Chapter 143 Choosing Sides
At this point, the matter was temporarily put to rest. Just as the emperor was about to turn back to his tent, he suddenly clutched his chest and coughed violently, his face turning red and his breathing becoming rapid.
"His Majesty!"
Consort Rong rushed forward and supported him with a worried expression.
"You have been working tirelessly these past few days, and you have also suffered a blow from what happened to His Highness the Crown Prince. You must take good care of your health! If anything were to happen to you, what would I do? What would happen to the officials and the people of the land?"
As soon as the words were spoken, a minister stepped forward and echoed them:
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is absolutely right. You have been working hard these past few days and have suffered this blow. Your health must be taken care of!"
"Your Majesty, I second that. The affairs of the court are currently very complicated, and His Highness the Crown Prince needs to rest. I humbly request Your Majesty to allow His Highness the Third Prince to share your burdens and handle some daily affairs, so as to prevent Your Majesty from overworking."
Another minister followed suit: "Minister Du is right! His Highness the Third Prince has always been intelligent and quick-witted. Over the years, he has often accompanied His Majesty to learn about government affairs. He is reliable and dependable in handling matters. I recommend that His Highness the Third Prince temporarily assume the reins of government. This will surely lighten His Majesty's burden!"
The two of them sang in unison, their eyes fixed on Chu Yan, full of admiration.
Chu Yan was overjoyed, but feigned humility and quickly knelt down to decline, saying, "Father, your son is still inexperienced and may not be able to shoulder such an important responsibility. Let's wait for my elder brother to wake up..."
"Your Majesty!" At this moment, another minister stepped forward and raised a different opinion.
“While the Third Prince is indeed outstanding, he is still young. I believe that His Highness Prince Cheng is Your Majesty’s brother, in the prime of his life, and has always been calm and composed. Perhaps he can also share Your Majesty’s burdens.”
Prince Cheng was also the son of the late emperor. However, his birth mother was of low status and was just a minor noblewoman. She died not long after giving birth to Prince Cheng. Among all the princes, Prince Cheng was always low-key, mediocre and incompetent, and had little presence. That's how he survived to this day.
Because in the emperor's eyes, he posed no threat whatsoever.
Over the years, Prince Cheng has always seemed to be well-behaved and content, living the life of a leisurely prince.
Upon hearing the minister's words, Chu Yan's expression darkened.
How dare a useless prince who spends all his time indulging in flowers, birds, insects, and fish compete with me?
Just as Chu Yan gave Minister Du a wink, someone outside the door reported:
"Your Majesty, Prince Cheng is away seeking an audience. Upon hearing of the Crown Prince's misfortune, he is deeply worried and has brought along Xue Yizhi, a renowned folk surgeon, hoping to offer his assistance to the Crown Prince!"
A flicker of emotion crossed the emperor's cloudy eyes. Everyone was vying for the throne, yet this younger brother, who usually only knew about romance and poetry, had managed to bring a renowned physician so promptly.
The emperor was quite pleased with this gesture.
"Announce."
Soon, the tent flap was lifted again, and a man who looked to be in his early forties, dressed in princely robes, walked steadily in.
His face bore a resemblance to the emperor's, but with softer features, a short beard, and gentle eyes, giving him an air of detachment from worldly affairs.
It was King Cheng, Chu Cong.
Behind him followed an elderly man in plain clothes, carrying a medicine chest on his back, with sharp eyes; he must be the 'Xue Yizhi'.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!" King Cheng bowed deeply, his voice heavy with sorrow.
"Upon hearing of the misfortune befalling my nephew, the Crown Prince, I was heartbroken. I recalled that when I was traveling the world in my youth, I had a brief encounter with this divine physician, Dr. Xue. His surgical skills were truly exceptional. Therefore, I invited him here overnight, hoping that he could help the Crown Prince's injuries. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."
