Chapter 111 Time Shift

Emperor Shengwu awoke, and the commotion in the court subsided. Or rather, everyone was watching and waiting, and no one dared to make any rash moves. Under these circumstances, Cen Yan, Li Yang, and their group had a smooth journey to the capital.

In the afternoon, we arrived near Shangjing and rested for a while before it got dark.

Cen Yan ordered troops to be stationed in the surrounding area.

In a moment of panic, Eunuch Feng asked, "Why doesn't Your Highness come to the capital today?"

Having served Emperor Shengwu for decades, even with his own selfish motives, Eunuch Feng was always worried about Emperor Shengwu and longed to see him as soon as possible.

Cen Yan calmly asked, "How do we get in? How many people should we bring? Won't we be stopped if we just rush in? Have you considered this, Father-in-law?"

Eunuch Feng was speechless.

Li Yang: "Don't worry, Father. We'll stay here for a day and settle things in the army. Tomorrow we can take some people to the capital. If the Emperor feels something is wrong along the way, he will definitely send someone to issue an edict and give us the next steps. That way, we can both leave room for maneuver."

Yes, they captured the Eighth Prince. Although the Eighth Prince was not the crown prince appointed by Emperor Shengwu, it would be disrespectful to Emperor Shengwu to bring a large army into the capital after taking him as their heir.

Once Eunuch Feng understood this, his voice softened, and he said self-deprecatingly, "I'm just getting senile. Please forgive me, Your Highness and the Prince."

Cen Yan: "We all know that Eunuch Feng is worried about His Majesty and is extremely loyal, but with so many soldiers, it would be best to take a more open approach to avoid giving others cause for criticism. What do you think?"

After saying that, he added, "I have already sent someone to report the composition of the army, the reasons for entering the capital, and the request to meet the emperor."

"If His Majesty is able to manage affairs, an imperial edict will be delivered in the early morning; if not, we have already reported as required."

Eunuch Feng repeatedly agreed.

The day of their journey to Beijing was thus postponed by one day.

During dinner, Cen An'an cupped her face in her hands, watching the still-cooking soup, and asked Cen Yan, "Father, does the capital really have everything?"

Seeing the little boy's eager eyes, Cen Yan stirred the soup pot with a spoon again and asked, "What did Daddy say?"

“Daddy said no,” An’an said seriously, “but a lot of people say yes, it’s so strange.”

This is out of curiosity.

Cen Yan didn't know how to explain it to An'an. After thinking for a while, he finally said, "We'll be going to the capital soon. We'll take An'an to see it then, and An'an can decide for herself, okay?"

"Okay!"

As soon as they heard it was fun to play, the little rascal agreed without hesitation.

As they were talking, the soup was finally ready, and An'an immediately picked up her small bowl and eagerly lined up.

After Cen Yan finished ladling out the food for An An, he ladled out three or four more bowls. Only then did the cook, Old Zhu, return. Upon seeing Cen Yan doing it himself, Old Zhu, sweating profusely, took the large ladle and bent down to ladle out the rest for him.

“This bowl was made for you, Grandpa Zhu, by An’an.”

After the young boy ordered the soup bowl, he placed it in front of Old Zhu, which moved Old Zhu to tears and he repeatedly agreed.

"The rest, Daddy, please get me two bowls. These are for Daddy and Liu Liu."

"I'll take An'an's and Uncle Liu's myself."

"Uncle Hao is on duty, Uncle Xu and Grandma are here, Grandma take them."

"alright!"

After distributing the soup bowls, each person carried two bowls and followed the little one away.

When Zhuang Dongqing saw this scene, she almost burst out laughing. She pinched Cen An's cheek and said, "I didn't know you could give orders!"

The little boy retorted, "No, Grandma came with me on her own. I asked Daddy and he promised An'an."

Zhuang Dongqing looked at Cen Yan, who also smiled, touched An An's forehead, and nodded, saying, "Yes, I promised to get it for him."

Zhuang Dongqing bluntly stated, "It's probably because it's hard to refuse his request."

Cen Yan lowered his head, his smile widening slightly, everything understood without words.

With help, the little boy made another trip on his own to get his father the last bowl of soup, and then everyone's soup was ready.

This was probably the last meal with the army. Zhuang Dongqing ate, still feeling somewhat dazed. After finishing, while taking a walk, he looked towards the direction of Shangjing and murmured, "I never expected to return under these circumstances."

