Chapter 387: Seventh Prince
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Shen Rui’s death was a huge blow to the old emperor, and his already weak body became even worse.
He had been bedridden for the past few days and could not even review the memorials. The government affairs in the court could only be temporarily handled by the old ministers in the cabinet.
But this was not a long-term solution.
The old ministers had suggested to the old emperor more than once that he named the crown prince.
The old emperor was indignant. He did not want to give up the throne just like that.
However, his body was getting worse and worse. He could not hold on for long.
Once he suddenly passed away, and no one succeeded him, the world would definitely be in chaos.
It was necessary to appoint a crown prince in advance.
Now, he was only left with three princes. These three people came to visit him every day. Among them, the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince were especially enthusiastic, wishing they could engrave the words “loyalty” and “filial piety” on their foreheads.
Not only that, but the Sky Wolf Guards had also recently found out that the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince were secretly roping in the ministers. It seemed that they were planning to prepare for their fight for the throne.
The old emperor felt very uncomfortable.
He was not dead yet, but these two boys could not wait to fight for the throne.
Wei Huai’en came in to report. “Your Majesty, Duke Lang is here.”
“Send him in.”
The old emperor sat up with the help of the palace servants.
He leaned back on the soft pillow and looked at Xiao Juan as he walked in.
“Tomorrow is the day of Rui’er’s funeral. Have you found anything about
Rui’er’s death?”
Xiao Juan answered truthfully, “No.”
The old emperor was not surprised by this outcome.
“Looks like Rui’er did commit suicide. Let’s close this case. We don’t have to investigate anymore.”
Xiao Juan replied respectfully, “Yes.”
The old emperor looked at Wei Huai’en and said slowly.
“Although Rui’er is my son, he has made a huge mistake. He deserves to pay the price. After he dies, there’s no need for posthumous conferment. Let’s just follow the burial rites of a prince.”
Wei Huai’en immediately ordered someone to convey the emperor’s intentions.
The old emperor sighed. “I used to hear people say that the most painful thing in a person’s life is to see their children die before them. I understand it now.” Xiao Juan said, “The dead can’t be revived. Your Majesty, my condolences.” The old emperor said, “Rui’er is dead. Now, I only have three princes left. The civil and military officials in the court are urging me to quickly appoint the crown prince. In your opinion, who among the three princes is more suitable to inherit my throne?”
His question was very casual as if he did not treat the crown prince as anything important.
However, Xiao Juan knew very well that this was a fatal question.
If he answered wrongly, he might die.
“I don’t know the three princes very well. I’ll listen to Your Majesty. The country is Your Majesty’s country. Whoever Your Majesty wants to appoint can inherit it.”
The old emperor frowned slightly as if he was not satisfied with this answer.
He turned to Wei Huai’en and asked. “What do you think?”
Wei Huai’en responded respectfully.
“Although His Majesty has been unwell recently, he should recover soon.
There’s really no need to be in a hurry to appoint an heir.”
“The three princes are still young and needed His Majesty to take care of and nurture them. It is extremely important to have a crown prince. In my opinion, it’s better to take give this careful consideration.”
The old emperor sighed again.
“I also think I have to think it over seriously, but those old fellows in the cabinet come to rush me every day, making me annoyed.”
Xiao Juan took the initiative to volunteer. “Why don’t I talk to them?”
Everyone in the Imperial Court knew that Duke Lang was talking about bringing someone to the Justice Department to skin them alive.
The old emperor did not know whether to laugh or cry.
“If you really seek them out, not only will they interfere with you, but even I will be scolded. Forget it, I still want a few more days of peace.” Xiao Juan quickly admitted his mistake. “I didn’t think it through.”
Although the problem was still unresolved, the old emperor’s mood inexplicably improved.
He looked at Xiao Juan and sighed.
“I know you’re loyal and straightforward. I hope you can continue. Even if I’m no longer around in the future, you can’t forget your mission.”
Xiao Juan understood what the old emperor meant.
His mission was to be a knife in the emperor’s hand. Even if the throne changed in the future, he would still continue to be the sharpest knife in the emperor’s hand.
His life was not important. It was important to preserve the status and authority of the emperor.
Xiao Juan lowered his head. “I’ll remember your teachings.”
Yu Niaoniao rushed to the palace entrance in a carriage. She ran to ask the imperial guard guarding the door.
“How long has Duke Lang been in the palace?
The Imperial Guard answered truthfully, “Princess Consort, Duke Lang has been in for an hour.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Did he say when he was coming out?”
