Chapter 739: Habaek’s “Bride”
The vigorous and heroic prince symbolizes the rising star of the new emperor.
The old and haggard Emperor Yuanxu, lying on his sickbed, was unable to stop the young man in front of him even though he held great power.
He stared at this son whom he once regarded as his pride.
After a while, a strange smile appeared on the faces around.
"Prince, you don't think a princess is more important than the country, do you?"
The aged voice was filled with self-righteous wisdom, as if he really was an emperor who put the overall situation first.
The prince laughed even more sarcastically than he did.
"Your Majesty, if the kingdom needs to be exchanged for a princess, can this kingdom really be defended?"
The father and son looked at each other, and the smile on Emperor Yuanxu's face gradually faded.
"Whether you marry the princess or not is up to me. Who will inherit the throne is also up to me! I recognize you as the crown prince, and you are the one. If I want to abolish you, you will be nothing!"
Every word, which did not contain any fatherly affection, shattered the prince's last bit of forbearance.
Recalling the late queen's previous forbearance and Xu's misty and helpless eyes, a hint of cruelty flashed across the prince's handsome face.
With new grudges and old grievances, there is no family affection between him and Emperor Yuanxu anymore.
The prince's heart sank, and he walked straight towards Emperor Yuanxu...
Shi Li and Ling Heng were on their way to the Queen Mother's Palace.
Walking past the place where they picked up the fifth princess' kite last time, the two of them suddenly stopped in tacit understanding.
"The new imperial star has risen?"
Shi Li lowered her voice and asked uncertainly.
Just now, she keenly sensed the national turmoil, symbolizing the complete fall of Emperor Yuanxu's imperial star, and the rise of a new imperial star with a hint of bloody murderous light.
Ling Heng nodded silently.
Afterwards, the two of them heard the sound of a huge bell symbolizing national mourning, and instantly everyone around them knelt on the ground.
It is obvious that Emperor Yuanxu has passed away.
His health was deteriorating, so it was not surprising that he died suddenly.
But Shi Li and Ling Heng knew that Emperor Yuan Xu could not have died of natural causes, otherwise the New Emperor Star would not be like that.
Shi Li sighed secretly, knowing that he couldn't leave for the moment.
The Queen Mother is old, and even if she is mentally prepared, it is very heartbreaking to see a young person die before her. If you bother her at this time, it will seem like the younger generation is very immature.
"Let's go back first."
Shi Li held Ling Heng's hand, and they turned around and walked out of the palace.
Outside the palace, when the people heard the funeral bells, they all became busy, putting away all festive items and hanging white banners in every household.
Kyoto, which was prosperous and festive just a moment ago, became quiet and desolate.
But it is unknown how many of them were truly sad for the emperor's death.
Everyone in the court knew that Emperor Yuanxu was in poor health, and it was natural for the crown prince to succeed to the throne after his death.
But no one expected that Emperor Yuanxu had a backup plan.
Finally, he wrote an imperial edict to depose the crown prince and gave it to his most trusted eunuch. When the crown prince summoned all civil and military officials to discuss the matter, he rushed in and read it aloud.
The old eunuch was loyal to Emperor Yuanxu. After reading out the imperial edict to depose the crown prince, he hit his head against the pillar and blood splattered on the spot.
The quiet meeting hall was stained with blood by this accident.
The prince was caught off guard at the beginning, but gradually calmed down. He slowly glanced at the ministers and turned back to give instructions to the palace servants around him.
"Drag this traitor's body out and whip it."
This imperial edict from Emperor Yuanxu actually changed nothing, because over the years, except for the crown prince, other princes could not be entrusted with important tasks.
But Emperor Yuanxu wanted to use this imperial edict to leave a cloud of doubt in everyone's mind.
Those who hear this imperial edict now are all the ministers in the court.
As long as the content of the imperial edict gets out one day, the emperor and his subjects will become alienated. This is the most vicious part of Emperor Yuanxu's plan.
The rumor of deposing the crown prince would have the same effect if it spread to the people. Even if the crown prince made great achievements in the future, the people would still criticize him for not being legitimately enthroned.
The father and son, who were once very close, ended up like this.
Everyone would blame Xu and regard her as a beauty who brought disaster.
But no one would think that Xu was the most pitiful person.