bayedsolid Chapter 364: 1 emperor and 1 courtier
Chapter 364: 1 emperor and 1 courtier
who is it?
Who is so bold as to sleep in the imperial study and act so presumptuously in front of the emperor?
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.
Oh my goodness, it's actually Grand Tutor Zhou!
At this moment, Grand Tutor Zhou was fast asleep with his head drooping. His head was nodding off and about to fall onto the table. His half-leaning body swayed back and forth, and he looked like he might fall at any moment. It was really too dangerous.
"Father, please forgive me." Prince Yao, who was near Grand Tutor Zhou, hurriedly stood up.
He walked up to Grand Tutor Zhou, leaned close, and whispered, "Grand Tutor, Grand Tutor."
no response.
Prince Yao had no choice but to gently pat Grand Tutor Zhou's arm, "Grand Tutor, Grand Tutor."
This time, it seemed that Grand Tutor Zhou had heard it.
"Hmm, is it time to eat?"
Unexpectedly, the first thing the Grand Tutor said when he opened his eyes was this.
For a split second, Prince Yao's face turned an unpredictable color. He could only lower his brows and lower his eyes, trying to keep his eyebrows from moving. He almost suffered internal injuries from holding it in.
If we're talking about who's the boldest in the Imperial Study, who else but the Grand Tutor?
At a time like this, who dares to speak up?
The emperor could only offer himself a way out, "Grand Tutor, are you hungry?"
The emperor paused for a moment, then turned and ordered, "Someone, bring the meal."
Only when the order for the meal was given did Grand Tutor Zhou fully regain his senses.
"Your Majesty, this old minister is advanced in years. Please forgive me, this old minister..."
"Oh, Grand Tutor, don't worry. I'm hungry too. Everyone, please order whatever you like. Let's eat and chat at the same time."
A moment later, eunuchs and palace maids brought in one dish after another.
Just as the emperor had hoped, everyone did indeed eat and chat, but the conversation consisted of nothing more than superficial suggestions, all just touching on the surface without saying anything of the kind the emperor wanted to hear.
After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, the emperor lost interest in listening further. Using the excuse of being tired, he quickly dismissed everyone, leaving only the crown prince behind.
"Your Highness, it's just the two of us left here, father and son. What are your thoughts? Tell me."
Prince Yao thought to himself, "First comes the relationship between ruler and subject, then father and son. Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger; I've understood this principle since I was a child. Besides, I saw the Grand Tutor's situation just now. If the Grand Tutor doesn't get involved, it's useless for me to get involved. Everything is up to my father, the Emperor. I'm just a tool. If I want to live long, I have to keep my mouth shut. If that doesn't work, I'll talk about other things. Pretending to be stupid is not an option. Picking up scraps of others' words is the way of an official!"
“Father, I believe the Prime Minister is absolutely right. Reiterating the case is the only way to resolve it.”
"In your opinion, who should be given the case to examine?"
After the old emperor finished speaking, he looked out the window and remained silent for a long time. His hunched figure revealed his advanced age, and his back view exuded a sense of loneliness that comes with being at the top.
At this moment, the crown prince was horrified.
He didn't know how to understand the emperor at this moment, nor could he fathom his words.
The heart of an emperor is as deep as the sea, and no one can fathom it. Even with renowned teachers and the old emperor guiding him personally, the crown prince dared not speak rashly at this moment.
After a while, the old emperor sighed deeply, "Father is old. Just as the Grand Tutor said today, he can hear and see today, but he may not be able to tomorrow. Crown Prince, you shall begin to oversee the country tomorrow. You shall make all the decisions. Remember, expand the territory as needed, reward capable people as needed, and the Yao family's empire must not fall."
"Cough, cough cough—"
The old emperor finished speaking in one breath, then coughed violently at the end.
Since ancient times, emperors have devoted themselves to the administration of the country day and night, and it is quite normal for them to fall ill in their old age. Since the founding of Zhongzhao Kingdom, several generations have passed to the current emperor, who has been on the throne for decades.
Seeing that the old emperor was about to faint, the crown prince hurriedly shouted.
"Father, Father, quickly, summon the imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician!"
