"How can I help?" Emperor Mingde asked with a smile...
In the imperial palace at Luodu, Crown Prince Fan Liren hurried into the bedchamber. The elderly Son of Heaven was being helped by several attendants to sit up.
But before Fan Liren could feel any joy, he saw that Emperor Mingde's face was ashen. His father clearly had little time left.
Fan Liren shuddered, and tears spilled down his cheeks. "Father!"
"You're over forty, and you're about to reign over the realm as lord of its countless people. What are you doing crying like this..."
Fan Liren dared not say more. He hastily wiped away his tears.
If this had still been an age when emperors held power and ruled by their word alone, Fan Liren might have had many other thoughts at a moment like this...
But this was already a constitutional age. Power had been returned to the people, and the Son of Heaven ruled with his hands folded. In law, his role was little more than symbolic. At this moment, Fan Liren truly did not want Emperor Mingde to leave him!
These were troubled times, and they faced an attack from the Outer Regions. Fan Liren knew that both his ability and his courage fell far short of his father's...
If Emperor Mingde died now, a feeling of helpless dread would sweep over him.
"The trouble with people is that they seldom know themselves. Since you know your own limits, my son, everything will be easier. Don't be afraid. The Imperial Family returned power to the people long ago. If you lack the ability, don't try to pull the strings of power from behind the scenes. Just be a quiet Son of Heaven!"
Fan Liren nodded faintly. His father was helping to lighten his burden.
"If you