Chapter Five: Dust Settles Down

Chapter Five: Dust Settles

Within the grand hall, tensions ran high as swords were unsheathed. The lifeless body of Emperor Zhaoyang on the couch was neglected; all eyes were fixed on the two starkly contrasting imperial decrees for succession. True to his status as a veteran of three dynasties, Zhang Nianling, despite being angered to the point of spitting blood several times, showed no signs of backing down. He soon regained his composure and resumed his vociferous objections.

Liang Zhen ignored him and took the two imperial edicts that had been passed around the crowd. His gaze darkened, and he suddenly spoke, addressing a woman among the concubines who was sobbing softly with her head bowed. "Empress Concubine Shao, when you were promoted to Shao Yi ten days ago, were the decree scrolls still in your chambers?"

The named Fang Shaoyi was startled and, after a long while, stammered, "Y-Yes, I'm here..."

Liang Zhen nodded. "Would it be too much trouble for Empress Concubine Zhao to ask someone to retrieve the imperial edict from the palace chambers?"

The timid Fang Zhaoyi asked, "Your Highness... what are you planning to do?"

Zhang Nianling and the others also lost their patience. "What kind of riddle are you trying to play here? We're discussing His Majesty's last will! Why did you ask Empress Zhao to bring the imperial edict?!"

Liang Zhen's gaze shifted towards them, a faint hint of mockery flickering in his eyes. "Half a month ago, His Majesty's seal was accidentally chipped by Prince Ji. Although it was repaired with gold, upon closer inspection, there is a slight difference in depth at the damaged corner. As His Majesty was seriously ill and unable to attend to state affairs for the past two weeks, all imperial decrees were suspended. The grand councilors might not be aware, but ten days ago, His Majesty, remembering Empress Zhao's contribution in giving birth to Prince San, promoted her. The seal on the imperial edict promoting her should match the one on this will I hold. As for the copy the grand councilors possess..."

The hall erupted in chaos. Zhang Nianling's eyes bulged in rage. "Stop spouting nonsense! When His Majesty summoned us to the palace that day, the jade seal was still intact! How could it have been broken? You're clearly lying!"

"Is that so?" Liang Zhen repeated coolly, then turned to Concubine Chen. "Perhaps Her Excellency the Honorable Concubine would like to share if you witnessed Prince Ji carelessly damaging His Majesty's jade seal with your own eyes?"

Empress Chen clutched her handkerchief, her eyes shimmering with uncertainty as she bit her lip, refusing to speak. Seeing her silence, Liang Zhen coldly instructed, "Then summon everyone who serves Prince Ji to clarify the situation. More than one or two people saw what happened that day."

Three nurses and eunuchs were brought in. Upon kneeling, they immediately confessed out of fear, revealing that Prince Ji had indeed accidentally broken the imperial seal a few days ago. Empress Chen had forbidden them from spreading the news and had sent a junior eunuch to take the blame, thus settling the matter.

Empress Chen frantically argued, "But His Majesty was gravely ill and unaware of this incident! He thinks the seal is still intact, and you've deceived him with a fake one!"

"Ludicrous," Liang Zhen scoffed. "How could His Majesty not know if the seal was broken? That eunuch who took the blame is still suffering torturous punishment. Doesn't Her Majesty find her own words utterly ridiculous?"

Feng Sheng added, "At that time, His Majesty was furious. Afterward, he ordered me to have the seal repaired with gold. I will retrieve it for you now."

The three grand councilors were now thoroughly panicked. Zhang Nianling glared at Liang Zhen with utmost anger and sorrow, "This can't be true! How could... It's you! You, a traitorous minister, clearly planned all of this!"

Liang Zhen ignored their accusations. The documents from Concubine Fang's palace had already been delivered. A comparison made it clear that the seals matched, consistent with the variations on the imperial edict Liang Zhen presented. Furthermore, Feng Sheng confirmed that the jade seal did indeed have a golden corner repair.

The expressions of those watching Zhang Nianling changed. Naturally, they had initially trusted the grand councilors more than Liang Zhen. But with the evidence before them and the imperial guards outside, ready to pounce...

Princely King Xian was the first to stand up, "How dare you, Zhang Nianling! Do you old fools also plot against our Zhu family's throne?!"

Upon these words, those still wavering lowered their heads. Although they didn't openly align with Princely King Xian, they instinctively distanced themselves from Zhang Nianling, clearly drawing a line. Zhang Nianling, once again, spat out blood in anger. Another grand counselor passionately protested, "You! All of you! To conspire against the palace just as His Majesty has passed! You traitorous scoundrels! This imperial edict for succession was clearly written by His Majesty himself when he summoned us to the palace that day! Your actions will not let His Majesty rest in peace even after death!"

King Xiao's beard bristled as he glared, "Old dog, don't spit out lies! It's clear that you all colluded to forge the imperial edict to seize the throne! Now that evidence is abundant, how can you still refute it here?"

Feng Sheng chimed in at the right moment, "His Majesty indeed summoned the three Grand Censors to the palace that day. However, during your secret meeting, he sent us servants away. Apart from the three of you, no one knows what His Majesty discussed with you… Whether or not there truly was an imperial edict passing the throne to you, that remains…unclear."

"You eunuch! Don't spout nonsense here!"

Zhang Nianling angrily interrupted him. Feng Sheng shrunk his neck and kept silent. King Xiao rolled his eyes and walked over to Zhu Yunxuan, respectfully helping him up.

