That day, several of them rushed into the Palace of Tranquil Longevity and witnessed with their own eyes the late Emperor Gu Lang vomiting blood and dying on the dragon throne. The memory is still fresh in their minds, as if it happened yesterday.
Gu Nanjin gave a low, bitter laugh, and looked out the window, his chin slightly raised, his gaze fixed on a bird flapping its wings in the distance.
The wind blew up a strand of hair from his temple, and the hair scattered messily on his pale and thin cheek, and his whole body exuded an aura of sadness and powerlessness.
"That day, my father wanted to kill me. During the scuffle between my father and me, I pushed him. His chest hit the corner of the table and he vomited blood..."
Gu Nanjin closed his eyes. He still clearly remembered every scene at that time. It was vivid and told him repeatedly that his father wanted to kill him with his own hands.
That hideous and distorted face looked like a beast controlled by killing.
That face was deeply engraved in Gu Nanjin's heart. Even during the days when he was unconscious and in his recent midnight dreams, he dreamed of this scene over and over again.
Intellectually, he knew he was not wrong. His father wanted to kill him, and he just wanted to protect himself.
Morally and emotionally, he could not get rid of the heavy sense of guilt.
Everyone was stunned again and fell silent.
Outside the window, a few birds flapped their wings and brushed past the branches. The sound of their flapping wings and the swaying branches seemed to touch people's hearts, making them feel restless.
"The cause of the late emperor's death has nothing to do with this."
Outside the hall, a clear and melodious female voice broke the silence.
Everyone subconsciously looked in the direction of the voice, including Gu Nanjin and the Crown Princess. They saw a man and a woman in moon-white clothes appearing under the eaves at the gate of the main hall. They were both graceful and looked like immortals banished to earth.
The perfect couple were quiet, calm, and composed, like two bright pearls that shone from within. They attracted everyone's attention and made people unable to take their eyes off them.
The two walked in side by side. Everyone was a little slow before they remembered to salute in unison: "Greetings to His Royal Highness Prince Chen, Princess."
At this moment, everyone was more respectful than ever before. Now that the Crown Prince had expressed his opinion, everyone knew in their hearts that Prince Gu Jue would definitely be the new emperor of Da Qi.
Faced with this scene, Shen Qianchen remained calm and said bluntly: "Your Highness, the death of the late emperor has nothing to do with you."
She spoke frankly and directly.
The Crown Princess stared blankly at Shen Qianchen who was a few feet away. Her eyes were as deep as a pool and her gaze followed Shen Qianchen's figure.
Shen Qianchen calmly walked with Gu Jue to two armchairs and sat down.
Of course she wouldn't stand if she could sit.
After a brief moment of daze, Gu Nanjin was the first to come back to his senses. He revealed a smile that was somewhat bitter yet somewhat relieved, and nodded slightly to Shen Qianchen with gratitude.
He felt relieved, and his whole body suddenly became a lot lighter. His thin figure was like a tall birch tree in the cold wind.
It was not until this moment that Shen Qianchen finally understood why, every time she checked Gu Nanjin's pulse, his pulse showed that he was overly worried, unable to sleep at night, and not in good health. Even when she asked the imperial physician to add calming incense to him, it was in vain.
Originally, she just thought that Gu Lang's murder of his son was too much of a blow to Gu Nanjin, and he needed time to heal the trauma in his heart. She didn't expect that he was actually hurt by this incident.
"The death of the late emperor was due to the poison attacking his heart." In front of Gu Nanjin, Prince Li, Prime Minister Zhang and others, Shen Qianchen simply said it bluntly.
Although she had never taken Gu Lang's pulse when he was alive, and had never performed an autopsy on him after his death, she had read the pulse records of the imperial physicians, not only those from the two months after the New Year, but also those from the past six months.
"You saw him vomiting blood. It was indeed because of the impact, but it was not fatal. His biggest problem is that the poison in his body has penetrated into his internal organs and corroded his mind. Every time he gets angry, the poison gets worse."
