Chapter 29 First Release Is it really God's will that she will die this time...
Fortunately, there was thunder and rain outside, and there were also cries from inside the house, which drowned out the light scolding.
Zhao Changning raised his head suddenly and met the old emperor's cloudy eyes. He was filled with inexplicable fear. Even in such weather, he still broke out in a cold sweat, and sweat was pouring down his forehead.
Originally, the name behind Qin Xiaoshun was hers.
Is it really God's will that she will die this time?
Is it so difficult for her to live?
The old emperor's gaze was as if it was real, staring through her, as if asking, why?
Once the list of people buried alive was found to be false, Zhao Changning knew that she would be chopped into pieces.
Zhao Changning was panic-stricken and felt that death was approaching, but due to years of experience, his expression remained unchanged.
These days, she understood a truth, that is, as long as power is properly grasped, life can sometimes be in her own hands.
At this moment, she was full of fighting spirit and determination, as ferocious as a lioness baring her snow-white claws. Her eyes were scorching bright, her palms were sweating, and her heart was beating as fast as the thunder outside.
She was not afraid, nor was she afraid of the emperor who was above millions of people. She only had a desire for life, a power that surpassed everything.
Zhao Changning found it funny. Why?
Why else?
She wants to live.
Just like the old emperor's previous reluctance to die, questioning why the heaven wanted him to die, her desire to live and his desire not to die were exactly the same.
Seeing that the old emperor seemed to be about to speak, Zhao Changning's heart was beating like a drum. She felt that a disaster was about to happen, and the thunder outside seemed to be wailing for her.
Without thinking, she immediately took a handkerchief to wipe the saliva from the corner of the old emperor's mouth, leaned over and burst into tears.
"Your Majesty, Dayong needs you, and so do all the people... Your Majesty, what did you say? Your Majesty, I didn't hear you clearly..."
No one dared to step forward and pull her, not even the emperor's sons and grandsons, even though she was just a palace maid. It was really thanks to the old emperor's majesty that no one dared to disobey. Only Zhao Changning dared to do so, and no one thought it was wrong. Only the servant who serves the master the most attentively can understand the master's heart the best.
After all, the old emperor had trusted Zhao Changning the most before, and her loyalty must be true.
"Little bitch..."
The old emperor spoke again with difficulty, but this time his voice was only a whisper, and it was impossible to hear unless you were close, and it was drowned out by Zhao Changning's crying.
He could never have imagined that after a lifetime of having the final say and controlling people's life and death, he would be tricked by a little palace maid.
Zhao Changning knew the old emperor very well. He heard everything clearly, but his expression remained unchanged. His hand was pinched by the old emperor and it hurt, but he seemed unaware of it.
A hint of anger flashed in her eyes, and then she lowered her head and burst into tears. Thinking that just waiting for the old emperor to die at this time would be inappropriate and would make it easier to expose herself, she turned her head and said to the group of princes and grandchildren, "Fourteenth Prince, the emperor wants you to come forward. He wants to see you one last time."
It's a pity that the prince is not here. The old emperor certainly doesn't want to look at the weak and dying prince before he dies. For a father, this is no less than torture. For Dayong, losing the emperor and the heir in succession is even more of a catastrophe.
The Fourteenth Prince, tears in his eyes, knelt forward, tightly grasped the old emperor's hand, and choked with sobs, "Father, the Fourteenth Prince is here."
The old emperor was indeed nearing the end of his life. He had a premonition of this. He was already too old to move, and now he was having difficulty even breathing. His life was worse than death.
Experiencing the cruel taste of death once again, he looked at Zhao Changning's eyes, which changed from unwillingness and coldness to some appreciation.
A beast-like woman can always find ways to survive, and this is what she deserves.
Forget it, forget it.
In the face of life and death, everything else is trivial, just a woman.
Finally, he turned his gaze, filled with expectation and enthusiasm, to the Fourteenth Prince.
This was his youngest son, who looked most like him. From then on, Dayong was handed over to him.
Zhao Changning's heart was beating like thunder, as if facing a great enemy. He saw the emperor's dry and chapped lips opening and closing, as if he had a lot to say.
Fortunately, they did not communicate much on a daily basis and were not familiar with each other. The Fourteenth Prince could not hear clearly and could not guess what was said, so he had to rely on Zhao Changning, who was the most caring person, to relay it to him.
