Kyoto City, the Holy King's Palace.
Dao Yi studied for several days but still couldn't figure out a way to cure the Gu, which made Bai Shi very anxious.
Mr. Bai has been unable to eat or sleep well for quite some time.
Seeing Bai Shi's restless state, Su Xuening felt very sorry for her and comforted her, "I have already written back to my martial uncle. I believe he will definitely come back after receiving the letter. As long as he returns, we will be able to remove the curse from the Emperor."
"Hmm." Madam Bai responded softly. She wasn't just worried about Xuan Yuanpeng; Zhan'er wasn't by her side either, and she was also a little flustered, fearing that something might happen to Zhan'er as well.
Dao Yi also looked at Bai Shi and advised, "He hasn't been controlled yet, has he? If the puppet gu in his body can be cured, perhaps his tuberculosis will also disappear along with the removal of the puppet gu."
Pei Luo frowned, disagreeing with Dao Yi's words, but did not interrupt.
Even if the puppet poison could be cured, the emperor's tuberculosis was not something that could be cured so easily!
Tuberculosis is not only difficult to cure completely, but it is also almost impossible to cure!
Having already contracted tuberculosis, all bodily functions are impaired; how could it simply disappear like that!
However, Pei Luo didn't want to say such discouraging things. Everything could only be determined after You Yi returned and checked on the emperor's condition.
The Imperial Palace.
Today is the day when Xuanyuan Yu and Xuanyuan Zhi report on state affairs together.
Before going to court, the two first went to see Xuanyuan Peng.
Xuanyuan Zhi spoke first: "Father, the northern lands are currently suffering from disasters, and the national treasury is empty. I believe that military pay has been wasted in recent years. I suggest that military pay and food allowances be appropriately reduced, which can also help Eastern Chu increase revenue and reduce expenditure."
Before Xuanyuan Zhi could finish speaking, Xuanyuan Yu couldn't wait to speak up: "Father, military pay and provisions are of great importance. If we really want to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, I suggest that we reduce the salaries of the court officials, especially the civil officials, such as the Minister of Revenue. Their salaries could be halved. This would reduce government spending and thus increase revenue and reduce expenditure."
Upon hearing that Xuan Yuan Yu had specifically mentioned his father-in-law, the Minister of Revenue, Xuan Yuan Zhi's face instantly turned green. He spoke again, "Father, the national treasury is currently empty, and Eastern Chu is in a difficult situation. The salaries of the court officials can be reduced, but the military pay and provisions should also be reduced accordingly."
Xuan Yuanzhi argued forcefully, but Xuan Yuanyu was equally unyielding: "Father! A strong army makes a strong nation. The reason why Eastern Chu has become such a powerful country today is inseparable from its strong army. Unauthorized reduction of military pay and food expenses is no small matter."
"Father..."
"Cough cough..." Xuan Yuanzhi wanted to say something, but Xuan Yuanpeng inside didn't want to listen anymore. He pretended to cough twice to interrupt their argument, and then said weakly while panting, "Stop arguing. Third brother is right. Military pay and provisions are not child's play and should not be moved lightly."
"Father!" Xuan Yuanzhi was surprised that Xuan Yuanpeng denied him so directly, and he became a little anxious.
Not to mention Xuan Yuanzhi, even Xuan Yuanyu himself didn't expect Xuan Yuanpeng to help him like this, and suddenly a little excitement welled up in his heart.
Could it be that the puppet poison worked, and that's why his father heard his heart and was willing to help him?
Just as Xuanyuan Yu was thinking this, Xuanyuan Peng, who was inside, spoke up again: "From now on, if you brothers have different opinions, listen to the third brother."
The two people outside were stunned again.
Xuanyuan Zhi frowned, not understanding why his father was suddenly favoring Xuanyuan Yu so much again.
From childhood to adulthood, his father only knew how to cultivate Xuanyuan Yu, and later favored Xuanyuan Zhan. This time, his father finally noticed him and let him handle state affairs with Xuanyuan Yu.
But who could have imagined that the Emperor would ultimately side with Xuanyuan Yu? He didn't object to anything Xuanyuan Yu said! On the other hand, no matter what suggestions he made, the Emperor wouldn't support them!
Has Father Emperor made a decision? Does he still favor Xuanyuan Yu to ascend the throne?
If that's the case, why didn't you let him handle state affairs earlier? Wouldn't it have been better to let Xuanyuan Yu handle them all by himself?
Not to mention Xuan Yuanzhi, even Xuan Yuanyu himself didn't expect Xuan Yuanpeng to suddenly be so supportive of him.
He couldn't help but wonder if the puppet Gu he had used before had worked, so his father heard his thoughts and was therefore favoring him.
"Father..." Xuan Yuanzhi wanted to say something more, but Xuan Yuanpeng coughed twice and said weakly, "Alright, I'm tired. You may all leave."
Xuan Yuanzhi clenched his fists in resentment, yet dared not disobey Xuan Yuanpeng's wishes.
Xuanyuan Yu was overjoyed, and even gave Xuanyuan Zhi a mocking glance, full of provocation.
"Your subject takes his leave."
The two bowed and left the main hall of Chengqian Palace.
After the two left, Zong Jiu stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, it was clearly the Third Prince who harmed you, so why did you still listen to his opinion?"
Zong Jiu was about to hate Xuan Yuan Yu to death.
If Xuanyuan Yu hadn't shown no regard for father-son relations and treated the Emperor so cruelly, how could the Emperor have become like this!
Xuanyuan Peng leaned against the large pillow and said weakly, "Just because he was the one who attacked me, I'm worried that if he sees that the puppet gu in my body hasn't reacted for a long time, he'll do other evil things to me."
He didn't understand the matter of Gu worms, but since he could easily use Gu on him, he might be able to do other things to him as well.
He cannot die now; he must wait until Zhan'er returns!
Moreover, his deliberate sympathy for him might be because he thinks that since the Puppet Gu in his body has already been activated, he won't deliberately activate the Love Flower Gu in his body anymore.
He didn't want to be controlled by him at all. He was really afraid that he would hurt Ya'er and Zhan'er because he was controlled by Xuan Yuan Yu!
Zong Jiu finally understood Xuan Yuanpeng's good intentions, and his eyes immediately reddened.
His Majesty has truly gone to great lengths. I hope His Highness can finish his business soon and return to the capital as soon as possible.
Upon leaving Chengqian Palace, Xuanyuan Yu couldn't wait to start mocking Xuanyuan Zhi: "I was raised by my father as the crown prince since I was a child. The suggestions you made were so rotten that they were beyond redemption. Fortunately, my father is still clear-headed and wasn't fooled by you, otherwise the entire Eastern Chu would have been ruined by you!"
Xuan Yuanzhi coldly rebuked, "Did Father Emperor groom you to be the crown prince? I only saw Father Emperor send Xuan Yuanzhan to the North. If Father Emperor really valued you, why didn't he send you to this kind of prestigious job?"
Xuanyuan Yu's face stiffened, but his words remained firm: "Father was confused before, but he's not confused now!"
"I don't think Father Emperor is very clear-headed right now either."
Xuan Yuanzhi said something with a gloomy face, then left without wanting to waste any more words with him.
Seeing this, Xuanyuan Yu stared at Xuanyuan Zhi's back and shouted, "Xuanyuan Zhi, you and I are jointly overseeing the country, you can't defeat me!"
"Is that so? We'll see!"
Xuanyuan Zhi didn't even turn his head, then uttered a harsh remark before heading straight to court.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
