Thus, everyone around stepped forward, continuously saying, "Indeed, the Princely Heir must persuade the Duke."
"Great General, the country cannot go a day without a monarch."
"If even the Duke cannot ascend the throne, then to whom does the nation belong? Wouldn’t the world fall into greater chaos?"
Listening to their words, the two exchanged another glance.
Finally, Yu Wenqian smiled gently, saying, "Thank you, esteed sirs, for your regard. But my father has his considerations, and whether he can be persuaded depends solely on fate."
After speaking, he glanced at Yu Wenye.
Yu Wenye also nodded, and the two brothers walked forward together. The surrounding ministers imdiately parted to create a path for them, even Yu Dingxing, stationed at the side palace door, waved his hand, causing the soldiers to retreat to the side.
The two reached the door, and still it was Yu Wenqian who raised his hand and gently knocked on it.
The sound was not loud, yet at this mont, it seed to strike everyone’s hearts, and the surrounding civil and military ministers instinctively held their breath.
After a while, a voice was heard from inside, "I’ve finished speaking."
Yu Wenqian said, "Father, it’s and our second brother."
The voice of Yu Wenquan from behind the door was clearer and more solemn than before, "You need not speak anymore."
"..."
"As your father, I serve as a minister, following Emperor Wen since childhood and receiving the kindness of recognition from the late Emperor. How could I disregard the etiquette between sovereign and minister, forget the distinction between high and low?"
"..."
"This throne, I absolutely cannot accept."
"..."
Hearing this, the two outside glanced at each other again, their eyes showing so hesitation.
Neither was eloquent or particularly persuasive, but their cleverness and intelligence were not inferior to anyone on the court. Moreover, at this point, it was no longer ti for them to hold back their talents.
But—after all, there is a difference between sovereign and subject, father and son.
So words, even if thought out, were hard to express, especially since, at this mont, almost without realizing it, the civil and military officials began to form two lines, standing behind the two of them.
How could these words be spoken?
Just as everyone was silent, yet within that silence gathering so kind of strength, almost ready to act, a soft voice, as if suddenly sounding out amidst the grandeur of powerful bells and drums, made everyone’s heart tremble.
"Father."
Yu Wenye imdiately turned his head.
Yu Wenqian also slowly turned around, only to see Shang Ruyi, who had been standing quietly at the back of the crowd without making any sound in Taiji Palace, now slowly walking forward.
Seeing her, Yu Wenqian’s eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance.
But he said nothing, only glanced at the nearby Yu Wenye, and after thinking for a mont, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
In no ti, Shang Ruyi passed through the stunned ministers and the wary Left Brave Guard soldiers, and walked up to the side palace door, where she gently bowed towards the closed door.
Imdiately, Yu Wenquan’s voice from within, softer than before, could be heard.
"Ruyi, is it you?"
"Father, it is indeed Ruyi."
"Are you like them, here to persuade ?"
"No,"
Shang Ruyi gently shook her head, saying, "I am rely here to ask you a question."
The person inside seed hesitant too, silently paused for a mont, and asked, "What do you want to ask?"
Shang Ruyi raised her head, took a deep breath, then solemnly, word by word, clearly asked, "Father, do you wish to be a sinner?"
"...!?"
The words caused the side palace to suddenly beco silent, and the surrounding ministers showed astonishnt, especially Yu Dingxing at the door, who imdiately widened his eyes.
That expression seed as if he was about to angrily shout and reprimand this unfilial junior.
Even Ji Hong standing aside furrowed his brow.
In truth, what is there he doesn’t know? Yu Wenquan was ticulous, and although he hardly spoke during the coercion at court and the seemingly gambled promises, wasn’t every word and action arranged by him behind the scenes?
Even today’s council, he as Grand Chancellor didn’t appear at Taiji Palace but stayed in this side palace, precisely so that after Empress Dowager Jiang issued the abdication edict, the ministers could ask him, thus making the claim seem legitimate.
However, he couldn’t imdiately accept when the ministers asked him.
The history of abdication often required a ritual of thrice declining and thrice accepting, to show the modesty and virtue of the successor.
And just monts ago, Ji Hong’s appeal, followed by the two sons of the Yu Wen Family’s appeal, completed the first two steps. The third step was anyone speaking, with just one sentence, to invite this Grand Chancellor out of the side palace in the capacity of the new Emperor, smoothly taking the throne.
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