Chapter 1303 - 1139: Forcing the Emperor’s Abdication
Chapter 1303: Chapter 1139: Forcing the Emperor’s Abdication
"Surrendering the throne is not difficult, but I will never pass it to you!" The Emperor still shook his head; the third prince is not fit to be a ruler.
"Brother, look, why do you still bother with such grandiloquent words for others to hear? There are no outsiders here, so why pretend anymore? Since you won’t give it up, I will take it myself!"
Liao Wu signaled to the person beside him, "Go search for the Imperial Jade Seal and the Tiger Talisman!"
"Yes!" Several assassins in eunuch uniforms walked towards the Imperial Desk; the Jade Seal must be here where the Emperor routinely reviews memorials.
"Third brother, back then, your father once told me that you are impulsive, easily angered, jealous, and always love to compare with other Princes. And yet you have little ability, so your father did not favor you at all. He once said, whoever the throne is passed to, it will never be you!"
The Empress Dowager looked at Liao Wu’s triumphant manner, her cold face full of disdain.
Liao Wu suddenly turned back, sharp eyes glaring at the Empress Dowager. He stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Empress Dowager, even with a sword at your neck, you maintain your high and mighty demeanor. Where was your pride when eldest brother held you hostage? You shouldn’t have lived, dragging our second brother down. Meeting your end willingly would have been your best fate! It’s laughable that even at your age, you fear death."
These words from Liao Wu were extremely vicious, and he felt pleased only when he saw the Empress Dowager’s face turn pale.
"Our father never favored me; I am well aware. In comparison to eldest and fourth brothers, I am lacking. This knowledge I have come to understand clearly over the years. But did you ever think father intended for second brother to inherit? No, never! Do you not want to know what’s written on father’s last will?"
Liao Wu’s lips curled; an Empress Dowager who enjoyed a life of opulence and ruled the harem now seemed like a lost dog. An Emperor who wielded supreme power now poisoned with limited time, is laughable, pitiful indeed?
But truly, all this might be fleeting, yet it was a time of glory.
The Empress Dowager, upon hearing, looked up at Liao Wu and couldn’t help but ask, "Do you know to whom your father’s will passes the throne?"
"I do! Someone once saw the will before father handed it to Gu Chengyu."
Liao Wu nodded; the contents of the will were later told to him by Rong Jia.
Back then, knowing the contents of the will, the Duke of Qin Mansion planned to support him. They believed Gu Chengyu would announce the contents, but unexpectedly, Gu Chengyu chose the second brother instead.
Afterward, the Duke of Qin Mansion remained silent for a while, initially planning to continue supporting the Emperor, who then became poisoned. Naturally, the Duke of Qin Mansion wouldn’t place hope on the still minor eldest Prince; a wise person chooses support selectively, so Mrs. Qin sought another ruler.
"What’s written on the will?" The Empress Dowager tightened the handkerchief in her hand, fearing to hear that one particular name.
"Eldest brother! Father always valued eldest brother highly, thus it doesn’t surprise me." Liao Wu watched as several people turned the Imperial Study Room upside down; he took a few steps forward to help search as well.
The Emperor let out a bitter laugh; indeed! In the end, father still wanted to abolish his position as Crown Prince; how could he have been so out of favor with his father?
Yet Gu Chengyu chose him; thinking back on the neglect and disrespect shown to Gu Chengyu, a feeling of guilt washed over him.
His abilities among the Princes had never stood out, nor did he genuinely recruit Gu Chengyu like fourth brother. Never expecting Gu Chengyu to choose him in the end.
Perhaps due to the benevolence he acted upon? Gu Chengyu was indeed a good official considering the people.
Upon hearing, the Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief; it’s not him, not him!
"Brother, you’re already poisoned; why continue trouble for the court? While you have some energy left, it’s better to retire and spend a few peaceful days! The Jade Seal and Tiger Talisman, where are they hidden?"
Liao Wu, after searching the study room, gradually lost patience, disregarding other matters.
He heard the outside commotion has lessened; if delayed further, unforeseen changes might occur.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were shocked, glancing at him; could it be the third brother knew even about the Emperor’s poisoning? It’s clear, some court officials must be closely connected with the third brother.
Liao Wu was somewhat anxious, he stepped forward, grabbing the Emperor’s collar, pulling him towards the Imperial Desk, "Speak! Where’s the item located?"
The Emperor stumbled, his body collided with the desk, knocking over the ink stone, staining the memorials with black ink.
"You said my days are numbered; why should I tell you? Do as you please, whether to kill or not!" The Emperor trembled with rage, the third brother indeed disregarded everything.
"Uncle Third! Why are you in such a rush? Why act without bringing Rong Jia while leading the charge yourself?" Suddenly a female voice entered; those inside the Imperial Study Room looked toward the newcomer, discovering it was Princess Rong Jia!
...
"Sir, Prince Gong has won, and rather easily at that!" Ming Mo glanced at Gu Chengyu, noticing his calm demeanor despite the unexpected news.
"As expected, He Dan Prefecture defenses were insufficient; it was only a matter of time. But such weakness is disappointing." Gu Chengyu adjusted his sleeve, pondering.
"Keep a closer eye on Prince Jing and Prince Gong; soon, we might return to the Capital!" Gu Chengyu sat in the round chair, knowing it’s time to return to the Capital after staying too long at the border.
"What? Has the Emperor summoned you back to the Capital?" Ming Mo seemed surprised; indeed, returning early to the Capital was favorable, since the aspirations had never been on the border.
Gu Chengyu shook his head, "I heard the Emperor is poisoned and still without a cure, likely won’t live more than three years!"
"What?" Ming Mo was astounded by the shocking news.
"It’s Doctor Li who sent word via carrier pigeon through fourth brother; being from the Divine Doctor Family, the poison ’Ruo Yin’ presently has no antidote! The eldest Prince is merely eight years old, needing court officials’ support; Capital news suggests the Emperor intends to make eldest Prince the Crown Prince, naming the teacher as Grand Tutor! The Emperor won’t leave me at the border for long, perhaps using this occasion to bring me back to the Capital, for he’s more anxious with me distant."
If the Emperor wanted him to handle Prince Gong and Prince Jing, a decree would have been sent long ago. Clearly, the intent wasn’t to place military power in his hands.
Since the Da Xing situation has been temporarily settled, why linger at the border? For Prince Gong and Prince Jing, naturally others will confront them.
Upon receiving the news initially, it was shocking indeed. News traveling from the Capital to the border takes time, only now discovering the Emperor’s poisoning.