Zhao Changning was afraid that the old emperor would speak, so she cried to cover up his moans and groans, and at the same time, she relayed the words to the Fourteenth Prince in a "patient and persuasive" and "earnest" manner, and from time to time she took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth.
"...You should do your utmost... and have the assistance of all the ministers..."
In fact, the old emperor didn't say a word. Those words were all made up by her.
At this moment, the old emperor's eyes were already scattered. He stretched out his hand, clenched it towards the void, and murmured silently: "Chao'er, Chao'er..."
Then his arms dropped straight down and fell onto the quilt. He could no longer steer his dynasty. His eyes, which remained open, expressed his deep hatred for death.
Emperor Yong'an passed away.
After Zhao Changning cried out these words, there was a loud cry in the house, and everyone howled unwillingly.
The stone in her heart finally fell to the ground. Her whole body relaxed, her legs went limp, and she collapsed to the ground, unable to stand up.
The Fourteenth Prince happened to support her, his face full of sorrow, but he still said in a gentle voice: "Changning, it is a great honor for your father to have you take care of him in his final moments..."
Before he could finish his words, he heard screams outside.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince?"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is vomiting blood. Imperial Physician, Imperial Physician, the Crown Prince has fainted..."
The Fourteenth Prince's expression changed drastically. He put Zhao Changning down and ran out, "Brother..."
Zhao Changning's mood was extremely complicated. She didn't know what she was feeling at the moment. It was hard to describe. She was just so shocked and happy that her thoughts stopped, her lips were numb, and she could no longer speak.
Only two lines of clear tears slowly flowed out of the eyes and slid down the crystal clear and white cheeks.
Seeing that she was not in good condition, Anyi quickly helped her sit down and called the director over, "Help Auntie take a look."
Zhao Changning let the director of the hospital feel her pulse. She just shed tears silently in dismay. This look was quite appropriate for the occasion.
What he saw before him was a chaotic scene. Outside, palace maids and eunuchs were kneeling, and inside the house, the emperor's sons and grandsons were crying.
The Crown Princess had even fainted. The old emperor had passed away before the Crown Prince after all, but the Crown Prince was now the former Crown Prince and would not live long. She deserved to faint.
But the old emperor was too long-lived. His sons and grandsons knelt all over the palace. Even those whom Zhao Changning could not remember were crying with red faces and tears streaming down their cheeks.
As for whether it is true or false, it is unknown.
Zhao Changning just found it funny. Although the old emperor had many children, there were only a few of them walking around in front of him, and even fewer of them he liked and valued.
Where did all this come from?
It seems that having many offspring is not necessarily useful. Many of his descendants have died over the years, and the old emperor himself cannot recognize them all.
She was not sad, she just felt powerless, as if all the fatigue of so many years had evaporated at this moment.
His eyes involuntarily fell on the bed rail where the brocade box was placed.
When Zhao Changning recalled it at this moment, he felt his hands and heart trembling.
She really didn't know where she got the courage from. She dared to secretly get a piece of identical yellow silk. She even sat there calmly, took up the pen and slowly copied it while the old emperor was sleeping, and then put it back.
She deleted her own name and added two names that the old emperor liked: Concubine Xiang Nian Yao, who was beautiful and had a sweet voice, and Concubine Sun Sun Yue, who was smart and eloquent. Both of them loved and respected the old emperor and would definitely be willing to be buried with him.
I think the old emperor in heaven would not blame her, but should be grateful to her instead.
When Zhao Changning thought of this, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up. She did a really beautiful job.
Now thinking back on the scenes just now, the king of a country, his descendants, as well as those trusted ministers, the most powerful people in Dayong, were all played in her hands. It was like a dream, and it made her blood boil. In a daze, she felt that these superiors were no more than this.
Zhao Changning pinched his arm suddenly and finally confirmed that this was not a dream.
She can survive.
Yunsheng knelt among the crowd. He raised his head cautiously and saw his aunt covering her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling slightly. Just as he was curious, drops of water suddenly oozed out from between her fingers...
"Hurry up and lower your head. Don't offend me." Yun Hui glared at him. "Do you want to die?"
Yunsheng quickly lowered his head, but his aunt's tears could not be erased from his mind.
