Marrying a concubine in the future would require a hundred thousand taels of silver. The royal manor wasn't short of money, but spending it on a concubine who would be inconsequential felt like a waste.
Ideals are beautiful, but reality is harsh.
While the two princes were lost in their thoughts, the Emperor suddenly declared he was getting old.
"I am no longer young. The domestic affairs have all been settled, and with the assistance of my ministers, the Yun Kingdom is flourishing. Our treasury is full, the common people are prosperous, and the country is at peace. Abroad, the conflicts have been quelled, and there will be no wars for the next century. I am content with this. Do my ministers also feel content?"
The Emperor's unsolicited speech felt like self-praise. However, no minister dared to question him and instead showered him with compliments and nods of agreement.
They even used flowery language to embellish his achievements.
Fan Zehao raised his arm, interrupting the flow of praise. He knew himself best and didn't need them to beautify him. The truth was enough for him.
As long as his conscience was clear, he could face the heavens, the earth, his wife, and the common people. Even if everyone called him a hothead or henpecked, he wouldn't care.
All he wanted now was to live a quiet life with his wife, return home to farm, hunt in the mountains, and sleep soundly without any worries. Waking up naturally from his sleep was what he desired most.
"My ascension to the throne was out of necessity. Now that there are no internal or external threats and everyone's lives are improving, I have decided to abdicate!"
The ministers had been nodding along, filled with a sense of admiration. However, the Emperor's next words sent shockwaves through the hall, and they turned to him in stunned disbelief.
Their eyeballs nearly popped out. In that moment, they disregarded all etiquette and the offense of looking directly at the Emperor. All they wanted was to understand the meaning of his words!
Princes Huangfu Xian and Huangfu Xu felt a chill run down their spines and a slight ache in the soles of their feet. They longed to flee. They had already wanted to run when Fan Zehao had gone mad earlier that day.
While others might not have understood Fan Zehao's intentions, these two princes knew them all too well. He had told them that their sons would inherit the throne. Could he go back on his word?
Absolutely not. They did not want to be tied to the throne. The outside world was so captivating, far more beautiful than this palace. The free air was also immensely appealing. Therefore, this matter must not be uttered by the Emperor.
As if by prearrangement, Huangfu Xian and Huangfu Xu stepped forward simultaneously, vying to speak first. "Your Majesty, this humble minister believes Prince Fan Sen is young, intelligent, calm, capable, and exceptionally learned. Even the Grand Tutor praises him highly, saying he has the demeanor of a Crown Prince. This humble minister implores Your Majesty to establish Fan Sen as the Crown Prince and heir to the throne!"
Huangfu Xian, demonstrating his intelligence, spoke first. Huangfu Xu quickly followed, "This humble minister concurs. We implore Your Majesty to establish Fan Sen as the Crown Prince!"
Song Xin lowered his gaze, concealing the flicker in his eyes, and a slight upward curve touched his lips. The late Emperor surely never anticipated such a scene today.
The throne they fought so fiercely for was now, with all its troubles resolved, being looked upon with disdain.
However, Song Xin still believed that the throne belonged to the Fan family to ensure the nation's peace and prosperity. It wasn't that he looked down on the remaining two sons of the Huangfu family. Relatively speaking, Fan Zehao's sense of responsibility was paramount.
"This humble minister concurs!"
Prime Minister Song Xin took a step forward and declared solemnly.
The ministers found themselves in a difficult position. Seeing the Prime Minister step forward to declare his stance, they all began to take sides. No one wanted to experience another change of dynasty.
"This humble minister concurs!"
"Your servant concurs!"
"This humble minister concurs!"
...
In the grand hall, everyone standing knelt on the ground, pleading for Fan Sen to be made the Crown Prince.
Fan Zehao's lips tightened, his displeasure evident.
Making his son the Crown Prince was like pushing his son into a fiery pit for the sake of his future happiness!
How could a father push his son into such a predicament?
"This throne was built by the Huangfu family. I merely took on the responsibility of protecting the nation in a time of crisis. Now that my task is complete, it is time to return the throne to the Huangfu family. Please, do not try to dissuade me further. My mind is made up!"
His sonorous voice resonated, causing everyone's hearts to tremble.
"Wang Zhanlin, read the imperial decree!"
Wang Zhanlin, the former chief eunuch whom no one had seen for many years, was brought out by Fan Zehao today to read the imperial decree.
The ministers looked at the aging Wang Zhanlin and sighed inwardly. Wang Zhanlin had been a trusted confidant of the former Emperor Huangfu Jintao. His appearance now indicated that the Emperor was ready to relinquish his responsibilities and step down.
The hall fell into a profound silence. Even the guards outside the palace gates could not help but sigh with regret.
Fan Zehao might have been a simple man from the countryside, but under his rule, the precarious Yun Kingdom had not only survived but grown stronger over the years.
He had not been harsh with them, nor had he executed them on a whim. He had even granted them holidays and monetary rewards on festivals. Their salaries had doubled, and he was lenient and benevolent. Where would they find such a good emperor again?
While they were lamenting, Wang Zhanlin had finished reading the imperial decree.
In the hall, the ministers' faces displayed a variety of emotions. Only Huangfu Xu patted his chest, relieved that the Emperor had not passed the throne to him.
He had been in real danger. He immediately turned and bowed to Huangfu Xian, knowing he had to secure Huangfu Xian's position as Emperor first, lest he become the next unfortunate one.
"This humble minister greets Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"
Huangfu Xian: "..."
All the ministers: "..."
The former was speechless with anger, his face ashen.
The latter were dumbfounded, unable to believe that the throne had changed hands so easily.
Before everyone else could react, other than Huangfu Xu, no one had yet prostrated themselves before the new Emperor. Their gazes darted between each other,
trying to see who would be the first to stand up and support Huangfu Xian as Emperor. Only when a colleague took the lead would they follow suit.
It had to be said that the minds of these officials were all the same. Thus, Huangfu Xu remained kneeling awkwardly, subtly signaling the ministers and Huangfu Xian.
Neither side offered Huangfu Xu a way out, but Fan Zehao did, with a toothy grin. "It's better to act than to choose a date. I think today is perfect. With the new Emperor ascending the throne, I can finally retire and enjoy my twilight years. I trust all ministers will cooperate well with the new Emperor in governing the country. I leave it to you all. Farewell!"
Fan Zehao turned and strode away, under the bewildered eyes of everyone.
Was that it?
He was just giving up the throne, just like that?
Furthermore, the new Emperor had not even formally thanked him, nor had he ascended the throne according to the traditional rites. Why did he leave so abruptly?
This was entirely unconventional, as if he were playing a game.