Chapter 223: A new emperor ascends, an uncrowned king
News of the emperor's death soon spread throughout the land.
For a time, white silk was hung across Ming to bid farewell to the Tianqi Emperor.
Although Zhu Youxiao could not be considered an enlightened ruler, he was neither a foolish ruler nor a tyrant.
At the very least, most of the relief the court had provided for the people during the disasters across Ming over the past few years had actually reached them.
Thus, most commoners felt considerable regret over Zhu Youxiao's death. They were also somewhat apprehensive, worried that the next emperor's accession would shatter the peace they had only just managed to find.
However, after repeated purges, agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were now deployed throughout Ming, while agents of the Heavenly Venerable and the Heavenly Sect kept watch over the Jianghu. No unrest broke out.
Of course, some smaller disturbances were still inevitable.
The Imperial Palace, the Palace of the Singing Phoenix.
This was the residence of Zhu Youxiao's foster mother, formerly Lady Li and now Consort Kang.
Ever since her failed attempt to collude with Wei Zhongxian and stir up unrest, Consort Kang had been confined to the Palace of the Singing Phoenix. Although she lacked neither food nor clothing, life under house arrest deep within the palace could hardly have been pleasant.
The entire Palace of the Singing Phoenix seemed cold and desolate. Apart from a few palace maids attending her, there was not even a guard on duty.
Yet just then, a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard on duty quietly entered the Palace of the Singing Phoenix and met Consort Kang, who had once stirred up considerable turmoil within the palace.
"Your Highness, His Majesty has passed away. Lord Wang sent