Chapter 465: The Crown Prince's Instructions
There were so many people listening here, Zong Zhao didn't say directly what it was, but Zong Jincheng understood. His father said that it was the art of being an emperor, and it was something that His Highness had taught him a long time ago.
His Highness has long wanted him to be emperor.
But……
Before Zong Jincheng could finish his thought, he saw the commander of the city patrol department striding over and interrupting him with a sharp voice: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has not been deposed yet, how could the Emperor pass the throne to someone else? Duke Protector of the State, General Zong, I demand to inspect the imperial edict!"
The students were ignorant and knew nothing, but the officials were scared to death. Anyone could guess that the nephew of the Luo family might have obtained the position by illegal means, but Luo Jingfeng had the military power in his hands, so who dared to disobey him?
The heir is still a member of the Chu family, and there is no change of dynasty. This result is already very rare. All officials know this and dare not ask any questions at this time.
Because a new official has three things to do when he takes office, according to Luo Jingfeng's usual style, he could chop off a few disobedient ministers on the spot and use their blood to establish the new emperor's authority.
But even so, the commander of the City Patrol still stood up.
They had been following Zong Zhao's orders last night not only because of the token, but also because they firmly believed that Zong Zhao was His Highness's man... But now the one who has ascended the throne is a member of the Luo family, His Highness's rival Luo Jingfeng.
Is Zong Zhao still your Highness's man?
He is betraying Your Highness!
The commander of the city patrol department is now suspecting that the token in Zong Zhao's hand is either fake or he obtained it through some trickery.
The City Patrol Officer acted openly, and everyone thought that Luo Jingfeng would be furious.
But who knew that the Lord Protector of the State sneered and said loudly: "Check to see if this is written by the emperor himself, and see if this seal is real or fake!"
He knew that many people were not convinced by Cheng'er's ascension to the throne, but he and Zong Zhao had already paved the way for the child. This decree of succession was spotless, and he could just ask the Hanlin Academy to certify that Cheng'er's ascension to the throne was legitimate!
The head scholar of the Hanlin Academy took the imperial edict from Eunuch Huang and carefully checked the contents of the two edicts. He then said loudly, "It is indeed written by the emperor himself. The seal of the imperial seal is authentic and intact. It is true that the throne has been passed on to the fifteenth prince."
There was a loud bang, and all the officials started discussing again.
The direction of the discussion this time was more towards Chu Jincheng.
They approved the edict of succession.
The commander of the city patrol was extremely angry, he knew very well what the two generals had done when they entered the palace last night, he also knew exactly how this imperial edict came about, but he was the first prince who was dissatisfied as he had succeeded to the throne!
"Zong Zhao, you are clearly stepping on His Highness..."
"Commander-in-chief." A female voice suddenly appeared, interrupting the commander of the city patrol department's rebuke.
"The Crown Princess has arrived." The announcement sounded.
The arrival of the Crown Princess made the situation even more serious.
Everyone knows that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is now in a coma, and the entire Eastern Palace is under the control of the Crown Princess. There are many people from the Duke of Wei's Mansion in the City Patrol Department, and the Crown Princess's personal visit at this time has greatly enhanced the confidence of the City Patrol Department.
The commander-in-chief strode forward to pay his respects, and then began to complain: "Your Majesty, Zong Zhao..."
The Crown Princess interrupted him again, holding up the Crown Prince's token in her hand: "Commander-in-chief, I am here to convey the Crown Prince's oral instructions."
The commander-in-chief's eyes widened and he asked in surprise, "My Lady, is His Highness awake?"
The Crown Princess smiled and said, "Yes, Your Highness is awake."
Last night, Zong Zhao suddenly appeared in the East Palace, fed His Highness some medicine, and gave him a few injections. The prince, who had been in a coma for a year, woke up.
Zong Zhao did not lie to her, His Highness really recovered very quickly!
One stone can cause a thousand ripples.
Not only the civil and military officials were shocked, even the students were stunned. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was wise and brave, and he was popular among the people. With him succeeding to the throne, no one would dare to disobey!
"Your Highness has woken up! That's great!" Zong Jincheng was also excited. This was the best news he had heard this year!
The entire palace was in revelry, except for Luo Jingfeng, whose face turned completely black.
He asked Zong Zhao, "You left Yu's study last night to cure the prince?"
Zong Zhao also stood up and replied: "Your Highness has indeed woken up, but his body has not yet recovered and he still needs to stay in bed to rest."
The commander-in-chief said in a stern voice: "Now that Your Highness has awakened, he should take over the throne as the crown prince. Even if he is not physically fit to ascend the throne at the moment, it is not the turn of a young boy to be the emperor!"
Although the yellow-haired boy was being scolded, Zong Jincheng was delighted in his heart.
You are right! Let His Highness ascend the throne!
He is here to serve His Highness as a second-rank official!
Luo Jingfeng immediately turned hostile: "Let's see who dares to move!"
The troops poured in from all directions, and the soldiers stood in formation, waiting for Luo Jingfeng's order to surround and strangle everyone.
It is true that the prince is popular among the people, but his mother's family has long since disappeared, leaving only the power of the City Patrol.
The military power of Da Chu is entirely in the hands of Luo Jingfeng. Although he is concerned about his nephew's legitimate accession to the throne, if the prince insists on competing with Cheng'er for the throne, don't blame him for going on a killing spree.
The situation was tense and the students were trembling with fear.
Who would understand... They just came to take part in the palace examination, how come they also got involved in the prince's bid for succession to the throne?
The Crown Princess nodded towards Zong Zhao.
Then he said, "Duke Protector, Commander-in-Chief, both of you please be quiet. As for who will ascend the throne, His Highness has already made up his mind. The person he has in mind is Jin Cheng."
The prince abdicated.
He won't compete with the Luo family anymore.
The commander-in-chief's eyes immediately turned red: "Your Majesty! How can His Highness give up? He is the most suitable prince to succeed the throne in our hearts!"
Some of the officials also murmured in agreement.
Chu Heng's succession to the throne was indeed what everyone expected.
But under the pressure from Luo Jingfeng, they did not dare to speak out.
The Crown Princess smiled and said, "Your Highness is not in good health. He dare not occupy the throne without doing anything, for fear of disappointing the trust of the adults and the people. His Highness said: Jincheng is a child he watched grow up. He has a pure character and extraordinary intelligence. His Highness believes that he can shoulder the heavy responsibility and lead the people to a prosperous era."
"Your Highness..." A low sob was heard from the crowd.
Zong Jincheng never expected that even if the prince woke up, the throne would still fall on him.
The Crown Princess took the imperial edict and came over on behalf of the Crown Prince.
She looked at the child in front of her, lowered her brows and said kindly, "Jincheng, accept the order. Don't let His Highness down for his trust in you."
Zong Jincheng raised his head with red eyes and looked at the bright yellow imperial edict.
That is not just the burden of the whole world.
It was His Highness who had carefully taught him the answers for the past two years.
On the second floor of the large study, the sunlight was always so bright. The gentle and kind Crown Prince always patiently lectured him and told him how to be a good ruler.
Day after day, never slack off.
Zong Jincheng trembled as he stretched out his hand and took the imperial edict.
The outcome has been decided.
With tears in his eyes, Eunuch Huang shouted, "Welcome the new emperor."
All the soldiers, civil and military officials, examination candidates, as well as high-ranking generals, the Duke of Protectorate, and the Crown Princess present knelt down in unison.
"Long live the emperor."