The emperor was lying on the couch.
All the ministers knelt on the ground.
Judge Zhao knelt on the ground and cried: "Your Majesty, I am guilty of capital punishment. There is no cure for me..."
"Why is your Majesty like this?" Song Gu asked worriedly.
Helian Qi looked at the court officials in front of him and said slowly, "I went to war in person and have an old illness. The Imperial Hospital has done its best, and I know that I don't have much time left. I summoned all the officials here today for the sake of the country and the people."
All the ministers were shocked. How could the emperor suddenly become seriously ill?
The emperor hid it so well that none of his ministers noticed anything unusual before today.
Duke Xue was very upset that the emperor was seriously ill...
If they had known this earlier, the Xue family would not have just stood there and waited, and would have made some arrangements.
But the emperor knew for sure that if important officials in the court learned that he was seriously ill, they would definitely involve the other princes in the turmoil over the throne for the sake of his position after his death, so he kept it secret.
He never taught the Fourth Prince individually, nor did he show any intention of appointing a crown prince immediately.
Every time he met Ning Wanyin, he did so in the name of serving her writing, and this was indeed common and not surprising.
Everyone felt that the emperor was in his prime and it was too early to appoint a crown prince. Many court officials were still waiting for the selection of candidates next year...
Who would have thought that the outcome had already been decided a year ago.
The emperor announced the imperial edict before his death. Even if everyone had any thoughts, it was too late, as the matter was settled.
"Someone, summon the Imperial Concubine and the Fourth Prince." Helian Qi said in a deep voice.
Wang Degui wiped his tears and went out to summon him.
The court officials knelt on the ground and waited quietly. After hearing this sentence, everyone understood the answer.
After a while, Ning Wanyin walked in leading the fourth prince.
The fourth prince is only five years old this year. He looks at his father lying on the sickbed with a worried look on his face.
Ning Wanyin led him step by step into the hall and knelt in front of all the ministers.
"Wang Degui, announce the decree--" Helian Qi handed Wang Degui two secret decrees.
This was the imperial edict he had written a year ago.
Wang Degui took it, looked at the crowd and said:
"Holy Edict: I believe that the heaven and earth are in their proper positions, and all things are born. The sun and the moon are bright, and the universe is illuminated. The virtues of the four emperors and queens are combined, and the civilization and order are accomplished. The virtuous traditions are preserved, and the country values them. Imperial Noble Consort Ning is gentle and dignified by nature, and has a graceful and intelligent appearance. She is well-versed in etiquette and laws. Her words follow the rules of history, and her actions are elegant and graceful. She is gentle and virtuous, and her character is well-known in the palace. She is dignified and upright, and she is a mother to others at home and abroad. I hereby issue the imperial seal and make you the queen."
Ning Wanyin's eyes were filled with tears as she kowtowed respectfully: "I accept your order."
Wang Degui then unfolded another imperial decree and said:
"Sacred Edict: The importance of the heir apparent is to strengthen the family line. A virtuous man will bring peace to the nation. The fourth prince, Helian Xi, is the empress's legitimate son. He is gifted and intelligent, and has a filial and kind nature. He is now appointed as the crown prince and takes the throne of the Crown Prince, in order to strengthen the rule for thousands of years and to win the hearts of the people."
Helian Xi felt uncomfortable in his heart. The etiquette he had been taught since childhood made him kneel on the ground and kowtow. Tears fell on his little face: "Your son obeys your order."
Helian Qi finally looked at the ministers and said, "I have been ill for a long time and my days are numbered. I will now pass the throne to the crown prince Helian Xi. Out of pity for the young crown prince, I will let Empress Ning rule the country from behind the curtain. Song Gu, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and Xue Zheng, the Duke of Suguo, will serve as ministers of state to assist the crown prince."
"Your Majesty..." All the ministers shed tears.
Song Gu burst into tears. During the previous emperor's time, he was treated coldly because he was not good at flattering the powerful. It was Your Majesty who valued him, and now he is appointed as the minister of state of the new emperor. Your Majesty's kindness to him is like a rebirth, and Song Gu is very sad.
Duke Xue also cried bitterly. But in fact, he was not sad at all, but was calculating the current situation.
The young emperor ascended the throne.
Although Ning Wanyin has some tricks in the harem, she is just a woman after all. How can she know the twists and turns in the court?
The so-called ruling from behind the curtain was nothing more than the emperor not trusting these important ministers before his death, so he used her to check and balance them.
Just like when he led the army in person, he gave the tiger talisman to Ning Wanyin.
but……
They would not rebel directly. Ning Wanyin would not break the law and kill meritorious officials without any evidence.
It's not difficult to fool a woman confined to the harem.
Duke Xue's mind was in a state of confusion, and on the surface he cried more sincerely. Ning Wanyin was ruling the country from behind the scenes, which was not harmful, and the emperor had appointed him as a minister of state, so naturally he would not jump out to oppose anything at this moment.
The two civil and military ministers burst into tears.
Other important officials and clan members were also shocked to digest this news...
"Father——" Helian Xi looked at the man in front of him with tears in his eyes.
Ning Wanyin and Helian Qi kept the secret well, and he had no idea that he was about to lose his father.
Especially in the past year, his father treated him especially well, and they were just like an ordinary father and son.
He couldn't bear to part with Helian Qi.
"Xier——" Helian Qi waved at him.
Helian Xi threw himself into his arms, sobbing, "I don't want my father to leave. Please save my father...save my father..."
"Xi'er." Helian Qi held his son in his arms and shed tears.
"Mother..." Helian Xi looked helplessly at the woman beside him.
In his heart, his mother is the omnipotent person.
But Ning Wanyin just shed tears silently without saying a word.
"Xier, you must listen carefully to your mother and learn how to be a good emperor." Helian Qi reached out and touched his son's head.
His eyes swept across the important officials kneeling in the room, and finally fell on Ning Wanyin.
He had nothing to worry about leaving the world and the emperor to her.
Only reluctance.
“Wanwan——”
Helian Qi called her name one last time and slowly closed his eyes.
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