Chapter 815: Chapter 775: Passing the Throne, Three Kneels and Nine Kowtows (First Update)

Emperor Guangxi has been bedridden since being struck by a stray arrow during last year’s autumn hunt, a fact known throughout the court and the country. However, since that hunt, no one but Song Wei has seen the true extent of the Emperor’s illness.

Today, his sudden appearance shocked everyone.

This was because Emperor Guangxi was carried in by eunuchs, not in an imperial carriage, but on a soft bed, with a canopy, and bright yellow curtains hanging down all around, though one could vaguely see the scene inside.

The Emperor was lying down.

As the imperial presence entered the hall, all officials knelt to the ground.

Zhao Xi knelt right in the center of the hall, bowing remotely to Emperor Guangxi.

Listening to the officials shout long live, Emperor Guangxi only found it ironic. His feeble hand moved slightly, lifting the curtain, and he gestured to Mr. Cui.

Mr. Cui, taking small steps beside the soft bed, saw the Emperor’s gesture and hastily called out in a sharp voice, "His Majesty commands the officials to rise."

"Thank you, Emperor—" With the unified and sonorous shout of the officials, Zhao Xi slowly stood up.

Emperor Guangxi’s soft bed stopped in the middle of the hall, without ascending the Nine Dragon Throne.

The entire hall was as silent as a chicken.

In that silence, there seemed to be a sound of the Emperor inside the canopy taking a soft breath, then his hand moved again, handing something out.

Mr. Cui hurriedly knelt down, using both hands to receive it.

Then he stood up, facing the officials, with a solemn expression, "His Majesty’s health is not good, and all decrees regarding ascending the throne and abdication today will be orally conveyed by myself for the officials. If any of you have any objections, please raise them before I read the abdication decree."

The six ministers and a few Cabinet Scholars exchanged glances, then one stepped forward and said, "Since last year’s autumn hunt, His Majesty has not appeared in the court for nearly half a year. We ministers are greatly concerned and would like to take this opportunity to inquire about his illness, to express our care."

This was a request to see the person inside the canopy truly.

Zhao Xi understood the concerns of these old ministers—it’s nothing but suspicion that Emperor Guangxi had already passed away and the person coming today was a stand-in, which is why he remained silent, having Mr. Cui speak on his behalf.

It’s not surprising for them to think this way, as apart from Song Wei, no one outside knew what was happening inside the Qianqing Palace. They were even less aware that Emperor Guangxi was barely clinging to life.

The reason Zhao Xi kept silent was precisely because of the ongoing war between two nations and the people’s existing fear. If they received definitive news that Emperor Guangxi might pass away at any moment, it would cause public panic.

From the beginning, the rumor was that Emperor Guangxi was seriously ill. Initially, there might have been some panic, but as half a year passed, without the tolling of funeral bells and without news of the Emperor’s death from the palace, the people had grown accustomed to the words "seriously ill," leading even the officials to become numb.

Therefore, upon seeing Emperor Guangxi being carried into the hall on a soft bed, doubts naturally arose in their hearts.

But Mr. Cui frowned, "His Majesty is gravely ill, and the Imperial Physician advised that he should not be exposed to wind."

The faces of the old ministers changed immediately.

This is how people’s psyche works—the less they are allowed to see, the more curious they become, and the more curious they are, the more they question the truth.

Zhao Xi knew that they had to get past today’s hurdle no matter what. He stepped forward and said to Mr. Cui, "After all, it concerns the stability of the state, and it is natural for the ministers to have such worries. Let them see." Anyway, his father had only a few days left.

He didn’t say the latter half of the sentence aloud.

Mr. Cui hesitated, his clean-shaven face showing reluctance.

Having served Emperor Guangxi for so many years, although he knew the Emperor was about to depart this world, he still harbored a glimmer of hope, wishing he could live just another day.

In the current situation, exposure is tantamount to feeding him poison.

Zhao Xi did not argue with Mr. Cui, he bent slightly, reached out to lift the curtain, poked half his head inside, and spoke in a low and soft voice, "Father, the ministers wish to see you."

Emperor Guangxi’s eyelids twitched.

Zhao Xi immediately understood, put down the curtain, and turned around, "Father has heard your sincere concerns, but with so many people in the hall, the air is foul, and it’s really not suitable for Father to appear directly. Here’s what we’ll do: the six Ministers of the Six Ministries come forward, you six are enough to represent the officials to face the Emperor."

Hearing this, the ministers of the Ministries of Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works came forward into the hall.

Zhao Xi courteously invited them to do so.

Then, in the order Zhao Xi named, each lifted the curtain and leaned in to see Emperor Guangxi.

When they saw the Emperor’s emaciated form, all the old ministers’ eyes reddened, and when they returned to their original positions, they choked up, unable to answer the inquiries from their colleagues.

The reactions of the Six Ministers were sufficient to prove that the person who came to ascend the throne today was indeed Emperor Guangxi himself, and that he was already at the end of his life.

Now, no one doubted the Crown Prince anymore, and no one voiced opposition to Mr. Cui’s words. Everyone hung their heads and attentively listened as Mr. Cui prepared to read the abdication decree.

