Chapter 129 [VIP]

As Gu Zhizhuo finished inserting the needle, she flicked her sleeve and placed the silver needle back into the lining of her sleeve pocket.

Silently.

"Release me!"

The emperor shook off Xie Yingchen.

Xie Yingchen let go of her hand and said insincerely, "Please be careful."

The emperor, enraged, pointed at Gu Zhizhuo and shouted, "Guards!"

Prince Li, panting heavily, pulled the emperor's finger and pointed it at himself.

His chest heaved as he channeled the emperor's anger back into himself: "If you wish to kill, then kill. When the late emperor appointed me as the Imperial Clan Head, he instructed me to take good care of the Xie family's descendants. I have obeyed the late emperor's orders and have never dared to slacken my duties over the years. It is absolutely impossible for an illegitimate son to enter the Eastern Palace, for the Xie family's descendants to serve an illegitimate son as their master, and for the entire world to bow down at the feet of an illegitimate son! If you insist on this, I would rather die to comfort the late emperor's spirit in heaven."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider."

Chief Minister Song was the first to kneel down, and everyone else followed suit, including the Duke of Wei and the Prince of Jin.

The entire hall was filled with a sea of ​​kneeling people.

Whether it was for the greater good, the rules of propriety, or their own hidden agendas, they were unwilling to have the position of crown prince decided so hastily.

"Your Majesty, please rescind your order!"

Everyone spoke in unison, their voices resounding throughout the entire hall.

The eunuchs and palace maids were already numb from kneeling, their heads hanging lower and lower. They were barely able to save their own lives, so they didn't care who would become the crown prince.

The eldest prince and his entourage entered silently and knelt at the very back.

"One, two, three..." Gu Zhizhuo counted silently in his mind.

"Okay, okay."

The emperor's anger surged. Ruo'er was dead; he only wanted to give her a proper burial. Why did everyone have to defy him?!

The thought of Ruo'er dying in his arms caused the emperor's heart to ache terribly, as if it were being torn apart.

He was the one who went to Jiangnan to fetch his bride back then.

If only he had dared to defy his father back then and not let her marry into the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Wait, why was he willing to let go? He liked her so much... Wait, he couldn't seem to remember when he had fallen for Ruo'er.

The emperor rubbed his temples. It didn't matter if he couldn't remember. Ruo'er had been devoted to him, and now, she was dead.

It's all because of them!

The emperor pointed at each person with trembling fingers, finally settling on Prince Li.

"drag……"

He shook his head groggily, swaying his body from side to side, as if he were drunk.

"Drag it down..."

Everything in front of me was shrouded in mist.

His eyesight wasn't very good, and he would sometimes have trouble seeing things. He didn't pay attention to it, and rubbed his eyes with his sleeve. However, the dark shadow didn't disappear. Not only that, but his head felt as if a stone was weighing down on it.

"Beat them, beat them to death."

Gu Zhizhuo: "Nine, ten..."

The emperor's legs buckled, and he fell headfirst to the ground.

"Your Majesty!" Li Deshun exclaimed and rushed over, catching him with his body. The two of them fell into a heap.

Li Deshun hit the back of his head on the ground, and blood kept dripping from it. He struggled to get up and tried to help the emperor, but no matter how he pulled, the emperor did not respond.

The emperor lay unconscious on the ground. Li Deshun was terrified and blurted out, "Your Majesty?"

The chief minister crawled forward on his knees and carefully checked his breath.

There was still air.

Having just witnessed Prince Li's sudden stroke, Chief Minister Song's first thought was—could the Emperor have suffered a stroke?!

The Grand Secretary Song shouted, "Imperial Physician!!"

The imperial physicians rushed over, and one of them quickly checked the patient's pulse and then administered acupuncture.

Gu Zhizhuo felt a burning sensation in her chest. She swallowed the metallic taste in her mouth, thinking she hadn't shown any abnormality. The next moment, Xie Yingchen grabbed her hand.

Gu Zhizhuo scratched his palm to indicate that he was alright. The acupuncture had merely accelerated the turbulence of his blood and qi, causing him to faint from extreme anger. The emperor was already in a state of intense rage, so there wouldn't be any discernible signs in his pulse.

Xie Yingchen led her out of the crowded area, and then had someone help Prince Li out as well.

