Emperor Ming: Your Majesty, you have caused me so much suffering.

It was the end of August.

Today's morning court session will not be held at the Zuoye Gate, but rather at the Wenhua Gate.

This subtle change had already made the court officials realize that something was unusual.

Something big must have happened in the court, and Empress Dowager Sun is probably in the Wenhua Hall. Generally speaking, it is impossible for Empress Dowager Sun to go to the Zuoye Gate to set up a curtain.

As for why the Wenhua Hall was not used, it was simply because there was not enough room for so many people, and the Fengtian Hall was unusable, so this open space had to be used as a temporary court assembly.

Left Censor-in-Chief Wang Wen and Minister of Justice Jin Lian arrived in the capital in haste yesterday. Upon hearing of the many major events that had occurred in the capital, they were not yet in a state of shock when they were informed that the court officials would be urging the emperor to ascend the throne.

The two almost cursed at this point. They didn't know if it was a coincidence or not; it felt like they were being forced into a situation.

Having done nothing, it seems one is expected to bear the credit for establishing someone; whether this is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, an uninvited guest appeared beside Empress Dowager Sun.

Yang Shan escaped a calamity, but he was recalled midway and sent on a mission to the Oirat Mongols in his place by Commander Yue Qian. He then returned home overjoyed!

Yang Shan had barely returned home when he was told that an imperial edict was to be delivered. He hadn't even seen Zhu Qizhen's ghost, so he could only obtain the edict orally from Zhu Qizhen through his thoughts.

It was truly one wave after another. Yang Shan could only lament the capriciousness of fate, wondering why God had chosen him as the only one to torment.

Zhu Qiyu arrived at Wenhua Gate from the west wing and sat on the throne of the regent. He could clearly feel that the spirits of the officials were different today.

An official from the Court of State Ceremonial announced: "If there is anything to report, speak in person; if there is nothing to report, leave your post."

Zhang Ni was particularly nervous today. From the moment he entered the court, he kept a close eye on the group of censors, determined to show off his skills before they could.

Upon hearing the announcement, Zhang Ni stepped forward, quickly walked up to the steps, prostrated himself, and loudly requested permission to speak. He did so almost in one breath, befitting his military background.

"Your Highness, the ancestral sacred vessels must not be tarnished. The current emperor is detained in the enemy's court, and the Oirat Mongols send envoys daily to demand gold, silk, and cities from the emperor. The country is without a ruler, and the border generals have no orders to follow. The people and soldiers of the capital live in constant fear and are on the verge of collapse. Only with a virtuous ruler can the enemy's plot to control the country be stopped and the ancestral temples and mausoleums be preserved. I humbly request Your Highness to ascend the throne as soon as possible to appease the hearts of the people."

Zhang Ni finally understood that whether Zhu Qiyu ascended the throne or Zhu Qizhen returned to take the throne, the Duke's Mansion could be preserved.

Supporting Zhu Qiyu's ascension to the throne would at least be considered a meritorious act of enthronement. If luck was not on their side and Zhu Qizhen were to rule the world again, at most it would be their own future that was in jeopardy, while the Duke's mansion would be unharmed.

This deal was a huge profit no matter how you looked at it. Moreover, Jiao Jing was right about one thing: Zhu Qiyu was a descendant of Emperor Taizong and the son of the late emperor, so there was no question of him betraying the imperial family.

There's nothing wrong with the moral and legal aspects, so what is Zhang Ni worried about?

Zhu Yi and the others were prepared and followed suit, saying, "Your Highness, we humbly request that you ascend the throne as soon as possible."

The civil officials in the court were completely dumbfounded; the fruits of their labor had been stolen.

Many civil officials almost cursed Zhang Ni, saying, "Shameless! Where is your integrity and backbone?"

The officials have been working hard these past few days, communicating with the Empress Dowager in the palace and anticipating every step of the process, but in the end, their pioneering efforts have been in vain, they have only benefited others and ended up with nothing but scraps.

Wang Zhi and the others were also confused; this wasn't the procedure!

All the officials looked at Hu Ying with suspicion. Everyone knew that Zhu Yi was his son-in-law. Could it be that this man stabbed the civil officials in the back?

Faced with the intense gaze, Hu Ying felt even more wronged than Dou E. He quickly shook his head, indicating that he had principles and had clearly told Zhu Yi not to act rashly.

Wang Zhi had no choice but to agree to the throne eventually, so even if all that was left was soup, he had to drink it. He immediately prostrated himself and pleaded for the throne.

"Your Highness, I humbly request that you ascend the throne as soon as possible."

The civil officials immediately rushed to submit their petitions.

"Your Highness, we humbly request that you ascend the throne as soon as possible."

Zhu Qiyu stole a glance at Zhang Ni, thinking that a wise man knows when to yield.

Although Zhang Ni cannot inherit the title of Duke, he can still be granted a marquisate or earldom in the future.

