Chapter 340 Yunji, Let’s Go Home (Finale)
When I came out of the high-rise building, it was almost dusk.
Just as Su Rui was about to get in the car to go home, she smelled a hint of sandalwood brought by the wind.
Turning around, I saw Yun Ji riding a horse towards me from a distance, but as he got closer, the expression on his face was not good.
"What's wrong?" Su Rui asked worriedly.
"Follow me into the palace." Yun Ji said as he extended his hand to Su Rui.
Entering the palace at this time is nothing more than one thing.
Not daring to delay for a moment, Su Rui grabbed Yun Ji's hand, jumped onto the horse's back under his guidance, and followed him to gallop towards the palace.
When they arrived at the Yangxin Palace, ministers were already kneeling on the ground outside the palace, and many concubines were also kneeling inside the main hall. However, they did not look sad, but rather terrified. After all, they had wasted most of their lives in the palace and had no children. Once the emperor passed away, they didn't know where to go.
Eunuch Fu had already been waiting in front of the curtain. When he saw Yun Ji and Su Rui coming, he immediately had someone lift the curtain and lead the two inside.
Normally, Su Rui, as a concubine, was not allowed to enter the emperor's bedroom, but Eunuch Fu did not stop her. She knew that the emperor had probably given instructions in advance. Could it be...
The last glimmer of doubt was completely shattered when the last curtain was lifted.
There are no miracles, no flashes of life.
The emperor was lying on the dragon bed, completely skin and bones, with dry and gray skin, sunken eye sockets, high cheekbones, and an open mouth with dry and thin lips. He breathed lightly and heavily, and his chest had stopped rising and falling.
This is, holding on to my last breath.
No, to be exact, I finally couldn't hold it any longer.
Ever since the emperor fell into a coma, he was actually holding on to his last breath for the Great Zhao Kingdom.
In the past six months, the emperor has been holding on to this life with great difficulty, and the suffering and exhaustion he has endured are unimaginable to ordinary people.
And now, after holding on until now, I can finally let go.
Queen Lin stood on the right and looked at Yun Ji. There was no longer any tension or undercurrent in her eyes. She simply said, "Your Majesty, Yin Qin is here."
Yun Ji walked forward, knelt on one knee in front of the dragon bed, reached out and grasped the emperor's hand, whose joints were as clear as dead branches. The corners of his eyes trembled unconsciously, but he suppressed everything and said in a normal voice: "Royal brother, I'm here."
The dry and cold fingers moved slightly, and the breathing became rapid, like the broken wind direction, as if he wanted to express something, but he could no longer do anything.
"I know, I know everything. I will definitely protect the Great Zhao Kingdom." Yun Ji immediately promised not to make the emperor suffer more.
I don’t know if the emperor really heard it or was just tired, but his breathing gradually became weaker.
It became weaker and weaker, until finally, there was no sound at all.
But, the corners of his mouth raised slightly.
"The Emperor has passed away!"
A loud shout spread out one by one.
Immediately afterwards, cries and shouts resounded throughout the Yangxin Palace.
Yun Ji tightly grasped the hand that was once broad and strong, but now withered and cold. He could no longer hold back his tears, and said softly with a trembling and suppressed voice, "Brother, Anle."
Queen Lin also shed tears silently. Although they were the closest relatives, they were still husband and wife. Even if they ended up fighting to the death, after decades of separation, there might not be true love beneath the pretense.
But even the sadness could not last long. As the heavy curtains that had been hanging for more than a year were lifted one by one, the important officials entered the hall and immediately dealt with various affairs and fought for power.
"The emperor left a will."
Just as the ministers walked in and were yet to speak, Eunuch Fu walked to the dragon bed and took out a roll of bright yellow silk cloth embroidered with a golden dragon from his sleeve. The moment it was unfolded, everyone knelt to receive the decree.
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor summons me, saying: 'I, the Mandate of Heaven, shall not be long. However, I have no sons of worthy character, nor am I able to carry on the Way of Heaven, nor am I wise enough to shoulder the responsibility of the state. The son of the late Emperor, my younger brother, Zhao Yinqin, possesses martial virtue, profound wisdom, benevolence, and love for the people. He is bestowed with the Mandate of Heaven and the will of the people, and I appoint him as the Crown Prince. When I ascend the throne, I shall inherit the throne and bless the great Zhao nation."
Everyone was shocked when they heard Eunuch Fu's resounding words.
Unexpectedly, the emperor would leave such a will under such circumstances, eliminating the last possible chaos.
No, the emperor must have prepared this will before he became seriously ill. He had anticipated this day, just like everything he had arranged long ago, to be revealed at the right time.
If it was the Second Prince now and Queen Lin had won, this edict would not have been issued, but there must be a back-up plan.
Su Rui felt deeply terrified by the emperor's heart. Even though he was so seriously ill, he could still make every possible effort and keep everything under control. If his body could hold on, and if the emperor was given another ten years, it would be hard to imagine what would happen to the Great Zhao.
A hint of self-mockery flashed across Queen Lin's eyes.
Looking at the emperor who had already passed away on the dragon bed, I realized that everything was in vain. No matter what, I could not defeat the emperor.
"Empress Lin, of noble descent, is a descendant of a noble family. She is respectful, frugal, benevolent, filial, and upright. She has long assisted me and provided me with many domestic aids. I am deeply concerned about you as I depart. I hope you live to be a hundred years old. You are hereby granted the title of Empress Yuanyou and are to reside in Fengming Garden."
Fengming Garden is the largest royal villa and the closest to the imperial palace, but it can only be reached by water.
In the past, it was built by the previous emperor for the empress at that time, and later it was used as a summer residence. However, only the empress accompanied the emperor there. The other concubines had never even taken a ride on the passing boat, let alone had no idea what Fengming Garden looked like.
This was the love nest of the Emperor and Queen Lin in the past. Now giving this land to Queen Lin is both to imprison her and to protect her.
Until the end, the emperor did not expose Queen Lin's attempt to confuse the royal bloodline and steal the country.
Is it for face?
Or friendship?
No one knows, only the emperor himself knows.
Empress Lin's expression remained unchanged. She simply bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will obey the Emperor's will."
Queen Lin responded to the imperial edict, and everyone naturally followed suit.
After the dust settled, the next step was to deal with the emperor's funeral. Naturally, many decisions had to be made by Yun Ji, who was now the crown prince.
It was not until late at night that Yun Ji was able to come out of the imperial study, and Su Rui was standing outside the door.
Yun Ji immediately untied the cloak he had just put on, took two quick steps to expose Su Rui to the light, frowned, and asked with a look of reproach and concern, "How long have you been waiting here?"
"I'm not stupid. Someone came to report that Lord Wang had left, so I came out of the warm room on time. I wasn't cold at all. If you don't believe me, touch your hands." Su Rui extended her hand to Yun Ji as proof.
Yun Ji held her hand, and it was indeed still warm.
Su Rui approached, looked at him with bright eyes and smiled: "It's late, Yun Ji, let's go home."
Looking into her eyes and her smile, Yun Ji's sadness was relieved.
He nodded, held her hand tightly, and the two walked out of the palace side by side.
The candlelight in the palace lantern stretched the two figures, making them overlap and merge into one, supporting each other.
(End of text)
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