ork in the village came to a halt. Everyone bundled themselves up in thick cotton clothes and stayed indoors.Tie Zhu touched the new cotton clothes on his body, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart...Chapter 1172: At Least, I Won't Kill You

This matter is already well-known throughout the capital, and the Marquis Wu Ding's mansion has long been revered by the common people like a living bodhisattva. Now, in the entire capital city, no one dares to easily offend the Marquis Wu Ding's mansion.

Public opinion can be crucial at times, for water can both carry and capsize a boat. He who gains the hearts of the people gains the world.

Especially in this turbulent times, whoever goes against the people's chosen leaders, is going against them.

Fang Jinxiu's next words shocked everyone's jaws.

"And everything our Wuding Hou Mansion is doing now, was pre-arranged by Seventh Prince, including the funds used to aid the disaster victims, which were all personally provided by Seventh Prince."

“Therefore, Yuan Xiang, before the truth of the matter is clear, do not wrongly accuse the Seventh Prince.”

"Falsely accusing a prince is also punishable by death!"

Fu Ming was completely stunned. The fact that the Wuding Houfu saved the common people wasn't something he had orchestrated; she had given him such a huge amount of merit to help herself.

Thinking back on everything that had happened, Fu Ming felt utterly ashamed.

Those loyal officials who supported Fu Ming instantly came back to life after hearing Fang Jinshu's words, and the next thing they needed to do was to keep their mouths shut.

Those veteran officials had already persuaded all the ministers below, and aside from a few loyal old subordinates around Yuan Buyu, everyone else had made their stance clear, deciding to support the Seventh Prince's ascension to the throne.

A monarch who is both courageous and intelligent, one who truly understands the people, is what the Great Xi needs most at this time.

As for the second lord's death, I can only say that if there is a chance in the future, perhaps we can uncover the truth.

But at this very moment, no one here cared who Fu Yunxuan had killed. As long as it wasn't the Seventh Prince, that was all that mattered.

Those who supported Yuan Buyu in the Forbidden Army were gradually becoming shaken. Seeing this, Yuan Buyu immediately roared.

"You pathetic lot, think that siding with him now will make him spare you"

Think of your families. Right now, our only way out is to go all in and seize Fu Ming! Kill him, and after the new emperor ascends the throne, you will be the greatest contributors to his victory. You will be rewarded with promotions, titles, even becoming marquises or ministers wouldn't be out of reach.

"Get up here!"

Yuan Buyu was completely desperate and ordered the Imperial Guard and the Protectorate Army to forcefully capture Fu Ming.

Fortunately, Zongyu had prepared in advance. Those people rushed up but couldn't get close to Fu Ming at all. The officials who supported Fu Ming also risked their lives to protect him.

"Your Highness, please flee! General Wudinghou is handling things here. We must prevent Yuan Buyu's men from capturing you."

"Hurry, Your Highness."

Fang Jinshu pulled the hoarse old minister, "Zhou Lord, Your Highness needn't run."

"Look over there."

Fang Jinshi pointed towards the west gate of the palace, and suddenly a fully armed squad appeared there. They were soldiers from the city defense camp!

Zhou's old tears streamed down his face in excitement.

"Reinforcements, Your Highness, reinforcements have arrived to save us!"

Yuan Buyu's purchased Forbidden Army and Guard Corps were already demoralized, and now that the situation was hopeless, they had no heart to fight with all their might. In a short while, they surrendered to the brothers of the city defense camp.

While Fu Shangyuan, who had taken his son to the side, was walking over at this time. He wasn't seen during the fight just now, but after it ended, he came running out.

"Oh, Your Highness is still here."

Fu Shangyuan smiled but said nothing. Dong’er, fearing her mother would misunderstand that her father was a cowardly man afraid of death, hurriedly explained.

"Mother, Father isn't hiding to avoid helping Seventh Brother. He's doing this to protect me."

Fang Jinshi nodded. "Mother knows."

But she felt that Fu Shangyu's appearance here today was very out of place. Wasn't he usually indifferent to these trivial matters of power struggles

He cares more about Dong'er's safety than anything else. Today, with the palace being so dangerous, he actually brought Dong'er here.

