Yi Shangyun turned around with great satisfaction, only to see all the civil and military officials bowing and kneeling before him with utmost respect, shouting, "Your subjects pay homage to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Upon seeing this, Yi Shangyun was instantly stunned; she had never considered accepting this position.
But the current situation clearly forced him to accept the situation, so in a moment of panic, he rushed to the kneeling officials and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "No, no, no, it's not like that. Please rise, gentlemen! The succession of a new emperor is no child's play; it concerns the future survival of our Dongning Kingdom, the very foundation of our nation. I know nothing about governing the country and am truly unfit to bear this responsibility. Therefore, we should discuss this matter carefully, carefully!"
Despite feeling that he had done his best, he saw that all the officials in front of him remained motionless for a long time, bowing their heads. Yi Shangyun then looked towards Young Master Yi, who was hiding in the side hall, hoping to get some help from him.
Unexpectedly, Young Master Yi also stretched out his empty hands and waved them at him, indicating that he was also powerless to do anything about it.
Left with no other choice, Yi Shangyun quickly winked at Mei Zhixuan, pleading, "Third brother, tell me, am I right? Huh? Am I right?"
Mei Zhixuan stood to the side, arms crossed and cheeks puffed out, his heart filled with resentment and jealousy towards her.
He never expected that the King of Dongning would pass the throne to her. Even more unexpectedly, Yi Shangyun, on her first court appearance and meeting with the officials, would receive such high respect and support from everyone, clearly surpassing everything he had painstakingly cultivated over the past ten years.
Especially when she thought about how calm and composed she was when facing Empress Dowager Wen, who was always arrogant and domineering wherever she went, she couldn't help but admire her own abilities.
Seeing that neither of them was willing to help her out, Yi Shangyun had a sudden thought. In her desperation, she suddenly had a bright idea and said, "That's right, didn't my father already betroth me to the Crown Prince of Nan'an before he passed away? If that's the case, how can I possibly be the ruler of this country?"
As long as it could solve this immediate crisis, she disregarded everything and was willing to use Young Master Yi to this extent. She thought to herself, "Young Master, I'm sorry, I've offended you."
Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials of the court finally began to slowly raise their voices.
"Yes, didn't the late emperor previously issue an edict to marry Princess Yongning off to the southern kingdom?"
"Given the current situation in Lingkong, forming an alliance with Nan'an Kingdom is of paramount importance."
"Yes, yes, in that case, how can Princess Yongning become the new ruler of my Dongning Kingdom?"
"What should we do? If this happens, how should we arrange the new emperor's throne?"
"As everyone can see, the Second Prince is clearly unsuitable for the position of the new emperor!"
"But this third prince..."
As the officials spoke, their gazes all fell upon Mei Zhixuan, who was still furious. Mei Zhixuan retorted angrily, "What are you looking at? Am I a beauty? Is being stunningly beautiful enough?"
Upon hearing the sound, everyone was startled by his demeanor and quickly averted their gazes, then began whispering amongst themselves.
Just then, Young Master Yi smiled, seemingly having made up his mind, and finally slowly walked out of the side hall. He approached Yi Shangyun's side, looked at her deeply, and then turned to the assembled officials, saying, "If I, the Crown Prince, am willing to marry into Dongning, what do you all think?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Shangyun immediately looked at his face, stunned: "Marry into the family? What do you mean by marrying into the family... Third Young Master, you're simply insane, how could you have such an idea?"
Upon hearing this, even Mei Zhixuan, who had been standing by in a huff, wanting to see how Yi Shangyun would continue his act alone, could no longer hold back and raised his voice, shouting, "Young Master Yi, you're an outsider, do you even know what you're saying? What are you doing here causing trouble?"
However, some of the ministers echoed, "If the Crown Prince is truly willing to marry into our Dongning, this would not only ease the tensions between Nan'an and our country, but also protect our new emperor. It would be the best outcome, killing two birds with one stone."
Young Master Yi was overjoyed and was about to say something more when Yi Shangyun suddenly stomped her foot and exclaimed, "Young Master Yi! Are you really not understanding me?"
Just as Young Master Yi realized she was truly angry and was about to explain that he had only meant to joke with her, a hurried voice came from outside the hall: "Report!"
Yi Shangyun looked at the newcomer with surprise and asked, "What happened?"
Immediately, a soldier dressed in a dusty uniform burst through the door and knelt heavily to report: "Your Highness, the Third Prince, we have just received an urgent report that a plague is quietly spreading in Longhu City, a remote area in western my country."
Upon hearing this, everyone in front of the hall exclaimed in unison, "What? A plague?"
It seems like the scene of the last plague that almost wiped out the entire Dongning is still vivid in my mind, as if it happened just yesterday. I never thought that the same disaster would strike again.
Upon realizing this, Mei Zhixuan took two steps forward, then stared at them with alarmed eyes, earnestly confirming once again: "Is this plague no child's play? Have you found out what kind of plague it is? Is this news true?"
