GNU Ch 144 Part 4 – Finale (IV)

“I… I was concerned about Father Emperor and lost my mind in panic.” Li Chengjun argued.

“You are still refusing to admit your crime?” Li Chengjing waved his hand and said loudly, “Bring up the immortality pills that Taoist Chongxu and Shou Wang presented to His Majesty.”

Li Chengjun’s face turned pale upon hearing this. Seeing his reaction, the cabinet ministers already knew the answer. The things presented to the Emperor, for the sake of auspiciousness, were generally in even numbers, which was why there were exactly two immortality pills. Li Chengjun watched as the remaining immortality pill, which should have been destroyed, was delivered to Li Chengjing. Li Chengjing scraped the pill a little and fed it to a crane brought from Yinghua Palace. Sure enough, the crane flapped its wings and convulsed for a while before dropping down and dying.

Li Chengjing watched as the crane stopped moving and said coldly, “This crane died in pain after taking a small amount of powder scraped off the pill. His Majesty swallowed a full pill, and you can imagine how painful his end was. His Majesty passed away tragically, poisoned by the two of you! Taoist Chongxu confused the Emperor, lying to the imperial family, making havoc on the court, and now he has also poisoned the Emperor. Shou Wang, as a son, helped the criminal Taoist to bring the deadly pill to His Majesty, making himself an accomplice. Both of you murdered His Majesty!”

“I, I…” Li Chengjun stuttered, unable to say anything to refute. Seeing that the situation was turning bad, Taoist Chongxu was about to sneak out quietly, but was caught by the guards waiting outside. Outside the palace, there was a loud cry begging for mercy, which completely destroyed the last of Li Chengjun’s psychological defense. He staggered behind, repeatedly muttering, “Not me… it’s not my fault…”

Regardless of Li Chengjun’s struggles and pleas, the Yulin Army quickly arrested him and took him away. The Senior Grand Secretary swept his eyes across the surrounding Yulin Army before stepping forward and bowing respectfully to Li Chengjing, “The previous Emperor passed away tragically, which was a tragedy to the world. However, the country cannot be without a ruler for a day. This old subject implores Your Highness the Crown Prince to comply with the will of the people and ascend the throne as soon as possible to preside over the overall situation!”

Everyone in the chamber immediately knelt down one after another. Cheng Yujin also took a step back and knelt respectfully, “We implore Your Highness to ascend the throne.”

The Emperor’s private chamber in the Qianqing Palace was very crowded at this moment. There were cabinet ministers with their ministerial attire embroidered in flying birds motif, military attachés in full armor, imperial eunuchs in red, palace maids in blue, and finally, Cheng Yujin, dressed in brilliant colors. All these people, with different identities, statuses, and honor, were kneeling at Li Chengjing’s feet without exception, saying in unison, “We implore Your Highness to ascend the throne.”

Everyone was kneeling, but Li Chengjing alone was standing, making his figure look even tall and imposing. Li Chengjing glanced at the many kneeling heads and finally bent down to personally help Cheng Yujin up.

Cheng Yujin stood up with the help of Li Chengjing. He then held her with one hand, making her stand shoulder to shoulder with him, before slowly raising his other hand, “You may stand up.”

Everyone bowed even more deeply in response, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. Long Live Your Majesty, Long Live Her Majesty.”