The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Outside the Qianqing Palace, there was a deathly silence.

The water clock ticked away, like a death knell striking the hearts of everyone.

Pei Yan, dressed in a scarlet chief minister's robe, with a jade belt and leather shoes, stood upright before the officials.

Behind him, a vast number of court officials knelt on the ground.

No one dared to speak, and no one dared to move.

Everyone held their breath low, their gazes shifting back and forth between Pei Yan's mountain-like, steady back and the tightly closed palace doors.

They are waiting for a dramatic power transition.

Inside the palace, the blood the emperor coughed up still lingered on the bright yellow dragon pillow, its color jarring.

The imperial physicians came and went, each with a somber expression.

Finally, he left only the words, "His Majesty's health is failing, and he is nearing the end of his life. I urge Your Majesty and the court officials to make preparations as soon as possible," before retreating to the side and daring not to say another word.

The Empress Dowager slumped into her chair, the last trace of color draining from her face.

She glanced at the unconscious emperor on the bed, then gave a venomous look to the tall figure outside the palace.

We can't just sit here and wait to die!

"Wang Mama," the Empress Dowager said, her voice trembling as she forced out the words through clenched teeth.

"Go, take the secret passage near Shenwu Gate, return to the Tan family, and tell the master to bring men... bring assassins into the palace to protect the emperor!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant understands."

Granny Wang, her body hunched over, quietly slipped out of the side hall and hurried along a shortcut toward the secluded Shenwu Gate.

As night deepened, the shadows cast by the palace walls grew long and thin.

Just as Granny Wang thought she had secretly reached the entrance to the secret passage, a dark figure descended from the sky and blocked her way.

"Where are you going, Granny?"

Xiao San crossed his arms, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Behind him, several elite guards silently dispersed, blocking all blind spots.

Granny Wang's heart skipped a beat, and she shouted sternly, "You insolent servant! I am the Empress Dowager's person, how dare you stop me?"

Xiao San didn't waste any words with her. He raised his hand, grabbed the back of her neck, and lifted her up like a chick.

"Our master said that the Empress Dowager is getting old and should enjoy her retirement."

"The eldest and second masters of the Tan family are drinking tea in the Dali Temple prison right now. She can't see either of them now."

Knowing that all was lost, Granny Wang turned pale and collapsed to the ground.

Meanwhile, inside Kunning Palace, Xiao Yuzhen was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Her trusted palace maid and two secret guards had just reached the palace gate when they were tackled to the ground by a group of Imperial Guards.

Wang An, the chief eunuch, stood there expressionless, leading a group of imperial guards.

"Where are the Empress's people going?" Wang An asked slowly, using a high-pitched voice.

The palace maid still tried to deny it, saying, "By order of Her Majesty, I have left the palace to pray for His Majesty's well-being."

"Praying for blessings? I think it's more like going to tip off the enemy!" Wang An sneered.

"Before His Majesty fainted, he issued an edict, fearing that treacherous individuals might take advantage of his illness to conspire against him, and ordered us to purge the court of these corrupt officials!"

"Take down all these suspicious individuals!"

Of course, this is fake, but at this point, who can verify whether it's true or false?

A few days ago, Pei Yan had privately negotiated a deal with Wang An, the chief eunuch.

As long as Wang An leads all the palace eunuchs and the Embroidered Uniform Guards to join Pei Yan in recommending the Eighth Prince to the throne.

After the new emperor successfully ascended the throne, none of the chief eunuchs of the twenty-four departments of the inner court were moved.

Wang An disliked the Crown Prince and had no desire to serve women like the Empress Dowager and the Empress. After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to cooperate with Pei Yan.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress's last struggle was thus ruthlessly crushed.

Their attempts to send out distress signals instead became a death warrant, confirming their accusations of "malicious intent."

This also made Pei Yan's subsequent actions seem legitimate.

Outside the Qianqing Palace, Pei Yan suddenly stood up and slowly turned around.

His gaze swept over the trembling officials below the steps, and his clear, melodious voice echoed throughout the entire palace.

"A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day, nor can the position of crown prince remain vacant for long."

He paused, his voice clear and resonant, like metal striking stone.

"His Majesty is gravely ill, the Crown Prince has plotted a rebellion, and his position has been revoked. To ensure the stability of the court, I, your humble servant, Grand Secretary Pei Yan, request the establishment of a new heir!"

coming!

A commotion arose among the officials, who began whispering amongst themselves.

The Minister of Personnel stepped forward with a stiff upper lip, his voice trembling slightly:

"Prime Minister Pei, this matter is of great importance. Should we...should we wait until His Majesty wakes up before discussing it?"

Pei Yan glanced at him.

"Wait? Wait until how long? Wait until the Tan and Xiao families install a puppet to rule, handing over the throne of our Great Chu?"

The Minister of Personnel was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud, his official robes instantly soaked with cold sweat.

"This humble official...this humble official absolutely did not mean that!"

Pei Yan ignored him and continued, "I recommend Consort Hui's son, the Eighth Prince."

"The Eighth Prince is intelligent, steady, and of pure character."

"Most importantly, Consort Hui comes from a humble background, and the Eighth Prince has no powerful relatives to rely on."

"By establishing the Eighth Prince as Crown Prince, the powerful families and imperial relatives will no longer be at war, and the hearts of the people will be at ease!"

As soon as these words were spoken, some of the court officials immediately realized what was going on.

That's a great idea!

This completely eliminates the possibility of interference in politics by relatives of the empress!

The Minister of Works still wanted to make a move, as he was a protégé of the Xiao family.

"Prime Minister Pei! The selection of an heir is the foundation of the nation; how can it be treated so lightly! The Eighth Prince is too young..."

Before he could finish speaking, a lazy voice rang out from the side.

"Child's play? I think it's the Minister who's treating state affairs like child's play!"

Lu Yunzheng had appeared beside him at some point, fiddling with a jade pendant in his hand, looking at him with a forced smile.

"What's wrong? Haven't you even had a chance to enjoy those antiques and paintings the Tan family sent you yet?"

"Or is it that the benefits the Xiao family promised you are more important than the entire Chu kingdom?"

Lu Yunzheng leaned close to his ear, his voice low but clear.

"Don't forget, many people played a crucial role in the case of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence back then."

"How many shady records does Prime Minister Pei have on his hands? Can you guess?"

"The Tan and Xiao families are now in dire straits, are you sure you still want to stand up for them?"

The Minister of Works' face turned as white as paper in an instant, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.

The surrounding court officials all heard Lu Yunzheng's words.

Those who had initially wanted to agree with them all shrank back, wishing they could dig a hole in the ground and bury themselves.

As for those who support the Imperial Concubine and the Third Prince, many of them had been bribed or given advice by the Xiao and Tan families.

After thinking it over, they both lowered their heads silently and didn't say a word.

Pei Yan coldly looked down, devoid of any emotion, and patted the dust off his sleeves.

"Since none of you have any objections, let the Cabinet draft the decree!"