The Imperial Guard shook his head. “No.”
The palace was not a place she could enter as she pleased. Yu Niaoniao could only wait at the door, hoping that Xiao Juan would come out as soon as possible.
Her mind was filled with the Longevity Lock and Shen Junzhi. She was distracted when she suddenly heard the guards call out in unison.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Yu Niaoniao’s thoughts were pulled back.
She turned toward the voice and saw a carriage parked in front of the palace gate.
The carriage door was pushed open and a white-robed man ambled down on a stool.
When she saw the man’s face clearly, she exclaimed.
“Shen Junzhi?”
The person everyone called the Seventh Prince was actually Shen Junzhi?!
Shen Junzhi was wearing a moon-white collared long robe with a jade belt at his waist. His black hair was all tied up and fixed with a white jade crown.
His face was as pale as ever, and his eyebrows were slender and gentle. His figure was tall and slender, like an immortal who had walked out of a painting. He had an otherworldly temperament.
He clearly did not expect to meet Yu Niaoniao here. He looked stunned. “Niaoniao, why are you here?”
Yu Niaoniao said, “I should be the one asking you that. Why are you here? And why did they call you the Seventh Prince?”
At this point, Shen Junzhi knew that he could not hide it anymore and could only admit it.
“I am indeed the Seventh Prince.”
Yu Niaoniao was in disbelief. “But you said your name is Shen Junzhi. As far as I know, the Seventh Prince’s name is Shen Zhuo.”
Shen Junzhi explained, “Zhuo is my name. Junzhi is my word.” Not only did ancient men have names, but they also had words and even accounts.
Therefore, be it Shen Zhuo or Shen Junzhi, it was all him.
The guards looked back and forth between the two of them, probably guessing at their relationship.
Yu Niaoniao laughed at herself.
“In that case, I was too stupid to not even guess that Shen Junzhi was Shen Zhuo. Serves me right for being fooled by you.”
Shen Junzhi stared at her and said solemnly, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hidden my identity from you.”
Yu Niaoniao looked at him as if he were a stranger.
“How much more have you lied to me?
Shen Junzhi felt uncomfortable under her gaze.
“Niaoniao, I don’t want to lie to you, but I…”
Chapter 387: Seventh Prince
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Shen Rui’s death was a huge blow to the old emperor, and his already weak body became even worse.
He had been bedridden for the past few days and could not even review the memorials. The government affairs in the court could only be temporarily handled by the old ministers in the cabinet.
But this was not a long-term solution.
The old ministers had suggested to the old emperor more than once that he named the crown prince.
The old emperor was indignant. He did not want to give up the throne just like that.
However, his body was getting worse and worse. He could not hold on for long.
Once he suddenly passed away, and no one succeeded him, the world would definitely be in chaos.
It was necessary to appoint a crown prince in advance.
Now, he was only left with three princes. These three people came to visit him every day. Among them, the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince were especially enthusiastic, wishing they could engrave the words “loyalty” and “filial piety” on their foreheads.
Not only that, but the Sky Wolf Guards had also recently found out that the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince were secretly roping in the ministers. It seemed that they were planning to prepare for their fight for the throne.
The old emperor felt very uncomfortable.
He was not dead yet, but these two boys could not wait to fight for the throne.
Wei Huai’en came in to report. “Your Majesty, Duke Lang is here.”
“Send him in.”
The old emperor sat up with the help of the palace servants.
He leaned back on the soft pillow and looked at Xiao Juan as he walked in.
“Tomorrow is the day of Rui’er’s funeral. Have you found anything about
Rui’er’s death?”
Xiao Juan answered truthfully, “No.”
The old emperor was not surprised by this outcome.
“Looks like Rui’er did commit suicide. Let’s close this case. We don’t have to investigate anymore.”
Xiao Juan replied respectfully, “Yes.”
The old emperor looked at Wei Huai’en and said slowly.
“Although Rui’er is my son, he has made a huge mistake. He deserves to pay the price. After he dies, there’s no need for posthumous conferment. Let’s just follow the burial rites of a prince.”
Wei Huai’en immediately ordered someone to convey the emperor’s intentions.
The old emperor sighed. “I used to hear people say that the most painful thing in a person’s life is to see their children die before them. I understand it now.” Xiao Juan said, “The dead can’t be revived. Your Majesty, my condolences.” The old emperor said, “Rui’er is dead. Now, I only have three princes left. The civil and military officials in the court are urging me to quickly appoint the crown prince. In your opinion, who among the three princes is more suitable to inherit my throne?”
