Chapter 792 Clash - The New Emperor
"Your Highness, since His Majesty knew all along that Lord Gu was the lost Second Prince, is it possible that Lord Gu's name was written on the edict of succession?"
Yun Yichen remained silent until he spoke, and then everyone turned to look at him.
Everyone knows that Yun Yichen is Gu Renjie's brother-in-law, so it's normal for him to side with his brother-in-law. But even if he wants to help, he shouldn't talk nonsense!
Considering the time when the emperor summoned them to write the edict, most people believed that the content must have nothing to do with Gu Renjie.
"Let's discuss the specifics after we retrieve the imperial edict."
Lu Hexuan instructed the veteran officials who had participated in the original proceedings to personally retrieve the imperial edict, while he himself inevitably had to offer advice to Gu Renjie.
The group took turns impersonating each other, completely fooling the entire court of officials.
Finally, when the imperial edict arrived, it was opened and read aloud by several officials in full view of everyone.
After it was confirmed that the person to be succeeded was indeed Gu Renjie, the entire court fell silent.
"Your Majesty, we respectfully request that you ascend the throne with the imperial edict."
After a long silence, Yun Yichen stepped forward and was the first to bow deeply to Gu Renjie.
"Lord Yun..."
Gu Renjie looked at Yun Yichen with a troubled expression, but once the first person did it, countless others followed suit, and eventually everyone knelt down.
Gu Renjie had never seen such a scene before. Even though he had expected it, he still panicked when he saw Gu Jin kneeling down as well.
Everyone says that the kindness of raising someone is greater than the kindness of giving birth, so how could he dare to make Gu Jin kneel before him?
He quickly went to Gu Jin and helped him up. Gu Renjie choked up and said, "Father, what are you doing? Just because you are not my biological father, are you going to torture me like this?"
The genuine emotions that welled up in Gu Jin's eyes also brought tears to his eyes.
"Your arrival filled the void of my grief over losing my son. You saved me and your mother. Now that you are the second prince, there is a distinction between ruler and subject. As your father, I should kneel and pay my respects."
Gu Jin's words made Gu Renjie even more upset.
Over the years, the Gu family has treated him like their own son. If he hadn't been forced to, he would have loved to stay in the Marquis's mansion for the rest of his life and serve his parents forever.
"Good child, you have things to do. His Majesty entrusted you with so many tasks before, and now that I think about it, it must have been to train you more. Now that there is no crown prince, you must not let His Majesty down."
Gu Jin knew that Gu Renjie did not want to leave the Gu family, but now that the die was cast, they had no choice but to proceed according to the plan.
Gu Renjie nodded upon hearing this, a tear sliding down his cheek, but he quickly wiped it away.
When he looked up, Gu Renjie's face was no longer as melancholy as before. His gaze swept over everyone in front of him, and finally, as if he had made a difficult decision, he slowly turned around and walked towards the high platform.
Step by step, what seemed like a short distance took Gu Renjie quite a while.
Just as he was about to reach the top, the old eunuch swiftly came to his aid. Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Gu Renjie flicked his sleeves, exuding domineering power, and said, "My beloved ministers, rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
A group of people shouted in unison, instantly confirming Gu Renjie's identity.
Seeing this, Yun Yichen finally felt relieved. From the moment Gu Renjie ascended to the high position and waved his hand, everything finally settled down.
With the new emperor chosen, all the speculation and doubts about Lu Hexuan crumbled at this moment, as for the doubts about Gu Renjie!
They only just learned of their princely status; how could they have plotted to kill the prince's concubines so early on?
The new emperor's ascension to the throne heralded a new beginning, and no one cared what was happening in the harem.
As for the new emperor's enthronement ceremony, it was naturally to be handled by the Ministry of Rites. Since Minister Liu was unable to attend court for a long time, all these matters naturally fell to the Vice Minister of Rites.
At Minister Liu's residence, Minister Liu had been bedridden for many days. Although it was due to the series of blows he had suffered that day, he did not feel better after resting for these days. On the contrary, he was getting worse.
Seeing Minister Liu in such a state, Madam Liu couldn't help but shed many tears. She sought out many doctors, but none of them could diagnose his condition.
Liu Ruyue had been punished by Minister Liu with confinement in his residence many times these days because she did not want to marry the Fourth Prince. Just when she finally learned that she did not have to marry the Fourth Prince, her father fell ill.
After all, they were her own family, and Liu Ruyue was the only legitimate daughter of the Liu family, so Princess Ruyue would inevitably have to serve Minister Liu with medicine.
On the very day the new emperor ascended the throne, upon hearing that it was the eldest son of the Gu family who had become emperor, Minister Liu could not bear the blow and coughed up blood, dying instantly.
Minister Liu had been scheming for Consort Liu from the very beginning, all for the sake of bringing the Liu family closer to the throne. But who would have thought that after all the scheming and fighting for most of his life, he would end up losing his own life?
Ironically, he died without ever knowing why he died.
When Gu Shuyan received the news, she didn't show much expression. Although Minister Liu had supported Lu Youming in her previous life, the Liu family had never harmed her.
Moreover, the next generation of Liu's nephews and nieces are all mediocre. Without the help of Consort Liu and Minister Liu, they will only gradually fade out of the court. There is really no need for her to take action against them.
After Gu Renjie agreed to become emperor, he could no longer leave the palace.
Gu Jin went back and told his family what had happened. The most shocked person was Meng Wei, who was pregnant.
She never imagined that Gu Renjie would be a prince, and that she, the daughter of a fifth-rank official, would one day enter the palace and become a concubine.
Although Meng Wei and Gu Renjie were deeply in love, her social status meant that even if Gu Renjie were willing to make her empress, the ministers would certainly not allow it.
Mengwei returned to the courtyard with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow. Caihe couldn't help but ask, "Madam doesn't seem happy?"
Mengwei sighed, "What's there to be happy about? My husband is now the emperor, and there are countless rules and regulations to follow. Most importantly, he will inevitably have to fill his harem and marry an empress, while I..."
Mengwei touched her belly, "If I accidentally give birth to the eldest prince, life in the harem will probably become even more difficult."
"The lady was the young master's first wife. Now that the young master has become emperor, does that mean the lady isn't the empress?"
Caihe didn't quite understand why her young mistress said that. Mengwei explained the situation to her, and Caihe said somewhat unwillingly, "In that case, it would be better if the young master remained the young master."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Meng Wei quickly stopped her.
Just then, someone came from outside to announce that an imperial decree had arrived from the palace.
Meng Wei guessed that this must be the first decree issued by Gu Renjie after he became emperor, so she quickly took Caihe to the front yard.
The front yard was already full of the whole family, and it seemed they were just waiting for her to arrive.
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