Chapter 1357 -1193: Passing On the Throne

Even if the Emperor was a dying man, Gu Chengyu could not speak insincerely. They say the Royal Family is heartless, but the Emperor’s determination in this matter surprised Gu Chengyu somewhat.

“What about the Fourth? Did Father mention in his final decree to protect the Fourth’s life?”

Gu Chengyu felt a bit helpless. Just how stubborn could this person be? In fact, these things truly held no meaning, perhaps the late Emperor’s coldness toward the Emperor still hurt his heart?

“No, he did not!” Gu Chengyu shook his head, looking at the Emperor, who gave a relieved smile, then slowly closed his eyes as if he were finally free.

Gu Chengyu felt a bit distressed; this was the second emperor to die in front of him. He stepped forward and softly called out, “Emperor?”

The Emperor looked as if he were peacefully asleep, and this stirred a sting in Gu Chengyu’s heart. Even the most stoic person can’t remain unaffected. Although he hadn’t been with the Emperor for long, the Emperor’s complete trust in him moved him deeply during these recent times.

“Someone come quickly!” Gu Chengyu took a few steps back and shouted toward the outside of the hall.

Though he didn’t check the Emperor’s pulse, he was certain the Emperor was truly gone. Yet, to prevent anyone from accusing him, he naturally couldn’t stand too close.

Director Zhang also realized it was time. He rushed in ahead of the others, his nimble actions surprisingly different from his usual self.

The Empress Dowager and Empress came stumbling in with Zhao Guangye. The Empress, in particular, ran quickly. The Emperor had yet to tell her about the arrangements for after his death. As a couple, the Emperor couldn’t be so heartless to her.

Director Zhang reached for the Emperor’s pulse. When he couldn’t detect any movement, he let out a sigh, shook his head, and pulled the silver needle from the Heavenly Gate Acupoint on the Emperor’s forehead.

“The Emperor has passed!” With this shout, the hall immediately filled with cries of mourning.

The sound of mourning continued. When it reached outside the hall, the gathered civil and military officials knew they had come too late.

“The Emperor has passed!”

“Emperor! Why are you so heartless, leaving your concubine and the Eldest Prince alone in this world? Won’t you even tell your concubine your last wishes? Your heart is indeed so cruel!”

The Empress cried with snot and tears, caring nothing for her own image at this moment.

Gu Chengyu put a special Holy Decree into his sleeve and held the other two in his hands.

Seeing Zhao Guangye crying heartbrokenly at the edge of the couch, he stepped forward and said, “Eldest Prince, please restrain your grief! Next is the funeral arrangements, and I must read the Holy Decree I have, so please move to the hall entrance, along with the Empress Dowager and Empress, to receive the decree!”

With the Emperor’s passing, the civil and military officials were gathered outside. Naturally, this was the time to announce the Holy Decree to stabilize the court. Moreover, the earlier the decree is read, the sooner the court can be truly controlled to prevent any chaos.

Zhao Guangye wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve. His father was gone; he had to be strong immediately. Surrounded by wolves in the court, the only person he could rely on now was Gu Jinyu.

“Let’s go!” After speaking, Zhao Guangye walked forward with his head held high.

“Eunuch Quan, please check if all the masters in the palace have arrived!” Gu Chengyu glanced at Xiao Quanzi, who was kneeling nearby. It wasn’t enough for just the Eldest Prince to be present; other Princes were also needed to announce the Decree.

“Yes!” Xiao Quanzi understood Gu Chengyu’s intention and quickly walked out of the inner hall.

“How, in good condition, did the Emperor suddenly pass? Did something happen?” Yu Zheng grabbed an eunuch’s collar in anger.

It was too sudden. Although he knew the Emperor’s days were numbered, it was really too quick. It was heard that after Gu Chengyu entered the palace, he never left, implying that Gu Chengyu was present when the Emperor passed.

The eunuch was startled by Yu Zheng’s actions, and he stammered, unable to speak.

“Lord Yu, don’t waste time; we should quickly go in and see the Emperor!” Dai Yuanji’s eyes flashed as he led the charge into the hall.

“Hold on!”

Only a stern voice was heard coming from inside the hall, accompanied by footsteps approaching from afar, revealing the owner of the voice.

The Empress Dowager was seen being helped at the front, followed by the Empress and Eldest Prince, with Gu Chengyu surprisingly close behind.

“The Emperor has passed, and we are in the process of preparing his remains. Once that’s done, you may enter to pay respects! Next, the Imperial Sacrificial Worship Temple and the Ministry of Rites will handle the National Mourning procedures jointly,” the Empress Dowager forcibly composed herself and spoke a few words to the ministers.

“Your Grace, why did the Emperor pass away so suddenly? Wasn’t it said that Prince Gong’s poison on the Emperor was cured?” Yu Zheng deliberately ignored “Ruo Yin,” referring to the time when the court told the entire world about Prince Jing poisoning the Emperor and the subsequent pursuit.

Although the Emperor later claimed the poison was resolved, everyone knew that was just to stabilize the court! Now, with the Emperor departed, while everyone was aware of the truth, it could not be openly discussed.

Therefore, he planned to make a big issue out of it—the Emperor has passed, and the nation couldn’t be without a leader for a day. The highest Prince in the palace was only eight, making it the prime time for capable ministers to assist, a golden opportunity no one would want to miss.

“The Emperor claimed the poison was resolved to maintain order. Everyone, the Emperor has passed, and the nation cannot be leaderless. Before his passing, the Emperor prepared a Decree of succession. Is everyone present?”

The Empress Dowager stood on the steps, glancing at the people below, noticing the concubines rushing forward, her brows furrowed.

“Where are the other two Princes?” The Empress Dowager angrily glared at an eunuch nearby.

“Emperor!” Just as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, a cry was heard from afar, and she looked up to see that it was indeed the two Princes and their mothers.

“Alright, since the Princes are here, there’s no need to wait for the others. Go on with announcing the Decree! Gu Aiqing, since the Emperor entrusted the Decree to you at his final moments, you should read it aloud.”

“Yes!”

Yu Zheng and Dai Yuanji exchanged glances; this was the Decree of succession. But this Decree was in Gu Chengyu’s hands, showing how much the Emperor trusted him!

“Ministers, hear the Decree!” Gu Chengyu shouted, and everyone immediately kneeled.

Gu Chengyu unfolded the first Holy Decree in his hands, “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor’s Edict declares:

Since my ascension to the throne, regarding the important affairs of state and the essence of governance, I have not become weary of diligence… Now, I pass the throne to my eldest son, Zhao Guangye!

Proclaim to the world, thus said!

Twentieth day of the third month, in the second year of Guanghui”

The court ministers were not surprised by this Decree; besides the Eldest Prince, no one else in the court could inherit the throne. Other concubines, no matter how unwilling, could only hold back.

The other two Princes were still young, not to mention they were of lesser birth, making inheritance impossible! But their children might still have a chance; the Eldest Prince’s eyes had not healed, and who knew if they ever would in his lifetime?

An emperor who is blind, even if he ascends the throne, would eventually be deposed.

“Long live our Emperor for ten thousand years!” After proclaiming the Decree, Gu Chengyu knelt before Zhao Guangye, shouting long live!

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