Chapter 1225: Chapter 191: Emperor Yong'an's Goal (Part 2)
Chapter 1225: Chapter 191: Emperor Yong’an’s Goal (Part 2)
The common people feared that Emperor Yong’an would bring disaster upon them sooner or later. Upon hearing that Emperor Yong’an was gravely ill, they felt a sense of relief.
Emperor Yong’an did not care what the officials and the common people thought of him, nor was he concerned about being labeled as a tyrant or a foolish ruler in the annals of history. He did not regret any of the actions he had taken since ascending the throne. Now hearing that the officials and the common people praised Zhao Yao for his benevolence, he was not only not angry but also very pleased.
Yu Hai felt indignant for Emperor Yong’an, feeling wronged on his behalf, and made a couple of disparaging remarks about Zhao Yao in front of Emperor Yong’an. As a result, he was harshly reprimanded by the Emperor and then punished to kneel.
When Zhao Yao arrived with Sun Doudou and Tong Xi, they saw Yu Hai kneeling at the door and quickly asked what had happened.
Yu Hai dared not tell the truth and simply said that he had angered Emperor Yong’an.
Sun Doudou glanced at Yu Hai’s somewhat defiant expression and guessed that this fellow had definitely spoken ill of Prince Han in front of the Emperor again. Sun Doudou had served Emperor Yong’an for several years and had worked closely with Yu Hai during that time, so he had some understanding of Yu Hai’s character.
Over the years, Yu Hai had often spoken ill of Prince Han in front of Emperor Yong’an, but fortunately, Emperor Yong’an never listened to him; otherwise, the Emperor and Prince Han might have been incited to become enemies.
Zhao Yao asked Yu Hai to rise, but Yu Hai did not dare to do so.
Sun Doudou and Tong Xi did not enter Emperor Yong’an’s bedchamber with Zhao Yao. They stayed at the door, watching Yu Hai being punished to kneel.
As Zhao Yao entered the bedchamber, a thick medicinal scent mixed with the fragrance of agarwood greeted him. Whenever he smelled the inseparable bitter medicinal scent masked by the agarwood, Zhao Yao’s mood would inevitably become heavy.
Emperor Yong’an’s complexion was better than before, but his body remained very weak.
“Eighth Brother, how do you feel today?” Zhao Yao would come to visit Emperor Yong’an first thing after court every day and would stay to chat for a while. Today, after court, he had been in the East Warm Pavilion discussing with Prime Minister He and others about next year’s new imperial examination, so he arrived a little later than usual.
“A bit better.”
“In a few days, if your health improves, I’ll take you out to enjoy the breeze and the sunshine,” Zhao Yao said. “Staying cooped up in the house all the time isn’t good for your health.”
“That would be nice. I’ve been feeling cooped up inside too much.” Emperor Yong’an never inquired about court affairs, trusting that Zhao Yao could handle them well. Unless Zhao Yao brought something up, he would not start the conversation. “Tenth Brother, have the Chief Historian select an auspicious day.”
Zhao Yao, who was sipping tea, was slightly taken aback by these words and then asked with a puzzled look, “Select an auspicious day for what?”
“For your accession. I want to see you ascend the throne before I leave,” Emperor Yong’an said with a smile. “Fortunately, you found the Divine Doctor from the Western Regions, allowing me to live an extra month. This way, I can see you ascend the throne before I go, and I will have no regrets.”
A few days ago, the Divine Doctors from the Western Regions, whom Zhao Yao had sent people to find, arrived at the Imperial Palace to diagnose and treat Emperor Yong’an.
Zhao Yao originally thought the Divine Doctors from the Western Regions could cure Emperor Yong’an, but they were not Daluo Immortals and had no way to cure him. The only thing they could do was to extend Emperor Yong’an’s life, but even then, only by a month.
To ensure Emperor Yong’an lived one more month, the Divine Doctors from the Western Regions exerted all their efforts, including using forbidden techniques and medicines secret to the Western Regions.
Emperor Yong’an’s words left Zhao Yao in silence.
“Tenth Brother, you don’t want me to leave with regrets, do you?” Emperor Yong’an initially thought he would not be able to see Zhao Yao ascend the throne, but the Divine Doctors from the Western Regions had extended his life by a month. This additional month could allow him to see Zhao Yao ascend the throne, making him very happy.
Zhao Yao had been unable to accept the fact that Emperor Yong’an did not have much time left. Even with the reality right before his eyes, he resisted the notion. However, regardless of his disbelief, Emperor Yong’an indeed did not have long to live.
“Eighth Brother, I…”
Emperor Yong’an knew what Zhao Yao wanted to say and raised his hand to interrupt, his expression tinged with entreaty: “Tenth Brother, don’t let me have regrets.”
Zhao Yao sighed softly in his heart and then nodded in agreement: “Alright, let the Chief Historian select an auspicious day.”
Emperor Yong’an called Sun Doudou in and instructed him to summon the Chief Historian.
A moment later, Sun Doudou brought the Chief Historian in.
Emperor Yong’an instructed the Chief Historian to select an auspicious day next month.
Although Emperor Yong’an did not specify the purpose of selecting the auspicious day, the Chief Historian understood immediately and went to carry out the order.
Emperor Yong’an offered a slight apology to Zhao Yao, saying, “You might have to endure a simple accession ceremony for now; you can hold a grander one in the future.”