Chapter 102 (None)

The windows were tightly shut, and the bedroom was gloomy and dark. The smell of medicine mixed with a sour stench hit Jiang Ling as soon as he entered the room, and he almost suffocated.

“The spring weather outside is just right.” Jiang Ling frowned, instructed the eunuchs standing in the corner to open the window, and then waved them away.

Emperor Yuanming leaned listlessly against the headboard. Sunlight streamed in through the window, making his dry eyes uncomfortable. He instinctively raised his hand to shield them and said unhappily, "Close the window!"

Jiang Ling pretended not to hear and sat down on the brocade stool by the bed. "Would Your Majesty like to order a meal?"

"I'm not hungry!" After a moment, Emperor Yuanming's eyes adjusted, and he lowered his hand, temporarily forgetting about asking Jiang Ling to close the window. Instead, he complained, "After drinking a large bowl of medicine, how can I eat anything else!"

“Then wait a while, and Your Majesty can eat when you’re hungry,” Jiang Ling readily agreed, then sighed, his expression troubled. “Your Majesty, I have already arranged for Envoy Ding to secure the palace gates and the Chui Gong Hall. But now… what does Your Majesty intend to do with the Second Prince?”

Emperor Yuanming was already in a bad mood, and when Jiang Ling mentioned it, he couldn't help but tear up, choking back tears as he said, "What have I done wrong? Why are they all so troublesome? I..."

He raised his hand to his chest, his expression pained and heartbroken, and said, "It's truly unbearable!"

Jiang Ling found it hilarious and almost burst out laughing. Now she completely understood that Xiao Yunjue's actions were perfectly normal.

Emperor Yuanming's mistakes are too numerous to list. He was cold-hearted and selfish, only caring about sowing seeds widely but not about teaching them.

The princes and princesses received education and literacy from a young age. The princes were further instructed by renowned teachers and scholars, learning classics, history, philosophy, literature, and the Six Arts of a Gentleman.

Neither the words of sages nor the ways of gentlemen can teach them how to be a person.

Growing up in the royal family, they were accustomed to the power struggles from a young age. No matter how precocious they were, their physical development determined one thing: whether it was Xiao Yunrui or Xiao Yunjue, they were always just impulsive and rebellious teenagers.

Living together in the palace, surrounded by deep walls, they rarely saw each other, as if separated by thousands of miles.

Moreover, with the monarch in charge, the bond between father and son is pitifully small.

Emperor Ming was an emperor, and everyone, whether ruler, minister, or son, had to obey him. He was used to being high above others, and his words were always reprimands and accusations.

Xiao Yunrui had never learned what true kindness or forbearance was. Neither the imperial father nor his son treated people as human beings.

After his injury and subsequent fall, one can imagine his grievances; he probably felt that the whole world had wronged him.

Filial piety, a fig leaf as thin as a cicada's wing, could not be sustained. If he had had a knife at the time, he would most likely have carried out a massacre.

"His Majesty has always loved his children. Prince Rui is about to pass away, and the Second Prince is also... As the saying goes, children are all debts. His Majesty must be feeling bad. He would feel heartbroken for a long time if even a single hair of his own flesh and blood were missing."

Jiang Ling sighed and used gentle words to win over the Emperor Yuanming's heart, eventually bringing him to tears.

"I placed high hopes on them, and the future of the Great Yin dynasty would depend on them. Now that things have turned out this way, how can I face my ancestors after I pass away!"

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, worrying about the future of the Great Yin Dynasty and your children!"

Unfortunately, Jiang Ling couldn't cry. She tried her best to sigh and lament with Emperor Yuanming, but quickly changed the subject.

"Your Majesty is reluctant to part with the Second Prince, but Your Majesty still has the Great Yin Empire and its people. I'm not afraid Your Majesty will laugh at me, but I'm still so scared that my hands are shaking."

Jiang Ling raised her right hand, which she had used force earlier. She had exerted too much force, and her wrist had not yet recovered its strength, so it trembled uncontrollably as she raised it.

"Your Majesty has already been injured once, and the wound has not yet healed, and now it has happened again. Your Majesty, I am terrified. What should we do if it happens again?"

