Chapter Four: The Turmoil of Ascension

Chapter 4: The Turmoil of Ascension

The night was pitch black, with not a hint of light piercing through the darkness before dawn. The sudden sound of cloud plates shattered the silence like a knife through fog, echoing endlessly above the imperial city.

The emperor was no more.

Huddled outside the palace gates, all officials knelt on the ground, wailing in sorrow.

In the Ganlin Palace, Prime Minister Zhang Nianling's hands trembled as he held out a silk box containing the imperial edict. Under countless watchful eyes, he slowly lifted the lid. Empress Concubine Cheng, who had been weeping uncontrollably, now covered her face with a handkerchief, sobbing softly while her bright eyes intently followed Zhang Nianling's every move.

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his gaze, his eyes reddened, his face tense and solemn. His hands, hidden beneath the wide sleeves of his robe, clenched into fists.

Zhang Nianling unfolded the imperial decree, reciting it in a grave voice: "With humble virtue, I have inherited the great legacy of our ancestors for twenty-four years. Day and night, I have sought to govern justly, ever fearful that my reign might not end in prosperity... The Ninth Prince Yunqiong is wise and talented, his virtue innate and heaven-given. It is fitting that he succeed to the throne... As the new emperor is still young, he should devote himself to learning. Prince Liang Zhen, with his noble qualities and extraordinary talents, shall act as regent and oversee the state, following my guidance and instructions for the conduct of military and national affairs... This edict shall be conveyed to all within the empire, that all may know."

Zhu Yunxuan's fingers dug deep into his palms, his teeth gritted tightly.

As Zhang Nianling finished the last word, there was a moment of profound silence in the grand hall. In the next instant, someone helped the still bewildered and crying Ninth Prince to his feet. Led by Zhang Nianling, the cabinet ministers prostrated themselves before the young prince, preparing to pay their respects to the new ruler.

But from the crowd, Liang Zhen suddenly spoke up, "Wait."

Zhang Nianling immediately frowned and sternly warned, "It's better for Prince Zhao to speak later."

"It might be too late if we wait."

Liang Zhen rose calmly, strolled over to Zhang Nianling, and the Censor-in-Chief glared at him angrily for interrupting at this crucial moment. Liang Zhen ignored her and asked Zhang Nianling, "May this prince have a look at the imperial edict?"

Zhang Nianling's brows knitted tightly. "What does Prince Zhao mean by this? Does he suspect that the edict is fake?!"

Liang Zhen replied coolly, "Whether it's genuine or not can only be determined after seeing it. Prime Minister Zhang, why are you so anxious? It seems suspicious."

Zhang Nianling was taken aback, then burst into anger. "Spouting nonsense! Scoundrel, don't slander this old man!"

"Then show us all the edict," Liang Zhen said in an unassuming tone but with an unwavering and authoritative stance.

Not just Zhang Nianling, the other two cabinet ministers who were also tasked with safeguarding the edict turned red with embarrassment. Civil servants were especially concerned about their reputations, let alone being accused of a crime that could implicate their entire clan.

The expressions of everyone in the hall changed, and various speculative gazes fell upon Zhang Nianling and the others. Among the royal princes, someone took the lead and shouted, "If that's the case, let the cabinet ministers show us the edict!"

Zhu Yunxuan observed the speaker discreetly. He was an emperor's cousin, titled as the illustrious prince. Among the Zhu family's princes, excluding those who had left for their fiefs, there were no more of the emperor's biological brothers remaining in the capital. The illustrious prince was the closest relative to Emperor Zhao Yang in terms of age, and he enjoyed the emperor's favor. Even the imperial princes would respectfully address him as Imperial Uncle.

Zhang Nianling was furious but had no choice but to hand the imperial edict to Liang Zhen. "Prince Zhao, read it carefully! This edict was written by His Majesty himself before he passed. There can't be any forgery!"

Liang Zhen took it calmly, quickly scanning the contents before his gaze darkened. "Coincidentally, this prince also possesses an imperial edict, handwritten by His Majesty before his demise. As for its content...this prince is unsure if it matches this one. Eunuch Feng was present when His Majesty composed the edict and witnessed it alongside this prince. Perhaps Eunuch Feng should read it aloud."

Zhang Nianling was astonished. "How could there be another imperial edict? Why didn't I know?! What are you trying to do?!"

Liang Zhen replied coolly, "Why would Venerable Censor be certain that there couldn't be another edict? You haven't even read it. What are you worried about?"

"You!"

The entire hall erupted in chaos as whispers filled the air. Empress Chen clutched her handkerchief tightly, glaring at Liang Zhen with all her might. Unfazed, Liang Zhen reminded Zhang Nianling, whose face had turned grim, "It's best to read the edict promptly to comfort the emperor's heart and stabilize the realm."

Prince Xian shouted, "Read it! Of course, we must read it!"

Regardless of their intentions, others chimed in agreement. "Since there's another edict, it should definitely be read."

"Indeed, it's His Majesty's last will."

"Hurry up and read it, what are you waiting for..."

Feng Sheng unfolded the imperial edict and began to read it in a measured tone.

The beginning was identical to what they had heard before, but from the middle onwards, the content dramatically changed.

"The Fifth Prince, the Virtuous and Filial Prince Yunxuan, possesses innate virtue and a mature demeanor. It is fitting that he follows the ancestors' teachings and yields to the people's will, ascending to the throne as emperor..."

