The following day – Imperial court
As the person on the dragon throne still hadn't appeared, the crowd couldn't help but whisper among themselves. Yinzhen frowned as he looked at the empty seat, his heart filled with worry. Could it be that something had happened to his father?
"The Emperor has decreed!" The scene immediately quieted down after Liang Jiugong came out, but instead of Liang Jiugong announcing the start of court, they received an imperial edict.
"Prince Yong, receive the imperial decree!" Liang Jiugong then opened the imperial decree, seeing the kneeling court officials.
"Your subject receives the decree!" Yinzhen knelt down, bewildered. Why was he being given an imperial decree at this time? Was it to betroth him to a consort? Surely that didn't need to be announced during the morning court session?
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Since my ascension to the throne, I have diligently handled all important military and national affairs, personnel appointments, and administrative matters, without ever becoming weary or shirking my duties... Today, I hereby appoint my fourth son, Yinzhen, as Crown Prince, and respectfully inform Heaven, the ancestral temples, and the state, bestowing upon him the imperial seal and edict, and placing him in the Eastern Palace to ensure the continuation of the imperial line for ten thousand years. My illness has been lingering for a long time, and I believe that the myriad affairs of state cannot be neglected for long. Therefore, I hereby order the Crown Prince to share the administration of state affairs, to command the army, and to oversee the nation. This is my decree!" Liang Jiugong's voice resounded throughout the hall. In essence, Kangxi praised himself and then praised Yinzhen, finally deciding to appoint Yinzhen as Crown Prince and to handle state affairs together with him—it was that simple.
"Your Highness, receive the decree." Liang Jiugong gently reminded Yinzhen, who had remained silent for a long time. As expected, this was the future emperor, so how could he dare to speak harshly?
"Your subject—receives the decree!" Yinzhen seemed to have just come to his senses when he accepted the imperial decree.
"Eunuch Liang, why didn't Father Emperor come to court today?" Yinzhen couldn't help but ask after receiving the imperial edict.
"Your Highness, His Majesty has said that from today onwards, you can attend the morning court in his place. Unless there are important matters, you don't need to consult him; you can handle things yourself." Liang Jiugong replied with a smile. In truth, after hearing these words, he understood that the Emperor had already decided to abdicate, but was still somewhat uneasy before doing so, hence this decision—essentially supporting the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne.
"Well, I'm just the Crown Prince. Wouldn't it be a bit presumptuous of me to do this?" Yinzhen looked at Liang Jiugong with difficulty.
"This is His Majesty's will, and I'm sure you gentlemen have no objections, right?" Liang Jiugong understood and turned to look at the ministers below with a smile.
"Your Majesty's decree is hereby obeyed! We humbly request that the Crown Prince assume this important responsibility!" The ministers below were remarkably unanimous, as if they had already been informed of this matter and were already aware of it.
"......Your subject obeys the decree!" What could Yinzhen do? Of course, he could only bite the bullet and go for it. Although he was a little confused, he didn't understand how such a good thing had fallen into his lap. But since it had fallen into his lap, he had to do it even if he couldn't.
Yinzhen was forced into this position and was naturally extremely busy, so he couldn't go back to his residence. He now wished he could live and eat in the palace, and he wanted to be in his own right.
Although Yinzhen did not return to his residence to hear the news of being named Crown Prince, it had obviously reached his household. The reactions of the people in the residence varied, but they all had one thing in common: they were all very happy.
Yin Qingyi was somewhat surprised by this news. After all, Yinzhen had never been the crown prince in history, yet this butterfly effect had made him the crown prince ahead of schedule. She didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing. From the current perspective, it should be a good thing. After Yinzhen ascended the throne, no one would be able to say a bad word about him. Historically, Yinzhen's ascension to the throne was very controversial, the biggest controversy being his mother, Consort De. However, based on Yin Qingyi's current understanding, Consort De would not do the foolish thing that happened in history. So, for Yinzhen, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
While Consort Yin was peacefully resting and preparing for her pregnancy at home, Yinzhen was extremely busy in the palace. Before he knew it, five months had passed. Yinzhen was no longer completely clueless about politics. At least now he could spare some time for it every day, instead of being overwhelmed by everything like he had been a few months ago.
It was at this time that Kangxi announced his abdication. In the past few months, he had been helping Yinzhen to learn how to handle government affairs as soon as possible. Now that Yinzhen had learned, it was time for him to abdicate.
"Father, your son still needs you." Yinzhen looked at Kangxi, who was announcing his abdication, with tears glistening in his eyes.
"If you have any questions in the future, go to Changchun Garden to find your father. I feel at ease giving you this position. I have been in this position for decades and I am tired. From now on, I will hand this position over to you. You must live up to this position, understand?" Kangxi looked at Yinzhen with a sense of relief. He had not thought highly of this child before, but in the past few years, this child seemed to have grown up all at once and become sensible. Most importantly, he has a kind heart, so giving him this position is the best thing for him.
"Your subject understands! Your subject will certainly live up to your high expectations, Father!" Tears welled up in Yinzhen's eyes, and his voice was choked with emotion.
"Alright, now that we've finished talking, I'll be leaving. I'll leave things to you from now on. I'll be moving to Changchun Garden tomorrow." Kangxi patted Yinzhen's shoulder with a smile. This silly child, please don't cry, it's too embarrassing.
"Then I will see you off tomorrow." Yinzhen did not cry in the end. If it were more than ten years ago, he would have cried, but now he was thirty years old and a father of several children. It would be undignified to cry now.
"No need, you'll have plenty to do later, I can go by myself." Kangxi shook his head and declined Yinzhen's offer.
The next day
Yinzhen, wearing a close-fitting dragon robe, walked onto the throne. When Yinzhen saw this dragon robe early this morning, he knew that his father had already prepared it. Otherwise, how could he have a close-fitting dragon robe to wear in such a hasty ascension to the throne? This dragon robe must have been prepared for him long ago.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" The court officials knelt before the new emperor.
"Rise, my beloved ministers!" Yinzhen said in a deep voice.
From then on, the Kangxi era ended, and the reign title was changed to Yongzheng!
On the day Yinzhen ascended the throne, auspicious clouds suddenly appeared on the horizon, turning the entire sky into a color of good fortune. At that moment, Luoxue Pavilion suddenly became lively.
"Granny, please invite all the midwives over," Yin Qingyi said calmly while eating her breakfast.
"What?" Yin Qingyi's calmness caused the old woman to be momentarily stunned.
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