Chapter 4, The Transactions in the Grand Ancestral Temple

After waiting for a while, Yang Feng approached on his knees, arrived at the stool, and softly said: "Your Majesty must first pay homage to the ancestors before ascending the throne"

What about Jing Yao and Yang Feng? Did they not swear that they could persuade the ministers to withdraw? How is it that there is not even a word from them until now

Yang Feng forced a faint smile and said in a lower voice, "Now is not the time."

The Empress Dowager shook her head

"Where did the Pine Prince come from? I am King Han Shu of the East Sea." King Han turned to look at Han Ruzi and suddenly understood, "This is impossible. My mother and several uncles would never agree... Jing Yao, you said I would definitely be able to become emperor, which is why I entered the palace with you."

The two rows of eunuchs and palace maids guarding the door collapsed in an instant, as several individuals strode over the threshold. The palace maid, with her legs slightly bent, prepared to use her own strength to block the multitude of enemies

About half an hour later, when King of the East Sea was unable to contain himself any longer, Jing Yao finally arrived. Upon entering the hall, he knelt before the Empress Dowager and the two princes, saying, "The Empress Dowager has issued an edict to immediately enshrine the new emperor in the ancestral temple. May the ancestors bless us, and may Heaven protect Da Chu"

I will not stay, I want to go home!" The King of the East Sea shouted, filled with hatred for everyone in the palace

Please allow the prince to pay homage to his ancestors said Yang Feng

The King of the East Sea laughed several times, jumped to the ground, and prepared to accept the honorific title

The King of the East Sea kept muttering to himself that he was about to become emperor, casting a threatening glance at the sword-bearing palace maid. The maid was not afraid at all; her gaze swept around, remaining fully alert.

The chanting outside grew increasingly louder, and the courage of the King of the East Sea correspondingly swelled. He whispered to Han Rizi: "In fact, it is quite simple. Either hand me over, or establish me as emperor in the Grand Ancestral Temple, and all problems will be resolved."

The King of Donghai can only boast to Han Rizi, "If you want to be an emperor, you must have a keener insight than others, and be able to discern the subtle from the obvious"

"What has been accomplished?" the King of the East Sea asked loudly, but received no answer

In accordance with the command, the Empress Dowager took a few steps forward, turned around, and knelt before the prince. The palace maid holding the sword also knelt down, placing the sword in her hand on the ground.

Nonsense!" Zuo Ji said with a trembling voice, expressing his indignation, "Empress Dowager... are there any other plans?"

Han Rizi remained seated on the stool without moving. Yang Feng turned back to glance at the Empress Dowager, who nodded in response. Leading the way, she retreated towards the door, followed by the others, including the King of Donghai, who also withdrew. Only Yang Feng remained kneeling in front of the stool, looking up at the thirteen-year-old prince, saying, "Your Majesty, please feel free to speak to this old servant."

More than three hundred ministers gathered inside Chuyang Gate, creating a commotion, while a large number of common people gathered outside the gate

Two princes sat side by side on a small round stool, their faces devoid of color. Empress Dowager Shangguan stood before them, resting her hand on the shoulder of a young palace maid, listening to the reports of one messenger after another

The main hall of the Grand Temple is vast and eerie, with incense smoke swirling around. The tablets are enshrined in deep niches, resembling hunters lurking in the shadows. However, the power of these spirits has waned today, as a group of people commits acts of disrespect under their watchful gaze

As the sun rose higher, the great hall became less eerie. The King of the East Sea stood up and exclaimed: "What are we waiting for? Once I ascend to the throne, I will grant amnesty to all, and the Shangguan family will receive numerous rewards"

"Not very familiar either," Zuo Ji quickly corrected himself, "We can only call each other by name. It is truly inappropriate to besiege the Grand Temple. As long as we clarify this point, they should retreat. Really, have all the guards of the imperial city betrayed us? How could they allow the ministers to break in.

What are the ministers doing outside? Are they performing ancestral worship?" Eunuch Zuo Ji asked, having remained by the side of the Empress Dowager, yet lacking her composure; his handsome face was paler than that of the two princes.

I want to have my mother enter the palace. " Han Rizi finally spoke.

