Young Master in Flower City

Chapter 976 977: National Mourning

All of this stirred up a massive wave in the hearts of all the princes, and everyone knew very well that given this situation, the Prime Minister's death must have a significant connection with the Southern King; otherwise, the Cangye Emperor wouldn't have ordered a statue of the Southern King to be made overnight, even kneeling before the stone coffin to repent.

The blazing sun was high in the sky, and continually, princes of the Cangye Kingdom arrived, emanating a strong and dignified aura, descending outside the Imperial Palace Hall.

The Cangye Emperor sat upright on his throne, in the center of the Imperial Palace Hall laid a rectangular object covered with a white cloth. Although it was unclear what it was, the rectangular shape seemed to suggest what that unknown object might be.

As for the siblings Liu Yan and Liu Yuan, they stood beside the Cangye Emperor, their gazes towards Xiao Mu. Even they were extremely surprised by this, not expecting the Cangye Emperor to set up the coffin gate.

Subsequently, the Cangye Emperor's eyes gleamed with sharpness as he looked at the arrivals: "Why have you all come to my palace so early? Are you here to rebel?"

The straightforward words of the Cangye Emperor left all the princes momentarily stunned.

After a while, Prince Qin spoke up: "We heard that His Majesty is personally handling the national funeral today, we only came to witness it. But why does His Majesty suggest that we came to rebel?"

The voice carried no respect.

"Perhaps I have overthought?" The Cangye Emperor's voice was indifferent, yet still laced with a sense of authority. He said, "Set the banquet!"

After these words were spoken, figures entered the Imperial Palace Hall, each wearing a white silk sash, and began setting up tables and chairs, while precious wines and delicacies were constantly served.

Then, a prince spoke: "We didn't know Liu Xiang had fallen. Liu Xiang was the most loyal minister of the Cangye Kingdom, and also His Majesty's right-hand man. Now that he has fallen, doesn't that mean His Majesty is even more isolated?"

"Rude!" Liu Yuan snorted coldly, while the Cangye Emperor waved his hand: "Mind your manners, step back!"

After speaking, the Cangye Emperor coughed twice, seeming unsteady. His complexion appeared somewhat pale, prompting the princes within the hall to speculate that the Cangye Emperor's time was coming to an end.

Immediately after, Prince Zhan stood up and said: "Does the prince have the authority to rebuke us, why should His Majesty be concerned!"

After speaking, Prince Zhan pointed to the rectangular object in the center of the hall and continued: "What is this object placed in the center of the hall, Your Majesty..."

"Do you want to see it?" the Cangye Emperor asked.

"If Your Majesty doesn't mind, we are naturally curious!" Prince Feng spoke, though they were already well aware.

"Very well!" After speaking, the Cangye Emperor walked down from the dragon throne, his steps heavy, and personally unveiled the white cloth. Beneath the cloth lay a stone coffin.

"It really is a coffin. Is this the Cangye Emperor's preparation for himself? It seems the Cangye Emperor really is at his end!"

Looking at the stone coffin, many princes started to discuss. After all, it was seen by all that the Cangye Emperor had been dethroned by Yang Fan, so they believed it was quite normal for the Cangye Emperor to prepare a coffin for himself in advance.

"Father?" At this moment, Liu Yan was taken aback and couldn't help but ask: "Father, this... is it arranged for whom?"

Liu Yan couldn't accept the scene before her, wondering if her father really was going to… Impossible... Impossible...

"It's none of your business, step back!" The Cangye Emperor snorted coldly at Liu Yan, making her complexion difficult, but she obediently stepped back beside the Empress, unable to help asking: "Mother, what does this mean? Please clarify!"

"Your father has his purposes, there are things you shouldn't ask!" The Empress replied curtly, leaving Liu Yan at a loss for words and unable to say more.

Boom~

At that moment, there was a loud bang outside the hall, and everyone stood up, rushing towards the outside of the palace, including the Cangye Emperor. Upon reaching outside, they saw that Liu Xiang's stone coffin was shattered, and the statue had turned to rubble.

Of course, Liu Xiang's corpse was not in the coffin, for a simple reason—the Cangye Emperor had predicted this.

Subsequently, in the void above, a group appeared, none other than the Southern King and several from the Haotian Sect, their eyes overlooking the Cangye Emperor.

Next, the Southern King descended with Ling Xiao and several strong figures from the Prince's Mansion.

"Greetings to Prince and Prince!" In an instant, the princes who had walked out of the Imperial Palace Hall knelt on one knee, and seeing the Cangye Emperor, they did not salute either, showing that the Cangye Emperor had essentially been sidelined by the Southern King.

"Stand up!" The Southern King lifted his hand, revealing a smile. After the princes rose, the Southern King's gaze landed on the Cangye Emperor: "Liu Zhentian, you placed a coffin at the door for me to pay respects, does Liu Xiang deserve that?"

"Calling me by my name, it seems you, Southern King, truly do not regard me, the Cangye Emperor!" The Cangye Emperor's expression was towards Xiao Mu.

Yet, the Southern King smiled indifferently: "Do you still consider yourself the Cangye Emperor? Today I have come to ask you to hand over the Heirloom Seal of the Realm, if you refuse, all your children will be buried with you!"

"The Southern King speaks wisely, Liu Zhentian, you should abdicate. Making unnecessary struggles would ultimately bring harm to your family, why bother?" Prince Qin chimed in, sucking up to the Southern King, continuing: "You've already had yourself a coffin made, yet you cling to the throne, what sense does it make?"

"Liu Zhentian, circumstances have brought this about, none of your offspring are capable. With Southern King's son, Ling Xiao, possessing exceptional talents, the Cangye Kingdom will only grow stronger under his leadership; in my opinion, you should step down!"

"Indeed, I feel this way too, since a death awaits, why not gracefully hand over the Jade Seal?"

"..."

In an instant, all the princes present spoke in unison, revealing their rebellious hearts.

The Cangye Emperor cast a glance over the princes and spoke: "So, you've all chosen to support the Southern King?"

"This is called wise men conform to times," Prince Zhan's voice resonated: "Besides, you are already a helpless person, with your coffin ready, how can you lead the Cangye?"

"Very good!" The Cangye Emperor nodded, gazing into the void, speaking to Yang Fan: "I assume the Great Ming Immortal Sect won't break their promise and interfere in the Cangye affairs, correct?"

"Naturally!" Yang Fan said coolly: "As long as the Haotian Sect does not intervene, I will keep my word!"

Yang Fan's demeanor was indifferent; he assumed that even without interference from the Haotian Sect, the Southern King alone could take control, as the Cangye Emperor's Immortal Platform had been abolished by him, posing no threat.

"I hope you keep your word!" The Cangye Emperor snorted coldly.