The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 109 Passing the Throne: You Must Promise Me One Thing

The three princes quietly withdrew, and several imperial physicians took turns examining the patients, shaking their heads frequently as they discussed the pulse.

Prince Chung-jang looked completely bewildered, at a loss for what to do.

Zong Ge'er told him that all he needed to do was be filial to his father at his bedside, and that the emperor was watching over them. He listened to this advice.

But at this moment, the emperor suddenly fell into a coma, and his brothers all took action.

And the father and son can't do anything here, so what can they use to compete with his good brothers?

At this moment, Prince Zhongzheng looked bewildered, but a sense of resentment towards Xia Chengzong also arose in his heart.

Zong-ge'er is still young and may not be able to see things clearly. If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have listened to him in the first place.

At this moment, Xia Chengzong felt that his grandfather's fainting was strange.

Although his breathing was weak, it was very steady, and his body did not fluctuate much.

Several imperial physicians hid to one side discussing the pulse, and their faces showed no sign of panic.

If the emperor falls critically ill and dies, the imperial physicians might be blamed and implicated.

How could they not be flustered at all?

Unless they have all been diagnosed with the fact that the Emperor's condition is not fatal.

Based on these details, Xia Chengzong concluded that his grandfather was most likely faking his coma.

He seemed to be using this method to make a final test on the princes.

Thinking of this, he quietly moved his feet and walked to Prince Zhongzheng's side.

She nudged his arm and gave him a wink.

It took Prince Chung-jang a while to react.

He suppressed his shock, then knelt before the bed, held Emperor Yonglong's hand, and began to sob softly.

He was recounting his childhood, how he had always worked hard and longed for a word of praise from his father.

But from childhood to adulthood, he never received a single compliment.

Later, he made even more mistakes and was banned for seven years.

Now, he is in the Hanlin Academy observing politics, and he spends his days reviewing documents.

He learned a great deal of wisdom in handling political affairs, and he continued to grow.

Who would have thought that Father Emperor would fall ill and never recover at this time?

With Father Emperor in such a state of illness, I will never again receive a word of praise from him.

The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease; the child may wish to care for his parents, but they will no longer be there.

Xia Chengzong listened to Prince Zhongzheng's rambling and secretly admired him.

It must be said that Father is quite skilled at evoking emotions.

It not only reminisced about his filial piety and expressed his desire for recognition, but also subtly indicated that he had been studying the strategies of governing the country at the Hanlin Academy.

The emotions were genuine and progressively deeper. In the end, even Prince Chungjang himself was moved and couldn't help but burst into tears.

Xia Chengzong, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but shed a few tears as well.

Xia Chengzong noticed that Emperor Yonglong's eyes also became moist.

When a person is about to die, their words are kind; when a bird is about to perish, its song is mournful.

Even the most hard-hearted Emperor Yonglong could not withstand the onslaught of family affection on his deathbed.

He coughed twice, pretending to have just woken up, and said with disdain, "I'm not dead yet, what are you wailing about? It's bad luck!"

Prince Zhongzheng wiped away his tears and asked in surprise, "Father, you...you're awake?"

Emperor Yonglong patted Prince Zhongzheng's hand and said, "Third son, you're not bad, better than the others!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Chung-jang truly broke down, and tears streamed down his face.

Although he was being sentimental just now, wasn't he also speaking from the heart?

Without genuine emotion, how can one move others, or even oneself?

That's a good point. It was the first time in his life that he had received a positive compliment from his father, so it's no wonder that Prince Zhongzheng couldn't handle it.

Emperor Yonglong also shed tears. He quickly wiped his eyes and said, "You cry like this just because I praised you? Look at you, so pathetic."

"You may all leave now. I wish to speak with the Third Prince alone."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Everyone left, and Xia Chengzong followed suit.

Xia Chengzong stood at the doorway, hidden in the shadows, and no one noticed him.

No one knew that he had keen senses and that this distance was enough for him to hear the conversation inside the house.

Inside the room, Emperor Yonglong said to Prince Zhongzheng, "Third Prince, I'm afraid my illness is incurable."

Prince Zhongzheng hurriedly said, "Father is the true Son of Heaven, a man of great health, he will recover soon."

Emperor Yonglong laughed and said, "No one can escape death. My days are numbered, so don't interrupt me."

"I need to choose one of you brothers to inherit the throne. Who do you think should I choose?"

Upon hearing these words, Prince Chung-jang's heart pounded wildly.

His breathing was disordered and his mouth was dry. After a moment, he said, "Father is wise and insightful. Such matters should be decided by the Emperor alone."

"No matter who Father chooses, I will wholeheartedly support him."

Emperor Yonglong looked at Prince Zhongzheng with a half-smile and asked, "What's wrong, Third Prince? Don't you have any ambition to compete?"

This question caused Prince Zhongzheng to stop breathing and his heart to skip a beat.

For a moment, he didn't know how to answer.

He said he didn't want to? Could it be that his father originally intended to pass the throne to him, but upon hearing this answer, he felt that the emperor lacked ambition and therefore decided not to pass it to him?

If I were to ask myself, could this be a trap set by my father, just waiting for me to fall into it?

Outside the door, Xia Chengzong sighed inwardly. His father's cultivation was ultimately too shallow; he had been stumped by his grandfather's question.

However, this question is inherently difficult to answer.

Before Prince Zhongzheng could answer, Emperor Yonglong chuckled and said, "Third brother, your abilities are just average among your brothers."

"But you did have a fine son!"

These words made Prince Chung-cheng's heart pound violently, almost leaping out of his throat.

Emperor Yonglong said, "You are calm and composed, so I am at ease passing the throne to you. But you must promise your father one thing before I will feel at ease passing the throne to you."

Prince Chung-jung suddenly felt his mouth go dry, and asked in a trembling voice, "What does Father Emperor want me to do? Please give your orders."

Emperor Yonglong said, "When I pass the throne to you in the future, I want you to pass it on to Zongge'er. Can you do that?"

Upon hearing that it was just a small matter, Prince Chungjang was immediately relieved.

He originally intended to pass the throne to Zong Ge'er, after all, he obtained the throne because of Zong Ge'er.

He readily agreed and even swore a solemn oath before his bed.

Emperor Yonglong was relieved and instructed, "You may leave now. Bring Zong-ge in; I have a few things to tell him."

"Go outside and summon several cabinet ministers to see me. I want them to write an edict overnight."

"Yes, Father!"

Prince Chung-jung staggered as he left, his fingers trembling and his legs shaking.

Outside the door, Xia Chengzong quietly stepped into the light.

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