Chapter 1: The Grand Finale - Grandson Zhong She succeeds to the throne, reigning under the era name Jinghua.
A long time has passed since the sky curtain ended.
It remained harmlessly suspended in the sky, without making a sound, just as it had for the previous months.
Everyone initially thought it would continue recounting the deeds of Emperor Cheng, but after a while, they gave up on the idea and had no idea when it would reappear.
Perhaps it would be after Zhou She ascends the throne, when he decides to establish an heir?
If I can't figure it out, I'll stop thinking about it.
After all, to glimpse a person's entire life from the sky is truly awe-inspiring and miraculous. The most terrifying thing would be if this extraordinary power could exist forever.
*
A large group of people walked along the wide official road.
Not long ago, a flood destroyed countless fields and houses. The imperial envoy who went to supervise the disaster unexpectedly fell into the water and was never seen alive or dead.
The Crown Prince was then ordered to go to the Chuzhou area to oversee disaster relief efforts. He only began his return journey a few days ago when the situation stabilized.
Zhou She sat upright on his horse, looked up at the sky, and said, "It looks like we won't make it into the city today."
Behind him were several carriages, some carrying wine and food offered by the people when he left, others carrying gold and silver confiscated from their homes, and the carriage closest to him carried several people who were tied up.
Huai Leju, half a step behind him, said upon hearing this, "I have already sent someone to inform the magistrate of Anhe County."
Anhe is their next destination.
Zhou She glanced back. The sky was gradually darkening, and everyone looked tired. It would take another three or four hours to reach Anhe, by which time it would be dawn.
"No need. Let's rest at the nearest inn and stay in Anhe for another day tomorrow."
Huai Leju seemed to have already guessed this answer, and responded with a faint reply.
Having spent several months with this grandson of the crown prince, he had grown accustomed to the latter's style.
If he was somewhat immature at the beginning, now...
Huai Leju inappropriately recalled a saying: "To struggle against heaven, to struggle against earth, to struggle against man—the joy is endless."
These were the words the Crown Prince said to him before they even arrived in Chuzhou.
After saying that, Zhou She quickly changed out of his fine clothes in front of him, wiped the dirt off his face, which was covered in mud, but his eyes were frighteningly bright.
"I want to see why the granaries in Chuzhou, a major grain-producing region, are empty." He said, then gave a cold laugh. "Dare to kill an imperial envoy? He must be tired of living."
Huai Leju remained silent for a long time, finally saying helplessly, "Your Highness, since they dare to kill, you should infiltrate..."
They are also very easy to die from.
The emperor sent him here because he was worried about his safety, wasn't he?
If the Crown Prince is defeated here, he will have no choice but to end his own life here.
However, Zhou She immediately laughed upon hearing this: "That's right, so you come with me, change out of those clothes, and we'll pretend to be brothers."
Huai Leju: "..."
"Don't call me Your Highness yet," Zhou She said calmly. "Let me teach you what one-stop service means."
Huai Leju: "?"
Several guards quickly stepped forward; they were all soldiers of the Imperial Guard, and they quickly dressed Huai Leju up.
Zhou She paced around him: "Since we're already here, disaster relief is one thing, investigating the case is just a side job. If I don't turn them upside down, I'm not a Zhong!"
Snapping out of his reverie, Huai Leju glanced at the carriage behind him.
Although the carriage remained silent throughout, he was certain that the people crammed inside had been hurling insults at Zhou She.
However, it seems that Zhou She also took the account books with him, as he was on his way back to the capital to report to the emperor.
Around 10 p.m., the group finally arrived at the post station.
After dinner, Huai Leju did not see Zhou She, and knew that he must have gone to see the person in the carriage again.
Those men were all corrupt officials with serious criminal records on their hands. They were moved to a separate room where they were guarded both inside and outside.
As Huai Leju approached, he heard a muffled voice: "...You mean, the prefect of Bingzhou is colluding with you in corruption?"
