The Fourth Prince glanced at Longkodo, noticing he was trembling uncontrollably, clearly gripped by fear and anxiety. To be honest, the Fourth Prince was also quite nervous. If he opened the brocade box, he would have no other choice. Had his question to Longkodo just now also been a question to himself?
"Your Highness," Longkodo said, listing the Fourth Prince's virtues one by one, "from a very young age, even before my elder sister was alive, I was determined to follow you. Your Highness is the most qualified person to inherit the Qing Dynasty. Apart from the deposed Crown Prince, who else could be of higher status than Your Highness? You were raised in the Empress's palace and were personally taught by the Emperor. Therefore, in terms of status, you are impeccable. Since you left the palace to establish your own residence, every task you have performed for the Emperor has been handled efficiently and well, earning His Majesty's favor. In terms of character, you did not form cliques and engage in corruption like the Eighth Prince, who created the Eighth Prince Party, which the Emperor hates most. After the Thirteenth Prince was demoted, you continued to support his household for many years, and the Emperor has witnessed all of this. Although the First Prince Honghui died young, the Fourth Prince Hongli is exceptionally intelligent and is greatly favored by the Emperor. Considering all these aspects, it is impossible for the Emperor not to choose Your Highness." Longkodo listed the Fourth Prince's virtues one by one, analyzing them for him. In fact, he was also analyzing them for himself. Listing these points one by one, it seems that the position of Crown Prince is undoubtedly rightfully his.
"But I also have my shortcomings. For example, I don't know how to please Father and Mother, and I am bland in speech; for example, I have a bad temper and have offended many people; for example, I don't have a legitimate son, and although Hongli is liked by Father, he is still criticized by people." The Fourth Prince sneered.
“Your Highness, these are minor matters. Does someone who accomplishes great things need to please everyone at every turn? Does the Emperor need to be a kind prince who smiles at everyone? The one who rises to power is not necessarily the eldest son of the legitimate wife, but only the virtuous. The Fourth Prince is exceptionally talented, that is a fact that is obvious to all. This servant believes that Your Highness need not worry. Why don’t you open it and take a look?” Longkodo said.
Fourth Master took a deep breath before slowly raising his hand to strike the brocade box.
After the golden brocade was lifted by the dead man, a small black wooden box was revealed inside. It was not locked, and the Fourth Prince could easily see the imperial edict inside by simply opening the lid.
He stared at the small wooden box, then flicked the lock with his thumb and forefinger. The lid popped open, and the box was opened.
Inside was a sheet of Xuan paper that had been rolled into a thin stick.
Longkodo's eyes were fixed on the piece of Xuan paper that was rolled into a thin stick. He wished he could see what was on it in place of the Fourth Master, but he restrained himself, because only the Fourth Master could open this paper.
"Your Highness, please open it and take a look!" Longkodo said anxiously when he saw that the Fourth Prince was just looking at it but not moving.
Fourth Master seemed to be pushed forward step by step by Longkodo. He raised his hand, picked up the slip of paper, and then slowly unfolded it. Longkodo quickly moved behind Fourth Master to see what was on the paper.
For a fleeting moment, Fourth Master's eyes closed. He abruptly closed them as he unfolded the paper in his hand, because he was afraid that the name he saw would not be his own.
"Yinzhen!"
Longkodo shouted, trembling.
"Your Highness, look! It really is Your Highness!" Longkodo exclaimed excitedly, trembling as he looked at the Fourth Prince's profile.
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