Chapter ninety-nine: Abdication (Emperor Kaejong)

In contemplation, the crown prince walked around in his backyard. He couldn't see the harm of looking at the face of that female physician. Her stunning similarity looked striking, like one he had seen before.

Gaining the information he gathered about her identity and her courtyard, he gathered his entourage to pay a visit and thank her personally at the same time clear the doubt in his heart.

Today, he was dressed in his royal blue robe that he loves alot because blue was one of the colours she liked. His accessories were complete but not extravagant, his blue leather shoes of antelope hide matched his blue robe.

He knocked himself in his heart, why is he taking extra notice of his dressing today, like one dressed for a secret rendezvous with a secret lover.

He would not let her think she had gone purposely to see her out of curiosity. He ordered for a canvas, brush and paint and was seemingly bent on finding a cool, shady spot for painting. He would feign that he has drawn almost all the courtyards, palaces, gardens with great scenery except hers. Luckily her courtyard has a garden.

Just as he was about to make an entrance, a guard rushed over panting, his decorum gone , his face crimson red , probably due to his running.

"How dare you block the crown prince's path!", he heard his chief eunuch ask.

"It's OK", he said, "Tell me why you look frantic and like one about to collapse". He looked at the guard to find him familiar. Yeah, it's his father's guard that also works for him.

"His royal Majesty is...", he panted, then knelt down when he couldn't continue.

Hearing a mention of his father, he couldn't care less if the guard is about to die. "What happened?", he growled impatiently, bearing down on his with his gaze.

"His royal Majesty is abdicating the throne!", he cried with a creased brow.

The materials for painting which few minutes ago he held preciously fell with a clatter on the ground.

"You said what?", but he didn't wait to hear his reply as he legs fell into a mechanical action... Running.

When he reached , he was directed to go to the meeting hall.

The emperor sat indifferent as he watched his officials kowtowing. They ranted for him to reconsider and remain in his throne for he is still young and strong. Well at 40 , he was still young but he considers himself old and clamour for retirement.

The rant of the west faction was loudest, he almost laughed out loud because they are just afraid and worried his son will sort them out while their core member and leader is not in court. He couldn't believe at this stage they would still think of their power.

"Useless fools", he grunted silently but clearly amused at their display of 'Loyalty'.

"Seja Choha is arriving!".

He watched the door open and his son marching towards him agitated. Watching him, he smiled and reminisce the first time he laid his eyes on him. From the moment he witnessed him read his first alphabets, he knew this child would inherit his throne in the future.

He knelt before his father with teary eyes.

"Imperial father", he heard him call out making his heart brittle. He smiled warmly at his child and nodded to the chief imperial Secretary.

"On this day, 9th August 16__, with heaven and earth as a witness, the son of heaven Kang min with the posthumous title Emperor Kaejong , abdicated his throne to his second son Kang Soon who has been proved worthy to carry on the legacy of his ancestors, he is hereby conferred with the title Emperor Daejong". The chief secretary finished with the imperial edict and fell on his knees to bow to the new emperor, others followed suit with the West faction crying silently.

The emperor walked out silently with his son on his heels.

"Imperial father, I will strip myself of my robes and protest at the main gate. Neither food nor water shall touch my mouth until you change your edits. This royal command I shall not obey". The crown prince said while kneeling before his father.

"Please don't do that, I'm already leaving the palace in the next four days after settling the court and wrapping up things that needs to be done". The crown prince remained kneeling on the cold ground , defiance exuding from his body.

"You are now an emperor, behave like one", but he defied his orders making him sigh helplessly.

"I know I ought to be a role model but I'm incompetent, weak and without much power. But you are strong, energetic, intelligent, young and most importantly powerful. I know you still mourn for your loss but that's exactly why I'm giving you this throne. ", he chuckled but continued.

"Our country needs a very powerful emperor not restricted by his wife's maternal power or political parties influence. This crown... is too heavy for me". The crown prince allowed his reined tears fall freely.

"I shall not accept imperial father", he stubbornly refused to be convinced. "I'm too impulsive, too immature and still learning. I can't rule a country".

"I have leukemia", the emperor said, seeing his son's expression he satisfactorily left him in a daze.

"What?", the new emperor finally said in a half whispering manner.

...

The empress, so unconscious with her birds and flowers, so engrossed with her new playthings and beautiful life was quite unaware of the great happening.

"Your Majesty!", her courtmaid hurried to her .

"The emperor has abdicated his throne!".

A pair of scissors used in trimming the hedges fell of her hands, "What?", she asked in a half whisper.

"To who?", she asked one more time her heart pulsating.

"To our crown prince!", she beamed and fell on her knees with the rest of the servants.

"Empress dowager, congratulations!", they chorused.

"Has the imperial edict taken effective?", she looked unperturbed feeling it's strange for things to progress this way.

"Yes your Majesty, I just saw the chief secretary transferring the dragon seal to his Majesty". Her heart sank , not exactly happy with the turn of events.

'Kang Min, are you that eager to leave the palace?'.

"Let's go to the emperor's palace... the old one", she said , dampening the spirits of her servants who thought she would be the most ecstatic.

...

The grand dowager empress laid on her bed sleeping.

"Your Majesty!, you should wake up now", her servant begged.

"The emperor has abdicated!".

Whatever sleep stuck in her brains evaporated leaving her clear-headed.

The details of the event was made known to her but she harrumphed.

"It's just one level promotion to that Min woman, what are you guys so happy about?. With unlimited power as an emperor's birth mother, all of us will turn to lowly maids"

She harrumphed and went back to Sleep saying,

"Just find me a nice beautiful girl with a strong background. We need to welcome the new emperor with a gift. All the present concubines are from that filthy West faction". She turned her back on them.

"Remember, discreetly... if the empress finds out, or should I rather say the dowager empress, I will deny you guys". She warned them seriously as she adjusted her sleeping position

She closed her eyes pretending to sleep and only opened it when she felt them leave her room.

"The new empress is pregnant, a man shouldn't remain celibate if his wife is pregnant", she smirked.

"I shall use this opportunity to resurrect my dying south faction".

She finally went back to bed.