In the spring of the 52nd year of Yong'an, there was heavy rain, and Emperor Yong'an, who had reigned for 52 years, passed away.
The prince forced himself to see the old emperor for the last time despite his illness, but his already weak body became even weaker due to vomiting blood.
The fall of the two most powerful people at the same time brought unconcealable pain to Dayong, and the entire imperial city fell into silent turmoil.
The funeral bell rang for a full eighty-one times, white banners were hung in the palace, everyone was in mourning, and there were cries of grief everywhere. Even the sky was sad, and it rained heavily.
After sending the prince back to the East Palace and arranging for the imperial physician to go, Zhao Changning recovered quickly and devoted himself to new affairs.
The emperor's death was a major event for the dynasty. Everything else had to be put aside, and each and every matter was extremely complicated. She had to cheer up and arrange these things properly.
"Tell the Wardrobe Supervisor to bring the clothes immediately, and make sure they don't get wet..."
"Where are the people from the Imperial Household Department? Go check the palace, the various offices, and the three treasuries immediately. Don't miss any of them..."
"There are many nobles in the palace now, and there will be more in the future. All of you in the eight departments should tighten your belts, especially the wine, vinegar and noodle department. The Shangshenjian, please prepare all the food and drink expenses for me. If you are short of anything, feel free to withdraw..."
"Where are the Shangbaojian and Yinshoujian? The situation is extremely chaotic right now. The imperial seals, imperial edicts, seals, imperial decrees, and other things must be kept and locked up. If one of them messes up, I will kill you..."
"Everyone, get moving. I've already warned you before, and I don't want to repeat it. If anyone dares to make a mistake, you'll be in trouble. Even if I let you go, the nobles won't agree..."
Zhao Changning was getting wet in the rain and gave orders in a hoarse voice without getting tired of it.
She didn't want to delegate these matters to others, or just give orders, because behind every smooth sailing of things was the submission and trust of those young eunuchs and palace maids. The opportunity was rare, so she had to seize it. She couldn't do it alone.
Besides, this is just the beginning.
It had been raining all day, and the sky was as clear as a blue sky. As night fell, the sky looked like a piece of pure jade, and there was a faint scent of grass in the air. The boredom and dryness that had been in the imperial city for many days was swept away.
Spring is here, and everything will be different.
Zhao Changning finally found some time, found a corner, sat on the ground, and wolfed down a bowl of noodles.
Xiao Shun felt so distressed when he saw this that he secretly put some braised pork into her bowl.
"Aunt, eat slowly and drink some hot soup..." Xiaoshun's eyes were full of heartache, "I haven't eaten, drunk or slept all day, and you ate two bowls at a time. My eyes are already healed. What a life I've lived."
Zhao Changning smiled. His body was shaking with exhaustion, but his heart was filled with joy.
"It's okay, it will be fine after this period of time. From now on, you and Xiaozhi and Xiaobian should stay in the yard and don't run around."
While she was drinking the soup, she was still wondering if anything would happen tonight. These days were not easy.
After all, the old emperor has many descendants, and there are many stupid and provocative ones. Moreover, the former prince is in poor health. Who can suppress so many nobles with different personalities and strange stupidities?
Sure enough, just as night fell, the funeral rites were ready, everything began to fall into place, and the people from the Ministry of Rites were discussing it, when someone came to report -
"Auntie, something bad has happened. There's a fight over there. The elders asked me to come and fetch you. They asked you to go quickly, quickly..."
Zhao Changning's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face. He quickly stood up and followed the body to the Palace of Heavenly Purity where the coffin was kept.
Yunsheng, holding a broom, timidly came out from inside, hiding his head like a thief.
In the chaos, he saw Zhao Changning rushing over. His eyes lit up and he ran over quickly.
"Aunt, it's bad. The Sixth Prince is making a scene. He tore up the imperial edict from the cabinet elder's hand and said someone had forged it. He even asked for a master, saying he wanted the deceased emperor to return and administer justice. He's crying and making a fuss... In short, it's a complete mess."
It turned out that it was not her fault. Zhao Changning breathed a sigh of relief and then looked at him.
"Why are you here?"
Yunsheng scratched his head and said embarrassedly: "I saw that you had something to do and left. I was worried that you would want to know the situation here, so I didn't leave..."