Everyone's gaze, except for those still shouting in anger like Zhang Nianling, was now fixed on Zhu Yunxuan. Zhu Yunxuan knitted his brows and surveyed the crowd solemnly. King Xiao was the first to kneel, "This subject pays respects to the new Emperor, long live, long live, long live!"

The resounding kowtow made everyone's hearts leap into their throats. Liang Zhen glanced at the other three Grand Censors, who had barely spoken since earlier. They were prostrated on the ground with bowed heads, seemingly detached from the situation. "Grand Censor Liu, Grand Censor Li, Grand Censor Deng, what do you think?"

The trio shuddered. The leader slowly raised his head, avoiding the menacing gazes of Zhang Nianling and the others. After much hesitation, he gritted his teeth and knelt before Zhu Yunxuan. The other two immediately followed, paying obeisance to the new ruler.

Empress Cheng fell completely limp on the floor, acknowledging the inevitable outcome.

Everyone, from the imperial clan to the consorts and princes, was now kneeling before Zhu Yunxuan. Liang Zhen gave a signal to the commander of the imperial guards. In an instant, Zhang Nianling and his associates were seized. They tried to protest, but Liang Zhen didn't give them a chance, coldly declaring, "Zhang Nianling, Wang Ci, and Cao Xinrui harbored malicious intentions, forged the imperial edict for treacherous purposes. Arrest them immediately and hold them for trial."

Zhang Nianling's group only managed a cry of "Injustice!" before being gagged and dragged away by the imperial guards.

In the hall, everyone fell silent, even more so than before. Liang Zhen turned to face Zhu Yunxuan, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Under the other's scrutinizing gaze, he knelt down candidly.

Zhu Yunxuan closed his eyes briefly, calming his wildly fluctuating emotions. He then issued a deep command, "In accordance with my late father's will, all imperial relatives and high-ranking officials shall mourn in their official attire for twenty-seven days, beginning today. There must be no slackening."

"Following your imperial decree!" the crowd chorused obediently.

The edict was conveyed beyond the palace gates, and all the officials prostrated themselves before the new emperor. With this, the dust finally settled.

As night deepened, the daylight hustle and bustle faded away, leaving only Zhu Yunxuan alone in the mourning hall. He knelt silently before the emperor's coffin, his calm face illuminated by the flickering, dim candlelight.

Footsteps sounded behind him, and without turning, Zhu Yunxuan knew who it was.

Liang Zhen approached and knelt beside him, saying softly, "How many days have you been guarding here, Your Majesty? Barely two hours of sleep each day – do you plan to exhaust yourself just as you ascend the throne?"

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes flickered. After a moment of silence, he asked, "What's the situation outside?"

"What can it be? Those who needed to be captured have been taken, those who deserved to die have been killed."

News of the chaotic succession had already spread far and wide. Even though Zhu Yunxuan had smoothly claimed the throne, doubts and criticisms would not be scarce. The imprisonment of Zhang Nianling and others had already stirred suspicion among the court officials and scholars across the land. However, due to Liang Zhen's immense power, no one dared to voice their concerns openly.

"Prime Minister Zhang and the others..."

Liang Zhen dismissed it nonchalantly, "They committed heinous crimes that warrant execution of their entire family. But His Majesty is merciful, considering their past contributions; thus, only their households were punished, sparing others."

Zhu Yunxuan's expression dimmed slightly. Liang Zhen noticed and curved his lips, "Ah, is His Majesty feeling regretful? Feeling sorry for them?"

"Dead is dead."

Liang Zhen smiled wryly, "It's indeed a pity. Those cabinet ministers were scholars with exceptional knowledge and pillars of the nation. However, they were overly rigid and insisted on opposing Your Majesty. Now, their reputations are ruined, and they've implicated their families. With Your Majesty newly ascended to the throne, it seems you lack trusted advisors."

Zhu Yunxuan looked coldly at Liang Zhen, "Isn't this exactly what you wished for?"

He did feel regret, as though Zhang Nianling and his ilk were stubborn, they were truly loyal to the throne and role models for the scholarly officials. With their support, he wouldn't be so passive and restricted. But alas, he wasn't chosen by Emperor Zhaoyang, and they naturally didn't pledge allegiance to him. For this supreme position, bloodshed was inevitable.

Liang Zhen's smile deepened, "Does His Majesty really distrust me so much? I just helped you ascend to the throne, yet you immediately turn against me, wary of my intentions. It truly breaks my heart."

Zhu Yunxuan didn't want to argue and simply said, "Was the Duke of Xian also swayed by you?"

"How could that be? Your Majesty overestimates my influence. The Duke of Xian is not someone I can sway easily." Liang Zhen shook his head with a smile. The Duke was merely a fickle opportunist who would shift with the wind; there was no need to deliberately court him.

Zhu Yunxuan gazed into the fire pit as the ashes, stirred by an unseen breeze, danced in the air. His eyes darkened further. "That jade seal... You knew all along that he had his sights set on Zhu Yunqiong?"

Liang Zhen raised an eyebrow. "What does His Majesty think?"

"Huh."

In the end, his father had never considered him from the beginning to the end. It was only his own stubbornness that refused to accept it. He and his elder brother were merely stepping stones for others, left behind by Emperor Zhaoyang. How tragic.