Mr. Cui turned back to glance at Zhao Xi.

Zhao Xi nodded, "Begin!"

Mr. Cui sighed quietly, cleared his throat, and began to read loudly.

The abdication decree was quite complex, and its main idea was that Emperor Guangxi described himself as afflicted by a severe illness, being unable to manage state affairs, praised the Crown Prince’s abilities, and finally concluded that he would soon abdicate and pass the throne to Crown Prince Zhao Xi.

Once the abdication decree was read, the officials bowed again, chanting, "Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor and many years beyond."

Zhao Xi glanced in Emperor Guangxi’s direction, feeling somewhat conflicted, and solemnly told the officials to rise.

Afterward, Emperor Guangxi was escorted back to Qianqing Palace.

This decree for Emperor Guangxi to abdicate had been circulated many days before, which meant the Ministry of Rites had to accomplish everything today, so the Ministry of Rites coordinated with Taichang Temple, rushing tirelessly to change the Crown Prince’s grand wedding rites into the Emperor and Empress’s wedding. The female officials of the Clothing Bureau dared not rest even for a moment, from selecting materials, embroidery, cutting, to producing the garment. The Emperor and Empress’s wedding attire had just been completed last night, now just waiting for Miss Dong to enter the palace to change into it.

Here at the Golden Hall, the abdication ceremony was completed, and the officials temporarily withdrew outside the palace, waiting beside Dragon Tail Road.

Zhao Xi walked down the Han Baiyu steps, hands behind his back, and asked Mr. Cui, "How is it going over at Taihe Palace?"

Mr. Cui said, "Judging by the hour, the gold list should have been announced and posted now, probably waiting for expressions of gratitude. Does Your Majesty want to go over there?"

Zhao Xi almost didn’t think at all, and gave a light, indistinct sound of acknowledgment.

Mr. Cui hesitated again, "If going over, Your Majesty ought not stay too long, or else it will delay the auspicious time for the coronation."

Without waiting for him to finish, Zhao Xi had already boarded the Imperial Carriage, instructing the eunuchs to proceed to Taihe Palace.

At this moment inside Taihe Palace, the new Advanced Scholars were listening to the Minister of the Ministry of Rites’ lecture. Since there were no messages from the Golden Hall, the Minister dared not presumptuously instruct the Three Top Scholars to parade on horseback, therefore began teaching the three hundred newcomers to officialdom.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites was a stern and austere person, imparting experience in officialdom to the new Advanced Scholars. His delivery was dry and monotonous, even more boring than a school teacher’s lecture.

Song Yuanbao again felt drowsy, and if it weren’t for Xu Dengke whispering "The bride ran away," he might have slept until everything was over.

Unable to hold back, Song Yuanbao inappropriately yawned.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites paused the lesson and looked over at him, "Champion Scholar, do you have an objection to what I just said?"

"Your words are truly precious, I dare not question them." Song Yuanbao hurriedly raised his hands in salute, very humble in posture, but in the eyes of the older generation with a strict temperament, he belonged to the kind of mischievous child with a façade of seriousness needing discipline.

The Minister snorted lightly and was about to continue speaking when there came a loud cry from the imperial eunuchs outside, "The new emperor arrives—"

The sound brought a falter to Song Yuanbao’s heartbeat.

Zhao Xi became the Emperor?

Although he had long known this day would come, hearing the two words "new emperor" so truly and vividly, he still felt somewhat lost and detached.

Zhao Xi became the Emperor, and with himself as a Hanlin Official, he could no longer freely go to see him.

Before he could think more, Xu Dengke beside him was already pulling him to kneel.

Song Yuanbao lifted the corner of his eye and glimpsed the luxurious Jue Pearl Gauze Imperial Carriage stopping outside the hall. A eunuch bowed to lift the curtain, and then someone descended from above, wearing a well-fitted apricot yellow prince robe, embroidered with Four-Clawed Pythons, a Purple Gold Crown underneath, was black silk-like hair. At this moment, the sun was just right and the wind gentle, he was bathed in glorious rays, walking with light steps.

With every step closer, the new Advanced Scholars’ heads lowered a bit more.

Song Yuanbao withdrew his gaze, the corner of his lips lifted.

No matter what happens afterward, at least at this moment, being able to personally witness Zhao Xi transform from Crown Prince to Emperor, he was genuinely happy inside.

At the head of Taihe Palace was a gold seat, Zhao Xi went up to sit down.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites stepped forward, whispered, "Your Majesty, the new Advanced Scholars are to perform the three kneelings and nine bowings of the grand ceremony for you."

Zhao Xi responded indifferently, "Let them begin."

"Yes."

The Minister bowed and withdrew to the side, then stood straight and loudly said, "New Advanced Scholars, pay respects to the new emperor, kneel—"

The new Advanced Scholars, who had been kneeling on the ground without rising, all stood up, kneeling towards Zhao Xi.

"First bow—"

"Second bow—"

"Third bow—"

"Rise—"

...

The Minister repeated loudly and clearly, after kneeling three times and bowing nine times, this ceremony of gratitude was finally completed.