Mountain Rain
The emperor is critically ill.
This news spread like a plague through the upper echelons of the capital, weighing heavily on the hearts of everyone who heard it. After personally examining the emperor's pulse, the chief judge of the Imperial Hospital shook his head and left the Western Inner Courtyard. His grief-stricken expression spoke volumes. The emperor, resting on the dragon couch, was barely breathing, relying solely on ginseng decoction to keep him alive, his moments of lucidity dwindling.
The Empress Dowager's Cining Palace became the de facto center of power. Under the pretext of "fearing disturbing the Emperor's presence," she guarded the Western Inner Court like an iron barrel, meticulously checking even a fly. All medicines and food passed through had to be personally inspected by her trusted maids. While appearing to be deeply concerned, she effectively cut off the Emperor from all contact with the outside world, especially with the Crown Prince's family.
"Your Majesty... I'm afraid it'll only be a few days." The Empress Dowager twirled her Buddhist beads as she sat on a phoenix chair covered in bright yellow cushions. Her tone was calm, but a subtle fervor and calculation lurked deep in her eyes. She had waited for this day for far too long. As soon as the Emperor died, she would, in her esteem as Grand Empress Dowager, unite with the Third Prince and, claiming the Crown Prince's "immorality," depose and enthronize him! Then, the world would truly be hers!
"Mother, you are wise." The Third Prince, Xie Wujiu, bowed and stood below, his face filled with uncontrollable excitement. "The troops in the capital are under our control. We are only waiting for the right moment..."
"Don't get carried away," the Queen Mother interrupted calmly. "Xie Wuqi has returned to the capital. Although the northern border troops haven't been mobilized, he's a fierce tiger himself. And the Crown Prince... after all, he's the legitimate heir."
"Xie Wuqi is nothing to be afraid of! He has committed a crime by returning to the capital without permission! As for the Crown Prince..." Xie Wujiu sneered, his tone contemptuous, "That loser is probably hiding in the East Palace, trembling in fear!"
"Better safe than sorry." The Queen Mother glanced at him and said, "Have your people keep a close eye on the Eastern Palace and Prince Jing's Mansion, as well as...that Xu Xianyue. She's a strange woman, don't let her ruin everything."
"I understand."
Meanwhile, within the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Xie Wuchen was like an ant on the hot pan. His father was critically ill, and he was isolated from the outside world. The Empress Dowager and the Third Prince were watching closely, and he felt like a fish on the chopping block, ready to be slaughtered at any moment.
"Seventh Uncle! Seventh Uncle! You must save me!" As soon as he saw Xie Wuqi coming to discuss things, he almost knelt down, tears streaming down his face. "If anything happens to my father, I, the Third Brother, will never let me go! You hold the military power in your hands, so you must ensure that I ascend the throne!"
Xie Wuqi looked at his nephew, who showed no sign of being a crown prince, feeling annoyed, but he had to suppress his temper. "Your Highness, please be patient. His Majesty is still alive. You and I are his subjects, and we should prioritize His Majesty's health. The most urgent task is to confirm His Majesty's true condition and obtain His Majesty's will."
"But the Western Inner Courtyard is tightly guarded. How can we confirm it? How can we get the imperial edict?" the prince asked anxiously.
"There will always be a way." Xie Wuqi's eyes were deep. "Your Highness needs to do now is to calm down those old ministers in the court who are still waiting and watching, and show the responsibility that a crown prince should have, instead of panicking here."
After appeasing or perhaps intimidating the Crown Prince, Xie Wuqi returned to Prince Jing's residence, the solemnity between his brows still lingering. The situation in the capital was worse than he had anticipated. The Queen Mother and the Third Prince practically controlled the inner palace and the military power within the capital, leaving his own side seemingly on the defensive.
"Your Highness," Jingzhe appeared silently, "There's news from Princess Huixi that she has 'recovered' from her illness and will be heading to Chengxin Hall to 'visit' the Third Prince tomorrow."
Xie Wuqi's eyes flashed. Hui Xi... She really couldn't stand being lonely. Well, let's just muddy the waters a little more.
"Have our people cooperate secretly to ensure her 'safety' and obtain the exact details of her meeting with Xie Wujiu."
"yes."
In another secluded courtyard in Prince Jing's Mansion, Lin Qingyan came to visit Xu Xianyue with a box of newly prepared calming incense.
Xu Xianyue was sorting medicinal herbs. When she saw him come in, she nodded slightly.
"Miss Xu," Lin Qingyan placed the incense box on the table. He looked at her profile, still thin but with a touch of calmness and composure, and felt a mixture of emotions. The situation in the capital had suddenly changed, and she was at the center of the vortex, yet she remained so calm. This kind of heart made him admire and feel distressed.
