"Your Majesty, I mourn for you!"
Minister Li shouted loudly, bringing the confused crowd back to their senses.
We cannot allow the emperor to continue to be in grief over the loss of the crown prince.
The prince used his own death to complete the father-son relationship between him and the emperor, which was indeed wise.
However, once a person dies, he is dead, and the prince has no right to decide what happens after his death.
"Your Majesty, please accept our condolences! Your Majesty, please take care of your health!" All civil and military officials shouted in unison.
Your Majesty, you should just be a rational and emotionless emperor.
The idea of father-son affection is nothing but a burden. The leader of a great nation doesn't need any unnecessary affection.
Even if you are cruel and heartless, it is better than being too soft-hearted.
This is what the ministers thought in their hearts.
The emperor suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and said in a deep voice, "There must be accomplices helping him at this moment. We will conduct a thorough investigation and will not let any of them off the hook. The Crown Prince died for me. I order the Ministry of Rites to draft a posthumous title and bury him with honor. All officials of the Eastern Palace, rank seven and above, must observe mourning for the Crown Prince and are not allowed to leave without permission. I also order that everyone comfort the Crown Prince's family and not be disrespectful."
Civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment.
There was something unusual about the emperor's actions.
Someone secretly glanced at Chen Jianzheng. He knew the whole story best. Could something unexpected have happened during this time?
Chen Jianzheng Chen Dachang looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, and did not respond to anyone's gaze.
The prince's death fulfilled the father-son relationship, which moved the emperor. The emperor would fulfill the two requests he made before his death, no matter what.
The officials of the Eastern Palace were in a miserable state. All those above the seventh rank had to be buried with the prince.
As for the prince's family, Chen Jianzheng glanced at Fang Shaojian, who was kneeling at the edge. This old slave had been hiding in the Eastern Palace all these days.
Why did the assassin choose to assassinate the prince when he was present, instead of earlier or later?
Chen Dachang did not hesitate to speculate on people's hearts with the greatest malice.
Could this be a conspiracy?
However, he subconsciously denied his guess.
Even ants cherish their lives, so would a prince seek death?
No one wants to die on their own initiative. Everyone wants to live a long life, and the prince is no exception.
Perhaps, all of this is really a coincidence. The assassin chose to assassinate the prince when he was present. It can only be said that it is too coincidental.
Unfortunately, Chen Dachang was not the prince's confidant. He didn't know that the prince had already made up his mind to die. He wanted to save his wife and children with his own life.
If Chen Dachang knew what the prince was thinking, he would not think that the assassin had nothing to do with the Eastern Palace.
Unfortunately, no one could have imagined at that time that the prince's death was actually a carefully planned countermeasure.
The prince did not stop Fang Shaojian from sending people to assassinate him, because after he learned of Fang Shaojian's plan, he had already decided to use the opportunity of the assassination to express his determination with his death.
I thought it was poisoned food, but I didn't expect it was a dagger assassination. This made the prince's plan more convenient.
Moreover, because the specific plan was not known in advance, the on-site reactions were real and there was no element of falsification.
The prince died as he wished, and it was a worthy death.
After being a cowardly Crown Prince for so many years, he finally managed to turn the tables on the emperor before his death. He died before the decree to depose the Crown Prince could be announced to the world.
Even after his death, he was still the crown prince. He had finally nipped the idea of deposing the crown prince in the bud.
Even after his death, his title as crown prince remained, his eldest son was still the eldest grandson of the emperor, and his wife was still the crown princess.
His death was so worthwhile and so timely.
At 1:30 in the evening, his death would be meaningless, as the decree to depose the crown prince had probably already been issued. Even if he died, he would only die as a destitute prince.
Dying a moment earlier would be equally meaningless. Others would simply think he committed suicide out of fear of punishment, was irresponsible, and had been a coward all his life.
Only if one dies to stop the assassin for the emperor at the moment of the assassination, can one die a worthy and appropriate death.
This was clearly a carefully planned operation. Even a slight mistake would have resulted in a huge error.
Fang Shaojian knelt in the corner, looking sad, incredulous, and full of emotion.
