Chapter 114 Announcement
"Huh? He vomited blood?"
What's going on?
During lunch, news from the palace reached the Dingxi Prince's residence, and Cen Yan listened to Liu Qi's report while eating.
"Did he say that himself?" Cen Yan paused with his chopsticks and asked.
Liu Qi: "No, it is said that the Sixth Prince took a series of imperial edicts that were announced earlier and went into the Imperial Study."
Cen Yan understood and smiled, "He's become much more astute now."
The imperial edicts were all drafted by Li De and the cabinet.
Even if Emperor Shengwu died of anger, it couldn't be said that Li Yang did it; it had to be attributed to Li De.
Cen Yan became interested: "The imperial edict talks about the feud between the fourth prince and the eighth prince. What happened next? What else did the eighth prince bring? Could it be...?"
Liu Qi: "As you predicted, Master, what you brought is evidence of Li De's private army. His Majesty gained the throne on horseback, and as you know, he is particularly wary of such matters. Bringing these things..."
Cen Yan laughed and continued, "That was indeed a blow to His Majesty's heart."
He had been on guard against this his whole life, but he was afraid that someone would follow in his footsteps. The old ministers who had supported Emperor Shengwu's ascension to the throne had all been stripped of their power or executed. But when it came to the end, despite all his precautions, he was betrayed by his own son.
Or perhaps it's her youngest son, whom she's especially favored in the last two years.
It's really...
Cen Yan lowered his eyes, unable to hide his smile, and said, "What a good show."
His eyes were mischievous, almost as if he was saying he regretted not being there to enjoy the live show.
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing bit her chopsticks and asked seriously, "So, what's the situation now?"
Liu Qi: "It is said that after recovering, His Majesty still read through the things the Sixth Prince brought, and then..."
Cen Yan: "The imperial physician has been summoned again?"
Liu Qi: "The imperial physician was right next to us. We moved from the study to the main hall, but only the imperial physician, Eunuch Feng, one of Eunuch Feng's apprentices, and finally the sixth prince remained in the inner room."
So, not many people know what happened in the end.
But some things can't be hidden, for example...
Cen Yan asked, "What they talked about isn't important. The key question is, what happened after the Sixth Prince left?"
This was exactly what Liu Qi wanted to report: "After the Sixth Prince left, the imperial physician stayed for more than an hour before leaving the main hall. The palace servants who were called afterward were all apprentices of Eunuch Feng. They were busy running around, and you could see people coming and going quickly. After the imperial physician left, a eunuch followed him to the Imperial Hospital to prepare the medicine. By now, he should have already taken it."
Cen Yan: "Given His Majesty's personality, he will likely read them all."
Zhuang Dongqing asked, puzzled, "Aren't you worried about your health?"
Seeing that the patient had already vomited blood, they still wanted Tie Tou to finish reading the entire book. Did they really think that imperial physicians were gods who could save lives?
"Actually, it's precisely because of health concerns that I want to watch it all at once."
"The matter of the Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince cannot be kept secret. We've already heard about Li Ren's death, and the worst-case scenario is that the Eighth Prince will also be punished... If we start something and then leave a loose end to watch, people will always be thinking about it and making wild guesses, which is even worse..."
Cen Yan paused, then said sarcastically, "Besides, given His Majesty's mindset, the palace is now out of his control. He knows he can't hide the fact that he vomited blood, and rather than be used by someone with ulterior motives to come and tell him, he might as well get it all over with in one go. Whether it's good or bad, it'll all be decided on this one day."
Zhuang Dongqing thought for a moment, then muttered, "But his health..."
Cen Yan: "Of course I can't stand it."
"But there's no need to worry too much."
When the eunuch came to inquire, Cen Yan had already hinted that if the injury was serious, it would be better to administer both pills at the same time. In any case, Emperor Shengwu should be informed of the situation in the court first, so that if his health deteriorated, the throne could be passed on.
Of course, it might not necessarily be passed on to Li Yang.
However, dragging things out and waiting for the clan to react will only make things more complicated. It's better to act quickly. Even if Emperor Shengwu doesn't pass the decree to Li Yang, Eunuch Feng has already sided with Li Yang. After Emperor Shengwu passes away, the will will be easier to carry out.
Cen Yan: "The palace has plenty of medicines, enough to keep us alive for the next few days."
It sounded easy to say and reasonable enough, so Zhuang Dongqing didn't think much of it and nodded in agreement.
But after Liu Qi left, Zhuang Dongqing asked the crucial question, "Your Majesty, will you pass the throne to Li Yang?"
Cen Yan replied truthfully, "If their mind is still clear, they will; if they are completely confused, then it's hard to say."
Zhuang Dongqing looked at Cen Yan.
