He thought, if it weren't for that brat Ji Heng, would the throne be his? His father would be satisfied with him. Maybe his father would even hunch over and call him Your Majesty. Those who had already tried to curry favor with him would never be able to hold their heads up in front of him for the rest of their lives.
If only that brat were out of the way.
The late emperor had only one son. This sole prince, though in poor health, had left behind three children. He was quite promiscuous and should have died early.
Yun Ting thought maliciously.
His father was the late emperor's younger brother. He, too, had the legitimate royal bloodline. Why couldn't he be the emperor?
The writing brush in his hand soon had only a few tattered bristles left. He threw it forward forcefully. The ink splashed everywhere, like countless sharp knives stabbing into the ground.
...
Early the next morning, the coronation ceremony of the new emperor began.
Shi Muyuan was sleeping soundly. She was dug out of bed by Xiaoxiao and put on the cumbersome yet magnificent palace dress from the day before.
After the attack last night, Shi Muyuan's mental state was already poor. Today, Xiaoxiao even put on a dignified and mature makeup on her somewhat child - like face, making her look even more haggard.
Her soft, thick and long hair was fixed on her head with all kinds of hair ornaments. Shi Muyuan deeply felt that the empress dowager didn't die of old age but was exhausted to death.
The coronation ceremony of the new emperor was in a hurry, but all the rules and regulations were carried out according to the norms without the slightest neglect.
Nine - year - old Ji Heng was wearing a miniaturized bright yellow dragon robe. Coiling on the long robe were the imposing five - clawed golden dragons.
Sure enough, clothes make the man. The fair - skinned child who used to look tender seemed much more domineering in this outfit. With his little face expressionless, it was hard to tell his real emotions, making him look even more majestic. It seemed that he was born to wear this yellow robe.
The national master, Huo Qizhou, led the new emperor onto the altar. Under the gaze of all the civil and military officials, he began to pray.
Shi Muyuan was standing below the altar, looking at the big and the small figure above. The pleasing sight soothed her irritable mood.
Although Huo Qizhou was still wearing a white robe today, it was more exquisite than usual. The pure - white robe with water - wave patterns as the base was embroidered with gold and silver threads in secret. His waist was still tied with a pure - white waistband with cloud patterns as the base. Hanging on the waistband was a jade pendant symbolizing his identity as the national master. There was a layer of sheer veil over it, looking clear and thin.
With his cold and proud eyes closed, the light golden glow fell on his body under the sun. The way he prayed devoutly looked like an immortal had descended.
Shi Muyuan thought this must be an immortal visiting the mortal world.
Last night's incident served as a wake - up call. After Han Su received his punishment, he immediately reorganized the palace guards. In the following days, many more officers and soldiers were dispatched. Although there were still some reluctant remaining followers causing disturbances, they were quickly subdued and detained.
So the ceremony went very smoothly, but the process was long and complicated. It was already dusk when it ended.
Ji Huang and Ji Ling were still in the panic of last night. Standing there, their little faces were as pale as paper. Their shoulders were hunched and they never relaxed for a moment. Ji Ling even shed a couple of tears.
It was obvious that something was wrong.
Those with a discerning eye naturally noticed and silently remembered it.
...
After the ceremony, a banquet was held in the palace. Ji Heng said a few official words according to what he had learned in the previous few days. The ministers below either echoed him or offered their congratulations.
Then Ji Heng issued an order to investigate last night's incident. This was what Huo Qizhou had taught him early this morning.
The amnesty for the whole country after the new emperor's accession to the throne was postponed. The incident of the assassination on the eve of the accession was fully investigated, and the entire Changjing City was directly blocked.
Mo Sang and his entourage, who had originally been waiting to set off after the new emperor's accession to the throne, were left behind again.
Some envoys began to complain. One of them stepped forward and said, "What do you people of the Great Liang mean? We just came here to offer birthday gifts to the empress dowager and congratulate the new emperor of the Great Liang on his accession to the throne. Why don't you let us leave?"
"Are you in a hurry to leave because you're guilty?"
"You... You're just making baseless accusations. Sir, don't talk nonsense and slander us."
Ji Heng then said, "Envoys, please don't be impatient. Please stay for a few more days. The Great Liang will never harm you without cause. It's just that I was assassinated yesterday, and I'm afraid the villains will escape. Please forgive me."
Since the new emperor had spoken, the envoy naturally couldn't refute anymore and had to swallow his anger.
Mo Sang had been quiet all the time, just looking around.
At the just - started banquet, the second prince, the third princess, and Ji Yunting, the thirteenth lord of the Lianqin Prince's Mansion who had made a fool of himself that day, were absent.
It was understandable that the children were too young to attend the banquet, but where was the thirteenth lord, who was of the right age and might have been pushed onto the throne?
It seemed that he hadn't been seen all day. Did he come this morning?
...
The banquet ended late at night. After a tiring day, everyone went to rest early, but there were still some rooms in the post - station lit up.
Mo Sang was sitting at the table, listening to Su Xing's report.
"My lord, this is all the news that has come out of the palace."
"Today was the coronation ceremony. Which fool would still do such a thing? Do they still want to take a chance?"
"I think it would be too obvious if that's the case."
"No wonder those two kids were so scared today. The little emperor is quite brave. You can't tell that he was assassinated. Maybe he'll be a talent in the future."
Mo Sang raised his hand and rubbed his chin with his thumb and index finger for a few times. "Go and investigate that Ji Yunting."
"Yes, my lord."
...
The case was of great importance as it involved the new emperor. The people in the Supreme Court in charge of the investigation put in all their energy. Soon they found that these assassins were just ordinary unknown killers in the Jianghu.
They were quite speechless. What was this? It was like a child's play. They had wasted so much human resources for nothing.
Han Su was also investigating who had let the assassins in. Although the palace guards were well - guarded, they were as fragile as delicate flowers raised in the palace. They didn't have the iron will of the outside troops. The result came out in a few days.
Han Su followed the clues, and the Supreme Court also conducted an investigation on that Jianghu organization. The spearhead soon pointed to the Lianqin Prince's Mansion.
This result made both sides hesitate for a moment.
The Lianqin Prince had so many capable people under his command. Did he come up with such a stupid plan?
It must be fake! This didn't seem like the Lianqin Prince's insidious means.
So everyone guessed that someone might be using this low - level means to frame someone. When they decided to conduct an in - depth investigation, they really made a discovery.
It was Ji Yunting, the son of the Lianqin Prince, who did it.
This seemed to make sense.
In just a few days, the case was thoroughly investigated. At the order, the people from the Supreme Court surrounded the Lianqin Prince's Mansion.
Here, Ji Yunting panicked and locked himself in the room. Outside the door, the Lianqin Prince was scolding loudly.
"Get out here, you scoundrel! Look at what you've done. You even hired Jianghu killers to break into the palace. Have you lost your mind?"
"Father, I didn't do it. Please believe me. Don't let them take me away. Father, please save me!" Ji Yunting shouted, lying on the door.