Chapter 250 (Reign Title: Taiyuan Hong)
That night was destined to be a sleepless one.
The emperor who claimed he would abdicate had not yet stepped down, and the crown prince who claimed he would succeed him had not yet ascended the throne. One was "seriously injured and bedridden," unable to oversee affairs, while the other had just displayed his extraordinary abilities, inspiring awe. The ministers and guards, busy handling various trivial matters, were momentarily unsure whether to report to His Majesty or His Highness the Crown Prince. Some reported to one, while others, due to unforeseen circumstances, reported to the other, creating considerable confusion.
Since Emperor Hongren was pretending to abdicate, he had to maintain the impression that he had been injured in the palace coup. He had to watch helplessly as the Crown Prince calmly and naturally gathered everyone in the middle of the night, and all the meetings were held with him, so as not to disturb his father's recuperation.
— He looked so filial.
"..."
Emperor Hongren had no choice but to grit his teeth and swallow the bitter pill, pretending to be drowsy with his eyes half-closed, just as the Crown Prince had instructed.
The victor is king, the loser is villain. Since he's going to abdicate, it's best to act decisively now... going along with his temper will only lead to trouble. This son of his really has a mysterious air about him. He... can't afford to offend him.
Even though he thought that way rationally, Emperor Hongren's pent-up frustration and anger remained trapped in his chest, with nowhere to vent.
...When has he ever been so subservient to anyone!
"His Majesty?"
The people who came this time were Aunt Needle Flower, who served the Empress Dowager, and the head eunuch of the Empress's palace. The inner palace had been on tenterhooks for so long, and seeing that the incident was gradually calming down, but no one had gone to the inner palace to report it, they mustered up their courage to come out and show their concern for the Emperor.
Even though the Crown Prince said he would take charge of the affairs, the two still turned their gazes to the drowsy Emperor Hongren, respectfully and questioningly awaiting his instructions.
Qi Chengming put down his brush and didn't react much. He just sat at the table and waited patiently.
Prince Ning, however, was distracted. Seeing this, he felt a chill in his heart and stepped forward hurriedly, saying, "Aunt, Father, Father Emperor was injured in the palace coup and is too weak to write the abdication edict. Your elder brother, the Crown Prince, is very filial. Let's not disturb Father Emperor here."
He kept giving the two of them meaningful glances.
Although the previous head eunuch in the Empress's palace had been removed a few years ago, this current head eunuch had watched Prince Ning grow up in the Empress's palace since he was a child. He would listen to his young master more than anyone else. Although the head eunuch had many questions in his mind, he did not feel comfortable asking them at this time. He immediately realized that he had made a mistake, withdrew his gaze, and went to the Crown Prince to respectfully smile.
The Empress Dowager always doted on Prince Ning, so how could Aunt Zhenhua not love him? She turned around and followed suit.
Qi Chengming then smiled and gestured for them to rise, saying there was no need for formalities: "No need for such formalities. Go back and report to the Empress Dowager and the Empress that there have been many troubles these past two days, and the inner palace should also be kept quiet and orderly. My father is injured, but his life is not in danger. Please forgive me for not being able to go and pay my respects. I will visit him when I have time."
"Not at all, Your Highness, please take care of yourself..." Aunt Needle Flower dared not accept such a reply and quickly offered some pleasantries.
When will the Crown Prince have any free time before he ascends the throne? They're not that oblivious to social cues.
“That makes perfect sense. I have another matter to discuss with you. Her Majesty the Empress is concerned about Prince Ning, which is why…” The head eunuch smiled obsequiously, smoothly steer the conversation toward Prince Ning.
"...It is my unfilial act to cause the Empress Dowager such worry. I will return now," Prince Ning said as if he had suddenly woken from a dream. He turned back and glanced at Qi Chengming, as if he had something to say, but hesitated and could not say anything due to the presence of many people. He could only hurriedly bow and leave with the others.
Qi Chengming was quite shrewd and remembered this.
