Chapter 305: Set Up as a Prince

Chapter 305

"Your Majesty, watch out!" Reêad latest novels at novelhall.com

At this crucial moment, Jiang Deshun, who was standing behind Xiao Jingheng, acted on instinct without hesitation and pushed Xiao Jingheng out of the way.

'Bang!'

The plaque barely missed Xiao Jingheng, but slammed right into Jiang Deshun's right leg.

His right leg was instantly twisted and deformed in an unimaginable posture, just barely hanging on by skin and flesh on the lower half of his body.

The depth of the wound revealed stark white bone jutting out, a ghastly sight that made one's heart skip a beat!

"Is Your Majesty alright?"

Song Zhao handed Cheng Yu over to the wet nurse to hold and hurried over to the still shocked Xiao Jingheng.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

Xiao Jingheng breathed heavily, his face pale. He stared blankly at Jiang Deshun lying on the ground and crying out in pain.

The plaque that landed on his leg was broken into three sections. The four bold characters that read "Diligent Governance, Close to the Wise" were also shattered into pieces, looking abrupt and out of place.

With such a big incident occurring, the rest of the palace women quickly surrounded them.

Xiao Yinzi was even more anxious, crying out, "Master! Master, please endure!"

This voice snapped Xiao Jingheng out of his daze. He quickly ordered, "Hurry and summon the imperial physician to treat Jiang Deshun!"

Then he looked up, his gaze dark as he looked at the empty door frame. "Go see what is going on here."

The palace women quickly carried Jiang Deshun out to the outer rooms of Chaoyang Palace, while Xiao Yinzi brought over a ladder and climbed up to inspect the abnormality of the door frame.

"Your Majesty, the iron hook holding up the plaque came loose... But people from the Imperial Household Department come to inspect and maintain these things every three days. There should not have been such an oversight."

After further investigation, it turned out to be negligence by the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department. On that day when they came to Chaoyang Palace to inspect and repair, they had just gone through the motions, looking at the "Righteousness and Brightness" plaque in the main hall, but neglecting the one by the inner chamber doors.

Xiao Jingheng was furious. He punished the eunuch with death by lingchi, and also caned the head of the Imperial Household Department with one hundred heavy strokes, suspending his salary for a full year.

As for Jiang Deshun, his right leg was completely crippled.

Xiao Jingheng appreciated his meritorious deed of protecting him, and richly rewarded him with much silver and gold. He also allowed him to retire early after five more years of service, granting him twenty mou of fertile land near the outskirts of the capital to support him for the rest of his life.

"The reason for inviting envoys from all nations this time is not only to celebrate this Emperor's birthday, but also Prince Cheng Yu's first birthday."

"The Prince of the Crown?"

The consorts were baffled, almost blurting out this line in unison.

Xiao Jingheng said, "The foundation of a nation is unstable. The turmoil of the nation and the suffering of its people weigh heavily on Our mind. Therefore, We have decided to appoint Crown Prince Cheng Yu as Heir Apparent immediately."

His words were clear. It was even more shocking, leaving them all caught off guard. Song Zhao could only hurry to decline,

"Your Majesty is in the prime of life. Cheng Yu is not yet one year old. How could he possibly..."

"Our decision is made. Imperial Consort shall obey this decree."

Xiao Jingheng gently replied Song Zhao's protest, but his tone instantly became solemn when his gaze shifted to Consort Yin.

"Imperial Consort still presides over the six palaces. For all internal affairs of the six palaces, you shall all listen to her. If anyone dares to overstep their bounds and act arrogantly, Imperial Consort can punish them according to the palace rules at any time, with no need to report back to Us. Do you understand?"

The consorts quickly got up to bow in acceptance, saying in unison,

"This concubine/servant would never dare to disobey."

Xiao Jingheng's words clearly were meant to reprimand Consort Yin.

And even if this longevity celebration followed her suggestion, so what?

After Xiao Jingheng left, Consort Yun quietly grumbled,

"Cheng Yu is neither the eldest nor the principal son. How can he so casually be made Heir Apparent?"

"Sister Dong doesn't understand this matter? I get it~", Consort Hui interrupted with a face of innocence, happily looking at Song Zhao and candidly saying,

"If Sister Song becomes Empress, then little Cheng Yu would be the principal son, right? I think this is precisely His Majesty's intention~"

At her words, the knife-like gazes of the consorts all fell upon Song Zhao.

But at this moment, Song Zhao didn't have the mind to care what they thought.

Appointing Cheng Yu as Heir Apparent was clearly an occasion of great joy.

Yet for some reason, her heart was in turmoil.