Priceless: A widow with a baby asks the prince to marry again

"The day after tomorrow is an auspicious day. The Ministry of Rites should speed up preparations for the coronation ceremony!" The Grand Tutor presided over the matters.

"Prince Kang has not yet entered the capital! The imperial edict still needs to be confirmed by all officials. How can we easily decide on a new emperor?" The Minister of Revenue tried to delay.

The emperor was wise and cautious about the issue of the crown prince. How could he pass the throne to Chu Shiqi, who was mediocre in talent?! There must be something fishy about this matter! As long as we give it some time, we might be able to find out the truth!

"You have all read the imperial edict, and it is indeed the emperor's handwriting. Does the Ministry of Revenue intend to disobey it?" asked the old prime minister.

"this…"

The Minister of Revenue was speechless for a moment, and the Minister of Personnel pulled him aside. According to the imperial decree, they could not openly touch the edge of the sword...

Chu Shihuan, who was listening silently, turned to look at Chu Shiqi who was also silent...

The emperor's dragon body was moved into the coffin.

The princes changed into mourning clothes in their respective palaces in the Front Palace.

"Brother, how could our father pass the throne to Chu Shiqi? What should we do?" Chu Shixuan asked quietly.

"Just wait and see what happens. Big Brother will never let this go."

Chu Shihuan comforted them, saying that their mother clan was not powerful, and they themselves were still immature, so protecting themselves in this fight was the most important thing...

Change into mourning clothes.

Just as the two were about to move, a maid in charge hurried forward... Both of them recognized her. She was the personal maid beside their mother, who could be said to have taken care of them when they were growing up.

"The Queen was falsely accused of poisoning His Majesty and was imprisoned in the cold palace!"

"What?! Didn't father die of illness? No one said he was poisoned!" Chu Shixuan exclaimed immediately!

Chu Shihuan held Chu Shixuan down and asked anxiously, "Who locked my mother up in the cold palace? Explain clearly!"

The maid quickly told what she knew: "It is Consort Xian who will issue the order in the future!"

"The cold palace is so desolate, how can my weak mother endure it?!"

Chu Shixuan was anxious and wanted to run to the harem!

"Male over the age of fifteen is not allowed to enter or leave the harem without permission. Imperial Concubine Xian holds the empress' seal, and all palace affairs are managed by her. Going in will only give Imperial Concubine Xian a legitimate reason to arrest you!" Chu Shihuan held his brother back, and he was also filled with indignation.

"I'm only fifteen..." Chu Shixuan couldn't help but feel annoyed. If he had turned one a few months later, he wouldn't have to worry outside now.

"Even if we enter the harem, we can't save our mother..."

Chu Shihuan's feeling of powerlessness became a thousand times stronger. In the past, he only knew that he was still weak, but he didn't realize that he was so weak that he couldn't even protect his mother...

"Then what should we do?! Are we going to ignore our mother?!" Chu Shixuan asked anxiously.

"I'll find a way..."

Even if Chu Shihuan did not have the confidence, facing his own brother who was four years younger than him and his own mother who was in trouble, how could he say that he was powerless?

Chu Shihuan turned around and told the maid solemnly: "Go tell mother that I am incompetent and have made mother suffer, but I will definitely take mother out of the palace as soon as possible!"

night.

"Father-in-law, is there any way to delay the coronation ceremony?" Chu Shihuan asked in a low voice.

The Minister of Rites looked embarrassed and whispered, "Your Highness, there is an imperial decree to pass on the throne, and I cannot act on my own."

"Does my father-in-law think that the imperial decree to pass on the throne is true? The Imperial Hospital originally said that my father was just overworked, but my father suddenly passed away..."

Chu Shihuan's expression was gloomy: "Who is benefiting now? Do you think it is possible that it is the Prime Minister's faction..."

"This..." In the empty room, the Minister of Personnel looked around vigilantly.

"Although my father-in-law and the Prime Minister have no grudges in the past, my father-in-law is in charge of the Ministry of Rites and is in charge of the imperial examinations..."

Chu Shihuan reminded softly: "Jiangnan is famous for its many talented people, and the imperial examination has always been something the prime minister and his faction want to get involved in. If Chu Shiqi ascends the throne, will your position as the Minister of Rites still be secure?"