"Well done, thanks to you." Zhao Changning patted his shoulder. "Be careful, I might not be able to take care of you."
Yunsheng smiled innocently, "Aunt, I will be careful, you should be careful too."
Zhao Changning knew that there was still a tough battle to fight, so he took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and walked into the Qianqing Palace.
The old emperor's body was still lying there, still warm, but not far away many of the emperor's sons and grandsons were fighting, standing with their hands on their hips and stamping their feet, cursing and spitting. Some were cheering him on and secretly making trouble, and of course there were also those who stood aside to protect themselves and stay away from the battlefield.
There are more than ten sons and almost thirty daughters. Excluding those who have passed away, there are still quite a few left, and there are even more grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The house is full of noise and bustle.
The old men huddled in a corner with their heads down, each of them looking indignant and helpless, but due to their status and the old emperor's body, they were unable to step forward.
The situation is no different from that of an ordinary family. Men and women, all of them are quite old, some even have heads full of white hair. They are all competing with each other in voice and strength, forming cliques and showing their ugly behavior.
However, it is understandable when you consider that they were fighting for the throne.
Who doesn’t want to be emperor?
"Fourteen to be the emperor? Pah! He's just a brat, how can he be the emperor? Can he do it?"
"That's right, what kind of person is he? He's barely done any work, what's he thinking?"
"Someone must have forged the imperial edict and falsely conveyed it..."
"Master, please, let me see, let me open my eyes and see..."
“…”
Among them, the third princess and the sixth prince shouted the loudest.
It is interesting to say that the old emperor lived too long and outlived three empresses. He had many legitimate children, and the third princess and the sixth prince were both born to the second empress. They were of the same lineage and naturally allies.
The Fourteenth Prince stood beside the coffin in silence, as if he couldn't hear anything, and watched everything in the room coldly.
Zhao Changning did not find it strange. The Fourteenth Prince had a very respectable status, but the whole room was filled with royal families, all of whom had respectable status, making him seem inferior.
Before this, no one would have guessed that the throne would fall into the hands of the inconspicuous Fourteenth Prince. No wonder he couldn't control his brothers and sisters.
He is too weak.
Zhao Changning's gaze involuntarily fell on him. The man in mourning clothes, with plain clothes and plain face, was really handsome.
"Auntie is here."
"Changning is here."
"Stop, stop, everyone stop..."
Zhao Changning was very grateful to the old emperor for leaving her such a good situation, which gave her great potential.
After whispering an instruction to Anyi, she walked into the crowd, knelt down and bowed, with a stern face and a high posture, and her eyes swept fearlessly over these noble people.
"The Emperor's body is still warm. Are you guys doing this to disturb his soul?"
The people who had just quarreled with her looked at each other and lowered their heads in shame. They probably knew that they had gone too far as children.
The Sixth Prince's eyes flashed coldly, and he shouted, "Are you the one who is causing this? Little bitch, I've long seen that you are not a good person. How could the emperor pass the throne to him..."
Zhao Changning couldn't help feeling guilty. She was indeed not a good person, but she just wanted to live.
Years of accompanying the emperor have kept her on edge. The more difficult the moment, the faster her thoughts race.
She looked at the Sixth Prince with an even more arrogant attitude, and her tone was as cold as ice, extremely stern.
"Sixth Prince, is Changning trying to influence the Emperor's will, sway the thoughts of so many others, and use some trickery to get the Emperor to pass the throne to the Fourteenth Prince? Changning claims he doesn't have such a skill. The Emperor is a wise ruler, and his decisions never change. Is the Sixth Prince's suspicion so strong that he wants to force Changning to death to prove himself?"
When the Fourteenth Prince heard her words, his eyes involuntarily fell on her, deep and gloomy.
When Gao Yun heard this, he realized something was wrong. Zhao Changning must not die at this time, so he immediately stood up.
"The Emperor trusted this woman the most during his lifetime. This is obvious to everyone. He even ordered her to receive a copy of the imperial edict. We all heard it clearly. Sixth Prince, do you want the Emperor to die with regrets? Do you want Dayong to fall into national chaos?"
The people in the cabinet finally found an opportunity and stepped forward to defend Zhao Changning, accusing the Sixth Prince of misconduct.
