Chapter 214 My mind is made up

Chapter 214 My mind is made up

A look appeared in Xie Yan's eyes, a look of helplessness and compromise, with tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.

"Shen Nanzi, you are someone who can't even bear to kill a cat or dog."

"You're insanely jealous, yet you still want to make arrangements for other people's future."

"You would cause people to be displaced and plunge the world into chaos for your own selfish desires. Do you think I would believe that?"

"You are as stubborn as ever, always ready to die for the world, but in reality, you are as soft-hearted as a soft persimmon."

Shen Nanzi was already furious, and hearing that familiar tone only fueled her anger. "Xie Yan, don't think that just because you understand my temperament, you can know what I'm thinking."

"People change, and I can also become ruthless and unscrupulous."

Seeing that she was no longer cold and aloof, but instead as aggressive and menacing as before.

Xie Yan's heart melted into a pool of warm water, and his gaze also became warm.

"Aside from World War I, are there any other options?"

Shen Nanzi swallowed the rest of her words, looked at him, and waited for his next sentence.

Xie Yan: "I said last time in the bamboo forest behind the Hele Palace that we can join hands to bring peace to the world."

"I will not become empress." Shen Nanzi did not want to hear the man's promises; they might change, but she did not believe it.

"Then I'll make you Empress Dowager."

Shen Nanzi was taken aback and stared at him.

Seeing that he was serious, it didn't seem like he was talking nonsense.

A huge question is lingering in my mind?

How is that possible?

A sharp glint appeared in Xie Yan's eyes: "With my support, Cheng'er will become emperor, and no one will dare to act rashly."

Shen Minghan, Imperial Censor Zhang, Zhao Zhendong, and other ministers happened to be in the main hall when they heard Prince Jing's words.

They all stared in shock at Prince Jing and his wife standing at the entrance of the palace.

Imperial Censor Zhang, still holding the imperial seal, looked utterly incredulous. "Prince Jing, you're awake? How is your health?"

Is something wrong?

Imperial Censor Zhang's concerns.

Xie Yan said, "I am fine now. The imperial physician just examined me and the poison has been neutralized."

The imperial physician quickly replied, "Prince Jing's health is indeed much better now. With some further treatment, he will be fully recovered."

Everyone was overjoyed, even more so than during the New Year.

"That's wonderful. If Prince Jing is healthy, then the people of Yunhan are healthy."

"Yes! Hearing such good news first thing this morning is truly invigorating!"

“Yesterday we were kneeling on the ground praying for Prince Jing’s safety, but God has shown us that our Yunhan is saved.”

"Thank God, thank our royal ancestors, this is truly a cause for celebration."

"Our Yunhan has found its master."

Everyone spoke at once, all with sincere hearts, hoping that the world would be governed by a ruler and that peace would come soon.

But these words silenced the joyful crowd. They seemed to have just heard Prince Jing say that he wanted to support Prince Chengze to ascend the throne.

Everyone was a little hesitant to ask this question, because if it were true, they would object.

The group exchanged glances, and finally, Imperial Censor Zhang nudged Shen Minghan with his elbow, signaling him to go and ask.

He was Prince Jing's brother-in-law, making him even closer to them in status.

Shen Minghan had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask, "Just now, Prince Jing said that Cheng'er should ascend the throne. Is that true?"

After the question was asked, the palace fell silent.

Shen Nanzi lowered her eyes, naturally disbelieving. Xie Yan was in his prime, and besides, what men love most is power.

The throne! It's the throne, what man could refuse it!

Everyone's hearts were in their throats; this was a matter of great importance, concerning the fate of Yunhan.

Neither an adult emperor nor a young ruler would support the young ruler to ascend the throne.

Xie Yan looked at everyone and naturally knew what they were thinking; even Shen Minghan was uneasy.

"That is indeed true."

As soon as Prince Jing finished speaking, the faces of all the officials who had come changed.

"Prince Jing, I object."

The first to object was Imperial Censor Zhang, who knelt before Xie Yan, clutching the imperial seal.

"For the sake of all the people and the stability of the world, I humbly request that Prince Jing ascend the throne."

After Imperial Censor Zhang finished speaking, Zhao Zhendong also knelt down, saying, "This old minister knows that His Highness Prince Cheng has the bearing of an emperor."

"However, the current political situation is unstable, and the Turks are invading. All of these matters are urgent and imminent."

“The young ruler is truly incapable of shouldering the heavy responsibilities of the nation.”

"Prince Jing, this old minister also implores you to ascend the throne immediately to appease the people."

Dozens of civil and military officials behind him knelt down and said in unison, "We earnestly request Prince Jing to ascend the throne immediately."

Shen Nanzi watched this scene with a heavy heart. She knew all too well how important the emperor was to the country and its people.

Looking at her brother, Shen Minghan also looked at her.

Shen Nanzi walked to Shen Minghan's side and together they said to Xie Yan, "Please, Prince Jing, ascend the throne."

Although the siblings desired to inherit the throne, they decided to prioritize the greater good over their own selfish desires, considering the safety of the people of Yunhan.

Xie Yan looked at everyone, and finally fixed his gaze on Shen Nanzi.

He looked at her with a complex expression, but the look in his eyes was even more resolute.

"Rise, my mind is made up."

"If you disagree, I will ascend the throne today and abdicate in favor of Xie Chengze tomorrow. You can decide for yourselves!"

The officials were all surprised and disappointed to hear the usually steady Prince Jing utter such irresponsible words.

"Isn't this our Prince Jing?" someone whispered.

"It doesn't seem like it to me. Could it be that he was poisoned and then possessed by a ghost?"

"Should we ask a Taoist priest for help?"

"Nonsense! This is Prince Jing himself! All of you, shut up!"

Xie Yan looked at this group of people and felt a sense of helplessness, as if he had the power to do nothing.

"As you all know, I am in my prime. The Cangjue have invaded, and I must lead the army to fight. Once I ascend the throne, I will not be able to leave the palace easily."

"My wish is to expand the territory of Yunhan as much as possible during my lifetime."

“My son is handsome and virtuous, wise and intelligent, and is fit to be the ruler of this world.”

"With my assistance, do you still fear that this kingdom is unstable? I will guide him for a few years, and my son will be able to stand on his own."

"Is there anything else you're unhappy about?"

“Prince Jing, this is not in accordance with the proper order! The late emperor has passed away, and it is only right that a prince should ascend the throne. It is not proper for this grandson to ascend the throne.” A civil official cried out.

Another one knelt down, his expression even more exaggerated, pounding his chest and stamping his feet, "Prince Jing, Yunhan has always followed the rules of etiquette, and there has never been a precedent for a grandson of the emperor to ascend the throne."

"You have always acted with propriety and handled matters with care. How could you act impulsively now that you have ascended the throne?"

"I implore you to abandon this unrealistic idea."

Xie Yan asked, "Then why did you agree to Xie Hongrui's ascension to the throne?"

The group of officials were immediately rendered speechless with shame and stammered, "That was the Xue family's threat: anyone who didn't come would have their entire family slaughtered."

"I see!"

Xie Yan's "I see" left them all deep in thought.

Thinking further, if we use force, they will have no choice but to agree.

Bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

Shen Nanzi looked at him with a strange expression.

It seems he really intends to pass the throne to Cheng'er.

Looking at his brother, Shen Minghan was lost in thought.

The brother and sister both thought of their conversation at the base of the wall that morning.

Their eyes widened in surprise.

Knowing Prince Jing's temperament, Imperial Censor Zhang, unaware of what might have gone wrong, boldly made the request.

"Your Highness Prince Jing, may we speak privately?"