jdhmnovel Chapter 684 Imperial Edict Issued, Four Parties in Turmoil
Chapter 684 Imperial Edict Issued, Four Parties in Turmoil
"Your Highness! Your Highness! News has come from the palace that His Majesty personally wrote an imperial edict today."
Many people are now spreading rumors that this imperial edict is the one establishing the heir apparent!
With a "thud," a teacup fell onto the table, and tea spilled all over the floor along the table leg.
"Your Highness!"
"Whom did Father Emperor appoint as his successor?"
The Fifth Prince seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps asking the person beside him. The person beside him dared not answer rashly, since he did not know either.
"Your Highness, there are only rumors that His Majesty has established a crown prince, but it is unknown which prince he has specifically chosen."
The ministers in the court are currently discussing this matter. It's rumored that several have joined forces to try and gain an audience with the Emperor, but they're worried that this is just a baseless rumor and might incur His Majesty's wrath.
"How could this be baseless?! If such a rumor can spread, there must be some basis for it; the imperial edict must exist!"
Even though the young eunuch was the Fifth Prince's confidant, he dared not say anything more at this moment, as he sensed that the Fifth Prince's emotional fluctuations were very unusual.
It's like a volcano that's about to erupt at any moment; it doesn't need anyone to light it, it can erupt on its own at any time. He'd better not get himself into trouble.
Those closest to the Fifth Prince know his character best. He appears gentle and refined, but in reality, he is ruthless and cruel at heart.
Never be fooled by the Fifth Prince's gentle appearance and voice; his inner self can sometimes be unimaginably terrifying.
"No, I must go to the palace immediately. I must find out whether this matter is true or false."
The Fifth Prince didn't want to admit that he was a little flustered; he just felt that all his efforts and management had gone down the drain.
He had clearly given more than anyone else, even sacrificing his mother. Everything he had now was the result of his greater efforts than others.
If he were to be cut off from his position at this moment, he would be furious and unwilling to accept it!
If he loses the initiative at this crucial moment, he will have no choice but to disregard everything else.
At this moment, he seemed to understand the foolish things the eldest and third princes had done back then. Who would make a foolish decision to fight desperately if they weren't forced to a certain point?
After weighing the options, winning means possessing the world, while losing means possibly being reduced to ashes.
However, 99% of gamblers don't think about losing; they only think about winning.
When the Fifth Prince arrived at the palace gate from his residence, a large number of officials, both high and low, had already gathered outside the palace.
People whispered among themselves from time to time, gathering in small groups, and the topics they discussed were nothing more than "imperial edict" and "establishment of an heir apparent".
The connections between the Central Government and the Central Government are extensive and interconnected. Although some people do not belong to the same camp, they are surprisingly in sync at this time.
No one had arranged to come to the palace together to gather information, yet everyone arrived at roughly the same time.
These are all high-ranking officials who live near the palace; those minor officials are naturally not included.
Firstly, the information wasn't readily available, and secondly, they lived too far away; even if they knew something, it would be noon by the time they got there.
Moreover, whether or not an heir is chosen has little impact on low-ranking officials of the sixth or seventh rank, since they are never among those whom the princes try to win over.
Has Prime Minister Liu arrived?
"No, but Minister Lin did come. Oh? He was just here a moment ago, how come he's disappeared in the blink of an eye?"
"Minister Lin is His Majesty's confidant. Could he have already been summoned? Let's not act rashly for now. Wouldn't it be better to wait for Minister Lin to come out and ask him about the situation then?"
"That's fine, that's fine too. Even if we request an audience, His Majesty might not necessarily see us. If we all request an audience at once, it will seem like we're forcing the emperor to abdicate."
"Who can argue with that? But where did this news originally come from? Not just anyone can enter His Majesty's study."
"Who else? Not everyone who serves the emperor keeps their mouth shut. There are quite a few capable people in the harem, and everyone naturally has their own sources of information."
However, the person who first leaked the news probably didn't expect it to spread so widely so quickly.
"With such big news, we should sell as many copies as possible. You know what kind of life those eunuchs lead after leaving the palace. Which smart person wouldn't save up some money and have a way out?"
Two officials dressed in crimson robes were discussing something in low voices, which was overheard by a eunuch who was checking the situation inside the palace gates.
"Pooh!"
With a soft spit, the young eunuch returned to the imperial study to report.
"Xiao Wu, you're quick on your feet, you're back so fast. How's the situation outside?"
Xiao Wu didn't complain to his master. Instead, he reported everything he had seen and heard through the crack in the door to his master in detail.
There was no embellishment or personal emotion involved; it was purely a matter of repeating what was said.
The reason why Eunuch Wang sent Xiao Wu to eavesdrop was because Xiao Wu had a good memory and better hearing than the average person.
The officials outside the palace gates were all of the fifth rank or above. Xiao Wu was familiar with many of them and could even distinguish who was who by their voices.
"Master, that's how it is. Anyway, almost all the court officials are gathered outside the palace gates at this time, discussing it in groups of three or five."
I wonder when they'll leave, or if they're really going to block Minister Lin's path outside the palace gates?
Eunuch Wang nodded, indicating that he understood.
"Alright, you've worked hard too. Go back and rest. You're just a child, don't worry about this. I'll go and report to His Majesty now."
"Yes, that's right, Master, two of the adults said..."
"Oh? Alright, Master has remembered. These people have always looked down on us, which is normal. But whether their final fate will be better than ours is truly unknown."
Don't worry, Eunuch Wang gave a meaningful smile, and for some reason, Xiao Wuzi felt a lot of the pent-up anger in his chest dissipate.
"Master, then this disciple will take his leave."
"Go, go. Don't discuss matters outside with anyone else. Others may discuss them, but these words must remain confined to the Emperor's presence."
How others spread the word is their business. Master doesn't want your involvement in this, hmm?
"I understand, Master, please rest assured!"
The chief eunuch gave his apprentice a few instructions before returning to the palace to report.
Like Xiao Wuzi, Eunuch Wang was a detached, emotionless parrot, never adding personal feelings or embellishments, showing no favoritism or intentional harm to anyone, including the two ministers who called them eunuchs.
"It's over, Your Majesty. I'm not going to be able to leave now. You'll have to take care of my meals. I guess I'll have to have lunch, dinner, and supper at your place."
Minister Lin wore a bitter expression, now filled with envy for his old friend who had already stepped down as Minister of Works.