The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 1055 - 239: Succession to Prince Yongle_5

Chapter 1055: Chapter 239: Succession to Prince Yongle_5

The sun was still blazing high during the daytime, but by evening a wild wind had arisen, clouds gathered densely, and the distant rumble of thunder could be heard.

Pei Qin went out for a while and immediately gathered the Imperial Guards, as well as her own troops.

Emperor Chu Wen had already passed out.

Shi Rui came out anxiously, "General Pei, should we summon some Elder Statesmen to the Palace?"

Pei Qin’s eyes flickered, "Let’s summon a few officials to the Palace!"

Shi Rui agreed and hurriedly made arrangements.

Jiang Gan and Shen Gu, along with several old officials, however, were unable to enter the Palace.

Xiao Guangbi had already received the news and contacted the Five-City Soldiers and Horses Troop along with personnel who infiltrated, and their standard-bearers attacked the palace gates.

Bao Xun, having defended Liaodong for many years and being quite capable in warfare, directed his troops to force the palace.

Meanwhile, in the Palace, Consort Yu took a team of Imperial Guards and detained the Empress Dowager, "If the Emperor has not had time to issue the Succession Decree, please have the Empress Dowager issue an imperial order to transfer the throne to Guangbi! After all, the Empress Dowager has always adored Guangbi and would not want the throne to fall into someone else’s hands!"

The Empress Dowager, already aged, saw that she was being held hostage and instantly felt dizzy from anger, "You... you are staging a coup!?"

Consort Yu sneered coldly, "Empress Dowager! The Emperor’s Dragon Throne was obtained this way, and it’s said that the previous Emperor’s was acquired the same way. My son ascending the throne is simply following his forefathers!"

The Empress Dowager fainted from anger.

Consort Yu, with a somber face, commanded, "Revive her for this Palace; she must be alive to write the decree!"

Outside, the sound of killing and gunfire shook the heavens, as tens of thousands stormed into the Palace. Pei Qin, though supported by long spearmen and the Imperial Guards, was outnumbered and found it hard to cope. She had an additional forty thousand troops outside the city, which could only be utilized by attacking from the exterior.

Xiao Guangjing, foreseeing that Xiao Guangbi would be driven to a desperate action and force the palace, also promptly brought Mansion soldiers to support Pei Qin.

At this moment, Pei Qin stood by the Dragon Throne, listening to Emperor Chu Wen reading the Succession Decree.

"...Pass the throne... to... Yong... Yong... le..." Emperor Chu Wen, barely able to speak, breath faltering, and his words were unclear.

As he spoke, Pei Qin repeated it on one side, and the Pen-Holding Eunuch scribed it down, drafting the decree.

"Pass the throne to Prince Yongle, Xiao Guangzhang." Pei Qin’s face was cold and stern as she blatantly altered the decree.

Thinking he wasn’t speaking clearly and Pei Qin hadn’t heard correctly, Emperor Wen repeated, "Yong... Yong... le... le..."

"Your servant understands, Emperor! Prince Yongle is wise and benevolent, he will surely be a good ruler! He will not fail Your Majesty’s expectations!" Pei Qin said, drawing closer.

Emperor Chu Wen stared in shocked anger, disbelieving as he looked at Pei Qin. She had always stayed out of succession disputes, always neutral like smoothing things over, even nurturing Xiao Yi for two years. Why... why would she alter the imperial edict and support Prince Yongle, Xiao Guangzhang, at this moment!?

Pei Qin, looking at his dying face, even though he was wearing the Dragon robe, he was just an old man. She couldn’t help the tears welling in her eyes, "Emperor! Prince Yongle will definitely be a good Emperor! Rest assured!"

Was she coerced, threatened? But the throne must not fall into Xiao Guangzhang’s hands! Absolutely not! The whole land of Great Chu must not be ruined like this!

Seeing him struggling to get up, grasping her tightly, Pei Qin reached out to support his back, "Emperor!"

Emperor Chu Wen’s eyes flashed with a murderous intent, Pei Qin! She actually... actually...

Pei Qin turned her head and whispered something in his ear.

Emperor Chu Wen ceased his struggle, tried to muster a smile, but ultimately couldn’t.

As his hands loosened and suddenly dropped. Everyone in the grand hall cried out in unison, "Emperor—"

"The Emperor has passed away—"

Outside, Xiao Guangjing who had stormed in rushed over, "Father! Father!? Your son has arrived too late!" and knelt before the Dragon Throne, crying.

Then Xiao Guangzhang also arrived.

Pei Qin stepped aside from her position, tightly holding the Succession Decree in one hand and a handgun in the other.

Xiao Guangjing, having a clue in his heart and thinking that by eliminating the favored Xiao Guangzhang, the throne would surely pass to him since he had earlier obtained this knowledge from the Crown Prince, that Xiao Guangzhang was not eligible for the throne, and with Pei Qin by his side and Xiao Yong always following her, the throne was undoubtedly his.

Thus, after crying for a while, his eyes red, he stood up, "General Pei! Did the Emperor leave a Succession Decree with you before he passed?"

"Yes!" Pei Qin responded, "Once all the chancellors arrive, I will publicly read it!"

Xiao Guangjing, hearing her refer to herself as a servant, thought that everything was secure, glanced at the Succession Decree, and reached out to take it, "Hand it to this prince first!"