With so many people listening, Zong Zhao did not explicitly state the matter, but Zong Jincheng understood—his father had spoken of the art of rulership, something His Highness had taught him long ago.
His Highness had wanted him to become emperor for a long time.
But...
Before Zong Jincheng could finish his thoughts, the Commander of the City Patrol strode forward and sharply interrupted, "The Crown Prince has not yet been deposed. How could the Emperor pass the throne to another? Duke of State Protection, General Zong, I demand to inspect the imperial edict!"
The scholars were clueless, but the officials were terrified. Anyone could guess that the Luo family's nephew might have obtained the throne unjustly. Yet with Luo Jingfeng holding military power, who dared defy him?
The successor was still from the Chu Family—it wasn’t a dynastic overthrow. This outcome was already a rare concession, and the officials knew better than to raise questions now.
After all, a new broom sweeps clean. Given Luo Jingfeng’s usual methods, he wouldn’t hesitate to execute a few dissenting ministers to establish the new emperor’s authority with blood.
Yet, despite this, the Commander of the City Patrol still stepped forward.
Last night, they had followed Zong Zhao’s orders not just because of the token but because they firmly believed Zong Zhao was His Highness’s man... But now, it was the Luo family ascending the throne—Luo Jingfeng, His Highness’s rival.
Did that still make Zong Zhao His Highness’s man?
He was betraying His Highness!
The Commander now suspected that Zong Zhao’s token was either forged or obtained through deceit.
As the City Patrol openly defied orders, everyone expected Luo Jingfeng to erupt in fury.
But to their surprise, the Duke of State Protection scoffed and declared, "Inspect it! See if this is the Emperor’s own handwriting, whether the imperial seal is genuine!"
He knew many were unwilling to accept Jincheng’s ascension, but he and Zong Zhao had long prepared the path for the child. The succession edict was flawless—he could even have the Imperial Academy verify it, proving Jincheng’s legitimacy!
The Chief Scholar of the Imperial Academy took the edict from Eunuch Huang, carefully examined both documents, and then announced, "This is indeed the Emperor’s own handwriting. The imperial seal is authentic and intact. The succession of the Fifteenth Prince is unquestionable."
A wave of murmurs swept through the officials.
This time, the discussion leaned more toward Chu Jincheng.
They accepted the legitimacy of the edict.
The Commander of the City Patrol was furious. He knew exactly what the two generals had done in the palace last night—he knew how this edict had come to be. But he would never accept the Crown Prince’s successor!
"Zong Zhao, you’re clearly stepping over His Highness to—"
"Commander Du." A woman’s voice suddenly cut through his rebuke.
"Her Highness the Crown Princess has arrived," the announcement rang out.
The Crown Princess’s arrival intensified the tension.
Everyone knew that while the Crown Prince remained unconscious, the entire Eastern Palace was under her control. Many in the City Patrol were from the Wei Duke’s faction, and her presence now bolstered their resolve.
Commander Du strode forward to pay respects, then began his accusation: "Your Highness, Zong Zhao has—"
The Crown Princess interrupted him again, raising the Crown Prince’s token high. "Commander Du, I am here to deliver His Highness’s oral decree."
Commander Du’s eyes widened in hope. "Your Highness, has His Highness awakened?"
The Crown Princess smiled. "Yes, His Highness has awakened."
Last night, Zong Zhao had suddenly appeared in the Eastern Palace, administered medicine, and performed acupuncture. After a year-long coma, the Crown Prince had awoken.
Zong Zhao hadn’t lied to her—His Highness had truly recovered!
The revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Not only were the officials stunned, but even the scholars were astounded. The Crown Prince was wise and formidable, beloved by the people. With him as successor, no one would dare oppose!
"His Highness has awakened! This is wonderful!" Zong Jincheng was overjoyed—it was the best news he’d heard all year!
The entire palace erupted in celebration—except for Luo Jingfeng, whose face darkened.
He turned to Zong Zhao and demanded, "Last night, after leaving the imperial study, you went to cure the Crown Prince?"
Zong Zhao stood and replied, "His Highness has indeed awakened, but his health remains frail. He still requires bed rest."
Commander Du declared fiercely, "Since His Highness has awakened, he should rightfully ascend as the heir apparent. Even if his health delays the coronation, it’s not the place of a mere child to take the throne!"
The "mere child" in question, though being insulted, felt nothing but joy.
He agreed wholeheartedly—let His Highness take the throne!
He’d happily serve as a high-ranking official under him!
Luo Jingfeng’s patience snapped. "I’d like to see who dares challenge this!"
Soldiers flooded in from all sides, weapons at the ready, awaiting Luo Jingfeng’s order to surround and slaughter the dissenters.
The Crown Prince was beloved, yes, but his maternal clan had long fallen, leaving only the City Patrol as his faction.
Great Chu’s military power lay entirely in Luo Jingfeng’s hands. Though he wanted his nephew’s ascension to appear legitimate, if the Crown Prince insisted on contesting the throne, he wouldn’t hesitate to bathe the court in blood.
The tension was palpable. The scholars trembled in fear.
Who could have imagined? They’d come for the imperial examinations, only to stumble into a bloody succession crisis!
The Crown Princess gave Zong Zhao a subtle nod, then spoke calmly, "Duke of State Protection, Commander Du, both of you, please calm yourselves. As for the succession, His Highness has already made his decision. The one he believes should be emperor... is Jincheng."
The Crown Prince had yielded.
He would not contend with the Luo family.
Commander Du’s eyes reddened instantly. "Your Highness! How could His Highness give up? He is the most suitable heir in our hearts!"
A few officials murmured in agreement.
Chu Heng’s succession was indeed the people’s wish.
But under Luo Jingfeng’s oppressive presence, none dared voice it openly.
The Crown Princess smiled gently. "His Highness’s health is frail. He fears occupying the throne without the strength to govern, lest he fail the trust of the officials and the people. His Highness said: Jincheng is a child he watched grow up—pure-hearted, brilliant, and wise. He believes Jincheng can shoulder this responsibility and lead the people to prosperity."
"His Highness..." Soft sobs arose from the crowd.
Zong Jincheng had never expected that even after awakening, His Highness would still pass the throne to him.
The Crown Princess took the edict and approached, representing the Crown Prince.
Gazing at the young man before her, she spoke softly, "Jincheng, accept the decree. Do not betray His Highness’s faith in you."
Tears welling in his eyes, Zong Jincheng looked up at the golden edict.
It wasn’t just the weight of an empire.
It was the culmination of nearly two years of His Highness’s patient guidance.
In the study’s second-floor pavilion, bathed in warm sunlight, the kind and wise Crown Prince had tirelessly taught him—day after day—how to be a worthy ruler.
Hands trembling, Zong Jincheng reached out and accepted the edict.
The matter was settled.
Eunuch Huang, tears glistening, proclaimed loudly, "Hail the new emperor!"
Every soldier, every official, every scholar—even the mighty generals, the Duke of State Protection, and the Crown Princess herself—knelt in unison.
"Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live, long live!"