He looked at the prince who had taken his last breath and was overwhelmed with grief.
Why didn't he discover the prince's plan? Why did he ignore the prince's determination to die?
The Crown Prince died, and everything was over. Only the Crown Princess Sun was left happy.
The Crown Prince died a worthy death, and the Crown Princess Sun will enjoy wealth and honor forever and will be respected in this life.
Fang Shaojian lowered his head and gritted his teeth.
Two years of hard planning, all wasted in one day.
Almost all the personnel who had been placed in various places in the palace many years ago were wiped out this time.
So many people were sacrificed, but the prince could not be saved, and only the princess Sun became rich.
Fang Shaojian felt great pain in his heart.
God is so blind.
The prince is kind, why don’t good people live long?
The Crown Princess is treacherous, but why can she bring disaster to the country for thousands of years?
It’s unfair, it’s unfair.
The one who deserved to die was clearly the Crown Princess Sun. The key to the plan was to exchange the Crown Prince's life for the Crown Princess's life.
Why is everything turned upside down?
Fang Shaojian stared at the prince's corpse. There were too many people in front of him blocking his view, so he couldn't see clearly.
He cried out in his heart: Your Highness, since you are determined to die, why don't you have the courage to live? Is death really easier than living?
Fang Shaojian suppressed his emotions and cried silently.
At this moment, he has figured out everything that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is thinking.
The prince saved the lives of hundreds of people in the Eastern Palace with his own death. He saved the Zhenguo Mansion, the Sun family, and his wife and children.
But in Fang Shaojian's eyes, the lives of hundreds of people were not as important as the prince's finger.
However, now that things have come to this, there is nothing we can do.
Finally, Fang Shaojian left in despair.
Chen Jianzheng called him from a distance.
"Master Fang, please stay."
Fang Shaojian turned around and looked at the other person indifferently.
Chen Jianzheng approached and took a closer look at Fang Shaojian. He looked distraught and devastated, which made Chen Jianzheng even more convinced that the assassination during the prince's presence must have been an accident.
"Master Fang, it's been almost a year since we last met. Thanks to you, every time I think of you, my heart aches."
Last time, when Fang Shaojian had someone expose the fact that Concubine Mei had treated the imperial daughter harshly, causing her death in the harem, the emperor was furious and ordered a purge of the palace.
Because of this incident, Chen Dachang also suffered in front of the emperor, and many of his disciples were implicated, and the losses were heavy.
Chen Dachang has always wanted to capture Fang Shaojian and cut him into pieces to avenge what happened that day.
However, he didn't expect that the Shaojian Fang, whom he had been looking for, had been hiding in the East Palace, next to the prince.
However, due to the death of the Crown Prince, Your Majesty has been particularly lenient towards everyone in the Eastern Palace, except for the officials.
At this time, Chen Dachang did not dare to go against the emperor, so the other eunuch took action.
Although he couldn't take action, it didn't stop him from making some attempts and planting a nail at the same time.
Fang Shaojian looked at the other person with an indifferent expression, "Hello, Master Chen. I wonder if Master Chen has any advice for you."
Chen Dachang stared at Fang Shaojian and said sinisterly, "I allowed you to live for another year, but now that the Crown Prince has passed away, how much longer can you live?"
Fang Shaojian chuckled, "Even if we only have one day to live, we can still make you look disgraced."
The two were of similar age and entered the palace in the same year. One served the emperor, the other the empress, and they were naturally incompatible.
Chen Dachang stared at Fang Shaojian intently, "You are right, the Crown Prince's death is just in time! It will allow you to live a few more days."
Fang Shaojian's face changed drastically.
Chen Dachang lowered his voice and asked tentatively, "The assassin's arrival today was extremely strange. I wonder what Junior Supervisor Fang thinks?"
Fang Shaojian gnashed his teeth and said, "If he falls into our hands, we will tear him into pieces."
"oh?"
Chen Dachang was skeptical.
Fang Shaojian glared at Chen Dachang. "Now that the Crown Prince has passed away, you've finally gotten what you wished for. Now, I want to see how you two fight each other."
