Chapter 671 - 330 Return to Heaven_1
The lights in the Palace Taiji Hall were brightly lit, and the Emperor, now extremely thin and gaunt, sat in front of the dragon desk with Grand Eunuch Cui standing behind him. Liang Jinzhao had left some time ago, and the Emperor was still in a daze. He muttered, "Jiji won’t come to see me! He’s already in the Capital City, yet he doesn’t come to see me!" He let out a deep sigh, patted the armrest of the Dragon Chair, and said, "Ah, such worldly things that my many sons fought over so fiercely, and yet he doesn’t want them at all..."
The Emperor had received a letter from the secret guards before the end of the year, informing him that Zhu Suji was unwilling to enter the palace to inherit the throne, and the Old Fairy also did not wish for him to become the sovereign, which deeply disappointed the Emperor. He wanted to pass on his well-governed lands to his most beloved descendant. Moreover, he had focused on cultivating the support of the Zhang family, the Liang Family, the Yue family, and some civil officials who had supported the Former Crown Prince, all of whom would have been of use to Zhu Suji. If someone else were to take over, they might not be able to suppress the eldest son. Despite all the preparations he had made for such a long time, he lamented that man’s plans are no match for those of heaven.
Grand Eunuch Cui bowed even lower, consoling in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, perhaps the young master is too weary and has gone back to Baoguo Temple to rest for a while. Once he has rested, he will come to see you."
The Emperor shook his head and said, "He doesn’t want to succeed to the throne, so it’s just as well he doesn’t come to see me and spare others the trouble. If anything were to happen to him, I wouldn’t have the face to meet the Empress and Changchang."
Leaning on the Dragon Chair, the Emperor pondered for a while, then spoke wearily, "I feel my energy waning more and more these days; perhaps, my time is nearing an end. So be it... Have it decided. Go, summon Zhang Fengzheng, Di Shu, Liang Zechong, Yue Feng, and Fu Qinghong to enter the palace immediately, and also send for the Eighth Prince."
He wanted to use the little time he had left to clear the obstacles for his eighth son, Zhu Xiangxi. Lao Wu would be easy to handle, as his men were not capable of great things. The real challenge, however, was the eldest son, who was difficult to manage and had a violent temper; he needed to find a way to catch him off guard and restrain him first.
Grand Eunuch Cui bowed and said, "I obey Your Majesty’s command."
He hurried out to send for them but had barely reached the doorway before retreating back in.
Prince Ning had arrived, accompanied by some armed guards, who had taken over guarding the great doors of the Taiji Hall; the original guards were nowhere to be seen.