mtlumby2d Chapter 161 is ruined! What's going on? This part wasn't in the script!
Chapter 161 is ruined! What's going on? This part wasn't in the script!
"No need for formalities."
Emperor Longyun waved his hand, stopping the crowd that was about to pay their respects to him.
"Since all the ministers are here, I will speak all at once."
Emperor Longyun seemed to have aged several years overnight; he was thin, his voice was hoarse, his eyes were dark, and his tone was empty.
He stepped forward, lit an incense stick, and offered it respectfully. Then he bent down and added some joss paper to the brazier.
"The Empress was kind and could not bear to see her people suffer. Moreover, it was summer and the heat was unbearable. Therefore, before she passed away, she specifically left a will that her funeral should be simple."
"Although I am unwilling, the Empress has repeatedly instructed me to do so."
"Issue my decree. After the mourning period ends today, everyone except the imperial heirs who must fulfill their filial duties to their stepmother may return home."
It was a good thing that they no longer had to mourn every day, and everyone hurriedly bowed and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
Before everyone could get up, a cry of surprise came from the front.
"His Majesty--"
"Father!"
Oh no, what's going on? This scene wasn't in the script!
Could it be that this cunning emperor has suddenly changed his mind and is trying to fake his death so he can enjoy a carefree life with his mother sooner?
Don't be such a bully!
Anxious Lin Shiming reacted quickly under the shock of becoming a struggling worker, desperately lunging forward and catching Long Yundi who was about to fall to the ground.
Before he could even anxiously call for the imperial physician, he felt as if a hand was tugging at his sleeve.
Lin Shiming lowered his head, and Emperor Longyun's eyes rolled around under his eyelids.
"..."
"Imperial doctor! Call the imperial doctor quickly!"
The crowd behind them panicked. The eldest princess rushed forward and grabbed Emperor Longyun's hand, shouting for the imperial physician. The prince consort, Xiao Feng, followed suit and stood guard beside the eldest princess.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has passed away, and Your Majesty has suddenly fallen ill. What is your explanation?!"
Prince Ping, who was a step too late, was unable to get close to Emperor Longyun, so he simply stood to the side and questioned Lu Yuxi.
No sooner had these hurtful words been uttered than Prince Qi, the head of the imperial clan, stepped forward to defend Lu Yuxi.
"What do you mean by that, Prince Ping? Are you perhaps criticizing the Crown Prince?!"
"I am merely stating the facts. In less than a day, the Empress and His Majesty have both met with misfortune. How can this be a coincidence? The Crown Princess controls the palace, and the Crown Prince is acting as regent. In the past few days, no outsiders have been able to see the Emperor and Empress. Shouldn't the two of them give us an explanation?! They are both culpable!"
"Snapped--"
While everyone was in shock, Prince Ping was slapped hard by Princess Heyou, who had just been crying.
"How dare you! My father has only fainted from grief; he is not seriously ill. What do you mean by pointing your finger at the Crown Prince and questioning him? My father is the Emperor, and the Crown Prince is the heir apparent. Where do you place my father? Where do you place the proper etiquette between ruler and subject?!"
Princess Heyou's reprimand made Prince Ping grit his teeth. After a long while, he forced himself to bow to Lu Yuxi first.
"I have no intention of disrespecting the Crown Prince. It's just that my father has fainted for unknown reasons, and the Crown Prince... After all, the Crown Prince is only the heir apparent; how can he be in charge of the overall situation?"
"Then who do you think can take charge of the overall situation?" Lu Yuxi looked directly at Prince Ping.
"Of course it's too—"
"Is it the Empress Dowager, long ill and indifferent to worldly affairs, or you, who repeatedly makes mistakes and is ambitious?"
"If the Crown Prince is unwilling to relinquish power, so be it. Why slander me? Although the Empress Dowager is ill, she is still the rightful Empress Dowager of my Changping Dynasty!"