Emperor Yuanming looked at Jiang Ling's wrist with teary eyes, but the tears instantly disappeared, and he looked thoughtful.

When he was injured, Emperor Yuanming only wanted to torture Xiao Yunjue to death. But when he lay in bed, after all, he was his own son, and Emperor Yuanming's anger gradually turned into sadness. He couldn't decide how to deal with Xiao Yunjue.

Jiang Ling's trembling wrist reminded him that if she had reacted any slower and hadn't blocked the low table, he probably wouldn't have been able to save his legs.

The injuries on his body were all inflicted by Xiao Yunjue. Even if he were an emperor, or even an ordinary commoner, Xiao Yunjue's actions would be considered an act of filial impiety.

Jiang Ling, observing Emperor Yuanming's expression, proceeded cautiously, saying, "Your Majesty, there are no trivial matters in the imperial court. I may speak frankly, but the recent events have likely spread far and wide. First, there was Prince Rui, then the Second Prince. These matters concern the stability of the nation. Your Majesty might as well discuss this with your court officials and test their reactions."

Given Emperor Yuanming's temperament, even if he wished he could tear Xiao Yunjue to pieces, he had to be a kind and benevolent ruler and therefore could not order Xiao Yunjue's execution.

Jiang Ling couldn't make the decision for him; if he regretted it, it would all be her fault.

The current focus is not on Xiao Yunjue's life or death; she has a more important goal.

Emperor Yuanming frowned in thought, then nodded and said, "You are right. I have been unwell lately and have neglected state affairs, being fooled by those court officials."

Jiang Ling lowered his eyelids and suggested, "There's no time to lose. Your Majesty should first meet with the chancellors of the Council of State and Grand Secretary Wei."

The matter concerning Xiao Yunjue could not be delayed any longer, so Emperor Yuanming ordered, "Summon them to see me."

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Jiang Ling was secretly pleased and got up to leave the room. Huang Liang, who was on his way to the Hall of State Affairs to find several prime ministers, was already standing at the door. Without asking any questions, Jiang Ling said directly, "His Majesty summons Prime Minister Zheng and Grand Secretary Wei to come for an audience."

Huang Liang respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Zheng and the others are already waiting at the guest house. This servant will go and convey the imperial decree immediately."

Jiang Ling turned and went back to the bedroom, secretly glancing at Emperor Yuanming. She sat down on the brocade stool by the bed, poured a cup of tea and offered it to him, saying, "Your Majesty, please have a few sips of tea to calm your nerves."

Emperor Yuanming wanted to see his court officials, but Jiang Ling stayed behind, seemingly unaware of anything amiss. His wound throbbed with pain, and he breathed weakly, taking a few sips of warm tea from Jiang Ling's hand.

"It's very bland, tasteless," Emperor Yuanming said, lying back down.

"His Majesty is taking medicine and should not drink strong tea," Jiang Ling said gently, putting down his teacup.

Emperor Yuanming appeared displeased, but he was quite pleased with Jiang Ling's thoughtfulness. He said reproachfully, "You listen to the imperial physicians' advice without question, but you ignore what I say."

Xiao Yunzan and Xiao Yunlang often rewarded each other with candy. Jiang Ling always kept two pieces of pine nut candy in her purse. She took one out and stuffed it into Emperor Yuanming's mouth: "Your Majesty, sweeten your mouth."

Before Emperor Yuanming could react, Jiang Ling stuffed something into his mouth. Startled, he leaned back, about to reprimand Jiang Ling, when he tasted a faint sweetness on his tongue.

At this moment, Huang Liang led the three prime ministers of the Council of State and Grand Secretary Wei into the room.

Emperor Yuanming glanced sideways at Jiang Ling, who was sucking on a candy, the sweetness seemingly flowing into his heart.

The Council of State Affairs has three prime ministers, with Prime Minister Zheng at the head and Prime Minister Sun second. The two often argue. Prime Minister Guo is the youngest and least experienced, and he basically follows the ideas of Prime Ministers Zheng and Sun.

The Grand Secretary of the Great Yin Dynasty held a nominal position, while Grand Secretary Wei was appointed as the Chief Advisor of the Censorate, primarily responsible for advising the emperor. He was erudite, upright, and deeply respected by scholars, thus earning the title of Grand Secretary.

