The regent glanced at him with disdain, his face showing displeasure, but he still patiently replied, "Of course, his entire family will be executed, and he will be punished as a member of the family."
An idiot is an idiot; he doesn't even know this.
The Fourth Prince seemed amused by him, and clapped his hands, saying, "Good! Very good! What are you all standing there for? Quickly take Lord Zhu away, confiscate his property and exterminate his entire clan!"
Lord Zhu panicked and hurriedly looked at the Regent, "Your Highness...Your Highness!"
"Insolence!" The regent's forehead veins bulged, and he roared at the fourth prince with a wave of his sleeve, "Zhao Xuanyang! Are you plotting a rebellion?"
"Treason?" The fourth prince raised an eyebrow and repeated it to him.
"If you weren't plotting a rebellion, how dare you proclaim yourself emperor and sit on the dragon throne!"
The fourth prince seemed to have heard something amusing and laughed, "Brother, you're really something."
A bright smile played on his lips, yet he didn't seem happy at all. The abrupt laughter echoed in the silent hall, adding only a touch of melancholy.
The Regent frowned. "What do you mean?"
The fourth prince glanced at Wuchang, who immediately understood, bowed, and stood on the jade steps beside the dragon throne. Then, he took something out of his sleeve—
The Regent stared wide-eyed at the bright yellow imperial edict in Wu Chang's hand, seemingly unable to believe it was real. Not only him, but even the seasoned Prime Minister Qin Wu couldn't help but rub his eyes.
However, Wu Chang didn't care what they were thinking; he simply unfolded the imperial edict slowly. As the chief eunuch, he naturally knew the principle that an imperial edict must be proclaimed.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have been on the throne for fourteen years. The country is peaceful and prosperous, the people are secure, all nations are subdued, the government is efficient and efficient, and the relationship between the emperor and his ministers is harmonious. My virtue is comparable to that of the ancient sages, and my achievements are even more worthy of future generations."
The fourth prince, Zhao Xuanyang, is of noble character and closely resembles me. He is steadfast and unyielding, and no great temptation can sway his mind. I intend to pass the throne to the fourth prince, Zhao Xuanyang. All the princes should work together to support the new emperor; the senior officials should diligently assist him and work together to safeguard the nation.
So be it.
The fourth prince had knelt beside the dragon throne at some point, meticulously accepting the imperial edict from the hands of the imperial guards. "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"
The Regent's face was grim. Even a fool could tell that this imperial edict could only have been written by Emperor Yuming. Not to mention the imperial seal, the handwriting was stiff and trembling, suggesting that the old man had left himself an escape route after his illness, fearing that the emperor might seize the throne.
Thinking of this, the regent sneered. He was considerate of this legitimate son, but why hadn't he thought of his eldest son? However, despite his displeasure and pale face, he had no choice but to kneel down and accept the decree to avoid giving anyone cause for gossip.
The fourth prince rose, composed himself, and looked expressionlessly at the assembled officials. "Do any of you gentlemen have any further objections?"
Only then did everyone realize that the current fourth prince was an emperor, a ruler, and a person in power, but he was no longer the sincere and frank boy he used to be.
A hush fell over the hall. Finally, Prime Minister Qin Wu bowed deeply, shouting, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Even though the regent's face was ashen, as if he had swallowed a fly, he had no choice but to join the other ministers in paying homage to his younger brother, whom he had once looked down upon but who had now risen to prominence.
The fourth prince looked down at them, his fingers constantly stroking the imperial edict in his palm, as if the image of Emperor Yuming placing it in the box was appearing before his eyes.
That day, Emperor Yuming sent Wuchang to invite him to his palace and discussed the current critical situation with him. Even though he could barely speak, he still insisted on getting up shakily and personally drafted this imperial edict, instructing him to keep it safe.
...
'Father, let Qi Yu grind the ink for you!'
'Our Qi Yu is so sensible, but he's still too young to reach the desk. He needs to eat more.'
'Qi Yu will eat more and grow up quickly!'
...
Father, did you see that?
Qi Yu has grown up.
Father, if you are watching over us from heaven, you must protect the Great Yu land, and protect Qi Yu and Zhao Yang.
...
...
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