sjar Chapter 991 The eldest daughter is as bright as spring flowers (113)
Chapter 991 The eldest daughter is as bright as spring flowers (113)
Chapter 991 The eldest daughter is as bright as spring flowers (One hundred and thirteen)
Over the past month, the ministers have become more and more disciplined. They used to fight fiercely for their respective parties, but now they live in peace and control their families, for fear of being caught, having their homes confiscated, and being executed.
Now the emperor suddenly wanted to announce something important, and the ministers were all respectful and listened attentively.
What decree is His Majesty going to announce?
Are you going to depose the crown prince?
Or has the murderer who assassinated the prince been found? Which prince or prince should be deposed?
The ministers appeared respectful, but in reality, they were constantly scheming. Eunuch Heshi took the imperial edict and solemnly unfolded it. His sharp and solemn voice echoed throughout the hall:
According to heaven’s destiny, the emperor issued an edict:
Since ascending the throne, I have prayed wholeheartedly for peace and prosperity for my country and my family. However, this has not been the case. My children and heirs have repeatedly been at odds, and my brothers have been at odds with each other. The harem's strife has also affected the court. This is all my fault. I failed to discipline them strictly, leading to the internal strife that has ravaged my family.
Today, Crown Prince Zhao Duan has been seriously injured in a fire in the Eastern Palace and is no longer able to fulfill his duties as Crown Prince. Duan is the Empress's legitimate son and has always been my hope for the throne. Although he has made numerous mistakes, I cannot bear to depose him because of his past contributions. I have specially appointed him Prince Ding and granted him the privilege of traveling to Wanglin County in the southeast to ensure his safety.
Although the Fourth Prince, Zhao Yi, has been enfeoffed as Prince Shun, his mother, Concubine Luo, harbors ulterior motives and repeatedly disrupts the peace of the harem. Considering her son's disability, I have spared Concubine Luo's life and demoted her to Concubine Luo. Zhao Yi has also been exiled to the southern border province of Daze County and is not allowed to return to the capital without my permission.
The eldest prince, Zhao Qing, has always been prudent and steady, and I personally appointed him Prince Qing. Now that the Crown Prince is in trouble, and Concubine Ye is implicated, I am deeply disheartened and have demoted Concubine Ye to the rank of Concubine Ye. Considering that Zhao Qing was not involved in this, he will remain Prince Qing and remain in the capital to observe the consequences.
The Third Prince, Zhao Lan, is a man of deep scheming, repeatedly plotting to murder his brothers, and his mother, Consort Tang, has also been implicated. Mindful of the deep bond between mother and son, I cannot bear to pursue this matter further, yet punishment is unavoidable. I have therefore revoked the Third Prince's official duties and confined him to his residence for self-reflection. Consort Tang, on the other hand, has been demoted to Consort Tang, serving as a warning to others.
My children are all my own flesh and blood, yet how can I bear to see them murdering each other? Now that the Crown Prince has been deposed, the position of heir hangs vacant, and I am deeply concerned. However, I also know that the hearts of the people in the court are unpredictable, and within the harem, there is constant discord. My brothers and sisters have also turned against each other over power and position. How can I repeat the same mistake?
Though I am now advanced in years, my resolve remains unwavering. My empire shall not be coveted by others. In the court, ministers should prioritize state affairs, set aside personal gain, and refrain from endless quarreling. Within the harem, concubines and maids should diligently fulfill their duties, live in harmony, and refrain from causing further discord.
My sons and heirs are all my hopes. I hope you will not be blinded by power or trapped by selfish desires. Brothers should treat each other with affection and righteousness, and avoid any resentment. I still need to carefully consider the matter of the crown prince. My empire should be passed on to a virtuous and capable person. I decree this.
……
This lengthy imperial edict made people dizzy.
After the imperial edict was read, a hush fell over the court. The ministers looked at each other, their hearts filled with turmoil. The emperor's decision undoubtedly reshuffled the court situation.
The crown prince was deposed, the fourth prince went to the border, the third prince stayed in seclusion to reflect, and although the eldest prince was not greatly implicated, his position was also shaky.
Especially the eldest prince and the third prince, they found it hard to accept that the crown prince and the fourth prince did not attend the court, and they were the ones who faced the imperial edict directly.
"I am innocent! Father! My mother and I have absolutely not plotted to murder the Crown Prince! You cannot demote my mother to a concubine. How will she survive in the harem?"
"Father, there must be a misunderstanding. Please reconsider! I truly did not attempt to murder His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. My mother is even more innocent; she knows nothing."
The two princes knelt on the ground, their foreheads rubbing against each other until they were red.
Their followers could no longer hold back and knelt on the ground begging for mercy.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider! I beg Your Majesty to revoke your order."
"Your Majesty, please revoke your order."
This imperial edict implicated four princes and their mothers, and more than half of the people in the court knelt down and begged for mercy.
The emperor watched the farce unfolding below and sneered, "Prime Minister Song, in your opinion, should I revoke my order?"