The soldier answered, word by word, "The plague in Dragon Tiger City is raging, unprecedented and unheard of. In just a few days, we only know that the number of deaths has increased from a few per day to nearly a hundred today, and the spread is extremely rapid. Neighboring cities have also reported the same confirmed cases. This news is absolutely true, and we dare not deceive you!"
Upon hearing this, Mei Zhixuan was so shocked that he stumbled.
The officials in front of the palace immediately erupted in uproar.
"The ancestors of Dongning Kingdom often said that plagues begin with heavy snow, start at the winter solstice, are born at the minor cold, grow at the major cold, reach their peak at the beginning of spring, weaken at the rainy season, wane at the awakening of insects, end at the spring equinox, and disappear at the Qingming Festival. But now the spring equinox has just passed, how could a plague suddenly break out?"
"The national mourning period has just ended, the new emperor's position is still undecided, and now a plague has descended upon Dongning. Could it be that..."
"This is truly an ominous sign! Could it be that Dongning is really going to... Alas!"
"A plague whose cause remains unknown to this day, what should we do?"
...
Hearing the dejected expressions and sighs of those in front of the hall, Yi Shangyun frowned deeply in thought.
Finally, she bit her lip, as if she had silently made a decision in her heart.
She then raised her voice and issued an order: "Issue an order for all cities in our country to immediately close their city gates, and prohibit all gatherings and assemblies within the city, especially with those outside, in any way or for any reason. All government offices shall do their utmost to provide disaster relief. I, the princess, shall immediately proceed to the epidemic area of Dragon Tiger City to personally inspect the situation!"
Upon hearing this, Young Master Yi's eyes widened as he looked at her fair and earnest profile and said, "Girl, are you out of your mind!"
Mei Zhixuan also turned his head in surprise to look at her other profile, which was now incredibly resolute. He couldn't believe his ears and said, "Royal sister, you said you're going to the plague zone?!"
All the officials unanimously advised, "Princess, you must not take the risk of going to the epidemic area."
After a moment's thought, Yi Shangyun said to everyone in a low voice, "I never expected that such a natural disaster would strike Dongning so soon after my father's passing. Now, the people of Dongning are suffering so much. If I, the princess, do not go, then tell me, who else will go?"
Upon hearing this, the hall fell into complete silence. All the civil and military officials lowered their heads. This was a plague that was many times more ferocious than tigers, wolves, and wild beasts...
The room was silent.
Suddenly, Young Master Yi's voice rang out in the main hall. He raised his voice and said firmly, "I'll go!"
Upon hearing this, Yi Shangyun suddenly turned to face him and stared at him intently for a while.
Finally, he said earnestly and gratefully, "Third Young Master, I know your intentions. But ultimately, this is a matter of state for my Dongning Kingdom. As an outsider, you shouldn't get involved anymore. Just as my Third Brother said, 'The plague is no child's play.' Even if your medical skills are excellent, didn't you hear that this is a new type of plague we've never seen before? We still don't know how the epidemic will unfold, so how can we let you take the risk? I already owe you so much in this life. So please don't add to my sins, okay?"
"But..." Young Master Yi was genuinely worried about her, as if he still wanted to try again.
Yi Shangyun gave him no further chance to take risks, turning back to the officials before her and saying, "Didn't you all just say that I, the princess, am the next ruler of Dongning? If that's the case, then it's only right that I, the princess, go to the plague-stricken area to investigate! Perhaps this is a test from Heaven for me, the new ruler!"
The civil and military officials, upon hearing this, seemed to have some merit, but still felt there was a great deal of inappropriateness: "But if the princess were to leave the palace, it would be as if our Dongning Kingdom were leaderless. If the covetous Western Qin were to learn of this and attempt to invade our country, what would we do then?"
After thinking for a moment, Yi Shangyun said, "Don't worry, this princess will definitely control the epidemic as soon as possible and will not give Western Qin the opportunity to take advantage of the situation."
The civil and military officials seemed unwilling to let the matter rest.
Yi Shangyun then stretched out a hand to stop them, and solemnly announced: "Alright, you don't need to persuade me anymore, it's decided like this. The epidemic cannot be delayed, and human life is of paramount importance. I, the princess, will set off for the epidemic area immediately. During the time I am away from the palace, all state affairs will be decided by the Third Prince, and all ministers must assist him wholeheartedly and without fail!"
Upon hearing this authoritative voice, all the civil and military officials suddenly became respectful and knelt down to obey: "Your Highness, we will obey your command and do our utmost to assist the Third Prince in governing the country!"
Seeing this, Yi Shangyun seemed relieved and then said to Mei Zhixuan with a meaningful and sincere tone, "Your Majesty, this time I can personally hand Dongning over to you. If you can restrain your fierceness and be more benevolent, you will surely become a great man in time. I never cared about this throne; it is yours. I only hope that you can treat the people of Dongning better."
“You…” Mei Zhixuan stared at her in surprise, clearly ashamed to face her.
Watching Yi Shangyun calmly leave the main hall after arranging everything, Young Master Yi watched her from behind, silently praising her in his heart: "Girl, you did a great job!"
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