inspire-indiana Chapter 190 The Imperial Preceptor Issues an Order
Chapter 190 The Imperial Preceptor Issues an Order
The group that had been shouting the loudest fell silent; they couldn't do any of it.
They just stood by, indifferent and uninvolved!
As long as they don't get hurt or killed, and don't get involved in the mess, they will remain courtiers no matter who ascends the throne, and their wealth and honor will continue.
Zhao Jihua stood quietly to the side, listening to the crowd's argument.
At this moment, she stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said, "Your Majesty, esteemed officials, I am well aware of the gravity of this matter and understand your concerns. However, Your Majesty trusts me so much that if I were to refuse, I would be betraying Your Majesty's grace."
Her voice was calm, yet it carried a firm resolve. "As you all know, Lingnan and Nanjiang were my former fiefdoms. You can go and see for yourselves; in just two short months, these two places have been completely transformed. I am confident that I can lead the Azure Dragon Empire to even greater heights than before! Ji Hua is willing to die to prove my loyalty, to live up to His Majesty, and to live up to the expectations of the world."
These words caused another stir in the court.
Some people were moved by Zhao Jihua's words and began to ponder.
However, many people still expressed their dissatisfaction, believing that this was just her clever talk.
The official in charge of records, Li Yuan, was a straightforward man. He couldn't help but speak loudly, "That sounds nice! But this country belongs to the Zhao family. How can an outsider be allowed to participate in politics? If Your Majesty insists on doing so, I'm afraid it will shake the foundation of the nation!"
Emperor Jing's face grew increasingly grim. He knew that this harassment was not only aimed at Zhao Jihua, but also at the clash between the court officials and the new emperor.
If he makes concessions today, he will make even more concessions in the future.
He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne: "The foundation of the state? I am the foundation of the state! I say she can participate in politics, so she can! You keep talking about ancestral rules, but ancestral rules are the emperor's word. You should all kneel down and obey!"
The crowd was intimidated by Emperor Jing's imposing presence, and no one dared to speak for a moment.
But you could tell from their eyes that their thoughts hadn't been dispelled.
After a brief standoff, Emperor Jing slowly spoke: "My mind is made up. From now on, Ji Hua and I will govern the country together. Major national affairs will be discussed and decided by both of us."
His voice was firm and unwavering.
"Your Majesty!" Lu Hetang knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face. "If Your Majesty insists on this, this old minister has no choice but to remonstrate with my death!"
Seeing this, the other ministers also knelt down and cried out, "Your Majesty, please rescind your decree!"
Emperor Jing's face was ashen. He looked at the kneeling officials, his anger burning ever brighter: "You all oppose me so vehemently, do you not respect me? In that case, I will abdicate the throne to Jihua!"
Upon hearing this, the court fell into a deathly silence.
No one expected Emperor Jing to actually say such a thing, and they were all at a loss for words.
Zhao Jihua looked bewildered.
Happiness came too suddenly, like a tornado!
However, she still knelt down to try and persuade the emperor, but unexpectedly, Emperor Jing scooped her up and held her in his arms.
You don't need to kneel!
Ji Hua: Not kneeling would seem insincere.
She forced herself to say, "Your Majesty, you mustn't! Your Majesty is the ruler of the country, bearing the heavy responsibility of the people. Ji Hua is merely Your Majesty's subject and wife, willing to share Your Majesty's burdens, but has absolutely no intention of overstepping her bounds."
Emperor Jing looked at Zhao Jihua, the anger in his eyes gradually subsiding, replaced by a trace of weariness: "Jihua, you take this seat."
He then looked at his ministers and said, “I know you all have the good of the country, but I also have my own considerations. These past few days, I have been involved in court affairs and have deeply felt the difficulty of governing a country. I know best about Ji Hua’s abilities. I feel that I am not worthy of the position, so from now on, I will abdicate the throne to Zhao Ji Hua. I believe that the empire will become more prosperous and powerful under her leadership.”
"Your Majesty!" the ministers cried out in alarm.
They just wanted to control the emperor, not kill him!
How will history books record that?
Under pressure from his ministers, Emperor Jing was forced to abdicate on the very first day of his reign.
Emperor Jing became the emperor with the shortest reign and the most pathetic performance in history.
And they are corrupt officials in power!
Upon realizing what had happened, the officials were terrified and tried their best to dissuade him.
"My mind is made up!"
Nangong Jing neatly wrote down the abdication edict and handed it directly to Zhao Jihua, his face showing indescribable ease and joy.
Goodbye to your 4 AM to 11 PM job!
His wife was enjoying it immensely, while he was forcing himself to do it until his scalp tingled.
Zhao Jihua took the imperial edict: "Isn't this inappropriate?"
Nangong Jing quickly shook his head: "No, no, no, Your Majesty, please ascend the throne!"
He immediately knelt down and performed a grand salute, fearing that the other party would not accept the throne.
Becoming an emperor? That's something you simply can't stick to if you don't have a passion for it.
The courtiers knelt and pleaded, "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Nangong Jing said, "Your Majesty, please sit down. Look, the court officials are all kneeling before you!"
Zhao Jihua: ...
Everyone: ……
That's what people really meant, so don't spout nonsense!
But how could she refuse such a golden opportunity?
"All of you, rise."
She raised her sleeve and sat down on the dragon throne with an air of dominance.
Nangong Jing moved it to the very center of the dragon throne, then neatly stood to the side, waiting like a eunuch.
The chief eunuch behind him thought to himself: Oh no, will I also be dismissed on my first day on duty?
The court officials knelt on the ground, none daring to become the eternal sinner who ceded the Nangong family's empire to someone of a different surname.
They shouted in unison, "Your Majesty, please rescind your decree!"
Nangong Jing smiled and looked at Zhao Jihua: "I am no longer His Majesty, but merely His Majesty's Imperial Consort."
Seeing that Emperor Jing had made up his mind, everyone knew that further persuasion would be useless, and they all changed their minds.
Lu Hetang of the Imperial Academy said, "If Emperor Jing truly has no interest in the throne, the Retired Emperor still has many children..."
Princes: Good things are happening to us so quickly?! ??
No! It was a nightmare!!
They hadn't forgotten the mountain of official documents they saw when Nangong Jing summoned them to the Imperial Study.
It took the brothers several days and nights of working tirelessly to finally handle the emergency.
The remaining administrative tasks will probably take another month or so for the rest of the staff to handle!
Zhao Jihua frowned slightly; she naturally understood the ministers' motives.
She gently stroked the abdication edict in her hand and said loudly, "My lords, do not mention the other princes again. Now that I have accepted this edict, I am confident that I can govern this Azure Dragon Empire even better."
Nangong Jing echoed, "I believe in Jihua's abilities; she will certainly not let me and the people down."
The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment. At this moment, the sixth prince, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward.
"Since Your Majesty has made this decision, I am willing to do my best to assist you. I hope Your Majesty will give me more guidance in the future."
As soon as the sixth prince said this, the other princes also expressed their support.
Even though the princes had all expressed their opinions, the ministers were still very unwilling.
The official in charge of records, Li Yuan, was about to bring out the eldest prince.
Suddenly, snowflakes began to fall heavily, drifting in from the entrance of the main hall, accompanied by a faint voice:
"The Imperial Advisor has given an order!"