Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 569 The Last Words of an Emperor

An urgent summons reached every prince and princess, including the Queens and the Empress.

The Emperor's personal seal adorned the decree, signifying its absolute authority, brooks no delay, and permits no disobedience.

Within mere days, even those stationed in the furthest reaches of the realm hastened their return to the Imperial Palace, abandoning all else.

No soul dared to disregard the command.

None dared to arrive late.

Before long, the Imperial Palace was once again thronged with arrivals.

All potential heirs to the throne had converged.

The moment they stepped foot within, the air crackled with palpable tension.

They were, after all, rivals in a grand game.

Save for a select few who retained a semblance of cordiality, most exchanged frigid glances.

Beneath their composed exteriors, concealed hostility simmered.

Yet, no one dared to act rashly.

The Emperor himself had issued the summons, after all.

On the surface, they offered greetings befitting royal siblings.

"Brother Longxuan, I heard of your latest breakthrough. Congratulations!"

"Sister Qingya, it is said you vanquished that so-called genius from the Northern Region. Truly impressive!"

"Eighth Brother, still holding the fort at the borders? I suppose someone must shoulder the burden of such arduous duties."

Though they exchanged courteous pleasantries, a deep understanding existed among them: it was merely a performance.

The Queens and the Empress were no different in their intentions.

Their countenances were marked by elegance and dignity.

Their words flowed with gentleness and refinement.

Yet, within their hearts, a singular objective burned bright.

Their progeny must ascend the dragon throne.

At any conceivable cost.

***

At this juncture, a figure emerged from the shadows.

Minister Yan Taifeng!

His appearance immediately amplified the murmurs throughout the hall.

"Why is he present?"

"Where is our Father Emperor?"

Confusion rippled through the assembly.

After all, the summons had borne the Emperor's own seal, an act only he could perform, yet he was nowhere to be seen.

And it was Minister Yan who had appeared in his stead.

Dawning suspicion began to bloom.

Every single gaze settled upon him.

Yan Taifeng remained standing serenely, though a solemnity cloaked his features.

His gaze swept across the vast hall.

Nearly all had heeded the summons.

He drew a slow breath before speaking.

"Please... come within."

His voice, though steady, carried an unusual weight.

What he uttered next sent ripples of subtle unease through the gathered royalty.

"What you are about to witness... must not be divulged to any soul."

The atmosphere grew heavy in an instant.

Some faces contorted in frowns.

Others narrowed their eyes in suspicion.

A premonition of unease, inexplicable yet potent, stirred within the hearts of many.

Yan Taifeng lowered his gaze slightly.

A flicker of inherent helplessness revealed itself within his eyes.

This measure was intended to stave off utter chaos.

To postpone the inevitable confrontation.

Yet, he knew with certainty...

Once the truth was laid bare...

None among them would remain placid.

They were princes and princesses, each imbued with potent ambition.

Each harbored an insatiable hunger for the throne.

This revelation would not quell their desires.

It would instead ignite them, potentially igniting the very civil war he sought to prevent.

Still, he harbored no alternative.

This matter could not remain concealed indefinitely.

And their subsequent actions, once the truth was known, lay beyond his control.

He could only offer a silent prayer-

That these unfolding events might not spiral beyond any hope of salvation.

***

Without uttering another word, Yan Taifeng turned, commencing his procession deeper into the inner sanctum of the palace, guarded by a myriad of formidable protective formations.

One by one... they trailed behind him.

As their journey continued into the secluded depths of the inner palace, an unsettling silence enveloped the procession.

Seeds of suspicion had already taken root within their minds.

Most among them were no fools.

Considering the urgency of the summons... the conspicuous absence of the Emperor... the somber demeanor of Yan Taifeng...

They had already drawn a stark conclusion.

However, no one dared to voice it aloud.

There was no necessity, for the truth would soon manifest itself irrefutably.

Their path soon led them to the threshold of the Emperor's chambers.

The doors remained shut, as if sealing something within that could never be undone.

Yan Taifeng halted his steps.

He turned to face the assembled royalty.

His expression was grave, etched with profound seriousness.

"Your Highnesses! Please... compose yourselves."

Minister Yan spoke, his heart heavy, as he finally pushed the imposing doors inward.

A low creak echoed as the doors slowly parted.

And they stepped across the threshold.

The instant their gazes fell upon the scene within, a seismic shockwave pulsed through the entire chamber.

Even though many had harbored a premonition...

Even though they had steeled their minds for the possibility...

When confronted with the stark reality, the impact was still immense.

There, upon the grand imperial bed... lay the Emperor.

His eyes were shut tight.

His visage was deathly pale.

The commanding authority that once governed an empire had utterly vanished.

The potent presence that once brought countless to their knees was extinguished.

What remained was naught but a lifeless husk.

Yet, even in death's embrace, his expression lacked peace.

A fleeting hint of profound unwillingness lingered between his brows.

Regret was deeply etched across his features.

