According to ancestral laws, the Crown Prince is the legitimate successor to the Imperial Throne. However, if Prince of Zhao, as the legitimate son of the Emperor, were to vie for the throne at this time, no one would accuse him of being a rebellious traitor.
An heir to the throne is, after all, just an heir. He is not the Emperor yet.
As the imperial edict was announced, it caused quite a stir in court and within the public.
The Empress, too, stepped right out of the Cold Palace and resumed her control of the entire Harem.
Concubine Yu, Concubine Shu and others gathered at the Crystal Clear Manor in the East Palace, all with worried expressions on their faces.