Chapter 139: The Path to Ascension (5)

Chapter 139: The Path to Ascension (5)

On the morning of the ninth day of the first lunar month, lights were already lit in the Eastern Palace, where the crown prince resided.

Lin Yingxue helped Zhao Jiaze put on a green official robe, embroidered on the chest with a white pheasant in flight. The snow-white bird, with its black and white feathers, had a vivid red patch on its forehead.

This was the official robe from his time serving in Weilin Prefecture. The chest emblem was still embroidered by Lin Yingxue herself. Before leaving Weilin Prefecture, these robes had been carefully packed away, meant only as keepsakes. Yet, now they saw the light of day once more.

The robe had already been scented and carefully ironed.

Zhao Jiaze put on the official robe, and both husband and wife felt as if it were just yesterday. Wearing a fifth-rank official robe now feels different from before.

Once the robe was on, Lin Yingxue was about to stand on her tiptoes to place the court cap on his head, while Zhao Jiaze lowered his head to make it easier for her to adjust the hat.

"All done." Lin Yingxue gently pushed him on the back, and Zhao Jiaze straightened up, while Fei Yuan brought over a large mantle.

Lin Yingxue stood behind Zhao Jiaze and draped the mantle over him, covering the official robe, except for the black boots.

"I'll be going now." Zhao Jiaze nodded.

Lin Yingxue nodded as well.

Lin Yingxue did not leave the room. Outside, it was bitterly cold. Later, she would change and take the child to the Empress’s palace, where she would wait for news from the court.

Zhao Jiaze boarded the sedan chair and left the Eastern Palace. Normally, he would leave the palace at this time. Along the way, maids and eunuchs knelt on the ground, not daring to look up at the crown prince.

Thus, they did not notice that the crown prince was now wearing the court cap for entering court.

At the palace gate, the attendants noticed the prince’s unusual dress. One of them was shocked and was about to send a message to Concubine Chen's palace.

The person next to him pulled him back and pointed in the direction of Wei Wuhou.

"Look at Wei Wuhou."

Wei Wuhou was also among the court officials and even smiled at the crown prince from afar.

If Wei Wuhou had already sided with the crown prince, Concubine Chen, who only had the Emperor’s favor, was left with little influence.

Was there any reason to side with Concubine Chen?

The guard who intended to send the message straightened up.

He had his answer. Concubine Chen's influence had waned.

Zhao Jiaze was completely unaware of these minor power struggles among the guards. He walked forward and stood before the civil and military officials, who bowed low in respect.

"No need for such formality, esteemed officials. It is too much for me."

Zhao Jiaze removed his mantle, revealing the green official robe and the emblem of the white pheasant. He adjusted his court cap and received a tablet, which he held with both hands. He said, "I am the crown prince of Great Qi, but today, I have another identity, that of the deputy of Weilin Prefecture, a fifth-rank official of Great Qi, participating in the triennial evaluation with all of you."

Zhao Jiaze had been traveling with Grand Tutor Mi for over a month, and by now, the well-informed officials were aware of the crown prince's intentions.

The officials who were well-informed already knew that the crown prince would participate in this evaluation. Those less informed stole glances at the crown prince.

This was the crown prince, yet he was participating in the same evaluation. It would be interesting to see how he fared.

The active civil and military officials arrived first, followed by those in honorary positions and the nobles, and finally, the other princes who were eligible to attend court.

The other princes were shocked to see the crown prince in a green official robe.

The Third Prince wanted to make a last-ditch effort and said, "Prince, it seems unnecessary for you to participate in this three-yearly assessment."

"My official position has not been revoked," Zhao Jiaze said with a smile. "Naturally, I should participate in this assessment."

The position of Vice Magistrate of Weilin Prefecture would not be filled by a new appointee until after this assessment was completed. Therefore, there was no issue with Zhao Jiaze, as a fifth-rank official, attending the court evaluation session.

The Fourth Prince had intended to point out that Emperor Chengde clearly did not want the Crown Prince to attend court. Wouldn't the Crown Prince risk angering the Emperor by appearing?

Seeing several senior officials still speaking and laughing, the Fourth Prince swallowed all the words he had been about to say.

What was there to fear? Even if the Emperor were to fly into a rage, it would be directed at the Crown Prince, not him.