As if, even in his final breaths, he could not relinquish his burdens.

A profound silence descended upon the chamber.

For a fleeting moment, the very passage of time seemed to cease.

Some of the princes and princesses stood frozen, shock and sorrow briefly flickering across their visages.

But this moment of stunned stillness lasted only seconds.

Swiftly, sorrow receded.

Replaced by something else. Ambition.

Calculation.

Their gazes shifted.

From the Emperor...

To one another. The intent was obvious.

The opportune moment had arrived.

The Empress and the Queens, however, displayed different reactions.

Or at least...

On the surface.

Cries shattered the silence.

Tears streamed down.

Expressions etched with profound grief and sorrow.

"My Emperor..." "How could this happen..." "Why did you leave us so soon..."

Their voices quivered with emotion.

Their bodies convulsed as if unable to grasp reality. Perhaps it was true.

Perhaps it was not.

Within the royal family… no one could truly ascertain the truth.

Some princes bowed their heads.

Some clenched their fists.

Some remained still, their thoughts deeply concealed.

But one certainty remained: no one present was truly unprepared.

Then, a figure emerged.

The First Prince, Yu Zidi!

His demeanor was grave, his brows knitted in a tight frown.

A hint of sorrow was even visible in his eyes, or at least… it seemed so.

He directed his gaze toward Yan Taifeng and spoke in a low, resonant voice.

"How did this occur?"

He paused for a brief moment before continuing.

"Merely a few months ago… Father Emperor appeared to have recuperated."

His tone conveyed disbelief.

As if he found it impossible to accept what he was witnessing.

All eyes turned to Yan Taifeng.

Their thoughts mirrored one another: the Emperor had clearly seemed healthy not long ago.

So how could he have succumbed so suddenly?

Yan Taifeng drew a slow breath.

This question had been anticipated.

"The Emperor's recovery… was merely temporary."

His voice was steady, yet laden with gravity.

"He consumed a special restorative pill that could temporarily bolster his vitality."

A short silence ensued.

"But the consequence was dire. He knew… that his remaining time was exceedingly limited."

Soft murmurs rippled through the assembly.

Yan Taifeng proceeded.

"He did this… because he wished to see all of you one final time."

Silence descended.

No one uttered a word.

No further questions were posed.

Whether they fully believed it or not… it presented a plausible explanation.

Yu Zidi slightly lowered his gaze.

His expression grew even more solemn.

But within his eyes…

A subtle glint of comprehension flashed.

(So that's how it is…)

He too had considered that possibility, and it turned out he was correct.

He slowly inclined his head, accepting the explanation.

At that juncture, another individual stepped forward.

The Fourth Princess, Yu Qingya!

Her bearing was graceful.

Her gaze was serene yet discerning.

"Minister Yan…"

Her voice, though soft, was distinctly clear. "Did Father Emperor… leave any final instructions for us?"

The instant those words were spoken—

The atmosphere subtly transformed. Everyone grasped her underlying question. Had he designated a successor?

Had he appointed a Crown Prince… or a Crown Princess?

Even if he had… would it be accepted?

Most individuals already had their own conclusions. Nevertheless… they yearned for confirmation. Which prince or princess held the Emperor's favor amongst them.

Yan Taifeng regarded her.

Then, deliberately, he nodded.

"Indeed, I did!"

With that affirmation, he reached into his sleeve.

And retrieved a scroll.

The Imperial Edict!

The instant it materialized, every individual's expression shifted.

Almost instinctively, they all paid homage.

As if the Emperor himself were still present before them.

The chamber fell into profound silence.

Yan Taifeng meticulously unrolled the decree.

His hands remained steady.

But his eyes… held a measure of complexity. He then commenced reading. "His Imperial Majesty decrees…"

His voice resonated throughout the chamber.

"To my Empress… my esteemed consorts… my beloved sons and daughters…"

"I have reigned for many years…"

"But I now perceive with clarity… I have faltered."

A wave of astonishment spread through the room.

Faltered?

Those words… emanating from the Emperor?

Unfathomable.

"I failed as a husband…"

"I failed as a father…"

"And perhaps… I failed as an Emperor."

The silence intensified.

Many among them were rendered speechless.

This was not the sovereign they recognized.

The Emperor they remembered was absolute and unwavering.

Never one to confess inadequacy.

Yet now…

In his final pronouncements…

He laid bare all. After all, this was his closing address to his family, and he

could

not

continue the pretense.

During his lifetime, he had to constantly uphold his status as the

Emperor. Fulfilling every duty expected of the Emperor.

He could not exhibit vulnerability.

But in the end, what consequence did that hold for a departed soul?

"I bequeath not prosperity… but strife."

"I bequeath not unity… but discord."

"For this… the culpability rests solely with me."

Even those with hardened hearts felt a subtle tremor of emotion, yet it was minor.

Because beneath that feeling, something else surged more powerfully: Anticipation!

Whom would he select?