He had been so enraged by Consort Sun and the madman that he vomited blood and fainted, and had only recently regained consciousness. For the sake of his reputation before and after his death, he still needed to properly send them out of the palace.
Even during the most difficult time of the struggle for the throne, he had never suffered such humiliation.
The fat orange cat said unwillingly, "Do as you say, drive them out of the capital, and have people keep an eye on them. After the rumors subside, skin them alive and grind their bones to dust!"
Nian Shilan nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty, I certainly will..."
We will surely grant them a long and happy life together, a life of blissful companionship. We will bring our children to your grave to offer incense and pay our respects, to thank you for your compassion and enlightenment.
Big Fat Orange tilted its head, and bright red blood flowed from the corner of its mouth, dripping onto the pillow and spreading into a large red puddle.
Nian Shilan stood by the bed, watching for a long time before she came to her senses. She leaned closer and carefully checked the big, fat orange cat's breath.
Though weak, she still had a breath left. Nian Shilan's feelings were incredibly complex. She had planned for this day for many years; she should be happy, so why were she weeping uncontrollably...?
*
Although the news of the emperor's critical illness was not announced to the public, it could not be kept secret from those who were discerning.
Even if they were not of high enough status, just looking at how the emperor had not held morning court for so long, and how several princes and key ministers had rushed into the palace and never came out, it was clear that they were not in a position to hold court.
The imperial city was heavily guarded and completely silent; you could easily guess what was going on.
The concubines in the harem knelt outside the bedchamber, weeping uncontrollably. The Empress, Nian Shilan, and Sun Miaoqing waited quietly by the bedside, while Consort Qi and others, each with their princes, stood guard to the side.
Prince Chun, Prince Heng, Prince Zhuang, and Prince Guo stood by his side.
Ortai, Zhang Tingyu, and Jiang Tingxi, the three Grand Councilors, knelt at the lower end, handwriting the emperor's last edict.
The chubby orange tree said weakly, "Since ancient times, emperors who ruled the world always took it as their primary task to respect Heaven and honor their ancestors. Therefore, they worked tirelessly day and night, never failing to be conscientious and diligent."
"I am deeply grateful to my late father, the Holy Ancestor Emperor Ren, for the sake of the dynasty and its people, who carefully selected me from among his sons to succeed him and ascend the throne. I have been working diligently day and night, fearing that I am not up to the task..."
"The fifth prince, Hongzhou, is kind-hearted and filial. In November of the fifth year of Yongzheng's reign, I summoned all the princes and Manchu and Han ministers to the Qianqing Palace to discuss the matter of establishing an heir."
"Later, he personally wrote an imperial edict, sealed it, and stored it in the highest place in the Qianqing Palace. This edict established Hongzhou as the Crown Prince."
"Now that a great event has occurred, he shall succeed me and ascend the throne. I hereby appoint Ortai, Zhang Tingyu, Jiang Tingxi, Prince Zhuang, and Prince Chun to wholeheartedly assist him in governing the country." (The preceding is Yongzheng's will, the following is Xianfeng's will, with different names.)
"Father, you'll be alright!"
Hongzhou knelt before the bed, tears streaming down his face. Between returning to the palace and going to the princes' quarters, he had spent half his time with the emperor.
Among the princes and princesses, only he received the utmost favor because of his mother.
Whether in the Hall of Mental Cultivation or the Palace of Gathering Elegance, the three of them never spoke of the relationship between ruler and subject.
He was young, but he already knew what life and death were.
The chubby orange cat looked at him with reluctance, "I originally thought I would hold on for you for a few more years, but unfortunately, God did not give me that chance."
"If there's anything you don't understand or don't get clear on in the future, ask your mother. The same applies to matters of state, understand?"
"Your subject understands."
The chubby orange cat looked at Sun Miaoqing, then gave Su Peisheng a look. Su Peisheng bowed and took a box from the bedside table.
After opening it, it was handed to Sun Miaoqing. Inside was a Shoushan stone seal with a dragon-shaped knob inscribed with "Respect Heaven and Honor Ancestors".
The chubby orange said, "This seal was made after I ascended the throne, and I will leave it to you. Just do as you did in the Hall of Mental Cultivation before Hongzhou took over the reins of government."
"For all major military and national affairs, the transfer of officials of the fourth rank or above requires the use of this seal before it can be issued."
Everyone looked at the emperor in disbelief, as if they had never expected that the emperor would trust Consort Cheng so much.
Prince Heng frowned, about to speak and offer advice, when Prince Chun held him back tightly.
The emperor's poor health was not a sudden occurrence, and such an order at the last moment must have been a decision made after careful consideration.
Their fourth brother had only been on the throne for a few years, yet the Qing Dynasty was changing rapidly. His power and prestige far surpassed that of the previous emperor, his authority extending throughout the land, establishing him as the sole ruler.
Even though he's barely clinging to life and could die at any moment, if he dares to utter a single word of dissent, they'll immediately know what a devastating blow truly is.
Anyway, no matter which prince it is passed on to, he will be their nephew. They are already princes, and they have long since reached the limit of promotion.
Sun Miaoqing didn't care about the looks these people gave her; once it was over, someone would tell her. Whose eyes held joy, whose eyes held greed, and whose eyes hid resentment and bitterness?
"Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail to live up to your trust and will teach Hongzhou well. Once he assumes power, he will surely be as wise and decisive as you."
"I will treat all my sisters well and regard the princes and princesses as my own children."
"I believe you have been doing these things very well."
"I'm tired, all of you may leave..."
"Let Consort Wan in..."
"Father!"
"Wen Yi, don't go out!"
"Let me stay with you a little longer..."
......
The bedchamber was filled with weeping. Everyone knew the emperor was dying, and whether their cries were genuine or feigned, no one wanted to leave and stayed by his side.
The chubby orange cat was already barely alive, and now it's been bothered by him so much that it's lost half its life. Even the Empress finds it utterly annoying to look at him.
Clutching her prayer beads, she silently recited the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Rebirth Sutra before leaving behind the nobles and ministers. She didn't utter a single word, as if the one dying wasn't her husband.
Su Peisheng stood guard in front of the emperor, blocking the wailing Consort Qi and Noble Lady Xin, and looked to Sun Miaoqing for help.
The emperor only has a few days left to live. If they were to throw themselves at him and weep bitterly, they would probably die on the spot!
Sun Miaoqing could only say, "Sisters, His Majesty is tired. Let's go out first and let him rest."
Qi Fei and the others wiped away their tears and walked out, turning back every few steps.
Sun Miaoqing led Hongzhou away, and just as they were leaving, they ran into Zhen Huan who was coming in.
[The person Fatty Orange ultimately wanted to see was Zhen Huan, not Consort Yun, who resembled Chun Yuan more.]
He ultimately lost, but Huanhuan didn't win either.
Zhen Huan clenched her fists tightly, and tears streamed down her face like beads.
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