Chapter 642 - 645: Posthumous Edict

Chapter 642: Chapter 645: Posthumous Edict

Hua Manman originally thought this world was a book, and that its plot had long been set in stone.

But later, the system told her this was a real, existing world.

The so-called plot was all a fabrication by the Main God.

Obviously, the Main God must have had a purpose for doing this.

It wanted this world to develop according to the plot it had designed.

But because Hua Manman had acted on her own, Li Ji deviated from the predetermined plot. To get the story back on its original track, the Main God had to eliminate Li Ji.

And that was the reason for so many "coincidences."

Little Flower asked, "What’s your plan?"

The Main God had no physical form. It was invisible and intangible. Even if they knew it was causing trouble, there was no way to fight it.

Hua Manman stroked her chin and gave a cunning smile.

"It’s simple. Since it’s trying everything to force the plot to its grand finale, I’ll do the exact opposite. I’ll make sure it doesn’t get what it wants and piss it off!"

A shout came from not far away.

"General Bian is back!"

Hua Manman followed the sound with her gaze and saw Bian Ziming hurrying over with four trusted aides.

The moment they appeared, they were surrounded by the crowd.

Everyone started asking questions at once.

Bian Ziming had someone deliver the purchased salves to the injured, and the dry rations were also distributed to everyone.

He pushed through the crowd, cupped his fist in salute to the Regent King, and recounted his experience in the town from beginning to end.

Hua Manman, holding Little Flower, leaned in just in time to hear Bian Ziming say—

"...those rebels are acting in the name of the former Crown Prince Li Shu. They claim that Li Shu was murdered by the current Saint, that the Saint’s ascension to the throne was illegitimate, and that his lack of virtue makes him unworthy of his position. They say he should abdicate in favor of someone more virtuous."

Hua Manman was stunned. "Rebels?"

Bian Ziming looked at her and took the initiative to explain.

"General Xuanwei, who guards Lingnan, has rebelled with his troops. Joining him are many local officials and military generals. It’s said they are all former subordinates of the former Crown Prince Li Shu."

Hua Manman immediately turned her head to look at Li Liao, who was standing not far away.

’Li Liao was also one of the Crown Prince’s old subordinates. Does he know about the rebellion?’

Li Ji had obviously thought of this as well.

He strode directly up to Li Liao.

This was the first time in a while that the two, father and son, had a proper, face-to-face conversation.

Li Liao asked him what the matter was.

Li Ji got straight to the point. "General Xuanwei has rebelled with his troops. Was this your doing?"

Hua Manman, who had followed them, jumped in fright.

She had only been wondering if Li Liao knew about it, but Li Ji was directly accusing him of masterminding the whole thing.

Li Liao wasn’t surprised in the least. He answered calmly and unhurriedly.

"This was the result of our joint discussions. Originally, we planned to raise our banners after the Saint was on his deathbed, but since a warrant is out for your arrest, the matter could no longer be delayed. We had no choice but to act ahead of schedule."

Li Ji sneered. "So it really was you causing trouble!"

Fearing they would start arguing again, Hua Manman quickly ran over and tugged on the hem of Li Ji’s sleeve.

Li Liao stared at him intently and asked in a low voice, "Don’t you want to avenge your parents, who died such wrongful deaths?"

Li Ji replied expressionlessly.

"None of your damn business!"

Li Liao said slowly.

"The Crown Prince was framed.

He held the late Emperor in the highest regard and never had any intention of treason.

It was the Third Prince... that is, the current Saint, who bribed someone close to the Crown Prince to deliberately frame him.

He couldn’t even wait for a joint trial by the three judicial departments and had the Crown Prince murdered in his cell.

Leaving no one alive to testify against him."

Li Ji remained unmoved. "That’s just your side of the story."

Li Liao said, "I have proof."

Hua Manman was surprised. "What proof?"

Li Ji didn’t speak, but his eyes were fixed on Li Liao, clearly waiting for him to produce the proof as well.

Li Liao took out a neatly folded, pale yellow silk cloth from his robes.

"The deaths of Crown Prince Li Shu and Empress Ji were a huge blow to the late Emperor, causing him to fall gravely ill, never to recover.

He secretly sent people to investigate the truth behind the Crown Prince’s alleged treason, and he actually managed to uncover a crucial clue.

However, before the late Emperor could make the truth public, he passed away."

Hua Manman couldn’t help but murmur, "That’s too much of a coincidence."

He found the truth one moment, and was dead the next.

Li Liao said, "I’m not sure how the late Emperor died, but it’s very likely there was foul play involved. But let’s not talk about that for now. What I want to say is that before his death, the late Emperor wrote a final edict."

Hua Manman’s and Li Ji’s gazes fell in unison on the pale yellow silk cloth in Li Liao’s hands.

’So this is the legendary final edict.’

Li Liao continued, "In the edict, the late Emperor cleared the Crown Prince’s name.

He was innocent. The edict also declared that if the Crown Prince had an heir, that heir was to be instated as the new Crown Prince and inherit the throne.

After the late Emperor’s passing, this edict was hidden in a secret compartment within his memorial tablet.

Only the late Emperor’s most trusted confidant knew of this.

After the late Emperor passed, that person guarded the Imperial Mausoleum.

It wasn’t until my men found him that we learned of the edict’s existence."

Hua Manman immediately recalled the incident during the renovation of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and blurted out,

"So you were the one who sent people to steal the late Emperor’s memorial tablet back then!"

Li Liao admitted it frankly. "The circumstances forced my hand. I had no other choice."

He handed the silk cloth to Li Ji.

"See for yourself."

Li Ji took the silk cloth and unrolled it, revealing the text written inside.

Hua Manman craned her neck to get a look.

The content on the silk cloth was very literary, full of awkward and obscure words. It made her head spin.

She managed to get through it all with a good deal of guesswork.

The content was indeed as Li Liao had described. It was the final edict left by the late Emperor, bearing his personal signature and the stamp of the Jade Seal.

Hua Manman turned to the man beside her and asked in a low voice,

"What do you think?"

’The late Emperor wronged Li Shu, and out of guilt, he wanted to pass the throne to Li Shu’s heir.’

’But Li Shu has only one heir—Li Ji.’

’In other words, Li Ji is the rightful heir to the throne.’

Li Ji folded the silk cloth and tossed it back to Li Liao.

"I have no interest in the throne."

Li Liao pressed him.

"So you’re just going to stand by and watch your enemy live out his golden years in the Imperial Palace?

Are you doing right by the Crown Prince who died protecting you on your escape from the Capital City?

Are you doing right by the Crown Princess Consort who gave her all to give birth to you in a time of crisis?"

Li Ji was silent.

Li Liao clutched the silk cloth in his hand, speaking each word with deliberate emphasis.

"To clear the Crown Prince’s name, to put you on the throne—do you have any idea how long we’ve been planning in the shadows?

All of us have already put our own lives on the line. How can you back down at a time like this?!"

Li Ji retorted coldly,

"If I join your rebellion, what happens to Princess Rouwan?

She’s still in the Celestial Capital right now.

With just one word from the Saint, her head could roll at any moment."