outside the palace
The officials, who were kept at a distance, were still eagerly awaiting news, but they only saw the Crown Prince hurriedly open the palace gates, followed by a large number of imperial physicians filing in.
"What's going on? Why have they summoned the imperial physician again?"
"His Majesty's health has deteriorated significantly since the assassination attempt, and this latest shock could be..."
"Never say such unlucky things."
After examining His Majesty's pulse, the imperial physician shook his head repeatedly and looked at the Crown Prince: "What has happened to His Majesty? His pulse is completely disordered. I'm afraid... Your Highness, Your Highness, we should make preparations as soon as possible."
After administering another life-extending pill, the imperial physician instructed a palace maid to prepare the medicine.
After an incense stick had burned, Emperor Xiaoxuan slowly opened his eyes. He tried to speak but found that he could not speak and could not move his limbs. At this moment, the palace maid had already brought in the medicine, and Zhou Xuance reached out and took it, saying, "Brother, let me feed you."
The imperial physicians looked at each other in bewilderment.
His Majesty and the Prince truly have a deep brotherly bond!
The imperial physician looked at Zhou Xuance and said, "Your Highness, when His Majesty was assassinated last time, it was one of the doctors in your household who cleared the poison from His Majesty's body. This shows that his medical skills are superb. Why don't you ask him to come and treat His Majesty?"
"Useless. He is only good at toxicology. He is an expert in poisoning and antidote, but how can he compare to the doctors of the Imperial Medical Bureau when it comes to treating and saving lives?"
Toxicology?
Poisoning!
Emperor Xiaoxuan's pupils suddenly widened.
He vaguely recalled that after being assassinated and poisoned, the imperial physicians were helpless, but it was the doctor in his household who cured him. Afterwards, the doctor gave him many rewards, and he drank the medicine to clear the remaining poison for more than a month.
At first, my health did improve, but gradually, my condition deteriorated.
Is it possible...?
From the very beginning, he never intended to cure himself!
As long as his health cannot be restored, the Crown Prince can continue to oversee the country and will need to rely on him.
He could also take the opportunity to sow discord between himself and the Crown Prince. Not only that, he could also secretly arrange for the madwoman to disrupt the sacrificial ceremony, making him lose face in front of all the officials.
perhaps,
He had known about the Empress's assassination attempt for a long time.
Then, go with the flow.
Having sat on the throne for so long, Emperor Xiaoxuan was certainly perceptive and quickly sorted out everything. However, he was powerless to resist. Zhou Xuance stirred the medicine bowl with a spoon, and the brothers' eyes met in that instant...
One is resentment, a sense of helplessness in old age;
One was cold, sharp, and spirited;
"Brother, drink your medicine." Zhou Xuance fed him the medicine spoonful by spoonful.
His lips trembled, and the medicine inevitably spilled. He took a handkerchief, bent down, and gently wiped it away, saying in a voice barely audible to the two of them, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I am not as heartless as you. If you pass away, I will certainly treat the Empress Dowager well, until..."
"She passed away peacefully at the age of 100."
Emperor Xiaoxuan's pupils dilated suddenly, his eyes filled with a look that seemed to want to strangle him!
Zhou Xuance had already stood up. A palace maid immediately stepped forward to take the dirty handkerchief and brought him water to wash his hands. He then looked at the Crown Prince and said, "Yuanbi, Your Majesty's health is already like this. You must not worry. There are still many things that need your attention."
"Uncle, I understand."
The uncle and nephew walked out of the main hall together, and the waiting officials immediately bowed.
"My imperial brother is in poor health. The imperial physician has diagnosed him as no longer able to govern and requires rest. Fearing suspicion and infighting in the court, my imperial brother has drafted an edict in my presence, declaring his abdication immediately."
abdicate?
This word shocked the court officials, and even Shen Zhiyi subconsciously looked up at Zhou Xuance.
What happened?
She knows all too well how much our Emperor values this position, how could he possibly step down so easily?
Then who will inherit the throne?
Was it him?
He's still the Crown Prince!
The courtiers were shocked, yet dared not utter a word, silently listening as an eunuch read the abdication edict. Their hearts were filled with unease, but they heard only: "The abdication is passed to Crown Prince Zhou Yuanbi, may he be diligent and love the people..."
The ministers finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Because His Majesty favors the Regent, and compared to him, the Crown Prince is rather mediocre.
Therefore, everyone thought that His Majesty would abdicate in favor of the Regent, but the Regent's health was fluctuating and he was not suitable to take charge of the government.
The matter of abdication is of great importance, and Zhou Xuance did not return to his residence that night.
His father, elder brother, and a group of important officials were all kept behind for discussion.
Shen Zhiyi returned to the Duke's Mansion with her mother. As soon as she returned to the courtyard, she heard from the maid that Wen Qing had arrived.
"Sister-in-law, you're pregnant, why aren't you resting yet?" Shen Zhiyi frowned.
"Ever since I started experiencing morning sickness, I've been sleeping whenever I'm tired. Maybe it's because I've been sleeping too much during the day, but I don't feel sleepy right now. Besides, with such a big incident and martial law in Beijing, who can sleep?"
"Then sit down quickly. Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"
As soon as Shen Zhiyi finished speaking, Wen Qing looked at her seriously, "Was tonight's incident really just an accident?"
"Sister-in-law?"
“I know that the Regent is the same Xiao guard who used to serve in your household.”
"When did you find out?" Shen Zhiyi asked in shock.
"I already knew that."
"Then, brother..."
“I told him, but he didn’t believe me.”
"..."
The aunt and sister-in-law exchanged some words, and it was clear that tonight's events were definitely related to Zhou Xuance, but she truly did not know the details.
**
So much happened that night.
Chen's disruption of the sacrificial ceremony exposes Emperor Xiaoxuan's plot against the Shen family. The emperor, enraged, falls ill and abdicates in favor of Crown Prince Zhou Yuanbi. Meanwhile, preparations are underway in the palace for the new emperor's enthronement ceremony.
In the thirteenth year of the Jiahe era, Emperor Xiaoxuan abdicated, and the crown prince ascended the throne.
The country's name was changed to Qingyuan.
Historically known as:
Emperor Yongning.
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