The Minister of Rites seemed to agree, but his eyes were still wavering when he looked at the Fifth Prince. He naturally wanted to take part in the merit of following the emperor so as to consolidate the wealth and glory of the Shen family...

Two years ago, the former prince died unexpectedly, and his granddaughter Shen Yuqin settled for the second best and married the fifth prince as his concubine. However, the fifth prince's mother was only from the family of a fourth-rank prefect, and she was a new noble who had passed the imperial examination...

With the current power of the Fifth Prince, even if his Shen family is added, how can he fight against the major Jiangnan families who are related to each other, and how can he resist their hundreds or even thousands of years of foundation?

"My eldest brother has just made a great contribution and his reputation is unprecedentedly high. He is now on his way back to the capital..."

Chu Shihuan said softly: "If the coronation ceremony can be postponed for a few days, we can also gain some favor after the eldest brother returns to the capital..."

"Your Highness, are you saying that we should secretly help King Kang?"

The Minister of Rites seemed to be thinking about something, but was a little hesitant: "But we are not trusted by King Kang. Even if we help, we may not be able to be reused in the future..."

"It's better than watching Chu Shiqi ascend the throne! The Prime Minister's faction has already occupied many official positions in the court, but there are still many aristocratic families in Jiangnan who want to occupy high positions. I'm afraid they will eliminate dissidents by then and won't allow us to wait!" Chu Shihuan's tone was gloomy.

"But if the other way around, when my eldest brother ascends the throne, he will definitely have to purge the prime minister's faction first, which will cause many official positions to be vacant. After that, my eldest brother will want to maintain the stability of Daxia, so he won't start a war in the short term. If my father-in-law shows goodwill this time, he can at least stay in the Ministry of Rites for a few more years!"

After weighing the pros and cons, the Minister of Rites nodded, but couldn't help but ask for confirmation: "Your Highness, are you willing to help my elder brother succeed?"

His eyes flickered for a few breaths, and Chu Shihuan chuckled and said, "Now only my eldest brother can be said to be worthy of the title, right?"

...

After the emperor passed away, it rained for two consecutive days.

Families in the capital were mixed with joy and sorrow, and rumors spread.

Some people say that Chu Tianming is the king of a prosperous era, and this is the cry of God's emotion!

Some people said that this was an ominous sign from God that the Eighth Prince, who was about to ascend the throne, was unworthy of the position!

What's more, some people said that there was something strange about the emperor's death! These celestial phenomena were signs that the eighth prince's accession to the throne was not legitimate!

Fortunately, although the struggle in public opinion among all parties was fierce, they still maintained superficial restraint. The ministers in the capital could still discuss together as colleagues in the court and maintain the state affairs of Daxia.

"The coronation ceremony was originally scheduled to be held at noon today, but everything has not been prepared yet? Is the Ministry of Rites deliberately derelict in its duty?!"

The old prime minister, who was always calm and composed, was now filled with anxiety and ferocity in the front hall!

“I dare not be negligent! But... Prime Minister, look at the weather outside, how can we hold the ceremony..." The Minister of Rites looked embarrassed, but he thought in his heart that if it weren't for the wind and rain outside, it would be difficult for him to refuse.

The ministers looked outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony. At this time, dark clouds covered the sky and the earth was dark, and the wind and rain were more violent than before...

"This is God's will. It is too inhumane for the Prime Minister to blame Lord Shen."

The Minister of Personnel said sarcastically, "The state's major affairs must be in accordance with the will of heaven and the harmony of people. The weather is not suitable today, and we cannot go against heaven."

"It's nothing but a gentle breeze and drizzle!" The old prime minister spoke with certainty, not even paying attention to the wind and rain outside the palace!

The Prime Minister and his group knew that the weather was not good, but at this time when the golden scales turned into dragons, they were trying to seize the first opportunity for the Eighth Prince! They couldn't help but be anxious!

"A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. Today is an auspicious day. Perhaps the three sacrifices can be postponed. The new emperor can first go to court to announce his administration, and then choose a day to hold the coronation ceremony?" A rarely heard voice came from the back of the court.

The ministers turned their heads and saw that it was the fifth-rank director of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory who spoke. Observing the celestial phenomena and determining the calendar was exactly Tang Zang's job.

The Prime Minister and his group immediately showed expressions of approval and nodded in agreement!