The Sixth Prince was unable to refute the accusations one after another and could only look at his sister, the Third Princess.
The Third Princess, with her hair in a mass of white and a cane in hand, exuded an imposing aura. "So, the imperial edict in your hand is truly the will of our father?"
Zhao Changning nodded, "I dare not lie to the princess. This imperial edict of mine is indeed the emperor's will, and it is also stamped with the imperial seal."
"Then I'd like to know," the Third Princess sneered, her slack face becoming sharp. "Why did Father pass the throne to Fourteenth? Did he accomplish any great feats, or was he exceptional in some way? Sixth Brother has slain countless enemies on the battlefield, Seventh Brother has performed his duties effectively, Ninth Brother has even received praise from Father, Tenth Brother has written books and is admired by scholars, and Twelfth Brother has even been on the battlefield several times. So what did Fourteenth do? What's his reason?"
Zhao Changning's gaze passed through the crowd, over the flickering candlelight around them, and met the eyes of the Fourteenth Prince.
For the first time, she didn't avoid him, but looked him straight in the face and said calmly, "The Fourteenth Prince has a brilliant mind... He is filial and virtuous... He is admired by the court and the people... He can be made Crown Prince."
Zhao Changning turned her gaze and looked at the Third Princess calmly, "These words were personally approved by the Emperor. The Emperor stepped forward, and the last person he called to speak was the Fourteenth Prince. The Third Princess was also present at the time. If the Princess wants to ask why the Fourteenth Prince received such praise, Changning, a mere servant, cannot answer. The Third Princess can only ask the Emperor..."
The third princess was not the type to be bullied like that, so she picked up her crutch and threw it at Zhao Changning.
"You're such a cunning little bitch! My father is dead, and you want me to ask him? Could it be that you, this little bitch, did something to make my father lose his mind..."
When Zhao Changning saw the Fourteenth Prince move, she lowered her head and was hit by the crutch without dodging.
"Third Princess, please be careful with your words. Changning serves the Emperor, so it's okay if she gets wronged. But you must think clearly about slandering the Emperor's reputation."
The Fourteenth Prince saw her slender figure sway and his eyes fixed.
The Sixth Prince angrily said to the Third Princess, "Sister, I don't care about all this nagging and listening to so much nonsense. Why don't you just let me lead the troops..."
The third princess glared at him, "Shut up."
She looked at Zhao Changning with cold horror, as if she were looking at a dead person, and said sinisterly, "If you tell the truth now, you still have a chance of survival."
"Tell me, to whom did the Emperor pass the throne?"
Zhao Changning looked at her ferocious face and did not give in at all. She knew why the third princess was so tough. The sixth prince had 10,000 imperial guards in his hands, and there were also many younger generations from her maternal grandfather's family in the army. The third princess had the confidence.
Her mind was racing, thinking about how to respond. She was also curious about why the emperor wanted to pass the throne to the fourteenth prince. She looked into the fourteenth prince's eyes, which were as deep as the abyss and calm.
She finally made up her mind.
"Third Princess, Chang Ning swears on her life that the Emperor has indeed stated that the throne will be passed on to the Fourteenth Prince. Chang Ning dares not lie."
The Third Princess hadn't expected the maid to be so stubborn. She kicked her and said, "You ungrateful bitch, you really think you're a loyal servant..."
The Fourteenth Prince finally couldn't bear it anymore when he saw Zhao Changning being humiliated for him.
He rushed over and pulled her aside, gritting his teeth and saying, "Third sister, your words and actions are not only against my becoming emperor, but also against the will of our father?"
The Third Princess couldn't help but feel angry, looking at him with disdain. "Father's will? Let me ask you, what qualifications do you have to sit on the throne? Who do you think you are? You and your son are not even worthy of carrying my mother's shoes..."
"How is it unworthy?" In the already pitch-black night, an angry voice suddenly came from outside the latticed door. "Fourteenth brother and I are both sons of the emperor. Third sister has always been very self-righteous, but you know that your mother is only the empress dowager."
As night falls, the dust is washed away by the rain during the day. Palace lanterns approach, and the red candlelight is brighter than ever.
Zhao Changning saw the prince, no, the former prince sitting crookedly in the sedan chair, his face pale, his eyes dull, and a handkerchief in his hand, which he had been pressing against the corner of his mouth, never letting go.
