Chapter 925: Audience with the Emperor

his palace," replied Li Chen."What about the minimum of 500,000 taels in maintenance fees every year afterwards"Although not a businessman, Dantai Jing knew that institutions like academies, despite t...Chapter 925: Audience with the Emperor

"Your Highness is wise."

On the way back, Su Zhen Ting explained the reason to Li Chen.

"Back then, Your Majesty had arranged for these Wu brothers. I only learned about it after Your Majesty fell ill."

"In the Emperor's words, if Your Highness can make use of these two brothers, I will lead you to the ancestral temple. But if not, then let them vanish forever."

Su Zhen's words were light and breezy, yet there was a rolling murderous intent boiling within him.

Li Chen said with a dark face, “What else are you hiding from this palace”

Su Zhen Ting spread his hands and said, "There's nothing left. After all, the Emperor's arrangement back then only went this far. Afterward, it was up to Your Highness to take things from here."

Li Chen let out a soft sigh and said, "Sometimes I really feel that my father, the emperor, is unfathomable. It seems like every move I make is being controlled by him."

"No."

Su Zhen Ting shook his head, his face grave and serious as he said: "Actually, the current situation is the best outcome that the former emperor and I had calculated back then. In fact, the former emperor himself didn't believe that things would go so smoothly."

Even the emperor had prepared for failure, such as when the crown prince was given the power to act as regent, he was immediately sidelined by Zhao Xuanji.

"If that were the case, then neither I nor the Wu brothers would have to appear again."

Li Chen glanced at Su Zhen Ting and said, "If such a thing really happened, the mountains and rivers changed hands, what would your father want you to do"

"Isn't this about giving up on me and hiding away with another, younger heir, in order to make a comeback"

Su Zhen Ting said calmly, "If that were truly the case, then we ministers would fight to the death until the very last moment."

"As for your highness's proposal to select a young prince for future plans, the emperor flatly refused. The emperor said that even such a plan spanning over a decade failed, what use would be schemes spanning decades or even centuries It's like the remnants of the previous dynasty, the White Lotus Sect, who ultimately became merely tools and excuses for others to gain power, deserving their downfall and the change in dynasties. One cannot defy fate."

Li Chen, hearing this, said no more.

We had just passed the midday gate and arrived at the Forbidden City.

Li Chen did not head towards the East Palace, but instead went to the Qianqing Palace.

"I'm going to see Father. You go busy yourself." Li Chen waved his hand.

Su Zhen Ting was not surprised. He slightly bowed, performed a courtesy, and then quietly left.

Upon reaching Qianyuan Palace, he dismissed all the eunuchs and maidservants who had been attending to the emperor throughout the day. He then inquired about the emperor's condition from the imperial physician as usual. After receiving the same response as before, Li Chen stepped into Qianyuan Palace.

Within the lavish and opulent Qianqing Palace, where imperial grandeur is evident everywhere, the bitter smell of medicine still lingered heavily.

"You all withdraw."

Having the maids and eunuchs attending to him leave, Li Chen walked to the bedside.

On the dragon bed, under a golden silk brocade embroidered with dragons, lay the emperor, even more gaunt than before.

The current Emperor Taishang had his eyes closed, and on his shrunken face, almost to the bone, some scars appeared. His hair was as white as snow, like a man about to die. If it wasn't for his chest still rising and falling slightly, one wouldn't be able to tell if he was alive or dead.

Sitting on the edge of the dragon throne, Li Chen looked at the dying Emperor Taishang and sighed softly: "Father, your son has learned his lesson."

"Your methods are truly impressive."

The great emperor naturally couldn't give Li Chen any response.

After a moment of silence, Li Chen leaned in slightly and whispered into the ear of Emperor Dagong: "Rest assured, I will guard this country for you. No one can take it away."will not see them. Let them go back and sort things out themselves. If they can't sort it out, take off your official robes and hats, and go back to farming."Wan Jiaojiao pursed her lips and smiled, b...