Chapter 128: Premeditated Ambush (1/2)

Chapter 128: Premeditated Ambush

Translator: OnGoingWhyEditor: Vermillion

Lian Fu unfurled the imperial edict and let out a light cough. The sound resounded within the Main Hall, causing everyone present to feel a sudden uneasiness. Everyone was looking at him and the expression on each of their faces was distinctive.

The crown prince's face was full of confidence and his eyes were flashing with an intense brightness, as if victory was in his grasp. On the other hand, King Yu's face was filled with indifference as if he was not interested in the posthumous edict in the slightest, while Ji Chengxue's head was lowered as he played with his own fingers.

Zhao Musheng was standing on the spot with his eyes narrowed, and his body was slightly swaying. The elderly Ouyang was pursing his lips and staring at Lian Fu...

Inside the imperial court, there was a difference in the expression of every single person. However, without any exception, their minds were focused on Lian Fu's every action and were attentively listening to the posthumous edict Lian Fu was about to read aloud.

Lian Fu's high-pitched voice resounded within the Main Hall. The content of the posthumous edict was not long. The beginning of the edict was a recount of Emperor Changfeng's military accomplishments and everyone present knew about them well enough. Their attention was not focused on them but rather on the end of the edict: the successor chosen by the late emperor and the eventual ownership of the throne.

Was it the crown prince? Or was it King Yu?

”The third prince, Chengxue, has an upright moral character and greatly resembles me. He is certainly capable of inheriting my empire. He shall succeed my throne and become the next emperor.”

However, when Lian Fu read out the end of the edict, the entire imperial court was so quiet that they would hear a pin dropping. Everyone was stupefied.

In His Majesty's edict... the successor chosen was… the third prince?

This was as if a bolt out of the blue had suddenly struck the Main Hall, causing everyone present to be somewhat dumbfounded.

The expression on the crown prince's face completely froze and his eyes were wide from shock. His face was filled with incredulity and his mouth was slightly opened, seemingly suspecting whether he had heard wrongly.

King Yu was bewildered as well. He turned his head and looked toward Ji Chengxue, who was standing beside him. Incredulity was swirling deep inside his eyes.

Zhao Musheng's squinted eyes were opened. The elderly Ouyang almost pulled his beard off. The fawning smile on the Minister of Finance's face stiffened and he almost bit his own tongue...

This was a result that no one had expected. No one could imagine that a prince who had always been sent on expeditions outside of the border by the late emperor and had always been disregarded and even disliked would actually be chosen as the successor.

”Hahaha!”

Just when the Main Hall was silent as a grave, a burst of laughter suddenly rang out. The man with a full beard standing next to Ji Chengxue could not help but burst out with laughter.

”What happened to your arrogance from before? Now, all of you know who has the last laugh. Look at that stupefied expression on King Yu's face... Where did his cockiness from before go?” the man with a full beard thought.

He was really delighted as he looked at the constipated expressions on the faces of the crown prince and King Yu. He could not help but burst out with laughter. Previously, while they were outside of the Gate of Heavenly Mystery, he was really irritated by King Yu's disdainful gaze.

Ji Chengxue was slightly astonished as well. Thereafter, the corners of his mouth curled up as he patted the shoulder of the man with a full beard and softly said, ”Stop that, we're still in the Main Hall.”

The man with a full beard stopped laughing but the smile on his face could not be wiped away no matter what he did.

Even though Lian Fu was the one who read the posthumous edict aloud, he did not know the contents beforehand. It was only truly made known at that moment, and even he was extremely bewildered. He thought, ”I didn't expect… His Majesty to choose the third prince in the end.”

Next, Ji Chengxue adjusted his clothes and solemnly went forward to accept the posthumous edict with a respectful expression.

The crown prince furiously snorted and left in a huff with an ashen face.

King Yu gave Ji Chengxue a meaningful glance as well and expressionlessly left.

It was an outcome that nobody expected, causing everyone to be still unable to recover from their surprise. On the imperial court, all of the high-ranking officials were in a somewhat melancholic mood. They had already chosen a side but the chosen successor was not who they chose.

Zhao Musheng had already left. Before leaving, he gave Ji Chengxue a long and hard look. That look was filled with deep meaning.

...

After walking out of the Main Hall and passing through the Gate of Heavenly Mystery, the same two figures were walking within the swirling snow. Ji Chengxue was somewhat silent for a moment. His mood was already completely different from when they came.