lcionline Chapter 231 Wait a minute!
Chapter 231 Wait a minute!
The imperial doctors all lowered their heads and no one dared to answer.
Only the imperial physician who had proposed it said with a stiff upper lip, "Your Highness, rest assured. We will do our utmost to save the Emperor's life before County Lady Yan returns to the capital."
The Empress and the Second Prince exchanged a meaningful glance before she loudly ordered, "Since that's the case, immediately send someone to summon County Lady Yan back to the capital! During this time, you must take good care of His Majesty. If there's even the slightest mistake, I will not forgive you!"
"We obey your command." The imperial doctors could only agree reluctantly, but they were complaining in their hearts.
The queen felt relieved and nodded.
However, at this moment, the emperor's body suddenly trembled violently, a lot of white foam overflowed from the corners of his mouth, and his face instantly turned blue and purple.
The queen turned pale with fear and screamed, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Come and see the Emperor!"
The imperial doctors hurriedly gathered around, and as soon as they got close, they smelled a pungent odor. One of the doctors' face changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "The emperor has been poisoned!"
"It's arsenic! And it was just poisoned!"
"But... the only person beside His Majesty just now was..."
The imperial physicians stopped talking abruptly, and everyone's eyes fell on the queen.
The Queen's face turned pale instantly. She stepped back repeatedly, shaking her head frantically in denial: "No! It wasn't me! I didn't poison you!"
Although the queen tried her best to defend herself, the facts were there.
The emperor was poisoned for a very short time, so the person who poisoned him must be someone close to him. And the only person who was close to the emperor just now was the queen.
The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly, and everyone's eyes were filled with suspicion and fear.
The Queen slumped on the ground, her face as pale as paper, muttering to herself, "It's not...it really isn't me..."
"Pfft!"
At this moment, the emperor suddenly opened his eyes and a mouthful of blood spurted out, staining the brocade quilt in front of the bed red.
"Your Majesty!" The Queen exclaimed and rushed to the bed, her eyes full of fear and panic.
The emperor stared at the queen, his lips trembling, as if he wanted to say something.
He raised his hand with great effort and pointed in a certain direction, his voice so weak that it was almost inaudible: "The Holy...is aimed at, in..."
His voice became weaker and weaker, and I could only hear it clearly if I leaned close to his ear.
The queen leaned in to listen, her face suddenly changed, her pupils suddenly contracted, as if she had heard something terrible. She turned around suddenly, only to find that the emperor had already died, his hands hanging down limply.
"Your Majesty!" The Queen burst into tears, her voice shrill and desperate.
The imperial physicians hurried forward to take the emperor's pulse. After a moment, the leading physician turned pale and said in a trembling voice, "The emperor... has passed away."
The queen slumped on the ground, looking dazed, as if unable to accept this fact.
Eunuch Wu staggered and nearly fell. He looked towards the Queen tremblingly, his voice trembling, "My Queen...My Queen, what should we do now?"
The Queen slowly stood up, her face filled with grief, but she forced herself to remain calm and said, "Eunuch Wu, go make the announcement!"
Eunuch Wu held back his tears and walked out of the hall tremblingly.
A moment later, his sorrowful voice was heard from outside the palace: "The emperor... has passed away!"
Suddenly, there was a deafening cry outside the hall.
Concubines, princes, and ministers all knelt on the ground, crying one after another, and the entire palace seemed to be plunged into endless grief.
A quarter of an hour later, everyone's emotions calmed down a little. The concubines gathered around the queen, and one of them asked with sobs, "Poor concubine, you didn't get to see the emperor for the last time. I wonder if the emperor has any unfulfilled wishes..."
Before she could finish her words, she covered her face and burst into tears.
Upon hearing this, the others also began to sob quietly, and the atmosphere, which had just calmed down a little, was once again overwhelmed by sadness.
The ministers who rushed over after hearing the news looked at each other with some suspicion in their eyes.
Someone couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, I heard that His Majesty had some words with you before he passed away. I wonder if His Majesty has any instructions?"
The Queen took a deep breath, her eyes swept over the crowd, and her tone was heavy but firm: "The Emperor did speak to me before his death. It was about the Imperial Edict."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked and looked at the queen with burning eyes. This was related to the future king, so they naturally could not slack off.
The Queen slowly said, "Your Majesty has already prepared the imperial edict for the appointment of a crown prince. It is hidden behind the plaque outside the palace."
Upon hearing this, the ministers immediately ordered the guards to go and check.
Sure enough, a bright yellow imperial edict was found behind the plaque outside the hall.
Outside the hall, the imperial guards had surrounded it, and the atmosphere was solemn and tense.
Seeing this, Eunuch Wu knew that there was no way out. He held up the imperial edict with both hands and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please read the contents of the imperial edict."
The Empress took the imperial edict, slowly unfolded it, and read aloud, "By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: I, inheriting the great legacy of my ancestors, reign over the empire, diligently and cautiously, fearing I will not live up to my promise. Now, as I grow older and my strength wanes, the succession of state and society concerns the very foundation of our nation, and a decision must be made soon. Among my sons, the Second Prince, Yuancheng, is gifted, benevolent, filial, respectful, gentle, and generous. Well-versed in classics and history since childhood, he possesses profound insights into statecraft, and he harbors a broad mind and lofty ambitions. Whenever faced with major military and national affairs, he thoughtfully considers and offers advice, demonstrating his virtuous character. I consider him both virtuous and talented, well-qualified to shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing the country, continue my legacy, and further the legacy laid by our ancestors. Therefore, I appoint Yuancheng as Crown Prince, assuming the throne. I hope that you, my subjects, will unite to assist the new ruler, fulfill your duties, and together ensure the eternal stability of our dynasty and the well-being of our people. I proclaim this to the world, and let all know. I decree this!"
After the imperial edict was read, there was an uproar inside and outside the hall. Everyone looked at each other, their hearts full of confusion and shock.
Some time ago, the second prince was reprimanded by the emperor for privately raising troops and was almost demoted to a commoner. How come he became the heir to the throne in the blink of an eye?
"Your Majesty, could you please let me see the imperial edict?" A minister asked bravely, with a hint of tentativeness in his tone.
As soon as he said this, he felt a little uneasy, after all, it sounded like he was questioning the queen's authority.
However, the Queen did not get angry. Instead, she smiled and said gently, "You are right. The imperial edict is of great importance and should indeed be reviewed by everyone."
As she spoke, she signaled Eunuch Wu to pass the imperial edict to the ministers for circulation.
The ministers took the imperial edict, examined it carefully, and confirmed that it was indeed the emperor's handwriting and the imperial seal was clear and correct.
Upon seeing this, the ministers of the Second Prince's party immediately lit up with joy and stood up one after another, saying, "Everyone, since the Emperor has left behind an imperial decree, we suggest that the Second Prince ascend the throne immediately so that the late Emperor's affairs can be handled as quickly as possible."
"Exactly! The country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. Second Prince, please prioritize the overall situation and ascend the throne as soon as possible to reassure the people."
The second prince stood aside, pretending to look sad, but the smile in his eyes was barely concealed.
The Queen put away the imperial edict, glanced at everyone, and said in a stern and majestic tone: "The imperial edict has been announced. Do you have any objections?"
The hall was completely silent, and no one dared to respond.
The Queen and the Second Prince exchanged a glance. The Second Prince lowered his head slightly and said in a heavy voice, "Your Excellencies are absolutely right. Father's funeral should not be delayed. In that case, Your Highness will..."
"Wait a minute!"