Cen Yan analyzed, "Sometimes people are like that. They can't keep some things, but they're unwilling to give them to the most suitable person. Li Yang wanted it, so it's not impossible that he just wouldn't give it to her."
Li Yang witnessed his decline.
It proved his incompetence.
He had previously lost his heart to him, and now, of the several adult princes, none of them were of any use. In the end, it was this son who had become estranged from him who saved his life.
Logically speaking, a normal person should be moved.
Unfortunately, Emperor Shengwu was no normal person. Emperors are often suspicious, and Li Yang's behavior during this period could lead to his suspicions. If he had other ideas, it would be hard to say who would ultimately inherit the throne.
But of course, it doesn't matter. If the throne isn't passed on, someone will naturally push Li Yang to take it.
Over the years, the old ministers who remained in the court were not truly of one mind with Emperor Shengwu.
To enjoy one's later years in peace, one must be pragmatic and moderate.
Emperor Shengwu's later years were already miserable enough. If another emperor were to be installed, it would lead to decades of turmoil. No normal person would want to see such a court situation.
Zhuang Dongqing thought for a moment and nodded: "You're right."
"However, given His Majesty's health and long-term isolation from the outside world, coupled with Eunuch Feng's extensive time with Li Yang, His Majesty's attitude is perhaps not the most important factor anymore."
Cen Yan smiled: "Your insight is brilliant!"
Zhuang Dongqing then knew that she had guessed correctly.
After thinking about it for a while, I felt relieved.
Following the storyline and ending as described in the text is the best outcome.
Once the dust settles, the storms in the capital will subside for a few years, and everyone will enjoy a period of clear skies.
*
Zhuang Dongqing knew the ending and felt relieved.
However, the atmosphere in the capital was still tense and fraught with anxiety.
That day, he took Cen An to a restaurant to eat local specialties. When they got home, Cen An was so sleepy that she fell into Zhuang Dongqing's arms. As soon as they arrived at the mansion, the gatekeeper came to report that someone was looking for him and claimed to be a distant relative.
"Has Liu Qi seen it?" Zhuang Dongqing asked the gatekeeper after handing Cen An over to Liu Fu.
"Manager Liu went to the Dali Temple with his master and has not returned yet."
"Where are they now?"
"We'll place it in the small living room and wait for you to return, young master, to make a decision."
Zhuang Dongqing thought for a moment and figured that nothing would go wrong in the Prince's mansion. He took two personal guards and went to the small living room. As soon as he entered, he was stunned.
The one in the lead was someone I'd met a few times; she was a girl Li Yang had rescued to repay a debt of gratitude.
The one behind that... is Li Yang.
"Brother Dongqing, I apologize for disturbing you by meeting in this way." Wearing a hat but knowing he couldn't hide it from Zhuang Dongqing, Li Yang simply got straight to the point.
Zhuang Dongqing had the guards stand watch at the door. After thinking for a moment, he asked directly, "Do you want to see Cen Yan?"
"Brother Dongqing is wise."
Zhuang Dongqing then realized that it must be related to Emperor Shengwu.
This is in conjunction with the news about Liu Qi yesterday.
Zhuang Dongqing: "He went to Dali Temple today, and I sent someone to find him and bring him back."
Li Yang: "If that's the case, then that would be perfect."
Without any hesitation, Zhuang Dongqing understood that it must be an extremely urgent matter.
Not knowing if other people would be suitable, Zhuang Dongqing thought for a moment, then summoned Xu Si and explained the situation. Xu Si immediately warned, "If he comes to see you under the pretext of looking for you, young master, then the Sixth Prince is most likely leaving the palace in secret and does not want outsiders to know about this trip."
Zhuang Dongqing sighed, "That's what I was thinking too."
"So I don't know if it would be appropriate to send someone to find Cen Yan right now."
Xu Si thought for a moment, "How about this, I'll find an excuse to go see the master."
Zhuang Dongqing relaxed, "Then I'll have to trouble Commander Xu."
This is the best way.
"Young master, you're too kind."
Xu Si bowed and left in a hurry.
Zhuang Dongqing then moved to the small living room, where he ordered Liufu to serve him good tea and water, and chatted with Li Yang to make sure he wasn't being neglected.
Times have changed. In a few days, when he sees Li Yang, he should address him as "Your Majesty"; proper etiquette is still necessary.
"I'm doing well lately."
"Yes, apart from the people who serve him personally, no one else knows anything about it."
"The matter is of great importance, and we did not inform Eunuch Feng."
As they talked, Li Yang answered Zhuang Dongqing's casual questions seriously without giving him a perfunctory reply.
His answers were so frank that Zhuang Dongqing felt a little embarrassed.
"You...can you just tell me like this?"
Feeling guilty, he asked the question aloud.
