Chapter 369: It was almost a certainty.

Chapter 369: It was almost a certainty.

The emperor fell to the ground crying, his heart rending with sobs. Jiao Kangsheng hurriedly closed the door and helped the emperor to a chair, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

The emperor sat there dazedly, "You heard what Xiao Huai said, he wants me to write a confession of guilt, to dethrone myself. He is trying to kill me, to take my life."

Jiao Kangsheng, seeing him almost driven to madness, felt an unbearable ache in his heart, but was powerless to help. Writing a confession of guilt, to dethrone oneself, for an emperor, this was a disgrace worse than death.

"I will not comply with his wishes," the emperor suddenly stood up, pacing back and forth in the room, muttering incessantly, "I will not comply with his wishes, I will not..."

Jiao Kangsheng stood by with a frown, suspecting that the emperor’s mental state was truly abnormal, but he dared not voice it.

"Let Wu Zhengxin... have Wu Zhengxin spread the news," the emperor approached Jiao Kangsheng, looking him in the eye: "Duke Dingguo, Xiao Huai, has confined me, plotting to overthrow the dynasty and seize the throne. Have Wu Zhengxin disseminate this news, let the people of the great empire despise Xiao Huai."

Jiao Kangsheng: "…Your Majesty, Duke Dingguo controls the entire capital city, it’s impossible to carry this out."

"Then what should we do?" asked the emperor.

Jiao Kangsheng shook his head with a furrowed brow, and the emperor, grinding his teeth, said, "Even if it cannot be done, we must try. I cannot just wait here to die!"

Jiao Kangsheng looked troubled, and the emperor, watching him, said, "Do you also refuse to obey my commands now?"

"Yes, yes, your servant will go and do it at once," Jiao Kangsheng quickly replied.

All their actions were under surveillance, these efforts were nothing but the throes of the dying.

Upon leaving the imperial sleeping quarters, Jiao Kangsheng saw Xiao Yuming leaning against a pillar with a mocking smile, watching him. He forced a smile and said, "Second Young Master, this servant... this servant wishes to send Xiao Dezhi out to purchase some items."

Xiao Yuming smiled, "Sure, go ahead."

Jiao Kangsheng bowed stiffly, then pulled Xiao Dezhi aside and whispered the instruction to deliver a message to Wu Zhengxin. Xiao Dezhi's face wrinkled upon hearing it, "Steward Jiao, isn't this just foolishly struggling?"

"Just go if I tell you to," Jiao Kangsheng said.

He was well aware that it was a futile effort, but the emperor was still the emperor, and they, his subjects, were obliged to follow his commands.

Xiao Dezhi nodded, casting a cautious glance at Xiao Yuming before scurrying away quickly. Jiao Kangsheng walked back, bowing to Xiao Yuming as he passed by on his way back to the imperial sleeping quarters.

It was then that Xiao Yuming said, "You needn’t go through such trouble. If His Majesty wishes to see any official, just summon them directly."

Jiao Kangsheng replied, "…Yes, I shall inform His Majesty at once."

He turned and re-entered the sleeping quarters, while Xiao Yuming let out a snort of laughter. He couldn't fathom the emperor’s behavior; at such a time, why persist in struggle, if not to become a laughingstock?

Glancing at the soldiers standing to the side, he commanded, "Go and report to the commander."

The soldier received his orders and immediately returned to the Duke Dingguo’s residence to report the situation to Xiao Huai. After hearing the report, Xiao Huai dismissed it with a wave of his hand, "Leave it be."

After the soldier saluted and withdrew, Tang Shuyi remarked, "Judging by his current behavior, it seems his thoughts are completely muddled."

"It’s nothing more than a death throe," Xiao Huai commented. "For years, he has cloaked himself in the guise of a wise ruler, yet behind the scenes, he’s always played these dishonorable tricks. The courtiers all understand this. His abdication is what the people desire."

Tang Shuyi nodded, "Don't drag this out too long, better to conclude it sooner."

"Give him one more day," Xiao Huai said.

Tang Shuyi sighed deeply, "The imperial examinations are upon us soon; don’t let this affect them. Later, I’ll discuss with the Lady of the former Li Guogong the wedding date for Yuchen and Jianing. I’m about to become a mother-in-law!"

Xiao Huai looked at him with a smile, "After Yuming's wedding, we'll set off."

Leaning back comfortably on the brocade couch, Tang Shuyi laughed with anticipation.

As they discussed their travel plans, Wu Zhengxin and his wife were discussing how to flee. Receiving the message from the palace, Wu Zhengxin became exceedingly anxious. The task assigned by the emperor was something he absolutely could not undertake; to do so would be to walk a path to certain death.

Yet not to do so could also mean death. Even though the emperor was currently confined to the palace, he remained the emperor. He might not dare to command an execution against Tianhe, but he could certainly order his own death.

"Stop pacing already, you're making me dizzy," Mrs. Wu said.

Wu Zhengxin stopped, "I'm worried! Wife, what should we do now?"

"Maybe... perhaps we should flee, go far away," suggested Mrs. Wu.

Wu Zhengxin sighed deeply, "Every gate of the capital is guarded by Duke Dingguo’s soldiers, how can we possibly escape?"

"But I've heard that ordinary citizens can still leave and enter the city freely!"

"That's for the common folk," Wu Zhengxin said, sinking into a chair with another sigh. "I’m certain that most of the court officials are under Duke Dingguo’s surveillance. The fact that someone from the palace brought me a message is probably already known to him by now. Would he allow me to leave the city?"

Madam Wu clutched her handkerchief tightly. After a moment, she said, "Perhaps I should appeal to the Duchess of Dingguo. It was the Emperor who wanted them dead, not us."

Mr. Wu furrowed his brow in thought. "Alright, draft a visiting card now and pay a visit to the Duchess tomorrow."

Madam Wu quickly rose and headed to the study to write the card. Soon after, Tang Shuyi received the visiting card from Madam Wu. Guessing what Madam Wu intended, she told her maid, "Reply to them that our household is too busy with affairs to receive guests these days."

Every cause has its effect; as a trusted confidant of the Emperor, Mr. Wu had not refrained from engaging in misdeeds over the years. Having reaped the benefits, now he must face the consequences.

Mr. and Madam Wu received the reply, feeling utterly devastated. Yet they dared not follow the Emperor's orders, having no choice but to feign death at home.

The following day, the Emperor was informed of Mr. Wu's severe illness. After smashing a few teacups in anger, he decreed: "Issue my command, for Wu Zhengxin's defiance and disobedience, let him be executed immediately."

With a sigh, Jiao Kangsheng left the sleeping quarters and conveyed the Emperor's edict to Xiao Yuming. After hearing it, Xiao suggested, "For this matter, consult with Prince Kang. See what his stance is."

Acknowledging the order, Jiao Kangsheng went to the Cabinet to find Li Jingyi. By then, all the ministers were present. He approached Li Jingyi and bowed, "Your Highness Prince Kang, the Emperor has decreed that Wu Zhengxin has defied his command and should be executed immediately. What is your opinion?"

Silence filled the room. The fact that Prince Kang's approval was sought for the Emperor's edict indicated that his succession was all but guaranteed.