Seeing that he was indeed dying, she felt a little sad. The country was still more important. After all, even the death of the old emperor did not make the former prince run around and work hard.
Her heart moved. What happened tonight was indeed not as simple as it seemed.
Thinking of this, Zhao Changning did not struggle to free herself from the Fourteenth Prince's hand. She could not take the beating in vain.
When the former Crown Princess saw her husband coming, she immediately went to greet him and told him what had just happened with her head down.
The third princess felt a little scared when she saw her eldest brother's angry eyes. She lowered her head slightly and stopped talking.
When the Sixth Prince saw his eldest brother actually show up, he first frowned, then his eyes lit up, "Brother, look, look, what's going on? This bitch said that father wants to pass the throne to fourteenth brother. Look, is this reasonable? If you don't know, you might think you, you..."
The former crown prince looked at the sixth prince coldly, "What do you think of me? Come on, tell me, why aren't you talking?"
The Sixth Prince pursed his lips and was speechless for a long time. Even the Third Princess kept silent.
After all, he is the big brother and has been the crown prince for many years. He has never made any mistakes as regent. His majesty at this moment is no less than that of the dead emperor.
"Our father's immortal body hasn't even been buried yet, and you're already fighting. What a scene of brotherly love and respect." The former crown prince sneered and coughed, "Keep fighting! I want to see how long this fight lasts."
A group of people looked at each other, lowered their heads, and shouted that they were wrong.
"Brother, we were also anxious. We were wrong..."
The prince looked at a group of blood relatives with different expressions. Of course, there were many people among them whom he did not recognize.
He waved his hand weakly, "Since there is a decree, then summon it. Come."
Zhao Changning was pointed at and immediately became the center of attention. She quickly pulled her hand away and knelt down to salute, "Yes."
The Sixth Prince started to yell again, "Brother, this woman said that Father will pass the throne to Fourteenth Brother. Why? How can he compare to the brothers? We don't accept it."
The former crown prince said calmly, "Disobedient? You don't disobey this imperial edict, you just disobey Fourteenth Brother. Why? What do you want to do with the troops you have?"
He looked at the Sixth Prince, anger surging in his eyes, and slammed the armrest, "I'm not dead yet, do you still want to kill me?"
After being glared at by the Third Princess, the Sixth Prince muttered, "Brother, what are you talking about? How dare we?"
The prince glanced at him and said, "Don't look at me, can't you see that you have been waiting for my death for a long time? It's a pity that even if I am useless, it won't be your turn."
The Sixth Prince's expression changed drastically, becoming fierce and angry.
The prince seemed to be oblivious to the situation and simply said to Zhao Changning, "Announce the decree."
Zhao Changning glanced around, fearing that a hidden weapon might fly over, but the arrow was on the string, so she could only follow the routine.
As soon as the imperial edict was taken out, it represented Emperor Yong'an, and the people in front of him knelt one after another.
The Sixth Prince showed his disobedience and refused to kneel, but was finally pulled to his knees by the Third Princess.
"The Fourteenth Prince has a distinguished character... filial piety and virtue... respected by all... he can be made Crown Prince."
Zhao Changning read out the decree of succession as ordered. Looking at the new emperor kneeling in front of him, his face was calm, but his heart was turbulent. Power is really a good thing, even if it means using chicken feathers as a token of authority.
This feeling of blood boiling made her more addicted than any other time before. The pleasure that spread to every part of her body made her realize the preciousness and pride of power.
She needs power, she likes power.
"Your Highness, please stand up quickly. Changning doesn't dare." Zhao Changning shifted his position and quickly helped the Fourteenth Prince up. "You are embarrassing Changning."
The Fourteenth Prince stood up and took the imperial edict from her hand.
Upon seeing this, Gao Yun and the others immediately bowed their heads and said respectfully, "Your Highness, we pay our respects to the new monarch..."
The Sixth Prince gritted his teeth, and the anger in his eyes was about to burst out.
The former Crown Prince weakly extended his hand towards the Fourteenth Prince, "I'm sorry I can't salute you."
The Fourteenth Prince squatted beside the sedan chair with tears in his eyes, his eyes full of heartache, "Brother, I feel guilty. This throne is yours, I can't..."
