Chapter 770: Chapter 771: National Mourning

The night wind howled mournfully.

The vast Qiyuan Hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, the atmosphere frozen solid.

Only the faint sound of Emperor Muwu’s breathing remained.

"Prince Lie... brave and skilled in battle... His mind and strategies are... are both... outstanding..."

Emperor Muwu stared at the intricate, ornate patterns on the ceiling, his mind growing heavier and heavier.

"In my life..."

Countless scenes flashed through his mind. Memories of the past rushed in, only to gradually fade.

’No matter.’

’It doesn’t matter anymore...’

The pain in Emperor Muwu’s chest intensified, and his face became deathly pale.

"...Now... the only one... capable of shouldering this great responsibility... is Prince Lie alone..."

As he spoke, Emperor Muwu began to cough again.

Xiao Chengqi shuffled forward on his knees. "Father Emperor!"

Emperor Muwu waved his hand weakly.

"I once thought... that everything under heaven was within my grasp, but..."

But in the end, too many unforeseen things had happened.

He had once favored Xiao Chengxuan the most, personally teaching and raising him for years, placing high hopes in him.

Yet at this moment, he had no other choice.

’Perhaps I was wrong from the very beginning...’

"I have decided... to pass the throne to Prince Lie..."

He turned his head to look at Xiao Chengqi, his breathing suddenly growing ragged. He seemed to want to sit up slightly, but his body was too weak, and he could only tremble faintly.

"You! You... after I am gone... must treat your brothers and sisters well..."

Shen Yanchuan stared silently at the floor before him, finding the whole scene absurd.

’For those words to come from Emperor Muwu’s mouth... it’s truly laughable.’

He was the one who had watched as the princes turned on each other, and even the princesses had not met with good ends.

It was all just a balancing act he used to secure his own throne.

’Now, at this final moment, has he finally realized that almost none of his own bloodline remains?’

But it was too late.

Emperor Muwu suddenly grabbed Xiao Chengqi’s hand. "Promise me..."

Xiao Chengqi looked back at him and said, word by word,

"Father Emperor once taught me that one must act with fairness and integrity, and never show favoritism. I have taken this lesson to heart."

Emperor Muwu’s eyes widened slightly. He gripped so tightly that he left bruises on the back of Xiao Chengqi’s hand.

"You—"

He wanted to say more, but he could no longer utter a single word.

After two sharp gasps, his head lolled to the side, and his hand fell limply.

The sound of mournful sobs gradually rose within the hall.

Xiao Chengqi raised his hand and slowly closed Emperor Muwu’s eyes.

The flickering candlelight illuminated his face, stark and solemn.

Shen Yanchuan looked up.

"Your Majesty, my condolences. You must take care of your health. The heavy burden left by the late emperor now falls to you."

...

「Ye Family Residence.」

Ye Chutang’s eyes suddenly flew open. The room was pitch-black; she could only make out vague shapes by the moonlight outside the window.

She listened intently for a moment, then glanced at the soundly sleeping Xiao Wu beside her. Gently tucking in the girl’s blanket, she got up, threw on a robe, and went to the window.

Lu Yu was standing outside, holding out a letter with both hands.

Ye Chutang asked no questions, simply taking the letter, opening it, and glancing at its contents.

Her brow twitched slightly. She nodded. "I understand."

Lu Yu’s figure vanished in an instant.

Ye Chutang returned to the room and lit a candle.

As if sensing something, Xiao Wu opened her eyes just in time to see Ye Chutang holding a letter to the candle flame and setting it alight.

Xiao Wu was already used to this. She simply rolled over and went back to sleep.

After dealing with the letter, Ye Chutang quickly returned to bed.

Xiao Wu snuggled closer to her affectionately.

Ye Chutang caressed her small face. "Go to sleep."

’A deep sleep like this... I’m afraid some people will never have one again.’

...

「The first light of dawn appeared on the horizon.」

Xiao Chenglin hadn’t slept a wink, sitting and waiting the entire night.

Faint dark circles rimmed his eyes, yet he felt no trace of sleepiness. Instead, a burning anxiety grew within him.

"Is there still no news?" he asked in a low voice.

The man beside him answered, trembling, "...To answer Your Highness, no. The Imperial Palace gates were suddenly sealed last evening. No one is allowed in or out. All news has been locked down, and our people have no way of finding out what has happened."

No news was the worst news!

Xiao Chenglin’s fingers tapped unconsciously.

In truth, his current situation was dire. He was being monitored from both inside and out, and the slightest move would give his enemies leverage against him.

With his hands tied, he naturally couldn’t find out anything.

Just then, the deep, long toll of a bell suddenly echoed from the distance!

DONG—!

Xiao Chenglin’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately looked in the direction the tolling was coming from!

"Your Highness, this is—" The man beside him realized what it meant and grew excited.

The rest did not need to be said. They both understood!

DONG—!

Another toll rang out!

DONG—!

At dawn, the tolling bell shattered the silence of the Capital City, reaching the ears of countless people!

Many looked in the same direction in shock.

This bell signified only one thing!

Emperor Muwu—was dead!

Xiao Chenglin immediately ordered, "Prepare the carriage! This prince is going to the Imperial Palace at once!"

However, things did not go as he wished. Xiao Chenglin was ultimately intercepted at the gates of his residence.

The Imperial Army guards stationed there spoke in an icy tone,

"Prince Jing, you should turn back. Without an imperial edict, no one dares let you step past this threshold."

Xiao Chenglin’s expression turned ugly.

"I am of the Royal Family’s blood! The funeral bells are tolling; I must go and pay my filial respects!"

But the guards were unmoved by his words, refusing to budge an inch no matter how furious Xiao Chenglin became.

Xiao Chenglin couldn’t use force, leaving him utterly enraged.

"If this causes any delays, can you bear the consequences?!"

The guard replied coldly, "If this subordinate has done wrong, I will naturally accept my punishment. But that is no concern of Prince Jing’s."

"You—"

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, a troop of men arrived in a hurry.

The man at the lead, dressed in official robes, was none other than Su Wei.

Seeing the standoff at the gate, he frowned. "What is happening here?"

The Imperial Army guards bowed in unison. "Greetings, Lord Su."

Xiao Chenglin said coldly, "Lord Su, you’ve arrived just in time. The bells tolled just now, and I wished to enter the Imperial Palace, but these men blocked my path. This is outrageous!"

Su Wei understood. "Prince Jing wishes to enter the Imperial Palace?"

"Of course!"

’What time does he think this is?’

’Emperor Muwu is dead. As a Prince, I should—’

"I’m afraid that won’t be possible," Su Wei said. "This humble servant has come on official orders. You will not be going to the Imperial Palace."

Xiao Chenglin’s heart sank!

"Lord Su, what is the meaning of this?!"

Su Wei’s expression was grave, his aura imposing and majestic.

"By order of His Majesty: the Fourth Prince, Prince Jing, has colluded with the enemy and committed treason. His crimes are unforgivable. He is to be arrested and brought to justice, to be executed after autumn!"

Xiao Chenglin was completely shaken and snapped his head up!

"What did you say?"

Su Wei looked down on him, his expression frigid.

"The late emperor, with his golden mouth and jade words, decreed that the throne be passed to the Third Prince, Prince Lie. This imperial edict... was, of course, issued personally by the current His Majesty."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.