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Inviting the New Emperor Three Times (2)
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
In a short two three days, although the skies weren’t filled with the scent of blood, the entire capital was still filled with anxiety. Even the people that didn’t participate in the matter all weren’t necessarily able to carry a cheerful look. And for those that carried relations with the ones involved, they all ran around as much as possible, wanting to give their humble effort for the people in prison. On this matter, the Luo family bore the brunt of the force.
It couldn’t be helped. Li Hong Yuan didn’t have a maternal family, so the ones that were the closest with him were just his wife’s family, the Luo family. Moreover, Li Hong Yuan deeply valuing Jing Wan, this also for the most part became a common knowledge. As such, for those people to look for the Luo family, it was something that can’t be more normal. Under this kind of situation, even if the Luo family want to shut the gates and decline guests, it was still very difficult. There will always be people that can find connections to scale the gates, just like those that had relations with the Luo family or with Luo family’s in-laws. With these people, it naturally wasn’t good to make the relationship too tense.
And among these people, the ones that needed Luo Old Madam to personally come out to receive weren’t many. However, it wasn’t the same for Jing Wan’s mother and her aunts. For the most part, they can be considered to be entertaining guests one after another, not even having time to stop for a rest, especially, as Jin Wangfei’s mother, Zhang-shi. She has never been this popular before, but she also wasn’t good at dealing with this kind of matter. However, she kept in mind Luo Old Madam’s words. All in all, regardless of who, regardless of what they say, and regardless of whether or not she understood their meaning, all pretend to not understand, and don’t promise anything.
Zhang-shi also felt quite sullen. If really like that, then once the matter was over, her reputation as a ‘sweet naive idiot’ most likely can spread throughout the capital. However, for the sake of not causing trouble for her daughter, she still firmly carried out her mother-in-law’s words.
The younger generation also weren’t spared, especially Sun Yi Jia. The great majority of the Ding Duke Manor all entered the prisons, but there were numerous married daughters of the Ding Duke Manor. Those elders all tearfully pleaded before her, even disregarding their status and directly kneeling down towards her. This already wasn’t asking for help, but rather coercing.
Sun Yi Jia’s complexion was dark to the point of dripping ink, but she very firmly held on to her principles, not agreeing to anything.
It goes without saying, this kind of attitude, naturally just angered those people. The tearful pleading became loud cursing, things such as having no heart, having no conscience, and an ingrate were actually still considered relatively civil. In the end, because the situation truly became too ugly, they got driven out by Luo Old Madam.
Sun Yi Jia actually didn’t cry, but one can tell, she was probably very unwell, making one heartache for her. In this way, it would’ve been better for her to cry it all out.
The high ministers of the court that weren’t involved, at this time, were still waiting outside Le Cheng Emperor’s bed chambers. Of the four cabinet ministers, only three remained. Aside from the Head Minister of Revenue that had already retired, with his position still vacant all this time, of the remaining five head ministers, only three remained. Other than the Head Minister of Rites, the Head Minister of War also got thrown in.
Wait another half day, if……
“Everyone, his Majesty has awaken.” The chief eunuch by Le Cheng Emperor’s side came out to report first thing.
Once the high ministers entered, the imperial physicians all hurriedly retreated to one side.
“We subjects greet your Majesty.”
However, Le Cheng Emperor could only vigorously ‘ah ah ah’, from the looks of it, unable to produce clear sounds. Moreover, his mouth clearly was a bit crooked, his right hand also bending inwards.
——–His Majesty suffered from a stroke, becoming paralyzed. The high ministers practically came to this kind of conclusion first thing. However, this way was also good.
Ruan Rui Zhong didn’t get up, instead having the matters after the rebellion reported to him one by one. Le Cheng Emperor seemingly wanted to say something, but unfortunately, no one understood. And in reality, there was no need to understand. Regardless of what Le Cheng Emperor wanted to say now, his words already weren’t important.