"Don't talk nonsense." The former crown prince held his brother's hand and began to breathe. "Father has designated you, so it's you. Father and I are relieved to hand Dayong over to you."
He panted and looked at the Sixth Prince, "The new emperor has ascended the throne, and it is reasonable that military power should be handed over. Sixth brother, hand over the tiger talisman in your hand."
The Sixth Prince was immediately furious. "What? Big Brother, you can't do this. This tiger talisman was given to me by my father. You..."
The former crown prince's face was as pale as gold paper, but his voice still carried an irrefutable majesty as he sternly rebuked, "Hand it over! Are you going to disobey my order?"
The third princess was also angry at this time. She slammed her crutch hard on the ground, and the collision of gold and floor tiles made a dull sound.
"Big brother, are you trying to kill me and my sixth brother?"
The Fourteenth Prince stood up, his face gloomy, and said coldly: "Third sister and Sixth brother, are you trying to force me to death?"
When Zhao Changning heard his words, he was inexplicably stunned. In such a short period of time, something was different about the Fourteenth Prince.
She had been with the king for a long time and could tell at a glance that it was power that made his back as straight as pine or cypress and as sharp as a sword out of its sheath.
Power is really a good thing.
The former crown prince's breathing became heavier. With shaking hands, he pointed at the Sixth Prince and said briefly and weakly, "Come here, take him down and get the tiger talisman."
The director of the hospital had been waiting nearby. Seeing him in such a state, he quickly took out his golden needle and stabbed him, "Your Highness, please don't be angry."
When the Sixth Prince saw the silver-armored Feathered Guards rushing in from outside, he was suddenly filled with shock and anger, as well as fear and disbelief.
"Brother, what are you doing?"
The third princess finally understood.
She sneered at Zhao Changning, regret in her eyes, "I really should have killed you just now."
Just a moment of hesitation and there is no turning back. What a pity.
"Sixth brother, please take out the tiger talisman." The Third Princess sneered, her face full of disdain. "We've been plotted against for a long time, why are you still arguing like a fool?"
Zhao Changning looked at the Yulin Guards and was also shocked. The prince had indeed made arrangements in advance, and the imperial edict had been announced and could not be changed.
I'm just glad that she firmly chose the right position.
Her gaze once again fell on the Fourteenth Prince's tall figure. It was clear that he hadn't been completely unprepared for today's event. She was curious: had he known the throne's fate long ago? What arrangements had he made?
We are all human sperm, no one will sit and wait for death.
Seeing that the third princess and the sixth prince had calmed down, the rest of the fence-sitters also quieted down.
After the former prince was pricked with a few needles, his mood finally calmed down a bit. He waved his hand and said, "Everyone, go out. I have something to say to my fourteenth brother."
The former Crown Princess was about to leave, but was stopped by her husband. He looked at his wife and children, his eyes full of guilt, and said, "You stay."
Zhao Changning thought about it and stood there without moving. The former prince didn't even ask her to leave.
She didn't just stand there, but walked forward to help the dean.
The former prince was able to hold on until now, probably because he was given strong medicine and had acupuncture by the director of the hospital, so he actually felt a little better.
"Yun'er, from today on, you will resign from all your duties," he looked at his son with sorrow in his eyes. "From now on, you must listen to your Fourteenth Uncle and take good care of your family, your brothers and sisters, and your mother. Be a good boy, understand?"
Huo Yun knelt in front of the former crown prince and kowtowed vigorously, "Son knows."
The Fourteenth Prince also shook his head, "Brother, there's no need to be like this..."
The former Crown Prince held his hand tightly and warned him, "Yes, Xuan'er. I told the Emperor that after I left, I would make you the Crown Prince. I didn't expect that the Emperor would go ahead with it. If Yun'er is still in the court, he will inevitably be used by those with ulterior motives. Don't use him. Let him be a free and easy prince and fulfill my ambition, okay?"
Zhao Changning understood the hidden meaning behind the former prince's words. His deep love for his son was truly moving.
The Fourteenth Prince nodded vigorously and said gratefully, "Yun'er and I grew up together. Big brother, don't worry. I will treat my sister-in-law and the children well."
The former crown prince's eyes relaxed and he began to smile. "You've been raised by my side since you were little. You're intelligent, studious, and quick-witted. I trust you. But there's something else I want to discuss with you."