A rough male voice mumbled something, but Huai Leju couldn't hear it.
He stood outside the door, hesitated for a moment, and was about to slowly back away when the tightly closed door suddenly opened, revealing half of the Crown Prince's face: "Now that you're here, why leave?"
Huai Leju was taken aback.
Zhou She's expression was different from before, and his eyes weren't actually looking at him. But Huai Leju could see a hint of indifference in his eyes, which were shrouded in candlelight.
Zhou She flipped through the account books in his hand with a rustling sound, making no attempt to avoid Huai Leju.
He knew the emperor's men. Being ordered to protect him was one thing, but being monitored was quite another.
He read the ledger in his hand many times, word by word, but he always felt that there were deeper secrets hidden beneath it.
Therefore, he tried his best to sort this matter out before returning to Beijing.
Huai Leju stood silently behind him, his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, and he saw the increasingly terrified look in the eyes of the people opposite him.
Zhou She sat with an imposing air, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Actually, I wouldn't mind killing you all along the way. I've heard there are many..."
He turned around and asked, "Are there any bears?"
Huai Leju played along: "Many jackals."
Zhou She smiled and said, "They were torn apart and killed by jackals. I did my best, but all I could see was your tragic deaths. It is a helpless situation."
The old man with gray hair across from me had his lips trembling slightly.
"Alright." After threatening him, Zhou She casually asked a few more questions, then carefully put the account book away from his body. "Go back and rest."
He stepped out of the small, enclosed room, where the sky was filled with stars, as if they were silently watching him.
Huai Leju followed him closely, with many things he wanted to say.
He dismissed Tianmu's words as worthless, not bothering to listen to a single one. Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving; his understanding of Zhou She was not unfounded.
But during this period, he was no longer convinced of his previous judgment.
Most of the time, the Crown Prince is somewhat frivolous, but when it comes to important matters, he is indeed someone who can withstand pressure.
"Oh, right." Zhou She turned around casually, "Bring me the information on the magistrate of Anhe County."
“Yes.” Huai Leju was prepared and nodded in agreement.
Just as he was about to have someone hand over the file, he heard a series of rapid hoofbeats. Someone rushed into the post station like the wind, said something to the postmaster, and took out a token from his waist.
Huai Leju was startled and stepped forward, immediately blocking Zhou She's path.
After hearing what the postmaster had said, the man immediately raised his voice: "I have something important to report!"
His voice was filled with undisguised joy as he let the postmaster verify the documents back and forth. Then he heard the postmaster say, "Wait here."
The postmaster headed straight for Zhou She, and Huai Leju was the first to examine the token.
Huai Leju took the token; it was warm to the touch, and the familiar markings on it sent a jolt through him.
This is... the token of the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards!
What happened in Kyoto?!
He couldn't bear to think any further; an ominous premonition filled his body, and he forced out a few words: "He's one of my men."
Zhou She's eyes were veiled in shadow, but he clearly realized something, his eyes twitching slightly: "Let him in."
*
"The Third Prince attempted to seize the throne, but failed and was captured?"
After Zhou She finished speaking, he exchanged a glance with Huai Leju.
To be honest, it's not surprising that the Third Prince did this, but... where did he get the power to force the abdication?
Zhou She began to question Huai Leju's abilities.
As we all know, the Imperial Guards protect the capital. Now that something has happened in the capital, shouldn't you bear half the responsibility?
"..." Huai Leju understood his meaning. "Your Highness, the city defense matters have now been completely handed over to General Gao Zicong."
Ultimately, the Imperial Guard's strength was insufficient. Moreover, the emperor had dispatched a large number of men to escort the Crown Prince south, which greatly weakened the forces remaining in the capital.
Zhou She frowned: "Gao Zicong...the Third Prince's father-in-law?"
In my memory, he was a refined and cultured old man.
The emperor must have trusted this man enough. Perhaps he lacked sufficient understanding of the ruthlessness his third son could display.
