Chapter Seventy-Eight: Two Imperial Edicts-Saving the Ming Dynasty with a System(The sounds of summer unfold like a painting.)

After Fang Congzhe finished reading the imperial decree, he closed it and called out loudly, “May His Highness the Crown Prince, in accordance with the late Emperor’s will, ascend to the throne before the late Emperor’s spirit, take his rightful place as sovereign, nourish the state, and unite the hearts of the people!”

As Fang Congzhe’s words faded, the ministers cried out in unison:

“May His Highness the Crown Prince ascend before the spirit!”

Three times the ministers called, yet the Crown Prince’s figure remained absent. Fear swept through them; they prostrated themselves, whispering anxiously among each other.

Zhu Hao, witnessing the scene, felt a sense of foreboding. He cursed inwardly, “That useless Wei Xiaobao! I sent him to fetch my elder brother for the enthronement, yet he’s been gone so long without returning. Now the decree’s been read, and the Crown Prince hasn’t appeared to ascend! What a mess! When that little rascal gets back, I’ll teach him a lesson!”

Just as Zhu Hao was thinking this, he saw Wei Xiaobao run back, panic-stricken, and alone. Seeing him return without his elder brother, Zhu Hao knew something had gone awry. Without waiting for Wei Xiaobao to speak, Zhu Hao urgently demanded, “Why were you gone so long? Why did you return alone? Where is my imperial brother?”

Kneeling, tearful, Wei Xiaobao replied, “Your Highness, I deserve death! I went to the Eastern Palace but did not see His Highness the Crown Prince. I searched every corner, inside and out, but found no trace of him. None of the servants in the Eastern Palace know where the Crown Prince went! Your Highness, I deserve death for failing to fulfill your order!” With each word, Wei Xiaobao slapped his own face, repeating, “I deserve death!”

Zhu Hao, seeing this, felt pity. He knew the fault was partly his own oversight and could not blame Wei Xiaobao entirely. Frowning slightly, he said, “Get up. This isn’t your fault. Now hurry—take men and search the palace. You must find my imperial brother; the ministers await his ascension!”

Wei Xiaobao, face swollen and speech slurred, replied, “As you command, Your Highness! I’ll take men and search for the Crown Prince at once!”

Just as he finished, a shrill voice called out behind him, “Her Grace, the Dowager Consort, arrives!”

With that, Lady Zheng strode forward, casting Zhu Hao a contemptuous glance and snorting, “You’re searching for the Crown Prince, are you? I advise you to stop, for you won’t find him, and even if you do, you won’t bring him here!”

Lady Zheng’s meaning was clear: she was telling Zhu Hao the Crown Prince was in her hands, warning him not to act rashly. Zhu Hao understood perfectly. He glared at Lady Zheng and barked, “What are you doing here? This is the Gate of Supreme Harmony—imperial consorts are forbidden entry!”

Lady Zheng arched her brow, sneering, “Oh? The Gate of Supreme Harmony? Consorts forbidden entry? And yet a mere prince can enter as he pleases? You have no right to chastise me!”

Zhu Hao snorted angrily, “Guards—” but Lady Zheng cut him off coldly, “Fifth Prince, I advise you not to act recklessly. If anything happens to me, no one can guarantee the Crown Prince’s safety. Don’t think that just because you control the palace guards you can do as you wish! I’ve been in this palace for years—not someone you can contend with! But you have indeed surprised me. I should thank you; once the new emperor ascends, I’ll grant you the honor of accompanying the late Emperor in death!”

Lady Zheng’s threat to Zhu Hao—using his elder brother’s life as leverage—left him cautious, unable to act rashly. Hearing her brazen words, Zhu Hao suppressed his fury and attempted negotiation, “What exactly do you want?”

Lady Zheng rested her chin, as if pondering, and murmured, “What do I want…”

Her face twisted with madness. She drew a yellow silk scroll from her bosom, held it aloft, and cried, “The late Emperor’s decree!”

Her appearance stirred unease among the ministers. When she declared, “The late Emperor’s decree!” terror swept their faces.

Their fear was well-founded; throughout history, never had two imperial decrees appeared after an emperor’s death. If such a thing happened, it meant one must be forged. The crime of forging an imperial decree—especially with royal secrets involved—would surely implicate all who knew.