"Isn't it good?" Cen Yan asked him.

"No, it was just a bit unexpected. I thought it would take a long time to sort things out after we got back." He paused, then laughed again. "Of course, everything is going smoothly now."

Thinking of something, Zhuang Dongqing asked again, "Will there really be an imperial edict?"

Cen Yan: "It's difficult. He has regained consciousness, but after being unconscious for so long, his body is too weak. According to news from the palace, His Majesty has not spoken a word since he woke up."

The information was accurate; indeed, no news came out of the palace in the capital the following day.

After the army was reorganized, some remained stationed in place, while others followed and escorted them to the capital.

We set off as soon as it was light.

When the sun was high in the sky, we arrived at the city gate of the capital.

After they announced their identities—a prince, a king, and a chief eunuch—the governor in charge of guarding the gates couldn't afford to offend any of them. After a brief discussion, they quickly opened the city gates and welcomed them inside.

The Eighth Prince was imprisoned in a prison cart and accompanied them.

When the admiral saw it, his eyes widened. Cen Yan didn't say anything. Li Yang asked with a smile what was wrong, speaking politely, but it sent a chill down the admiral's spine. Unwilling to get involved in the mess of the succession struggle, the admiral could only pretend not to see it.

When Cen Yan and his party entered the city, the admiral paced anxiously in circles for a while. As if gods were fighting, the little devils suffered. Finally, he claimed to be unwell, rubbed his forehead and fainted. He had his confidant write a leave note, sent it to the messenger, and then fled on his sick leave.

This was a wise move, and sure enough, people came to the admiral one after another to inquire or question him, but he was told that he was not on duty because he was unwell.

Cen Yan never intended to take the Eighth Prince on a tour of the entire capital.

There's no other reason than that it's unrealistic.

Sure enough, after traveling through most of the capital, from remote city gates to the Dali Temple government office, all the people who had come to stop them arrived at the scene.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review received Cen Yan's message early in the morning. After everyone dismounted, the prison cart that had imprisoned the Eighth Prince drove into the Court of Judicial Review office and temporarily detained him.

Cen Yan met with the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Eunuch Feng and Li Yang presented irrefutable evidence that the Eighth Prince was raising a private army, confronting the officials who came to protest.

When the officials looked at the confessions and the evidence brought to the capital, the irrefutable evidence piled up like a mountain. In addition, Emperor Shengwu had regained consciousness, and they all realized that Li De's power was doomed.

"But the Crown Prince is ultimately a prince, and how to deal with him should be decided by His Majesty."

The officials who supported it finally managed to come up with this statement.

Li Yang: "What you say is true, sir. So may we move aside and enter the palace to meet the emperor?"

With a flick of his whisk, Eunuch Feng adopted a haughty air, saying, "I must also return to the palace to report."

"The testimonies and evidence will be transferred to the Dali Temple for verification and investigation today. If you have any questions, you gentlemen are welcome to enter the Dali Temple and examine them carefully."

After finishing his business, Cen Yan walked out of the Dali Temple and uttered these words.

Most of those who followed Li De were civil officials, and they all knew what the Dali Temple was. Upon hearing this, they all remained silent.

Cen Yan glanced at them briefly, and instead of making a big show of arresting them, he simply had his personal guards clear a path for them to enter the palace.

The soldiers, all burly and imposing, drew their swords, their gleaming blades causing the civil officials to step back. Cen Yan and his entourage departed amidst this spectacle, heading towards the palace.

Half an hour after he left, news spread like wildfire that Li De had been paraded through the streets for raising a private army, and that he was also wounded by an arrow and would likely end up crippled. The news reached the residences of all the important officials in the capital.

Zhuang Dongqing thought he had nothing to do with the rest, but Cen Yan took his hand at the palace gate and led him into the inner palace.

Zhuang Dongqing asked nervously, "Me... do I have to go too?"

He thought this was a matter between Cen Yanli Yang and Emperor Shengwu.

Cen Yanyi said sternly, "I will petition for a title for you. If His Majesty wakes up, he might want to see you."

"Oh, oh oh."

With that said, Cen An followed along to pay his respects.

According to Cen Yan, whether or not to meet was up to Emperor Shengwu, but whether or not to go was their attitude.

Zhuang Dongqing had no choice. Her grandmother was getting old, so she brought along Liufu to take care of Cen An along the way.

Li Yang was on the sidelines the whole time. Seeing this, she hesitated several times before finally swallowing her words.

