Chapter 238 Countdown 1

Zheng, who was far away in the suburbs of the capital, suddenly felt a pang in her heart. She subconsciously looked in the direction of the capital, feeling that something bad had happened. But now she was detained in the villa and could not protect herself. What could she do?

Madam Zheng rushed out of the house, banging on the closed door, and shouted, "Go and tell the master, I want to go back!"

However, the only answer he received was silence.

*

Xiao Yuancheng was angry all night and barely fell asleep in the middle of the night. When he woke up the next day, he was exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes and an unhealthy grayish complexion.

Bai De'an sensed something was amiss upon seeing this, and hurried forward to support him, carefully comforting him, "Your Majesty, please do not worry about this. Your health is most important! I understand what you're worried about. His Royal Highness Prince An... Sigh, if you fall ill due to this, I'm afraid even more trouble will arise in the court, which would only serve the interests of some people."

Bai De'an wanted to comfort him, but he didn't expect that his last words would be like a spark that suddenly fell into Xiao Yuancheng's heart which was full of dry firewood.

"I'm afraid more things are going to happen..." Xiao Yuancheng leaned on the dragon bed, muttering this sentence, his cloudy eyes slowly turning a few times.

Yes, if he falls, what will happen to those sons who are secretly preparing to make moves?

The eldest brother holds military power, the second brother is surrounded by a circle of civil officials and has recently won over the Marquis of Zhenbei. The third brother and the sixth brother are at loggerheads, and it seems it's a life-or-death struggle. And then there's the fifth brother, who is about to return to the capital from the border...

Are they all hoping that he will die soon so that they can climb to this position?

Since they all want my chair... a cold and calculating light flashed in Xiao Yuancheng's eyes.

Then why don't I... take advantage of their strategy?

Bai De'an saw that the emperor remained silent for a long time, his expression changing constantly, and he was feeling uneasy, but then he saw Xiao Yuancheng suddenly raise his hand and motion for him to come closer.

The emperor's voice was extremely low, with a hint of deliberately constructed weakness, yet it contained an unquestionable command: "Xuanyuan is coming... Remember, enter through the side door."

Bai De'an was stunned for a moment, then he saw the sharp glint in the emperor's eyes that was definitely not that of a sick and weak person. He instantly understood something, and his heart suddenly shuddered. He quickly bowed and whispered, "Your servant... Your servant understands! I will do it right away."

"By the way, the Imperial Concubine is still kneeling outside."

Xiao Yuancheng narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly, "When the imperial physician arrives, persuade her to go back. If she doesn't go back, she won't be able to hold on to her position as the Imperial Concubine anymore."

"yes."

Bai De'an accepted the order and withdrew, already having a plan in mind. He quietly arranged for a young eunuch to go to the Imperial Hospital to ask for Director Wang, specifically instructing him to enter the palace through the west gate to avoid being seen.

About a quarter of an hour later, after calculating the time, Bai De'an walked towards the figure who had been kneeling outside the Zichen Palace all night.

The Imperial Concubine had long lost her former elegance and grace. Her face was pale, and her eyes were dark blue. She heard footsteps and suddenly looked up, a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Chief Steward Bai... will His Majesty see me? The child..."

Bai De'an sighed, stepped forward and gave her a light support, his voice carrying just the right amount of helplessness and consolation: "Your Majesty, why are you doing this? His Majesty is furious right now. Wouldn't your kneeling like this only make him more upset?"

He left his words unfinished, leaving plenty of room for imagination. Just then, he deliberately glanced westward and saw a man in the side courtyard, carrying a medicine box and led by a young eunuch, walking hurriedly and solemnly towards the side gate of the Purple Palace.

The Imperial Concubine's eyes subconsciously followed the past and caught the hurried and serious silhouette of the Dean! Her heart sank suddenly.

The director of the Imperial Hospital? And he went through the side door? Is His Majesty ill? Is he really sick from anger? And it looks like he's seriously ill, to the point where he needs to hide his illness?

Bai De'an took in the Imperial Concubine's instantly changing expression, thinking to himself that the time had come, but he pretended to be calm and continued to advise earnestly:

"Your Highness, please listen to my advice and return to the palace. His Majesty has said that if you don't return to rest and recuperate, I'm afraid... I'm afraid your position as Imperial Noble Consort will be shaken."

The imperial concubine raised her head instantly, fear flashing in her pupils, and then a cold resentment replaced the worry and begging. Wasn't it just that his health was not good and he was afraid that she would stay outside the palace and see the real situation?

"Okay... okay... I'm leaving." The Imperial Concubine's voice was hoarse, with a hint of barely perceptible hatred. "Butler Bai, please serve His Majesty well."

She staggered to her feet, her knees stinging from kneeling for so long, but it was far less painful than the chill and anger in her heart. She cast a long glance at the closed palace door, then turned, holding onto the hand of a palace maid, and trudged out of the Purple Palace.

Along the way, the imperial concubine thought more and more that the emperor was really dying. Since he was unwilling to forgive and was weak, don't blame her for being ruthless.

She dismissed all but her most trusted nanny, "Find a way to quietly pass this message to the concubines! Tell them that His Majesty is so ill that he's even secretly summoned the imperial physician."

Once this word gets out, the concubines will naturally tell their children, and then investigate further, as long as it is confirmed to be true, haha.

She's determined to muddy the waters! If we want chaos, let's all join in! Let's see who has the last laugh in the end!

The message from the Imperial Concubine was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, quickly and secretly creating ripples among the residences of several princes.

Little did he know that this was exactly what Xiao Yuancheng wanted.

The news seemed to have grown wings, cautiously yet inevitably "leaking" out. The atmosphere in Zichen Palace suddenly became more subtle and tense.

The palace servants held their breath as they walked, and the spies planted by various parties began to frantically convey the same message to the outside of the palace - Your Majesty, I'm afraid you are really sick from anger, and your illness is very serious.

Xiao Yuancheng lay on the dragon couch, closing his eyes to rest, but a cold arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

The sickbed is the most testing time for a person's heart. He wanted to see which of his wolfish sons would be the first to burst out and show his fangs and claws when he, the tiger, seemed to be truly "sick".

This is the perfect time to clean up the mess and distinguish between loyalty and treachery. His throne is not so easy to sit on!