Chapter 126   Decree of Abdication

The Emperor replied, “Based on the clues I’ve found, the mastermind behind your assassination does not point to the Peng Mansion. However, the results obtained from them are inconsistent with what I found. Just at this time, the ugly deeds of the Peng family have been exposed. I can’t help but have doubts.”

Unexpectedly, the Emperor found clues. In fact, the Crown Prince also had suspicions, but Prince Ming Ge was far away in Shu County and there was no need to rush.

The Crown Prince asked, “Who do the clues found by Father point to?”

“If the Emperor knows, why did the Peng Mansion get raided and imprisoned?” inquired the Crown Prince.

The Emperor looked into the distance and replied, “I don’t have concrete evidence, only some clues and speculations that are not enough for conviction, so I won’t tell you.”

He continued, “As for the Peng family, I have already prepared the abdication for you. Since you feel you can’t keep them, it’s up to you. Besides, the Peng family’s misdeeds deserve punishment!”

The Crown Prince didn’t feel uncomfortable being caught off guard; he just felt he needed to learn more from the Emperor.

The Emperor added, “I only hope that after working hard all my life to bring peace and prosperity to all the people, it will be even stronger and more prosperous in your hands. Remember, political schemes are one part, but the more important part is ensuring the people are stable and prosperous.”

The Crown Prince earnestly replied, “I will heed Father’s teachings.”

The Emperor relaxed his expression and said, “Alright, Jin Er, I’ve told you everything I needed to. I’ve already consulted the Qintian Observatory, and on the 18th of next month, which is an auspicious day, I will abdicate in your favor.”

The Crown Prince was taken aback and said, “Father…”                           

The Emperor waved his hand, “No need for more words. I’ve made my decision. After the abdication, I will move to the Xishan Palace.”

With a hint of anticipation in his expression, the Emperor continued, “As for the Peng Mansion, you handle it. I don’t want to deal with this matter anymore.”

Until he returned to the Palace, the Crown Prince was still somewhat dazed.

The Emperor’s sudden announcement was a bit overwhelming for him. To be honest, he wasn’t prepared for this. Although the Emperor said he was preparing to abdicate in his favor, he thought it would take three to five years, as the Emperor was still young.

Seeing his concern, Shu Yuwan asked, “Jin Er, what’s wrong?”

The Crown Prince collected his thoughts and explained the situation to Shu Yuwan.

Shu Yuwan, not as subtle as the Crown Prince, instantly broke into a big smile, “Jin Er, this is good news. We don’t have to worry anymore.”

In her heart, Shu Yuwan thanked all the gods and Buddhas.

Seeing Shu Yuwan so happy, the Crown Prince couldn’t help but smile and teased, “I see you’re even happier than me.”

Shu Yuwan playfully replied, “If Your Highness becomes the Emperor, then I will be the Empress. The Empress is the most noble woman in the world. This future Empress is different from other Empresses. I won’t have to share the Emperor with anyone else. Can I not be happy?”

The Crown Prince was delighted. Previously, Yuwan had a somewhat indifferent attitude towards spending a lifetime together, but now things had changed.

The next morning, the Emperor officially issued a decree, announcing that on the 18th of next month, he would formally abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince.

The court was in an uproar.

Many ministers tried to persuade the Emperor to reconsider, but a few senior officials knew that the Emperor had already made up his mind, so they stopped after a few words of persuasion.

Indeed, no matter what the courtiers said, the Emperor simply ended the discussion with a single statement of “My decision is final.”

After the court session, the Crown Prince was surrounded by ministers, and similarly, members of the Shu family were present. Wei Guogong, watching the momentum of the Shu family, maintained a smile on his face but felt uneasy inside.

The Crown Prince was about to become the Emperor. If, at that time, the Crown Prince married Unparalleled as a concubine, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne next month, he could unite with other ministers, using the Shu family’s double marriage as a reason to request the Crown Prince to appoint an Empress!

Now, they could only watch as the Shu family prospered.

With the Shu family being ennobled in the future and having the Crown Prince as their son-in-law, no one would pay attention to their family.

Look, these opportunists were already currying favor with a mere attendant!

When the Consort Xian and Consort Zhang received this news, they were thunderstruck.

The Consort, with a sudden realization, said to the dumbfounded Fifth Prince in the hall, “No wonder they targeted our Peng family. It turns out they were paving the way for their precious son!”

Her eyes took on a rare sinister look as she continued, “Destroying the Peng family just to pave the way for the Crown Prince’s ascension. The Emperor’s cruelty towards us is extreme!”

Turning to the Fifth Prince, both of them lost their usual demeanor and directly provoked, “Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, and you are not yet of age to establish your own mansion, you will have to rely on your Crown Prince brother for a living in the future!”

The Fifth Prince did not engage in this exchange. Since the Consort asked him to plead for the Peng family, and he refused, they had already fallen out. The Fifth Prince understood that the Consort and the Peng family were no longer of much use, and he couldn’t risk his own future for them.

Even if the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he could still continue as an innocent and unthreatening younger brother of the Emperor.

If there were no opportunities in the future, he would still be a wealthy and noble prince. There was no need to sacrifice himself for the doomed Peng family.

Feeling ashamed, he replied, “Yes! It’s all because of my uselessness, not earning Father’s favor.”

Seeing the Fifth Prince’s reaction, the Consort realized her persuasion was futile.

Small in stature but full of cunning.

The Consort didn’t want to escalate the situation and reluctantly replied, “It’s not your fault. You’ll have to rely on yourself from now on!”

After years of planning, all their schemes were shattered by the Emperor’s abdication.

The Consort resented the Emperor’s ruthlessness but was powerless to act.

All she could do was bide her time.

When the power gap with the enemy was too great, restraining oneself in the heat of the moment was the best choice.

Consort Zhang was in a similar situation.

After the incident of the Emperor poisoning, Consort Zhang had been under house arrest and was gradually being abandoned by the forces around her.

Consort Zhang secretly berated the Emperor in the palace and, using the last of her remaining influence, quickly sent the news to Prince Ming Ge in Shu County.