Chapter 533: Chapter 357: Temporary Regency (Part 2)

However, the Prince personally committed regicide in front of everyone, and even though only those present witnessed it, the news could not be concealed—anyway, those who should have seen it almost all did, and those who shouldn’t will know afterward.

Rong Heng personally extinguished his chance of being bestowed the imperial robe and ascending the throne at this moment, using this action to demonstrate his stance to others.

Rong Jing said he returned the world to him,

and he,

did not care!

Before Rong Heng killed Rong Jing, when he looked at Gu Lan, she understood this point.

Rong Heng did not expect, even if he had not ascended the throne, this mess would still temporarily fall onto his shoulders.

At this moment, no one dared to propose letting Prince Xiang take the throne.

Even though everyone knew, Rong Heng was indeed the most suitable candidate to ascend the throne.

Rong Jing had only two princes, one of whom had already been reduced to a commoner, and the other... everyone knew what he was like.

Rong Heng, he was the Fifth Prince of the former Emperor, once the most beloved prince in the hearts of those old ministers! He was also now Dayan’s only Prince, head of the Southern Border army, and had tangible military merits.

Who else could it be, if not him? 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Could it be the Young Master Gu, eyeing with greed beside him?!

Lu Bingxin, unable to get a response from Rong Heng, couldn’t help but raise his head, accidentally meeting the gaze of Young Master Gu.

Gu Lan, with arms crossed holding a sword, stood lazily beside Rong Heng. Naturally, she had no intention of kneeling. Lu Bingxin was extremely uneasy, even fearing she would suddenly say, "Who ascends is the same; why not let me ascend."

Young Master Gu naturally had a bit of the aura of "The Emperor rotates, and next year it’s my family’s turn."

If her identity hadn’t been exposed, making her a female heir with charges of deceiving the Emperor hanging over her, Lu Bingxin had no doubt she would raise the standard to rebel and ascend the throne.

Even though she had become a woman, he still thought so!

He suspected he had been traumatized from the time he was publicly rejected by Marquis Gu and Young Master Gu for marriage.

At this time, a slight carelessness, someone saying the wrong word, and it would plunge all of Dayan into chaos. Everyone was on edge, daring not to speak, let alone provoke the Young Master.

Gu Lan smiled slightly at Lu Bingxin, her eyes full of mockery. After surveying everyone, she leisurely asked:

"The Emperor has passed, and the country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Shouldn’t we establish a new ruler first, before addressing the national mourning?"

Lu Bingxin inwardly thought, indeed she was aiming for a coup to seize the throne.

He knelt on the ground, quickly saying: "Your Majesty’s heirs are few, and only the Second Prince remains, but the Second Prince’s previous discord with the deposed Crown Prince was indeed a scandal for our Dayan. His Majesty was also quite displeased with him during his lifetime, so we ministers believe that the Second Prince ascending would violate the ancestral teachings, thus, it should be carefully considered and perhaps an appropriate aged ruler from the Imperial Family should be chosen to ascend, so... it’s better to deliberate on this matter at length."

Lu Bingxin recalled the brothers Rong Qichun and Rong Qijun, and his head was throbbing slightly.

"The Prime Minister speaks rightly, this matter should be deliberated at length," another minister said.

Lu Bingxin still lowered his head, adding: "Emperor Taizhong once said that the virtuous should hold high positions, Dayan’s enlightened new governance, has always had the tradition of selecting the virtuous over the elder. So, about the new emperor, it might be best for all the officials to take care of the national mourning first, before deciding the successor."

After he finished speaking, he took a moment to breathe, nervously waiting for Rong Heng’s response.

In his heart, Rong Heng was the most suitable candidate for emperor, but at this critical moment, it was inappropriate to raise the matter.

Perhaps, after Prince Xiang regenced for a long time, the civil and military officials would request together, and the Prince would refuse twice before acquiescing. Thus, earning a reputation of virtue alongside the throne, making everyone happy.

The Prime Minister schemed well in his heart!

"What the Prime Minister said makes perfect sense. It seems, at this time, we can only let the Prince temporarily handle state affairs," Gu Lan looked at Rong Heng, her gaze full of schadenfreude, "Is the Prince willing?"

These days, someone is still asking if the Prince is willing to regent.

The key point is, the young Prince in front of them might really be unwilling!

When Rong Heng heard Gu Lan’s question, the corner of his mouth twitched, thinking, can he refuse if he is unwilling?

"The country cannot be without a ruler for a day, but the matter of the new ruler still needs to be deliberated carefully, so I shall temporarily handle state affairs, with all court matters remaining unchanged, and the harem affairs entrusted to the Empress. Everyone, please first handle the mourning of Emperor Daxing, and request the Minister of Rites to prepare for the burial arrangements for Emperor Daxing." Rong Heng said calmly.

Emperor Daxing is an honorific for the recently deceased emperor who has not yet been given a posthumous title.