Prince Li's face turned pale and then red, a mixture of emotions swirling within him.

The moment the emperor was bent over, he felt a sense of relief and relief.

The Huazhang Palace was in chaos, with constant rustling and whispering sounds.

The ministers who arrived one after another looked at each other in confusion and inquired around.

Xie Yingchen watched the imperial physician perform acupuncture and said meaningfully, "Grand Uncle, the Emperor is ill."

“Yes, His Majesty is ill.” Prince Li did not understand at first and repeated it in a heavy tone, but then, a thought struck him and he turned to look at Xie Yingchen.

Xie Yingchen met his gaze calmly and said, "If you are sick, you should rest properly and not overwork yourself."

Prince Li remained silent for a long time; he understood Xie Yingchen's meaning. However, being disappointed in the emperor was one thing, but betraying the emperor was quite another.

“Your Highness,” Gu Zhizhuo said with a slight smile, as if chatting casually, “I originally wanted to buy Taihu stones today, but the shopkeeper said they were closing down and even sold me their prized possession, the rockery from the Shang family. The Shang family is truly extraordinary; I love that rockery so much. It’s Zhengmu Pavilion in the East City. Have you heard of it? It’s an old shop.”

"Remember."

At the end of the previous dynasty, warlords carved up the land. Before Emperor Taizu conquered the capital, it had already changed hands five or six times and was in a state of great desolation. Later, Emperor Taizu personally wrote letters to several well-known merchants, asking them to open shops in the capital and guaranteeing their safety. Wu Da Dongjia, behind Zhengmu Pavilion, was one of them, and now nearly a hundred shops in the capital are under his name.

Zhengmu Pavilion is one of them.

Prince Li asked in surprise, "Is Zhengmu Pavilion going to close?"

Gu Zhizhuo sighed softly: "Master Wu is afraid that what follows will be like the end of the previous dynasty, with war breaking out everywhere."

Prince Li was stunned and opened his mouth.

The emperor was not a gifted ruler, a far cry from the deposed crown prince. During his six-year reign, he failed to continue the prosperity brought by his predecessor, and instead caused the Great Qi Dynasty to decline.

Otherwise, Wu Da Dongjia wouldn't have considered leaving because of the Ji family.

These wealthy merchants were adept at judging the times and could see the signs of decline.

The previous dynasty, with a reign of over two hundred years, was like a giant lion, slowly marching towards its demise. The Great Qi, however, has only had three generations of rulers; its collapse could happen in an instant.

Gu Zhizhuo stopped there, and smiled, "You should be careful not to overwork yourself. If you fall ill again, it will be difficult to save you."

Prince Li's expression kept changing. After a few breaths, he sighed and walked over slowly with a resolute look in his eyes.

"How is the Emperor?"

After the imperial physician finished performing a set of acupuncture, he reported, "I have already performed acupuncture on His Majesty. He can be moved to the inner palace first, and then the rest of us will conduct a joint consultation with His Majesty."

Prince Li ordered the eunuchs to carry the emperor inside. Li Deshun also got up, but before he could stand properly, he fell down again, staining the ground with blood. Prince Li ordered someone to take him away so that the imperial physician could bandage him, and said, "Chen'er, Prince Jin, Duke of Wei, and Chief Minister Song, you few come in with me. The rest of you stay outside. His Majesty needs to rest."

Prince Li was the eldest of the late emperor's living brothers and also the head of the imperial clan. He was always fair and just, and his words carried considerable weight among the imperial clan.

Ji Nanke stood in the corner, and when she heard that Xie Jing had not returned yet, she anxiously clenched her handkerchief.

The eldest prince hesitated for a moment and did not dare to follow.

The eunuchs quietly settled the emperor, and the imperial physician knelt down to take his pulse again.

Prince Li asked, "Did His Majesty suffer a stroke?"

"It was anger that drove him to his wits' end..."

"A stroke caused by anger? I understand."

As Prince Li spoke, his fluctuating emotions gradually calmed down, and he sighed, "I have also suffered a stroke. The imperial physician said that one must rest well after a stroke and must not be stressed or angry."

"His Majesty has been quite distressed lately, experiencing extreme joy and sorrow. No wonder he has fallen ill at such a young age."