Before the reading of the imperial will was complete, Empress Cen cried out in disbelief, "This can't be true!"

She stumbled to her feet and desperately tried to snatch the edict from Feng Sheng's hands, shouting frantically, "This is fake! This has to be fake! How dare you! You're attempting to seize the throne by forging an imperial edict!"

Feng Sheng retreated with a furrowed brow, proclaiming his innocence, "Your Highness, please see reason! Even if I had ten thousand times the courage, I would never dare to commit such a treasonous act!"

Empress Cen's commotion stirred Zhu Yunqiong into tears, while Zhu Yunxuan, with his lips pressed together, remained silent. He could sense numerous pairs of eyes turning towards him, filled with fear, suspicion, and scrutiny.

Zhang Nianling trembled with anger, "Nonsense! Absolute nonsense! You... You dare to do such a thing!"

Liang Zhen maintained his calm demeanor, "This is quite peculiar. The contents of these two imperial wills differ so drastically..."

"Yours must be the counterfeit one!"

One by one, the ministers exclaimed, their faces flushed with anger. Liang Zhen ignored them and said, "Since there are two entirely different imperial decrees, let us all weigh in on the matter."

The two decrees were passed around for everyone to examine. On the surface, the handwriting on both appeared to be that of Emperor Zhao Yang, and they were both stamped with the jade seal. However, the contents were vastly different, leaving people unsure how to judge.

Another elder minister behind Zhang Nianling argued, "On that day when His Majesty summoned us to the palace, we three were present as he personally wrote the decree! How could it be a forgery? It's clear that you, Prince Zhao, have sinister intentions, fabricating this other decree to seize the throne!"

Liang Zhen's expression turned cold. "Seize the throne? What throne am I seizing? The decree states that Fifth Prince Rui Wang should ascend the throne. I have no connection with Rui Wang. Why would I risk my entire family's lives to aid him?"

Not waiting for a response, he continued, "Ninth Prince is my nephew. His mother, Concubine Chen, is my cousin. We share the same surname, Liang. If I were to help anyone, it should be them. Moreover, the decree you possess grants me the position of regent. If I truly intended to seize power, why would I not take advantage of being the regent and instead devote myself to Fifth Prince, with whom I have no ties?"

Concubine Chen was filled with fury. "Liang Zhen! You did this on purpose! How could you do such a thing? You—"

Liang Zhen gave her a cold glance and sternly reminded, "Empress Concubine Chen, choose your words wisely."

Horrified by his icy stare, Concubine Chen shuddered and broke out in a cold sweat. With certain thoughts in mind, she moved her lips but dared not speak further.

Zhang Nianling raged, "How dare you, scoundrel!"

Liang Zhen immediately shot back, "Esteemed ministers, do not think that as the leaders of the officials, you can collude, deceive the emperor, disrupt the state, and forge an imperial edict for succession. If you insist on installing a mere child as a puppet emperor, what is your true intention? Is being regents not enough for you? Do you wish to change the dynasty itself?"

"You—!" Zhang Nianling was so overwhelmed by Liang Zhen's aggressive demeanor that he nearly fainted. It was only with the support of his fellow officials that he managed to keep standing.

Everyone in the grand hall looked at each other, none daring to speak up at this crucial moment.

Liang Zhen watched coldly and asked again, "Now that two imperial decrees are before us, what do you all think?"

No one dared to respond. Zhu Yunxuan glanced at Liang Zhen, whose calmness under pressure filled him with a complicated mix of emotions. Liang Zhen didn't acknowledge Zhu Yunxuan, instead locking eyes with the cabinet ministers.

Kneeling before Emperor Zhaoyang's lifeless body, Zhang Nianling wept bitterly, "Your Majesty! This old servant has served three reigns, always fulfilling my duties and being loyal to the throne without wavering! I have never been ashamed before heaven or man! But now...now I can no longer protect the Great Yan's realm for you! I am unworthy to live on, so let me join you in the afterlife!"

Liang Zhen said coolly, "Venerable Minister Zhang's words are too extreme. Are you cursing the destruction of our Great Yan's land?"

His words pierced the heart, causing Zhang Nianling to spit out blood in anger. Instantly, chaos erupted in the hall.

Amidst the confusion, the sound of hurried footsteps outside was like a sudden downpour. The Imperial Guards surrounded the Ganlin Palace from all sides. Through the blurred glass windows, one could see the swaying figures and torches outside, accompanied by the faint sounds of swords being unsheathed, which sent chills down everyone's spine.

The head of the Imperial Guards entered the hall, assessed the situation, and respectfully asked Liang Zhen, "With the emperor's passing, there might be unrest within the palace. Your Highness, I've already ordered increased patrols and security. Please give your command."

At that moment, the expressions of those in the hall became subtly nuanced. It seemed they were just realizing that since Emperor Zhaoyang had fallen ill, all military forces in the capital, including the Imperial Guards, had come under the command of this formidable and unparalleled vassal king.

If he truly aimed to seize the throne and ascend that imperial seat himself, it would not be beyond his capabilities.

Seeing this, the already beleaguered Zhang Nianling grew even more furious. He exclaimed indignantly, "You've ordered these people to surround the Sweet Rain Palace... You... You're trying to force us to submit! Think again! Even if I were to die, I would never let a traitorous rebel like you have your way!"

Liang Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly, the last vestige of patience in them fading away.