His question was very casual as if he did not treat the crown prince as anything important.
However, Xiao Juan knew very well that this was a fatal question.
If he answered wrongly, he might die.
“I don’t know the three princes very well. I’ll listen to Your Majesty. The country is Your Majesty’s country. Whoever Your Majesty wants to appoint can inherit it.”
The old emperor frowned slightly as if he was not satisfied with this answer.
He turned to Wei Huai’en and asked. “What do you think?”
Wei Huai’en responded respectfully.
“Although His Majesty has been unwell recently, he should recover soon.
There’s really no need to be in a hurry to appoint an heir.”
“The three princes are still young and needed His Majesty to take care of and nurture them. It is extremely important to have a crown prince. In my opinion, it’s better to take give this careful consideration.”
The old emperor sighed again.
“I also think I have to think it over seriously, but those old fellows in the cabinet come to rush me every day, making me annoyed.”
Xiao Juan took the initiative to volunteer. “Why don’t I talk to them?”
Everyone in the Imperial Court knew that Duke Lang was talking about bringing someone to the Justice Department to skin them alive.
The old emperor did not know whether to laugh or cry.
“If you really seek them out, not only will they interfere with you, but even I will be scolded. Forget it, I still want a few more days of peace.” Xiao Juan quickly admitted his mistake. “I didn’t think it through.”
Although the problem was still unresolved, the old emperor’s mood inexplicably improved.
He looked at Xiao Juan and sighed.
“I know you’re loyal and straightforward. I hope you can continue. Even if I’m no longer around in the future, you can’t forget your mission.”
Xiao Juan understood what the old emperor meant.
His mission was to be a knife in the emperor’s hand. Even if the throne changed in the future, he would still continue to be the sharpest knife in the emperor’s hand.
His life was not important. It was important to preserve the status and authority of the emperor.
Xiao Juan lowered his head. “I’ll remember your teachings.”
Yu Niaoniao rushed to the palace entrance in a carriage. She ran to ask the imperial guard guarding the door.
“How long has Duke Lang been in the palace?
The Imperial Guard answered truthfully, “Princess Consort, Duke Lang has been in for an hour.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Did he say when he was coming out?”
The Imperial Guard shook his head. “No.”
The palace was not a place she could enter as she pleased. Yu Niaoniao could only wait at the door, hoping that Xiao Juan would come out as soon as possible.
Her mind was filled with the Longevity Lock and Shen Junzhi. She was distracted when she suddenly heard the guards call out in unison.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Yu Niaoniao’s thoughts were pulled back.
She turned toward the voice and saw a carriage parked in front of the palace gate.
The carriage door was pushed open and a white-robed man ambled down on a stool.
When she saw the man’s face clearly, she exclaimed.
“Shen Junzhi?”
The person everyone called the Seventh Prince was actually Shen Junzhi?!
Shen Junzhi was wearing a moon-white collared long robe with a jade belt at his waist. His black hair was all tied up and fixed with a white jade crown.
His face was as pale as ever, and his eyebrows were slender and gentle. His figure was tall and slender, like an immortal who had walked out of a painting. He had an otherworldly temperament.
He clearly did not expect to meet Yu Niaoniao here. He looked stunned. “Niaoniao, why are you here?”
Yu Niaoniao said, “I should be the one asking you that. Why are you here? And why did they call you the Seventh Prince?”
At this point, Shen Junzhi knew that he could not hide it anymore and could only admit it.
“I am indeed the Seventh Prince.”
Yu Niaoniao was in disbelief. “But you said your name is Shen Junzhi. As far as I know, the Seventh Prince’s name is Shen Zhuo.”
Shen Junzhi explained, “Zhuo is my name. Junzhi is my word.” Not only did ancient men have names, but they also had words and even accounts.
Therefore, be it Shen Zhuo or Shen Junzhi, it was all him.
The guards looked back and forth between the two of them, probably guessing at their relationship.
Yu Niaoniao laughed at herself.
“In that case, I was too stupid to not even guess that Shen Junzhi was Shen Zhuo. Serves me right for being fooled by you.”
Shen Junzhi stared at her and said solemnly, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hidden my identity from you.”
Yu Niaoniao looked at him as if he were a stranger.
“How much more have you lied to me?
Shen Junzhi felt uncomfortable under her gaze.
“Niaoniao, I don’t want to lie to you, but I…”