"I made this incense using agarwood, benzoin and some calming herbs. Maybe it can help you sleep well at night." His tone was gentle, with subtle concern.
"Thank you, Doctor Lin." Xu Xianyue thanked him in a cold tone.
Lin Qingyan looked at her calm face, hesitated for a long time, and finally mustered up the courage to whisper: "Xianyue... The capital is now a place of trouble and danger. Have you... have you ever thought about leaving?"
Xu Xianyue paused slightly while sorting the herbs and looked up at him: "Leaving?"
"Yes." Lin Qingyan met her gaze, his eyes filled with sincerity and earnestness. "I know a place with picturesque scenery and peaceful environment. If you are willing, I can resign from my position as imperial physician and take you away from this dangerous place. We...we can..."
He didn't finish his words, but his meaning was clear.
Xu Xianyue looked at him quietly, taking in the pure and blazing light in his eyes, her heart unmoved. Lin Qingyan was a gentleman, sincere, kind, and dedicated to his medical skills. If it were another time, another place, perhaps...
But she only shook her head gently, her tone calm and firm: "Doctor Lin, I appreciate your kindness. But I have married into the Prince Jing's mansion and am the Princess of Jing. Leaving now would be disloyal; leaving the prince in danger without caring would be unrighteous. Moreover..."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the gloomy sky outside the window. Her voice was as clear and cold as ever: "Although this world is vast, if your heart is not free, everywhere is a cage. I choose to stay, not for anyone else, but for myself. I want to see this game of chess to its end with my own eyes, to see what the world will be like after this storm."
Her words, like ice water, extinguished the last glimmer of hope in Lin Qingyan's eyes. He looked at her, at the silent yet resolute ice in her eyes, and his heart was filled with bitterness and powerlessness.
He knew she had made up her mind. The invisible yet strong bond between her and Prince Jing was beyond his control.
"I... understand." Lin Qingyan lowered his head to hide the disappointment in his eyes. When he looked up again, he had regained his usual gentleness. "In that case, Qingyan... I wish you all that you wish for. If there's anything you need from Qingyan, please feel free to ask."
He bowed, said nothing more, and turned to leave. His back was a bit lonely, but also revealed a sense of relief.
Xu Xianyue watched him leave and sighed softly. Love was the most difficult thing to understand. She had betrayed Lin Qingyan's sincerity, but she had no regrets. Her path, from the very beginning, was destined to be a lonely one.
The next day, Princess Huixi set up the ceremonial procession and went to Chengxin Hall to "visit" the third prince.
She was wearing a simple palace dress, her face still pale from her illness, but she was trying to be energetic, with just the right amount of worry and dependence between her eyebrows.
"Third brother," she dismissed her attendants, leaving only two trusted palace maids outside the door. She bowed to Xie Wujiu Yingying, her voice choked with sobs, "Last time I was poisoned, I almost... I almost didn't see you again! Thinking about it now, I'm still terrified."
Xie Wujiu looked at her pitiful appearance, and then thought of her being born of the same mother as him. His previous doubts dissipated a little, and he pretended to help her up: "Imperial sister, you have suffered. It's all because of those villains! I will definitely take care of you!"
"Thank you, my Royal Brother!" Princess Huixi raised her tearful eyes, "Now, Father... the only one I can rely on in this world is you, my Royal Brother. As long as you don't despise me, I am willing to lend a helping hand!"
She lowered her voice and said, "My sister has been in the palace for many years and has some connections. As for the Empress Dowager...my sister can also help her."
A gleam flashed in Xie Wujiu's eyes. Hui Xi did have some influence in the palace. If he could gain her sincere help, perhaps he would have a better chance of dealing with that old fox, the Queen Mother. After all, the Queen Mother was not his biological mother, and cooperation was only a temporary measure.
"My dear sister, you are so thoughtful." Xie Wujiu patted her hand with a smile on his face. "When the great event is accomplished, I will definitely not treat you unfairly."
The two of them had their own ulterior motives and talked very happily.
However, they didn't know that every word of this conversation was clearly recorded by Xie Wuqi's ears and eyes hidden in the dark.
The news soon reached Xie Wuqi's ears.
"Hui Xi... is indeed a smart man." Xie Wuqi's lips curled up with a cold arc, "He knows how to gain the greatest benefits for himself." She pretended to surrender to the third prince, which could not only temporarily preserve herself, but also pave the way for subsequent actions.
He looked out the window and saw that the sky was getting darker and dark clouds were gathering overhead.
Mountain rain is coming.
All the pieces are in place.
The emperor is critically ill, the empress dowager and the third prince are sharpening their knives, the crown prince is in a state of panic, Princess Huixi is secretly making plans, and he and Xu Xianyue are also ready to face the storm.
This chess game that concerns the fate of the world has finally reached the moment when the truth is revealed.
Next, it depends on who has better means and who has better luck.
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