Chapter 71
With one day until Princess Yue's wedding, the palace was ablaze with lights and decorations, a scene of festive joy. Gilded red gauze lanterns stretched from the palace gates to the main hall, where the "bride's farewell banquet" would be held. Candlelight flickered gently in the breeze, and the air was thick with the aroma of wine. Every table in the hall was laden with fine wine and delicacies. Court musicians sat in the corners, playing soothing, melodious tunes that blended with the laughter of the guests, raising the festive atmosphere to a climax. Even the red gauze lanterns hanging in the hallway swayed gently to the rhythm. But beneath this jubilation, a deep, murderous intent lay hidden.
"His Highness Gongyu and Princess Yue will be married tomorrow. Your Majesty, the palace banquet today is truly grand."
"That's right. But I heard that the expenses of this wedding were all paid for by His Highness Gongyu."
"This is a really big sum. It looks like it must be at least one million taels of silver, right?"
"I've heard that Princess Yue loves money, but I didn't expect the prince consort she found would be so wealthy."
"Who said it wasn't? You know what? No wonder Princess Yue looked down on those young masters from noble families before. Compared to His Highness Gong Yu, he is really not even a little bit inferior."
"Let's not talk about the money for now. Although His Highness Gongyu was previously a hostage in Yidu, he is still the Crown Prince of Western Yi and will definitely be the future King of Western Yi. Princess Yue will be the future Queen of Western Yi, so any offspring she has will definitely be the heir to the throne. This is a true match made in heaven, much better than marrying a prince consort."
"That's not all! It's said that His Highness Gongyu swore to His Majesty that he would never take a concubine in this lifetime, and that there would only be one princess in the harem. Any child born to the princess, even if it's just a princess, would be eligible to inherit the throne."
"Really?! It's rare for a man, especially one of noble status, to make such a promise!"
Although there was singing and dancing during the meal, everyone was chatting enthusiastically and having a great time.
"I would like to offer a toast to Your Majesty first. I wish our country peace and prosperity, and good harvests every year. I also wish the two newlyweds a long and happy marriage and a long life together!" Wu Cheng smiled and toasted Yi Xuanxin who was sitting in the main seat.
Yi Xuanxun also raised his hand and picked up the wine glass to toast him back.
"I like what you said, Lord Li. You are Yue'er's uncle. You have loved her since she was a child. Tomorrow is her wedding day. I think you are also very happy. It's a pity that Li'er won't be able to see Yue'er get married." Yi Xuanxun looked at his uncle sadly.
"Your Majesty, the Queen will certainly be happy to see Yue'er marry." It was impossible for him to say that he had no regrets about his sister who died young. It was just that his second son told him that his sister's death was the work of Shu Fei and Yi Luoyao, and that all the answers would be revealed tonight.
"Yes, yes, we are only discussing happy events today. You all just drink as much as you want and have fun." Yi Xuanyin's gaze swept across Gong Yuchen and Yi Luoyue who were sitting side by side in the hall, his eyes full of satisfaction.
"Achen, Yue'er, you should also accompany the adults to have a few more drinks. We will all be a family from now on."
"Yes, father." Upon hearing this, Gong Yuchen nodded in response to Yi Xuanxin, then turned to Yi Luoyue and Xiaoyue'er beside him and whispered to Yi Luoyue.
"It should be about time. You and Xiaoyueer should go back to the bedroom first."
"Okay, I'll go right away." Yi Luoyue's cheeks were slightly red due to the alcohol.
"Xiao Yue'er, go back to the bedroom with your mother first." Yi Luoyue reached out and gathered the loose hair around Xiao Yue'er's ears, her movements extremely gentle.
"But Xiaoyue is not sleepy yet!" The little guy was acting like a spoiled child and didn't want to leave.
"Be obedient. You still have to dress up and attend your father and mother's wedding tomorrow." Gong Yuchen rubbed her head.
"Oh well."
"Grandfather, Xiaoyue'er is going back to the palace first. She will accompany you tomorrow." Xiaoyue'er greeted Yixuanqin.
"Okay, grandpa will be waiting for Xiaoyue tomorrow."
"You should drink less, as we have important things to do later." Yi Luoyue looked up at Gong Yuchen and said softly.
"Don't worry, I know my limits." Gong Yuchen responded to her in a low voice.
Seeing this, Prince Cheng Yi Luohui and Princess Cheng began to tease the two of them.
"Your Highness Gongyu, you haven't even gotten married yet, but you're already so devoted to Luoyue. I'm afraid you'll spoil her to the skies in the future!"
"Second brother, second sister-in-law, you just make fun of me."
"Of course I have to pamper my Crown Princess." Gong Yuchen responded calmly, speaking with righteousness and confidence.
"Gong Yuchen!" Yi Luoyue lowered her head in shame.
"Okay, Princess Cheng, you will also go with Luo Yue to her bedroom tonight and stay for one night." Gong Yuchen glanced at Yi Luohui, his eyes conveying a message that only they understood.
"Yes, you should go with Luo Yue, Xiao Yue and the others." Yi Luohui said to Princess Cheng.
"Second sister-in-law, you are feeling heavy. Come with me to rest." Yi Luoyue and Xiaoyue'er each supported one side of Princess Cheng as they walked towards Yi Luoyue's bedroom in the palace.
Watching them leave, Yi Luohui confirmed with Gong Yuchen again.
"Is everything arranged? Are you sure they will take action today?"
"Don't worry, I have arranged enough secret guards in Luo Yue's bedroom, and the wine today was indeed drugged. We just need to wait for him to fall into the trap."
Suddenly there was a slight commotion outside the hall, and the originally soothing music was interrupted. The musicians looked at each other, completely unaware of what was happening.
