Just now, everyone remained silent, but it was not because they were worried about committing the "bullying of the young Emperor" like before in the Taiji Palace. On the contrary, there was a sense of mutual concession among them, because to speak now and invite Yu Wenquan to ascend the throne would make them the great contributor to his enthronent.
Therefore, no one dared to seize this credit lightly.
Unexpectedly, it was his daughter-in-law who spoke.
Even more unexpectedly, his daughter-in-law said sothing that would otherwise succeed, but instead uttered the word "sin"!
Is this, at such a crucial mont, to sing a different tune for the Yu Wen family, dooming them to eternal damnation?
At this mont, as everyone was astounded, Ji Hong couldn’t help but step forward, just about to say sothing, but he saw a large hand gently lift up, blocking his path.
Focusing his gaze, it was Yu Wenye.
He stopped him.
On that handso yet indifferent face, there was now a calm expression. When he looked towards Shang Ruyi, a gentle light seed to pass through his eyes, yet even more complex emotions were entangled in his gaze.
But he never allowed anyone to approach Shang Ruyi.
After a prolonged silence, Yu Wenquan’s voice, deep with a raspy edge, resonated through the hall, "What did you say?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Father would be the sinner of the world if he does not accept Your Majesty’s abdication today!"
"...!"
Upon hearing this, the hearts of everyone around leaped, and their eyes instantly lit up.
The people in the side hall imdiately asked, "Why?"
Shang Ruyi raised her head, calmly and solemnly speaking loudly, "Your Majesty’s abdication is a ’virtue’; if Father does not accept, it is ’loyalty’; but to abdicate and not accept will plunge the common people into ’suffering’."
"..."
"Father deeply understands the people’s sentints and loves the people. How could he not know the truth that a household without a master will be chaotic and a country without a king will perish? Now that the world is in chaos, with incessant war, whether it is the dynasty or the nation, whether officials or commoners, they need a virtuous ruler to lead them, to end the turmoil, to achieve unification. Otherwise, the turmoil of the world will never have peace!"
"..."
"Father, can you truly bear to let the people suffer the pain of hanging upside down again in the chaos of war?"
"..."
"If that happens, Father is a sinner, what else could he be?!"
"..."
This caught everyone around utterly off guard.
It is known that Shang Ruyi once debated fiercely with the Eldest Princess in court, and at that ti, she already impressed everyone with her brilliant wit and oratorical skills. But no one expected that when persuading the Duke to ascend the throne as Emperor, this Young Madam Yu Wen, daughter-in-law of the Duke Mansion, would be capable of such impassioned words, articulating national duty and the suffering of the people so profoundly and sharply—a masterful speech!
It is clear that her mind extends far beyond the identity of Young Madam Yu Wen and daughter-in-law of the Duke Mansion!
Even Ji Hong couldn’t believe it—that these words, although they took place in the third process of three refusals and invitations, defined Yu Wenquan’s act of inheriting the throne as saving the populace, transforming his non-acceptance of the Emperor’s abdication into being a "sinner".
These words completely absolved Yu Wenquan of the act of a minister bullying the monarch.
It was also one of the most valuable and precious words spoken than any previous persuasion!
Thinking of this, he almost forgot that this mont was indeed very critical, and he almost forgot what the surrounding officials were hoping for. Ji Hong took a deep breath and whispered, "Well said!"
But his voice went unheard.
Not only because his voice was too low but also because the mont he finished speaking those words, the door of the side hall slowly opened!
Everyone was still imrsed in the shocking words, but they imdiately snapped out of it, raised their heads, and saw that tall figure standing inside the door, as immovable as Mount Tai.
It was Yu Wenquan!
He stood inside the door, his tall figure yet to step out, the surrounding light dim, but eyes like piercing tiger eyes shot out from the hall, piercing through everyone around him. That invisible pressure made everyone hold their breath and involuntarily kneel on the ground, bowing and worshiping—
"Greetings, Grand Chancellor..."
"Greetings, Duke..."
Among this chaotic noise of kneeling and bowing, a voice particularly loud rang out, "Long live the Emperor!"
Upon hearing this loud cry, everyone imdiately gathered their senses and all bowed down, cheering long live with a mountain-like shout towards that tall figure, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"
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