65Chapter 65: The person who joined the game, the death of Chen Yun
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In the Fourteenth Year of Emperor Jing, the Prince of Liang entered the capital.
Consequently, the situation in the imperial court became increasingly tense.
After the Prince of Liang arrived in the capital, he acted like the "Emperor's successor," befriending many ministers and conversing with numerous members of the imperial clan, as if the Emperor had already made his decision.
What confused many ministers even more was that this time, Guandu Marquis did not obstruct him—instead, he adopted an attitude of "do as you please, I don't care."
This made quite a few people feel a sense of solemnity.
The most anxious among them were the First Imperial Prince, Liu Rong, and the Royal Tenth Prince, Liu Zhi.
For Liu Rong, he didn't understand why his imperial father would agree to the Empress Dowager's suggestion to allow the Prince of Liang to enter the capital, nor did he understand why Guandu Marquis had intervened last time but not this time—he was the First Imperial Prince!
Why wasn't the throne his?
Why not!
As for Liu Zhi, he clearly knew that his biggest and only flaw—and indeed, his most fatal flaw—was his age; he was simply too young!
Too young!
So young that people felt he couldn't be entrusted with anything, not even as a gamble.
Therefore, at this moment, he had only two tasks.
First, he could not let the Emperor die at this time. If he could make the Emperor die a few years later, at least when he was fifteen or sixteen, that would be ideal...
Second, if he could not prevent the Emperor's death, then he absolutely could not let the Prince of Liang ascend the throne.
Liu Zhi was very clear on this.
Even if Liu Rong didn't particularly like him, and even if Liu Rong's mother didn't particularly like him—this was still much better than the Prince of Liang ascending the throne!
Making a living under his own father was one thing, making a living under his older brother was another—and making a living under his uncle was yet another entirely!
As for his own father, no matter what, a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. As long as he didn't cross his imperial father's bottom line, his father wouldn't kill him, and he could still get many good things from his father.
As for his older brother, at least they were blood relatives. As long as he behaved cautiously, his older brother wouldn't bother him too much, and he could still occasionally take advantage of opportunities and live well.
But an uncle... that was a far, far cry!
He had his own many children to take care of; where would he get things for you? He had his own brothers; where would he get opportunities for you!?
"Whew—"
Liu Zhi sat in the blustering wind, his face showing a hint of helplessness and bitterness.
Why couldn't his imperial father live a few more years?
Amidst the many disputes among ministers in Chang'an, the imperial administration became more complicated day by day. In the winter of the Fourteenth Year of Emperor Jing, the Emperor barely managed to muster his spirits and ordered the First Imperial Prince, Liu Rong, to oversee the state affairs.
In addition, there were two other options.
First, to allow the Prince of Liang to enter the court and oversee the state alongside the Crown Prince.
Second, to have Guandu Marquis Chen Yun assist in governance and assume responsibility.
The second option could not be issued, because when this order was about to be issued... Chen Yun fell ill.
Chen Yun falling ill at this time was beyond everyone's expectation. Even Emperor Jing, who was lying on his sickbed on the verge of death, seemed to have caught a second wind, mustering his spirits to order Tai Yi Ling to visit the Guandu Marquis Residence.
He even suspected that Guandu Marquis was playing some trick on him.
But it was very regrettable.
This was no trick, but the truth.
Chen Yun... was truly gravely ill, so ill that he couldn't even get out of bed. He rapidly aged, and after Tai Yi Ling examined him, he declared that Chen Yun had only a few days left to live.
Upon hearing this news, Emperor Jing was so shocked he almost jumped out of bed. He constantly prayed in his heart, "Please don't die, please don't die, please don't die at this time!"
How could he die at this time?
What time was this?
It was when he, the Emperor, was about to pass away; when the First Imperial Prince was an unpromising coward incapable of inheriting the throne; when the heir he had decided upon in his heart was too young; when the Empress Dowager's ambition and favoritism could only be suppressed by Chen Yun alone; and when the Prince of Liang had already entered the capital Chang'an!
At this time, Chen Yun, the true pillar of the Great Han, was going to die?
Are you kidding me?
Emperor Jing took a deep breath and held on.
For some reason, his body rapidly recovered its health, as if a deflated balloon had been reinflated and could once again float in the sky.
And as his body recovered, Chen Yun's health deteriorated further.
Finally, in the spring of the Fifteenth Year of Emperor Jing.
After enduring the winter of the Fourteenth Year, when all things welcomed the blossoming season, Chen Yun finally could not hold on any longer.
.... ....
Guandu Marquis Residence
Chen Yun lay on his sickbed, while Emperor Jing, whose body had long since recovered its health, stood by the bed, his brows furrowed with a hint of sorrow. He softly said, "Chen Gong..."
Seeing Emperor Jing in this state, Chen Yun slowly parted his lips and smiled. He held Emperor Jing's hand and said, "Your Majesty... forgive this old subject for not being able to help you anymore..."
Before his eyes, countless figures seemed to appear, all standing before him, their faces bearing faint smiles, waiting for him.
"But Your Majesty need not worry."
Chen Yun forced a smile and said, "Among the Chen clan, the one most like the ancestor is Chen Xi. As long as Chen Xi is here, nothing will go wrong."
"That sword the ancestor bestowed upon the Chen clan back then, I have already passed it to Chen Xi."
He merely looked at Emperor Jing and said, "Chen Xi's temperament appears gentle and calm, but in reality, he is even more ruthless than I. If he does anything in the future... Your Majesty, please do not blame him."
When a man is about to die, his words are good.
Emperor Jing looked at those eyes and slowly sighed in his heart. He truly could not test Guandu Marquis like his own father had.
So he merely nodded slightly, accepting Guandu Marquis's entrustment.
And hearing this, Chen Yun finally felt at ease.
He slowly closed his eyes.
Inside the Guandu Marquis Residence, there was a chorus of weeping.
In the spring of the Fifteenth Year of Emperor Jing.
Guandu Marquis Chen Yun passed away at the Guandu Marquis Residence.
He served four dynasties—Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Hui, Emperor Wen, and Emperor Jing—and was an old subject of four dynasties, a pillar of the Great Han.
After his death, Emperor Jing granted him the special honor of "Prince of Qin" and buried him with the rites of a King.
.... ....
In the summer of the Fifteenth Year of Emperor Jing.
The torrential rain slowly fell, and the Prince of Liang's mood was as gloomy as the weather.
It was agreed... it was agreed that this time the throne would be passed to him!
Why?!
He had been deceived once again.
The Emperor's body had inexplicably recovered, and an Emperor who had recovered naturally no longer needed the Prince of Liang as a "white glove." Thus, the Prince of Liang was once again sent back to his fiefdom.
Poor Prince of Liang.
.... ....
And after the Prince of Liang left, the struggle for the succession seemed to have no suspense.
Because there were only two remaining candidates.
Liu Rong, born in 173 BC (fabricated, not recorded in history), was twenty-three years old at this time, the Fifteenth Year of Emperor Jing (150 BC). He was in his prime.
Liu Zhi, born in 160 BC (in this book), was ten years old at this time, the Fifteenth Year of Emperor Jing. He was young and naive.
Who would win or lose seemed already destined.
However... was it really so?