The Empress Dowager let out a breath, "We must not be careless. Has the Grand Marshal of the Southern Army surrendered the seal?"

As Your Majesty wishes

Zuo Ji bowed to the ground and turned to run out. Once his figure disappeared, King Donghai scoffed, "Zuo Ji is being wise for his own safety; he is trying to escape"

Zuo Ji ran to the door, hiding behind the gatekeeper eunuch and peering outside for a while, then ran back to the Empress Dowager and said, "Continuing like this is not a solution. Among the ministers outside, there are a few whom I am familiar with. Allow me to speak with them; perhaps I can persuade them to withdraw from the Grand Ancestral Temple first"

Still, no one responded. Han Rizi raised his head and looked at Yang Feng. Although his mother had told him not to trust anyone, he felt a sense of confidence in this eunuch. Something was about to befall him, he thought, yet he could not clearly articulate whether he truly wished for it.

Regarding these messages, the King of Donghai evidently holds a different opinion. After listening each time, he would gently kick Han Rizi with his foot to express his delight. However, he did not dare to speak recklessly, as the palace maid holding the box stood behind them, possessing remarkable strength. After enduring two punches from her, the King of Donghai became much more subdued.

The palace maid, without saying a word, effortlessly pulled the King of the East Sea back onto the round stool with one hand, as if lifting a small chick.

This is a memorial or a proclamation. The Empress Dowager said softly, and then listened carefully for a while, "The great flood in the East, the earthquake in the Northern Prefecture, the fire at the Chang Le Palace... They believe that the imbalance of yin and yang in the world and the frequent disasters are entirely the responsibility of the Empress Dowager and me"

Han Rizi looked towards the East Sea King at the door and said, "Everyone has their own advantages, and my advantage— is that after I am killed, no one will care, right?"

Yang Feng approached the Empress Dowager and calmly said: "The negotiations have been successful, the memorial will be drafted shortly, and as soon as the new emperor ascends the throne, the imperial seal can be affixed immediately"

The palace maid glanced back at the Empress Dowager, sheathed her sword, and returned to her original position

The King of Donghai was even more puzzled, "Why would my maternal uncle, the Grand Marshal of the Southern Army, Cui Hong, hand over the seal?" Still, no one answered him. He suddenly realized, "So that's it, the Shangguan family wants to become the Grand Marshal of the Southern Army, and my uncle agreed. In exchange, I can become the emperor!"

The ministers have already rushed into the inner palace and are heading towards the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters

Han Rizi nodded slightly, harboring only one hope in his heart: that the matter would conclude swiftly, allowing him to leave the palace and return to his mother. To be honest, this time in the palace left a worse impression than the one month he had briefly resided there three years ago

The palace gate is wide open—this is a very rare occurrence, happening only two or three times a year—over thirty eunuchs and palace maids are lined up in two rows, blocking the entrance. Judging by their expressions, they seem like cattle and sheep about to be offered to the ancestors of the Great Chu. Five ritual officials from the ancestral temple are lying flat on the ground, incessantly muttering prayers, beseeching forgiveness from the deities. They dare not stop these intruders, nor are they able to do so.

Once again, someone rushed into the main hall; this time it was Zuo Ji, drenched in sweat. "The ministers have agreed to compromise and are orderly exiting the Grand Ancestral Hall!"

Han Rizi sat there motionless, and the Empress Dowager smiled at him, just as she was about to speak, a gatekeeper eunuch shouted loudly: "The enemy is coming!"

I mean 'killed'

"Let go of me, I am about to become emperor... Ouch." The King of the East Sea no longer dared to struggle, glaring at the palace maid, viewing her as the first enemy to be eliminated after his ascension to the throne

Isn't it a bit too simple? Will there be a formal ceremony in the future? the East Sea King asked

The Empress Dowager turned around to face the two princes, "I apologize for making you go through this. An emperor is also a human being, and when family matters arise, there is not much difference from an ordinary family, except that more people are involved. Whichever of you ascends the throne will have the opportunity to rectify all of this and restore the dignity of the royal family"

