Already Prepared
"Why?" Alexander Hayes narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and unreadable.
Emperor Jin Xuan spoke in a rush. "When you attacked the imperial city, I had already sent word to all the lords. If you kill me, the entire realm will fall into chaos! Alexander Hayes, I know your hatred runs deep, and you wish nothing more than to see me torn to pieces, but will you really let your personal vendetta throw the world into turmoil and leave the people homeless? You are of royal blood—if your actions cost the Jin Dynasty its throne, how will you face your father and mother in the afterlife?"
"Are you threatening me?" A dangerous glint flashed in Alexander Hayes's eyes, his tone icy.
Emperor Jin Xuan quickly replied, "Alexander Hayes, you know the court’s situation better than anyone. Whether I’m lying or not, you know it in your heart. Only by sparing me can you keep the peace and preserve the House of Zhao! And besides, who can prove you’re the late emperor’s son? If you kill the emperor and seize the throne, your claim will be illegitimate, and uprisings will surely erupt everywhere—plunging the land into chaos!"
"You do make a good point." Alexander Hayes gave a faint smile, but his eyes flashed coldly. "But today, I will have your life—no matter what."
"D-Don't do anything rash! Do you care nothing for the lives of the people?" Emperor Jin Xuan was terrified now, afraid that Alexander Hayes would be blinded by vengeance and really kill him, no matter the consequences.
"The lives of the people? Of course I care. This is my father's realm, and the people are my father's people. How could I not care?" Alexander Hayes nodded to his attendant, who brought forward an imperial decree. Alexander snatched it and tossed it at Emperor Jin Xuan's feet. "See for yourself."
Emperor Jin Xuan snatched up the decree and read it. The more he read, the paler he became. By the end, he was trembling, flinging the decree away and shaking his head violently. "No—I refuse! I absolutely refuse!"
Just then, the empress awoke, grabbed the decree, and was utterly horrified by what she saw!
The decree had been drafted by Alexander Hayes long ago. It declared that the cause of this palace coup was Prince Ling’s rebellion—he had conspired with his brothers to murder their father, usurp the throne, and commit regicide.
Meanwhile, Alexander Hayes led his troops into the imperial city to rescue the emperor. In the fierce battle, he killed Prince Ling, but by the time they found Emperor Jin Xuan, he had already been gravely wounded by Prince Ling and was on the verge of death. With his dying breath, the emperor issued a decree, passing the throne to his nephew, Li Yan Hao, the heir of the Prince of Huainan, and ordering the execution of all princes involved in the rebellion.
Once this imperial decree is sealed with the jade seal, the truth is completely turned on its head.
Just like that, Prince Ling would be made the scapegoat, and Emperor Jin Xuan’s sons would be wiped out. With no heirs left in Emperor Jin Xuan’s line, the throne would pass to his nephew, Li Yan Hao.
Staring at the decree Alexander Hayes had prepared long ago, Emperor Jin Xuan felt a chill run through his heart: So, Alexander had planned everything in advance, calculating every step to perfection—even forging the edict for succession.
With this edict, after Emperor Jin Xuan’s death, the imperial power would transfer smoothly to Li Yan Hao, who shared the royal bloodline.
This way, the regional princes would have no excuse to raise an army—any disaster would be nipped in the bud.
"Seal it with the jade seal," Alexander Hayes said coldly, his gaze fixed on Emperor Jin Xuan.
Emperor Jin Xuan’s lips trembled as he looked up at him. "You… after all the effort you spent to commit regicide, are you really willing to let someone else take the throne?"
Alexander Hayes let out a cold laugh. "Do you think everyone is like you, willing to do anything for the throne? I never had any desire to be emperor."