Tragic Death and Rebirth, The Entire Empire Kneels and Calls Me Ancestor Chapter 576

Appointing Duan Wang to preside over the New Year banquet was as good as a clear signal. Jin Wang looked visibly displeased, Qi Wang’s face was pitch-black, only Yu Wang’s expression remained neutral.

However, Qi Wang had clearly been traumatized from being ordered around by his fourth brother recently. Even with a dark face, he didn’t dare show it in front of him. He turned to complain to Jin Wang, only for Jin Wang to avoid him as if he were the plague.

What, was he some sort of pest?

As for Yu Wang, ever since his son had been sent out of the palace, the light in his eyes had gone out.

The hope of using his son to make a political comeback had clearly been extinguished.

Fortunately, since his son was the Emperor’s eldest grandson, he was still given an official post — he wasn’t left completely humiliated.

The reaction among the court officials was even more telling. Those who supported Duan Wang beamed with joy; those who had previously stood against him were filled with dismay.

The neutral faction continued to straddle the fence. Yet Ning Qin Wang, a royal uncle, for once showed rare closeness to Duan Wang at the banquet, even appearing to defend him, which was quite a surprise.

Ning Qin Wang had always kept clear of the crown prince disputes. No matter how fierce the infighting, he had remained silent and impartial all these years.

But now, showing harmony with Duan Wang — many began thinking of Xiao Lin.

Was Duan Wang really so farsighted as to have courted Ning Qin Wang’s favor so early on?

The New Year banquets followed one after another. The Emperor appeared less and less, and no other prince was called upon to substitute for Duan Wang.

Before the Lantern Festival had even passed, word came from the imperial mausoleum: the deposed Crown Prince was dead!

And he died in disgrace — after drinking and taking aphrodisiacs, he died on a woman’s bed. The woman was a beautiful maid he had recently favored, whom he treasured like a jewel, reveling with her every night.

Perhaps wine and lust had hollowed out his body, and wanting more pleasure, he had someone fetch those drugs. But the potency was too much after drinking — and he died just like that.

The news was far too sudden. Since it involved the deposed Crown Prince, it was reported directly to the Emperor.

The Emperor, already in poor health and at death’s door, had been hanging on with rest and care. Upon hearing this, he spat blood and fainted on the spot.

In the heart of the New Year season, the palace descended into chaos.

Mingxi sat in her manor, holding her daughter tightly. Just the day before, Consort Shu had suggested she take Zhiyi home for a few days and return her later. Who could have expected something like this to happen?

Thankfully, her daughter had come home. If she were still in the palace at a time like this, how could Mingxi possibly be at ease?

The palace gates were shut tight, and not a single word of news came out. The entire day, Mingxi was distracted, staying with her daughter and trying to play with her. Not long after, Kang Wangfei came quietly, saying Kang Wang had been summoned into the palace. She was worried and came to inquire.

Before Mingxi could speak much with her, messages came from Duan Huirou and Yu Wangfei — both Yu Wang and Jin Wang had also entered the palace.

Mingxi sent someone to quietly check on Qi Wang’s manor. Li Quan quickly returned: Qi Wang had gone in as well.

What more was there to say? All the princes had gone into the palace — a sign that made hearts heavy with unease.

Kang Wangfei, nervous and worried about her children, stayed briefly and left again.

Before night fell, Miao Sheng returned in a hurry. Seeing Mingxi, he said, “Wangye asked me to come back and fetch some clothes. He’ll be staying in the palace for the next few days.”

Mingxi personally selected clothes and shoes for him, packed them carefully, then asked, “Did Wangye leave any message?”

Miao Sheng shook his head awkwardly. “I didn’t see Wangye. Steward Ding relayed the message.”

Mingxi’s heart sank. She asked again, “Will you come back after entering the palace?”

Miao Sheng shook his head again. “I don’t know either.”

When no one knows anything, it only means one thing — the situation in the palace is dire.

At such times, one must stay calm. After sending Miao Sheng off, darkness had already fallen completely.

That night, Mingxi slept very restlessly. Her dreams were chaotic and filled with all sorts of images. When she opened her eyes in the morning, she was completely exhausted in spirit.

She barely touched a few bites of breakfast—she really had no appetite. She also didn’t dare to go out easily now, afraid that people outside were all watching the movements of the various royal residences.

Not long after breakfast, Li Quan rushed back.

“Wangfei, all the gates of the capital have been sealed.”

Mingxi immediately straightened her back and looked at Li Quan, frowning. “All of them are sealed?”

“Yes. No one is allowed in or out now.”

Mingxi’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Li Quan and quickly said, “Go back to the Marquis Residence immediately and tell them to shut their gates tight. No one is to go out unless necessary.” After a pause, she added, “Then go find Lan Jiang and have him send word to the Jin Wangfei.”

“Yes,” Li Quan quickly turned and left.

Mingxi immediately went to the Zhenhai Marquis’ residence and brought Madam Xu back with her. Madam Xu initially refused to come, but Mingxi simply said she was afraid, and Madam Xu came at once to accompany her.

Naturally, Duan Pingchang came along too. With Duan Wang absent, as the Father, he had to protect his daughter.

With Zhenhai Marquis holding down the fort outside, Mingxi, although not easily shaken, still felt somewhat more at ease.

She quietly sent word to Kang Wangfei and Yu Wangfei, then shut the gates tightly. No one from the Duan Wang Residence went out again.

Before dawn, funeral bells tolled. The entire capital instantly woke up and prostrated in the direction of the palace.

The emperor had passed. The entire city was draped in mourning.

After the death of the deposed crown prince, the emperor never named another heir. However, the Grand Councilors and Ning Qin Wang jointly presented the emperor’s secret decree.

Only then did everyone learn that the late emperor had secretly appointed a successor.

Ning Qin Wang publicly unsealed the imperial edict and read it aloud in a booming voice. Everyone held their breath, and when they heard him declare that the throne was to be passed to Duan Wang, their expressions changed—some shocked, some resigned.

In fact, ever since the emperor had Duan Wang preside over the New Year’s feast, signs had been there. Even before that, the emperor had Duan Wang rotate through the various ministries, running around constantly. Looking back, it seemed deliberate.

The hall was silent. Just then, Duke Wei suddenly stepped forward and loudly declared, “This subject accepts the edict!”

His shout startled everyone present. Immediately, Duan Wang’s faction followed suit, bowing and kneeling with him.

Once someone led the way, everything unfolded naturally.

Whether it was Jin Wang or Yu Wang, none of them now had the strength to challenge Duan Wang. Even if Qi Wang was unwilling in his heart, he dared not utter a single word.

Xiao Muchen, surrounded by courtiers, looked up at the lofty dragon throne. His throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton—before he could say a word, tears poured down like rain.

The courtiers, seeing this, burst into wails. The entire hall was filled with grief.

Qi Wang: …

It was all the deposed crown prince’s fault. If he hadn’t died so disgracefully and angered the emperor to death, he might have had a chance to fight for it. Now, all hope was gone.

With the most unyielding Fourth Brother becoming emperor, he could already imagine how hard his future days would be.

Thinking of this, Qi Wang let out a loud cry and truly began to weep with sincerity.

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