Chapter 294: 294: If the new emperor lacks virtue, the world will be in fury, let the capable one ascend to the throne!

Words : 1343 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 294: Chapter 294: If the new emperor lacks virtue, the world will be in fury, let the capable one ascend to the throne! Emperor Xuanwu looked at Mu Yan with a numb expression, unable to utter a single word. Mu Yan said sternly, “Now get up and draft the imperial decree.” Emperor Xuanwu was lifted up like a lost dog by Eunuch Li. All the paper, ink, brush, and inkstone were set up; Mu Yan dictated one word at a time, and Emperor Xuanwu wrote them down. Emperor Xuanwu had never imagined that Eunuch Li was actually a martial arts master; after all these years, Mu Yan’s intentions were truly terrifying. How many people in Nanjin were his? Even Eunuch Li, who had been with him for twenty years, turned out to be a hound for Mu Yan. Mu Yan’s power was like a deeply rooted tree, firmly entrenched in the land of Nanjin. Desperately, Emperor Xuanwu thought: none of his four sons was a match for Mu Yan. However, the decree Mu Yan had him write today was incomprehensible to him. Did Mu Yan have a grudge against Zhan Lan? Why do this! Fortunately, this didn’t mean any loss for Emperor Xuanwu, and it was beneficial to Nanjin without any harm. After writing two imperial decrees, he looked at Mu Yan. Mu Yan met his gaze and said, “You are wondering why I don’t just take the throne myself, aren’t you?” Emperor Xuanwu nodded; Mu Yan smirked: “My heart is not set on this.” Emperor Xuanwu looked at him in shock. Was Mu Yan joking? After all his planning, to declare indifference toward the throne. Emperor Xuanwu felt a bit relieved, and Mu Yan continued, “Might as well write the succession edict for the Crown Prince now, I’m really too lazy to make another trip!” Upon hearing Mu Yan’s words, Emperor Xuanwu felt a chill run down his spine, as if the sentence of death had been given, but since Mu Yan did not take the throne, perhaps he feared the world’s censure as a treacherous, ambitious usurper. Emperor Xuanwu’s hands trembled, tea in his eyes, fury burning in his chest, he wrote down the edict of succession word by word. Mu Yan then said, “Should the new emperor lack virtue and incite public outrage, let the capable take over!” “Write!” Mu Yan’s voice was like a heavy mountain pressing down on Emperor Xuanwu, who could hardly catch his breath. Mu Yan implied that one day, if the Crown Prince proved virtueless as emperor and lost the people’s support, anyone with the mandate of the masses could replace him, and this would not be rebellion but the will of the former emperor himself! Emperor Xuanwu’s hands shook, and under Mu Yan’s oppressive gaze, he asked, “Do you have so little trust in your own son?” Emperor Xuanwu closed his eyes; he was going to die soon, and if his sons could not keep their empire, it was their own ineptitude! He steadied his mind and wrote down the succession edict. Mu Yan took the edict with satisfaction and nodded, “Brother is wise, no need for further reasoning from me.” He smirked lightly, his Lan’er was indeed intelligent; even preventing the accusation of rebellion after ascending the throne in the future. ... Dawn was just breaking. Zhan Xuerou had an uneasy night’s sleep at Prince Wei Mansion, plagued by nightmares of Zhan Lan trying to harm her. She sat up and said, “Qiuyue, Meng Ling, come here.” The two entered from the side room, stood respectfully and listened as Zhan Xuerou said, “You two won’t leave me, will you?” Qiuyue nodded, “Yes, this servant will always follow Miss.” Meng Ling also insincerely said, “Miss, don’t overthink, sooner or later His Highness will obtain justice for you.” Zhan Xuerou felt somewhat relieved in her heart; she was now too scared of losing everything. Overnight, everything—her parents’ love, the respect of the servants, wealth, the family’s status and reputation—she lost it all. Now all that was left to her were two maids and Si Jun’s affection. If even they left her, Zhan Xuerou didn’t know how she could go on living. “Alright, help me get out of bed!” Zhan Xuerou said languidly. The two maids got her ready, and Meng Ling took the excuse of going to the outhouse to meet with Si Jun. After seeing Meng Ling, Si Jun stared into her eyes and asked, “How has your inquiry gone?” Meng Ling respectfully said, “Your Highness, I was right outside the door and heard everything clearly. The Li family admitted without any denial to switching the babies; Zhan Lan made loud accusations; Qin Shuang was distraught; Old General Zhan acknowledged only Zhan Lan; and General Zhan Beicang also appeared very somber.” “So, you’re saying Zhan Xuerou is indeed an imposter?” Si Jun fiddled with a teacup in his hands as his gaze grew steadily colder. Meng Ling added, “I believe it must be so. Since Li is now in jail and all witnesses have confessed, and she has been beaten with bamboo, the Madam Qin Shuang refuses to see Zhan Xuerou again regardless of her crying.” Si Jun put down the teacup and said, “You should continue to treat Zhan Xuerou as usual. This matter needs careful long-term planning.” Meng Ling furrowed her brows, speaking cautiously, “Why does Your Highness still keep such a discarded piece?” Si Jun’s eyes pressed down, and Meng Ling shut her mouth. Si Jun sneered, “After all, she has lived with Qin Shuang and Zhan Beicang for eighteen years; I don’t believe that they hold absolutely no affection for her. Taking her as a wife is no longer possible, but as a concubine, it’s not bad.” Si Jun remembered the past, “After all, at my most destitute times, Zhan Xuerou stood by me through thick and thin; I cannot let her down.” “Yes, this servant spoke out of turn,” Meng Ling nodded in acknowledgment. “You may leave,” Si Jun waved Meng Ling away. After Meng Ling closed the door from outside, Si Jun’s lips curved into a smile—forty thousand troops in Zhan Beicang’s hand plus Zhan Lan’s Brave Army. What kind of crisis would the Zhan Family face if this information were to be released? Plotting rebellion? Holding military power for personal gain. Deceiving the Emperor. “Heh, interesting,” Si Jun closed his teacup, ready to go to court. ... Inside the imperial palace, atop the Golden Throne Hall. Zhan Lan, dressed in dark red official robes, stood in the front row according to rank and title. Zhan Beicang cast a sideways glance at his daughter, his lips unconsciously curling up with pride—it was just that his daughter Zhan Lan was too striking. But why hadn’t Lan’er even given him a glance? Upon reflection, it made sense—he was an unworthy father after all, so it was natural for Lan’er to not acknowledge him. Mu Yan, sitting beside the Crown Prince, fixed his gaze on Zhan Lan. His little girl was indeed the first one he could spot in a crowd. He was already tired from the thrice-weekly court assemblies. Listening to the endless disputes among the ministers bored him to death. Today, just watching his Lan’er was a delight to his eyes. His lips curved into a smile which faded as he pondered: However, standing there... would his Lan’er be too tired? The court assembly began, and in the resplendent great hall, the Crown Prince listened attentively to the ministers’ presentations. Si Jun’s gaze landed on Zhan Lan, and he inwardly sneered, his attention then shifted to Imperial Censor Zhong Xuanliang from the Imperial Censorate, whose expression was grim—it seemed that the news he had released was having its intended effect. Just as expected, soon after, Zhong Xuanliang stepped forward holding his court tablet, speaking loudly, “I have a matter to report to His Majesty!”

Chapter 294: 294: If the new emperor lacks virtue, the world will be in fury, let the capable one ascend to the throne!

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