"Oh! It hurts so much!" Liu Wen bent over, holding his stomach and groaning in pain.
"My stomach hurts so much... It feels like a knife is twisting it..." As soon as he finished speaking, cries of pain rang out one after another in the hall.
King Cheng Yi Luohui fell directly from his seat, his face was as pale as paper, and his forehead was covered with cold sweat. Even Gong Yuchen curled up in the chair, holding his abdomen and making a weak groan.
"Hui'er, Chen'er, what's wrong with you?" Yi Xuanyin had just finished speaking when the virtuous king Yi Luoyao, who was sitting on the seat on the right, suddenly put down his wine glass and walked out.
There was a hint of a smile on the corner of his mouth, and his eyes swept over everyone in the hall.
"What's wrong, my lords?"
"Yi Luoyao! What did you do?" Gong Yuchen looked at Yi Luoyao and asked coldly.
"What did you do? Don't you know exactly what I was going to do? I just added some 'ingredients' to this wine."
"You...how dare you poison me!" Gong Yuchen was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed at Yi Luoyao, his voice hoarse with anger.
The smile on Yi Luoyao's face became more arrogant.
"Gong Yuchen, you didn't expect that I would act in advance."
"Yi Luoyao, what are you doing!" Yi Xuanyin's expression suddenly became serious, and he looked at the people in the hall who were in great pain.
"Of course I hope my father will abdicate and let someone else take over!"
"You rebellious son! You are trying to rebel! Someone come! Where are the guards? Catch this rebellious son for me!" But after shouting for a long time, no guards came in from outside the hall.
"Someone come! Someone come!"
"Your Majesty, please save your energy!"
At this time, Shu Fei also stood up, walked to Yi Luoyao's side, and looked at Yi Xuanxun with cold eyes.
"Your Majesty, at this point, you should also face the reality. Yao'er is the most suitable person to inherit the throne. If you just obey the decree of abdication, perhaps we can let you spend your old age in the palace.
"Father, please don't waste your energy. The palace is now full of my men. Your guards and the garrison outside the city have long been under my control. They have either surrendered to me or... are already dead. And this is where you will be buried today!"
"Yi Luoyao! Are you afraid that I will tell His Majesty about your crimes?"
"Gong Yuchen, even if you knew what I did, what would it matter? Now I am the winner! This world will soon belong to me! Oh! No! It belongs to me!"
"Even if you win, it still can't hide your shameless face."
"Hahahaha! Gong Yuchen, do you think it's still useful for you to say this now?"
Gong Yuchen looked at Yi Luoyao coldly with eyes as sharp as knives.
"Three years ago, the Empress Dowager and the Empress died of illness in the Imperial Palace. The imperial physician said it was an epidemic, but I've investigated and found that the Empress Dowager and the Empress were poisoned by Concubine Shu and you. In order to create a poison with the same symptoms as the epidemic, you used an entire village to test the drug and then killed them. Did you do both of these things?"
"Yi Luoyao's face became even more arrogant, and he admitted it without any reservation.
"That's right! I did it. It was just to get rid of two annoying people. It's no big deal."
"You are absolutely insane!" Yi Luoyue scolded angrily after returning to the hall.
"The Empress Dowager treated you well, and the Queen Mother treated you as her own child. Every time you went to her palace, she would have the maids prepare your favorite cakes for you. How could you be so cruel as to kill her!"
"Damn it! Why are you back!" Gong Yuchen was a little exasperated as he looked at Yi Luoyue who had returned to the hall.
"I'm worried about you." Yi Luoyue walked quickly to Yi Xuanxun's side.
"Whoever stands in my way in this palace shall die!"
"Yi Luoyao! You actually murdered your own royal grandmother and the empress! You...are you still a human being? And you! Shu Fei, your mother and the empress treated you well, why did you harm them?" Yi Xuanxun's chest heaved violently as he pointed at them.
"You treat me well? You treat me well, but you only allowed me the position of concubine back then! You treat me well, but my Yao'er is the eldest son, but he is not as good as the princess born by the queen! Your Majesty, ask yourself, do you care about us! That bitch has been dead for so many years, but you still don't give me the position of queen, and you don't give Yao'er the position of crown prince. You still dare to say that you treat me well! But these are not important anymore. After today, all of this will belong to Yao'er and me! Oh! By the way! You don't know yet, do you? That bitch Li Li was three months pregnant when she died." Shu Fei continued to rub salt into Yi Xuanxun's wounds.
"Rebellious son! Evil woman!" Yi Xuanxin was so angry that he felt dizzy. Zhang Liang and Yi Luoyue beside him hurriedly supported him and whispered to him.
"Your Majesty, please calm down and take care of your health!"
"Father!"
"That old woman is always targeting my mother and always saying bad things about me in front of my father. The queen is pregnant again. If she gives birth to a prince, it will definitely be the crown prince. Where will my mother and I stand?"
Yi Luoyao sneered and looked at Yi Xuanxun with vicious eyes, his tone threatening.
"Father, I'm asking you one last time: will you sign the abdication decree? If not, everyone in this palace, including your beloved Yi Luoyue, will be buried with you! Think carefully: if they all die, will you still be able to hold on to the throne?"
Yi Xuanxin looked at the officials groaning in pain in the hall, then at Yi Luoyue and Gong Yuchen, his expression shifting. If he truly didn't issue the imperial edict, these people might actually die. He couldn't believe his own child had committed the heinous crime of parricide. How could he hand over the throne to such a traitorous son, unworthy of his position? Even though he was heartbroken, the state had its laws, and families had their rules. An emperor who broke the law was no less guilty than a commoner. Just as he was wavering, Gong Yuchen suddenly spoke.
"Yi Luoyao, do you think your plan can really succeed?"
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