When news of Emperor Qing's death reached the Capital, Chen Pingping claimed to be ill and took to his bed.
As for Qin Heng, no one knew why he was absent.
Yet even with two prominent ministers missing, the coronation ceremony continued unaffected.
The ritual officials chanted in response to one another, and music rang out.
Eunuch Hou ascended the Palace Steps, unrolled a length of bright yellow silk, drew a deep breath, and read in a shrill voice:
"The establishment of an heir must fall to the eldest legitimate son. Crown Prince Chengqian is noble in character, filial and brotherly, intelligent, refined and wise, benevolent in conduct and steadfast in judgment, respectful and gentle. He is fit to inherit the great succession and is hereby commanded to ascend the throne and succeed to the imperial title..."
His voice echoed through the hall, each word clear and weighty.
Standing before the dragon throne, the Crown Prince looked down at his brothers and ministers below.
He knew that once the edict had been read and he took his seat, he would become the next sovereign after Emperor Qing.
The lives, fortunes, and destinies of hundreds of millions would lie in the palm of his hand.
For this goal, he had hoped, fought, labored, feared, struggled, and despaired. He had thought himself condemned to an eternal fall into the abyss, only to ascend this towering hall in a single day.
He felt he ought to be excited, ought to be ecstatic. Yet standing atop the Palace Steps, he was unexpectedly calm.
His status had changed, and so had his state of mind.
He was no longer the Heir Apparent who fretted over every gain and loss. Now he was the new Emperor Qing.
He no longer cared to dwell on the past.