Li Yang smiled upon hearing this, but after smiling, her expression returned to calm, carrying a hint of melancholy that Zhuang Dongqing was unfamiliar with.
"It's nothing, you've always been tight-lipped. Besides the Prince, who else would you talk to about these things?"
As for Cen Yan, he didn't need to be on guard at all; in fact, he even needed to rely on the other party's strength.
That is also the purpose of this visit.
Zhuang Dongqing: "...Oh."
"So, having said that, you're really doing alright lately?"
The same question was asked again. Last time, it was just polite talk, but this time it was brought up specifically, which clearly meant that Zhuang Dongqing didn't want to hear polite talk.
Li Yang lowered her eyes.
After a moment, she said softly, "That's all there is to it. You know the situation. Whether it's good or bad depends entirely on how you think about it."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Your Majesty, last time, didn't you...?"
Before the question could be finished, Li Yang admitted, "Yes, I was scolded because I suggested holding a religious ceremony for my mother."
Zhuang Dongqing remained silent.
I never expected it was because of...
After a moment, Zhuang Dongqing said, "Your Majesty is really something. Even at this point, you still... After all, we've been together for a while, there should still be some affection between us."
"People leave and tea grows cold, that's just how it is." Li Yang smiled and said naturally, "But it's nothing, I'll make it up to my mother later."
The last sentence was so loaded with information that Zhuang Dongqing was hesitant to respond.
Fortunately, footsteps were heard outside the door.
Cen Yan is back.
Zhuang Dongqing quickly cleared the space and left with Liufu.
After exchanging greetings and sitting down, Li Yang got straight to the point: "My father doesn't have much time left."
"When I heard that my fourth brother had been executed yesterday, I vomited blood. After that, I saw a lot of evidence that my eighth brother had been raising a private army. I was filled with grief and indignation. The imperial physician gave me acupuncture and used a century-old ginseng to keep me alive. I only recovered by night."
Cen Yan wasn't surprised; it was pretty much what he had guessed.
Li Yang: "There was no added amount of pills."
"After taking a new pill this morning, my breathing has become much smoother."
"Perhaps sensing something, the Emperor issued a decree, requesting to see the Prince and several important officials."
The words "transmitting an imperial edict" were used, but the meaning of the edict was not revealed... It was clear at a glance who was in charge in the palace now.
Cen Yan took a sip of tea. "During the audience, will you be summoned to serve me?"
After a moment of silence, Li Yang replied truthfully, "According to Eunuch Feng's account, it seems that's not what he meant."
Cen Yan's sharp remark: "Then the power might fall into the wrong hands?"
"……perhaps."
Cen Yan: "The Sixth Prince came to see me about this matter?"
Li Yang: "This is one of them."
Cen Yan raised his eyebrows, showing interest.
When their eyes met, Li Yang was no longer met with a nervous expression; on the contrary, she was unusually calm today.
It seems that Li Yang has grown up very quickly during his time in the palace.
Cen Yan: "Actually, I have a pretty good idea of what His Majesty wants to ask me. And coincidentally, I also have some things on my mind that I want to confide in His Majesty. However, I could also choose not to talk to His Majesty about this. Once the medicine from the Southern Frontier is cut off and His Majesty falls into a deep sleep, there will be nothing for me to do. Why should I get involved in this mess?"
Li Yang lowered his eyes for a moment, then went straight to the point and said, "What if His Majesty were to bestow a marriage upon the Prince and Brother Dongqing?"
"It sounds good, but it's ultimately empty talk."
Li Yang took a deep breath.
Cen Yan thought his offer was too weak.
After thinking it over carefully, Li Yang said, "If that's the case, Your Highness has already made up your mind. It would be better if Your Highness spoke frankly."
Cen Yan laughed.
In contrast, Li Yang's expression remained calm, as if he could handle anything he heard.
*
The following day, Emperor Shengwu summoned Cen Yan and several important court officials.
When the imperial edict arrived at the Prince's residence, Cen Yanzhuang, Dong Qing, and Cen An, who had been specially named, were all ready to depart at any time.
Once they were in the carriage arranged by the palace, the little boy tugged at his clothes and kept moving, saying, "Daddy, my neck feels numb."
The prince's robes were embroidered with gold thread, which, due to the child's delicate skin, clung to the collar and caused severe itching.
Before Zhuang Dongqing could make a move, Cen Yan picked up the little boy and placed him on his lap, gently pulling aside the child's collar with his hand, and asked, "Are you feeling better?"
Cen An'an nodded.
Zhuang Dongqing couldn't help but warn, "You can't do that once we're in the palace."
Having been taught everything yesterday, Cen An'an was exceptionally obedient and nodded, saying, "An'an knows."
"I'll endure it until I leave the palace."
The child was sensible, and Zhuang Dongqing felt a pang of heartache. She touched the child's face and said, "It's alright, it won't be long."