Grand Academician Wei often advised Emperor Yuanming, which drew constant complaints from the emperor. However, due to Grand Academician Wei's character and influence among scholars, Emperor Yuanming trusted and valued him greatly.

Jiang Ling has been staying in her bedchamber in the palace for the past few days, sharing a room with Emperor Yuanming, enduring hardship and suffering. At the same time, she has also gained a lot, learning a great deal about the court officials and the entire court.

In the Great Yin Dynasty, the highest-ranking military officer was the Privy Councilor. Neither the Privy Councilor nor the Minister of War had the power to mobilize troops; military power was in the hands of Emperor Yuanming.

Jiang Ling summoned these four men because they were the highest-ranking and most powerful civil officials.

Several people stepped forward to pay their respects, but Jiang Ling rose to avoid them. Emperor Yuanming gestured for him to sit down, ordered Huang Liang to serve tea, and gestured for Jiang Ling to sit as well.

Jiang Ling returned to the brocade stool and sat down. Zheng Xiang and the others quickly glanced at her before sitting down with their eyes downcast.

Grand Secretary Wei often saw Jiang Ling at Qionghua Pavilion. In the past, when they came to see Emperor Yuanming, she would always respectfully avoid them.

Now that several prime ministers from the Council of State Affairs are with him, Jiang Ling is still in the room. What kind of behavior is this!

Grand Secretary Wei frowned so deeply that his brows almost formed a single line. His expression was serious as he spoke frankly, “His Majesty is unwell, and Consort Hui should naturally come to attend to him. However, the ancestral rules cannot be disregarded. Consorts of the inner palace are not allowed to interfere in state affairs. His Majesty has summoned us here for important matters of state. We request that Consort Hui excuse herself from the proceedings.”

Jiang Ling had long anticipated being criticized by Scholar Wei. Although she had countless ways to retaliate, she remained humble and restrained.

After all, she had no intention of fighting with them, nor was she going to argue over trivial matters. She said with trepidation, "I don't understand a single word of the important political matters that Grand Secretary Wei mentioned. His Majesty was injured earlier, and I happened to be there. I stayed to serve His Majesty and to bear witness."

Seeing Jiang Ling with her head hanging low, Emperor Yuanming felt reluctant to part with her and couldn't help but frown slightly, saying, "What does she know about important state affairs? I am not feeling well, and she wants to stay and take care of me."

Upon hearing that Emperor Yuanming was injured, the group's expressions immediately changed, and they stood up abruptly, their eyes filled with concern and worry.

Grand Secretary Wei exclaimed in surprise and asked anxiously, "Where is His Majesty injured? How did he get injured again? Has the imperial physician been summoned to treat him?"

Jiang Ling observed the surroundings discreetly, concluding that Zheng Xiang and his group must have heard some rumors.

We must not peek into the Emperor's presence; this matter is truly thorny. Even if we learn of it, we must pretend we know nothing.

Since she had stayed behind, Jiang Ling naturally had to stand at the front. She looked at Emperor Yuanming and said, "Your Majesty is not feeling well and needs to rest more. May I explain the situation to you all?"

Emperor Yuanming was indeed exhausted and in pain. After a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement, "Just tell me."

Jiang Ling began by recounting Yuan Changsheng's visit to Qionghua Pavilion to report to Emperor Yuanming about Xiao Yunjue's palace. Without any emotional expression, he truthfully and meticulously recounted the entire story.

"His Majesty's old wounds have not yet healed, and new ones have been inflicted. He needs to rest and recuperate. As for the Second Prince, His Majesty entrusts the matter to you all."

Prime Minister Zheng opened his mouth, his brows furrowed slightly, but ultimately remained silent. Prime Minister Sun reacted similarly, remaining silent for a long while. Prime Minister Guo, on the other hand, was dumbfounded, his face filled with disbelief.

Grand Secretary Wei gazed worriedly at Emperor Yuanming's legs, his eyebrows drooping, his expression extremely grave.

Jiang Ling spoke casually, leaving the matter of how to deal with Xiao Yunjue to them.

For a moment, the room was completely silent, even Grand Secretary Wei remained silent.

This matter concerns the royal bloodline, and no one dares to step forward and make a decision!