Upon hearing the petition from the civil and military officials, Zhu Qiyu, knowing the rule of "three refusals and three concessions," looked extremely troubled and said, "Why do you say such things? The Crown Prince has already been officially appointed as the heir apparent, and the imperial regalia has its rightful place. I am of meager virtue and fortune, merely a prince in charge of state affairs; how dare I covet the throne? This matter is absolutely not open to discussion. You may all leave immediately and say no more."

After saying this, he stood up and took a few steps back to the threshold of the Wenhua Hall. As if the officials were pleading with him again, he left.

Yu Qian hurriedly pleaded, "Your Highness, we are truly concerned for the country, not for personal gain. In today's matter, the nation is of paramount importance, and the emperor is of lesser importance. If Your Highness firmly declines the offer, the enemy's threat will be unchecked, the capital will fall, countless people will suffer, and the ancestral temples will be overthrown. How can Your Highness bear this responsibility alone? We beseech Your Highness to overcome this difficult situation, ascend the throne as soon as possible, so as to secure the nation and comfort the people."

As soon as Yu Qian finished speaking, Wang Zhi also loudly petitioned, "Your Highness, we are not acting for personal glory, but for the survival of the nation. In the past, when Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong of the Song Dynasty were captured in the north, the country was without a mature ruler, which led to the downfall of the Central Plains. This is a clear lesson from the past dynasties. Now the Crown Prince is young and inexperienced in government affairs. If enemy troops approach the city, who will make decisions on troop deployment, fundraising, and defense?"

If Your Highness does not ascend the throne, then Esen will hold the current emperor hostage, demanding more every year, depleting the national treasury, and losing the borders. The people will know the court is without a ruler, and will surely scatter and flee, leaving the nine gates undefended, and the ancestral foundation destroyed in an instant. I urge Your Highness to ascend the throne soon and stabilize the nation!

Zhu Qiyu was slightly taken aback. Did this "three resignations and three concessions" have to be completed in one day, or was it to be divided into several days?

Right now, the court officials all seem to be in a hurry. Should we just agree? After all, who else but me!

However, etiquette and rules must still be followed. If you don't follow them at crucial moments, don't expect others to follow them in the future.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Qiyu retreated behind the door, his intention to decline becoming even clearer.

"The ancestral precepts are orderly and well-established; the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, and the order of succession is already set. The current emperor is still in the enemy's court. If he were to ascend the throne hastily, where would that leave the current emperor and the Crown Prince? It would disrupt the ancestral rites and laws, and lead us into injustice! Even if the nation is in peril, I absolutely cannot do such a thing!"

Upon hearing this, the officials dared not offer any further advice and instead prostrated themselves on the ground, demonstrating their unwavering resolve.

Zhu Qiyu intended to close the door, but Xing'an and Cheng Jing, the two clever boys, knelt down by the door and braced themselves against it with their buttocks, making it impossible for them to move.

Empress Dowager Sun, who was aware of the situation, knew that according to the established procedure, it was her turn to act, so she ordered Li Yongchang to go and deliver the imperial edict.

"The Empress Dowager has decreed!"

Zhu Qiyu had no choice but to submit.

"The imperial edict reads: Your proposals regarding the nation's affairs are well-received. The Crown Prince is too young and incapable of managing the affairs of state. Prince Cheng, as the second son of Emperor Xuanzong, is deemed suitable to rule as an elder and bring peace to a chaotic world, in accordance with rites and ancestral precepts. Therefore, Prince Cheng is hereby appointed to ascend the throne. The Ministry of Rites shall prepare the necessary ceremonies and select an auspicious day to report to the Emperor."

Just as the ministers were preparing to give their final response, Yang Shan hurriedly came out of the Wenhua Hall.

"His Majesty's decree: Ancestral temple sacrifices must not be neglected. My younger brother, the Prince of Cheng, is older and wise; he should quickly assume the throne and rule the realm!"

Zhu Qiyu was slightly taken aback. He knew that Yang Shan had returned.

I didn't expect Yang Shan to return so quickly. Now look what's happened, there's no imperial edict, it's just a false oral message, it's really outrageous.

The officials didn't care about any of that. Yang Shan's mission was real. As for why he brought back the imperial edict so quickly, that was completely unimportant. What mattered was that the Empress Dowager had agreed.

After the throne was secured, he could simply go to Zhu Qizhen to issue a supplementary edict.

"Your Highness, please ascend the throne as soon as possible!"

Seeing that things were about to proceed, Zhu Qiyu accepted the imperial decree, rose reluctantly, and sighed, "Since His Majesty has taken captive to the north, I truly cannot bear to immediately inherit the throne! Although I have repeatedly declined, it is because the Empress Dowager and you all do not permit it that I agree!"

Xing'an, standing to the side, was overjoyed. It had worked! His desperate gamble had paid off!

Xing'an and Cheng Jing shouted almost in unison, "His Highness has accepted the throne!"

The civil and military officials all showed joy on their faces and shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"