Chen Dachang's face changed, "Master Fang, don't think that we dare not touch you."
Fang Shaojian sneered, "I'm waiting for you to kill me. Let's see if you have the ability to kill me."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and left.
Chen Dachang snorted coldly and called his disciple, "Keep an eye on Fang for us. Report his every move."
"Yes, sir."
Fang Shaojian dragged his heavy body to meet the Crown Princess Sun.
Bang!
When the two met, Crown Princess Sun slapped Fang Shaojian in the face without saying a word.
Fang Shaojian did not dodge and took the slap head-on.
Crown Princess Sun's face darkened. "Is this what you call a plan? The Crown Prince is dead, dead!"
Fang Shaojian said expressionlessly, "Your Majesty, please obey His Highness's wishes and restrain the young masters. Do not cause any more trouble at this time."
"Shut up right there. It was you who killed the prince. You deserve to die!" Princess Sun shouted angrily.
Fang Shaojian said calmly, "The Crown Prince used his death to save the lives of the Empress and the other young masters, and to protect the entire Eastern Palace. The Empress should understand the Crown Prince's painstaking efforts."
Crown Princess Sun suddenly burst into tears, "Now that the Crown Prince is dead, everything is over. Even if we save our lives, what good is it? We can only live in misery in this life."
"No, there is still a chance." Fang Shaojian said in a firm voice.
Crown Princess Sun stared at Fang Shaojian in a daze.
Fang Shaojian lowered his voice and said, "The Crown Prince died saving Your Majesty. Your Majesty was deeply moved, recalling the love they once shared as father and son, and was filled with grief."
"Really?" Crown Princess Sun couldn't believe it.
Fang Shaojian nodded heavily. "I dare not lie to your majesty. This is absolutely true. Because of the Crown Prince's passing, Minister Wu and the others are not happy at all, but rather worried. Your majesty, you know that before the Crown Prince died, the decree to depose him was only one step away from being made public."
With the Crown Prince's death, the matter of deposing him ends here. His Highness will be buried as the Crown Prince, and Your Majesty will remain the Crown Princess and will become the Dowager Consort in the future."
Crown Princess Sun gritted her teeth and said, "His Highness, with his own death, fulfilled the wishes of all of us. Why is he so determined?"
Fang Shaojian lowered his head and said, "Your Highness has already made up his mind to die, and neither you nor I can change that."
Crown Princess Sun clenched her fists. "He's been weak his whole life, but I never thought he'd be so resolute before his death. If I had known this would happen, perhaps, perhaps..."
She couldn't say the rest of the words.
She can deceive others but not herself.
Even if she had known that the Crown Prince was determined to die, she probably wouldn't have stopped him. She would have used his tactics to gain more benefits for the East Palace, herself, and her child.
But, I really can't say such shameless words.
It is even more difficult to say anything against your will.
Some things can only be done, not said.
"Your Majesty, I express my condolences!"
Fang Shaojian softly consoled her, "Your Majesty still has the eldest grandson. With His Highness's passing, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity exists for the eldest grandson to fulfill his filial duty and attract His Majesty's attention. With careful planning, there's a chance he could become the Crown Prince."
Crown Princess Sun's expression was solemn, "Does the Emperor's eldest grandson really have a chance to become the Crown Prince?"
Fang Shaojian nodded, "As long as we plan carefully, there may be opportunities. The other princes and nobles are not capable of great use, and none of them pleases Your Majesty. If the eldest grandson can gain Your Majesty's favor and regard, everything is possible."
Crown Princess Sun nodded secretly, "From now on, I will pray every day, praying to God to bless Your Majesty with a long life."
In the past, she hoped that the emperor would die soon so that the prince could take the throne.
Now, she hopes that the emperor will live a long life so that her son can ascend to the throne.
They have different demands and completely opposite ideas about the same person.
How ironic.
Pure realistic egoism.
"Your Majesty, please change into mourning clothes and see His Highness off for the last time."
Crown Princess Sun nodded and summoned all the sons and daughters, the crown prince's concubines, to change into mourning clothes and prepare to observe mourning.
