Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 500 - 479 First Update

Chapter 500: Chapter 479 First Update

The news of Emperor Jingzhi’s demise spread quietly, as if everyone had already anticipated it. It wasn’t in the dead of night but during the pale morning sunlight that bathed the entire Imperial City, when the death knell rang without a sign, it first felt surreal.

However, it wasn’t a surprise that Emperor Jingzhi had died, it was about time, and even his death was not a glorious one. Caught in a scandalous act by day, he died over the body of a new favorite concubine whose hands and feet had been bound. Blood sprayed directly onto the young girl’s face, gush after gush, and then he fell abruptly, motionless. The girl’s horrified screams and her face and body covered in blood left those who rushed in completely confounded.

He Ling was the first to react, immediately pulling up Emperor Jingzhi. As soon as He Ling’s fingers touched the Emperor, he felt that something was wrong. Needless to say, when he exerted force, Emperor Jingzhi’s body, which had just passed away, lost control of its bowels.

The servants on the ground could barely bring themselves to look, and one could only imagine the smell. At this point, He Ling didn’t dare make any rash moves and disdainfully glanced at Talented Lady Jing who had already fainted from fear on top of Emperor Jingzhi, now it was time for someone competent to take charge.

He Ling intended to inform Her Majesty the Empress Dowager immediately, but before his man could leave the palace gates, Noble Consort Wen’s attendants had already arrived at the gates of Chenyuan Hall. They seemed to have known in advance what had transpired inside, and Empress Xiao followed promptly, bringing the Imperial Physician with her.

Seeing this, He Ling did not question it and stepped aside. The Imperial Physician was taken aback by the inner hall’s sight, but being older, he quickly composed himself and went straight to check Emperor Jingzhi’s pulse. A few eunuchs came forward, first removed Emperor Jingzhi from the bed, and then wrapped up the beddings along with the unconscious Talented Lady Jing.

Empress Xiao and Noble Consort Wen glanced at each other, immediately covered their noses, and waved their hands to have someone deal with the situation.

Of course, such a manner of death need not be disclosed, and Talented Lady Jing could not be left alive, especially since Emperor Jingzhi’s death had sealed her fate as well.

The Imperial Physician quickly retreated to Empress Xiao’s side. By now, Empress Dowager Yan Ping had arrived, her hairpin still not properly secured, rushing in with the support of Nanny Leng.

Empress Xiao and Noble Consort Wen cried softly and then knelt down together on the ground.

"My son—" Empress Dowager Yan Ping approached tremblingly.

"Your Majesty, save your grief, now is not the time for sorrow. The upcoming matters will need Your Majesty’s attention," He Ling stepped forward to support Empress Dowager Yan Ping, who nodded at him after a glance.

While crying, Noble Consort Wen covertly observed everyone present. The cause of Emperor Jingzhi’s death was thus concluded, and indeed this manner of death was not fit to be spread, so the death bell was quickly rung, and to the outsiders, it was announced as an untimely death due to illness.

Following the sound of the death knell, the Crown Prince, who was already in the palace, Prince Duan, and Prince Ling all received the news and did not find it unexpected; they quickly changed their clothes.

The Successor Emperor, the Princes, and the long-unseen Eldest Princess as well as the officials of the Wen Family had already hurriedly begun gathering from their New Year’s celebrations to the palace.

Zheng Congyuan remained silent, Emperor Jingzhi’s death held no surprises, such a day was inevitable, even occurring in broad daylight, it seemed without causing anyone any inconvenience.

Qi Zhu cautiously whispered the true cause of Emperor Jingzhi’s death to Zheng Congyuan.

"Talented Lady Jing’s visit to Chenyuan Hall was under Noble Consort Wen’s orders," Qi Zhu said softly. Noble Consort Wen had made a sudden move, decisive and swift, and did not even need them to offer a pretext, which was somewhat surprising to them.

When Zheng Haoyuan arrived, the preparations for the small funerary rites had already begun. All the concubines, Princes, and Lords kneeling and weeping softly, Zheng Haoyuan walked straight to Noble Consort Wen’s side, glancing at the catafalque with a cold expression, showing little reaction.

Noble Consort Wen pulled Zheng Haoyuan down to kneel beside her. Zheng Haoyuan’s cold and melancholic anger was directed at the back of Zheng Congyuan, who stood at the forefront.

"Crown Prince, The Emperor has passed away; please prioritize state affairs and take charge of the overall situation," Prime Minister Lin stepped forward shakily, his voice loud and clear as if everything was as it should be.

"Prime Minister Lin, The Emperor’s sudden death leaves the succession unclear; the matter still holds doubts," Old Master Wen Kang stood up, and immediately the courtiers split into two factions, clamoring among themselves.

Zheng Congyuan wasn’t in the mood to understand why Noble Consort Wen had suddenly acted; he didn’t grasp it, but some things were beyond control—it could be that even Noble Consort Wen had not anticipated Emperor Jingzhi’s sudden death.

"Ridiculous, The Emperor has died, and as the Crown Prince, succession is his by heaven’s mandate. Besides, the Crown Prince has been overseeing the court for six or seven years, what doubts could there possibly be?" Prime Minister Lin immediately cut off the opposition’s words, glaring fiercely at Old Master Wen Kang. The Wen Family should stop dreaming their foolish dreams.

Prime Minister Lin’s supporters looked anxiously at Zheng Congyuan, who appeared indifferent and showed no intention of interjecting.

The other courtiers grew anxious. Crown Prince, how can you remain silent now? The Emperor’s death was sudden, leaving no edicts; it’s the perfect moment to legitimize your claim. If only the Crown Prince would speak, they would naturally rally around him, leaving the Wen Family powerless to bewitch.

Even Qi Ling, standing beside the Crown Prince, remained composed with no intention of speaking. But if the Crown Prince remained silent, they couldn’t allow a lull to develop.

"Please, Crown Prince, put state affairs first—" The courtiers knelt down, and immediately, the faces of the other half turned sour.

"The Emperor has passed, and according to ancestral laws, it’s customary for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne; it must be righteous and proper," said the other group of courtiers at once.

Prime Minister Lin’s people stole a glance at Zheng Congyuan, uncertain about the existence of a last will. If there were one, why wouldn’t the Crown Prince speak?

"The Emperor had been ill for a long time and passed away suddenly, without warning; it’s not surprising that there was no last will," one side responded promptly.

"The Emperor’s health had improved much these days; how could he not have considered the matter of the will? Moreover, having been ill for so long, he would naturally have thought of it."

"The Emperor—" How could The Emperor be concerned with such matters? They had heard plenty about The Emperor’s debaucherous activities, but how could they speak of it? Now that The Emperor had passed, it must not be mentioned.

Prime Minister Lin’s people were suddenly at a loss.

"If you claim there’s a will, then produce it!"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Wen Kang did not speak, resembling someone out-argued and powerless to retort. Prime Minister Lin’s faction immediately grew more confident.

"Old Master Wen Kang, if there’s a will, why not present it—"

Noble Consort Wen slowly stood up, her face tear-stained like a weeping pear blossom. She glanced at the courtiers before her and began to speak.

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