Chapter 289: Prince An's move is a unique move
The virtuous concubines, the good concubines, the mature concubines and others in the back also cried pitifully. Princess Jianing and Princess Anning were both grown up, and they cried even more bitterly when they thought that they would have to rely on their brother to make a living after their father passed away.
The youngest concubine, Consort He, was crying while holding her daughter, Princess Si Ning. She had finally given birth to a child that turned out to be a princess. Now, she still had no prince to support her, and the emperor was gone. What was she going to do in the future?
Although there weren't many people in the harem, there were many concerns. Jiang Wan couldn't care less about these things for the time being, and could only find a way to comfort these mothers.
On the other hand, in the former dynasty, the two Li brothers had been confronting each other in the imperial study for quite some time after the court officials had left.
Li Yuanxiu looked at his fourth brother, who was stunned and silent. Even if he had many warnings in his heart, he couldn't say them out loud. He could only walk to his side, raised his thin hand and gently patted his shoulder.
"Fourth Brother, I know you're heartbroken. Father and the others passed away so suddenly, and I'm just as sad as you are. But no matter how sad we are, we don't have the right to remain depressed, do you understand?"
There was a lot of sadness in his eyes, but his expression was strong and calm, and he continued to persuade earnestly.
"The third brother was obsessed with his own life, feeling guilty towards his parents. He entrusted Dayu to you, and the emperor also left a will approving of you.
Then you are the new emperor of Dayu, and you must ascend the throne immediately to stabilize the court, and not indulge in sorrow..."
"Fake."
"Old Four!"
“It’s fake.”
Li Chengxiu raised his head and looked at Li Yuanxiu. There was sadness and confusion in his eyes, but also a kind of clarity that was clear in his mind.
"Let's not talk about what my brother was thinking for now, but the emperor father would definitely not leave such a will.
No one knows a son better than his father. He knows me very well. How could he possibly let me inherit the throne?
Big brother, where did you get this will?"
Li Yuanxiu quickly turned his head to look at the door. The palace door was wide open and the palace guards on duty had already retreated to the courtyard. No one would have heard the fatal words that the Fourth Master had just said.
He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at his fourth brother. Li Yuanxiu's face, which was usually kind and gentle, was now terrifyingly serious.
"Li Chengxiu, it's time for you to grow up.
Now that our father is gone, there is no one to protect us from the wind and rain and to hold us back from the dangers that may come. We have no choice but to stand up and face it ourselves.
I don't care if you're willing or afraid, you have to stand up and take over! You have to take over the kingdom that our father worked so hard to build. This is your responsibility as the prince of the Li family!"
"Brother, I can't..."
"How can you not be able to do it? You must be able to do it! Fourth Brother, listen to me!"
Li Yuanxiu stretched out his hands and grabbed his brother's shoulders, forcing him to look at him. His voice was so low that only the two brothers could hear it.
"Listen, big brother, this will is real! It was the life-saving talisman that my father left for me when I left the capital to go to Tibet.
The seal on it is real, but it was originally a blank imperial edict. I copied my father's handwriting so no one can tell it's wrong. So this edict is authentic!"
Li Chengxiu knew his eldest brother was the best at imitating handwriting, especially their father's. When he was a child, he made so many mistakes in his lessons that the teacher punished him by asking him to copy the name of his father. On several occasions, he had to ask his eldest brother to copy the name of his father for him to show that he had read it, so that he could get away with it.
"Brother, why don't you write your own name?"
Li Chengxiu looked at his elder brother, his lips trembling with difficulty for several times, but he still asked the question stubbornly.
"Since this is the life-saving talisman that the emperor father left you, why are you giving it to me? You are obviously much smarter than me, and you are obviously more suitable to be the successor!"
"I am smarter than you, but I am no longer as suitable for this position as you."
Li Yuanxiu's eyes turned bitter when he heard this, and a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Your eldest brother is already in poor health, barely surviving like a torn bag with a hole in it. How could he have the energy to work so hard?
It only took a day and a night to get from Guangping Prefecture to the capital, but it nearly cost me my life. Look at my face, isn't it pale as a ghost?
If I were to work so hard upon the throne, I wonder how long I'd live. What would happen to the throne after I die? Would it be handed over to my son, who's not even two years old?
You must know that the country relies on the long-term ruler! "
He sighed and sat down next to his fourth brother.
"Let's talk about the rest of you. The second one has a temper that's quick to anger, violent, and extremely jealous. Let alone me, do you dare to let him take the position?
Lao Wu's erratic temper is just as bad as yours. To be honest, he's even worse than you! At least, although you're not good at civil affairs, you're quite good at martial arts, and you've led many troops and have many military achievements to your name.
You have certain support to get to the top.
Duke Ling is not a pushover, and Marquis Weiwu will not just stand by and watch. I will also help you with all my strength. And the most important thing is,
Li Yuanxiu looked in the direction of the harem.
"I heard that the Princess of Qi is pregnant with a boy. You already have a son to inherit the throne. This will reassure some court officials to the greatest extent.
Besides, Jiang Wan is no ordinary woman. I've watched you grow up since you were little, so I know your personality and I also have a little idea of Sister Wan's personality.
So, fourth brother, you have everything going for you, the right time, the right place, and the right people. You are the rightful successor.
As long as you can control your temper a little and stop playing rogue on the throne, you will be able to pass on the throne smoothly. Raise your children well in the future, and if things don't work out, you can follow your father's example and abdicate. You can hold the throne for a few years until your son grows up, and everything will be fine..."
Li Yuanxiu really felt that he was miserable. He and the third brother had a huge fight for the position of crown prince. The two sides had been fighting openly and secretly since they were young.
Now, not only has the throne gone to the Fourth Brother, but he was also forced to take it by force! How ridiculous is this? Sigh.
But some people are just born with good luck, and they can always pick up the biggest prize when picking up a bargain! Yes, that's right, I'm talking about that bastard Li Laosi. Whether it's picking up a wife or picking up the throne, he always gets the big prize!
His Royal Highness Prince An felt more and more aggrieved the more he thought about it. In anger, he raised his hand and slapped his brother hard.
"Alright, it's settled. I'll go inform the Prime Minister and the Duke of Ling. We'll have a simple coronation ceremony for you tomorrow. You can become the emperor first, and we'll talk about that later.
There are still many things to do later, how can I keep dwelling on this matter? Your Majesty, please rest in the palace for a while, and I will go out to make arrangements!"
Not wanting to give the bastard Lao Si another chance to refute, Li Yuanxiu forced himself to be strong and dragged himself out despite his sick state.
He had to cut the Gordian knot and stabilize the situation. When the throne was in doubt, no one was more suitable to take charge of the situation than him, the eldest son of the late emperor and the former crown prince.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com