TRBDM -Chapter 208 The Emperor Passes Away

“Mm.” Xie Wanrou responded softly.

Jiang Yuelin felt satisfied and rode off.

The whispers between this perfect couple were observed by everyone, and from afar, all who watched exchanged knowing smiles.

After seeing Jiang Yuelin off, the family entered the Marquis Residence with cheerful faces.

Back at Anhe Courtyard, before anyone had even sat down, Wei Zhaorong had people begin preparations for Xie Wanrou’s engagement.

Nanny Qi’s mouth practically stretched to her ears: “This servant will go prepare immediately!”

In an instant, the Marquis Residence became bustling with activity.

As evening approached, Wei Zhaorong was flipping through the calendar, selecting an auspicious date, when a guard rushed in.

“Old Madam!” The guard’s face was full of shock.

Wei Zhaorong sensed something was wrong and immediately set down the calendar. “What’s happened?” she asked.

“The Emperor has passed away.”

“What!”

The calendar fell to the ground, and Wei Zhaorong sprang to her feet.

The Emperor had passed away?

And half a month earlier than in her previous life.

“What’s the situation in the palace?”

“Not good. Third Prince has taken control of the Taihe Hall. His Highness the Crown Prince has been stopped outside and can’t get in at all.”

It seemed Zhao Jingyan intended to act directly.

Taihe Hall—

Chief eunuch Li Fuan knelt before the bed of Zhao Kuang, weeping bitterly.

Zhao Jingyan sat on the throne where Zhao Kuang usually sat, hands resting on the armrests, his face devoid of a trace of sorrow.

On the floor, a number of palace maids and eunuchs knelt, all wailing with grief.

Zhao Jingyan, growing impatient, dug his fingers into his ear and barked, “Finished crying yet? If you’re done, hand over the imperial will.”

Before falling seriously ill, Zhao Kuang had already drafted his will. Over these past days, Zhao Jingyan had been trying to learn its contents.

Rumor had it the will named the Crown Prince, Zhao Jingxuan, as heir.

He had his men watch Taihe Hall closely and, when Zhao Kuang was down to his last breath, immediately surrounded the hall.

Seeing no one speak, Zhao Jingyan approached Li Fuan and delivered a sharp kick.

Li Fuan, already advanced in age, couldn’t withstand the blow; he was almost sent flying and collapsed on the ground.

“Eunuch Li, if you’d told me sooner, you wouldn’t have had to suffer this, right?”

Li Fuan’s head struck the floor, blood streaming from the wound.

By the time Crown Prince Zhao Jingxuan arrived, he was too late. Taihe Hall was already completely surrounded, and with insufficient men, he could not get through.

“Boldly done! Who are you, to dare seize Taihe Hall?”

Zhao Jingxuan’s face was pale, his entire body trembling with rage.

His father had passed away—he felt unbearable grief and almost lost his soul entirely.

Without Zhao Kuang’s backing, Zhao Jingxuan was no match for Zhao Jingyan.

His angry shouts had no effect; the two sides were on the brink of conflict.

The longer time dragged on, the worse it was for Zhao Jingxuan.

“Hurry, go to the Princess’s Mansion and bring the Eldest Imperial Sister!”

At a national crisis, only Zhao Lingchen could maintain order.

Before long, all princes and princesses in the palace arrived at Taihe Hall, including Zhao Jingheng.

“Your Highness, Father… he—”

The Seventh Prince spoke with a face full of sorrow, tears streaming down.

Seeing that all had arrived, the Crown Prince immediately spoke with righteous indignation:

“Our father has passed away, and the nation mourns. Yet the Third Prince has sent people to occupy the Taihe Hall, refusing everyone entry to see His Majesty for the last time. Brothers and sisters of the imperial family, such a treasonous and irreverent act cannot be tolerated.”

Upon learning that Zhao Jingyan had taken control of the Taihe Hall, the princes who had been grieving and enraged suddenly fell silent, closing their mouths.

The factions among the princes had long been divided.

Only the Fourth Prince, loyal to the Crown Prince’s faction, echoed him: “Your Highness is right. Step aside quickly, or do you intend to rebel?”

The imperial guards surrounding the Taihe Hall were part of the palace army.

They had long been brought under Zhao Jingyan’s command.

“The Third Prince has commanded us to guard the Taihe Hall. Crown Prince, please remain calm,” one of the guards said.

“Do you imperial guards not know that this is an act of treason?”

The head of the guards remained unmoved, answering only: “We serve at the command of the Third Prince.”

“Impudent! The Emperor’s body is barely cold, and yet you dare rebel—are you not afraid of losing your heads?”

No matter how angrily the Crown Prince berated them, the guards did not budge.

As for Zhao Jingxuan, after cursing a few times, his chest heaved violently, almost leaving him breathless.

“Your Highness, Your Highness!”

A personal eunuch immediately stepped forward to support Zhao Jingxuan, smoothing his chest: “Your Highness, you must take care of your health.”

Zhao Jingxuan’s health had always been the highest priority of the Eastern Palace.

All sorts of precious medicinal remedies were used to prolong his life. Now, with his anger so intense, his body could not withstand it.

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached.

The Empress and the Noble Consort arrived at the Taihe Hall, one after the other.

“Mother, Mother, the Emperor has passed away.”

Zhao Jingxuan threw himself into the Empress’s arms, wailing uncontrollably.

He was not crying for Zhao Kuang, but for his own claim to the throne.

Mother and son shared one heart; the Empress knew well the grievance in her son’s heart.

Tears in her eyes, she patted Zhao Jingxuan’s back: “Do not cry, Xuan’er. You are the heir to the Eastern Palace and will one day enter the Taihe Hall. The Emperor has passed, yet someone harbors ill intent. You must compose yourself and carry out the Emperor’s final wishes.”

When the Noble Consort arrived, she overheard this and immediately retorted with displeasure: “Empress, your words are mistaken. The Emperor had been unconscious for days. He could not even speak during this time—how can there be a final will?”

Hearing the Noble Consort, the Empress felt a shiver run through her body, as if a thousand ants were crawling on her skin.

“Noble Consort, what do you mean by that? Do you intend to defy imperial command?”

The Noble Consort wiped the corners of her eyes, feigning tears and a quivering voice: “Empress, I was so grief-stricken upon hearing of the Emperor’s passing that I could not concern myself with any supposed final will.”

The Empress’s teeth ached with anger.

This green-eyed viper loved to pretend—now that the Emperor was dead, who is she pretending for?

The Empress closed her eyes to steady her breathing: “Since you are so concerned for the Emperor, then have the imperial guards leave at once so we may enter and see His Majesty.”

The Noble Consort massaged her temples, letting out a groan as she collapsed against her personal maid: “My head hurts, I feel so unwell, I just want to cry. Quickly, send for my brothers to the palace; I cannot endure any longer.”

Her eldest brother was the current Prime Minister, the second a Grand General, and the third commanded the imperial guards.

Her maternal family was full of high officials and allies.

It was precisely for this reason that Zhao Jingyan could be so arrogant, never considering the Empress or the Crown Prince.

Mentioning her three brothers, the Empress’s expression changed drastically.

The Emperor’s sudden passing tonight allowed Zhao Jingyan to seize the initiative. With the support of his uncles, whose influence in court was deeply entrenched, the Crown Prince was no match.

Could it be that the throne would really be handed to Zhao Jingyan?

The Empress could not accept it.

She knew the Emperor had issued a testament; as long as the edict existed, the Crown Prince was the legitimate heir.

Zhao Jingyan now surrounding the Taihe Hall must be searching for that edict!