From this day on, the entire atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty’s court changed completely.
An invisible gloom lood over the entire court.
Everyone was focused on the position of the Crown Prince.
But no matter how much attention was given, no one dared to ntion it or get involved.
Gu Lei was released by Gu Jing.
He went again to persuade Li Chengqian, hoping he could admit his mistake to Li Shimin and make assurances.
But Li Chengqian’s attitude remained firm.
In his words—
As long as Li Shimin decrees the abolition of the Crown Prince, he would imdiately take his own life before the spirit of Empress Zhangsun to ease Li Shimin’s heart.
If not, when the new emperor ascends to the throne, he will definitely revolt.
...
Li Shimin always found it difficult to make a decision.
And under such circumstances, the thriving atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty seed to stagnate a bit.
This was an inevitable phenonon.
The Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation; in any feudal dynasty, instability of the Crown Prince ans inevitable unrest among the people.
This atmosphere even spread beyond the court.
Who knows from where the news leaked?
Rumors about the position of "Crown Prince" began to spread across the land, causing turmoil among the people.
There was no way around it; Li Shimin was too old.
Even though the people of the realm hoped Li Shimin could live a long life, they also knew.
How could humans live forever?
This was the impact brought by the rapid developnt of culture, and Gu Kang’s scholarship already had a great influence on Kyushu, now even more so.
But it was precisely because of this that the common people beca increasingly worried about this matter.
After all, how long had it been since the example of the Sui Dynasty?
Who wouldn’t be afraid?
The burden of the Tang Dynasty now far exceeded that of the Great Sui, and no one would want the good days now to be affected in the slightest.
The entire court was in turmoil.
And under this imnse pressure, Li Shimin’s health continued to deteriorate.
For ten whole days—
He didn’t release any information.
Li Shimin didn’t even attend court, the first ti since he ascended to the throne.
Fortunately, the current political system of the Tang Dynasty was still stable, so officials performing their duties did not affect governntal affairs.
But obviously, an invisible storm was quietly gathering in the shadows.
Everyone was well aware that a major event was about to happen in the Tang Dynasty!
Taiji Hall.
Gu Jing ca in response to the summons.
In fact, at this ti, people would naturally think of the Gu Clan.
Back then, everything Gu Xi did for the Great Han.
By now it was already considered an act of a Saint, but unfortunately, the Gu Clan could not walk the old path again and interfere with the foundation of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin also understood this point.
Therefore, during this period, he never let the Gu Clan do anything.
It was only on this day that he summoned Gu Jing.
Inside Taiji Hall, there was dead silence.
Gu Jing, following the inner officials, walked to the emperor’s bedchamber, and as soon as he stepped through the hall door, his steps were pinned to the spot, his pupils contracting sharply.
On the imperial couch, where was the forr majesty of the Celestial Khan?
Li Shimin was seen with a head full of silver hair, like frost and snow, his face haggard, devoid of any color of blood.
In just over ten days, it was as if decades had been drained from him, leaving him emaciated, his breath so weak it seed it might dissipate with the next breeze.
"Your Majesty!"
Gu Jing choked back a sob, that call carrying undeniable pain, his eyes instantly filled with profound anxiety.
Yes, anxiety.
Even he dared not imagine what the Tang Dynasty would beco if Li Shimin suddenly passed away under such circumstances.
Let alone who would succeed the throne, the Tang Dynasty would most likely quickly split apart.
This was certain.
"An Zhi... co closer."
A low summons ca from the dragon couch, and Li Shimin slightly raised his hand to indicate. Those eyes, though sunken with illness, were still as deep and inscrutable as an ancient well.
Gu Jing did not dare to hesitate, quickly approaching the side of the couch, his voice trembling with worry: "Your Majesty, your imperial body..."
"I... am nearing my end." Before he could finish, Li Shimin had calmly interrupted.
That tone was indifferent, without a trace of fear toward death, as if stating sothing ordinary.
"Your Majesty—!"
Gu Jing was shaken to his core, kneeling heavily with a thud, his forehead touching the ground, "I earnestly hope Your Majesty will take care of your sacred body! The world... the world cannot do without Your Majesty!"
Gu Jing’s words were tearful, spoken with heartfelt sincerity.
"Life and death, what do I fear?" Li Shimin’s voice was light, yet every word was clear. Before the words had fully settled, he unexpectedly propped himself up, his gaze extending past Gu Jing, into the depths of nothingness, as if speaking to himself, or as if his final exhortation:
"Yet—I may die, but the state cannot fall!"
That resolute tone seed to declare war against invisible fate:
"Rest assured. The rivers and mountains are not yet firm, the successor not yet determined..."
"I will, for sure, hold it together!"
"Rise."
Gu Jing rose as instructed, sitting at the side of the imperial couch as the emperor indicated.
Looking at the emperor so close at hand, an indescribable emotion welled up, even causing Gu Jing’s eyes to redden slightly.
Ti was ultimately too ruthless, not even a great hero could stop its passage.
Li Shimin was indeed a great emperor.
There was no doubt about that.
He might have made so mistakes, but who is without fault?
From an emperor’s perspective.
Whether in political strategy or military prowess, or even in achievents, and being able to preserve his original intent to this day, it has already shown his extraordinariness.
Yet such a great emperor had now also reached his twilight years.
With these thoughts, Gu Jing lowered his head, quietly wiping away the tears threatening to fall.
"The affairs of the state must be decided without further hesitation."
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