The commander of the Imperial Guards, who was standing in front of the Crown Prince discussing matters, saw the two men's attitudes change drastically and simply closed his eyes, remaining silent: "..."
The Crown Prince has some clever tricks up his sleeve.
Inside the same hall, His Majesty was resting on a couch eight steps away. The Crown Prince, however, had set up a low table there to conduct business. His stated purpose was to both diligently serve his father and, if any issues arose that he couldn't resolve, to clarify them for his father. He believed that one should serve one's sovereign without cause.
And what was the result?
Ministers, guards, aunts, eunuchs—who among them wouldn't hesitate a moment before entering? With "Your Majesty" on one side and "Crown Prince" on the other, and with such a grand display, where should this matter be reported? After the chief eunuch close to the Crown Prince explains it a few more times, those who walk out of this door will all understand... The Crown Prince is now in power.
Or rather, it's a new monarch who's only missing a grand ceremony to rule!
To the right, a steady stream of people flowed past the Crown Prince's desk. To the left, however, the area in front of His Majesty's bed was sparsely populated, mostly with imperial physicians and eunuchs conversing in hushed tones.
The Crown Prince isn't even willing to wait a few more days! Is he trying to seize power so soon?
How heartbroken must His Majesty be, having witnessed the entire event?
The Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards was in turmoil at the thought of all this. He was indignant at the decline of the emperor he served and anxious and uncertain about his own future. He knew all too well that no matter how well he performed, as a loyal subject to His Majesty, the Crown Prince would not allow him to continue as Commander-in-Chief after ascending the throne.
What future does he have?
Seeing that the Imperial Guard Commander was standing absentmindedly, Qi Chengming didn't care about him. He glanced at Xiao Chengzi at the door and told him to send someone in to report.
Xiao Chengzi reported: "Wu Qingdao, the eunuch in charge of the prince's affairs, requests an audience, saying that the seventh prince is deeply apprehensive and has come to inquire after Your Majesty's well-being."
Who is waiting at the door, who can enter and who can't—these are all things the chief eunuch of the imperial court needs to find out. He has to figure out the emperor's intentions and can't make decisions on his own. Xiao Chengzi and Xiao Dezi are standing here, one serving closely and the other trying to get information from the door. Although they have just taken office, they are doing a fairly good job.
—When Xiao Chengzi was still in the palace, he was good at making friends and asking around, and he was very popular. Now he has returned to his old ways.
"I won't see you." Qi Chengming refused without even blinking, without giving a single reason.
Having figured things out, Xiao Chengzi advised Wu Qingdao to go back before leaving, and even revealed some information: "His Highness is extremely busy, why should the Seventh Prince cause trouble at a time like this? He should just stay put, that's the best he can do for His Majesty!"
Having received confirmation, Wu Qingdao's face regained some color, and he smiled and readily agreed. The Seventh Prince's antics at the Prince's Palace stemmed from having heard rumors and fearing for his future after his brother's ascension. But Wu Qingdao judged him to be no peaceful man; he probably just didn't believe it. If Wu Qingdao hadn't come to see Prince Ning, he wouldn't have gone to all this trouble on behalf of the Seventh Prince…
Qi Chengming was so busy that he didn't leave the palace again.
For three days, Luoyang was under martial law, which was gradually eased each day. In the past two days, apart from the officials and the court continuing to operate, the common people were unaware of what had happened. Rumors and speculations flew everywhere, but no household dared to spread the word. They only dared to secretly gnaw at each other and busy themselves with inquiries.
Qi Chengming gave the signal, and the Imperial Guards stationed in the capital accepted the money and began to leak information. Businesses resumed normal operations, and people gradually returned to the streets. Emperor Hongren issued two imperial edicts in the palace, announcing to the world: one condemning the crimes, and the other announcing his abdication.
Lord Liu was in a hurry, his steps relentless these past few days, arresting traitors and filling the prison to capacity. People were brought in from one side, interrogated at the Dali Temple, and beheaded immediately after the trial—there was no delay whatsoever.
