My Five Bigshot Seniors: I am The Most Coddled Junior!-Chapter 92 - 44: Abdication

Yue Zhao’s smile was impeccable, even elegantly nodding towards Qiu Yuyan.

Qiu Yuyan didn’t expect Yue Zhao to be so ungrateful; this was already the third time she was rejected by them. This time, with Nalan Qing and Nalan Xin present, she felt completely humiliated. Looking at Yue Zhao’s eyes, it seemed as if she wanted to kill someone.

"Young Master Yue, have you thought it through?" she suppressed her anger, trying to make one last attempt.

"Of course, thank you for your concern, Miss Qiu," Yue Zhao’s smile remained unchanged, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Fine!" Qiu Yuyan slammed the table, stood up abruptly, her eyes ablaze, "It seems we were overly sentimental. Excuse our disturbance, we will take our leave!"

"Take care," Yue Zhao also stood up, as if completely unaffected by Qiu Yuyan’s anger.

Qiu Yuyan originally thought Yue Zhao would at least make a gesture to retain her, but who knew Yue Zhao would directly see them out. Now, she had no choice but to leave even if she didn’t want to, especially since she was too furious to stay any longer.

"I hope the next time we meet in the Secret Realm, Young Master Yue will still be so tough!" With a cold snort, Qiu Yuyan swished her sleeves and turned to leave.

Watching Qiu Yuyan’s departing figure, Yue Zhao’s smile deepened, and with a closer look, one could see his eyes filled with coldness.

Nalan Qing and Nalan Xin were entirely like decorations on the side; originally, they thought Qiu Yuyan wanted to meet Si Lin and his group because she had some connection with them. But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case at all; they not only had no connection but had completely fallen out!

Now that Qiu Yuyan had stormed off, the two of them were left feeling somewhat awkward. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Miss Qiu has already left, the two misses..." Yue Zhao looked toward Nalan Qing and Nalan Xin, though he didn’t say it directly, the meaning was quite clear.

"Sorry to disturb, we will take our leave," Nalan Xin stood up directly, lowered her head slightly with a hint of apology to Yue Zhao, then left with Nalan Qing.

After everyone had completely left, Yue Zhao sat back in his chair and poured himself a cup of tea.

"This Qiu Yuyan is truly relentless, she even dared to threaten us!" Yun Ran, who had originally had a somewhat favorable impression of Qiu Yuyan, found this encounter eye-opening, realizing Qiu Yuyan wasn’t as she appeared. Recalling Qiu Yuyan’s furious embarrassment, Yun Ran was rendered speechless.

"I’ve seen many such women; they rely on their beauty, thinking all men should submit to them, thinking that by pretending to be pure and decent, they can hide their sordid hearts. If she wasn’t interested in our senior brother, why would she come to us?" Rong Ye said from the side, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

"Weren’t people saying before that this Miss Qiu was gentle and generous, possessing the demeanor of a noble lady and was the moonlight in the hearts of many men? Looking at it now, she’s nothing special!" Being from Xuantian Continent, Zhuo Tingqiu had heard quite a few rumors about Qiu Yuyan and couldn’t help but sigh.

"Enough, there’s no need to let unrelated people affect our mood," Yue Zhao put down his teacup, looking at Gu Qingqing and the others.

Upon hearing this, Yun Ran and the others suddenly felt relieved.

...

In the Imperial Palace, Doctor Ge and his team researched the medicinal formula through half of the night, finally finding a remedy that could temporarily suppress the poison in the Emperor’s body. Li Xiuyan personally attended to the Emperor, giving him the medicine. Watching the Emperor’s complexion improve somewhat, Li Xiuyan then rested on a couch at the side.

In the morning, when the Emperor awoke, he was still a bit groggy, not recalling his fainting incident right away.

After listening to Li Xiuyan’s report, the Emperor was enraged.

"This is outrageous, they dared to poison Us!" He turned and looked at Chief Liang, who stood at the corner of the bed, "Liang Shen, investigate well. Investigate the entire harem; We want to see who has such great ability, so bold!"

"Understood, Your Majesty!" Liang Shen promptly responded.

"Father, please calm your anger first. I have already had Chief Liang start an investigation. The priority now is to cure the poison in your body. I will not let the culprit go unpunished!" Li Xiuyan consoled the Emperor, soothing him gently.

The Emperor clasped Li Xiuyan’s hand, "Yan’er, those who poisoned Us merely aim for this throne. As for the poison in Our body, it’s uncertain whether it can be cured. Go, and issue a decree: call all officials of third rank and above to enter the palace, just say We have matters to discuss!"

"Father, what’s so urgent? It can wait until your health improves!" Li Xiuyan looked at the Emperor in disapproval, urging him against it.

"There’s no need to persuade Us," the Emperor patted Li Xiuyan’s hand, "Liang Shen, deliver the decree; by noon, We want to see all officials of third rank and above in Shangjing City!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go immediately," Liang Shen said and then exited.

Seeing the Emperor’s decision, Li Xiuyan, though disapproving, could only remain silent, helping the Emperor to rest and chatting with him to elevate his mood.