Cen Yan was not particular about such things. "After you have met His Majesty, you can have Liu Fu separate you with a handkerchief."
Zhuang Dongqing glanced at him and nodded.
Actually, he was a little nervous today.
Cen Yan noticed it too.
Fortunately, the palace procedures were complicated, so it was alright once I actually met Emperor Shengwu.
There was no other reason than that the person in the hospital bed was extremely old; Zhuang Dongqing felt it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was on his deathbed.
I struggled to sit up and leaned against the headboard.
Cen An'an used his usual sweet talk, saying one auspicious word after another, making Emperor Shengwu smile from ear to ear.
He even laughed so hard that Eunuch Feng brought him water and fed it to Emperor Shengwu to help him calm down.
"Very good, very good. Now that I see you have an heir and someone you like, I can explain things to your father in the future."
After speaking for a while, Emperor Shengwu was exhausted and had to keep going.
After saying that, he called Zhuang Dongqing forward and asked her a few questions. During the question-and-answer session, looking at Zhuang Dongqing's appearance, Emperor Shengwu was somewhat lost in thought and suddenly murmured, "His demeanor is somewhat like your mother's back then."
Zhuang Dongqing was taken aback.
Cen Yan replied, "He's just a bit simple-minded; otherwise, he's not like Consort Tao at all."
Emperor Shengwu's cloudy eyes were glued to Zhuang Dongqing, making Zhuang Dongqing very uncomfortable.
"That's true..."
"Tao Hui is incapable of being cunning, but you're genuinely open and honest in your search for this person."
Emperor Shengwu said precisely.
Cen Yan just smiled.
Zhuang Dongqing forced himself to reply a few more times, and then Emperor Shengwu wanted to personally bestow the marriage. The imperial edict had actually been written, with Eunuch Feng writing it on his behalf. Emperor Shengwu simply wrote the names of the two people in the blank space.
After the imperial edict was written, Zhuang Dongqing accepted it respectfully, but his mind was in a daze.
Suddenly becoming a princess is a bit hard to accept.
To say I'm very happy would be an exaggeration.
But the feeling of being unhappy was as thin as a piece of paper, yet it also gave him a strange sense of belonging.
"Let the Princess and the Crown Prince leave. There are some things I need to say to A-Yan alone."
Before he could even burn an incense stick in the room, Emperor Shengwu could no longer hold on and dismissed Zhuang Dongqing and Cen An.
Cen Yan: "Then I will trouble you, Eunuch, to lead Qingqing and An'an to the side hall."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Feng couldn't help but look at Emperor Shengwu.
He left, leaving only the two of them in the room, and the conversation became a private discussion.
Clearly, Cen Yan was aware of Emperor Shengwu's thoughts. After he finished speaking, Emperor Shengwu waved his hand, signaling Eunuch Feng to take his men away.
Eunuch Feng bowed and did as instructed.
Zhuang Dongqing couldn't help but look at Cen Yan, her gaze filled with trepidation.
As they parted, Cen Yan gently squeezed her hand and whispered, "Wait for me, I'll be there in a bit."
Zhuang Dongqing nodded.
He led Cen An out the door with Eunuch Feng.
As the two stepped out of the bedchamber, the door creaked shut. Emperor Shengwu straightened up a little, and Cen Yan finally raised his eyes to carefully examine the emperor before him.
Two years had passed. He felt fine while lying in bed, but once he woke up and started talking, Emperor Shengwu's aged appearance could no longer be concealed.
"I'm getting old, aren't I?" Emperor Shengwu seemed to be able to see into Cen Yan's heart and pointed it out.
Cen Yan lowered his eyes, his eyelashes drooping, breaking eye contact. "Your Majesty, please don't say such discouraging things. For ten thousand years, the Great Sheng Dynasty will still need you."
Emperor Shengwu smiled and said, "Only you would say such things to please me."
Cen Yan: "Didn't the Sixth Prince say that?"
Emperor Shengwu's smile froze, and the air in the bedchamber instantly solidified. When he spoke again, Emperor Shengwu asked directly, "So, why did you choose Xiao Liu?"
senescence.
But the way he asked that question was full of force.
If he were ten years younger, this question would probably have made many officials kneel in apprehension.
But that's no longer possible.
The person in front of me was an old man who was nearing the end of his life.
Cen Yan's gaze fell on the hand that Emperor Shengwu had placed outside the blanket. The back of the hand was withered, and the age spots on the skin were particularly eye-catching, reminding people that the owner of this body was no longer young and beautiful.
"In fact, I did not choose the Sixth Prince."
"As you know, I have the same attitude towards whoever succeeds me."
Emperor Shengwu smiled, then sneered, "Don't try to fool me!"
Cen Yan: "Your subject dares not."
