Nangong Yan took it with suspicion and opened it. He saw a jade seal lying inside, and his face immediately showed ecstasy. "Sir, are you looking for the jade seal?"
"Your Highness, look carefully, this is a forgery." Xiao Qin took the jade seal out and showed it to Nangong Yan. "I carved this based on the jade seal imprint on the imperial edicts in the mansion."
Nangong Yan excitedly walked into the room and discovered many carved jade fragments on the table. However, he paid no attention to them. He took the ink pad nearby, pressed the imitation jade seal onto it, and then printed it on the Xuan paper. Comparing it with the jade seal imprint on the imperial edicts, even he could not tell the difference immediately!
"Incredible, it's truly incredible!" Nangong Yan said excitedly. "Sir, you always bring me surprises. With this, tomorrow, I will be able to ascend the throne smoothly."
"Congratulations in advance, Your Majesty, on your ascension to the throne."
Nangong Yan was in a great mood. His gloomy mood from not finding the jade seal vanished. With this, no one would dare to resist him when he ascended the throne tomorrow!
Fuyao looked at the jade seal imprint on the Xuan paper, her face full of disbelief. "Sir, you've been confined to your room all this time to make the jade seal? You are too clever and capable. With so many intricate patterns on the jade seal, you managed to make it almost identical!"
Xiao Qin looked at his scarred hands and smiled. "It was worth suffering so many injuries. Fortunately, I finally carved one that can be used. I wonder if it can help His Highness?"
"Of course, it can!" Nangong Yan said excitedly. "Quick, quick, call the imperial physician to treat Sir's wounds."
"It's just a superficial wound, no need to worry. I just haven't slept for two days and two nights. What I need most now is a bath and rest, so that I can be energetic for Your Majesty's coronation ceremony tomorrow!"
"Good, good, good. Sir, please rest well. I won't disturb you any further." Having obtained the imitation jade seal, Nangong Yan felt as if he had acquired a priceless treasure. He happily took Fuyao and left, asking Xiao Qin to rest well.
Xiao Qin watched them leave, then closed the door and turned around. "Thank you for your hard work."
A figure emerged from behind the screen. It was Mo Mo, the head of the Mo family. Mo Mo was playing with a carving knife in his hand. "It's just imitating a jade seal. For me, it's a piece of cake. However, you mustn't forget what you owe me!"
"I wouldn't dare. Even if I wanted to forget, you wouldn't allow me to," Xiao Qin took the carving knife from Mo Mo. "You should rest for a while."
"I have to leave now. You rest well. There's another tough battle to fight tomorrow. Take care of yourself."
Early the next morning, the palace gates opened. The court officials assembled for the morning court as usual. After the court drum sounded three times, the officials entered the Hall of Political Affairs. The Hall of Political Affairs was exceptionally quiet today. In the place where Eunuch Wan usually stood, another eunuch was present. Seeing that all the officials had arrived, he cleared his throat.
"Your Excellencies, His Majesty has been ill for a long time and is unable to handle state affairs. Since Prince Chu took over the administration of state affairs, he has deeply pleased His Majesty." The eunuch who was speaking glanced below and then raised the imperial edict in his hand. "An imperial edict from His Majesty."
All the civil and military officials knelt down to listen to the imperial edict.
The eunuch announcing the edict cleared his throat and began to read: "By the grace of heaven, the Emperor decrees: Prince Chu, Nangong Yan, is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, treats the worthy with courtesy, is learned in the classics, and is diligent in governing for the people. I am greatly pleased. I am unwell and have been unable to recover for a long time. The family cannot be without a ruler for a day, and the state cannot be without a monarch. I now abdicate to Prince Chu, Nangong Yan. So decreed."
Upon hearing this, some of the officials immediately showed joy, some showed confusion, and some clamored to see His Majesty.
The eunuch proclaiming the edict looked towards the door. "Please welcome the new Emperor."
Nangong Yan, clad in dragon robes, appeared in the Golden Throne Hall. His condescending gaze fell upon the court officials still standing below. "Are those standing unwilling to defy the imperial edict?"
"Prince Chu, we wish to see His Majesty."
"My father, the Emperor, is unwell and needs to recuperate. He has already passed the throne to me. The imperial edict is here. Do you gentlemen intend to disobey it?" Prince Chu looked at the eunuch proclaiming the edict.
The eunuch immediately unfolded the imperial edict and displayed it to the court officials, allowing them to clearly see the jade seal imprint on the edict.
"Is that the jade seal imprinted on it?"
"It seems to be."
"What do you mean 'seems to be'? It clearly is!"
"Do you gentlemen have any other questions?" Prince Chu asked the officials, who were beginning to waver, "The jade seal carved by Mr. Xiao is almost indistinguishable from the real one. Even I can't tell the difference, let alone others."
"How is His Majesty?" Minister Wen stepped forward and asked. "Such a significant matter as abdication, why did His Majesty not appear?"
"I have already stated that my father, the Emperor, is ill and needs to recuperate. Does Minister Wen not trust me, or does he not trust the imperial edict?"
"This minister is terrified. This minister is merely confused. His Majesty has not attended court for half a month, and suddenly issued an edict of abdication. Anyone would find it strange."
"Does Minister Wen mean that I forged the imperial edict?"
"Prince Chu speaks the truth."
Nangong Yan narrowed his eyes. "Minister Wen is quite eloquent. Disobeying the imperial edict and slandering the new Emperor is an unforgivable crime. Guards, drag Wen Mian out and beat him to death."
"Prince Chu, why must you be enraged? If even questioning is not allowed, it only shows that Prince Chu is guilty," Minister Wen said calmly. "As subjects, you have plotted against His Majesty, manipulated the emperor to control the nobles, and now you are usurping the throne. Your ambition is clear for all to see. Prince Chu, this world is not one you can cover with a single hand!"
"Drag him out!" Nangong Yan shouted.
The guards dragged Minister Wen out. Nangong Yan, with an unhappy expression, asked, "Does anyone else wish to defy the imperial edict?"
"Prince Chu, for the Emperor to abdicate, at least three ministers must be present. It is not enough to simply have an edict. May I ask Prince Chu, which three ministers were present when His Majesty signed the imperial edict?"
Nangong Yan frowned. "None."
"None? Meaning, only Prince Chu was present when this imperial edict was issued?"
"Yes."
"Was Eunuch Wan, the Emperor's personal attendant, not present?"
"No," Nangong Yan said righteously. "Moreover, for such a secret matter, how could a mere servant be present?"
As soon as Nangong Yan said this, the officials who had been wavering, one after another, stood behind Minister Chu. Without the witness of any minister, and even without Eunuch Wan's presence, it was clear that the imperial edict was problematic.
"Are you all going to defy the imperial edict?"
"According to the laws of Yusheng, whether it is establishing a crown prince or abdicating, three highly respected ministers must be present as witnesses to prevent the forgery of imperial edicts. Eunuch Wan, as the chief eunuch of the palace and serving His Majesty closely, his primary duty is to draft edicts for His Majesty. Yet, Eunuch Wan was not present. Could it be that Eunuch Wan is also ill?"