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Chapter 200.2
In truth, Hui Wang was not aware of the specific details. He had only heard Empress Wei mention it once during his childhood. But even with just that, it was enough to infuriate Emperor Hongjing.
Due to suspicions surrounding Consort De’s death and her relationship with Consort Han, Emperor Hongjing still harboured resentment towards Qing Wang. As long as he believed you were the one responsible, what further evidence was needed?
Emperor Hongjing issued a decree to depose the empress and bestowed upon her a cup of poisoned wine.
He promised to keep Hui Wang’s position as a prince, but in exchange, Hui Wang was to personally read the decree to depose the empress to her, and he was also to bring the poisoned wine himself.
…
Kunning Palace.
Hui Wang covered his face and cried, “Mother Empress, don’t blame your son. It was all Father Emperor’s doing.”
After the initial shock and anger, Empress Wei seemed surprisingly calm.
She supported herself and slowly walked to the phoenix seat, taking a seat.
She had sat in this position for decades. Every day, she received greetings from the imperial concubines, and every year, she accepted salutations from noble women inside and outside the palace.
Sitting here for so long, she was familiar with every pattern and carving on this phoenix seat. Some people had suggested a long time ago that the seat should be replaced since it was old, but Empress Wei never agreed. She always felt that if the phoenix seat was replaced, it would no longer be hers. She would only feel anxious and unsettled. Using the old item gave her peace of mind.
Now she still sat on this phoenix seat, but unfortunately, she was no longer the empress.
Emperor Hongjing had deposed her!
She had thought about it a long time ago. She would rather die in this position of the empress. She wouldn’t give him the opportunity to depose her. But now, she had to accept this imperial decree, had to accept this reality.
Because it was her son who presented her with this decree.
Emperor Hongjing was reminding her.
Her second son was already gone, and the Wei Family was destined to fall. If even her eldest son was lost, her bloodline, her everything, would be extinguished. In a few years, perhaps no one would even remember her. The Wei Family would also lose the chance for a comeback. This decree was a seed, a lone spark amidst the ashes, and she had to preserve it.
“You truly are ruthless…”
Empress Wei muttered under her breath, her mind lost in thought as if frozen in place.
The hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
“Your Highness Hui Wang?” a eunuch beside him reminded.
Hui Wang’s pupils contracted as he glanced at Empress Wei. He gritted his teeth and nodded.
The eunuch approached, carrying a tray with a cup of wine on top.
A cup of the most poisonous wine in the world.
Empress Wei woke up from her stupor, gazing at the patterns on the cup, slowly reaching out her hand.
“You truly are ruthless!”
She lifted the cup, tilted her head back, and drank it all at once.
Hui Wang’s hand remained half-extended in the air, his voice stuck in his throat.
“Go, leave.”
The wine cup slipped from Empress Wei’s hand, and in an instant, she aged several decades, with wrinkles visibly appearing on her face, her voice weak and breathless.
“You leave.”
“Mother Empress…”
“Leave!”
Hui Wang’s plump body trembled abruptly, then he turned and walked away.
As he reached the outside of the hall, he heard something falling inside, followed by the wailing of palace maids.
“Lady Wei has passed away!”
…
He stopped in his tracks, looking up at the pristine blue sky.
The sun was dazzling, and he couldn’t help but raise his hand to shield his eyes.
Why should he be sad? He was already an abandoned man.
Since he had long been abandoned, why couldn’t he abandon her? It made no sense for him to always be the one abandoned and exploited, so he didn’t need to be sad.
He didn’t need to be sad.
Emperor Hongjing struggled to issue a decree to depose the empress, then he collapsed.
His weakened dragon body was showing signs of deterioration once again.
The country couldn’t be without a ruler for even a day, especially when several ministers in the cabinet were injured and temporarily unable to serve the court. With the court affairs pressing down, Emperor Hongjing appointed Jin Wang as the regent.
This was already an overt recognition of Jin Wang’s status, and now only a formal title was missing. Presumably, that title was not too far away. If it weren’t for the current circumstances, Jin Wang might have already been named the crown prince.
After Jin Wang was appointed as the regent, he began dealing with the rebellion case.
The Three Departments conducted interrogations, and after Jin Wang reviewed them and found them accurate, he proceeded with the sentencing.
Exile for those to be exiled, banishment for those to be banished, beheading for those to be beheaded—these past few days, the marketplace was lively with such spectacles, attracting a large number of commoners. Rotten vegetable leaves, foul-smelling eggs, and a constant stream of curses filled the air.
The aftermath of Due Weiguo Manor was also brought to light. Because of Jin Wang’s identity, their sentence had to be approved by Emperor Hongjing. Duke Weiguo’s title was revoked, his properties confiscated, and he and his son were sentenced to execution. Other members of the Wei Family were allowed to return to their ancestral homes, but they and their descendants were forbidden from joining the military or serving in official positions for three generations.
Thus, the once prosperous Duke Weiguo Manor ultimately fell, but fortunately, their lives were spared. However, because the Wei Family still had a nephew who was a prince, there might be a chance for them to make a comeback in the future. Perhaps this was the reason why Empress Wei was willing to sacrifice herself.
However, with the prohibition of military service for three generations, members of the Wei Family could only engage in business or serve as commoners. At that time, it was uncertain whether Hui Wang Manor would be able to support the Wei Family. But who knows, after all, life was always full of infinite possibilities.
During this period, under the care of Doctor Liu, Emperor Hongjing’s health gradually recovered, but he was getting old and his spirit wasn’t as good as before.
Xiaobao resumed his daily routine of studying in the imperial study and, in his leisure time, he accompanied Emperor Hongjing in the Qianqing Palace.
Time flew by, and winter arrived in the blink of an eye.
It was at this moment that Emperor Hongjing made a sudden decision. He intended to abdicate and leave the throne to Jin Wang.
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