Forehead?

Chief Minister Song and the others all looked at him.

Xie Yingchen chimed in at just the right moment, "Uncle is right. The Emperor should not overwork himself. It is important to take care of his health."

The imperial physician was trembling and almost couldn't feel the pulse accurately.

The chief minister, Song, was astute. He stroked his beard and was the first to respond, "No wonder His Majesty spoke nonsense. What do you say, Prince Jin?"

It was rare for Prince Jin to agree with Chief Minister Song. He nodded in sudden realization: "So that's how it is. His Majesty has suffered a stroke. I've heard that strokes can cause confusion. It's also because we haven't been considerate enough."

As Master Changfeng once said, the sudden death of Lady Ji only intensified the emperor's obsession. Given the current situation, if he insists on making an illegitimate son the crown prince, I'm afraid no one can stop him.

The Prince of Jin had already decided to side with the Third Prince, so how could he accept a crown prince suddenly appearing out of nowhere?

The emperor should rest and recover for three months before making any further plans.

It's really hard to bear someone going this crazy.

"Your Majesty." Duke Wei wiped away his tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

The emperor's fingers trembled wildly at his side. He could hear what they were saying, but his body felt as if it were weighed down by a massive boulder and he couldn't move.

I did not have a stroke!

No!

The Duke of Wei noticed a slight movement under the quilt. He considerately pulled the quilt up for the emperor and said, choking back tears, "Your Majesty, you must rest well and get better soon so that we can be at ease." As he spoke, tears streamed down his face and dripped onto the quilt.

The emperor desperately tried to open his eyes, wanting to drag Prince Li, this traitorous minister, away and beat him to death.

"By the way," Prince Li narrowed his eyes and asked, "Chief Physician, what did you just say the Emperor's illness was?"

The imperial physician's heart was beating even faster, as if it were about to leap out of his chest.

"You must not make the wrong judgment. If you fail to save the Imperial Noble Consort, has the Emperor ordered you to be executed alive?"

To be sacrificed alive!

The imperial physician felt a growing sense of fear.

"Father!"

After Xie Jing went to the Wenyuan Pavilion to summon the Grand Secretariat, he also went to the Fengluan Palace, but returned a little late.

Upon entering Hanzhang Palace, he heard that the emperor had fainted, and immediately rushed in.

He rushed to the emperor's bedside, looked at the emperor who was breathing weakly, and asked anxiously, "Imperial Physician, how is Father? Tell me quickly!"

They hadn't misdiagnosed him, so why should he die for the Imperial Noble Consort? The imperial physician swallowed hard and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor suffered a stroke after experiencing extreme joy and sorrow. He needs to rest and recuperate."

Stroke? Xie Jing swayed, unable to believe it.

Extreme joy and sorrow. It's all for the Ji family, isn't it? Haha, all for the Ji family. It was Ke'er who caused it.

"I haven't had a stroke! No." The emperor's Adam's apple bobbed, but no sound came out. He couldn't move, he couldn't speak—had he really had a stroke? A nameless fear enveloped him.

"Please have the imperial physicians stay here and take good care of His Majesty," Prince Li sighed. "Our great Qi dynasty will last for thousands of generations. His Majesty must take good care of his health and not push himself too hard."

The imperial physician shuddered and bowed, replying, "Yes."

The other imperial physicians also hurriedly agreed, and were even asked to serve the emperor. Does this mean that for the time being, they no longer need to be forced to commit suicide for the imperial concubine?

"Your Highness, the imperial physicians still need to treat His Majesty. Let's go out first."

Prince Li gestured for him to be quiet and led him out.

Xie Jing followed Prince Li out in a daze, then listened blankly as he told the imperial family and officials that the emperor had suffered a stroke.

The emperor is not very reliable, but his sudden collapse still makes people feel particularly uneasy. Stroke can be serious or minor. It is very rare for someone like Prince Li to have a stroke and be fine now. It is normal for someone to be bedridden or even die from a stroke.

The emperor has not yet appointed a crown prince! Everyone unanimously ignored the fact that the emperor himself had said he would appoint Gu Yan as crown prince.

A country without a crown prince is bound to descend into chaos.

Xie Yingchen raised his hand, and everyone around fell silent.

