The emperor did not get angry, knowing that Xu Zang resented him.
No father would ignore or be indifferent to his child after birth.
Xu Zang could only see his father, the Emperor, when the concubines in the palace celebrated their birthdays.
He could only watch from afar, seeing his father holding his other brothers, filled with envy, yet he couldn't even get close to his father.
He received no fatherly love from childhood to adulthood, so why should he call him "Father"?
Xu Zang was kind enough that he never even considered killing his father.
The emperor could only hope that, on his deathbed, he could hear his son call him "Father."
But he was destined to be disappointed.
The father and son remained silent. The emperor lay on the edge of the bed, panting for a long time, before ordering the eunuch Fulu to bring the imperial edict that had been prepared beforehand.
Fu Lu bowed, wiped the tears from his face, and presented a bright yellow imperial edict.
"Your father has never prepared any gifts for you since you were a child. This time, he has summoned you back to the capital with a grand gift, which I am sure you will like."
Xu Zang seemed to see through what was written on the bright yellow cloth.
His face was expressionless, devoid of joy or sorrow, and even tinged with sarcasm: "Your Majesty is quite the schemer. By handing the throne to me, you can keep Xu Lian and Xu Heng in check, ensuring your empire remains secure. Let me handle this mess so you can peacefully pass away."
A smile crept across the emperor's lips: "You are very clever, you are fit to be emperor. With the Xu Kingdom in your hands, I can die in peace."
Xu Zang looked at him coldly: "How could you possibly rest in peace? You've killed many people, and my mother will be the first to not let you off the hook."
The emperor seemed to catch his breath, gasping for air, and Fulu went up to pat his chest.
The emperor coughed up a mouthful of foul blood, his eyes wide open, lying stiffly in Fu Lu's arms, his death unresolved.
He was actually so angry that he died.
Faced with the room full of sorrowful weeping, Xu Zang remained unmoved and picked up the imperial edict from the ground.
The emperor had long known that his body wouldn't last much longer. This imperial edict was written half a year ago, and he didn't consider anyone else, only designating Xu Zang as his successor.
Xu Zang gave the imperial seal to Nie San and instructed him to mobilize the Imperial Guards to surround the palaces.
In addition, red signal smoke was released into the air.
The 30,000-strong army marched into the imperial city in a grand procession. The people were so frightened by the sight that they shut their doors and windows, all wondering if the Seventh Prince was about to force the emperor to abdicate.
A new emperor brings a new court; the times are about to change.
Empress Li sensed something was wrong and was jolted awake from her whispered conversation with her lover; by then, the situation was already decided.
When the emperor died, he left a will designating his son, Xu Zang, as the next emperor.
The crown prince, being the legitimate son, should rightfully inherit the throne.
Among the officials, apart from the faction led by Chancellor Li Shouhai who held a skeptical attitude, all other officials supported the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne.
Lady Li hastily tidied herself up, her phoenix crown askew, and rushed to the emperor's bedroom, where she saw all the civil and military officials kneeling on the ground.
Her elder brother, Li Shouhai, knelt at the front, confronting Xu Zang directly.
That foolish prince, standing tall and broad-shouldered atop the nine steps, his robes fluttering, his expression grim, had completely shed his former mad and simple-minded appearance.
Li knew she had been deceived and was furious.
But now, outside the palace are Xu Heng's 30,000 elite troops. That madman somehow joined forces with Xu Zang and is willing to help the foolish crown prince ascend the throne.
There were sentries every three steps in the palace, and imperial guards with swords were everywhere.
They were completely unprepared and had no hope of turning the tide. They could only feign submission and plan for the future.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
