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Chapter 474 The Imperial Uncle's Ambition, and the Clever Maneuvering Between Uncle and Nephew

A hint of smugness flashed in Zhao Chengyu's eyes, as if he could already see Zhao Yunci bowing down and submitting.

He took out a bright yellow scroll that he had prepared beforehand from his sleeve and casually tossed it onto the table in front of Zhao Yunci.

"This is the abdication edict prepared for you by your royal uncle."

Zhao Chengyu's voice carried a hint of condescension, "As long as you obediently sign your name and affix the imperial seal, your royal uncle can spare your life and let you continue to be a carefree prince, living a life of luxury. It's better than being a deposed monarch, with your head separated from your body."

Zhao Yunci lowered her eyes, looking at the unfolded imperial edict and the words listed on it, and let out a soft hum.

He slowly raised his head. "Uncle...do you really have to be so resolute? We are, after all, of the same blood. Can you...can you really bear to watch the Zhao family's empire fall into...fall into the hands of others?"

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over the core figures of Qingmo Valley around him, as if implying that they were the "outsiders".

Upon hearing this, the leader of Qingmo Valley frowned, stepped forward, and said sternly, "Your Majesty, do not sow discord here! The Valley Master is a man of great talent and ambition, and is destined by Heaven!"

"Those who understand the times are wise. Your Majesty would be better off signing the document sooner rather than later to avoid physical punishment!"

Zhao Chengyu waved his hand, signaling the middle-aged man to step back, a playful smile on his face: "Yunci, there's no need for such petty tricks."

"Everyone in Qingmo Valley is my trusted confidant. As for bloodlines... did Anyang spare my other brothers back then, considering our blood ties as uncle and nephew?"

His tone turned serious: "I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to consider. If you don't sign, I have plenty of ways to make you speak."

Zhao Yunci's hand, resting on his lap, tightened slightly at the fingertips. "Uncle, I... I need time. This matter is of utmost importance, concerning the fate of the nation. How can it be handled so hastily?"

His eyes darted around, as if he was desperately searching for a way to escape, or perhaps he was stalling for time.

"If I... if I sign, how can my uncle guarantee my safety? How can he guarantee the safety of the loyal ministers in the court..."

Just as Zhao Yunci was dealing with Zhao Chengyu, an unusual commotion was faintly heard outside the secret room.

Although they tried their best to suppress it, the faint sounds of hurried footsteps and the low clatter of weapons still managed to penetrate into the deep, secluded chamber.

A leader of Qingmo Valley standing beside Zhao Chengyu's expression changed slightly. He listened intently, then stepped forward and whispered, "Valley Master, something seems amiss outside."

Zhao Chengyu frowned, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

He has managed it for many years, and the defenses of Jingxin Villa are impregnable. How could it easily run into trouble?

"Send someone to see what happened!"

The leader accepted the order and hurriedly left the secret room.

Zhao Chengyu's patience was clearly running out. He turned to Zhao Yunci, his eyes icy: "It seems you're waiting for reinforcements?"

He sneered, "Don't even think about it. Even if Gu Junze himself came, he wouldn't be able to set foot in this manor!"

He slammed his hand on the table, making the candlelight flicker: "Zhao Yunci, my patience is limited! Sign or not? If you delay any longer, don't blame your uncle for being ruthless and letting you taste the methods of Qingmo Valley!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two stewards from Qingmo Valley stepped forward, staring at Zhao Yunci with hostile eyes, as if they were ready to attack at any moment.

The atmosphere in the sealed room instantly froze, becoming so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Seeing the murderous intent in Zhao Chengyu's eyes, Zhao Yunci knew that the delay had reached its limit.

He took a deep breath, a look of dejection and despair on his face, as if all resistance had collapsed at that moment.

"Alright... I'll sign." His voice was hoarse, filled with endless exhaustion.

He slowly reached out and picked up the calligraphy brush on the table, his movements deliberate, as if the brush weighed a ton.

Seeing this, Zhao Chengyu curled up a victorious sneer, his eyes full of contempt.

Zhao Yunci's hand trembled as he dipped the brush tip into the inkstone, but just as he lifted the brush to bring it down on the imperial edict, his wrist suddenly jerked.

A soft exclamation of "Oh dear."

The ink-laden brush tip, uncontrollably gliding across an inconspicuous corner of the imperial edict, dripped a drop of thick ink that quickly spread.

That position was right at the end of the abdication edict; although the ink was small, it blurred several key small characters.

"Useless!" Zhao Chengyu said impatiently in a low voice upon seeing this.

But seeing that Zhao Yunci was about to sign, he didn't pay much attention to the small ink stain, assuming that it was due to his distraction and trembling hand.

"Sign it quickly! Stop trying to pull any more tricks!" he urged.

Zhao Yunci picked up the pen and, without further hesitation, signed his name on the abdication edict in a flamboyant and elegant style.

Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone from Qingmo Valley, he took the jade seal from the side and pressed it down heavily.

After doing all this, he seemed to have all his strength drained away. He slumped back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Zhao Chengyu grabbed the imperial edict, and looking at the clear signature and seal on it, a look of ecstatic joy finally appeared on his face.

He held up the imperial edict and laughed loudly at everyone in the secret room: "Hahaha! From this day forward, the world of the Eastern Jin Dynasty belongs to me, Zhao Chengyu!"

Inside the secret chamber, everyone from Qingmo Valley knelt down, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" Their voices were filled with excitement and fervor.

Only the middle-aged leader, in his excitement, inadvertently glanced at the small ink stain on the imperial edict.

He frowned slightly, but the Valley Master was in high spirits.

He didn't dare to say anything more, and just kept that doubt to himself.