Near noon, as per the Emperor’s instructions, all officials of third rank and above in the Imperial City had been summoned to the usual meeting hall. Everyone speculated about the matter of urgency, making the Emperor gather everyone here, considering they had all witnessed the Emperor fainting from poison yesterday.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

With a resounding announcement, all the officials in the grand hall immediately ceased their conversations, kneeling down to welcome the Emperor’s arrival.

"Bow to His Majesty, may His Majesty live for ten thousand years!"

"Rise, my subjects." The Emperor’s somewhat weak voice resonated from the Dragon Throne.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

All the ministers stood up from the ground, raising their heads slightly to look towards where the Emperor was seated.

"Liang Shen, announce the decree." The Emperor spoke directly, ignoring the reactions of the court.

"At once." Liang Shen responded, retrieving a bright yellow imperial edict from his sleeve and unrolling it before everyone.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Crown Prince Li Xiuyan, born of the late Empress, my legitimate son, has been prudent and diligent, caring for the people since being conferred as Crown Prince. I am greatly gratified. Now, I have fallen victim to a malicious plot, afflicted by a strange poison, and fear I haven’t much time left. To ensure the stability of the Great Tang Dynasty’s court, I hereby decide to abdicate the throne in favor of the Crown Prince. Thus ordered!"

Liang Shen’s slightly sharp voice echoed in the grand hall, leaving everyone present, except the Emperor and Liang Shen, utterly stunned, including Li Xiuyan, who was to inherit the throne!

"Father, this is inappropriate!" Li Xiuyan immediately stood from his position, kneeling before the Emperor, brow furrowed as he said, "I am still young and not ready to bear such a heavy responsibility. I beseech you to retract your command!"

The ministers, still recovering from the shock of the Emperor’s abdication, found themselves astonished once more upon hearing Li Xiuyan’s words.

Being part of the Royal Family, few would not desire the throne. The Emperor had already decreed the abdication to Li Xiuyan, who only needed to comply. However, seeing his expression, there was clearly no desire to become Emperor now. How could this not surprise everyone?

Among the ministers present, not all wished for Li Xiuyan to become Emperor. Immediately, some followed Li Xiuyan’s plea, urging the Emperor to retract his command.

"My decision is final, no more words; court is dismissed!" The Emperor, unconcerned by the reactions below, waved dismissively, leaving the Dragon Throne.

"Respectfully see off His Majesty!" Despite having more to say, the ministers could do nothing but respectfully see the Emperor off, as he did not wish to listen.

Li Xiuyan closely followed the Emperor out, and after exchanging glances, several senior ministers also left.

The remaining officials, after exchanging looks, could only leave as well.

Li Xiuyan followed the Emperor back to the Emperor’s sleeping quarters, and upon entering, knelt on the floor.

"Father, I hope you will retract your command. There must be a way to cure your ailment!" Li Xiuyan implored sincerely, looking at the Emperor.

The Emperor sat silently for a moment, watching Li Xiuyan without immediately replying. Under his gaze, Li Xiuyan did not waver, showing no sign of changing his mind.

Seeing this resolve in Li Xiuyan, the Emperor suddenly laughed and nodded in satisfaction.

"Yan’er, your father truly did not misjudge you. Fear not, the abdication is not a sudden whim, but a decision long considered, to minimize the turmoil of a throne change." The Emperor said earnestly, accepting the cup of tea handed by Liang Shen.

"But Father, I am not ready to be Emperor yet." Li Xiuyan said reluctantly, frowning.

As Crown Prince, he had been told from a young age that he would one day become Emperor. Raised personally by the Emperor, he had always been learning how to be a good Emperor, and in recent years had assisted in managing state affairs, handling many matters adeptly. Yet, in his plans, he had not anticipated becoming Emperor right now. This sudden change by the Emperor left him somewhat unwilling.

"You, indeed, are spoiled by your father. To make you Emperor and you’re unwilling?" The Emperor looked at Li Xiuyan with mock reproach, shaking his head helplessly. "Your brothers have always wanted to replace you. If they knew your thoughts, they would be furious!"

For his son, the Emperor might not treat every child the same as the Crown Prince, but he knew them well, aware of their ambitions. Yet, in his eyes, none but the Crown Prince could be a competent Emperor.

The second son is too indecisive, easily swayed by others, and if he were to succeed, he might be controlled by the Yi Family, becoming a puppet Emperor!

The third son is talented in literature, with great skill in poetry and painting, but lacks strategy. If he were Emperor, it wouldn’t take long for the Great Tang to be divided.

As for the other sons, none possess the qualities to become Emperor. Only the Crown Prince, decisive yet balanced, cunning and strategic, with a broad mind and vision not limited to immediate benefits, could succeed. The Emperor believes that if the Crown Prince ascends, he will outshine his own rule, and the Great Tang will reach even greater heights under his reign!

This is also why, for years, he withheld royal titles from his other sons to prevent giving them any illusions that they could replace the Crown Prince!