However, he must have been prepared. Otherwise, the news of the Third Prince's coup would have taken several more months to reach his ears.
The man said in a deep voice, "The Imperial Guards have captured the traitor, but... His Majesty's old illness has relapsed, and he is seriously ill in bed. I implore Your Highness to return immediately and take charge of the overall situation!"
Huai Leju's gaze immediately shifted to Zhou She.
He knew in his heart that this was also a question worth considering for Zhou She.
He believed everything the man said. But for Zhou She, he had to consider the possibility of walking into a trap.
After only a few breaths, Zhou She suddenly asked, "Huai Leju, what do you think?"
Huai Leju immediately replied, "He is my confidant."
After hearing this, Zhou She nodded and made a decision: "Return to the capital immediately."
*
The night was deep, the gates of the Qianqing Palace were tightly shut, the emperor's eyes were closed, and he was breathing heavily.
A group of imperial physicians, some kneeling and some standing, were nervously discussing something.
Near the bed, a woman sat close to the emperor, trying her best to feed him medicine from a bowl.
She listened intently as she fed him the medicine.
"Didn't Doctor Liang's prescription work either?"
"No...maybe it needs to be improved. But Liang Jichuan has disappeared again!"
"Then we'll revise it ourselves!" A young imperial physician gritted his teeth, reading it word by word. "We can't just sit here and wait to die!"
The emperor was nearing the end of his life, and the imperial physicians were at a loss.
Chu Cai Ren's lips pursed slightly, her feelings indescribable.
The medicinal soup reflected her furrowed brows.
The emperor didn't even live to see the thirty-sixth year of Hong'an, as Tianmu had stated. Perhaps too many changes caused history to shift, just as the third prince didn't die at Mingyuan Pass, and the eldest prince didn't commit suicide out of fear of punishment.
Suddenly, Chu Cai Ren realized: if it weren't for Zhou She, the throne might have belonged to her son.
She stared at the emperor for a long time before letting out a soft sigh, getting up, and walking out.
Almost simultaneously, the palace doors burst open, and a figure rushed in. Outside the palace, palace servants knelt on the ground.
Consort Chu instinctively stepped back, and the man's pace gradually slowed until he stopped beside the emperor's bed. He glanced at the emperor before turning back to ask, "How is Your Majesty?"
Only then did Consort Chu get a clear look at his face.
The Crown Prince looked slightly tired, probably from traveling all night, but his spirits were still good.
Zhou She understood: the emperor was angry and had been beaten by his rebellious son.
The emperor's face was slightly purple, a clear sign of his poor health. Zhou She's expression grew even more grim as he stared at the trembling imperial physicians, softening his tone: "You must do your utmost. Has Liang Jichuan been found?"
Before he left Beijing, Liang Jichuan had already left, saying that he wanted to continue traveling all over the country and would return to Beijing to retire when he got old.
There's no one to be found right now.
really.
"We haven't found him." Someone shook their head. "Liang Jichuan settled in Shouchun, Yunzhou, but he went into the mountains to collect herbs, and we can't find him anywhere."
Actually, there was one more thing he didn't say.
Even if Liang Jichuan is found, it will probably be of no use.
During the argument between the Third Prince and His Majesty, the Third Prince stabbed His Majesty in the chest. When they rushed into the palace, they were nearly scared out of their wits by the sight.
In short, unless a deity descends to earth, no one can save them.
"That's enough..."
A weary voice suddenly rang out from behind.
Zhou She recognized who was speaking and turned around abruptly. He saw that the emperor's eyes were only slightly open, and his lips were moving: "Zhao Wen, go and summon someone... Ruochuan, come here."
Zhou She rushed forward almost in one stride.
He knelt down beside the emperor's bed and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty."
The emperor, panting heavily, said to Zhou She, "I..."
Zhou She remained silent, listening quietly.
The emperor's fingers trembled: "In my life, I have had both merits and demerits."
