to assassinate me! How dare you show up here! Don't blame me for not thinking of our brotherly love!"
Chu Chengjin stared at him fiercely, saying word by word, "Do you think this can cover up your crimes? I already have evidence of your collusion with Li Mingfu! You used Jin Xiaohe's special abilities to turn her into a terrifying weapon, controlling our father and trying to control the entire country! Now, what else do you have to say?"
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