bioinnovel Chapter 35: A Shocking Decree, Ambitious Princes
Chapter 35: A Shocking Decree, Ambitious Princes
The next day, at the first light of dawn.
Nine heavy, distant tolls of the funeral bell rang out from the depths of the palace, echoing throughout the capital and announcing the end of an era.
Emperor Li De of the Great Qian Dynasty has passed away.
The entire capital was shrouded in a somber atmosphere of mourning.
But beneath this oppressive sorrow, surging forth an almost boiling ambition and murderous intent.
Everyone knows that the real showdown is about to begin.
Inside the main hall, civil and military officials, as well as all the adult princes in the capital, gathered together.
The eldest prince, the third prince, and others all wore expressions of grief.
But the glances they exchanged were filled with wariness and provocation.
Their trusted henchmen behind them had already placed their hands on the weapons at their waists.
With just a single command, a bloodbath will erupt in this sacred court.
Amidst this tense and eerie atmosphere, Wang Jian, the commander of the Imperial Guards, appeared, clad in heavy armor.
Holding a bright yellow imperial edict in his hands, he strode into the court.
"The late emperor's edict—!"
His booming voice echoed throughout the entire hall.
All the princes and ministers held their breath and pricked up their ears.
They knew that the moment that would determine the future of the Great Qian Dynasty had arrived.
Wang Jian slowly unfurled the imperial edict and read it aloud in a tone devoid of any emotion.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have inherited the legacy of my ancestors and reigned for over two hundred years, working diligently and without ever daring to slacken my efforts."
"However, fate has its time, and my lifespan is coming to an end. Although my princes have the bearing of an emperor, their virtue is not worthy of the throne, and they are not capable of inheriting it."
"Only the Ninth Princess, Yuechan, is of pure and kind nature, intelligent and quick-witted, and possesses the qualities of a benevolent ruler."
"My intention is to pass the throne to the Ninth Princess, Li Yuechan, as the new Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty."
"All subjects of my Great Qian Dynasty should wholeheartedly assist me in securing the stability of the nation."
"So be it!"
"Buzz—!"
The moment the will was read aloud, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence that lasted for several breaths.
Immediately following was a deafening uproar, like a volcanic eruption.
"Absurd! Utterly absurd!"
The eldest prince was the first to jump out. He pointed at Wang Jian and roared like a madman.
"Wang Jian! How dare you! Relying on your position as the Emperor's confidant, you dare to forge an imperial edict!"
"Since ancient times, has there ever been a precedent of a woman inheriting the throne?"
"Are you trying to make Daqian a laughingstock of the world?!"
"That's right! Wang Jian, you have treacherous intentions! You must have colluded with that little bitch to murder the Emperor and forge his will!"
The third prince followed suit, his words becoming even more vicious.
"We, your humble servants, second that request! We urge Your Highness, the Crown Prince, to seize this scourge and purge the court of corrupt officials!"
The aristocratic officials behind them echoed their sentiments, and the entire hall instantly descended into chaos.
Just then, accompanied by the tinkling of jade pendants, Ninth Princess Li Yuechan slowly walked out from the back hall.
She wore a wide dragon robe and a crown, already showing signs of becoming an emperor.
She walked step by step to the dragon throne that symbolized supreme power and sat down.
At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on her.
There was mockery, disdain, greed, and murderous intent.
However, to everyone's surprise, there was no fear or timidity on Li Yuechan's face.
There was only determination in her clear eyes.
She knew that from the moment her father handed her the imperial seal, she had no way out.
Retreat means death!
"My royal brothers."
Li Yuechan spoke slowly, her voice still carrying a touch of girlish immaturity, yet it was exceptionally clear and steady.
"Our late father's edict is here, written in black and white, and witnessed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards. Do you intend to disobey it?"
"Hmph! You little brat, you think you can sit in this position with just a will of dubious authenticity? Dream on!"
The eldest prince sneered and shouted at the several guards behind him.
"Attack! Seize this false emperor and the traitorous general Wang Jian!"
"Protect His Majesty!"
Wang Jian roared, drew his sword from his waist, and suddenly unleashed the aura of a supreme master.
The hundreds of imperial guards behind him also drew their weapons in unison, protecting the dragon throne completely.
The princes' skilled fighters also stepped forward.
The two sides formed an armed standoff in front of the palace, and a major battle was imminent.
Li Yuechan sat on the cold dragon throne, her small hands gripping the armrests tightly.
She looked down at her brother, the emperor, with his狰狞 (zhengning - ferocious) face, and at the civil and military officials, each with their own ulterior motives.
She was well aware that she had no political skills and no real power of her own.
Wang Jian, a single master, is simply not capable of controlling the current situation.
She was almost certain to lose this confrontation.
"Hahaha……"
The eldest prince laughed triumphantly.
"Brothers, ministers, Wang Jian and this vixen forged an imperial edict; their crime deserves death!"
"We should join forces, in the name of 'purging the court of corrupt officials,' to depose the false emperor and restore order to our Great Qian Dynasty!"
His proposal was immediately echoed by the other princes.
They reached a consensus and prepared to temporarily join forces.
Let's deal with the Imperial Guards first, then we can discuss the question of who will inherit the throne.
Dark clouds filled the sky over the capital.
The future of the entire Daqian Dynasty hangs on a thread.