He looked back on his long life, feeling both melancholy and nostalgia. Finally, his gaze fell on the person in front of him, but the image was too blurry to make out clearly.
He could only vaguely make out his outline and handsome features: "I trust you with the world at my disposal, and you have done a very good job."
Emperor Hong'an initially hesitated too much, which was a necessary consideration given his position. However, over the past few years, Zhou She has made him increasingly at ease.
"Just remember..."
Rushing footsteps sounded outside the palace, stopping at the palace gates, then slowly making their way in. Separated by a screen, and without the emperor's summons, no one dared to approach.
These are all important ministers of the state.
"The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace." The emperor uttered the first sentence with difficulty, a sentence he believed Zhou She understood.
Zhou She lowered his head, grasped the emperor's trembling hand, and tears dripped onto the emperor's hand, which was a little hot. He responded with a sound.
The emperor chuckled softly, with a hint of reprimand: "Remember, you are the Son of Heaven, and the safety of the nation rests on your shoulders. You love to charge into battle, and everyone follows you... But after you ascend the throne, you can no longer do that."
Zhou She responded again.
He was still waiting for Emperor Hong'an to instruct the Third Prince on how to handle the situation. Would he be spared as usual, or executed?
However, the emperor did not make any statement. Through the screen, he seemed to see the people on the other side as well.
His gaze swept over the figures of the crowd, who were barely visible, and he read out each of their names and spoke important words to them.
Finally, he said, "Prime Minister Xiao."
Xiao Yichun responded in a trembling voice and walked around the screen.
"You and I have weathered decades of storms together; we are ruler and subject, but also bosom friends."
Xiao Yichun was greatly shocked. The emperor's face came into view, a face filled with the look of death, his days numbered...
Half of his life was about to end.
The emperor had much to say, but he decided not to continue. He closed his eyes and peacefully faced his death.
The moment he closed his eyes, Emperor Hong'an suddenly realized: he understood why Emperor Zhongzong on the celestial screen was so calm when he left.
Huaiyu, we have successors. Let them do what they want in the future.
He had no regrets, and as if asleep, he rested in peace.
Tears streamed down Xiao Yichun's face, his body trembled uncontrollably, and his sobs were trapped in his throat.
Zhou She stared at the emperor's face, momentarily lost in thought.
He rushed back to Beijing overnight, but only made it to this moment. Perhaps, the purpose of his return was precisely to make it to this moment.
The sound of crying rose and fell all around me.
Zhou She's expression was complicated. He only had one tear left, but he couldn't cry it out. Instead, he felt a dull ache in his heart.
A sliver of dazzling golden light shone through the windowpane. Before I knew it, it was already a new morning.
The morning light fell on the emperor's peacefully closed eyes, heralding the arrival of a new dynasty.
Aside from life and death, nothing else is of great importance, so the emperor's funeral rites were naturally complicated.
At the moment Emperor Hong'an died, Zhou She was already the de facto emperor, but the enthronement ceremony could not be held immediately and had to wait until the funeral of the deceased emperor was over.
The emperor's health was already poor in the last few years, and Zhou She was very familiar with the affairs of the court. Apart from being overworked, there was no major upheaval, and everything proceeded smoothly.
More than half a month had passed since the funeral. After going through the proper procedures and declining the offer three times, an auspicious day was chosen for his formal ascension to the throne.
It was a bright, sunny day, and the sunlight shone on the crown on his head, making the jade beads reflect a dazzling luster.
Zhou She ascended to the throne step by step.
His robes also shimmered with a delicate luster. He slightly raised his head and walked up steadily, without veering to one side.
Shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" rang out, echoing through the sky.
On the seventh day of the ninth month of the thirty-first year of the Hong'an era, Emperor Hong'an died. His grandson, Zhong She, succeeded him, and his reign title was Jinghua.
-----------------------
The main story is complete!
Thank you to all the readers who have accompanied me along the way. I feel the story is quite complete overall, and the following chapters will be extras. [Applause]
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