They made a grand entrance to the main hall. Several eunuchs had already come to see Eunuch Feng along the way, and through their accounts, they pieced together a fragmented picture of what had happened in the palace recently.

Before entering the main hall, Eunuch Feng borrowed a few men from Cen Yan to make some arrangements before reuniting with the two.

Eunuch Feng: "In principle, they should all be granted an audience together, but His Majesty is currently unwell. Perhaps the Sixth Prince and the Prince should go first?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhuang Dongqing and lowered his head.

It was clear that there was still something left to say.

Having been a shrewd person for many years, Cen Yan immediately agreed, leaving Zhuang Dongqing and Hao Sanliuqi in the side hall where they were waiting to meet the emperor. He asked Eunuch Feng for his apprentice to look after their food and water, made sure everything was in order, and gave the apprentice a few more instructions, which terrified the young apprentice. Only then did he leave with Eunuch Feng and Li Yang.

"The prince really cares about Young Master Zhuang."

Eunuch Feng offered a compliment.

Cen Yan smiled and simply said, "Of course."

He then asked, "What is His Majesty's current situation...?"

Eunuch Feng glanced at Cen Yan, then quickly glanced at Li Yang, and lowered his head again, saying, "It's the same as the previous two days."

These words were meant for Cen Yan's ears, as he knew Cen Yan had spies in the palace and was very familiar with the situation there.

After a pause, he explained to Li Yang, "His Majesty has woken up and can move his eyes, but he is still not fully conscious."

Li Yang remained silent.

After a long while, he nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

When the three entered the hall and actually saw Emperor Shengwu, the situation was just as Eunuch Feng had said, but there were still some aspects that the message had not covered, such as how extremely thin Emperor Shengwu was.

Upon seeing this, Eunuch Feng burst into tears, feeling heartbroken while muttering curses at the person who had taken care of him.

The insults were meant to show consideration, but every word implied that Li De had impure motives and was plotting to kill Emperor Shengwu.

Emperor Shengwu was woken up by the crying. He was relieved to see Eunuch Feng. He tried to say something but could not make a sound. Eunuch Feng hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please rest for a while. There is no need to rush. The Sixth Prince and the Prince have arrived. Your health is the most important thing. It is crucial to recover your health first."

Emperor Shengwu tried it again, and within a few breaths, a layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, making him look seriously ill.

Li Yang and Cen Yan bowed to Emperor Shengwu in turn and exchanged a few polite words.

Seeing the cold sweat on Emperor Shengwu's forehead, Li Yang asked a palace attendant to bring a hot towel and personally wiped it clean for Emperor Shengwu.

Emperor Shengwu's yellowish eyes moved, his gaze fixed on Li Yang's face. Li Yang called out softly, "Father."

As if lost in thought, Emperor Shengwu closed his eyes, and turbid tears welled up in them.

Upon this meeting, the imperial physician was summoned, and everyone withdrew to the outer room.

The imperial physician examined him and said that Emperor Shengwu's emotions were too volatile and that it was not advisable for him to see anyone today, so the audience was abruptly ended.

Eunuch Feng turned to clean up the palace maids and eunuchs in the main hall.

Li Yang and Cen Yan discussed Emperor Shengwu's health condition.

Cen Yan: "Master Zhao is already researching tonics, and he will give you the prescription and pills later."

"If following the prescription helps regulate the body, that's best. If not, you'll have to take pills."

Li Yang's eyebrows twitched slightly. "What kind of pill is it?"

Cen Yan calmly said, "The secret medicine of the Southern Frontier uses precious medicinal materials and has a strong effect. It is not used lightly on a regular basis..."

Li Yang's heart skipped a beat. "Why?"

"Life-saving medicine must be taken daily. If the root of the disease is not cured when the medicine is stopped, even a god cannot save you."

Emperor Shengwu's health deteriorated over a short period of time, and it was not caused by poison or external injuries that led to his death. The idea of ​​curing the root cause of his illness is utter nonsense.

Li Yang: "If we could keep going..."

Cen Yan smiled and gave a cruel answer, "This was a gift from the Holy Maiden of Southern Xinjiang to demonstrate the goodwill between Southern Xinjiang and the fiefdom. There was only one bottle in total. After deducting the royal palace's own use, there are only five pills left..."

Five...

That is, five days' worth.

Li Yang's pupils contracted.

Cen Yan finished speaking with a smile, "Sixth Prince, use this with caution."