The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

The next morning, before daybreak, the eunuchs and maids in the palace had already started to get busy.

On ordinary days, civil and military officials would enter the palace one after another after the morning court bell rang, but today was different. Before dawn, the outside of the Golden Palace was already filled with court officials.

"What's going on? Why is the morning court session early today?"

"I don't know. And look, why is there a white silk hanging outside the palace?"

"Is it possible..."

Everyone was talking in low voices, their expressions varied. Just then, the palace door slowly opened, but the familiar tall figure from the past was nowhere to be seen.

While I was wondering, I saw Concubine Liu, dressed in plain clothes, supported by two palace maids, slowly walking behind the curtain beside the throne and sitting down.

"Greetings to the Imperial Concubine." Upon seeing this, the ministers hurriedly saluted.

"Everyone, please stand up." Concubine Liu's voice sounded a little hoarse, as if she had been crying.

Everyone stood up, their eyes still fixed on the curtain in confusion. The emperor was always diligent and never missed the morning court. Why was he absent today...

"This palace is ruling on behalf of Your Majesty today."

Concubine Liu's voice rang out again, a hint of fatigue in her tone, "Your Majesty...is not feeling well."

"what?!"

"Your Majesty is not feeling well? This..."

"Why is it so sudden?"

Everyone was in an uproar when they heard this. The emperor was in his prime, and normally he didn't seem to be ill, so how could he suddenly...

Among the crowd, only the Left Prime Minister, Song Zelin, remained calm and silent. He lowered his eyes slightly, as if he had anticipated all this.

Just as everyone was talking, a figure slowly walked up to the Golden Palace, and in front of everyone's shocked gaze, strode towards the dragon throne that symbolized supreme power.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince?!"

"How did he..."

The person who came was none other than Crown Prince Li Chenghao. Today, he had changed from his usual humble and polite appearance. He was wearing bright yellow crown as a crown prince's uniform, a golden crown on his head, and sat on the dragon throne with an arrogant look on his face.

"My father has passed away. I will preside over the court this morning." Li Chenghao looked around at everyone, his tone cold and without a trace of emotion.

"boom--"

Li Chenghao's words resonated like thunder in everyone's ears, and the entire Golden Throne Hall instantly fell silent, a pin drop audible. Everyone was stunned, as if acupuncture points had been applied, unable to move.

The emperor passed away?

The Crown Prince is...going to ascend the throne?!

For a moment, the court was filled with noise and noise, just like a vegetable market.

Only the Left Prime Minister...remains as still as a mountain!

Behind the dragon throne, Concubine Liu frowned subtly, with a look of confusion on her face.

In the Golden Palace, the ministers were like ducks being strangled, their faces flushed, yet they couldn't utter a single sound. Li Chenghao sat on the dragon throne, a barely perceptible sneer curling his lips. These old foxes, who usually pretended to be loyal, were now letting him manipulate them.

"What's wrong? My dear ministers, what's wrong? Aren't you sad about the death of your father?" Li Chenghao asked in surprise, but his tone was full of teasing.

"Your Majesty...did you leave any last will before your death?" A trembling voice sounded, breaking the suffocating silence.

The speaker was the Minister of Rites, a skinny old man who was wiping non-existent tears with his sleeves, but his cloudy eyes were filled with a shrewd light.

"Yes, does His Majesty have a will?"

"The matter of appointing a crown prince is of great importance. Your Highness, please give us your instructions!"

With someone taking the lead, the other ministers also came to their senses and began to question the matter righteously, as if the previous gaffe was just an illusion.

Li Chenghao sneered inwardly, but remained expressionless. He slowly stood up and gazed down at everyone from a high position, a stern look flashing in his eyes. "Why? I am the eldest son of my father and should inherit the throne. Do you have any objections, my dear ministers?"

"this..."

The ministers looked at each other, but no one dared to offend Li Chenghao at this time.

"Your Highness, we have no objection, but..." Left Prime Minister Song Zelin finally spoke. His tone was calm, yet it exuded an unquestionable authority. "Your Majesty's passing was sudden. Please, Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine, and Your Highness, accept our condolences."

As soon as Song Zelin said this, the originally tense atmosphere suddenly eased a lot, and the ministers echoed him one after another. For a while, the voices of "My condolences" resounded throughout the Golden Palace.

Li Chenghao secretly hated Song Zelin, but he could do nothing about it. He glared at Song Zelin fiercely, but could only suppress his anger.

"My Lord Left Prime Minister is right. I am deeply saddened by the passing of my father, but the country cannot be without a ruler for a day. After my father's funeral is over, I will choose an auspicious day to ascend the throne." Li Chenghao took a deep breath, tried hard to suppress the anger in his heart, and said in a deep voice.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is wise." The ministers responded quickly.

A storm may seem to have subsided, but in fact there are undercurrents.

At this time, on the city wall of the capital, the defenders looked at the dark army below and felt like they were facing a formidable enemy.

"Who are you? How dare you lead your troops to approach the capital without permission?!" On the city wall, the guarding general, dressed in military uniform, pressed his hand on the hilt of his sword and shouted sternly.

"I am He Sheng, the Marquis of Zhenbei. I am coming to the capital to serve the king by the order of Your Majesty!" Under the city wall, He Sheng was riding on a tall horse. His voice was like a loud bell, which made the defenders on the city wall's ears ring.

"Your Majesty's order? What's the proof?!" The guard was shocked, but he remained calm and asked sternly.

"How dare you question me?!" He Sheng roared, suddenly drawing the sword from his waist and pointing it directly at the guards on the city wall. "I am following the order of His Majesty. Why don't you open the city gates immediately?!"

"How dare you! Border generals are not allowed to enter the pass without permission. This is our ancestral teaching! Are you trying to rebel?!" Seeing He Sheng being so arrogant, the defending general became furious and drew his sword.

"Rebellion? Humph! I want to see who wants to rebel!" He Sheng sneered, as if he was ready to start a fight if there was any disagreement.

"Wait!"

Seeing that the two sides were on the verge of a fight, a clear voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

Li Chengfeng, dressed in gorgeous clothes, walked forward alone and slowly came to the front of the two armies.

"Third Prince, what are you doing?" The city guard frowned, confused for a moment.

The young man smiled slightly, slowly took out a golden token from his arms and held it high.

"In compliance with His Majesty's order, the Marquis of Zhenbei accepts the order!"

The sunlight shone on the golden token, reflecting a dazzling light. On the token, four large characters "As if I were here in person" were clearly engraved.

In the crowd, Li Chenghao's spy saw the token and his face suddenly changed. He exclaimed, "It's...it's an imperial edict!"