His chest heaved slightly. Emperor Shengwu wanted to get angry, but for some reason, he held back and said in a softer tone, "My days are numbered. Ayan, you are someone I watched grow up. You are, cough cough, I am practically your elder. At a time like this, are you going to lie to me?"
The description is quite pitiful.
However, Cen Yan did not buy it.
"Your subject dares not."
Emperor Shengwu was so angry that he coughed repeatedly.
Cen Yan stepped forward and patted Emperor Shengwu's back with practiced skill, showing no signs of inexperience.
Emperor Shengwu's brows relaxed, and he praised, "Your technique is better than that of many of my children and grandchildren."
Cen Yan: "My father had old wounds from his battles, and he would cough in his later years. He's become more skilled at it."
When the old prince was mentioned, Emperor Shengwu's vision blurred for a moment as he recalled many past events.
But when he spoke, he was still focused on his own purpose, saying, "Cen Gong entrusted you to me, and I believe I have raised you to adulthood. Is it so difficult to ask for a single truth now?"
Cen Yan said coldly, "The difficulty is not in telling the truth, Your Majesty, but in that you want to hear what I say based on your guesses."
"But the truth is, you're wrong. That's not what I thought at all."
"As far as I am concerned, I did not actively choose anyone."
"I guess what you really want to ask is whether I've already sided with the Sixth Prince?"
Emperor Shengwu's breath hitched, and he heard Cen Yan beside his bed, still with that kind of nephew-like demeanor, gently say, "That should be it."
"After all, with so many princes, you didn't give me any choice."
Emperor Shengwu's expression turned serious: "What do you mean?"
"It's just the literal meaning."
Cen Yan calmly uttered disrespectful words: "The Crown Prince is mediocre and foolish. He cannot manage his subordinates well, nor can he conceal his treacherous intentions. He is easily manipulated and is also feared by you. Such a minister is one you would never dare to choose."
"The Third Prince is insidious and his mind is not on the right path. Even if he ascends the throne, he will not be able to hold onto the country."
"I do not wish to see another chaotic world like the one during the reign of the late emperor."
"The Fourth Prince is too honest and lacks his own opinions. Otherwise, he wouldn't have fled from the Third Prince's residence after the incident, without even offering a defense, and would have returned to the capital to start a rebellion."
"As for the Eighth Prince, he is the culmination of all the problems of his brothers, so I think there is no need for me to say more."
"In conclusion, the Sixth Prince is simply indecisive. Given that he can still be nurtured, what options do you think I have, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Shengwu: "Cough, cough, cough..."
Just as he was about to scold her, he couldn't stop coughing.
Cen Yan patted Emperor Shengwu's back respectfully, and even helped him spit and rinse his mouth with water.
After all that commotion, Emperor Shengwu was still taking deep breaths, but unfortunately, he suffered from a common ailment of the elderly: he was taking in less air and exhaling more, a clear sign that his life was nearing its end.
Cen Yan shut his mouth again and asked Emperor Shengwu if he wanted to take his medicine. He then called in Eunuch Feng.
Emperor Shengwu rejected it.
I only gave him two throat lozenges to suck on.
When Cen Yan took it, he smelled a strong ginseng aroma, which suggested that there might be some thousand-year-old ginseng used in medicine.
But he pretended not to know, and when Emperor Shengwu asked for it, he gave it to him.
I put the pill in my mouth, and sure enough, my breathing became much smoother.
Emperor Shengwu: "How dare you speak so highly of a prince!"
Cen Yan: "You just asked me to speak the truth, and now you're commenting on the prince. You've never treated me as a son or nephew."
Emperor Shengwu was taken aback.
Cen Yan smiled and said, "Fortunately, before I went to the capital, my father repeatedly warned me, and I never once crossed the line between the emperor and his subjects, or even tried to become His Majesty's nephew."
Realizing something, Emperor Shengwu looked directly at Cen Yan and asked, "Do you know something?"
Cen Yan: "No one told me before I came, but having served as your subject for so many years, I can guess some things."
"If the sixth prince is not made emperor, then the position of regent will be offered to him in exchange for the position of a young prince."
"Your Majesty, am I right?"
Emperor Shengwu's breathing quickened, and he quickly closed his eyes. After a long while, he finally spoke, lamenting, "Cen Gong has a good son. It's a pity that after a lifetime of fighting and building this vast empire, I still don't have a crown prince who suits my taste."
Cen Yan asked sharply, "Is it that you really don't have it, or that you don't want to?"
Emperor Shengwu looked at Cen Yan.
Cen Yan, however, seemed to have shed his gentle and virtuous exterior and continued, "Isn't the Sixth Prince good? When Consort Shu was alive, you really liked the Sixth Prince's childlike nature, didn't you?"