"Even if he's lucky this time and is rescued, he won't live more than three months."
Gu Lang will die sooner or later! Shen Qianchen said as she looked Gu Nanjin up and down. She used to think he was annoying every time she saw him coming to the palace to look for Gu Jue. But today, she looked at the man in front of her with a different eye.
Shen Qianchen is not a fool. He is very knowledgeable about the ways of the world and can understand what Gu Nanjin means.
In ancient times, Yao and Shun abdicated. Today, Gu Nanjin is willing to take the initiative to give up his position, which can create a good story. At the same time, it is inevitable that people in the world and future generations will question whether Gu Jue deliberately controlled the prince and forced him to abdicate. After all, Gu Jue is in power now, and it is easy for him to intimidate the prince.
However, Gu Nanjin did not hesitate to expose his own scars and took the blame of "unfilial piety" on himself. In this way, he was suspected of patricide, even if it was not direct but indirect, and his reputation was blemish, so naturally he could not ascend the throne.
Then, it would be legitimate for Gu Jue to ascend the throne as emperor.
It is indeed rare for Gu Nanjin to have such a broad mind. This can be regarded as a blessing in disguise.
Shen Qianchen rarely gave Gu Nanjin a good look.
However, despite the praise, Shen Qianchen had no intention of accepting the other party's so-called "good intentions".
In her opinion, Gu Jue was a bright and cheerful person and didn't need Gu Nanjin to do this.
The truth is the truth and it does not need to be covered up or distorted.
Gu Jue slightly raised the corners of his lips and looked at Shen Qianchen beside him with a happy expression.
He knew what she was thinking, just as she always knew what he was thinking tacitly.
Sometimes, he would have an incredible feeling, as if they had known each other in their previous life.
In fact, it is not impossible.
Gu Jue couldn't help but think of what Master Juehui said at Baiyun Temple that day: "The female donor had deep blessings and immeasurable merits in her previous life. The blessings she has received in this life are all the result of her cultivation in her previous life."
Perhaps there was a mysterious force that made him return to the capital from thousands of miles away in the north, walking through many mountains and rivers, just to meet her in the capital.
Gu Jue was smiling, and Gu Nanjin was also smiling.
After hearing what Shen Qianchen said, Gu Nanjin's eyes became even more determined, the kind of determination that remains unchanged despite the passage of time and changes in the world.
Gu Nanjin stared at Gu Jue deeply for a moment, his eyes seemed to contain thousands of words, then he slowly looked around at Prince Li, Prime Minister Zhang and others, and said seriously: "I am not virtuous enough to persuade the late emperor and promote harmony among the people."
"I am unfilial, ashamed of my ancestors, and unworthy of the throne."
"I am incompetent and cannot rule the world!"
He took a deep breath, leaned forward solemnly and bowed to Gu Jue. Although it was clearly a gesture of submission, it made people feel that his gesture was firm.
"The country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Please invite the Ninth Prince to ascend the throne, rectify the country's order, reassure the people, and stabilize the world." His voice became louder, and the sound seemed to come from his thin chest.
After saying this, he was supported by the Crown Princess and knelt down in front of Gu Jue without hesitation. The Crown Princess also knelt down with her eyes lowered.
The surroundings were quiet again, time seemed to stand still, and the air condensed.
Prince Li and others looked at each other again with serious expressions.
They had discussed it before entering the palace. Even if they would be labeled as unfaithful, they would persuade Gu Nanjin to give in. And now, without them having to ask, Gu Nanjin took the initiative to abdicate to Gu Jue. This couldn't be better.
I have to say, everyone felt relieved.
Then, all the ministers had no more worries and knelt down together in the direction of Gu Jue. Even the eunuchs and palace maids in the hall knelt down, and everyone seemed to be shorter in an instant.
All the ministers said in unison: "Your Highness, please ascend the throne!"
