https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-618-The-Liang-Emperor-Returns-to-the-Palace/13464902/
Chapter 619
Chapter 619
Tahe Hall.
Prince Jin was in a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Rites, discussing the funeral arrangements for Prince Rui, when a eunuch burst into the room, rolling and crawling with urgency. "Your Highness... Your Highness!"
Prince Jin asked sternly, "What is the matter that you are so flustered?"
The eunuch swallowed nervously, glancing around the room at the officials, unsure whether to speak or not.
Prince Jin said, "You may all leave. We will discuss Prince Rui's funeral later."
Everyone complied.
Once the hall was empty, Prince Jin, now alone with his confidants, said calmly, "Speak!"
The eunuch was on the verge of tears. "The Imperial Mausoleum... something has happened!"
Prince Jin, already preoccupied with the funeral arrangements, asked casually, "What could have happened at the Imperial Mausoleum?"
The eunuch replied, "General Wang... he's dead!"
Prince Jin's paper fell to the ground with a thud.
"Quick, bring my uncle! And the Grand Sorcerer!"
"Yes! Yes!"
Hu Lie and Gong Sun Yanming arrived swiftly.
Prince Jin's face was pale. "Uncle! Grand Sorcerer!"
This time, he had called for the Grand Sorcerer.
Gong Sun Yanming bowed. "Your Highness."
Hu Lie, with no patience for formalities, remained silent, his face grim.
Prince Jin hurriedly asked, "Uncle, is it true about the Imperial Mausoleum? Is General Wang really dead? Who killed him? And who is guarding the mausoleum now?"
"The Emperor has emerged."
Hu Lie said.
Prince Jin's expression changed again. "Father Emperor has... left the mausoleum? Uncle, didn't you say..."
Panic welled up inside him as he looked at Hu Lie and then at Gong Sun Yanming. "Grand Sorcerer, can you divine the outcome?"
Gong Sun Yanming replied, "I have already consulted the heavens, and the omen is dire."
Prince Jin swayed and fell into his chair, disheveled.
Hu Lie, impatient, said, "Now is not the time to boost others' morale at our expense. With the Emperor returning to the capital, none of us will be able to escape! Instead of divining the outcome, we should think about how to respond!"
Prince Jin looked at Gong Sun Yanming, who seemed calm and collected. "Grand Sorcerer, do you have a plan?"
Gong Sun Yanming said seriously, "There are two options. One, kill the Emperor. Two, ascend to the throne immediately."
"Ascend to the throne immediately?"
Prince Jin murmured.
Gong Sun Yanming pulled out a map from his wide sleeves. "To ambush the Emperor, we can set an ambush here, but the Emperor has the King of Miao with him, making it difficult."
Prince Jin clenched his fists. "Isn't the King of Miao a sworn enemy of Father Emperor? Why would he help him?"
Gong Sun Yanming continued, "This is not the time to consider the King of Miao's motives. Although it will be difficult, I still believe it is worth a try to buy time for Your Highness to ascend to the throne smoothly."
Prince Jin asked, "How... how do I ascend to the throne?"
Gong Sun Yanming said, "We will announce that the Emperor has passed away and, in his final moments, he named Prince Jin as his successor."
Prince Jin said, "Will the ministers... believe it?"
Gong Sun Yanming replied calmly, "For the past few weeks, Your Highness has been acting as regent. The ministers have already come to see Your Highness as the undisputed heir."
Prince Jin hesitated, "But this..."
"Let's do it!"
Hu Lie made the decision, glancing at Gong Sun Yanming. "Though I have always looked down on your kind of sorcerers, this time, I agree with your proposal."
"Your Highness, please prepare for your ascension!"
The last sentence was directed at Prince Jin.
Prince Jin looked at Gong Sun Yanming.
Gongsun Yanming nodded.
Hu Lie put on his helmet and was about to step out when Prince Jin asked, "Uncle, where are you going?"
Hu Lie replied solemnly, "To defend the Imperial Palace! Before Your Highness ascends the throne, I will not let a single person enter the palace gates!"
A surge of emotion welled up in Prince Jin's chest.
Was he really going to be the emperor?
After waiting for so many years, was his long-held wish finally about to come true?
As he passed Gongsun Yanming, Hu Lie paused and said, "Grand Sorcerer, the coronation is in your hands. I trust your Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion hasn't been idle all these years."
His words carried a hidden meaning.
Gongsun Yanming gave a faint nod. "General, take your time."
Hu Lie immediately called his confidants and rallied the army, surrounding the Imperial Palace.
If not for the Imperial Mausoleum being within the city, he would have secured the city gates as well.
But the palace gates would have to do!
Even if the Heavenly Emperor himself came today, he would ensure his nephew ascended to the throne!
Gongsun Yanming pulled out a ledger filled with the "secrets" of various officials. Using these to coerce those who were uncooperative wasn't a bad idea.
If anyone still refused to listen, they would be eliminated.
Prince Jin ordered his men to return to the Prince Jin's Manor to retrieve the imperial robes he had prepared long ago.
Empress Hu, hearing that her son was about to ascend the throne, ran excitedly to Concubine Jiang's chambers to show off.
Concubine Jiang kept her palace doors tightly shut.
She had originally wanted to rush out and beat up Empress Hu, but Concubine Chen held her back.
Concubine Chen, fearing that Jiang Huiyi might fall for Empress Hu's provocations, had stayed in her chambers to keep her company.
"Be patient. I believe in A Yuan and Xiao Jiu."
Jiang Huiyi sighed, "My heart is all over the place. I can't help but worry that something might go wrong."
"Are you worried about the Emperor?"
Concubine Chen asked with a smile.
Though they were both concubines of the Liang Emperor, there was no jealousy between them.
Jiang Huiyi sighed deeply. "How can I not worry about him? If he doesn't come back, who will repay me the ten thousand taels of silver he owes me?"
Concubine Chen laughed at her jest.
She held Jiang Huiyi's cold hand. "He will come back. Everyone will be safe."
She understood.
Jiang Huiyi's concern was not for the Emperor, but for Prince Fu.
Prince Fu had long formed an alliance with the Crown Prince's Manor. Once Prince Jin ascended the throne, Prince Fu would be the first to face his wrath.
In Kunning Palace, the Empress sat before a bronze mirror, quietly examining her appearance.
"Time does make one age", she said.
Yuanyang replied, "Empress, you are not old at all, just as beautiful as when you were young!"
The Empress smiled. "Prince Jin is about to ascend the throne. I will become the Empress Dowager."
Prince Jin changed into his imperial robes.
Yu Gong Gong was brought before him.
Seeing Prince Jin in his imperial attire, Yu Gong Gong was speechless.
Prince Jin said to him, "You were the Emperor's confidant. From now on, I want you to be mine."
Yu Gong Gong's eyes flickered.
Prince Jin continued, "If you refuse, your adopted son's life will be in danger."
Little Dezi, battered and bruised, was dragged in front of Yu Gong Gong by two eunuchs. He was barely alive.
"Little Dezi!" Yu Gong Gong exclaimed.
Little Dezi weakly said, "Father... I'm... fine..."
"Such a tough one", Prince Jin said with a smile. "I know you feigned loyalty to me, hoping for the Emperor's return. But I, too, miss the Emperor."
His smile faded, and his eyes filled with sorrow. "But the Emperor... has passed away!"
Yu Gong Gong fell to the ground, crawling to the door on his knees. "Your Majesty!"
Prince Jin's eyes brimmed with tears. "The Emperor entrusted the throne to me on his deathbed. Chief Eunuch Yu, come with me to the Golden Throne Hall to proclaim the imperial edict." (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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