The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 310 You Push Me Away, I Resign

[Father's writing skills are terrible, not even as good as one of my fingers. I've written so many eulogies in the past few years, I don't know why everyone likes me writing them so much.]

Zheng Jin: ...

She's really daring! Isn't she afraid of losing what she's about to have?

The ministers couldn't help but feel guilty.

Zheng Xun had helped them so much that they would feel uneasy if they didn't give something back.

But it would be strange to send gifts to the princess for no reason; they would have to find an excuse.

Fortunately, Imperial Censor Jiang set a good precedent, so they shamelessly asked the princess to help them write the eulogy.

What's poignant is that the princess was unaware of these causes and effects, so she wrote each eulogy with utmost care.

Of course, that was in the past. Nowadays, the princess is increasingly busy with official duties, and they are too embarrassed to disturb her.

As the princess's status grew increasingly prestigious, they dared not disturb her.

Ok……

It's not so complicated now. The princess is the future emperor, so it's only natural for them to flatter and offer tributes. There's no need to find any special excuses.

The emperor's lips twitched slightly, and he paused almost imperceptibly for a moment before continuing to read.

Lord Liao is working so hard; I can even see his bald spot.

Liao Hongsheng: ...

He moved his arm slightly and almost couldn't resist reaching out to cover his head.

But this is the annual ancestral worship day, a solemn occasion where everyone is respectful, and he cannot be disrespectful.

His mind was in turmoil.

Is he really going bald?

He was thinking of finding a way to promote hair growth.

He grew older year by year, his body became rounder, and fine lines appeared on his face, making him look very different from when he was young.

If one day we meet again, I wonder if the lady will still recognize him.

Zheng Xun tried to make his inner thoughts flow more freely, without being too deliberate.

From this perspective, everything seems tiny.

[My father is still alive. The Great Yong court is now clean and vibrant, not like it used to be, a place of devastation. There are no signs of the country's demise. It's wonderful.]

Ideally, things would always be this way.

The ministers were somewhat surprised to hear her words of relief.

For the past three years, Zheng Xun has focused all his attention on developing Dayong and has rarely mentioned the fall of the country.

Upon hearing those two words again, the ministers felt as if they had been transported to another world.

The emperor stroked his fingertips, then turned his gaze to the crown prince.

The prince pursed his lips.

The Crown Princess gently patted the Crown Prince's arm.

Faced with the Crown Princess's worried gaze, the Crown Prince smiled reassuringly, then lowered his eyes and slowly stepped forward.

"Father, in front of all the ancestors of the Great Yong Dynasty, I have a request to make today!"

"speak."

"I am deeply grateful for the kindness and favor of my father and the ministers, which has allowed me to hold the position of Crown Prince for so many years. Whenever I have shortcomings, they have taught me. However, as time goes by, I realize that my abilities are insufficient and I have failed to live up to their expectations. I have been pondering this for a long time and finally realized that I have more virtue than ability, and I am not worthy of this position or duty. Now, the prosperity of the Great Yong Dynasty is due in part to my father, in part to the officials, and in part to Yuanjia." The Crown Prince removed the golden dragon and pearl crown from his head and the ceremonial robes that symbolized his position as Crown Prince. Wearing only his undergarments, he knelt on both knees. "Whenever I think of this, I feel ashamed and uneasy. Yuanjia's merits deserve to be bestowed upon me the title of Crown Princess."

Zheng Xun moved aside to avoid his greeting.

The emperor feigned surprise: "So you mean..."

The crown prince prostrated himself, his forehead touching the ground: "Your subject requests to be deposed as crown prince!"

His tone was firm, though his voice wasn't loud, but every word he spoke clearly reached everyone's ears.

Ministers: Surprised? No, not surprised.

Everyone knew this day would come, and they even felt that this moment had come a little too late.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince was so decisive, even paving the way for the princess's ascension to the throne in front of all the civil and military officials on such an important day as the ancestral worship ceremony.

Prince...

Although she is soft-hearted, she is truly virtuous.

Zheng Xun spent three years proving himself to be truly deserving of the title, while the Crown Prince graciously abdicated, preserving his dignity as expected.

This is a happy ending for everyone.

The crown prince breathed a sigh of relief.

The lingering resentment in my heart finally vanished.

The emperor's expression darkened slightly: "Do you think the position of crown prince is a child's play?"

The ministers: It's something everyone tacitly agrees on, but I must say, the emperor's acting is quite convincing.

The Empress felt a chill run down her spine. No, she couldn't let herself be outdone.

She composed herself and said, "Your Majesty! The eldest son is our child, and we both know his temperament. I know Your Majesty has high hopes for him, but as his father, you surely also want him to live a carefree and happy life, right?"

Her tone was gentle; she was not speaking to the emperor as an empress, but as a wife.

The emperor was silent.

"Your Majesty, you know that the eldest son is not suited for this position. Can you please show him some compassion?"

Zheng Jin also stepped forward: "Father, my brother's thoughts are not without reason, and Yuanjia is worthy."

Zheng Xun coughed lightly: "Brother, please don't do this! As the eldest son and the legitimate heir, it is only right that you be named Crown Prince!"

"No! I'm not doing this just for myself. The Great Yong Dynasty ultimately needs a wise and decisive ruler! For the Great Yong Dynasty and for its people, my abdication is the best choice!"

Zheng Xun's face darkened: "Brother, there's no need to say such things. As long as you are willing to trust Yuan Jia, Yuan Jia can still do things for Dayong as a subject."

The crown prince looked up and stared at Zheng Xun.

At this moment, he was below the stage, looking up at her standing to the side and behind the Emperor and Empress.

She was dressed in fine clothes and exuded an imposing aura. Although she was still a princess, she already possessed the air of a ruler who could rule the world.

The prince averted his gaze as if burned.

His eyelashes trembled slightly.

He knew that Zheng Xun wanted a legitimate reason for his actions.

Now that things have come to this point, he thought there was no point in hesitating any longer.

So he crawled a few steps on his knees, and his gaze toward the high platform turned sorrowful and pained: "Brother believes you now, but Yuanjia, brother cannot guarantee that he will never change. I don't want to be a sinner of Dayong, so please grant my wish, okay?"

Zheng Xun frowned.

"Princess!" Liao Hongsheng called out loudly, quickly stepped forward, and knelt beside the Crown Prince. "Since this is the Crown Prince's wish, please grant it to him!"

Zheng Jin echoed, "Yuan Jia, you are the most suitable."

The Empress pleaded, "Yuanjia, I'm begging you on my behalf!"

The other ministers all tried to persuade him, as if they wished they could tear off the emperor's dragon robe on the spot and put it on Zheng Xun.

Zheng Xun looked troubled.

The emperor waved his hand, and once everyone quieted down, he looked at the crown prince: "I have said before that the position of crown prince is not a game. My eldest son, I am very disappointed by your retreat. I ask you, are you really sure?"

The crown prince nodded without hesitation: "It's decided."

"No regrets?"

"Your subject promises that he will never regret it."

"Since that's the case, then so be it."

The Crown Prince kowtowed deeply: "Thank you, Father Emperor, for granting my request!"

"You'd better not come crying to me again!" The emperor glared at Li Xiaojun defiantly. "Bring me the imperial edict and writing materials!"

Li Xiaojun had a bitter face.

Where did this blank imperial edict and pen come from?

The emperor seemed to realize this as well, and the anger on his face froze.

But he did not give up.