Li Qing entered the sleeping chamber with a little eunuch.
The sky outside had gradually darkened.
In the sleeping chamber, despite the lighting of lamps, the bright candlelight couldn’t dispel the pervasive deathly stillness.
On the dragon bed, Emperor Yongye’s face was withered, like a lamp about to be extinguished.
Crown Prince Dongfang Yu and several princes all kneeled on the ground.
Emperor Yongye raised his hand, looking outside the hall.
"Emperor! This old servant has come, I deserve death for my sins."
Prince Mu, along with several old servants, also cried and knelt down.
Among the crowd, only Dugu Wu, who had just arrived, walked in.
His gaze was ice-cold as he looked at the man on the dragon bed.
The man who used to command wind and rain now appeared incredibly frail.
Dongfang Cheng’s thieving eyes kept glancing towards the entrance of the hall.
Why hasn’t the Empress arrived yet?
Prince Mu also harbored his own ulterior motives. The Eldest Prince said that the Empress had been prepared, and the Emperor was already nearing his end.
Emperor Yongye pointed his finger at Dongfang Yu.
The Empress stumbled in, supported by others.
Upon seeing the state of Emperor Yongye, she felt her heart shatter, breaking free from the nanny beside her, and staggered to Emperor Yongye’s side.
"Mother, please talk to Father Emperor."
Dongfang Cheng urged.
"Emperor, you cannot leave your servant behind."
The Empress, looking at the deeply haggard Emperor Yongye, was heartbroken, holding his hand in hers, tears falling like rain.
"Your servant has been bonded with you in marriage for many years, and is determined to share life with you."
That wretch Mo Qianqian, hid the Seal Nourisher.
Otherwise, she could have used the Wooden Holy Seal to save the Emperor.
"Mother...Father Emperor has something to say."
Nalan Yan’er saw the Empress hugging Emperor Yongye and crying bitterly, feeling very anxious.
"This palace knows what the Emperor wants to say. The Emperor has always been concerned about the lands of Great Chu."
The Empress wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, staring intensely at Emperor Yongye.
"He had already drafted the decree, and handed it to this palace. Li Qing, proclaim the decree."
After the Empress spoke, she took out an imperial decree from under her cloak.
Li Qing stepped forward and took the decree.
"By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees. My divine health has declined, and I had long intended to abdicate. After careful consideration, due to Crown Prince Dongfang Yu’s weak health over the years, he is unsuitable to ascend the throne of Great Chu. For the sake of the nation and the people of Great Chu, I pass the throne to Eldest Prince Dongfang Cheng, hereby decreed."
As soon as the decree was announced, even Li Qing was shocked.
Not to mention the various princes and Crown Prince Dongfang Yu.
"Mother, why did Father Emperor suddenly change his mind? Did this decree really come from Father Emperor?"
Dongfang Yu looked up, his face full of disbelief.
"Second Prince, are you doubting this palace? The imperial decree was personally written by the Emperor, and Li Qing recognizes the handwriting."
The Empress glanced at Li Qing.
Li Qing had already examined the decree, and the handwriting was indeed that of Emperor Yongye.
"I have something to report. A few days ago, the Emperor summoned me and several close servants to discuss appointing a new heir. At that time, the Emperor felt that the Eldest Prince was the suitable choice for the throne."
Seeing the situation, Prince Mu and several old servants also stepped forward, echoing his sentiment.
"Prince Mu, when did you hear the Emperor mention appointing a new heir? Both you and I are close servants of the Emperor, yet I’ve never heard of this. Besides, these days, the close servant accompanying the Emperor has been Hua Wushang. Why not summon him and ask?"
Dugu Wu scoffed coldly.
"Impudent. Do you still regard the Emperor and this palace in your eyes?"
She gently looked at Emperor Yongye.
"Emperor, you want Cheng’er to succeed the throne, right?"
All eyes turned towards Emperor Yongye.
In Emperor Yongye’s eyes, which had already lost their sparkle, it seemed he could only see the Empress, and his ears could only hear her speak.
He is now incurable; whatever the Empress says, he will comply.
Dugu Wu’s eyes turned cold.
"Empress, the Father Emperor is ill, and I wish to invite someone into the palace to treat him."
Dongfang Yu suddenly stood up.
At this moment, he too noticed something was wrong with Emperor Yongye.
The person he thought of was Feng Bailing.
Feng Bailing’s medical skills, though of unknown origin, could save even himself; surely, she could also save the Father Emperor.
Nalan Yan’er was startled by Dongfang Yu’s brisk walk toward the palace gate.
"Summon Princess Consort Wu..."
At the palace gate, several Imperial Guards rushed in and blocked Dongfang Yu’s path.
"Who allowed you in, stand down!"
Dongfang Li, the Commander of the Imperial Army, upon seeing his subordinates rush in, ordered them to withdraw.
However, Dongfang Cheng merely chuckled dryly.
"Seventh brother, a wise man submits to circumstances. These men have already pledged allegiance to me."
Dongfang Li was stunned.
"Li Qing, proclaim to all civil and military officials, the Emperor abdicates, the New Emperor ascends the throne, and all officials come to pay homage."
The Empress turned a deaf ear to all this.
In her eyes, there was only Emperor Yongye.
This man, finally belonged solely to her.
Once he abdicated, she would retire with him to the countryside, traveling and enjoying the scenery, living like immortals in love.
Before Li Qing could speak, he was seized by several guards and pushed out.
"Your Majesty, why hurry so much. The Emperor hasn’t even finished speaking, and it’s still uncertain who the new emperor will be."
While Dongfang Cheng was gloating and Dongfang Yu was furiously indignant, a man’s lazy and casual voice floated into everyone’s ears.
"Dugu Wu? What do you mean?"
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Cheng signaled, and several guards charged towards Dugu Wu.
Dugu Wu let out a cold snort.
Flying Arrow wooshing sound—
Before the guards could get close to Dugu Wu, arrows flew in from the doors and windows.
The guards fell to the ground upon impact.
Dongfang Cheng’s face changed abruptly.
Looking at the windows and doors, more armored guards rushed out.
Dongfang Li was speechless.
Weren’t these men also from the Imperial Army?
"Eldest Prince, don’t think that just because you have been the Commander of the Imperial Army for a few days, you can call the wind and summon the rain."
Dugu Wu’s heterochromatic eyes remained undisturbed.
Hundreds of bows and arrows aimed at Dongfang Cheng and the Empress.
"Dugu Wu, are you trying to revolt!"
Prince Mu also felt a chill, but being a seasoned veteran, his courage was exceptional.
He stood in front of Dongfang Cheng and angrily questioned Dugu Wu.
"Stand down... stand down."
Emperor Yongye opened his mouth, struggling to utter a few words.
Although his voice was faint, it carried weight.
Dugu Wu’s expression changed.
Dongfang Cheng and Prince Mu were overjoyed.
The archers of the Imperial Army outside also showed hesitation.
They are soldiers of Great Chu; the one they truly obey is always the Emperor of Great Chu.
"Emperor, tell them, to whom exactly do you wish to pass the throne of Great Chu."
The Empress spoke softly.
Emperor Yongye’s eyeballs moved, his gaze landed on Dongfang Yu, then on Dugu Wu, and finally, slowly shifted to Dongfang Cheng.
"The throne, pass it to... Eldest Prince Dongfang Cheng."