Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 632 - 630

Chapter 632: Chapter 630

The Third Prince said that the Emperor’s coldness towards him over the past years was not due to a lack of affection, but to protect him?

Are these words true or false?

The imperial doctors in the Zichen Palace now looked at the Empress differently.

The Empress had been the sole favorite in the harem for many years, there was only one imperial consort and one noble lady within the harem. No maiden who entered later ever won the Emperor’s affection. The Empress had given birth to several legitimate princes, outnumbering the illegitimate ones. Would anyone believe it if it were claimed that the Empress lacked means?

And think about the First Prince. Although he had grown to adulthood, he was now bedridden, was he not?

Everyone says a monarch’s heart is hard to fathom! The Emperor had deceived everyone to protect the Third Prince.

Such supreme cunning from the Emperor!

Some on the outskirts of the Zichen Palace were skeptical, while others didn’t believe it at all.

Who is the Emperor? The most honorable person in the world. Does he need to be so indirect to protect someone? Was it not too suffocating for him to rule, not even able to openly protect his beloved son? Was there any point in his ruling!

Besides, if the Emperor was really guarding against the Empress, why did the Marquis Zhongyong mansion continue to prosper to this day?

Why would the Emperor make Crown Prince Di a general, and let him lead troops to quell the chaos? This was an opportunity for him to make achievements!

Out of all the Emperor’s sons, why did only the Fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince possess military tokens that could command tens of thousands of soldiers anywhere at anytime!?

You should know that each prince was originally equipped with hidden guards and personal guards!

This is enough proof that the Emperor trusted the Empress and the legitimate sons enough!

Shangguan Xuanhao laughed coldly at these words, "Haha...You have an emperor’s talent? This is simply a joke! You don’t need to deliberately say these words to implicate my mother in wrongdoing. Doctor Lin, I’m giving you one more chance to tell the truth! If you don’t tell the truth, don’t blame me for being rude!"

Upon hearing these words, Doctor Lin’s body swayed a bit. He then kowtowed to the Emperor lying on the dragon bed again, "The Emperor did indeed say he would pass the throne to the Third Prince before his death!"

The Third Prince, hearing Shangguan Xuanhao’s words, felt a trace of panic in his heart. Could it be that the late Emperor had already set up an edict, but no one knew about it except his beloved prince?

No, the imperial edict must not be made public!

The Third Prince gave a subtle nod towards a certain direction.

Kneeling outside the Zichen Palace, one of the civil and military officials bowed down heavily three times, "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Given that he late Emperor entrusted the throne to the Third Prince, the Third Prince is now the Emperor! Your humble servant pays his respects to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

Several civil servants also quickly bowed three times upon hearing these words, "Your humble servants pay homage to the new Emperor. Long live, long live, long live the Emperor!"

Shangguan Xuanhao made a mental note of these people and nodded slightly, "Good! Very good! Guards, drag Doctor Lin and these rebellious ministers down and execute them!"

The bodyguards inside the Zichen Palace didn’t move, and Shangguan Xuanhao also made a mental note of these individuals!

The many civil and military officials outside the Zichen Palace did not dare to breathe heavily, revolution was coming, a storm was brewing!

"Huang Wei, drag this rebellious minister, Doctor Lin, away!" Shangguan Xuanhao shouted loudly at Huang Wei, who was guarding the Zichen Palace.

"Yes!" Huang Wei responded loudly, voicing thundering, making the faint-hearted shudder!

What to do? Who should be supported? Who will win?

Some officials who had always remained neutral were struggling in their hearts, quickly making calculations.

Now it was a case of the arrow being put to the string, they had to make a decision!

Don’t think that neutrality is the way to go! When a new emperor ascends the throne, those who have always stayed neutral are not favored! These cautious people will usually be gradually eliminated! What he prefers are those who have helped him in critical moments.

Huang Wei signaled for two soldiers to seize Doctor Lin, but as soon as the two soldiers moved, another soldier blocked them with his spear.

"Second Elder Brother, are you openly disobeying orders and attempting to rebel? Father’s body is not yet cold, how can you do such thing?!" The Third Prince looked at Shangguan Xuanhao with frustration.

"Disobeying orders? Father did not say he would pass the throne to you at all? Who in the audience heard him? Only Doctor Lin did! He can say whatever he wants! I have questions about Father’s death. I suspect this is a set-up! We must investigate it thoroughly! Father was in good health, it’s impossible for him to have passed away so suddenly! Huang Wei, arrest the Third Prince and those rebels!"

"Charge!" Huang Wei drew his sword and headed towards the Third Prince!

The guards of the Zichen Palace have been arranged as the Third Prince’s men long ago.

As soon as Huang Wei took a step, someone blocked him!

"Hemiplegia always appears without warning. Second elder brother, since you are being like this, don’t blame me for not being courteous! Guards, the Second Prince wants to rebel! Arrest him and those rebels attempting to rebel and send them to the dungeon. If anyone resists, kill them without mercy!" The Third Prince was now referring to himself with the royal We.

"Yes!" The deputy commander of the imperial guard responded loudly, then signaled to the palace guards!

He was prepared long ago for the guards on duty in the Zichen Palace today. Most of them were his men.

The only ones who pose a threat are a few of Huang Wei’s men!

After today, he would be the emperor’s confidant, and no longer be ordered around by others!

Both parties were about to collide!

Then, the Minister of the Ministry of Works and the Prime Minister, who were kneeling outside the Zichen Palace, saw a figure in bright yellow approaching.

They raised their heads, rubbed their eyes: The Emperor?

Had the Emperor not passed away?

Was this a human or a ghost?

No, it was broad daylight, and the sun was still fierce! It couldn’t be a ghost!

Thinking this, the Prime Minister quickly looked at the ground: There was a shadow!

It was the Emperor! This was a living being!

The Prime Minister and the Minister of the Ministry of Works were filled with warm tears!

It’s a real dawn after passing through the gloom! They thought they had no good days to come! Both of them immediately knocked a huge knock, "Your humble servant pays his respects to the Emperor, long live, long live, long live!"

The Emperor, you must live long!

The others also came back to their senses from their shock and hurriedly kowtowed, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

The Third Prince hadn’t seen the Emperor’s figure outside the hall. He heard the loud voices of "Long live, long live, long live!", and was relieved in his heart. Hmm, these people know what’s good for them!

He then turned around and said to Shangguan Xuanhao, "Second elder brother, the civil and military officials have all acknowledged me as the Emperor. Surrender or I’ll leave you a full corpse!"

Shangguan Xuanhao swiftly kneeled on one knee, "Father is blessed, Father Long live, long live, long live!"

The Third Prince thought Shangguan Xuanhao was bowing to him. His heart was full of joy and he didn’t hear clearly that Shangguan Xuanhao was addressing the "Father", not the "Emperor"!

"Second elder brother, I see you know what’s good for you. Today, I’m in a good mood. For the time being, I’ll spare your life! Guards, take the Second Prince away!"

When the doctors saw someone walking in and recognized who it was, they were startled and quickly kowtowed, "Your humble servant pays his respects to the Emperor, long live, long live, long live!"

The Third Prince burst into laughter when he saw this, "Haha, good! good! Stand up! Stand up! Haha..."