Chapter 599 - 599: Rumor
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The Empress Dowager fixed a stern gaze on the aging duke, her displeasure evident.
All of this chaos was a result of his brother’s actions.
He had argued that he feared the late emperor would be influenced by external forces, perpetually causing issues for the Public House. Now, witnessing the new emperor’s unsettling methods of causing trouble, his predictions seemed eerily accurate.
Initially, the late emperor had conveyed to her that the Public House was discontent with the current state of affairs. She had dismissed the notion that they aimed to seize the throne.
Yet, her perspective was shifting.
In this moment of realization, she halted her reprimands of the new emperor. Despite his apparent foolishness, he remained her flesh and blood—a fact she couldn’t overlook. She couldn’t bear the thought of her own family crippling her grandson and usurping the throne.
If her family did indeed attempt to seize control and alter the dynasty, how could she face the ancestors of the Chu Family?
Having reached this conclusion, the Empress Dowager resolved to educate the new emperor on clever governance—albeit discreetly, away from the prying eyes of her brothers.
With this decision, she regained her composure and engaged in discussions with the old duke on how to handle the aftermath of the new emperor’s actions.
The news had already spread like wildfire, making containment impossible.
Since the new emperor had asserted that the Third Prince plotted against him, they couldn’t outright deny it, especially given the emperor’s credibility.
However, implicating the Third Prince would undoubtedly infuriate the General Manor. Any strange actions from them would pose a significant challenge.
Convicting the General Manor as well was not an option, as they lacked absolute confidence in facing such consequences.
After much deliberation, the agreed-upon solution was for the new emperor to make a public announcement.
He declared that due to the Third Prince’s youth and ignorance, he would pardon him, refraining from further pursuit. However, a stern prohibition barred the prince from ever setting foot in the capital again. Moreover, if investigations revealed the General Manor’s innocence, they would not be implicated.
Once the announcement echoed through the land, those ingratiating themselves with the new emperor lauded his mercy. He had forgiven the Third Prince and refrained from accusing the General Manor. Praise for the emperor’s magnanimity circulated widely.
Upon hearing this, the General Manor’s members seethed with anger, suppressing the urge to vomit blood. Yet, they had no choice but to endure. As long as the Third Prince remained alive, hope lingered. Their current weakness prevented them from resisting the Public House.
Civil and military officials biased towards the Third Prince and the General Manor privately cursed the new emperor. Accused of regicide and fratricide, he appeared unworthy of his position. Many believed divine retribution awaited him.
In the hearts of these officials, the Third Prince was the sagacious ruler, and their allegiance remained unwavering. The people in the capital, perceptive and unswayed, recognized the new emperor’s proclamation as a pretext to eliminate the Third Prince while appeasing the General Manor.
They whispered in private, acknowledging the emperor’s purported benevolence as a facade for hidden cruelty. However, the intricacies of royal affairs barred public discourse, relegating their discussions to clandestine exchanges.
Simultaneously, the new king clandestinely disseminated rumors. According to these whispers, the Third Prince was innocent of the assassination attempt— the Public House had orchestrated a scheme, falsely pinning the crime on him. Allegedly, an assassin dispatched by the Public House was the true culprit, with the new emperor portrayed as a reluctant participant forced into a bloodshed scenario in the Imperial Mausoleum.
Their objective was to eliminate both the Third Prince and the new emperor simultaneously. Subsequently, they planned to install the new emperor as a puppet ruler, exerting control over the young monarch.
These rumors found widespread belief among the populace, sowing seeds of doubt and discontent.
Naturally, the Public House was incensed by these allegations. Little did they suspect that the origin of these rumors lay with the new king himself.
Despite conducting thorough investigations—both overt and covert—the Public House failed to uncover the truth. Those apprehended in connection to the rumors consistently confessed that they were paid by the General Manor to spread falsehoods about the Public House, taking considerable risks for monetary gain..
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