However, ministers from other factions all frowned!

The Minister of Revenue pointed to the dark outside of the palace and angrily asked, "You call this an auspicious day?!"

Tang Zang lowered his head and bowed to the empty dragon throne in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. He spoke clearly in an ambiguous voice: "Only when there is wind and rain can we say that the weather is favorable. In Daxia, today is a good day."

"The supervisor is right!"

The Prime Minister cast an admiring look and then made up his mind: "Even so, let's welcome the new emperor to the court to discuss government affairs first!"

"This! How can this be disgraceful? How can he ascend the throne and rule the country before announcing it to the world? How can the ruler of a country be treated as a fool?!" The Minister of Personnel immediately rebuked angrily!

The Kang Wang faction was immediately indignant and spoke out! In the past two days, they have reached a consensus that the imperial edict to pass on the throne must be fake, but they just can't provide any evidence!

But no matter whether it can be proven or not, as long as Prince Kang rushes back before the Eighth Prince ascends the throne, they still have great potential under the leadership of Prince Kang!

But once the Eighth Prince takes the throne, even if King Kang returns to the capital, he will still be a king and a minister! By then, the title will be missing, and it will be difficult and dangerous to accomplish anything!

"The Imperial Edict is here!"

The old prime minister shouted loudly and bowed from a distance to the desk in front of the dragon throne on the high platform. On the desk was the imperial edict of succession.

All the officials in the hall fell silent subconsciously. They were all subjects who obeyed the emperor. Even if what they presented was just a piece of paper, they could not show any disrespect because it represented the deceased emperor!

After silence, the old prime minister glanced at the officials, the minister of finance and other members of the Kangwang faction, and asked again: "Do you want to disobey the order?"

King Kang's faction was speechless for a moment. Even if they were sure that the imperial edict was false, if they spoke out without evidence, they would immediately be accused of deceiving the emperor!

The old prime minister snorted contemptuously, then turned to the three officials who had remained silent and said, "Please, my three lords, go with me to invite the new emperor to change his clothes and come to court."

The emperor's palace.

A heavy and luxurious coffin was placed in the center of the main hall, with the emperor's body lying quietly inside. The coffin lid was not fully covered, only seven-tenths. If you leaned over to look, you could still see the emperor's face.

However, ordinary ministers and servants still had to avoid the emperor's presence and stayed outside the palace or in remote corners. Only a few princes who took turns to guard the coffin could kneel in front of the coffin and pay their respects to the deceased...

The ones guarding the body at this time were Chu Shihuan and Chu Shiqi.

After a long silence, Chu Shihuan broke the silence first and whispered, "Tell Concubine Xian not to embarrass my mother. I can stay out of it."

"Who do you think you are?" Chu Shiqi blurted out with his usual arrogance.

Chu Shihuan was immediately furious! But then, he suppressed his anger... The situation was stronger than the person, and his mother was in the hands of Concubine Xian, so he could not let him act on impulse.

"Noble Concubine Xian imprisoned my mother in the cold palace on the pretext of poisoning my father, but no one mentioned the poisoning to the outside world. What was the reason... I think Noble Concubine Xian knows!"

Chu Shiqi froze for a moment, his expression becoming unnatural… He had tried his best to stop his grandfather and mother, and had also reminded his father. He couldn't understand why his father was still easily succeeded.

But now that things have come to this, he can only move forward and take the paved road to the throne.

Although he felt that he had done his best, as a beneficiary, Chu Shiqi still found it difficult to speak and was ashamed to face his father lying in the coffin...

"As long as you let my mother go, I will stay out of it and never mention it again." Chu Shihuan said again.

This time Chu Shiqi thought for a few breaths, and he understood what Chu Shihuan meant. He was threatening to publicize the matter...

In the grand scheme of things, it is actually not a big deal. My grandfather and mother both said that the winners are the kings and the losers are the bandits. As long as he holds the throne, no matter what the truth is, only words that are favorable to him will be recorded in the history books, just like my father...

However, Chu Shiqi did not want his father's cause of death to be investigated, even if it was just a brief, unfounded suspicion... He did not want more people to know about his guilt...

"I'll ask mother what she thinks." Chu Shiqi seemed to be giving in...

But Chu Shihuan couldn't help but get anxious, frowning and asking, "It's you who's going to take the throne! Can't you make the decision?"

