RPAGF Chapter 452 Coup
Chapter 452 Coup
The daytime weather was exceptionally fine, with a gentle breeze and bright sunshine, so clear it seemed to wash away all gloom.
Lady Zhaohua served the Emperor his medicine as usual, and then chatted with him gently by his bedside for a few moments.
The medicine took effect quickly, and the emperor's eyelids gradually became heavy. Before long, he fell into a deep sleep.
Lady Zhaohua stood beside the dragon bed, gazing down at the man who had once dominated her destiny but was now as withered as rotten wood, a complex and indescribable feeling passing through her heart.
Having reached this point, she unconsciously tightened the handkerchief between her fingers, a mixture of resolute determination and subtle apprehension churning within her.
It's no wonder she was driven to this point; it was this deep palace and this cruel fate that gradually forced her here.
He's already exhausted and on his deathbed, shouldn't he at least leave a way out for the living?
Once the thought arose, it quickly overwhelmed the insignificant guilt, leaving only a cold and hardened heart.
As evening fell, Murong Jun entered the palace. The moment the mother and son's eyes met, without a word, they saw an almost burning excitement deep in each other's eyes.
The crown prince, however, seemed completely unaware.
He remained as composed as a mountain, proceeding methodically to inspect the government offices, handling several routine official duties, and only returning to the Eastern Palace as dusk fell.
The Crown Prince had just finished his dinner when the imperial eunuch arrived, saying that the Emperor summoned the Crown Prince for an audience.
What was bound to happen has finally happened.
His mind was clear, and he calmly got up and followed the eunuch straight to the emperor's bedroom.
The smell of medicine lingered in the hall, making it difficult to breathe.
The Emperor was sitting on the bed when Lady Zhaohua gently fed him a bowl of thin porridge with a silver spoon.
Her face was gentle and concerned, but only she knew that the annoyance in her heart was about to burst forth.
She was raised in luxury and never lifted a finger, so how could she have ever done such things as serving tea and water or taking care of medicine?
Even though she didn't have much to do each day, being trapped here still left her feeling physically and mentally exhausted.
More importantly, after facing that ashen, lifeless old face every day, his last bit of patience had long since been worn away.
Many times, she wished the emperor would just die so she wouldn't have to suffer anymore.
However, before the overall situation was settled, she still had to restrain herself and do everything she could to save the emperor's life.
In fact, wasn't the emperor also keeping them, mother and son, hanging in the air like this?
Only in this way will they strive to serve him and take care of him, fearing that he might die if they are not careful.
Thankfully, after tonight, she will be free and liberated.
When the Crown Prince's tall figure appeared, the Emperor frowned instinctively: "What are you doing here at this hour?"
The Crown Prince sneered inwardly, but a hint of surprise appeared on his face: "Father, it was you who sent someone from the Imperial Guard to summon me to the palace for an audience."
When will I summon you?
The emperor frowned even more deeply, his eyes filled with doubt.
The Crown Prince's gaze swept over Lady Zhaohua, who was standing to the side, and he said indifferently, "The person who delivered the decree was indeed someone who served in front of the Emperor. As for whether someone was falsely conveying the Emperor's will, the Emperor still needs to investigate carefully."
The Emperor's gaze then turned to Lady Zhaohua, scrutinizing her.
But he didn't question the prince in front of him. He just waved his hand impatiently and said in a tired voice, "That's enough. You may leave now."
Just then, Murong Jun, who hadn't said a word, strode forward and slammed the heavy palace door shut with a loud bang.
Murong Jun's voice trembled slightly with excitement: "He can't leave!"
The Emperor's face instantly darkened, and he sternly rebuked, "Jun'er! What are you doing?"
The Crown Prince stood quietly in place, his gaze calm, waiting to see how Murong Jun would continue this coup d'état drama.
The arrow was already on the bowstring, and Murong Jun had completely torn off his disguise.
He practically roared at the Emperor: "Father! Now that things have come to this, what are you still hesitating for? Issue the decree! Issue the decree to depose the Crown Prince right now! Haven't you always wanted me to sit on the throne of the Eastern Palace?"
His eyes gleamed with an almost manic light as he pointed his finger directly at the Crown Prince: "To the outside world, we'll only say that he was disobedient and rebellious, and that he intended to assassinate Father Emperor! In the entire court, who dares to question Father Emperor's decision?"
"Shut up! You bastard!"
The emperor was so angry that he trembled all over, his chest heaving violently, and he almost couldn't breathe.
How could these things be said in front of the Crown Prince?
Even if that was his secret plan all along, it's still better to lay it all out in this way...
The Emperor glanced at the Crown Prince, but met a pair of calm, unwavering eyes that seemed to conceal a chilling intent capable of devouring everything.
The Crown Prince asked the Emperor calmly, "Father, do you really intend to do this?"
"Where exactly did I go wrong, my son?"
"In what way is Murong Jun better than your son?"
The emperor was rendered speechless by this calm question, and a mixture of shame, anger, and fear surged within him.
It's precisely because you're so wonderful!
It's so good that it makes me feel like I have a thorn in my side and a fishbone stuck in my throat!
I fear you won't even live to see me close my eyes!
You are the greatest threat beneath my throne!
The Emperor suppressed his turbulent thoughts and ultimately chose to appease the Crown Prince first.
The current situation is definitely not the time to completely break ties with the Crown Prince!
In the past few days, he did indeed make many arrangements to deliberately suppress the Crown Prince's power.
Yes, the Crown Prince has cultivated his power base for many years and has a large following. How could he possibly be uprooted in such a short time?
His original plan was to proceed gradually and complete the transfer of all power within the next six months.
Therefore, his decision to depose the heir apparent would be a logical one.
But a devastating illness forced the emperor to put everything on hold, leaving him with no energy to attend to these matters.
Murong Jun, that brainless idiot, is now directly clashing with the Crown Prince, which is tantamount to inviting disaster and courting his own demise!
idiot!
"That's absolutely not the case!"
The Emperor, forcing himself to remain calm, swept his stern gaze over Murong Jun, "Don't listen to Jun'er's nonsense!"
"I did not summon you today, so I suppose my men made a mistake. Go back and rest well, and don't worry about it."
The crown prince turned around as instructed, but Murong Jun suddenly pulled a dagger from his boot and shouted at the crown prince, "Stop!"
"Who told you to leave?"
His voice was hoarse: "Father! We can't delay any longer! Today! Right now! You must issue the decree!"
The crown prince's gaze once again fell upon the emperor on the dragon bed.
He wore a knowing, mocking expression that seemed to know everything.
"Father, it seems that I will not be able to leave tonight."
He looked at Murong Jun, who was blocking his way, and said sarcastically, "Fifth brother, are you in such a hurry that you can't wait to sit on my throne as the crown prince?"
He paused for a moment, then slowly added a sharper remark: "Or perhaps, they can't wait to sit on Father's dragon throne?"
boom--
It was like a thunderclap exploding in my ears!
The emperor was horrified.
He wasn't stupid. Considering the Crown Prince's unsuspecting entry into the palace and Murong Jun's behavior, he understood that Murong Jun was trying to force him to issue an imperial decree.
When has an emperor who has ruled the world with absolute power for decades ever been subjected to such coercion?
Especially since this coercion came from his son, whom he had favored for many years!
Perhaps, there's also the woman he loves most?
A surge of overwhelming anger at being betrayed by a loved one welled up inside him instantly!
His gaze suddenly shot towards Madam Zhaohua: "This matter..."
His voice changed with extreme anger and disappointment, "You knew about it too?"