He walked to the main seat, facing everyone, and only his voice remained in Hanzhang Palace, "Minister Fan, regarding the Ji family's funeral, His Majesty is somewhat confused due to a stroke, so we don't need to pay attention to what he said before."

Ji Nanke stepped forward and interjected, "The funeral rites for the Imperial Noble Consort were personally determined by the Emperor. What right do you have to abolish them at will?"

"Jing, you'd better manage your own people," Xie Yingchen said calmly. "I don't want to repeat myself."

Xie Jing looked embarrassed. He hugged her from behind and said forcefully, "Come out with me first."

He had almost completely lost his compassion for her, and dragged her away half-dragging and half-pulling her.

“You have no official position or rank, what right do you have to speak here?” Xie Jing said coldly, standing under the eaves. “Even the Empress Dowager wouldn’t interrupt so casually.”

"And what about her?"

Ji Nanke pointed indignantly inside. Gu Zhizhuo stood at the very front of the group of officials, calm and composed. Dressed in a scholar's robe and adorned with pearls and jade ornaments, he did not look out of place at all.

"she……"

Xie Jing's voice was slightly hoarse as he said, "Three days ago, Miss Gu officially took over the Qianji Battalion from Prince Gu. She was appointed by the imperial court and is now the commander of the battalion."

"She is qualified to stand in the Golden Palace."

What makes you think you can compare to her?

Ji Nanke was speechless. She suddenly realized that his gaze had not been focused on her for a very long time.

She grabbed his sleeve: "You have to fight for this posthumous title for your aunt."

Xie Jing did not agree to his request and went back. Ji Nanke was about to chase after him when she was stopped by the eunuchs.

She could only stand outside like a servant, watching as Fan Heng picked up the memorial that the Emperor had just thrown away and presented it again. The bloodstains on Fan Heng's forehead had dried, but there were still specks of blood on his clothes.

He bowed and asked, "What does Your Highness think should be done for the Imperial Noble Consort's funeral?"

Xie Yingchen took the memorial, but without reading it, he asked, "Has His Majesty offered sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple?"

The Imperial Noble Consort was a secondary empress, and her investiture differed from that of ordinary concubines, requiring the emperor to personally go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices.

Fan Heng: "None."

"Do you have a golden book and imperial seal?"

"It's not ready yet."

"Was there a formal investiture ceremony, in which the emperor and empress performed the six obeisances, three kneelings, and three kowtows?"

Xie Yingchen's voice grew louder with each utterance.

Fan Heng shook his head again: "No."

Xie Yingchen casually tossed the memorial in his hand onto the ground: "If that's the case, why was her funeral conducted according to the rites for an Imperial Noble Consort?"

Fan Heng was stunned and speechless for a long time.

The Grand Secretary Song suppressed a laugh and said to Fan Heng, "Old Fan, you're confused. There was no investiture ceremony, nor was she listed in the imperial genealogy. She's no imperial concubine at all. She's just a commoner who served the emperor and had no official rank."

"Since she has no official rank, there is no need for the Ministry of Rites to prepare a funeral for her."

Does she deserve to make the whole country mourn?

Grand Secretary Song said, "Isn't Headmaster Ji still at the Meridian Gate? Let him come and take Madam Ji back. Her husband's family has issued a decree of divorce, and as an unmarried woman, she should rightfully return to her family. How she is buried is the Ji family's business. Is the Ministry of Rites so empty lately that it even has to concern itself with the death of a commoner?"

Fan Heng immediately realized what was happening.

Yes, yes, yes. Without official investiture, and before the emperor could issue a decree posthumously conferring titles, the Ji family remained simply the Ji family.

Fan Heng repeatedly said, "It was my fault for being confused."

Prince Li gave a look of relief and told Headmaster Ji to take the body away. This would not only solve the current problem but also calm the public and quell the anger of the scholars, killing two birds with one stone.

The eldest son, as expected of someone raised by the late emperor, solved this major problem with ease.

The Prince of Jin narrowed his eyes, and using the matter of the Ji family, Xie Yingchen directly drew the attention of the courtiers away from the emperor's "serious illness".

He unknowingly took the dominant position.

This is bad. We must appoint a crown prince as soon as possible, otherwise three months will be enough for Xie Yingchen to gain sufficient power.

A note from the author: