The Virtuous Gentleman, the Imperial Grandson
"Absurd, utterly absurd."
"This is outrageous! Xiao Wenhan is a scholar, after all. Doesn't he understand the principle that Confucius did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, or supernatural beings?"
"Spreading falsehoods to mislead the ruler, deceiving the emperor and the king—this is the work of treacherous officials who ruin the country."
"The imperial court sent him to Dingzhou Prefecture to monitor the movements of Prince Ning, but he actually went off to seek immortality and enlightenment; he's simply neglecting his duties and utterly incompetent."
"This old minister wishes to impeach him, requesting Your His Majesty to dismiss him from his post Assistant Prefect of Dingzhou and punish him for his incompetence and dereliction of duty."
"..."
The Yangxin Hall was in an uproar, with ministers filled with righteous indignation and deep sorrow.
Especially the Imperial Eldest Grandson's faction,
As the imperial seal was about to be lowered and the imperial power was about to change hands, the Imperial Eldest Grandson was about to become the new emperor, and they, the ministers who had followed the emperor, were about to be promoted and rise to prominence.
As a result, at this crucial moment,
Suddenly, a mysterious Immortal appeared and concocted a mysterious Immortal Elixir, which was inexplicably obtained by Xiao Wenhan, a guy who had nothing better to do than eat.
Then, inexplicably, it ended up in the Capital, and finally, inexplicably, was sent to the imperial palace.
What the heck?
What the hell is this?!
We were all ready to throw a big celebration banquet tonight, and now you've pulled this stunt on us. Isn't this cutting off our livelihood and blocking our career path?
Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents.
Obstructing someone's career advancement will bring even greater misfortune.
Xiao Wenhan must be executed by cutting him into a thousand pieces and his entire family must be exterminated.
In an instant,
The Yangxin Hall was filled with noise and chaos, a veritable uproar.
The princes and ministers were so angry that they forgot there was an old emperor lying on his dragon bed, dying and on the verge of death.
"Throw him out! Throw that treacherous minister who spreads false rumors and deceives the emperor out of my sight!"
The Imperial Eldest Grandson, who had been trembling with rage and whose eyes had rolled back in his head, finally caught his breath and roared furiously.
"Xiao Chengchen, Father has not yet stamped the edict of succession. You are neither the Crown Prince nor the new emperor. What right do you have to issue orders to Father?"
"Furthermore, Father Emperor has not yet passed away, isn't it a bit too hasty for you to declare yourself a widow and orphan?"
A clear, cold female voice suddenly rang out in the chaotic hall, like a biting winter wind, instantly awakening the ministers who were blinded by anger and resentment.
"Your Majesty, I am terrified and have disturbed Your Majesty's health. Please punish His Majesty."
All the ministers knelt down to beg for forgiveness, and for a moment the hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The Imperial Eldest Grandson, Xiao Chengchen, was speechless again, but this time he dared not lose his temper.
In these five years,
His aunt, Xiao Zhaohuang, was like a mountain, pressing down on him, making him unable to lift his head or breathe, and even casting a shadow over his heart.
"Your grandson has overstepped his bounds; please forgive him, Your Majesty."
The Imperial Eldest Grandson, Xiao Chengchen, quickly knelt down again beneath the dragon bed, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
With just one sentence, he had him completely under her control. Just as the Eldest Princess had said, the eldest Imperial Eldest Grandson was indeed unfit for important tasks.
The ministers in the palace pleaded guilty to his grandson, but Liang Emperor turned a deaf ear.
All he could hear now were the words "Immortal"Immortal Elixir and "elixir of immortality" echoing in his ears.
He was so excited that his breathing became rapid.
But his life is truly nearing its end; he can no longer utter a complete sentence.
"It is said... it is said..."
"Grandpa, what did you say? I can't hear you."
Upon hearing the sound, the Imperial Eldest Grandson, Xiao Chengchen, tightly grasped Liang Emperor's hands, lowered his head, and pressed his ear against them.
"Pass... pass..."
"Deliver an imperial order?"
The Imperial Eldest Grandson Xiao Chengchen, turned to the crowd and said loudly:
"Imperial decree, Grandfather says to issue an imperial decree."
Deliver an imperial order?
What imperial decree is being conveyed?
Of course, it was an imperial edict of succession.
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Eldest Grandson's faction was overjoyed and immediately bowed down, shouting their approval.
"His Majesty Sagacity; this is a blessing for the nation and a boon for the people."
The Imperial Eldest Grandson was about to say something when a jade-like hand grabbed the back of his neck by the collar, and he felt a dizzying sensation and unbearable pain.
He was grabbed by the back of his collar and thrown back by Eldest Princess Xiao Zhaohuang.
"Father, please say it again, I'm listening."
Eldest Princess Xiao Zhaohuang lowered her head and whispered in his ear.
"It's rumored... it's rumored... Xiao Wenhan..."
The faint voice reached Eldest Princess Xiao Zhaohuang's ears, and then she raised her head and gave a deep look at Xiao Chengchen, who was lying on the ground grimacing in pain.
One glance was enough to make Xiao Chengchen shrink back in fright.
"The Emperor has decreed that Xiao Wenhan be summoned to an audience."
Eldest Princess Xiao Zhaohuang spoke in a cold tone, her voice becoming more forceful.
"Summon Xiao Wenhan to an audience."
The eunuch outside the door spoke in a clear and resonant voice.
The Imperial Eldest Grandson, Xiao Chengchen, was gently helped up by Wang Zitao, the Ministry of Rites. His face was gloomy, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
In front of all the ministers, he was thrown back by Xiao Zhaohuang like a little chick.
This was an utterly humiliating disgrace that made him lose all face.
He became emperor in the future.
He was determined to imprison Xiao Zhaohuang in the mausoleum, forbidding him from ever stepping out of it for the rest of his life.
As for why it wasn't executed by slow slicing, but rather the confiscation of property and extermination of the entire family...
Xiao Chengchen is a morally upright gentleman and a future sage ruler; how could he possibly do such a cruel and vicious thing?
This goes against the virtues of a gentleman and the way of a sage.
"Your Highness, do not panic. Throughout history, countless emperors have sought immortality and elixirs, yet has any of them ever succeeded? These tales of Immortals and Gods are nothing but empty rhetoric and heretical arts."
"If Xiao Wenhan wants to present medicine, then let him. He is a henchman of the Eldest Princess's faction. If the Pill he presents fails to work His Majesty passes away, then we can use this opportunity to wipe out Xiao Wenhan and his accomplices, accusing them of deceiving the emperor, treason, and poisoning the emperor."
"At that time, even the Eldest Princess will not be able to escape implicated. We can take this opportunity to seize the Eldest Princess's military power. This is a plan that kills three birds with one stone."
The Ministry of Rites, Wang Zitao, whispered in the ear of the Imperial Eldest Grandson.
Upon hearing this,
The Imperial Eldest Grandson stared wide-eyed, his face filled with shock and disbelief.
This Wang Zitao Huang, also known as Prince Tao, is not only the Ministry of Rites but also his lecturer.
That's not how he was taught before.
"Your Highness need not look at me like that. As the saying goes, extraordinary things require extraordinary measures. A great man acts with the nation's well-being in mind, and those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles."
"Your Highness should know that although you have ascended the throne, most of the military power in the Capital is still in the hands of the Eldest Princess. If the Eldest Princess harbors disloyal intentions, can Your Highness truly secure your throne?"
"This is a golden opportunity, Your Highness, are you truly willing to let it slip by?"
The words of Wang Zitao, the Ministry of Rites, were like the whispers of a devil, slowly drawing out the deep-seated wicked thoughts and desires of the Imperial Eldest Grandson.
Then the Imperial Eldest Grandson Xiao Chengchen, fell silent.
Ministry of Rites Huang Zitao walked away with a satisfied and gratified expression.
Since Your Highness doesn't speak, that means you agree.
He will unite with his disciples and old friends to eliminate the treacherous clique led by the Eldest Princess.
They were all exterminated, their roots eradicated.
Return a bright and clear world to the imperial court.
To restore peace and prosperity to the people.