The Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, the Fifth Prince, and other princes, along with several regents appointed by Emperor Kangxi, followed Longduo Ke to the Qianqing Palace. At this time, the palace was empty, and a large group of people stood under the plaque of the Qianqing Palace.
Longkodo gestured to Liang Jiugong: "I'd like to trouble you, Eunuch, to find someone to bring a ladder. The Emperor's edict is behind the plaque..."
Liang Jiugong nodded and turned to look for a ladder.
While waiting, the crowd below grew restless and whispered among themselves.
Fourth Master remained expressionless, while Eighth Master deliberately walked at the front of the procession, looking up at the four large characters on the plaque: "Upright and Bright."
Ninth Master followed behind, muttering impatiently, "We still don't know if there's a will behind this plaque..."
Third Master chuckled, "Indeed, if I had known it would be this troublesome, Father Emperor should have said it himself..."
The Eighth Prince's gaze was deep. He glanced at the Fourth Prince and seemed to be talking to himself: "The Emperor's last wish was for the Qing Dynasty to be stable and for the people to live in peace and happiness. I share the same wish as the Emperor. Only by doing my best can I live up to Father Emperor's expectations. Isn't this the same for whoever becomes the Emperor?"
At this moment, Liang Jiugong brought over a ladder, and Longkodo personally rode over, groping behind the plaque for a long time before slowly carrying out a golden box.
The hall was silent, almost everyone staring at the box. Longkodo stood in front of everyone, solemnly and slowly opened the brocade box, and carefully took out the imperial edict.
With a rustling sound, Longkodo unfolded the imperial edict. Everyone present knelt down, reverently awaiting the Emperor Kangxi's decree.
Longduoke, his face expressionless, avoided the expectant and eager gazes of the Ninth Prince, Eighth Prince, and others, and slowly read: "The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, is of noble character, closely resembles me, and deeply understands my heart. He will surely inherit the throne. Therefore, the throne is passed to the Fourth Prince, who is expected to devote himself wholeheartedly to protecting the Qing Dynasty and its people. This is the imperial decree..."
The Qianqing Hall was completely silent, except for the sounds of breathing and Longkodo reading the imperial edict. Several people shivered uncontrollably and exchanged glances.
Eighth and Ninth Masters stood up in disbelief, staring intently at the imperial edict in Longduo's hand, frozen in place.
Ninth Master took a step forward, stunned, and exclaimed, "Impossible! How could it be Fourth Brother?"
Longkodo put away the imperial edict and replied confidently, "What does the Ninth Prince mean? Is he questioning the Emperor's last wishes, or is he questioning the edict in my possession?"
Third Master also stood up and stepped forward, coldly saying, "Sir, you're really strange. You knew that only you were in the position of the imperial edict, you were the one who took the edict, and you were the one who read it aloud. Doesn't that make you suspicious?"
Longduo glanced at the Third Master but ignored him, his gaze fixed on the Fourth Master.
The Eighth Prince hadn't recovered yet. He turned around and stared at the Fourth Prince, who was kneeling on the ground without moving, and asked, word by word, "Fourth Brother, do you know that Father Emperor intends to pass the throne to you?"
The Fourth Prince then raised his head and said expressionlessly, "Heaven's grace is unpredictable. Father has his own arrangements, and I will only obey Father's decrees..."
Eighth Master sneered, his eyes blazing with jealousy, and pointed at Fourth Master through gritted teeth: "Do you dare to ask yourself if you have a clear conscience?"
Everyone was shocked and looked at the two in fear, but Fourth Master ignored Eighth Master's duty and suspicion, calmly raised his head, and his upright and firm posture made his attitude clear.
Little did anyone know that at this moment, beneath his sleeves, the Fourth Prince's trembling hands were drenched in sweat. The immense weight in his heart had finally been lifted. He was deeply moved, yet also filled with grief and despair, thinking of how Kangxi had passed the throne to him...
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