The emperor felt much better knowing that there were still people genuinely concerned for the crown prince.
Compared to the ambitious and eager Third Prince, this younger brother seemed more genuine and showed more brotherly affection.
The emperor nodded, "You've put your heart into this. Okay, take Physician Xue to treat the Crown Prince."
After King Cheng rose, the Emperor, looking at the diverse thoughts of the people in the tent, wearily rubbed his temples. He then made a decision.
"The Crown Prince is seriously injured, and I am in a state of mental turmoil. I need to rest and recuperate. From today onwards, all affairs of the court will be temporarily managed by the Third Prince Chu Yan and Prince Cheng Chu Cong. If any major issues arise that cannot be resolved, they should be reported to me."
Chu Yan's fist clenched so tightly in his sleeve that it made a cracking sound, but he had to maintain a submissive expression on his face.
"Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"
In his heart, however, he was cursing King Cheng for his shamelessness.
...
With Xue Yizhi's help, the Crown Prince's injuries were quickly treated professionally.
Good news! The next morning, Crown Prince Chu Yu woke up from his coma.
The bad news is that the Crown Prince's leg meridians have been severed, and Xue Yizhi is powerless to save him. He also announced that Chu Yu will only be able to stand and walk again if a miracle occurs.
These words were tantamount to announcing Chu Yu's 'death sentence'. From this point on, a tremendous change occurred in the imperial court.
How can a crown prince who cannot stand and whose mobility is confined to a wheelchair rule the world and perform sacrifices to heaven and earth?
In an instant, the scales in the hearts of many ministers who had been observing the situation tilted dramatically.
Although everyone sympathized with the Crown Prince's plight, seeing that the Crown Prince had no hope, if they did not take a stand now, how could they still have a place when the new Crown Prince ascended the throne?
If the undercurrents in the court were previously subtle, they had now become an open display of factionalism. Officials flocked to the Third Prince Chu Yan's tent to inquire about his affairs or report on government matters, their presence nearly breaking down the threshold.
On Prince Cheng Chu Cong's side, although his residence wasn't as bustling as the Third Prince's, a considerable number of officials had quietly gathered.
Meanwhile, the area in front of the crown prince's tent quickly became deserted.
Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had regained consciousness and learned from his personal attendant that his legs would never allow him to stand again, he remained silent for a long time. His previously clear and wise eyes became dull and gray. In just a few days, he had lost a great deal of weight.
Upon hearing the news, the Emperor lost his appetite and, despite his illness, went to visit her. He then fell ill upon returning and remained bedridden. The task of serving her medicine and attending to her daily needs fell entirely on Consort Rong.
From then on, the entire court and the inner palace were controlled by the third prince and his mother.
Meanwhile, Shen Guangnian's investigation was also proceeding intensively.
According to Su Xiaoyu's description, the night before the incident, Wu Tie, the deputy commander of the guards around the Third Prince, came to the stable and tampered with "Zhaoye".
Therefore, Shen Guangnian immediately summoned a veterinary doctor from the Imperial Stud who was proficient in veterinary medicine, along with several assistants, to conduct a comprehensive examination of 'Zhaoye'.
However, after several veterinarians carefully examined 'Zhaoye' for a long time, checking the saddle, reins, and even the horseshoes, as well as 'Zhaoye's' mouth, tongue, and excrement, they came to a conclusion.
"Reporting to the Master, apart from the injury to its front leg, we have not found any signs of poisoning or drug use on this horse. The horse's tack is also intact and has not been tampered with."
Su Xiaoyu listened anxiously from the side.
"That's impossible!"
Wu Tie risked coming that night; it's impossible that he did nothing.
There's definitely something wrong with 'Shining Night's' sudden madness.
She had her suspicions, but she couldn't provide any evidence.
Su Xiaoyu walked to 'Zhaoye' herself, gently stroking the horse's neck, her gaze scanning every inch of it from head to toe like a scanner.
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