Emperor Shengwu pursed his lips into a straight line and said stiffly, "Li Yang has defied me."
Cen Yan: "Is it just because he doesn't want to cover for you and wants to hold a religious ceremony for Consort Shu?"
"Sometimes I really don't understand you."
“When the Crown Prince was young, it was you who taught him to be dull and stupid. When he grew up, it was you who disliked him for being too stupid and too easy to understand.”
"Later, it was you who deposed the Crown Prince by forming a faction; it was your idea to imprison him, and you were reluctant to kill him. Afterwards, it was you who ordered the Crown Prince to be executed for plotting a rebellion at the hunting grounds."
"Even though you were fully aware of the Crown Prince's unusual activities, you were still willing to cooperate in setting up this scheme to wipe out the Crown Prince's remaining supporters. Wasn't that all your doing?"
"He crippled her, killed her, but afterwards, for the sake of the Crown Prince's reputation, he refused to admit that his favorite concubine had been killed by him?"
"Don't you find it a bit ridiculous? I think if the Crown Prince were alive, he probably wouldn't care about this additional charge, would he?"
Emperor Shengwu was breathing heavily. Before he could speak, Cen Yan interrupted him, saying, "Your Majesty, it would be better to calm down and avoid getting angry."
"Oh, what were we talking about, Sixth Prince?"
"I thought you knew you had wronged the Sixth Prince, but just because you're unwilling to admit it, you're denying Li Yang's entire character. Isn't that a bit... senile and confused?"
Emperor Shengwu slammed his fist on the bed, "How dare you!!"
"Cough, cough cough, cough cough—"
Cen Yan patted his back.
After recovering from this ordeal, Emperor Shengwu was increasingly exhausted and had no choice but to steer the conversation back to the main topic: "So, you don't agree to establish a child as heir?"
Cen Yan: "Does Your Majesty wish for the world to descend into chaos?"
"You scoundrel, how could that be?"
Cen Yan: "Then Your Majesty should not have established a child emperor. Over the years, there have been capable ministers in the court, some have been killed and others have been demoted. The ministers in the court are all mediocre. When Li Ren and Li De were fighting, not a single person stood up to stop them. They are so incompetent. If another child emperor is established, there will be no capable people in the court and the emperor will have no opinion. Wouldn't that be a sign of great chaos?"
After several outbursts of anger, Emperor Shengwu seemed to have truly run out of strength and only wanted to make proper arrangements for his affairs after his death. He ended up arguing with Cen Yan about it.
"Cough, cough, aren't we still here, and a few old ministers?"
This also indirectly acknowledges the inappropriateness of their actions over the years.
Cen Yan: "But those who stay are not ambitious."
“Take me for example. I have no ambition. My only wish is to return to my fiefdom and live a simple life. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have stayed in the court for so many years and served you.”
Emperor Shengwu was speechless.
He closed his eyes briefly, "Even the regent with all the power in the court, you..."
Cen Yan: "I do not wish to."
"When I left the capital, I said something. Do you remember it?"
Emperor Shengwu was in a daze, his memory too distant, and when suddenly asked, he didn't know what Cen Yan was talking about for a moment.
Cen Yan was not surprised by this result and took the initiative to repeat: "When I returned to my fiefdom back then, I said that I was willing to guard this corner of Dian for the Great Sheng and be loyal to Your Majesty for life. Your Majesty need not doubt me."
"That's what I think now too."
"If he really had such ambitions, why bother with being a regent? The entire Great Sheng Dynasty would be within his grasp right now, wouldn't it?"
Emperor Shengwu's eyes widened.
He glared angrily at Cen Yan.
Cen Yan remained calm and composed, looking back without the slightest fear.
In the reflection of Cen Yan's eyes, Emperor Shengwu clearly saw his own aging.
He's so old that people are taking advantage of him and talking to him like that.
Emperor Shengwu's chest suddenly heaved. When Cen Yan saw this, he flipped his hand and placed several silver needles on Emperor Shengwu's neck and chest, temporarily suppressing the surging feeling.
But he suppressed it, and for a brief moment, Emperor Shengwu was unable to utter a single word, only panting to himself.
Cen Yan knew why.
I was furious.
but.
"Your Majesty, I haven't finished speaking yet."
"This acupuncture technique was taught to me by Master Zhao. It can temporarily suppress emotional fluctuations, calm people down, and prevent them from vomiting blood."
Emperor Shengwu could understand every word, but he didn't quite get it.
What does that mean? Will he vomit blood?
Once the thought arose, it was hard to deny; perhaps it really was true...
Cen Yan didn't give Emperor Shengwu much time to think, because he spoke again.
"Is His Majesty not planning to pass the throne to the Sixth Prince?"
Emperor Shengwu was agitated and remained silent for a moment.
Cen Yan: "I understand."
