I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality-Chapter 149 - 97: The Stubborn Man, Mr. Liu

In the peaceful days at the Funeral Shop, even though the nearby Paper Mache Shop had been quieter lately, Xu Qing maintained his spirited scholarly pursuit.

With a scripture in his hands, incense burning, and swallows chirping under the eaves, the shop had cats, chickens, and a silent maid busy with housekeeping duties.

This tranquil life was so precious that even an emperor would hesitate to exchange places!

Contrary to Xu Qing’s serenity, the heir apparent at the Jinmen Changting Royal Mansion was in a treacherous situation.

Ever since Prince Changting, loyal to the state, took his own life at the mouth of the Baishui River following the late Emperor’s passing, many ’rumors’ had spread among the people.

In the eyes of the populace, the death of the late Emperor was of little consequence, and they might even celebrate with an extra chicken leg for dinner if he had indeed died.

But not so for Prince Changting. He was a true statesman, one who had eradicated national traitors, driven out barbarians, and safeguarded the nation’s borders, ensuring decades of peace and prosperity...

How could such a savior of the realm die so inexplicably?

In no time, rumors of poisoning, ambush assassination, royal suspicion, and the monarch forcing his loyal subject to death spread swiftly through the streets and alleys of the Capital City.

The mixture of truth and falsehood clouded the narratives, even the detail of the late Emperor summoning Prince Changting before his death somehow leaked out.

The current reigning Emperor, Zhao Rong, was initially indifferent, as these events and their aftermath had been foreseen by the late Emperor, who intended to bear all blame. As long as the turmoil did not touch him, the events would eventually fade with time.

Until one day, a secret missive appeared on the emperor’s desk in the Imperial Study, containing a rumor that the late Emperor’s trusted minister, a counselor from the old New Crown Prince’s Mansion, had witnessed Prince Changting’s suicide by the Baishui River.

It was said to be a mere observation, but in truth, it was akin to supervising an execution.

Realizing the threat to his own position, Zhao Rong could no longer stay idle!

He urgently summoned his confidants for an emergency strategy session.

Shortly afterward, a clandestine group emerged, fervently digging up dirt on Prince Changting.

Yet, was there such readily available dirt on Prince Changting?

Despite their efforts, the group found little scandal and instead confirmed Prince Changting’s glorious deeds.

Fearing that this path would backfire, the Emperor’s military strategist, Cai Shichun, initiated a backup plan.

Since there was no dirt, they decided to fabricate it.

Soon, rumors surfaced that Prince Zhu Sheng, during his northern campaign, had condoned his troops in massacring civilians and committing heinous acts.

Further rumors claimed that Prince Changting’s heir had been seduced by the Celestial Heart Sect’s villainous priests, plotting rebellion, and was implicated in the assassination of the former Crown Prince Zhao You.

The stories of the heir feigning madness and degradation to seek revenge spread throughout the Capital City.

Some believed he was emulating the ancients, bitterly scheming for Dayong’s throne.

But when the Crown Prince’s remains were returned to the Capital, Prince Zhu’s immediate resurgence was seen as a flaw in his feigned madness.

Confused listeners asked, "Is the heir planning a rebellion?"

"What else?" came the reply. freewёbnoνel.com

The common folk thought to themselves, "This is exciting!" However, such thoughts could only remain unspoken.

Emperor Yongxing Zhao Rong, presiding confidently, didn’t fear the rumors backfiring against him, nor the potential of harming his standing.

Amused by the chaos, he soon devised a plan, sending an envoy to the Jinmen Mansion with a verbal edict.

At that moment, the now gaunt heir apparent discussed with his elders how to respond to the unexpected imperial decree.

The edict, delivered verbally without a written declaration, asked Prince Zhu’s family if they intended to travel to the Northern Territory.

Initially, Zhu Huai’an suspected a test, but the decree’s end mentioned the Northern Territory’s unrest. As the son of Prince Changting, he should emulate his father, heading north to hone himself, thereby preserving family honor.

Apart from the verbal edict, the envoy also shared some of the spreading rumors, hinting clearly at one thing.

That was for Prince Zhu to leave Jinmen immediately and go to the frontier to avoid suspicion.

But the heir thought, "Isn’t this just releasing me to rebuild Northern forces and avenge my father!"

Could Emperor Yongxing truly be this foolish?

Prince Zhu did not believe it. To him, this was no doubt a death sentence hanging over him, no matter if he advanced, retreated, or stayed put, it wouldn’t change Zhao Rong’s desire to eliminate him.

"If I comply, I might be ambushed and killed by bandits before stepping into the Northern Territory."

"If I refuse, defying the imperial command would be no less fatal..."

The situation had options, but none favorable, and imperial commands were serious affairs.

Driven to anxiety, Zhu Huai’an started losing clumps of hair, yearning for the momentary forgetfulness brought by the Forgetfulness Pill.

The world brims with distractions, the officialdom more so.

"I recall Prince Changting left an embroidered pouch for you to open only in utmost necessity..."

Awakened by the elder’s reminder, Zhu Huai’an quickly retrieved the brocade pouch kept close to him, revealing a piece of white silk with eight characters.

"The Emperor’s favor is gone, nothing shall be forbidden."

Zhu Huai’an trembled, feeling as if a drum pounded in his chest, his face flushed, and his hands shook as he held the silk cloth.