Even the Imperial Clan Court official, Uncle, was busy. After Emperor Hongren's abdication edict was announced, he was to perform the sacrifices to Heaven and the ancestral temple on behalf of the "severely injured and unable to get up" Emperor Hongren. All the officials of the Six Ministries worked overtime, busy as bees.
"So it was the Third Prince who forced the emperor to abdicate...!" Upon hearing the imperial edict, Li Banhui's father muttered to himself at home, then anxiously came to find his son. "The Empress Dowager is old; I wonder if she has been frightened?"
"Father, don't worry, it hasn't reached the inner palace." Li Banhui had already put his worries aside. His entire family had pledged allegiance to His Highness the Crown Prince, and this time they had seized the opportunity to help open the city gates. Therefore, his access to the palace was not affected, and he went to visit his father as soon as he was able to enter the palace.
"Now we just need to wait for His Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne... His Highness said he's going to find Physician Bian to treat the Empress Dowager!" Li Banhui was smugly preparing to curry favor. Despite the chaos of the past few days, it didn't stop His Highness the Crown Prince from appeasing his people and secretly inquiring about the distribution of cakes and pastries—although the formal distribution of credit and appointments would have to wait until his ascension to the throne.
Li Banhui used all the credit he earned to seek treatment from the Empress Dowager.
There is only one day left until the abdication ceremony.
At the request of the Ministry of Rites, Qi Chengming's companion, Chu Hong, secretly presented some auspicious words that had been drafted: "Your Highness, these words, which will be used to change the era name when you ascend the throne, should be written into the memorial at the abdication ceremony."
Qi Chengming carefully examined the beautifully worded text:
The characters [元][贞][庆][和][泰] are all very pleasant to the ear.
His young, tired face was expressionless; he seemed to be deep in thought, and remained unresponsive for a long time.
"..." Song Gu, who had come specifically to accompany him, felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
In the previous life, the new ruler, for some reason, didn't change the era name. Even the rulers of the surrounding small kingdoms, who couldn't even be called emperors, had to create several era names for themselves to demonstrate the legitimacy of the previous dynasty and to uphold proper etiquette. Their new ruler, however, went against this. At that time, no one could persuade him. Later, everyone simply referred to it as the first year, second year, third year, and so on of the new dynasty.
The retired emperor was pleased to see this...
Judging from the new emperor's expression, is he about to make this decision again?
But this life is different from the last; he is now the new emperor's most trusted chief steward! Song Gu stepped forward, and asked gently, "Your Highness, is something amiss?"
"When the reign title is changed, there will be a general amnesty, right?" Qi Chengming asked back, without a trace of joy on his face.
"That's the usual practice, but Your Highness is the new ruler of the country, so it's natural for the new ruler to make the decisions." Song Gu understood.
When a new emperor ascends the throne and changes the era name, granting a general amnesty is a basic practice. This is also the most reasonable and quickest way to announce the change of dynasty to all regions.
In his previous life, when the new emperor ascended the throne, he didn't change the era name, but he also couldn't go against the ancestral precepts. Afterwards, he always disliked the general amnesty and never granted another one.
If this is a knot in the new emperor's heart, then there's nothing to be conflicted about at all!
The new emperor is so powerful that if he doesn't want to grant a general amnesty upon ascending the throne, what can others do? What impact will changing the era name have?
Song Gu's gaze was intense. Seeing that the new emperor's expression had relaxed slightly, he carefully selected from several characters and finally said, "Let's call him Taiyuan."
Peace and prosperity for the nation begin with me.
Qi Chengming was confident he could do it; this would be his reign title, and also his warning bell.
“…Yes!” Song Gu also felt a sense of relief.
What only required a few words of explanation in this life, no one could explain to the new ruler in his past life. The new ruler is now opening his heart to them more and more.
...It has changed after all!
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Author's Note: Ugh, I want Mingming to ascend the throne! My hands are killing me! Hurry up and write!
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