Emperor Shengwu asked in a hoarse voice with difficulty, "What... what do you know?"
He doesn't understand.
Cen Yan replied truthfully, "You are unwilling."
"Even a child emperor may not necessarily want to pass on the throne. You still want to stay healthy for a few more years to think it over carefully."
Emperor Shengwu lost his speech.
He had indeed considered it that way before.
"But how many more years is too many? When I first came to the aid of the emperor, you said that we needed to consider who should serve. Now it has been three years since the deposed crown prince passed away..."
"It's not that you don't want to consider it, it's just that you're unwilling to consider it."
"You just don't want to hand over this position."
As if he had understood his situation, Emperor Shengwu stopped his tirade and instead asked, "Is there anything wrong with my thinking?"
“If people could really live to be ten thousand years old, then there’s nothing wrong with that,” Cen Yan said, her voice piercing.
Emperor Shengwu's breathing became rapid again.
But the silver needles seemed to have been inserted somewhere, and his anger couldn't be ignited; he was forced to remain calm.
Emperor Shengwu coughed a few more times.
"If you're unwilling, then kneel down and leave. I'll see the next person."
Cen Yan: "But I still have something I want to say to Your Majesty."
Emperor Shengwu looked at Cen Yan and sneered, "It's not something that would infuriate someone to death, is it?"
"Just some old stories."
Cen Yan: "I've never gotten along with the Third Prince since I was a child..."
Emperor Shengwu's expression softened. "You two are indeed unwilling to give in to each other."
Cen Yan: "Li Zhuo is short-sighted. He likes to flaunt his status as a prince, and he is also ashamed of his mother's past as a palace maid who rose to power."
"Actually, you don't think much of this son either, otherwise you would have had so many opportunities to correct him, but you never tried."
Emperor Shengwu closed his eyes and spoke slowly: "I don't have that much time. Besides, I've never taken a liking to Zhuo'er."
When choosing a crown prince, Emperor Shengwu did have some requirements regarding birth.
Li Zhuo was not among his choices.
Cen Yan: "So he doesn't dare to do anything to the Crown Prince, but he can't stand me, whom you personally raised."
"He has done countless things over the years, such as attempting to castrate Liu Qi, secretly beating Hao San, and making things difficult for Xu Si."
“Every time this matter comes to you, you still protect him.”
Emperor Shengwu: "Otherwise, they're always my children?"
Cen Yan: "Once, things got really out of hand. Like with Xu Si, I held a knife to Li Zhuo's neck. If people had arrived a moment later, my knife might not have just pierced his shoulder, but his neck. Do you remember?"
Emperor Shengwu remembered.
Li Zhuo went too far that time, driving Cen Yan to madness.
When they arrived, it was covered in blood, and Cen Yan even said some disrespectful things.
Cen Yan: "I said back then that Your Majesty could not protect him for a lifetime, but Your Majesty interrupted me after that."
Emperor Shengwu realized something in his hazy mind and looked at Cen Yan with a serious expression.
In the same gentle, conversational tone, Cen Yan continued:
"Your Majesty, I would say that it's best if he never falls into my hands."
Emperor Shengwu's breathing tightened: "Why are you telling me this now?"
"It is the father's fault if he raises a son but does not teach him properly." Cen Yan smiled.
Emperor Shengwu was familiar with this expression, a slightly unnatural smile. Cen Yan often wore this expression when he did something out of line.
"you……"
Cen Yan: "I think you really want to know, and on the other hand, I also really want to tell you."
"Actually, it was me who killed Li Zhuo."
Emperor Shengwu's cloudy eyes suddenly widened and stared, his eyes bulging as if they were about to burst!
"you!"
Cen Yan nodded: "Yes, it was me in the end who framed the Fourth Prince. There was nothing I could do; those two brothers were just too stupid. If you had put in a little more effort to teach them, things wouldn't have come to this..."
"Your Majesty, I still remember that after entering the palace, the first Buddhist text you taught me and the Crown Prince was the Nirvana Sutra, which started with the idea that you reap what you sow."
"Doesn't the current situation perfectly fit this statement?"
Thinking of something, Cen Yan leaned closer and said, word by word.
"Even with the knife stuck in Li Zhuo's body, he still didn't believe I dared to lay a hand on him."
“I watched him die.”
"That moment was truly exhilarating; all the pent-up anger from so many years was finally released."
"Even after shooting Li De in the shoulder and parading him through the streets, I never felt as comfortable as I do now."
As he spoke, his hand brushed across Emperor Shengwu's chest.
With a sigh of relief, Emperor Shengwu exclaimed, "Traitor... waah..."
Before he could finish speaking, a mouthful of blood gushed out.
Emperor Shengwu was stunned.
Belatedly realizing what was happening, Cen Yan removed the silver needles from his body.