Before leaving, Crown Princess Sun called the emperor's eldest grandson Liu Cheng to stop, gave him detailed instructions, and taught him the tricks in person.
The emperor's eldest grandson Liu Cheng was speechless and breathing heavily.
Crown Princess Sun's face was stern. "Don't reveal your actions in front of anyone. From this moment on, you only have one identity: a filial son."
The emperor's eldest grandson, Liu Cheng, nodded heavily, "Son, I understand."
"Go ahead, behave well, and don't let your father's efforts go to waste."
Liu Cheng bowed and left.
Crown Princess Sun looked at the guards outside and saw a familiar face.
After thinking about it, he finally remembered that it was Xie Mao's son Xie Shi, who was now the personal guard of the emperor's eldest grandson.
Crown Princess Sun called over Junior Supervisor Fang and asked, "Xie Mao died at the hands of Gu Jiu. When are you going to tell Xie Shi?"
Fang Shaojian looked at Xie Shi and said, "There's no rush for this matter. It's not the right time yet."
Crown Princess Sun frowned.
Fang Shaojian said calmly, "Right now, it's just a blunt knife, useless. It needs time to sharpen it until it becomes even sharper. Even an ordinary dagger can be of great use. Xie Shi needs both training and the right time."
Crown Princess Sun asked, "When do you mean the right time?"
Fang Shaojian said, "Prince Ning's Mansion is not a monolithic entity. We must wait for a guaranteed hit before we strike. If we miss, the opponent will become defensive, and it will be difficult to strike later."
Crown Princess Sun sighed, "Never mind, I'll leave this to you. Now that the Crown Prince is gone, I'll need to rely on you in many areas. I also ask that Junior Supervisor Fang not be stingy with his talents and devote all his energy to assisting the Emperor's eldest grandson."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Our family will do our best to tutor the Emperor's eldest grandson."
Crown Princess Sun walked out of the main hall and said, "Let's go, follow me to the mourning hall to observe the mourning period."
The prince's mourning hall was set up in the temporary palace, not the imperial palace.
The weather was hot, so there were a lot of ice cubes placed in the mourning hall, which made it cool.
Gu Jiu and Ouyang Fu hurried to the palace.
Yesterday, when the city gates were about to close, news came from the palace that the prince had passed away, shocking the world.
The prince actually died before he was deposed, and died to save His Majesty?
How could there be such a coincidence in the world?
It's incredible.
No matter what others think, when Gu Jiu heard the news, his first reaction was that there was no such coincidence in the world.
The emperor wants to depose the crown prince and has already drafted an edict, waiting only for it to be stamped and announced to the world.
Just at this moment, an assassin appeared in the palace.
It happened that the prince blocked the assassin's sure-shot attack for the emperor and died for the emperor.
The prince died, and the timing of his death was so good.
The decree to depose the crown prince was thus annulled, and the emperor was moved and ordered a grand funeral.
So many coincidences came together to create this miracle.
Gu Jiu muttered secretly, "If this isn't a coincidence, the master behind this is truly astonishing. The timing and the degree of control are just perfect. It's like a textbook example of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. One person's death saves hundreds of thousands of lives. Not only is he calm and rational, but he's also ruthless."
An assassin appeared in the palace, and countless people from top to bottom died.
Only a ruthless and strategic person can complete such a grand plan.
However, Fang Shaojian, the mastermind behind this incident, had not expected that the assassination attempt and the prince's sacrifice would collide so cleverly.
I can only say that all this is God's will.
God's will allowed the prince to make the most correct response at the critical moment.
Gu Jiu only dared to mutter these words in private and never dared to shout them in front of others.
Early in the morning, she and Ouyang Fu set out together and hurried to the palace.
Because Xiao Qin'er was pregnant, it was inconvenient for her to go out and she had to stay in the palace.
The three of them rode in a carriage and traveled over a hundred miles in a day, changing horses twice along the way. They did not arrive at the palace until dark.
When they arrived at the palace, they had no time to rest or even change their clothes, and rushed to the mourning hall to pay their respects.
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