The voices were uniform, solemn and respectful, and the heads fell to the ground.
Gu Jue turned his head and looked at Shen Qianchen again, and Shen Qianchen smiled brightly at him.
Her smile is still so pure, her eyebrows and eyes are curved, as bright and warm as the sun.
Only Gu Jue's figure was reflected in those bright eyes.
Those talking eyes seemed to be saying that no matter what decision Gu Jue made, she would stay by his side.
They will be together forever! Shen Qianchen took the initiative to reach out and hold his hand, as if telling him her feelings.
Gu Juehui held her hand.
Both Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen had guessed Gu Nanjin's decision when they learned that Gu Nanjin summoned royal family members and ministers yesterday.
Somehow, there seems to be an invisible force pushing everyone towards an inevitable path.
Maybe it's an accident, maybe it's inevitable.
The current situation has reached this point due to "accidental circumstances". The current Da Qi State will not allow anyone else to ascend the throne.
Gu Jue must take this position. Only in this way can it be the best way for everyone.
The East Palace guards and Black Armor Army soldiers standing guard outside the palace were also in awe. Everyone pricked up their ears, paying attention to what was happening inside the palace.
A moment later, a resounding voice rang out in unison in the hall: "Long live the emperor!"
The loud shout startled a group of birds in the courtyard. A dozen colorful birds flapped their wings and flew among the treetops and flowers.
Inside the hall, Shen Qianchen wanted to pull her hand away and stand up, but just as her hips left the chair, she was pulled back vigilantly by Gu Jue, who held her hand even tighter.
Shen Qianchen turned to look at Gu Jue. Gu Jue smiled slightly, pulled her to sit down, and gently scratched her tender palm with his fingers covered with thin calluses.
His narrow eyes were filled with solemnity, trust, closeness... and doting, so strong that they overflowed.
Shen Qianchen felt as if he was being sucked into his eyes and couldn't look away.
So she sat there quietly, accepting everyone's worship with him, and her fingers secretly scratched his palm.
She pursed her lips and smiled.
The two of them looked at each other, and everything was said without words.
At this moment, time seemed to stop flowing, and there seemed to be an invisible barrier separating the two from the other people around them.
On that day, Gu Jue personally issued the edict of accession to the throne and announced it to the world.
As soon as this edict came out, the entire capital was in an uproar.
It has been half a month since the death of the previous emperor. According to the rules, the successor to the emperor should have been chosen long ago, and then the arrangements for the new emperor to ascend the throne should have been made. However, half a month has passed, and there is still no news about this matter. Both in the court and among the people, there are speculations, and many people feel somewhat uneasy.
Until now, when Gu Jue's enthronement edict was made public to the world, the matter was finally settled.
From court officials and nobles to ordinary people, the name of Prince Chen Gu Jue is well-known to everyone, and his achievements are well known.
Now that we know that Prince Chen is about to ascend the throne, everyone is celebrating.
If it weren't for the national mourning, people would have set off firecrackers and fireworks to celebrate.
Amidst all the joyous voices, there were inevitably some not-so-good voices. Some said that it was Gu Jue who ordered the Black Armor Army to force the emperor to abdicate, and that he was a traitor; some said that the death of the previous emperor and the prince's abdication were all Gu Jue's conspiracies.
But under the general trend, one or two discordant voices will not cause any waves at all.
Everyone knows that Prince Chen's ascension to the throne is inevitable, and no one can stop it.
On that day, the Ministry of Rites selected an auspicious day and set the date for the new emperor to ascend the throne as the first day of May.
Of course, this news also reached the Yongding Marquis’ Mansion, and the mansion was in an uproar.
The servants hurried to tell the good news to the lady, the masters of the second, third and fourth rooms.
However, when the lady heard the news, she felt her heart aching.
Gu Jue has already announced to the world that he is going to ascend the throne. It is obvious that Shen Zhi will not change her mind.
(End of this chapter)