kingnovel Chapter 322 The Emperor’s Death
Chapter 322 The Emperor’s Death
........
the other side.
In the capital, inside the palace.
Concubine Zhang looked at the unconscious Ning Yuanwu, and finally a look of determination appeared on her face.
She and Ning Yuanwu still had feelings for each other, but in order to let her son ascend the throne, she had to be cruel.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. With Hong'er as our successor, the Daqian Empire will surely endure for generations to come."
Muttering something, Concubine Zhang picked up a cup of medicine on the table and fed it into Ning Yuanwu's mouth.
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"
"Pfft."
After the medicine was taken, only a moment later
Ning Yuanwu's body on the bed suddenly twitched
After struggling for a while, Ning Yuanwu spat out a mouthful of blood, his body stiffened, and he was no longer motionless.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry, but for Hong'er, I have to do this."
"Don't worry, when Hong'er inherits the throne, he will definitely revive Daqian's glory."
Concubine Zhang leaned over and gently stroked Ning Yuanwu's cold cheek.
.........
An hour later.
"Someone come quickly, His Highness has passed away."
Concubine Zhang's scream echoed throughout the palace.
Suddenly, the entire palace was in an uproar.
"His Majesty is dead?"
Upon hearing the news, Zhang Shiyuan's heart skipped a beat.
She knew her sister had done it.
"Come, seal off the palace immediately. No one is allowed to enter with weapons or guards. Anyone who violates this will be killed without mercy."
"Order the Right Guard to immediately close the four gates of the capital. No one is allowed to enter or leave the capital. Anyone who violates this will be killed without mercy!"
Zhang Shiyuan gave the order immediately.
He had no time to hesitate at this point, otherwise his sister and the entire Zhang family would surely die.
"promise."
When the deputy general heard the order, he immediately went down to carry it out.
Then, Zhang Shiyuan turned and walked towards the harem.
The harem was in chaos at this time.
The death of the emperor is definitely a huge disaster.
When the civil and military officials and concubines heard the news, they all rushed over.
At this moment, they all gathered in front of Ning Yuanwu's bed, crying.
Concubine Zhang was naturally standing among them, holding the eighteenth prince Ning Hong, who had just turned one year old, in her arms.
Ning Xuan, Ning Heng and other princes were also present, and they all looked gloomy.
Although they knew that their father was destined to die soon, they still felt sad when it really happened.
"Your Highness, Your Highnesses, the most urgent task right now is to quickly recall the Crown Prince and allow him to succeed to the throne to reassure the people."
At this time, the Minister of Rites reminded.
"What, let the prince succeed to the throne?"
"Minister Li, I'm afraid you've made a mistake."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhang's eyes widened with surprise.
"My Lady, what went wrong?"
"Your Majesty has passed away, and the Crown Prince has ascended the throne. This is a matter of course. What's wrong with that?"
Minister Li was surprised.
"Of course it is wrong, because His Majesty has already issued an edict deposing Crown Prince Ning Gao and enthroning the Eighteenth Prince Ning Hong as the new ruler."
"What? This is impossible?"
"The prince is fine, why is he being deposed?"
"Besides, the Eighteenth Prince has just come of age, how could he possibly be made Crown Prince?"
Minister Li looked at Concubine Zhang in disbelief.
"Yes, Third Brother is doing a good job. How could Father depose him from the throne?"
Princes Ning Xuan, Ning Heng and others were also extremely shocked.
All the ministers present couldn't believe it.
Depose Prince Ning Gao?
The Crown Prince has been the heir apparent for twenty years and is deeply trusted by His Majesty. How could he be suddenly deposed?
"Haha, I know you don't believe it, and I'm also very surprised, but this is the truth."
"Eunuch Wang, please take out the will and show it to everyone."
Concubine Zhang smiled lightly and spoke calmly.
"Yes!"
The chief eunuch Wang Cheng immediately took out a will and handed it to everyone.
After everyone opened it, they were all shocked.
This was indeed written by Ning Yuanwu himself, and the content of the will indeed abolished Prince Ning Gao's position as crown prince and appointed Ning Hong as the new crown prince.
"How could Your Majesty be so foolish as to depose the crown prince?"
Minister Li looked indignant and couldn't help but speak.
"Yes, Your Highness, why did you do such a foolish thing?"
“Impossible?”
"Yes, absolutely not."
The Minister of Revenue, the Minister of War, the Minister of Works and others all raised questions.
They are all on the prince's side, so of course they support him.
"Eunuch Wang, you are His Majesty's confidant. Tell me, why did His Majesty do this?"
Minister Li looked directly at Wang Cheng.
"My Lords, I am but a servant. How dare I speculate on your Majesty's intentions?"
"But this is indeed His Majesty's will."
Wang Cheng glanced at Concubine Zhang and said with his head down.
If you want to poison Ning Yuanwu, how can you succeed without Wang Cheng's cooperation?
Including the forged will, it was actually done by Wang Cheng.
To put it bluntly, Wang Cheng had already been bribed by Concubine Zhang.
Upon hearing this, the ministers' expressions changed slightly.
They all looked at Concubine Zhang at the same time.
There was also General Zhang Shijie of Wuwei who stood behind and remained silent.
At this moment, they all seemed to realize something.
"Why, do you have any questions?
Concubine Zhang glanced at everyone indifferently.
"this……"
The ministers looked at each other and finally fell silent.
They were all very clear about the current situation, and even if they continued to argue, nothing would change.
If we want to see a turnaround in this matter, we can only wait until the prince returns to the capital.
At that time, as long as they fully support him, the prince will still be able to sit on the throne.
"Okay, I've read the will. Do you have anything else to say?"
Concubine Zhang's beautiful eyes flickered as she spoke slowly.
"I will obey your orders!"
Although they were extremely unwilling, there was nothing they could do at the moment.
Not to mention that Concubine Zhang has the imperial edict in her hand.
More importantly, Zhang Shijie controlled the imperial guards of the capital.
"In that case, let's immediately prepare for the national mourning and coronation ceremony."
"A country cannot be without a leader for a day. Daqian is currently facing a precarious situation and needs someone to take charge of the overall situation."
"From today on, I will temporarily take over the position of Regent and assist the new Emperor in handling state affairs!"
Concubine Zhang said coldly.
"Yes."
The ministers knelt down and bowed.
"Very good, let's go.
"Your Highnesses, please stay for a moment."
Concubine Zhang waved her hand and spoke to Ning Xuan and other princes.
"Yes, I will take my leave."
Soon, many ministers left, and only Ning Xuan and a few other princes remained in the room.
"My Lady, what is it that you have left us here for?"
Ning Xuan looked at Concubine Zhang with confusion.
"Of course there is something, and it concerns your life and property."
Concubine Zhang looked at Ning Xuan and said solemnly.