While the ministers trembled, Lady Zheng remained composed. She slowly unfurled the yellow silk and read aloud:

“From the day I inherited the throne, I have worried ceaselessly for the realm, laboring until illness overcame me—truly, Heaven offers me no shelter. Though immortal medicine exists, destiny cannot be altered! Grand Secretary Fang, diligent and frugal, has served faithfully as my pillar and the backbone of the Ming Dynasty. My departure is Heaven’s will; future monarchs must not blame Grand Secretary Fang for seeking immortal medicine on my behalf, nor act in ways that damage the state.

Though Heaven has not favored me, the Crown Prince is young and timid, unfit for great responsibility. Yet, fortunately, Prince Fu, Changxun, is tolerant, virtuous, filial, and humble—worthy of the task. While the late emperor lived, he often praised Prince Fu, saying I could not match him. Therefore, after my death, I entrust the state to Prince Fu, ensuring the ancestral foundation persists and I need not face my forebears in shame!

After my death, let Prince Fu, Changxun, inherit the throne, continue the ancestral legacy, aided by all ministers, so that everlasting peace may be achieved. Thus, though I die, I have no regrets!”

This decree mirrored the previous one in language, save for the successor: instead of the Crown Prince, it named Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, Lady Zheng’s own son. The intent was obvious. Zhu Hao, watching Lady Zheng’s mad expression, snorted, “You venomous woman! How dare you forge a decree, coveting the throne! Do you think the ministers are fools? Who doesn’t know Prince Fu is your son? Who would believe this? You disgrace yourself—and the entire royal family!”

Lady Zheng regarded him coldly, unfazed, and retorted, “Forged decree? Which one is forged? Fifth Prince, you know best!”

She then turned to Fang Congzhe, saying, “Grand Secretary Fang, at the late Emperor’s final moments, only I was present. Tell me, which of our decrees is forged?”

Zhu Hao, hearing Lady Zheng question Fang Congzhe, looked to him in confusion, but Fang Congzhe deliberately avoided Zhu Hao’s gaze. Seeing this, Zhu Hao’s heart sank. When Lady Zheng read her decree, Zhu Hao had already found the near-identical wording suspicious, but now, with Fang Congzhe’s guilty demeanor, Zhu Hao realized: “That old fox Fang Congzhe must have conspired with Lady Zheng and reached some agreement. It seems Fang Congzhe is about to turn traitor!”

While Zhu Hao thought this, under the ministers’ scrutiny, Fang Congzhe spoke, “Her Grace speaks true. Before the late Emperor passed, I was not in attendance. Later, the Fifth Prince brought me into the palace and compelled me to write the decree I hold. I assumed that since the late Emperor died without a decree, the Crown Prince’s succession was proper and did not resist. But now, it seems the late Emperor had already left a decree. Her Grace’s decree is likely authentic. We should honor the late Emperor’s will and quickly summon Prince Fu to inherit the throne.”

Having spoken, Fang Congzhe ignored the ministers’ uproar and fell silent.

Witnessing such upheaval, Zhu Hao knew he could not wait for the new emperor’s ascension to present Fang Congzhe’s confession. If things continued unchecked, disaster might follow. With this in mind, he took from his bosom the paper bearing Fang Congzhe’s confession and shouted to the ministers, “Gentlemen, please remain calm. This paper in my hand is a confession written by Grand Secretary Fang, stating clearly that he and Lady Zheng conspired to poison the late Emperor. They seek power through conspiracy, and their words cannot be trusted. Both should be handed over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for strict interrogation!”

He glanced threateningly at Lady Zheng and Fang Congzhe. Fang Congzhe hung his head, not daring to meet Zhu Hao’s gaze, while Lady Zheng remained serene, showing not a trace of panic, leaving Zhu Hao baffled.

As confusion consumed him, Lady Zheng spoke, “Fifth Prince, do not slander me. You claim this paper contains Grand Secretary Fang’s confession, implicating me in the late Emperor’s murder. Dare you open it before the ministers and let all see? Otherwise, you are framing the Grand Secretary and the late Emperor’s widow—a grave offense!”

Hearing her words, Zhu Hao thought, “You venomous old woman! Still so bold at this point, threatening me even now. Soon, you’ll have no tears left to shed!”

With this in mind, Zhu Hao sneered, “Why wouldn’t I dare? I was merely preserving a shred of royal dignity. Since you have no shame, I need not hold back!”

Carefully, he opened the paper, its face toward the ministers, and shouted, “Gentlemen, behold!”