Chapter 416 – Finally Falls Ill

Chapter 416 - Finally Falls Ill

The Fifth Prince also vented his anger in his own residence. Of course, with the situation as it was, he could only endure.

Liao comforted him, "Your Highness, please don't be angry. I'm so scared, I don't know how to console you... Even though you missed the throne, no one can use you anymore. I'm incompetent, but all I wish is to live peacefully with you."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at the Fifth Prince pitifully.

The Fifth Prince sighed. "Don't cry, it's not your fault, it's mine."

"Do you really have to have that position?" Liao asked, her voice trembling with tears in her voice.

The Fifth Prince sighed again. "It's not something I can obtain just because I want it. In the end, it's just not meant to be for me."

"If you truly desire it, I can beg Empress for it. But now, I'm afraid Empress might..." Liao sighed.

"No need, there's no need to visit her in the future," the Fifth Prince harrumphed.

"Yes, I'll follow your lead. Now that you've entered the court, it won't be long before you attain an aristocratic title in a year or two. If you perform well and hold real power, it can actually be quite advantageous. The Duke of Zhen and Duke of Jing are typically idle princes, but if you have actual authority, who would dare to treat you disrespectfully in the future?" Lady Liao said.

Prince Fifth embraced her, "It's only you who sees me as a treasure."

Liao smiled shyly.

"Never mind. Simply observe when Duchess Wen and Duchess Jing will enter the palace. You may then offer your congratulations," said Fifth Prince.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll follow your every word," Liao said.

Madam Liao, before leaving, instructed, "Make sure you enjoy your meals. If you skip one, I won't have mine either."

"Alright, you can go back now. I'll come over to your place to eat in a while," the Fifth Prince said with a smile, waving his hand.

Madam Liao left with a smile.

She had already grasped the Fifth Prince's temperament.

This man... couldn't resist her tactics. So, she would continue to handle him this way.

In any case, the birth of another child is crucial, sir.

Now that Ninth Prince has become the Crown Prince, Liao is much more at ease.

What leverage does Fifth Prince still hold? There's no chance for him to vie for the throne anymore.

Actually, he should have known from the start that it was hopeless. But that's human nature – one doesn't give up until all hope is lost.

Perhaps he has finally accepted defeat now.

And what of the Empress? To be honest, if she were truly that formidable, Duke Qin would still be the Crown Prince by now.

Being barren - how does that matter? Aren't there other means to achieve the same end?

Unfortunately, hasn't she ended up retreating at every turn?

Her health has also deteriorated. Who knows how many years she has left?

Fifth Prince must have been desperately seeking remedies before. Always thinking that as a prince, he still had a chance.

Regrettably, the Empress was incompetent. As for the Fifth Prince's own birth mother, her death remained an unsolved mystery.

So why bother?

In this current state, there was nothing wrong. Even if he were to never hold a title in his life, Liao would still be content.

Liao returned calmly to her main courtyard, awaiting his arrival.

Perhaps it was divine favor at work.

The following six months passed uneventfully, with no natural disasters to speak of.

When the depths of winter arrived, the Crown Prince had already paid his respects at the Imperial Tombs. The official enthronement ceremony was scheduled for the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

It was the most auspicious day for him in that year.

In the Zhengqian Palace, the Crown Prince, dressed in a black robe with red trim, ascended the steps one by one.

His father, the Emperor, awaited him atop, smiling warmly.

The weather was exceptionally fine, without a single cloud in the sky. Even in the depths of winter, there was little chill to be felt.

Or perhaps it was the warmth in his heart.

On either side stood generals who had specially returned from the border forts to witness the ceremony.

Below them were court officials, followed by those who had come from all corners of the kingdom to attend the event.

Emperor Yuanzheng was the one observing the ceremony, and he had not left his seat.

In the distance, banners fluttered in the wind.

The crown prince gazed at his father high above, finally approaching him.

A sacred edict, proclaiming the event to heaven and earth, was recited by a minister from the Ministry of Rites.

Prince He Jincheng personally placed the crown prince's unique headdress upon his head.

"From this day forth, our great Jin Empire will have an heir apparent. This land and its people will have a successor!" Prince He Jincheng declared with a smile.

Below, the assembled officials prostrated themselves, chanting, "Long live His Majesty, long live the Emperor! Long live Crown Prince, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!" They wished for the great Jin dynasty's reign to endure, never fading through countless generations.

Then, the generals on both sides echoed, "May the great Jin dynasty's reign endure, never fading through countless generations!"

Hao Jingenli looked down at them. "Please rise, everyone. The Crown Prince is still not of age. In the future, I will rely on your guidance and support. I trust you all."

The crowd expressed their gratitude once more.

After all the ceremonial procedures were completed, Hao Jingenli placed his hands on the Crown Prince's shoulders. "Good child, from now on, these shoulders will carry the weight of the realm. Your father also trusts you. I hope you will be an excellent Crown Prince and, in time, an outstanding emperor."

Kneeling, the Crown Prince replied, "Your son will not betray your great trust. I thank you, Father, for a thousand years, a thousand thousand years."

Hao Jingenli helped him up. "Alright, today is a significant day for you. There is much work ahead."

Reading the imperial edict here was not enough; it needed to be announced to the world that the Jin dynasty now had its official heir.

But with the establishment of a Crown Prince, it was fitting to show mercy as well.

The first act was a grand amnesty for all.

All offenses except murder and banditry shall be pardoned.

A year's tax shall be waived for all.

This decree shall bring joy to the entire land.

And from this day forth, the common folk will remember that Jin Kingdom has a crown prince.

Moreover, they will likely understand that this crown prince is not the son of the Empress, but of Concubine Xian.

As for the specifics of Lady Xian's family background, who could know, and who cared anyway?

In any case, he was undoubtedly an excellent crown prince; with his ascension, a year's taxes were waived.

Could the common folk not speak highly of him?

The Eastern Palace was also restored as planned, and after the new year, the crown prince would officially move in.

Yun Li had no objections - the child was no longer five years old but would turn fifteen after the new year.

Completely capable of living independently.

The day ahead was going to be incredibly busy, and the Empress was already showing signs of finding it hard to rise.

She merely made an appearance today and then returned home.

Thus, the grand banquet was not held in the Fengyi Palace. Helan Jinli had anticipated this and promptly arranged for it to take place in Empress Dowager's Cian Palace.

The Empress Dowager did not refuse.

After a day of bustling activity, the Empress Dowager finally found peace in the evening. "Empress…"

"Aiyo, Your Majesty, this servant has heard that Her Imperial Highness the Empress might not be doing well. From now on, things will only become more challenging," Aunt Fan sighed.

It was truly better to be dead than to live a life like this. But when one is alive, the thought of death rarely crosses their mind.

The Empress Dowager shook her head.

"Has that physician still not been apprehended?" she asked.

Indeed, after so long, it's likely that he's no longer alive. His family is all confined; how far could he have run on his own? Warrants for his capture have been issued nationwide," Grandmama Fan said.

The Empress Dowager nodded; in truth, it was too late to apprehend them now.

The Empress was in such a state.

In the Fengyi Palace, the Empress was in such agony that her face was soaked with tears and sweat, blurring the distinction between the pain in her pelvis and that in her abdomen.

Either way, the pain was unbearable.

Her lower back seemed to ache as well.

Amidst a surge of intense pain, she momentarily lost focus, realizing something was amiss.

A warmth spread throughout her body.

The attendants, too scared to speak, hurriedly assisted her in changing her clothes.

Yet, every movement she made sent piercing pain through her body.