Chapter 157 The New Emperor
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
Whether they were concubines in the harem or high-ranking officials in the court, everyone was shocked and surprised by the emperor's sudden decision.
The first thought that flashed through their minds was: Didn't His Highness the Prince of Yan sign a military pledge?
Of course, they didn't have the guts to say those words out loud.
The Emperor's intentions had long been out in the open. From the moment he issued the decree appointing Prince Yan as regent, it was clear who would inherit the throne. Moreover, there was indeed no one more suitable than Prince Yan in the court.
"Your Majesty," Consort Gu frowned, "the imperial physician advised you to rest and recuperate, but he didn't say anything about you abdicating—"
"If you don't abdicate, you'll have to continue worrying about state affairs, and worrying about state affairs will prevent you from resting properly." Emperor Zhaode raised his hand to indicate that she didn't need to say anything more. "This matter is settled. No one needs to say anything more."
Consort Gu indeed shut her mouth.
She certainly didn't want to say more.
In any case, this position will belong to Yan Cang sooner or later. In order to uphold that military pledge, the emperor has not yet established an heir apparent. Even though Yan Cang holds military power, he is not the rightful crown prince.
If the emperor were to suddenly pass away one day, the court would surely be in chaos.
If we don't pass the throne now, are we just waiting for the princes to rebel after the emperor's death? Even if Yan Cang wins and ascends the throne, it will be far less legitimate than the emperor passing the throne to the throne himself.
To avoid any opposition.
After Emperor Zhaode finished speaking, he lowered his head and coughed for a long time, almost coughing up his internal organs.
Yan Chen looked up at his father's complexion, which was far less robust than it had been four years ago, and a sense of guilt welled up in his heart. He lowered his eyes and said, "Father, please rest assured. Your son and Shen Jingbai will definitely do our best to assist the new emperor, fulfill our duties as subjects, and never allow anyone to have the opportunity to disrupt the court."
The Ming King then spoke up: "Your son has repeatedly contradicted Father Emperor over the years, which is truly unfilial. Your son will definitely be careful in his words and deeds from now on, and like the eldest prince, wholeheartedly assist the new emperor, so that Father Emperor will no longer have to worry about trivial matters."
Emperor Zhaode's coughing stopped for a moment, then resumed naturally.
His long cough was only meant to deter the courtiers from objecting, but it unexpectedly brought out the guilt in his two rebellious sons.
His face turned red from coughing. He turned to look at Yan Chen and Yan Yang, about to say something, when suddenly another series of violent coughs erupted: "Cough cough cough! Cough cough cough..."
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health!"
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health!"
"We, your subjects, are determined to assist the new emperor and make the Yong Kingdom prosperous and strong!"
Prince Jing, Yan Zheng, weakly raised his head: "Father, I will certainly share the burdens and worries of the new emperor in the future..."
The hall suddenly fell silent.
A pair of eyes subtly fell on his face, and Emperor Zhaode's cough finally stopped.
Consort Gu gently patted his chest: "Your Majesty, please rest well."
Emperor Zhaode looked at Yan Zheng: "What worries or troubles do you intend to share for the new emperor?"
"Your subject..." Yan Zheng racked his brains for a moment, "Your subject will definitely behave himself and try his best not to upset the new emperor."
Emperor Zhaode: "..."
Everyone present: "..."
Even Princess Jing was speechless at his words.
However, not pleasing the new emperor was indeed the best Yan Zheng could do. Since his father disliked him, he tried his best not to appear in front of his father. How could one not say that he was a well-behaved and observant prince?
As for Prince Jing's birth mother, Consort De.
She had completely given up hope on this son. When she heard him say these words, she just glanced at him, her eyes calm and undisturbed.
"That's settled then." Emperor Zhaode didn't want to say any more. "The Ministry of Rites should make good preparations, decide on the imperial title, choose an auspicious day, and try to hold the enthronement ceremony in August or September. Then I can rest assured and be a retired emperor."
"Your Majesty, we obey!"
"From today onwards, the morning court will be presided over by the new emperor," the retired emperor added. "From now on, all my ministers shall address me as the retired emperor, and please do not make a mistake again."
The officials kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, we will obey your decree!"
The retired emperor waved his hand: "Those who should attend court, go to court. The Ministry of Rites will draft an edict of succession for me to review later. Also, think of a new imperial title as soon as possible and submit it together... Never mind, just submit the new imperial title to the new emperor for review."
"yes."
The four adult princes, Yan Cang, Yan Chen, Yan Yang, and Yan Zheng, filed out one after another, and the ministers also left one after another, and the hall instantly became quiet again.
The Emperor Emeritus looked at the women kneeling on the ground and said to Chu Yunjin first, "Princess Consort of Yan... no, Empress, you are pregnant, please get up."
Chu Yunjin was still a little dazed.
She went from being the Princess Consort of Yan to the Empress after just one trip to the palace. This change in status was so rapid that she was somewhat dazed.
The retired emperor leaned against the headboard and raised his hand: "Get up, all of you."
Several concubines and princesses in the harem stood up.
"After the new emperor ascends the throne, he will take good care of the concubines in the harem. As long as I am alive, he will not disrespect you elders," the retired emperor said calmly. "So there is no need to worry."
"yes."
The matter of succession was thus settled.
Consort Gu and the other concubines were accompanying the Emperor Emeritus at Chonghua Palace.
Several of Chu Yunjin's consorts sat to the side, chatting with the Emperor Emeritus about everyday matters.
After the morning court session ended, Yan Cang and several princes and ministers discussed matters in the Qin Zheng Hall. The Prince of Nan Zhao Huaibei requested an audience to congratulate the new emperor on his ascension to the throne and expressed his pleasure at the outcome.
Peaceful coexistence is a shared wish of Yan Cang and him.
However, unless Yan Cang has absolute authority, the alliance between the two countries can not be maintained. After talking with Yan Cang at the border, the only person the King of Huaibei trusts the most is Yan Cang.
Therefore, whatever the reason for the sudden abdication of the Yongguo Emperor, the Prince of Huaibei was delighted.
Now that Yan Cang has ascended the throne, Zi Ying has married Yan Yang.
The King and Queen of Huaibei had traveled a long way to make this trip, and they were extremely satisfied with the result.
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