"Brother, please speak."
"Third sister and sixth brother, although they are bold and reckless, they are still family blood after all. You can just send them away. Father left in a hurry and didn't give you many instructions. You have to think carefully about it. Dayong must not be in chaos at this time, especially among our own family."
The Fourteenth Prince understood the profound meaning and couldn't help but pursed his lips, "I understand, big brother."
"Also," the former Crown Prince's breathing began to quicken again. Seeing his wife in tears, he gently shook his head to console her. He continued, "The court is in turmoil right now, so you must not be too anxious. You can use the people left behind by our father and promote them as needed. Changning is a good helper. Our father used her very much during his lifetime. She is very familiar with the Diligent Administration Palace and knows all the secrets. You can keep her by your side to help you."
When Zhao Changning saw her being called, she knelt down immediately and said, "Changning will do her best."
The former Crown Prince slowly closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face as he choked out a sob, "Father should have taught you how to govern the country. This court is complex... But things don't go as planned. Xuan'er, Dayong is now handed over to you. It's the lifeblood of the country and the livelihood of the people. I taught you before, remember this and don't mess up our ancestors' legacy..."
He was admonishing his father, who was unable to speak out in time, that he and Xuan'er had a relationship closer than that of brothers.
The Fourteenth Prince burst into tears, unable to hide his sorrow. "Brother, don't worry, I will not let our ancestors down."
The prince's eyes were filled with reluctance, but his body could no longer hold on. The strong medicine had drained away his last bit of life force. Blood was already flowing from the corners of his mouth, and he gradually lost his breath.
The room was filled with grief, both inside and outside. When the funeral bell rang again, everyone burst into tears, even more sad than when the emperor passed away.
The former Crown Princess was heartbroken, tears welled up in her eyes, and she fainted immediately.
Zhao Changning felt very uncomfortable watching this. The former crown prince was kind and gentle, a benevolent gentleman. If he ascended the throne, he would definitely be a wise ruler.
The people in the palace were sad, mostly because they felt sorry for the former crown prince, rather than because they were sad about the death of the old emperor. Instead, they probably felt relieved.
The old emperor and the former crown prince were both gone, and the fourteenth prince had become the new emperor. He should have ascended the throne immediately, but he had to complete the mourning period before he could officially ascend the throne.
During the period when the body was kept in the Qianqing Palace, in addition to cooperating with the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the enthronement of the new emperor, they also had to take care of the burial of the late emperor and the late crown prince, and deal with the trivial matters of the royal family.
Zhao Changning was so busy that he had no time to sleep. Every time he opened his eyes, he was busy. Because Hu Gouer was gone, many people were implicated, and the newcomer was useless.
In short, there was chaos and war.
"Aunt, the seal of the Firewood Preservation Department hasn't arrived yet. It's been three days." Yunsheng bent over to report, "Not to mention other places, even the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor said there's not enough firewood. The demand has been high these days, and they're pressing for it..."
There are more masters in the palace, so the expenses are higher and the work is doubled. Moreover, they are difficult to serve, so everyone is working around the clock and is busy all day long.
Zhao Changning was still worried about other things when he heard such a trivial matter. The anger that had been suppressed due to his busy schedule these days finally broke out.
She gritted her teeth and said, "Bring the person here immediately."
Soon, the new head of Xixinsi was brought over.
"Aunt, we really don't have enough manpower. I, I specially asked Eunuch Wen for help. He said it would be quick..."
The slap was so loud that everyone below couldn't help but look sideways, and they were all exchanging glances in private.
Zhao Changning smiled wryly and said calmly, "Eunuch Wen? I remember you were my lover?"
Xi Xinsi nodded tremblingly. Seeing his aunt's expression, he was frightened and kowtowed quickly, "Aunt, I was wrong. I will never dare to do it again..."
Zhao Changning kicked her away, feeling very disappointed with her.
"The seals of the twelve prisons, four departments, and eight bureaus have always been held by eunuchs. Now that I am promoting you palace maids, my original intention is to give you a chance to rise to the top, but it is definitely not to make money for your eunuchs..."
She glanced at everyone with a warning in her eyes.
"It's not that I didn't give you the chance, but you just didn't cherish it. Drag me down and give me twenty lashes. If you're not dead, throw me to the laundry."
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