Chapter 1356 -1192: The Final Hour Has Arrived

The Empress Dowager glanced at Zhao Guangye, who was silently weeping at the edge of the couch, and nodded knowingly. In the end, they had reached this point; with the Emperor passing away, what was to be done about Ye? There had to be plans made for Ye.

“You will handle this matter!” The Empress Dowager glanced at Gu Chengyu, recalling a matter and thus deciding to send him away.

Gu Chengyu understood and nodded, bowing as he replied, “Yes!”

“He cannot go, cough cough! He must stay!” The Emperor’s weak voice emerged, and Gu Chengyu turned to look at the awakened Emperor.

“Dundun!” The Empress Dowager wanted to speak but hesitated, finally just using a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

“Jinyu! Come over here, Empress, you may leave first!” The Emperor looked at the Empress, aware that his time was near and he had to quickly address the aftermath, lest it be too late.

“Father!” Zhao Guangye held tightly to the Emperor’s hand, scared, frightened that he would lose his father just like that.

Though he was young, having grown up amidst deceit and trickery, he naturally was not as naive as other children. Given his father’s current state, it seemed unlikely he could hold on much longer.

All this time, he had been enveloped in the sorrow of losing his sight, and his father had always been there to comfort him. He knew his father hadn’t been well recently, but he hadn’t imagined his illness was this severe. He regretted, regretted not spending more time with his father and even losing his temper with him.

“Ye, don’t cry! You’re grown now; you mustn’t cry at the drop of a hat anymore. Father can’t be with you as you grow older, so you have to listen to your grandmother and mother in the future, and not act on impulse in all matters!”

The Emperor struggled to raise his hands, patting Zhao Guangye’s fluffy head. Feeling the warmth beneath his palms, the Emperor’s eyes unwittingly flickered with yearning. Truly, at this moment, he still felt attachment to this world.

The Empress wiped her tears with a handkerchief, unable to believe as she looked at the Emperor. Had he nothing to say to her before his passing? Did he not trust her? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked her to leave!

“Go out first!” The Empress Dowager noticed the Empress still standing there, instructing her to go out.

Before leaving, the Empress glanced at Zhao Guangye. Seeing the Emperor tightly holding Zhao Guangye’s hand, she had no choice but to unwillingly leave.

“Jinyu, Mother, I know my end is near; after my passing, the throne shall be passed to Ye!” The Emperor breathed weakly, though at this moment he seemed somewhat more spirited than before. Perhaps this was what people called a final burst of energy before passing?

“Dundun!” The Empress Dowager’s heart felt as if it were being cut, and she sat slumped at the bedside, silently crying.

The Emperor, upon seeing this, felt deeply pained; he wanted to console his heartbroken mother, yet found himself unable to do so.

“Father, didn’t you say you would take me hunting at the grounds? You also said you’d hunt a deer for me.” Unable to see the expression on the Emperor’s face, Zhao Guangye anxiously clung to his father’s hand, feeling the warmth within it fade away bit by bit.

“Ye, be good, Father hasn’t got much time left!” The Emperor turned his gaze toward Gu Chengyu, his eyes filled with pleading.

“I’ve prepared the Holy Decree for succession, it’s in the hidden compartment. After I pass, the task of proclaiming the decree is entrusted to you. Jinyu! Ye is only eight years old, perhaps unable to stabilize the throne, I ask that you protect Ye’s life, will you?”

Now, the Imperial Family was left with only a few children, and the mother was aged, the Empress lacked the capability to rule, and moreover, he didn’t trust foreign relatives to interfere in government.

Compared to the Empress, he had more trust in Gu Jinyu! Honestly, at this stage, the throne was indeed within grasp, seeing that Gu Chengyu hadn’t acted, which meant he truly had no interest in the throne.

Within the court now, he could only trust Gu Jinyu.

Zhao Guangye also turned his head toward Gu Chengyu’s direction; recently they’d been meeting frequently, and indeed a bond had developed between them. Only now did he understand his father’s earnest intentions.

His father had long known his time was short, thus encouraging him to have more contact with Gu Chengyu so Gu Chengyu could look after him more. It was a shame he only realized his father’s sincere intentions now.

“If the Eldest Prince ascends to the throne smoothly, assisting him to the best of one’s ability is the duty of a minister. In my lifetime, I will certainly strive to protect the Eldest Prince’s life!”

Gu Chengyu nodded; such a matter did not need questioning, if the Eldest Prince ascended, whom else could he assist?

As for protecting the Eldest Prince’s life, he could only do his utmost, as long as he was true to his conscience.

“Good, your words are enough! Within the hidden compartment there are two more decrees, one appoints you as Regent King, the other you cannot open yet, go retrieve them first!”

The Emperor felt at ease upon hearing this, for Gu Jinyu was a man of his word. Even though Gu Jinyu’s words had underlying meaning, he didn’t mind.

As long as Ye’s life could be safeguarded, even if the kingdom fell into Gu Chengyu’s hands, he would be content. As for the other princes, he had to forsake them.

Gu Chengyu hadn’t expected the Emperor to appoint him as Regent King, clearly signifying the Emperor’s binding of him and the Eldest Prince together.

The Empress Dowager hadn’t anticipated this plan from the Emperor either, but moments later she felt at ease. In the future, Ye would rely on Gu Chengyu’s support, if Gu Chengyu wasn’t given any power, how could he protect Ye?

Following the Emperor’s words, Gu Chengyu stepped forward and opened the hidden compartment, where lay three decrees.

“This one, do not open unless absolutely necessary. Remember, it must be opened only at the utmost emergency.” The Emperor looked at this decree, its contents being the Death Sentence of their Mrs. Zhao lineage.

“Yes!” Gu Chengyu wasn’t curious about the decree’s content, it was no more than the Emperor’s final safeguard for Zhao Guangye.

“Mother! You and Ye may leave, I have a few words for Jinyu alone.” The Emperor addressed the Empress Dowager.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately rose, pulling the unwilling Zhao Guangye out of the inner chamber. Dundun was only sustained by a silver needle, how could she delay any longer?

“You promised to make every effort to support Ye, I trust you, and I thank you! However, should the situation within the court become uncontrollable, preserving Ye’s life takes priority, don’t bother with the rest.” The Emperor couldn’t feel assured, and could only exhort once more.

“It’s not a matter of doubting your capability, but everyone has their soft spot! I only hope Ye can live and leave a legacy for me.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best!” Gu Chengyu nodded, the Emperor had explained nearly everything. Regarding court matters, now that he was raised to Regent King, there was no need for further explanation.

“Let me ask you, did Father before his death pass the throne to Zhao Xian?” This matter always troubled him, without Gu Chengyu’s answer, he couldn’t find peace even in death.

“Yes!” Gu Chengyu didn’t hesitate, the Emperor wouldn’t be unaware. Such a question was only to let him resign himself!

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