The imperial edict immediately set off countless discussions.
Once the Heir of Prince Jing entered the capital, he would presumably find it difficult to leave. Did this mean he was being summoned as a hostage?
The question was, how could Cangzhou possibly agree? If they defied the edict, would Chu descend into civil war?
What exactly was the emperor thinking? Or was this the intention of Grand Academician Zhang and the court ministers? Otherwise, how could this edict have left the palace? Many conspiracy-minded people even considered another possibility: had that idiot emperor truly come to his senses, grown unwilling to remain a puppet, and sought powerful outside support to ensure his safety?
Countless speculations drifted over the capital like yellow leaves falling from trees.
As time passed and the chill deepened, Cangzhou remained silent, and people grew increasingly uneasy.
However one looked at it, the Heir of Prince Jing had no reason to obey. Was this rare age of peace and prosperity about to end because of that imperial edict?
At the thought of this possibility, officials and commoners alike began to hate the idiot emperor in the palace. What sort of imperial edict was this? It was nothing but a muddleheaded command of the utmost folly! Even Grand Academician Zhang, who had allowed His Majesty to issue it, became the target of countless silent complaints...
The first snow fell, and the atmosphere in Chu Capital was exceptionally cold.
A soldier guarding the city rubbed his hands, praying that the idiot emperor in the palace would hurry up and drop dead, and everyone would hurry up and forget that edict.
Suddenly, he saw a procession approaching across the distant plains outside the city.
Amid wind and snow, the Heir of Prince Jing arrived in the capital.
Warmth