Danger averted, Fu Ming walked from the back of the crowd to stand before the couple Fang Jinxiu and their spouse.

"Thanks to both of you today, if it weren't for you two, I fear I would have met my end in this palace."

"Seventh Prince, we're not here today solely for you," Fang Jinshi said. "As long as Your Highness treats the people well after ascending to the throne, everything we do will be worthwhile."

All those who supported Fu Ming surrounded him and came forward, kneeling down to him in unison and shouting loudly.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

Fu Ming was pushed to the front of the dragon throne. Just as he was about to sit down, Fu Shangyuan, who had been silent all along, suddenly shouted.

"Hold on!"

"My lords, before greeting the new emperor, allow me to present a decree from the late emperor. Perhaps it is best we hear his will first"

Below, the ministers were in an uproar, “What The Emperor's abdication edict”

"Didn't the edict get lost How did it end up in Prince Jing's hands"

Fu Shangyuan ignored the astonished gazes of the crowd and, holding the imperial decree in his hand, walked step by step to Fu Ming's presence.

"Uncle Emperor, how did the imperial decree of succession end up in your hands"

Fu Shangyuan tugged at the corner of his mouth and smiled, "Xiaoqi, do you still remember what your royal uncle once told you"

In this world, trust no one but yourself.

Even sometimes, we can’t fully believe in ourselves.

Seeing King Jing's gaze, Fu Ming already understood everything.

As it turns out, Fu Shangyuan's support was merely a ploy to elevate himself. He intended to seize power while others were preoccupied, much like a cunning cicada waiting to catch a mantis, unaware of the unseen hawk lurking behind.

The imperial edict had been in his possession all along, yet he allowed everyone to believe it was lost. He watched as he and his second brother fought a bitter battle, until the dust settled, and only then did he reveal the edict.

Or perhaps, he was simply using them all, even himself, and even exploiting the influence of Marquis Wu's mansion to get rid of Yuan Xiang and the second prince, his two most formidable opponents.

Fu Ming's face turned ashen.

In the midst of his pallid complexion, Fu Shangyuan read aloud the Imperial Edict of Succession from the late Emperor. As such, Fu Shangyuan was the rightful heir to the throne.

Fang Jinxiu frowned and asked Dong'er in a low voice.

"Did you know your father had this plan before"

Dong'er's face was as surprised as theirs, it seemed that Fu Shangyuan had kept even his own son in the dark.

They all thought he was sincerely trying to support Fu Ming's ascension to power. Besides, he never interfered in politics and had no real power. Everyone almost had no defense against him.

The moment Fu Shangyuan finished reading the imperial edict, Bai Guogong led his entire family and suddenly knelt down to Fu Shangyuan, shouting in unison, "Long live the Emperor!"

Next came other prominent clans, and even the Dowager Empress, who had never appeared before, emerged from the inner palace to express her support for Fu Shangyuan's accession to the throne.

All other prominent families and clans knelt down one by one. Even the civil and military officials standing below dared not disobey the late emperor's will. After all, with this imperial edict, Prince Jing was the rightful heir to the throne.

Seventh Prince is still too young, he lost to his own uncle at the last moment, and was defeated completely.

Fang Jinshi was almost amused to laughter. Today, she had watched a good show.

What about aloofness from fame and fortune, disdain for power, it turns out to be nothing but a conspiracy that has been brewing for a long time. Fu Shangyuan, this old fox, is truly deep in his schemes.

Even if Fu Ming became emperor today, he would probably be pulled down by that old fox Fu Shangyuan.

Fu Shangyuan turned and stepped onto the last stair, surrounded by cheers and embraces. He successfully sat upon the dragon throne, a symbol of power and supreme authority.

He looked at Fu Ming with a smile.

"Little Seven, your uncle has become emperor. Aren't you happy for me"

"At least, I won't kill you."and immediately retorted righteously, "Miss Zong is being too humble!""Not to mention this congee, just the breakfast you made last time, that meat-stuffed flatbread thing, young master has never even...