Once the overall matters were said, it was just time for today’s main topic. They first denounced Kang Qinwang and Rui Qinwang’s greatly disgraceful conduct, failing to live up to the emperor’s upbringing and teachings towards them, eloquently rambling a bunch. Afterwards, it was just stating that the country cannot lack a ruler for a day, and at present, the emperor’s body needs rest, so should pass down the throne in order to peacefully recuperate.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
That’s right, it wasn’t establishing some heir apparent to supervise the country, but rather directly yielding the throne to the new emperor.
Le Cheng Emperor’s eyes widened even more, his eyes seemingly saying: ‘This emperor still haven’t died!’
As for the high ministers kneeling below, regardless whether they made out his meaning or not, aside from the person speaking, the rest all had their eyes lowered, ignoring him.
Since they need someone to come be the emperor, then naturally it was just picking one from among the princes. The ones that have already entered the imperial prisons certainly were out of the question, and as for the others, since it’s already known that they’d gotten poisoned with infertility medicine, speaking from the perspective of descendants, there really was just Li Hong Yuan left. However, this bit, there was no need to bring out to provoke Le Cheng Emperor. Besides, even if they have no descendants, they can still adopted from within the imperial clan, believe that many people will be very willing. That’s why, this actually wasn’t considered a hard condition.
The overly young imperial princes were naturally excluded, while the ones in front all had their various flaws pulled out one by one, from their birth, to their temperament, to their abilities. After running through all of them, there seemingly was just Li Hong Yuan left. And towards Li Hong Yuan, they just began praising in all kinds of ways. His birth mother was the Imperial Noble Consort, and the Imperial Noble Consort was known as the secondary empress. In this way, Li Hong Yuan can be considered half a di son. Just based on this, he already pulled ahead of the others by a mile. Afterwards, they just praised his other aspects, and moreover, for the most part, even picked words that Le Cheng Emperor once said in the past. From head to toe, from the inside to the outside, there just wasn’t anything bad about him.
This kind of person was just a natural-born ruler. The throne, aside from him, who else can it go to?
The people listening were dumbstruck. Was this really talking about the living Enma?
Even though Jin Qinwang didn’t care for his own reputation, disregarding his image, they nevertheless can’t disregard. An emperor’s reputation, sometimes, was directly linked to a country’s stability.
That’s why, they must cover up, embellish, and package him. For instance, regarding him being a ghost child, and having participated in the rebellion, those all can’t be leaked out in the slightest. Even if quite a few people knew, as long as it wasn’t having holes in the brain, all won’t mention. Without needing Li Hong Yuan to issue a mouth sealing order, they will all voluntarily seal their mouths.
Ruan Rui Zhong had what should be said all said, and afterwards, personally acted, drafting an edict. Afterwards, he had the imperial edict and imperial jade seal sent before Le Cheng Emperor, “Requesting your Majesty to use the seal.”
Le Cheng Emperor right now simply didn’t have the strength to pick up the imperial jade seal. Moreover, getting forced like this, it would be strange for him to actually use it. He glared at Ruan Rui Zhong with an angry and resentful look, seemingly never having known this capable head cabinet minister of his before.
Ruan Rui Zhong had his head and eyes lowered, appearing very deferential, as he held Le Cheng Emperor’s hand, pressing down the jade seal. The anger in Le Cheng Emperor’s eyes practically was about to solidify.
Shortly after, Ruan Rui Zhong held the imperial jade seal, retreating back to his original position, “We subjects will solemnly follow your Majesty’s imperial edict.” Getting up, he earnestly urged a few words, take good care of his Majesty.
The others had the entire process all taken in, gasping in amazement, impressive, truly impressive. Even Luo Pei Shan also admitted that he couldn’t compare.
“Some things ultimately need someone to go do.” Ruan Rui Zhong held the imperial decree, solemnly sighing, “This official is already this old, not having that much time left. When the new emperor ascends the throne, still need everyone to assist, and when time comes, this official will also retire.”
