Chapter 218: Follow the Fate
Everything is settled now.
The hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. The ministers had different expressions and kept silent. Some looked at Wen Jin with an inquiring look, with a hint of doubt in their eyes. They wanted to say something but hesitated, but they looked hesitant.
Wen Jin closed the imperial edict, his face was gentle: "I originally thought that someone was plotting something bad and rebelling, but I didn't expect that the emperor had even written the abdication edict. In this case, I can only obey the emperor's order and respect the eldest princess as the emperor. I wonder if you have any objections?"
The Minister of Revenue was the first to bow: "Since this is the will of heaven, we should obey the will of heaven and respect the eldest princess as the emperor. Only by following the will of heaven can we protect Dayong from good weather and peace and prosperity."
"I have a question for Lord Wen." King Huai, who was standing in the hall, spoke loudly, "I have no objection to respecting the eldest princess as the emperor, but I would like to ask Lord Wen to solve some of my doubts."
Wen Jin raised his eyes slightly: "King Huai, please speak."
"I want to know if Lord Wen is involved with the eldest princess?"
Involved?
Wen Jin raised his lips slightly, "Does following the emperor count as an involvement?"
King Huai narrowed his eyes: "Lord Wen didn't tell the truth."
"Does King Huai doubt the emperor's abdication edict?" Wen Jin held the edict high, "Do you want to see it in person?"
King Huai did not doubt the edict. At this point, the edict should not be false, and even if it was false, what would happen? With Si Yuan recognizing Yan Qing's identity, Wen Jin's support, the Qilin Guards protecting the emperor, and the four vassal kings pledging their loyalty, no one in the court can turn the tide.
What he wants to know now is what role Wen Jin plays in this matter? Is he truly obedient and loyal to Yan Qing, or is he intentionally or unintentionally controlling Yan Qing?
This is about what the country will eventually be like and who will hold the power, and there is no room for ambiguity.
"This prince, Prince Rui, Prince Duan, and Prince Qi are all heirs of the royal family. The eldest princess ascends the throne to become the emperor. We four princes should be able to participate."
Wen Jin raised his eyebrows and said in a gentle and calm voice: "Prince Huai, you are joking."
Prince Huai's expression changed slightly: "Are you joking?"
"The eldest princess ascended the throne in accordance with the will of heaven. With the approval of the Imperial Observatory and the emperor's abdication edict, it is natural for her to ascend the throne. The coronation ceremony must be held strictly in accordance with the procedures for the enthronement of new emperors in previous dynasties, and the Ministry of Rites is responsible for it." Wen Jin's voice was as calm as water, without any waves. "However the Ministry of Rites arranges, the civil and military officials in the court will follow it. No one is special."
Prince Huai frowned and said nothing.
"The country cannot be without a monarch for a day." Wen Jin walked down the steps of the palace, "If you have no objection, follow me to the eldest princess's mansion to pay homage to the new emperor now."
He is the first-rank prime minister, the head of all officials in the court. Although not everyone is willing to listen to him, no one dares to sing against him at this time-even if they oppose it in their hearts, they dare not do it openly.
Singing against Wen Jin means disrespecting the new emperor. When the emperor settles old scores in the future, it is possible that the nine clans will be in danger.
No one spoke.
The ministers looked at each other, turned around and walked out of the hall without saying a word, and followed Wen Jin out of the palace to the Princess's Mansion.
"What do you think he means?" Prince Huai fell behind and whispered to Prince Duan and Prince Rui, "Yan Qing ascended the throne, shouldn't he take the opportunity to win over the people's hearts?"
Otherwise, how can he be a powerful minister under one person and above ten thousand people?
Prince Duan stared at Wen Jin's back in front of him: "What if he didn't have the idea of winning over the people's hearts?"
"You mean, he has no ambition?" Prince Huai frowned, "Is this possible?"
"Why not?" Prince Duan smiled lightly, "Not everyone has ambitions, but I think Wen Jin's attitude towards Yan Qing is unusual."
"What did you say?" Prince Huai was startled, as if he had suddenly been enlightened, "You mean, Wen Jin... treats Yan Qing..."
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There will be updates later.