Chapter 306 : Succession To The Throne (1)
As the somber veil of mourning began to lift, the Golden Dragon Palace stirred from its period of quietude.
Within the palace’s opulent halls, where the echoes of grief still lingered, a sense of renewed purpose took hold, as the celestial court prepared to embark on a momentous undertaking -- the selection and enthronement of the next Heavenly Emperor.
The weight of his father’s throne pressed heavily upon Xie Jianyu’s shoulders as he emerged from the comforting embrace of his Fuxi Palace two weeks after the funeral ended. The Crown Prince, an expecting mother who was still reeling from the grief of his father’s passing, found himself thrust into the tumultuous sea of palace politics, tasked with steering the Heavenly Realm through a period of uncertainty.
As he stepped into the grand hall, Xie Jianyu was engulfed by a palpable tension that crackled like static in the air. The faces of the gathered palace masters and heavenly officials were etched with a mix of grief and anticipation, their eyes scrutinizing the young Crown Prince who now bore the burden of the throne.
Xie Jianyu’s heart sank as he took in their gazes. He was the Crown Prince, he reminded himself, his father’s chosen heir.
He had been groomed for this role, trained for years to wield the power and wisdom of a ruler. Yet, at this moment, amidst the weight of his father’s legacy and the uncertainty of the future, Xie Jianyu’s carefully constructed facade began to crumble.
His hands, usually steady and unwavering, trembled uncontrollably, a testament to the storm raging within him.
He tried to suppress the tremors, to project an image of strength and composure, but his body betrayed him, betraying the raw emotions that threatened to consume him.
Amid his rising anxiety, a comforting warmth enveloped his left fist. Xie Jianyu turned to find his elder brother, Xie Jianshen, sitting beside him, his expression a silent display of brotherly support. Xie Jianshen said nothing, but his presence in this meeting, a testament to his unwavering loyalty, spoke volumes.
To his right, another hand closed in around his fist, this time belonging to his beloved husband, Zhang Fengxi. Zhang Fengxi’s eyes met Xie Jianyu’s, and a reassuring smile spread across his face. The silent exchange of support from his brother and husband was a lifeline in the midst of Xie Jianyu’s turmoil.
Head Eunuch Wang had tragically been murdered when he tried to save the Heavenly Emperor. In his stead, another eunuch surnamed Lu took over the task of announcing the commencement of a fateful meeting.