“Greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess,” the eunuchs bowed in unison.
Chu Zhao, holding Xiao Yu’s hand, passed them and stepped into the great hall.
Deng Yi was also at the Emperor’s side, discussing matters about the Third Prince. Seeing Xiao Yu enter, he stopped.
“Continue,” the Emperor said, half-reclining on the dragon bed. He looked in fairly good spirits. “He is the Crown Prince, not a child anymore. Good or bad, he must bear it himself. I summoned him here precisely to hear this.”
Deng Yi acknowledged and continued relaying the situation Xie Yanfang had described from that night, as well as the details he had personally investigated—in detail down to the injuries of the late Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
Chu Zhao felt the small hand she held trembling and gestured for Xiao Yu to lean against her.
But the child shook his head and continued sitting upright, his eyes reddening as he listened attentively.
Deng Yi soon finished and spoke of funeral arrangements. The Emperor waved his hand listlessly: “Just follow the regulations.”
People were already dead—posthumous matters didn’t matter.
Deng Yi acknowledged, glancing at Chu Zhao and Xiao Yu sitting to the side. One large, one small, both looking well-behaved and obedient.
“By regulation, the wedding of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess should be held after the mourning period ends,” Deng Yi said. “But this subject believes that for the stability of the nation, it should be held immediately.”
The Emperor smiled faintly: “No rush.”
No rush?
Deng Yi frowned.
“Your Majesty, this matter cannot be delayed,” he said, not at all concerned about His Majesty’s opposition.
The Emperor wasn’t angered either and said, “I mean, let’s directly hold the Emperor’s enthronement and Empress’s wedding ceremonies.”
Deng Yi froze.
Chu Zhao also sat bolt upright.
“Your Majesty,” she blurted out.
The Emperor ignored them and beckoned: “A’Yu, come.”
Xiao Yu was dazed, as if he hadn’t heard. Only when Chu Zhao shook his hand did the child come to his senses and rise to walk before the Emperor.
The Emperor extended his hand. The child hesitated, then slowly placed his small hand on it.
The Emperor didn’t mind the child’s hesitation. Though this child had been raised here with him, they weren’t very close.
Close or not, it didn’t matter anymore.
“A’Yu,” the Emperor said. “Imperial Grandfather will have you ascend the throne now. From now on, you will be Emperor.”
The small child still didn’t understand what it meant for him to be Emperor. Although he should also become Emperor in principle, that was a matter for the distant future, and it wasn’t certain he would be able to. So although he was the Imperial Grandson, he had never received guidance on the concept that he would become Emperor in the future.
But he knew that the Emperor’s meaning could not be defied. He nodded: “A’Yu obeys the decree.”
The Emperor laughed heartily: “A’Yu, from now on, you don’t need to say ‘obey the decree.’ From now on, you only need to hear those words.”
Xiao Yu looked at the Emperor and asked, “Imperial Grandfather, are you going to die too?”
The Emperor smiled and nodded: “Yes, Imperial Grandfather is also going to die. From now on, only A’Yu will be left alone.”
As he smiled, blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.