As soon as Consort Xiao finished speaking, everyone present was stunned.
Did the emperor appoint Helian Jue as crown prince?
This doesn't sound like the truth at all.
Outsiders may not know the sage's inner turmoil, nor can they understand why a father would resent his own son so much.
However, everyone present witnessed the Sage's ruthlessness towards Helian Jue.
Three years ago, in the edict deposing the crown prince, the emperor hurled a torrent of abuse at Helian Jue.
What eccentricity, what tyranny, what extravagance!
Yes, deposing the crown prince definitely requires a "just cause".
But there's no need to be so harsh.
In the imperial edict written by the sage himself, Helian Jue was utterly useless and showed no signs of being a crown prince.
With such comments, Helian Jue is not even worthy of being a vassal king.
It was as if only death could atone for his many sins!
Of course, the sage was merciful. Even though Helian Jue had committed heinous crimes and incurred the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people, the sage could not bear to kill him. Instead, he enfeoffed him as the King of Yue and sent him to his fiefdom.
The courtiers: ...This is no grace, it's clearly a death warrant!
They dared not criticize the sage, nor dared to speculate on the relationship between the sage and Helian Jue, the father and son.
However, the court officials all sensed that the Emperor must be extremely disappointed in Helian Jue, and even felt disgust and resentment towards him!
But now, the emperor's most trusted concubine has produced the imperial edict, saying that he has appointed Helian Jue as the crown prince!
This, this—
Even Empress Ashina, who most hoped it was true, didn't believe it!
Yongchang, used to acting recklessly, said without any thought, "Xiao, are you perhaps forging a will?"
"You are Helian Jue's biological mother!"
Although Consort Xiao usually seemed very cold towards Helian Jue, as a mother, she still felt sorry for the child who had fallen from her own body.
Like Yongchang, who is extremely selfish, she even had thoughts of wanting her younger brother, who was the most indulgent towards her, dead.
Yongchang only truly cared for his daughter.
For a woman, ten months of pregnancy and childbirth are undoubtedly the most unforgettable moments in her life.
Therefore, Yongchang preferred to believe that this was a lie deliberately told by Consort Xiao in order to promote her own flesh and blood to the position of emperor.
Consort Xiao glanced at Yongchang indifferently, "I do intend to forge an imperial edict!"
"Helian Jue is the Empress's son, not mine!"
Not all mothers love their sons.
The historical story of "Duke Zheng defeating Duan at Yan" originated from the mother's resentment after a difficult childbirth.
She deliberately favored her younger son, leaving her older son with no choice but to use "praise to kill" tactics.
She had two sons, both her own, yet she hated one and loved the other, causing them to become enemies!
Yongchang was also educated. Seeing Xiao Zhaoyi's indifferent appearance, he recalled how she had neglected Helian Jue all these years.
She also thought of those biased mothers in history.
Come to think of it, the child was taken away as soon as he was born and was not raised by his side, so naturally there was no emotional bond.
Yongchang was more inclined to believe that Consort Xiao forged the imperial edict for the sake of the Third or Sixth Prince.
The three prime ministers said nothing; they didn't quite understand women's subtle thoughts.
Furthermore, whether the will is authentic or not is not actually that important.
The three prime ministers also favored Helian Jue—he had miraculous powers and the support of the empress.
Now, with the addition of a saint's "last will and testament," it would be even more perfect!
No one really cares about the truth anymore.
Empress Ashina stared intently at Consort Xiao, trying to discern something from her face.
She had a strange premonition that the Xiao family was plotting something!
But she couldn't say what Xiao was plotting.
Some things seem to be changing quietly.
However, now is not the time to consider these things; the important thing is to determine Helian Jue's official status as soon as possible.
Suppressing her doubts, Empress Ashina said in a deep voice, "Since the sage left a will, then let us act in accordance with it!"
Thus, in the shrine of the sage, Helian Jue was reinstated as crown prince.
We await the sage, or rather, the former emperor.
After the late emperor's funeral is completed, Helian Jue will ascend the throne as the new emperor.
...
It was too fast; everything happened so quickly and so smoothly.
As the crown prince, Helian Jue escorted the emperor's coffin back to the capital, and then held a grand funeral.
On the road, riding his horse, Helian Jue still felt a sense of unreality.
"It's a pity that A-Yuan isn't here!"
At such a crucial moment, A Yuan was still thousands of miles away in Lingnan.
However, he will summon A Yuan to the capital immediately!
Helian Jue had already begun to mentally prepare his speech—
Upon ascending the throne, his first imperial edict was to appoint A Yuan as Empress.
Next, the birth mother and adoptive mother were honored as Empress Dowagers, and the Empress Dowagers were promoted to Grand Empress Dowagers.
Ahem, if the Empress Dowager can still hold on after learning of the late Emperor's death!
Princess Yongchang will also be promoted to Grand Princess Yongchang.
In addition, a decision also needs to be made regarding the Tangquan Palace incident.
The fate of the Second Prince, Third Prince, and Fifth Prince is also up to Helian Jue to decide!
Oh, and there were also the Turks peeking around.
"The vanguard battalion of three thousand can go and take a look first. If the Turks really dare to come to the capital, then we'll drive them back!"
"Zhou Xin's 30,000-strong army should be arriving in the capital soon!"
Zhou Xin was Helian Jue's secret guard, and like Zhou Cheng before him, he was one of the most loyal people.
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