However, the Fourth Prince thought, the Emperor would undoubtedly be furious in court.

·

At first, Emperor Chengde did not notice the Crown Prince’s presence. The court was filled with officials in various colored robes and official hats. He raised his hand and said, "Rise, my lords."

Chen Zhong then called out, "Rise!"

Since the Crown Prince returned to court, Fu Bin had been marginalized. Now, the Emperor clearly favored Chen Zhong more.

There were many people in this court session. Zhao Jiaze, in his blue official robes, did not stand out in the crowd at all.

This was a long-planned assessment of officials from various regions. All Emperor Chengde needed to do was listen to the three assessment categories from each province: competent, average, and incompetent.

Lately, he had been quite vigorous in the bedchamber, but at night, he had been quite comfortable. During the day, he felt a lack of energy, as if something was missing to drive his vitality; even his bodily functions seemed lacking.

The Imperial Physician, after feeling his pulse, subtly advised him to practice moderation in matters of women.

Emperor Chengde, on one hand, did not wish to practice moderation because he believed he had performed vigorously. On the other hand, he wanted to give his beloved Concubine Chen a child to rely on, so he continued to work hard in the rear palace.

Unknowingly, Emperor Chengde’s energy was waning.

As he listened to the assessments, he became drowsy, and slowly his eyelids drooped.

In any case, the Ministry of Personnel had already clearly organized all the assessments. Later, he would just need to review the positions of the incompetent officials, promote the competent officials, and demote the incompetent ones.

The triennial assessment was the top priority for officials, but for Emperor Chengde, it was merely a tedious and lengthy court session he had to attend.

It was at this moment that Emperor Chengde heard the assessment of the fifth-rank Vice Magistrate of Weilin Prefecture.

There had been faint murmurs in the court, but they suddenly ceased. The hum that was conducive to napping disappeared, causing Emperor Chengde to open his eyes.

His wrinkled, drooping eyelids lifted, and his aged eyes met a pair of ambitious, familiar eyes. The man, wearing an official hat and a blue official robe, had a refined and handsome appearance, standing tall and dignified like a jade tree.

This person was…

The Crown Prince?!

Shouldn’t the Crown Prince be studying under Grand Tutor Mi? Grand Tutor Mi had been unwell, and the Crown Prince was supposed to leave the palace every day. In this freezing weather, the Crown Prince still had to leave the palace. Emperor Chengde felt a subtle sense of pity for the Crown Prince.

Why was he in court now?

He had clearly instructed the Crown Prince that, having been outside the palace for many years and unfamiliar with the rules, he should first study under the Tutor and not attend court, nor covet what he should not.

Emperor Chengde, still young and free from the hidden ailments of his predecessor, believed he could live for many more years. When the time came, he would have children with his beloved, who would raise them well. Only when that time arrived and he was truly old, would he pass the throne down safely.

The current Crown Prince is merely a figurehead set up by court etiquette to silence the nagging ministers. He intended to eventually dethrone this Crown Prince.

Emperor Chengde believed he had planned everything perfectly, but now Zhao Jiaze was attempting to change it?!

He had clearly instructed Zhao Jiaze not to attend the court meeting. Was Zhao Jiaze defying his orders?! Was he coveting the throne?!

Ha.

The energy and blood in Emperor Chengde's body surged, and the accumulated effects of the medication within him roiled. Emperor Chengde's vision darkened in waves.

If only Emperor Chengde had been less indulgent in the pleasures of women, he might not have reached this state. Now, his body stiffened, and he fell backward from his throne, sliding off the imperial seat.

Zhao Jiaze swiftly lifted his robes, rushed up the steps, and elbowed his way past Chen Zhong to support the sliding emperor.

"Father!" His voice was urgent, and his expression matched it, as if startled by Emperor Chengde's sudden fainting in court.

"Summon the imperial physician!" Zhao Jiaze said.

The Third Prince stood among the court officials, watching as the emperor slipped from the throne, while the Crown Prince stood next to the imperial chair.

The throne was within the Crown Prince’s grasp.

With just one step forward, the Crown Prince could ascend the throne.

Clad in the imperial yellow robe, he would rule the empire, awaiting the court officials’ shouts of ‘Long live the Emperor!’