In the bedroom, the emperor asked about Cheng Zhao's behavior in the court during this period.
Cheng Zhao explained everything one by one, and the emperor made a few comments from time to time, and a look of satisfaction gradually appeared on his face.
After the questions and answers were completed, the emperor said, "I know everything Chenghui did. Don't worry, I will give you an explanation."
After a pause, the emperor continued, "I know you must hate him."
Cheng Zhao quietly raised his eyes and saw that his father seemed to empathize with him. He pursed his lips and lowered his eyes again, saying, "Father, I really hate him. Not only did he want to kill me, but when his conspiracy was exposed, he also killed Cheng Yao and Shu Xuan. I wish I could kill him!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Cheng Zhao clearly felt his father's gaze on him, and he did not hide his anger.
After a pause, Cheng Zhao continued, "But now that you have my father's words, I feel at ease. With your father making the decision for me, I don't feel wronged. I will leave everything to your father's decision."
My father was just as my mother said. Although he could understand his hatred, when he really said that he hated Gu Chenghui and wanted to kill him, my father still cared.
But he must express his hatred, otherwise how can he let his father know more deeply about the evil things Gu Chenghui has done?
But he couldn't let his father misunderstand him. It would be a lie to say that he didn't hate them. It was impossible for most people not to hate someone who wanted to kill them and their siblings. If he really showed that he didn't hate them, his father would probably be even more worried.
Since this was the case, he expressed his hatred and let his father make the decision for him, which meant he trusted his father's decision.
This will make his father feel more guilty about him and punish the murderer severely!
As expected, Cheng Zhao felt the gaze on him lighten a little. The emperor patted his shoulder and said, "I'm sorry for putting you in such a difficult position."
Cheng Zhao shook his head.
Finally, the emperor said, "When you have time, go to the Fu family to see Miss Fu. You haven't visited her since you got engaged."
Cheng Zhao paused for a moment, then realized that his father wanted him to comfort Miss Fu. After all, they were engaged, and Miss Fu had gone through a great adversity, so naturally as her fiancé, he had to go and see her.
"Yes, I will go there later."
…
Ten days later, the emperor went to the court despite his illness.
What happened in the past ten days has left all the court officials feeling extremely upset.
First, the emperor, who had been in a coma for a long time, woke up and put Prince Shen in prison. This frightened the court officials who had defected to Prince Shen. Then, a series of drastic measures were taken to uncover the shameful deeds done by Prince Shen and Marquis Wu'an.
Forming a clique for personal gain is a minor offense.
The emperor was furious and stripped Prince Shen and Marquis Wu'an of their titles and demoted them to commoners. The entire Marquis Wu'an family was exiled to the northwest, and Prince Shen was exiled to Lingnan.
The queen who was imprisoned in Fengluan Palace also committed suicide in despair in the palace after the fall of the Chu family. The emperor issued an order to depose her from the position of queen and buried her hastily as a commoner.
The fourth prince's in-laws, the Minister of Revenue Zhou, who was detained in prison, were also dismissed from their posts and exiled. The imprisoned Concubine Jing was demoted to a commoner and sent to the cold palace for practicing witchcraft.
The emperor dealt with all the ministers who had followed Prince Shen and Marquis Wu'an in stirring up trouble in the court, leaving many positions vacant, which were just enough to be filled by the group of Jinshi selected by the emperor two years ago. There was a major reshuffle in the court.
The former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Xie Jun, filled the vacancy of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Xie Jun was the father of the former Concubine Xian and the current Empress Xian.
After the matter was settled, the emperor issued an edict to establish an heir: The third prince Gu Chengzhao, the first heir of the royal family, is the will of heaven. Zi strictly abides by the original edict, examines the ceremonies, and complies with public opinion. He is granted the imperial seal and is established as the crown prince, and is in the Eastern Palace.
As soon as the imperial edict was issued, no one objected. All the court officials knelt on the ground and bowed to Cheng Zhao: We pay our respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. May His Royal Highness live a thousand years!
The long-debated dispute over the succession finally came to an end. The subjects from all over the world were loyal to him, but the emperor became even busier.
Ning Yuxi advised the emperor to get more rest, but the emperor just smiled and didn't respond.
Perhaps the emperor also knew that he might not live long, so after appointing an heir, he always kept Cheng Zhao by his side to teach him by example and devote his final efforts to the future of the Jin Dynasty.
Ning Yuxi stopped trying to persuade him several times and just took care of the emperor's food, clothing and daily life herself.
As the twelfth lunar month approached, the emperor's frail body finally gave way and he couldn't even get out of bed.
I could still take some medicine in the first few days, but later I couldn't even drink any medicine.
Ning Yuxi and the remaining high-ranking concubines, Concubine Xian, Concubine Qin, and Concubine Lian, took turns to tend to the illness.
It was the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month. Today was Ning Yuxi's day to take care of the emperor. She brought some medicine to feed the emperor. The emperor, who had been unable to drink the medicine in the past few days, drank the whole bowl of ginseng soup today.
Ning Yuxi was extremely surprised.
After a while, perhaps the ginseng soup took effect, the emperor asked Ning Yuxi to help him sit up.
Seeing that the emperor's condition had improved, Ning Yuxi said with surprise, "The emperor looks much better. I'll go call Doctor Zhong to take a look at you."
The emperor curled his lips and waved his hand, saying, "Don't go. Xi'er, stay and talk with me."
Ning Yuxi realized something, agreed, slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, and said softly, "Okay."
The emperor smiled, slowly raised his hand, took Ning Yuxi's hand, and slowly stroked it.
After a long while, he said, "It has been fifteen years since you entered the palace."
Ning Yuxi was stunned for a moment and replied, "Yes."
She still remembered that when she first came, she encountered the original owner being framed for having an affair with a guard. It had been a bumpy road for fifteen years.
The emperor sighed, "Time flies by so fast. I've almost forgotten what you were like when you first entered the palace. I didn't know Xi'er was such a sensible and considerate person. I've wronged you so many times. I feel so guilty towards you."
Ning Yuxi's heart moved, and she smiled and said, "It's all in the past, why is the emperor saying this?"
The emperor glanced at her and continued, "I understand your temper. What happened is over, but the damage caused can never be erased. I wanted to make it up to you, but I don't have the chance anymore."
Ning Yuxi lowered her eyes and said nothing, and the hall fell silent for a moment.
After a while, the emperor sighed softly and said, "After Chu's death, the position of queen should have belonged to you, but..."
Ning Yuxi hurriedly said, "I dare not think so."
The emperor looked at her with ardent eyes and sighed softly after a long while. "In my life, I have let down two women, one of whom is you. I have issued an edict to promote your father to the hereditary title of Marquis of Yong'an. I hope this can make up for it."
Ning Yuxi was shocked, "This..."
Without waiting for Ning Yuxi to speak, the emperor took out a bright yellow imperial edict and handed it to Ning Yuxi, "This is my only last wish. I leave it to you to decide whether to agree or not."
Ning Yuxi took the imperial edict with both hands, opened it slowly, and after seeing the contents clearly, she couldn't help but sigh that the emperor was truly a loyal man.
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