PFC Chapter 452 Ascension to the Throne
Chapter 452 Ascension to the Throne
The fifth prince hurriedly explained, "Mother, you've misunderstood."
"You don't need to say anything more. Your mother will definitely find a divine physician to cure your illness." The cold light in the empress's eyes was like two ice-cold knives, full of bloodthirsty ferocity. "No one will take this throne from you."
"Then we will grant Your Majesty's wish. I hope Your Majesty will not regret it."
"I have no regrets in my life."
Qin Miaoxi sighed softly and handed her a piece of paper, "Your Majesty, please take a look at this first."
The empress stared at the paper in front of her, but her arm was stiff and she couldn't lift it. A bad feeling quickly spread through her.
The words on the paper were few, but each one was chilling.
The Empress quickly glanced at the document, staring at her son in disbelief, muttering to herself, "Impossible, this can't be true."
After taking the medicine, the second prince's pale face gradually regained its color. "Mother, it's all true. I was the one who wanted to give up the throne. My fifth brother is more suitable for that position than I am."
"But you..."
The second prince held her hands and said earnestly, "Mother, you have spent your whole life planning for me. I don't ask for much, I just want to spend more time with you, and even in the future... I will have no regrets."
In an instant, the Empress's eyes reddened, tears welling up. The paper clearly stated that the Second Prince's physical injuries were no longer serious, but his vital energy was severely depleted. He must recuperate quietly for a long time and avoid any mental or physical exertion. If he were to overexert himself further, his life might be in danger.
On one side is the throne, and on the other is his son's health; the choice is obvious.
The Empress carefully tucked the paper into her bosom and bowed deeply to Qin Miaoxi, saying, "I support the Fifth Prince's ascension to the throne."
"The Queen?"
The Empress's faction was puzzled. Lord Xuanwu had already given in, so why did she give up instead?
"Nonsense! The throne is not something that can be passed around. Your Majesty, you are being willful."
The speaker was the Empress's father. As long as the Second Prince ascended the throne, their family would rise to a higher level and establish a lasting legacy. He would not allow anyone to disrupt this.
At that moment, a young woman came to her side and advised, "Yes! Aunt, don't be fooled. The Second Prince is the most suitable candidate."
The Empress disgustedly shook off the woman's hand; the woman was her niece and also a concubine of Emperor Meiji.
Ironically, her maternal clan, fearing that she would grow old and lose her beauty, specially sent their young and beautiful niece to the palace, resulting in the absurd situation of an aunt and niece sharing a husband.
What use is a maternal clan that shows no regard for the plight of mothers and children?
"Outrageous! The concubines of the harem are hereby stripped of their titles and banished to the Cold Palace, effective immediately!"
"Auntie!" The woman knelt on the ground in disbelief, but was dragged away in a moment.
The Empress stood majestically on the imperial steps, her phoenix eyes sweeping across the entire hall with a sharp gaze. Her clear and authoritative voice resounded throughout the palace: "The new emperor has been enthroned, the mandate of heaven has been bestowed upon him! Why do you all not bow and pay homage?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around first, knelt and bowed to the new emperor, and shouted loudly, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The officials and civil servants seemed to awaken from a dream, and they all knelt down, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" endlessly, their cries shaking the palace like a mountain range and a tsunami.
The Empress's father dared not speak out in anger and reluctantly knelt down to pay his respects.
The Fifth Prince tried to remain calm, but his gaze began to wander erratically through the crowd. When he saw Qin Miaoxi nod slightly to him, her calm eyes acted like a reassuring pill, instantly calming his turbulent emotions.
He stepped forward and helped the Empress and the Second Prince up. “Your subject is unworthy of such a grand gesture from Your Majesty. Second Prince, please rise as well. We brothers need not stand on ceremony.”
The Fifth Prince walked straight to the dragon throne on the high platform. The moment he sat down, everything was settled. The little eunuch then took out the imperial edict that had been prepared in advance and read it aloud.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, having received the favor of Heaven and the blessings of my ancestors, have purged the treacherous officials and rectified the court, and hereby ascend the throne before the spirit tablet. From this day forward, I shall reform the corrupt practices of the previous dynasty and usher in a new era of clarity and integrity. The following year shall be designated 'Year One of Jianwu,' and a general amnesty shall be granted, except for those who plot rebellion, embezzle, or form cliques for personal gain, in order to uphold the law. The Ministry of Personnel shall be ordered to strictly enforce the performance evaluation system, and the Censorate to eradicate corruption. The people of the realm shall be allowed to recuperate and rebuild, and their corvée labor shall be reduced by half for a period of three years. All my subjects shall understand the principles of integrity and shame, know loyalty and righteousness, and work together with me to revitalize the nation. This decree is hereby proclaimed throughout the land, so that all may know it. This is the imperial decree."
As Qin Miaoxi left the palace, she was stopped by the Second Prince.
"Lord Xuanwu."
"Second Prince, no, Prince Jin, what instructions do you have?"
"I heard that Marquis Xuanping has left his residence."
Qin Miaoxi's expression hardened, but she smiled calmly and said, "Why do you say that, Prince Jin? The Marquis is still recuperating at home, which is why he cannot come to pay his respects to the new emperor today."
"You and him... A playboy like him will only betray your sincerity. With your status, why waste your time on him!"
"Does the Prince of Jin mean I should leave him?"
"Yes, you two are not on the same path, and you will eventually divorce."
Qin Miaoxi felt a slight pang in her heart. Divorce! It's already over.
"I am not familiar with the Prince of Jin, so there is no need for him to concern himself with our affairs. Farewell!"
Qin Miaoxi's expression suddenly turned cold, and she left without looking back.
The Prince of Jin remained rooted to the spot, gazing intently at the receding figure, his eyes filled with tenderness.
The Empress emerged from the shadows and said meaningfully, "My son, you should marry a close and devoted partner."
Prince Jin withdrew his gaze, his lowered eyelids concealing the desolation in his eyes. "Mother, I should not harm noble ladies with my current health. It is not good for me to be in this state."
The Empress sighed heavily in her heart. She had once thought that her son wanted to marry Qin Miaoxi, a widow, for the Lu family's hidden wealth, but now it seemed that it was all out of his own heart.
As the owner of a paper-craft shop, Qin Miaoxi's status is not worthy of him, but if he were Lord Xuanwu, he would be a perfect match.
In these few encounters, she didn't use any tricks; she was straightforward and direct from beginning to end. From her clear eyes, you could see that she didn't covet power or wealth.
It is truly rare to see someone in that position maintain such integrity; no wonder her son was attracted to her.
If only she hadn't stopped it back then... but it's not too late now.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I suddenly feel unwell and humbly request to take my leave and return to my residence."
"Go!"
The Empress stood there for a long time, whispered a few words to the head maid, who quickly ran after the Prince of Jin in the direction he had left.
Inside the prison, cries of agony echoed through the sky.
In the deepest part of the prison, only the sound of dripping water and the stench of rust permeated the deathly silence.
A figure shrouded in a heavy cloak broke the deathly silence with steady steps.
Inside the cage, the fourth prince, emaciated, was repeatedly banging his head against the filthy wall, producing dull thuds, like a trapped beast stripped of its fangs and on the verge of collapse.
"Fourth Prince!"
The clear shouts did not bring him back to his senses, and the fourth prince rammed into him even harder.
"Playing dumb won't work, let's have a proper talk."