Upon hearing, the others mostly fell silent, understanding Ruan Rui Zhong’s intentions. This matter, he will shoulder the responsibility. Of course, it’s best if there are no problems.
Jin Qinwang’s attitude, they all saw. Rather than letting him use bloody methods to achieve his goal, it was better for them to give him a path, letting him legitimate ascend the throne, so as to avoid the casualties of innocent people, also preventing a possible disturbance. Moreover, when it comes to ability, Jin Qinwang should be the most optimal candidate. Although they’ve never seen him handle matters, just based on the things he’s done in secret, one can still deduce a thing or two. The only thing that needed to be worried about was probably still his temperament. If really indefinitely moody, sigh………..
Luo Pei Shan casted a glance at Ruan Rui Zhong, inwardly cursing, you old fox. He didn’t believe that he was really this righteous, sacrificing himself for others. This clearly was just using the opportunity to show off. However, if not for knowing the matters he’d done in secret, perhaps really would’ve gotten deceived.
Clearly, the same thing, yet precisely because he was Jin Wangfei’s grandfather, if it was done by him, then he certainly would get viewed as having selfish motives, but this old fox doing it, others would just lament a few words, even cupping their hands and bowing to express their gratitude.
“Cabinet minister carries a virtuous cause, harboring the people in one’s heart. We all are very lacking.”
Just listen to him! Luo Pei Shan’s mouth twitched, lowering his head, so as to avoid accidentally revealing his emotions.
“No need to say more. Right now, the capital is very chaotic. We should respectfully invite the new emperor to ascend the throne to oversee the general situation.” Ruan Rui Zhong said, flinging his sleeve.
“Precisely so.”
Thus, a group of people grandly left the palace, going to Jin Qinwang Manor to pass on the decree. At this time, it naturally can’t be left to the eunuchs.
As soon as they left the palace, the news just spread out in the fastest speed. Before they even reached Jin Qinwang Manor, the people that should know all knew.
During this time, it’s not that there weren’t those that thought, ‘no wait, we shouldn’t let Li Hong Yuan, such a person, sit on the throne’, but after pondering back and forth, they ultimately didn’t stand out. Sacrificing one’s life to make a stance, ‘leaving behind one’s name in history’, this kind of thing, it’s not like everyone had the courage to do, especially when facing someone like Li Hong Yuan. You dying was completely just dying in vain.
With the Ministers of the Inner Cabinet and the Head Ministers of the Ministries in the lead, the court officials kneeled before Jin Qinwang Manor, raising the imperial decree with both hands, respectfully inviting Jin Qinwang to ascend the throne as emperor.
And this imperial decree, although it was within expectation, Jing Wan still felt that their work efficiency was a bit high, settling the matter this quickly. Did their heart not even struggle a little?
Li Hong Yuan seemingly made out what she was thinking, pinching her lustrous earlobes that weren’t wearing earrings, “There are a lot more ‘elites’ of the court than you think.”
No matter when, there actually never lacked people that had unflinching righteousness, just sometimes, it wasn’t easy to say.
“Then wangye, what are you doing now, are you not planning to go out to receive the decree?” Seeing a certain someone completely unmoved, Jing Wan kept having a bad premonition.
“They want this prince to ascend the throne, so this prince should just ascend the throne?” Li Hong Yuan glanced at her.
Jing Wan silently stared at him for a moment. Forget it, not going to bother. Although Qi Yuan didn’t have the practice of ‘inviting the new emperor three times[1]‘, letting him start it wasn’t impossible. Since he liked messing around, just let him be, and let those court officials start training their hearts now.
[1] It’s basically the practice of the court officials going to invite the new emperor three times, and the new emperor only accepts the third time. It’s meant to show off the new emperor’s humbleness, and how he really ‘doesn’t want’ to be the emperor but accepts because of the officials’ pleading.
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Even though Li Hong Yuan forcefully got the throne, the poor ministers still need to “humbly beg” him to take it, lol. I can only imagine what they’d feel like having to do that.
Thanks for the chapter and for translating this series! 😀