The Empress Dowager appeared somewhat surprised

Until this moment, the Empress Dowager finally showed a slight change in her expression. The reason she could maintain control over the ancestral temple was not due to sheer numbers, but rather the ministers' reverence for the Han family's ancestors. Once the taboos were breached, both she and the Empress would face utter defeat

Messages came one after another, and the palace seemed to have turned into a battlefield, with enemies everywhere, closing in ever closer. Empress Dowager Shangguan maintained a calm demeanor, responding to any news with a simple "hm". When a response was necessary, she would only say: "The Emperor's body is not yet cold, the Empress Dowager is heartbroken, and the ministers should show more understanding. Everyone, guard the gates strictly; the ancestral temple is a sacred place, and they dare not rush in."

The Empress Dowager did not even shake her head.

The King of Donghai displayed a look of joy on his face, considering this as his own victory. In contrast, Han Rizi was pondering why the eunuch Yang Feng was missing; a valiant eunuch like him should not be hiding in such circumstances.

The King of Donghai seems to have guessed correctly; Zuo Ji has not returned, and the chanting outside has not diminished in the slightest

What can I do then

"Put down the sword, it is I!" Yang Feng stood at the door, his back to the sunlight, followed by five or six attendants. This was the second profound impression he left on Han Rizi, in stark contrast to the first one which was cold and gloomy

In the entire palace, only the Empress Dowager Shangguan remained completely composed, commanding others to guard the gates and not to respond to the chanting sounds from outside the palace.

At dawn, the situation became more urgent. It is said that the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters have been surrounded by a group of elderly ministers, who are kneeling in the courtyard, weeping loudly in mourning for the three emperors who have passed away in recent years. They are urging the Empress Dowager to quickly hand over the two princes. Meanwhile, another group of ministers has rushed to the entrance of the Grand Ancestral Temple, also kneeling in unison, reciting an article together.

Han Rizi said: "Will I be killed?"

Yang Feng could no longer pretend to be confused and awkwardly asked, "Your Majesty... why do you have such thoughts?"

The palace maid guarding the prince opened the wooden box, took out a short sword, placed the box on the ground, and strode towards the Empress Dowager. The King of Donghai closed his mouth, hoping that the ministers would be more resolute this time and not repeat the mistakes of Dongqing Gate

"Thank you, Lord Zuo," said the Empress Dowager. Zuo Ji, with a beaming smile, took out a handkerchief to wipe the beads of sweat from his face, appearing as if he had just been relieved of a heavy burden

"No matter who it is, the King of the East Sea could not contain the doubts and anger within his heart. Only I am worthy of the imperial throne. Empress Dowager, you should be well aware of this, right? The Cui family will never agree to let a child ascend to the throne. Just look at his name and his appearance; how could he possibly resemble the Emperor of Da Chu? What exactly are you, the Shangguan family, plotting? Do you wish to throw the world into chaos?"

Yang Feng was taken aback, pretending not to understand, "Everyone will die"

Yang Feng was greatly astonished; everyone had misjudged this prince, which would bring numerous uncertainties to the court that had only just managed to regain stability, even leading to bloodshed and turmoil. He regretted that he should not have single-handedly supported Han Rizi, but now that matters had come to this point, there was no turning back.

The matter is currently underway, and Duke Jing is closely monitoring it

The guards only serve at the emperor's command. Now that the throne is vacant, they naturally find themselves at a loss. The empress dowager was not particularly surprised; after thinking for a while, she said, "You may go. Perhaps you might truly succeed."

What does Your Majesty wish to do? Yang Feng asked

The emperor will not be killed. Yang Feng said, "A true emperor will not."

Jing Yao crawled on the ground and coldly said: "The old servant does not remember having said such words."

The Empress Dowager glanced at the King of the East Sea, and surprisingly, a faint smile appeared on her face, yet she said nothing and turned away again

Han Rizi looked around and pointed to the Donghai King, who was being forced to kneel on the ground and was struggling in defiance, saying, "I want him to stay in the palace"

The palace maid approached quietly, seized the arm of the East Sea King, and forced him to kneel. In the great hall, only Han Ruzi remained seated on the round stool, seemingly stunned with fear

A group of ministers, having received news from an unknown source, headed straight to the Grand Ancestral Temple