"Of course I am the one who makes the decision! I just respect my mother!" Chu Shiqi was a little exasperated.

Chu Shihuan still wanted to speak. If he could arouse Chu Shiqi's desire for control, in order to show that he could make the decision, he might disobey Concubine Xian's decision and release his mother directly! Chu Shihuan couldn't help but be anxious about this matter. He was afraid that his mother would suffer more grievances if she stayed in the palace for one more day!

"If you can't make the decision, you will just be a puppet of your grandfather, the Prime Minister..."

At this point, Chu Shiqi's face was already showing anger! However, the shouting outside the door interrupted the conversation!

"The late emperor is in spirit! Please forgive us for our intrusion and come here to respectfully invite the new emperor to ascend the throne!" The voices of the Grand Tutor and others were heard outside the hall.

Three urgings and six requests is a custom of alternating the old with the new handed down from the ancestors. Its significance lies in reflecting the new emperor's humility and filial piety to the previous emperor - it shows that only after the constant requests of the ministers will the vigil for the previous emperor stop.

Chu Shiqi interrupted his communication with Chu Shihuan, stood up with a frown, and walked out slowly... It seemed that he was really reluctant.

A large group of people left the hall, and Chu Shihuan vaguely heard Chu Shiqi ask in confusion: "How can you ascend the throne in such a heavy rain?"

Chu Shihuan had to continue to keep vigil, but even if he didn't hear the conversation behind him, he knew that things were developing in the direction he least wanted!

Even without the grand ceremony, Chu Shiqi would be crowned emperor!

The threat just now only had a weak effect before Chu Shiqi ascended the throne! Because once Chu Shiqi became the emperor, there was no need to worry about whether he would spread the news! The princes might not be able to leave this deep palace!

Now we can only hope that the eldest brother can rush back before Chu Shiqi's purge!

Although the eldest brother may not care about their life or death, Chu Shihuan can only hope that the eldest brother can bring them hope...

Not long ago, in the court.

The Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor left to welcome the new Emperor, and the ministers from various factions who stayed behind were all struggling with their own consciences!

Especially the two ministers of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue, they have long been tightly tied to the camp of King Kang! The Eighth Prince will definitely take action against them when he ascends the throne! There is no way they will recognize this new emperor!

But if he sat on the dragon throne, how could they, as subjects, not bow? ! And if they bowed, not only would it become the Eighth Prince's big move, but when King Kang returned in the future, they would also be labeled as having two masters as subjects!

"The Dali Temple still has important cases to try, so I'll take my leave."

Another abrupt voice sounded. It was the usually taciturn Dali Temple Master Gu Qinglian. He saluted to the imperial edict, then turned around and strode out of the court!

The whole audience was silent, and then the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Revenue also had a sudden realization! Yes! They couldn't disobey him in person, but they could avoid him by quitting the court!

Suddenly, voices of leaving were heard one after another. The Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Revenue swept their eyes over the subordinates and vassals in the hall, as well as a man who had been able to get along with everyone. Now they had to express their stance with actions!

In the past, there were many silent neutrals between different factions, but now that the Eighth Prince was about to ascend the throne, it was time to draw the line between Chu and Han! There was no room for ambiguity!

However, at this time, the prime minister's faction, which was shouting and scolding, seemed to have the upper hand, and only a few centrists made up their minds and followed suit to leave the court.

However, noticing the few people who followed him out, the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Revenue were also delighted! In fact, there were only ten powerful officials who played an important role!

One of them was Gu Qinglian, the Minister of Dali Temple who was the first to leave the court and has now disappeared.

This was even more true for the Minister of Rites who walked out with gritted teeth!

The Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Personnel immediately approached and walked together, asking tentatively: "Master Shen, have you been busy preparing for the ceremony these days?"

"Why is it so hard? There is nothing we can do if God's will is not in our favor." The Minister of Rites shook his head as if sighing.

They are all important officials who have been working in the officialdom for many years, so they naturally understand each other's implied meaning!

After looking at each other for a moment, the Minister of Revenue immediately raised his hand to invite him: "I'm afraid the wind and rain will continue to fall for some time. The carriage I'm riding in is wide and stable. How about inviting Lord Shen to ride with us?"

"If we happen to be going the same way, it would be disrespectful to refuse."