CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 355: UNBELIEVABLE

The soldiers at the border require the Tiger Talisman to be mobilized.

But distant water can’t save a nearby fire; the soldiers at the border are unaware of the changes in the Capital City.

The Prince who seeks to usurp the throne only needs to control the Capital City. Once the die is cast, who would dare disobey?

Ascend to the throne with the mandate of the emperor, and it’s legitimate and rightful!

Because the Seventh Prince had access to the Emperor, he took the token and controlled the Capital City’s Imperial Guard and Imperial Army, thus controlling the broader situation.

Then, in the court, under the guise of worrying for the Emperor, he began to win over the ministers.

Under the current circumstances, no one could see the Emperor, and with the Seventh Prince controlling the situation, could the ministers really turn the tide?

Moreover, the Seventh Prince had always been prudent in his actions, and his reputation among the public was quite good. Now, by standing out to ease the Emperor’s worries, he naturally gains favor.

Even Pei Ji’an and Xiao Shiqing said nothing.

Thus half a month passed, and the Emperor’s condition showed no improvement.

Meanwhile, the Seventh Prince’s power became increasingly solidified; he felt he could achieve final success.

The so-called final success meant letting the old Emperor pass away, and he could directly inherit the throne.

The fabricated imperial decree had been stamped with the Jade Seal, and several ministers were brought to the Emperor’s bedside to take a look. At this time, the Emperor still had some consciousness but could not speak.

Still, there was a way to confirm it: asking the Emperor orally whether he would appoint the Seventh Prince as Crown Prince; if the Emperor agreed, he would nod, if he disagreed, he would shake his head.

Consort Zhang supported the Emperor to face the ministers, and after one minister finished asking, the Emperor remained motionless for a long time. Just as everyone thought there might be a turn of events, the Emperor suddenly lowered his head.

This was a sign of nodding.

But no one knew that Consort Zhang behind him was using a needle to prick the Emperor, causing him pain to the extent of lowering his head. This was instinct and the result of various methods tested by Consort Zhang and others behind the scenes.

Thus, no one suspected anything.

The Seventh Prince became the rightful Crown Prince. If the Emperor passed away, he would become the Emperor.

As a result, the other princes panicked.

The so-called contention for the throne is a winner-takes-all; whoever ascends to the throne, the other princes will not have a good end.

Moreover, the Imperial Physician said that the Emperor could pass away at any time due to his health.

Everyone began to worry about their safety.

The palace turmoil surged again; someone always wanted to make a bold move. You can’t just wait for death!

And just when the princes in the Capital City were fighting fiercely, the entire royal palace, along with the entire Capital City, had been surrounded and controlled by layers of guards.

The fact that Xiao Shiqing and Pei Ji’an were in Capital City and unable to leave, who could have such military strength?

The princes inside the palace were temporarily unaware, but Pei Ji’an and Xiao Shiqing, who had contact with them, knew well.

These forces were all remnants of the previous dynasty.

King Jie made his move.

Due to the palace upheaval, the pedestrians in the Capital City had significantly reduced. Apart from those opening their doors for business, there were hardly any pedestrians.

Rumor has it that the sky is about to change; who dares to venture out easily? One careless bump into the soldiers, and it would be over!

Not to mention the commoners, even the dignitaries and nobles dared not step out.

No one wanted to die in vain.

Even most of the businesses were closed because there were no customers; what’s the point of opening the door? If soldiers arbitrarily ate and drank as they passed by and left without paying a cent, what then?

Thus, everyone shut their doors if they could and stayed in if possible, bringing rare quietude to the entire Capital City.

These citizens were not interfered with as long as they didn’t obstruct the power struggle, which concerns only the upper echelons. Otherwise, if all the commoners were killed, what use is it to ascend the throne? Without citizens.

The forces of the remnants of the previous dynasty were indeed vast; perhaps they were putting everything on the line for a final battle, mobilizing all aspects.

The previous fighting amongst the princes was like child’s play, utterly insufficient compared to the forces of the previous dynasty’s remnants, akin to paper tigers, crushed in one stroke.

Including the Seventh Prince, who thought he had achieved great success by controlling the Imperial Army and Imperial Guard, but unfortunately, the other’s forces were greater.

If the Emperor hadn’t been able to root them out for years, what could these pampered princes accomplish?

King Jie was soon released from prison.

Even though he was dressed in rags, those guards who welcomed him at the door knelt neatly, shouting in unison—

"Salute King Jie!"

The momentum was immense; King Jie wielded power!

King Jie had suffered from ailments, but seeing the spectacle and finally achieving his long-cherished wish, he could ignore any ailment, bursting into a hearty laugh.

"Good, good, all rise."

His era has finally arrived.

Bathe, change clothes, enter the palace to seize power—a very straightforward and crude path.

All the consorts and princes in the palace were controlled, unable to move.

King Jie had no time to care for these people; his first matter was to see the Emperor.

The Emperor had just taken medicine, his mind a bit clearer, saving King Jie from troubling to wake him.

"I always said, who laughs last is uncertain, you didn’t believe it, hahahaha."

The Emperor looked furious, but helpless to move, could only glare at him in anger.

After King Jie finished laughing, he continued, "There’s one thing you might be in the dark about; your illness is because I had you poisoned. The one who personally poisoned you was your most beloved daughter, Princess Zhuyu. Surprised, aren’t you?"

With that, Princess Zhuyu was brought in, head lowered, not daring to look at the Emperor, her trembling and helpless demeanor showed great fear.

"You... you..." The Emperor raised his hand, pointing at Princess Zhuyu, "Wha—why..."

"Why?" King Jie laughed again, "Because she isn’t your daughter. She’s the daughter of the Governor of Yunzhou whose family you ordered to be executed. Having killed her entire family, do you think she’d spare you?"

"My... my daughter..." The Emperor struggled to speak, sweat streaming down his forehead, unable to utter a complete sentence.

King Jie laughed again, pausing before continuing, "Your daughter is now lying under some customer, a princess reduced to the lowest kind of prostitute, serving the filthiest clients. Do you want to see her? I’ll bring her to see you one last time, to thank you for bringing her into this world?"

"Cough cough..." The Emperor coughed violently, on the verge of gasping his last breath, "Bast—bastard, you bastard..."

"Me, a bastard?" King Jie laughed heartily, followed by a cold laugh, "If not for you, would I be where I am today? This throne was rightfully mine! You stole everything that once belonged to me!"

The Emperor, infuriated beyond words, looked ready to pass away at any moment.

Seeing this, King Jie remarked, "Oh, there’s one more thing. I should let you know before you die, so you die knowing the truth."

With these words, a mother and her son walked in.

The man approached King Jie and knelt down heavily, knocking his head on the ground, "Father!"

The Emperor’s eyes widened, trembling hands raised, pointing at the mother and child.

King Jie laughed heartily, personally helping them up, "Good son, stand up. You’ve raised him well all these years, you’ve worked hard."

The latter sentence was directed at the woman.

The woman approached, gracefully bowed, "Prince, you’re too kind, it’s what I should do."

This woman was none other than one of the Emperor’s consorts in his harem.

The most virtuous woman and the gentlest prince.