Cen Yan just watched him quietly.
That gaze was no different from looking at a dead person.
Emperor Shengwu realized something and tried to stop his rage, but unfortunately, he continued to vomit blood, almost uncontrollably.
Emperor Shengwu felt warmth all over his clothes and wanted to say something, but his vision grew darker and darker and his body grew lighter and lighter.
...
Looking at the unconscious Emperor Shengwu, Cen Yan stood up and calmly said, "I have finished speaking."
As soon as Eunuch Feng entered the room, he smelled the stench of blood and immediately knew something was wrong.
But Cen Yan caught him first.
Cen Yan: "Please trouble you to lead me to the side hall, sir."
Eunuch Feng stammered incoherently, "But...but..."
"Don't worry, His Majesty was just scolding the Sixth Prince and got angry. He'll be fine tonight."
Nothing's happening tonight, so that means...
Cen Yan said coldly, "Lead the way, sir."
Realizing that Cen Yan wasn't joking, Eunuch Feng paused for a moment, then nodded, told his apprentice and the imperial physician to get to work, and led Cen Yan out.
After leaving the palace, Cen Yancai said, "His Majesty intends to establish the youngest son as heir, so there is no edict of succession."
"Make preparations, and tomorrow let the ministers enthrone the new emperor."
Grandpa Feng couldn't say anything, he just nodded.
Cen Yan: "If any of the people behind you make any unusual moves, you know how to handle it."
“If Li Yang doesn’t sit still, your father-in-law knows what will happen to her.”
Eunuch Feng swallowed. "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."
Turning and entering the side hall, Zhuang Dongqing saw Cen Yan stand up and asked anxiously, "Has something happened?"
“I saw palace servants running around outside.”
Cen Yan smiled and said, "It's nothing, His Majesty just coughed again."
Eunuch Feng: "..."
Eunuch Feng: "This old woman will go to His Majesty's bedchamber to check on him."
Cen Yan: "Thank you for your hard work, Father-in-law."
Despite the ordinary tone, it made Eunuch Feng break out in a cold sweat.
There's no other reason than that it's so different from what it was just now that it's impossible to listen to it properly.
Eunuch Feng swallowed hard, bowed deeply to all three men, and then turned and left the side hall.
Zhuang Dongqing: "Why is Eunuch Feng like this? He..."
Before she could finish speaking, Cen Yan interrupted her, saying, "Qingqing, we can go home now."
Her eyes held a smile, her beauty unparalleled.
Zhuang Dongqing was stunned for a moment before realizing that this "home" did not only refer to the Prince's Mansion.
Zhuang Dongqing: "You, you mean..."
"Yes, we can go back to the real palace now."
In that case, Emperor Shengwu...
Zhuang Dongqing: "That's really..."
"Very good!"
Cen Yan laughed, a bright smile, "I knew you would think the same way."
Zhuang Dongqing was still somewhat uneasy: "So, where are we now...?"
"Leaving the palace? His Majesty will be meeting with other officials soon."
ah?
Zhuang Dongqing: "Can...can we still see him?"
Cen Yan: "Of course."
Seeing someone while lying down is still seeing them.
"Oh, oh, then, shall we go?"
"Okay, let's go."
Turning his head, Cen Yan asked, "Where's An'an?"
Liu Fu: "Here, I got tired and went to sleep."
Cen Yan: "I'll carry him on my back."
Liu Fu handed Cen An over to Cen Yan.
The little brat clung to his father's back, half-asleep.
Cen Yan, carrying one on his back and holding Zhuang Dongqing's hand, walked out of the palace step by step.
That night, Emperor Shengwu fell into a coma.
Two days later, Emperor Shengwu died at the age of sixty-two, and the whole country mourned.
No oral edict or decree was left behind regarding the succession; the sixth prince, Li Yang, was spontaneously supported by the court officials to succeed to the throne.
*
One month later.
A number of horse-drawn carriages stopped in front of the Prince of Dingxi's Mansion.
Having gotten up early, Zhuang Dongqing gazed at the sunrise over the capital until a voice calling "Qingqing" came from inside the carriage, bringing her back to her senses.
Cen Yan lifted the curtain and extended his hand to Zhuang Dongqing.
"It's time to go, Qingqing."
"Oh, I just want to take one more look."
"Are you reluctant to part with it?"
"Not at all."
Cen Yan grasped the hand Cen Yan offered, their palms clasped together, and Cen Yan was amused by Zhuang Dongqing's words.
The morning light shone on his profile, and the red agate beads on his wrist gleamed in the light.
Zhuang Dongqing also laughed.
"Finally, we can go! I'm so happy, Ayan."
"Me too."
"Is the fiefdom fun? I can't wait."
"It's fun! Didn't you say it was Yunnan, the land of colorful clouds..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