The crown prince supported the old emperor with one hand and gently stroked the old emperor's chest with the other, watching as the old emperor's complexion worsened and his chest heaved more and more violently.
The crown prince was filled with anxiety. At this moment, he completely abandoned the etiquette between ruler and subject, and all that came to mind was his worry for his father.
The old emperor gripped the crown prince's hand tightly, his trembling finger pointing to the memorials on the table, his lips quivering as he said, "Your Highness, remember this: the fate of the nation is paramount."
After saying that, his head lolled to the side and he fainted.
"Father, Father—"
The imperial physician arrived quickly and, after examining the emperor, concluded that the emperor was old and had fallen ill from overwork. He could only do his best and leave the rest to fate, prescribing ginseng to help him recover.
In fact, the old emperor was already aware of his chronic illness, but he simply kept it to himself.
Emperors have their own considerations; those in positions of power seek checks and balances and the eternal stability of their empire.
The following day, in the imperial court, the news that the emperor was seriously ill and the crown prince was to oversee the country caused a variety of reactions from the civil and military officials.
Some were heartbroken and concerned, some had teary eyes and anxious expressions, and others had cold, dark faces and furrowed brows. In short, everyone had their own attitude and expression. At this moment, undercurrents were surging in the court, with various parties' interests intertwined and vying for power, all taking place right under the Crown Prince's nose.
After the court session that day, the ministers came to visit him one after another. When they left, they all had solemn expressions. They did not talk to each other after leaving the palace and went home.
A few days later, late one night, the old emperor suddenly woke up, which made the princes and grandsons who were guarding him extremely happy.
"Father, you're awake!"
"Grandpa, you're awake!"
"Heh, heh, they're all here." The old emperor turned to the chief eunuch and ordered, "Notify the prime minister and the others to come over, quickly."
"Yes, this old servant will go right away." The head eunuch took the task and turned to leave.
The old emperor looked around at everyone in the room, then waved his hand with difficulty, "Crown Prince, stay. The rest of you may leave."
It is unknown what the old emperor and the crown prince discussed in the room. It was not until the high-ranking officials arrived and the chief eunuch went in to announce their arrival that the officials were allowed to enter the emperor's bedroom.
After a few days apart, the emperor's complexion had become even more haggard. Seeing the old emperor, who was barely breathing and on his deathbed, the senior officials had tears in their eyes. Regardless of whether their tears were sincere, they all looked very grief-stricken.
The old emperor struggled to compose himself, his gaze sweeping over several important ministers before finally settling on the crown prince. He said with difficulty, "Crown prince, I entrust my empire to you today. You must remember this, govern the country diligently, and do not fail my expectations."
The crown prince, with tears streaming down his face, knelt on the ground and said, "Your subject accepts the decree and will certainly remember to govern the country diligently in order to repay the Emperor's kindness in raising and nurturing me."
After the emperor finished speaking, he took a breath and looked at the ministers: "You are all pillars of the country. You should do your best to assist the crown prince. You must not be negligent in the most important matters of the country."
The ministers immediately knelt down and said in unison, "We obey your decree and will do our utmost to assist the new emperor."
It seems they are waiting for everyone's promises, and for those promises to be fulfilled without regret.
With the promises of his ministers, the emperor slowly closed his eyes.
The old emperor of Zhongzhao Kingdom has passed away.
Immediately, a chorus of weeping erupted within the palace.
At the same time, a figure in the cold palace jumped into the well without hesitation. As soon as she entered the water, she muttered, "Brother Qiao's medicine is finally working a little."
Soon, the death knell tolled, and the crown prince and his ministers knelt down to bid farewell to the emperor.
......
Outside Yanta Town
Wen Qilin led the soldiers of Siheshan out of Yanta Town, hurrying along the way, and they were expected to arrive in the capital in two or three days.
On this day, everyone had just arrived at Wugouzi Mountain.
They encountered several yamen runners riding fast horses.
"Excuse me, is that the Northern Desert Army ahead? Is it the Northern Desert Army led by General Wen?"
"I am Wen Qilin, what brings you here?"
Wen Qilin stepped forward to inquire.
"The emperor has passed away. The new emperor orders you soldiers to remain in your camp and await further orders until after the funeral."