Chapter 93

The atmosphere inside the hall was frigid and deathly silent.

The imperial physicians knelt upright, but their bodies trembled. So many of them had failed to save His Majesty, and it was hard to say they wouldn't be punished.

The Southern Attendant's face was filled with sorrow, yet his gaze was resolute, as if he had planned and prepared for this long time, and he was not overly anxious about His Majesty's condition.

Nanqi knew that Nanshi was the most loyal. If His Majesty stayed, Nanshi would live; if His Majesty left, Nanshi would stay with him. With such a firm goal, there was really nothing to worry about. Unlike him, his mind was in turmoil, and he hesitated several times, feeling anxious and uneasy.

His Highness the Crown Prince sat on the edge of the bed, holding Emperor Chengyuan's hand tightly.

Although he was adopted from the clan and was not Emperor Chengyuan's biological son, Emperor Chengyuan had taught and raised him since he was a child, and the two had a deep father-son relationship. Moreover, Emperor Chengyuan only had him as his son, so there was no suspicion between them, which made their relationship even stronger.

As Emperor Chengyuan gradually declined, the Crown Prince was heartbroken.

His Highness the Crown Prince watched as his father, the Emperor, suffered greatly from missing his wife. Although his father was taller and older than him, he was the one who felt sorry for him.

He knew that his father would hide in his study every day, staring blankly at the portraits of the emperor and empress. The portraits did not alleviate his father's lovesickness; on the contrary, they made his father more and more depressed.

Sometimes he really wanted to rush in and destroy the painting when his father wasn't looking.

Father should have a new life and not dwell on the past. If only Father could forget the past and the future.

The Crown Prince's eyes were red, and a deep hatred for the Empress Dowager rose in his heart. He hated her for provoking his father, but for not staying with him until the end.

He hated her for leaving, but why wouldn't she let her father go?

"I've heard that there's a renowned physician in my aunt's household. Why don't we invite him to examine Father?" The Crown Prince's hoarse voice broke the solemn atmosphere in the room.

"It's rare to see someone with such filial piety." Nan Shi's eyes were filled with satisfaction. Although Nan Shi was a servant, he held a very high position in the palace. Because Emperor Chengyuan was in poor health, Nan Shi represented the emperor in many matters.

It was only about a year after the Crown Prince came of age that Nan Shi became more low-key, but the Crown Prince had gotten used to treating Nan Shi as a close elder.

Of course, there's also Nanqi.

"I have also heard of Physician Mu's great reputation. He is truly skilled, and the Grand Princess's illness has improved under his care," Physician Zheng said carefully, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Nan Shi pondered. He knew that the Grand Princess had been bedridden for many years, and the Imperial Hospital had been helpless. The Divine Physician Mu was able to cure the Grand Princess's illness, so he must have some skill.

Bringing someone here might wake His Majesty up, but the worst-case scenario is that His Majesty might not want to wake up. Even if he does wake up, it will only prolong his life a little longer.

Every day of His Majesty's life is torture, and waking His Majesty up would be a form of torment as well.

The Crown Prince knew what the Southern Attendant was thinking, but if his father could live, he would definitely save him. His father could make his own choice, but they could not make the choice for him.

Only Nan Shi dared to do this, and no one thought it was wrong.

The imperial physicians bowed their heads respectfully, not daring to utter a sound.

"Let's invite them over."

Finally, the Crown Prince made his decision...

Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Nan Shi and Nan Qi stood with their hands behind their backs, gazing at the tranquil night sky.

Since the princess left, and since their master ascended the throne, they haven't had this much free time in a long time.

"You're hiding something from His Majesty." The Southern Attendant's face was calm, and his voice was firm.

Nanqi turned around in surprise, his fist clenching unconsciously.

“We’ve known each other for decades, and you’re still the same; you can’t hide your feelings.”

Nan Qi's eyes flickered, then he turned his head to look at the night sky again.

"Is it related to His Majesty?" the attendant asked again. Nan Qi remained silent, and the attendant seemed not to intend to wait for Nan Qi's reply. "To ensure His Majesty's well-being?"

The words of the Southern Attendant made Nan Qi's heart sink. Finally, the Southern Attendant sighed and said, "Think it over carefully. Don't betray His Majesty, or I will never forgive you!"

After saying this, Nan Shi turned and entered the main hall. Nan Qi's face was hidden in the darkness, so his expression could not be seen.

Nanqi developed selfish motives. As His Majesty's health declined, his power grew, and so did his selfish motives.

He didn't reveal Rong Rong's existence. Although his men couldn't find Rong Rong, he sent many people to the Jiangyang Marquis's residence to investigate. His intuition told him that this Rong Rong was the former princess consort.

As for why she was still alive, and why she had a different identity, he didn't know.

All he knew was that if he revealed Rong Rong's situation, His Majesty might improve, and Rong Rong would no longer be someone he could even dream of.

Before, he only hid paintings; now, he's even trying to hide people...

Today is the Grand Princess's autumn banquet, which is being held at the Lotus Garden, which is under her name.

"Be mindful of your behavior and don't disturb His Majesty," the Grand Princess carefully instructed her daughter.

Because she still needs Mu Fangfang's treatment, and because His Majesty needs a change of environment, companionship, and liveliness.

Emperor Chengyuan then moved into the Grand Princess's Lianfang Garden to recuperate with her.

Mu Fangfang truly lived up to her reputation as a divine physician; she managed to wake Emperor Chengyuan up with just one visit that day.

"Mother, don't worry. I've invited ladies and young women with renowned reputations in the capital. They are all well-educated and courteous, and with my aunt also in charge, there won't be any problems."

Princess Changning affectionately linked arms with the Grand Princess, her face beaming with a bright smile. "I just wonder if the person I'm looking forward to will come?"

The Grand Princess chuckled and tapped her daughter's nose, knowing that her daughter was referring to the Lady of Jiangyang Marquis.

If the other party wants to enter the circle of women from aristocratic families in the capital, they will inevitably come here.

The banquet she and her sister hosted was already a top-tier event among women. Unless the Empress herself hosted it, there would be no banquet of higher caliber.

In their southern borderlands, there is no empress.

"Unless Lady Jiangyang never goes out to socialize again, it's impossible for her not to come."

The Grand Princess comforted her daughter, and Princess Changning happily stood up, "That's good!"

Rong Rong did come, accompanying Xie Tianrui. She wasn't there to infiltrate the circle of noblewomen, nor to help Jiang Yanghou in the future, but simply to relax and see how ancient banquets differed from modern ones.

The Grand Princess's garden is famous throughout the southern border region. It is said to have been built by three emperors and bestowed upon the Grand Princess by the previous emperor.

Its exquisite beauty even surpasses that of Emperor Chengyuan's gardens.

Normally, people have no chance to go in and play there. This time, the Grand Princess held a banquet at Lianfang Garden for the first time ever, and the entire noble circle of the capital was instantly in an uproar.

Many people volunteered to attend the banquet, and some were so important that even the Grand Princess couldn't refuse them. As a result, the banquet, which was originally for noblewomen, became a gathering of both men and women.

In the end, it even turned into a disguised matchmaking event.

Not only were there ladies and young ladies, but also many noble young men; in short, all the prominent figures in the capital were invited.

The Grand Princess's residence no longer adhered to formalities, setting up a banquet directly in the garden. Men and women were not separated, but gathered together in the garden, simply sitting on the left and right.

Entertainment activities were also prepared for everyone to enjoy, encouraging more interaction among the participants.