flstandardbreds Chapter 142 The Last Edict
Chapter 142 The Last Edict
A few days later, Liu Shan welcomed his second summer in this world.
He originally thought he would continue living a life that consisted of going between home, shop, and military camp, but a letter disrupted his life.
Liu Shan sat in his study, holding a secret letter in his hand, his brows furrowed.
The letter was sent from the capital by Princess Changning. The handwriting was messy, clearly written under extreme emotional circumstances.
The contents of the letter shocked him: it mentioned the death of the Empress Dowager and her dispute with Emperor Xia.
Liu Shan's gaze lingered on the last few lines of the letter, his heart filled with turmoil.
Princess Changning revealed that Emperor Xia's health was deteriorating, and the Xia Dynasty might be facing an unprecedented crisis...
Liu Shan immediately realized the seriousness of the situation: "Emperor Xia's health probably won't hold up for much longer."
He muttered to himself, the uneasy premonition in his heart growing stronger.
Sure enough, not long after, news came from the capital again—the Xia Emperor had passed away.
Inside Cangzhou City, the white banners that had been hung up to commemorate the passing of the Empress Dowager had not yet been taken down, and now another death had been added.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of Cangzhou.
Liu Shan stood by the window, gazing at the distant sky, feeling a sense of shock.
He had anticipated that the Xia Emperor would soon pass away, but he never expected that day to come so suddenly, catching him somewhat off guard.
He understood that the death of the Xia Emperor not only signified the end of an era, but also foreshadowed that Princess Changning's fate would once again be pushed into an unknown vortex.
Liu Shan took a deep breath, turned and walked to his study, quickly organized his thoughts, and began to devise a countermeasure.
On that day, all government offices in the Xia Dynasty, regardless of size, were draped in white silk, and the entire country was filled with mourning.
Yin Nantian, Li Polu, and others gathered at the government office, their faces solemn.
Yin Nantian said in a deep voice, "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. With the passing of Emperor Xia, the situation in the capital will inevitably become turbulent. Princess Changning is in the capital, and her safety is uncertain."
Li Polu clenched his fist, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "If the princess suffers even the slightest harm, I will lead my troops to raze the capital to the ground!"
Liu Shan shook his head. His father-in-law was a man of strong emotions, whose mouth moved faster than his brain.
The current situation is complex, and acting impulsively will only exacerbate the chaos.
A profound light flashed in his eyes: "Gentlemen, there is no need to worry too much. I have a feeling that things may not be as we think. Moreover, Princess Changning is exceptionally intelligent and must have made some arrangements. For now, we only need to stabilize Cangzhou, observe the situation, and make a decision when the time is right."
Liu Shan's premonition was confirmed on the third day.
When Emperor Xia's will was announced in the court, all the officials were shocked.
The will surprisingly designated Princess Changning as her successor, a decision that defied everyone's expectations.
The court was immediately thrown into an uproar. Some questioned the authenticity of the edict, some stormed off the court, and others remained silent.
Princess Changning stood before the palace, holding the imperial edict in her hands, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
She was well aware of the dangers behind this heavy responsibility, but she also understood that this was a crucial moment that would change the fate of the Xia Dynasty.
She looked up at the outside of the hall, where the Xia Emperor's coffin stood quietly, as if silently telling a story.
"Your Majesty..." she murmured softly, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping firmly over the crowd, and slowly spoke: "Although I am a woman, I know that the nation comes first. I will do my utmost to fulfill the last wish of the Xia Emperor and live up to everyone's expectations."
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall eased slightly. Everyone's gazes were complicated, but they had no choice but to acknowledge the new emperor's decisiveness and sense of responsibility.
After a brief silence in the hall, Wen Hangqing took the lead in kneeling and bowing, and the other ministers followed suit.
Thus, although there were still dissenting opinions in the court, the general trend had been set.
She turned and walked towards the dragon throne with firm steps.
……
When news of the will reached Cangzhou, Yin Nantian, Li Polu, and others all showed expressions of disbelief.
Only Liu Shan, with a slight, meaningful smile playing on his lips, thought to himself, "Just as I expected, Princess Changning is indeed extraordinary. Now that the situation is clear, we must work together to stabilize Cangzhou, in preparation for any eventuality."
"Just as I thought." He muttered to himself, a knowing glint in his eyes.
Yin Nantian frowned and looked at him: "Lieutenant Liu, did you expect this all along?"
Liu Shan nodded slightly, then shook his head and smiled, "I just feel that Emperor Xia's regard for Princess Changning is far beyond what ordinary people can imagine. He may have already paved the way for her."
Li Polu snorted coldly: "Even so, the Xia Emperor slaughtered his brothers and forced the Kang King to his death. This debt cannot be left unpaid!"
Liu Shan's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Commander Li, now that Princess Changning is about to ascend the throne, we should prioritize the overall situation. The future of Cangzhou rests entirely on her shoulders."
Yin Nantian nodded in agreement: "Lieutenant Liu is absolutely right. We should not cause any further complications at this time. The most urgent task is to ensure the princess's smooth ascension to the throne and to stabilize the court."
Liu Shan looked out the window; the distant horizon was turning a pale white, and a new day was about to begin.
He knew in his heart that the era belonging to Princess Changning had quietly arrived.
Meanwhile, Princess Changning stood on the palace wall, gazing at the distant sunrise, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
The last edict of the Xia Emperor transformed her from a hostage into the ruler of the world.
However, behind this power lies too much blood and tears.
"Your Majesty," she murmured, "what is it all for?"
A gentle breeze brushed her cheek, bringing a touch of coolness and lifting the hem of her clothes, as if in response to her question.
Princess Changning took a deep breath, a resolute glint in her eyes.
No matter what lies ahead, she will shoulder this heavy responsibility and protect this land.
She turned and looked down at the palace walls, where court officials were already busy preparing for the coronation ceremony.
The morning light shone on the magnificent palace, as if heralding the beginning of a new era.
Her gaze swept over every corner of the palace, and a sense of mission welled up within her.
On the other side, Liu Shan arrived at the city tower, gazing at the rising sun in the east, his heart filled with countless emotions.
From a newcomer son-in-law to a confidant of Princess Changning, he has witnessed too many changes along the way.
"Changes may be unpredictable, but our original aspirations remain unchanged." Liu Shan sighed softly, his gaze firm. "The princess's ascension to the throne is not only an opportunity for us, but also the hope for Cangzhou."
"Lieutenant Liu," came Yin Nantian's voice from behind, "the new emperor is about to ascend the throne, we should prepare to go to the capital."
Liu Shan turned around and smiled slightly: "Yes, our era has only just begun."
"Let's go, Prefect, let's go together to welcome this new chapter." After saying that, Liu Shan strode down the city wall and walked side by side toward the city gate.
As the sun rose, it illuminated the entire city of Cangzhou and their path ahead.