Empress Dowager? What kind of Empress Dowager is he!
Lin Shiming was about to get up when he was suddenly interrupted by a voice.
"Have you all had enough of this nonsense?"
Lin Shihe slowly approached from behind.
"According to the ancestral rules of Changping, if the emperor suddenly encounters a crisis of unknown cause, is unable to manage state affairs, and has no clear decree issued, then the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion shall take charge of state affairs until His Majesty is out of danger."
"Now, none of your opinions matter."
This was not without precedent; the relationship between the royal family and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was common knowledge. Moreover, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion commanded 100,000 Tingyun soldiers, and in terms of influence, it could almost mobilize the entire army of Changping.
In times of turmoil, power ultimately remains in the hands of the sword.
As Lin Shihe finished speaking, the mourning hall gradually quieted down. Everyone subconsciously looked at the young heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, who had taken command of most of the Tingyun Army, and for a moment, they felt much more at ease.
Seeing that the turmoil was under control, Lin Shihe acted decisively and began to deploy troops.
"Please, Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess, escort His Majesty back to Xuanzheng Hall for treatment."
Princess Heyou suddenly stood up again, "I'm going too."
Princess Heyou is always prudent and kind, and in order to reassure everyone, Lin Shihe nodded in agreement after consideration.
"The eldest princess and her husband went together."
Princess Heyou smiled gratefully and immediately followed Lu Yuxi and the others who were already walking out, together with Xiao Feng.
Seeing this, King Ping quickly interjected, "I want to too..."
"Qi Shang, Huang Qian, mobilize troops, control the capital, strictly prohibit entry and exit, and impose martial law throughout the city. Anyone who disobeys will be executed." Lin Shihe did not give King Ping a chance to finish speaking before turning around and issuing orders to the military officers.
"Your subordinate obeys." The two men who were called out quickly retreated.
"Mu Bolin".
"The subordinate is here."
"Mobilize the Imperial Guards, seal off the palace, and prohibit anyone from entering or leaving the palace at will or transmitting information."
"I obey your orders."
……
Lin Shihe issued several orders, quickly stabilizing the situation.
"His Majesty has just decreed that all members of the imperial family and officials may return to their residences after today's vigil. Therefore, I would like to ask you all to continue to keep vigil for Her Majesty the Empress until dawn tomorrow. Tomorrow, someone will escort you out of the palace and back to your residences."
As for the affairs of the court—
Lin Shihe glanced at Prince Ping, who was still gritting his teeth and enduring the situation. "His Majesty made a golden promise a few days ago, that the Crown Prince would act as regent, and he has not revoked it yet. Although I am temporarily acting as regent, I cannot disobey His Majesty's decree. The affairs of state will still be handled by the Crown Prince in the Xuanzheng Hall."
"Everyone knows that the Crown Princess comes from your Lin family, so you must be biased towards the Crown Prince!"
"Your Highness Prince Ping!" Lin Shihe, though not angry, exuded an imposing aura, looking at Prince Ping with a half-smile. "The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is biased towards the Crown Prince. So what? I hope you understand that the marriage was bestowed by His Majesty, and this outcome is what His Majesty wanted to see. I believe that Your Highness Prince Ping should have understood His Majesty's wishes long ago."
Emperor Longyun's intention was to tie the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to the Crown Prince and ensure the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne.
Everyone knew the truth of the matter, and King Ping was naturally aware of it as well, but he still harbored a glimmer of hope.
Only now, with Lin Shihe speaking out to his face, did he truly realize how strong Emperor Longyun's will was.
The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, which could manage state affairs, was given away so easily. Emperor Longyun was biased and determined to make Lu Yuxi the next emperor.
He could only watch Lu Yuxi and Emperor Longyun's departing figures, secretly filled with resentment.
But King Ping was unwilling to accept defeat and would never admit it.
They are all the Emperor's sons, so why can't I sit on this throne!