On September 1st, Hanako Katsu delivered an imperial edict on behalf of the Emperor, stating that His Majesty was unwell and court would be suspended for three days.

Emperor Hui was a diligent emperor, but he had been hit by a series of setbacks this year. The day his three sons died, he suspended court for a day. Recently, he has been ill and his condition is critical. Except when he is unconscious, he has not suspended court.

What happened?

No one could guess; they just thought His Majesty's health might be very poor.

On the first day of the suspension of court, the Emperor and Empress remained quiet and did not make any moves. Everyone performed their duties, and for some difficult decisions, the cabinet drafted memorials.

On the third day, the Empress wore court robes and accompanied His Majesty in a small room behind the dragon throne, where she listened to the emperor's affairs from behind a curtain for half a day.

The Ministry of War reported on the war situation in the Northwest.

"The war in the Northwest is progressing smoothly. The invading foreign enemies, including the Western Xia, Uyghurs, and Eastern Liao, have all submitted their surrender documents. Grand Secretary Gu is presiding over the negotiations. The Western Xia has ceded five cities, the Uyghurs five, and the Eastern Liao three. Indemnities..."

These are all great news.

Empress Xie asked, "Does Your Majesty wish to know whether the Wei clan has been defeated?"

"Your Majesty, the Wei clan's 300,000-strong army has been mostly wiped out, and Wei Jingzhong and sixteen enemy generals have been captured alive. However, Wei Anyuan has led 30,000 men to flee into the northern grasslands. Currently, Xiaoyao Hou and others are in pursuit."

The Ministry of War reported that Gu Shaoyu had already sent men to escort the sixteen Wei generals to the capital.

In other words, the war in the Northwest was a great victory, except for the escape of Wei Anyuan.

But even if we win the battle, it will take several months to settle things in the Northwest.

After discussing the war in the north, Empress Xie listened on behalf of the emperor to some political affairs in other places.

"Where is the Nanzhao Kingdom's delegation?"

The official from the Ministry of Rites replied, "They should have already passed Zhongzhou, and will arrive in Nanzhao Kingdom in another seven or eight days."

"Have General Guo Shouyi make all the necessary preparations to defend against a surprise attack from the Nanzhao Kingdom," Empress Xie said calmly. "If they dare to invade the border, strike them back hard."

"yes."

How are the natural disasters in the south?

"Your Majesty, I report to Your Majesty that the government has promptly opened the granaries to distribute grain, and the people are deeply grateful to the court."

We withstood both natural disasters and man-made calamities.

After asking these questions, His Majesty adjourned the court.

Emperor Hui was so weak that he had to be carried onto the palanquin.

Empress Xie returned to her palace with Emperor Hui and ordered her personal maid, Nan Ke, to bring some easy-to-digest porridge to Emperor Hui, saying, "Your Majesty, have some and rest a little."

"Your Majesty has worked hard." Emperor Hui said to Hua Zisheng, "Bring a bowl to the Empress as well, I want to talk to her about some state affairs."

Hua Zisheng looked at Nan Ke and said with a smile, "Why don't you serve the Empress a bowl too?"

Nan Ke quickly served Empress Xie a bowl as well. Hua Zisheng handed it to Empress Xie and said with a smile, "Then this servant and Nan Ke will take our leave?"

Empress Xie nodded. It was normal for them, as they were all observant servants, to retreat to the door to serve His Majesty when he wanted to discuss state affairs with her.

Emperor Hui and Empress Xie finished their bowl of porridge and then leaned against the bed frame to rest for a while.

A moment later, Empress Xie's eyes appeared somewhat unfocused.

Gently tugging at the thread on the bed curtains, Hanako Katsu saw the small bell on the thread vibrate at the door. Without making a sound, he flicked the whisk in his hand and saw a little eunuch with round eyes walk over with his head down, holding a cup of tea in his hands. Hanako Katsu took two sips, and the little eunuch took the tea away.

Nan Ke simply slumped down at the door and fell asleep.

Hanako Katsu immediately came in from outside.

Time was tight, with only 15 minutes left, and Hanako Katsu had wasted 10% of that time.

Emperor Hui sat up and sat opposite Empress Xie, his voice neither loud nor soft, and without any particular emotion.

"Empress, why did you bring the Grand Secretary's wife into the palace?"

Empress Xie stared blankly and mechanically replied, "I want her child."

"You want to raise them as your children?"

"No, I want Zhaozhao to be obedient."

Emperor Hui immediately understood that she wanted to control Xie Zhaozhao's child and threaten Xie Zhaozhao.

Emperor Hui's eyes turned slightly cold: "What are you doing holding her child hostage?"

"It's not about controlling her, it's that I want to be good to her."

How can I treat her well?

"I want her to be my successor."

"She doesn't want to?"

"I don't know, she's distancing herself from me."

What do you want her to inherit?

"..." Empress Xie showed signs of waking up, and Hua Zisheng broke out in a cold sweat.

Emperor Hui immediately lay back down on the bed, and Hua Zisheng also quickly left, walked to the palace gate, and waved a handkerchief in front of Nan Ke's face.

Nan Ke woke up; she seemed to have dozed off?

He saw that Hanako Katsu was standing under the corridor instructing Xiu Ning to tell the imperial kitchen to make some chicken soup for His Majesty.

After a while, the sound of Empress Xie's footsteps slowly walking out could be heard. Hua Zisheng hurriedly came forward and asked, "Your Majesty, would you and His Majesty like to have a meal?"

Empress Xie said, "His Majesty is asleep. Please wait a little while. You and Nan Ke bring the memorials over. I will review them first."

Hanako nods in agreement, smiles, and calls to Nanke to hurry to the Hall of State Affairs to bring over the memorials submitted by the ministers.

As usual, Xie Anfeng and others packed up the memorials and had the Imperial Guards and Hua Zisheng take people away.

Nan Ke didn't focus on the others who were moving the documents, but only on Hua Zisheng.

Today, however, it was Nan Ke who was in charge. Hua Zisheng played a trick. He didn't have any contact with Xie Anfeng and the others. Instead, he handed them a note as he brushed past Ling Xun.

After Hua Zisheng and Nan Ke left, Ling Xun quietly opened the note, which contained only five words: "Midnight, Male, Fifth Place".

He didn't quite understand.

Everything in the palace seems normal lately, but something is definitely not right.

Consort Xi was made empress, the empress interfered in politics and was impeached in various ways, causing undercurrents to rise among the court officials.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!