Xiao Zicheng looked at the hesitant emperor and said, "Father, why don't you pass the throne to my younger brother? I don't want to sit on this throne either. If my younger brother wants it, then let him have it."
"Although I am not afraid of death, I am afraid that something will happen to my father and mother. If my brother is willing to let us go, then the three of us will leave here and live like ordinary people, and never return to the capital."
From the very beginning, he did not want to sit on the throne, but since he could remember, his father had taken him by his side and taught him every day. His mother also told him every day that he would be the emperor in the future, so he worked hard to learn to do so every day.
The Emperor stared intently at him, lost in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Cheng'er, are you sure? This is a position above all others. Won't you regret it later?"
This was a child he had taught for many years, and now he was telling him that he didn't want to be an emperor, but only wanted to live the life of an ordinary person, which disappointed him.
Xiao Zicheng nodded, "Father, I will never regret it. But would Father and Mother be willing to accompany me to a quiet place?"
"Alright, since you've given up on this yourself, I have nothing more to say. Chen Nian, bring me the imperial edict and the Imperial Seal." After saying this, the Emperor looked at Xiao Zili.
"I am willing to pass the throne to you, but you must not harm the other princes and princesses. Just make them idle princes and send them to their fiefdoms. As for the princesses, find some reliable families to marry into."
"As for me and Consort Gui, Zicheng, after some time, we will leave, and then you can announce your passing. You will be more at ease without us." Well, he's getting old and still has an illness. He will just go and live a peaceful life with Cheng'er and Consort Gui.
"Thank you, Father Emperor," Xiao Zili said.
That would be best; he wouldn't have to bear the stigma of patricide and fratricide. As long as they never come to the capital again and don't believe in the rebellion, he can let them go.
Seeing that he agreed, the emperor sat up and began to write the edict of succession. Then he stamped it with the imperial seal and said, "Chen Nian, invite all the ministers into the palace and say that I am seriously ill and wish to see them."
This is the empire he built, and it took him decades to become what it is today. He doesn't want any more trouble because of the succession issue. He has already passed the throne to Xiao Zili, so one more thing won't make a difference.
Not long after, the ministers entered the palace and knelt in the emperor's bedroom. An Shuyi, Xia Hua, and the guards were not there. Only the emperor, Xiao Zili, Xiao Zicheng, eunuchs, and palace maids were present.
The emperor looked at the ministers and said, "I am unwell. The imperial physicians have already examined me, but there is nothing they can do. I am now unable to attend to the affairs of the state, so I will choose a new emperor."
After he finished speaking, the chief eunuch loudly read out the imperial edict. Upon hearing it, everyone else knelt on the ground, unable to recover for a long time. Their hearts were racing, as if a million horses were galloping through their veins. Wasn't the emperor supposed to pass the throne to the crown prince? How could it have become the second prince?
Could it be that the Emperor felt the Second Prince was more suitable to be Emperor than the Crown Prince, so he bestowed the title upon the Second Prince? Although they wanted to ask, the edict of succession had already reached the Second Prince's hands.
It seems the Emperor isn't as disliked as people say; he actually dotes on the Second Prince. Otherwise, with so many princes, why would it have to be the Second Prince?
"The throne has now been passed to the Second Prince. Tomorrow morning he will begin handling state affairs. Ministry of Rites, have the Imperial Observatory select an auspicious day to prepare for the enthronement of the new Emperor Guangwu. That's all for now, my beloved ministers, you may all return!"
The ministers then rose and left the palace, seemingly oblivious to the fact that it was too quiet inside.
After the ministers left, An Shuyi and Xia Hua appeared. "Second Prince, there's nothing going on in the palace now, so let's go home. If you need anything, just send someone to let us know."
After all this commotion, it's already past midnight, time to go home and sleep. I just wonder how many people won't be able to sleep tonight.
Xiao Zili nodded. The throne was now his, and his two aunts had kept their promise. After some time, he should also promote the officials of Taoyuan Village and turn them into his own people. "Then I won't see my two aunts off!"
An Shuyi nodded, "No need for you to see me off. I still have so many things to take care of. I'm leaving now." With that, she left with the guards.
After leaving the palace, the two were about to walk home when they saw Wen Liu waiting at the palace gate. They knew without asking that she was waiting for them.
Wen Liu is already a third-rank official, and he was summoned to the palace tonight. However, not long after, he will no longer be a third-rank official, but perhaps a second-rank or a first-rank official. After all, Xiao Zili has ascended the throne, so he should help their people.
With a new emperor ascending the throne, it's difficult to get things done without one's own people, so Wen Liu and his group have a high chance of success.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you waiting for us here?" An Shuyi asked after getting into the carriage.
“I was originally going to go back, but I ran into my third and fourth brothers, and Brother Niu. They can’t go back tonight and have to stay in the palace, so I wanted to wait for Mother and Aunt together,” Wen Liu said.
He was well aware of his mother and aunt's plans and was looking forward to them. After all, once the Second Prince ascended the throne, he would promote them. In a few years, Yan Zhen would have grown up, and so would they.
An Shuyi nodded and didn't ask any more questions. After her two sons arrived in the capital today, they led troops to guard outside the city. When the time was right, they would rush into the palace. Perhaps it wouldn't be long before they were promoted and given higher titles.
After returning to the mansion, the two went to their room, washed up, and then lay on the bed to talk. "Hua Hua, do you think Xiao Zicheng really has no interest in the throne?"
This was the first time she had ever seen a prince who showed no interest in the throne. If it were an ordinary person, she could understand, but he was the crown prince, second only to the emperor, and would have to live an ordinary life in the future.
With such a huge drop in status, doesn't he feel bad or have any thoughts about it?
Xia Hua said, "Maybe he really doesn't. After all, ambitious people, no matter how they hide it, can still be seen. But his eyes don't show it. Instead, it's more like he really wants to find a place to live out his life quietly."
If she wasn't mistaken, it was probably because Song Qingyou had dealt him such a heavy blow. The day after Song Qingyou died, she even sent someone to the Crown Prince's residence, but the guards returned and reported that the Crown Prince hadn't looked for the Crown Princess.
Instead, he stayed in his study all day and didn't come out until evening. His days thereafter were the same as usual, with no changes except that he went home less often and could see the Crown Princess.
He might want to let Song Qingyou go, but he was worried that she wouldn't be able to live a good life if she stayed in the mansion. So, disappearing would be better for everyone.
An Shuyi nodded, and the two of them didn't say anything more. They closed their eyes and went to sleep. They didn't get up until very late the next day. It wasn't that they didn't want to get up, but there was nothing to do after they got up, so they might as well sleep a little longer.
When the two of them got up, washed up, and went to the hall for dinner, they saw other people sitting there, discussing what had happened the night before.
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