pdf-ebookys Chapter 893 The Last Edict
Chapter 893 The Last Edict
Upon arriving at the palace, Zhang Ping'an noticed that although everything appeared normal on the surface, there was an inexplicable tension in the air.
Goosebumps crept all over my back without me even realizing it.
This is a subconscious vigilance against danger.
His sixth sense has never been wrong; something extraordinary is bound to happen today!
Upon arriving at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, only the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were allowed to enter first, while the other civil and military officials knelt in a row outside the hall.
Silently waiting for the final news.
Zhang Ping'an spotted a beady-eyed man among the kneeling officials, but given the current situation, the two had no time or opportunity to communicate.
With his beady eyes, he gestured for Zhang Ping'an to kneel down quickly.
Zhang Ping'an nodded slightly. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that his father-in-law, Grand Tutor Qian, and Prime Minister Lu were not among those kneeling outside the hall. He guessed that it was because of their high positions and extraordinary status that they were able to go inside the hall and serve there.
It is estimated that King Qin Qingshan was also inside.
Without thinking much about it, he quickly knelt down in his place under the eunuch's guidance.
But as he turned his head slightly, he inadvertently saw his brother-in-law, Qian Ying, kneeling to his right and behind him, seem to have frowned almost imperceptibly.
It was as if the current situation was not within his expectations.
This inevitably made Zhang Ping'an think a little more.
In the midst of their anxiety, the Crown Prince's mournful cries suddenly echoed through the hall, the sorrow in his voice unmistakable.
Everyone kneeling outside the hall understood that the matter was now settled.
This founding emperor truly died of illness, passing away after ruling for less than twenty years. No matter how glorious he was in life, all that remains after his death is a sigh of regret.
Zhang Ping'an listened carefully, but did not hear the Second Prince's voice.
After about half an hour, the noise inside the hall gradually subsided.
Subsequently, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, Prince Qin Qingshan, Grand Tutor Qian, Prime Minister Lu, and other important court officials emerged from the hall one by one.
Everyone wore a sorrowful expression.
As the only king of a different surname in the Great Zhou Dynasty, Qin Qingshan's status was self-evident.
He stepped forward first, his face filled with grief, and said, “His Majesty has passed away. Although we are saddened, the country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Although His Majesty had already established a crown prince while he was alive, according to the custom of all dynasties, the emperor’s edict should be read aloud in front of all officials to legitimize his position!”
After finishing his sentence, Qin Qingshan paused, then solemnly and emphatically proclaimed, "All officials, kneel and listen to the imperial edict!"
Everyone knelt down abruptly, heads bowed low, creating a solemn atmosphere.
Liang Fu silently presented the imperial edict he had taken out, bowing his head.
Qin Qingshan took the document, took a deep breath, and began to read: "Since I ascended the throne, though less than twenty years have passed, I have been diligent and fearful of the Mandate of Heaven day and night. However, the Mandate of Heaven has come to pass, and I am now on my deathbed, fearing I will not recover. I originally intended for the Crown Prince to succeed me, but the Crown Prince is weak and frail and cannot shoulder this great responsibility. Therefore, I hereby enfeoff him as the Prince of Jin... and my second son, Zhou Shu..."
Upon reading this, Qin Qingshan's eyes widened, he paused, and his brows furrowed.
The civil and military officials below also sensed something was wrong, but they didn't know what was going on and dared not raise their heads.
The crown prince asked incredulously, "King Qin? What about the imperial edict?"
After saying that, he reached out to take the imperial edict.
Qin Qingshan avoided the question and said seriously, "The imperial edict has not yet been read. Please be patient, Your Highness!"
Then he continued reading: "The Second Prince, Zhou Shu, is steady, wise, brave, and unparalleled in benevolence and filial piety. He is fit to inherit the throne. Therefore, the throne is hereby passed to the Second Prince, Zhou Shu. This is the imperial decree!"
After reading it aloud in one breath, Qin Qingshan closed the edict, shut his eyes, and felt a pang of reluctance.
The master of ceremonies stood there stunned for a moment before he reacted and shouted, "Kowtowing!"
The officials were in an uproar, first glancing at the Crown Prince, then at the Second Prince.
I don't know what's going on.
Prime Minister Lu was the first to react, and he took the lead in performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows to the Second Prince Zhou Shu, saying, "Your subjects obey the decree, long live the Emperor!"
The others then realized what was happening and joined in shouting, "Your subjects obey the decree! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The voices were not unified, and even carried a hint of hesitation and doubt.
Zhang Ping'an thought to himself, "Just as I thought!"
There's something wrong with the will!
The Crown Prince suddenly spoke up, his finger trembling as he pointed at Zhou Shu: "Impossible! How could Father Emperor possibly pass the throne to you? You must have done something to it!"
Zhou Shu was far more composed than the Crown Prince. He lightly dusted off his sleeves, raised his head high, and arrogantly retorted, "Why can't it be me? Father Emperor has discerning eyes. In terms of talent, strategy, and even physical strength, I far surpass you. Passing the throne to me is the wisest choice!"
"You! Impossible! You know why. Father has never liked you. How could he possibly pass the throne to you? This edict must be fake!"
After saying this, the crown prince once again asked the King of Qin for the imperial edict: "Please let me see the imperial edict, Your Majesty. This matter is not so simple!"
The Crown Prince, usually mild-mannered, spoke with an unusually cold and stern tone.
The King of Qin did not argue and handed over the imperial edict.
The handwriting was the familiar handwriting, and the jade seal on it looked genuine.
But the crown prince knew that the will was fake.
Yang Zhong was one of the leaders of the military faction and a confidant of Zhou Ziming. He had already decided that the future emperor would be the crown prince.
At this moment, he became the Crown Prince's mouthpiece and raised a question in public: "The late Emperor always favored the Crown Prince. This edict does not conform to His Majesty's will. Moreover, when the late Emperor passed away, only his personal eunuch Liang Fu was present. How can it be considered credible?"
Yang Zhong, a veteran of countless battles, had the air of a seasoned soldier. He snorted coldly at this point, crossed his arms, and said, "Could it be that someone took advantage of His Majesty's weakened state to tamper with the imperial edict?"
These words were so outrageous that they were practically accusing Zhou Shu of plotting treason and usurping the throne.
The civil and military officials below couldn't help but whisper and murmur among themselves.
There was endless discussion.
Some believe, some don't, it's a 50/50 split.
Zhang Ping'an clenched his fists, which were covered in sweat. It wasn't out of fear, but rather the tension that comes with the climax of something.
He always felt things wouldn't be that easy.
Is it really that easy for him to ascend the throne?
He looked at Zhou Shu, but Zhou Shu remained unperturbed, simply waving his hand and ordering, "Lord Yang is defying the late emperor's orders. Guards, seize him!"
The Imperial Guards obeyed orders and were about to advance.
Zhang Ping'an then realized that there were many unfamiliar faces among the Imperial Guards around him. He often walked in the palace and he was somewhat familiar with most of the Imperial Guards, but today he didn't recognize almost any of them.
This is so abnormal!
Yang Zhong noticed it too, but he wasn't afraid. He glared at him and shouted, "Let's see who dares to arrest me! Bah! Trying to do something immoral in broad daylight and then crying 'stop thief' like a thief, be careful you don't get struck by lightning!"
Prime Minister Lu, with a forced smile, stepped forward to retort: "Lord Yang, with the late emperor's edict here, who dares to disobey? Do you intend to defy the imperial decree?"