"Your Majesty, I have learned a set of acupuncture techniques from the imperial physicians that can help you recover temporarily," Consort Lan said, taking out a packet of silver needles from her chest.
Acupuncture was performed on the old emperor's Sizhu, Zhongchong, and Tianquan acupoints respectively.
"Hah...ha..." With the old emperor's heavy breathing, he found that he could speak again.
"My beloved concubine..." The emperor was now filled with gratitude towards Consort Lan, after all, she was the only person who had come to save him during the long period of being controlled by Eunuch Cao.
"Your Majesty, please have some chicken soup first."
As Consort Lan spoke, she helped the old emperor sit up, scooped up a spoonful of medicine, and fed it to him.
"This is a fine medicine that I asked Physician Zhao to specially prepare," Consort Lan said, taking out a small medicine box from her sleeve. She had thought that Eunuch Cao would have the palace maids search her, so she had hidden a pill in the chicken soup. She didn't expect him to let her in so easily.
"This medicine can neutralize the medicine that Eunuch Cao feeds Your Majesty every day. Your Majesty, you should find an opportunity to take one pill every day. When I am able to kill that eunuch, I will save you from this predicament."
The concubine spoke sincerely, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, but how much of it was genuine? Who could say for sure?
"Thank you... my beloved consort." The old emperor swallowed the pills that Consort Lan had fed him and said in a weak voice.
"I have come here at this risk because I have something else to tell you." Consort Lan did not dare to delay any longer and quickly got to the point.
"I have heard that the Third Prince is secretly recruiting able-bodied men to form an army near the Forbidden City."
Although Xiao Dongyang told her that the emperor already knew about this matter and had sent Zhou Zhizhi to monitor him, Consort Lan pretended not to know and immediately pinned the death sentence on the Third Prince.
At this time, the emperor trusted Consort Lan completely, regarding her as his only lifeline.
Hearing Consort Lan's words, he had no doubts, as he had already guessed it, but he didn't expect Xiao Nan Gua to be so impatient.
He felt utterly heartbroken. His third prince was actually hoping for his death, and he didn't know how much the empress had been involved. The emperor slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was no trace of kinship left in them.
"Please, my beloved consort, help me capture this rebellious son and throw him into the imperial prison to await his fate." The old emperor patted Consort Lan's hand, removed the jade thumb ring from his own hand, and placed it in her hand.
"Your Majesty, I obey." Consort Lan carefully accepted the jade thumb ring. "Your Majesty, I will do everything in my power to capture this rebellious prince!"
This jade thumb ring was worn by the emperor himself, symbolizing the emperor's power. It could mobilize the palace guards and command the court officials, making it second only to the Imperial Seal and the Tiger Tally.
The reason why Eunuch Cao did not take it was firstly because he felt that the emperor was bedridden and under his control in the four palaces posed no threat.
Secondly, and most importantly, he had no legitimate reason to show the ring to his ministers and instruct them.
"Your Majesty, I cannot stay here any longer. Please take care!"
"Please take good care of yourself and wait for me to come and save you!" At this moment, the person who least wanted the old emperor to pass away was Consort Lan.
After speaking, Consort Lan performed a deep bow, took the food box, and withdrew, leaving the old emperor alone on his bed, silently shedding tears.
...
"Mother, what a brilliant plan!" After listening to Consort Lan's account, the eldest prince, Xiao Dongyang, praised repeatedly.
At this moment, Consort Lan took out the Emperor's jade thumb ring and gently placed it in the eldest prince's hand.
"With this jade thumb ring, it's like having an imperial edict. Yang'er, you can now rightfully go and attack the Third Prince," Consort Lan said smugly.
"However, we also need to put in more effort to rescue the Emperor, because if he dies, even ten jade thumb rings won't be of any use."
"Moreover, once we rescue your father, he will surely pass the throne to you," Consort Lan said confidently to Xiao Dongyang.
"Your subject understands!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your hard work." Xiao Dongyang happily expressed his gratitude to Consort Lan.
"It's getting late, you should stay overnight in your mother's palace." The concubine said, then summoned her personal maid, "Qiushui, go and tidy up the Crown Prince's room, he will be staying in the palace tonight."
"Yes, Your Highness." Qiu Shui was waiting outside the door. Upon receiving Consort Lan's order, she immediately went to tidy up the First Prince's room.
"Mother, do you have any brilliant plans to rescue Father?" Xiao Dongyang asked impatiently.
"My son, don't be anxious. I will discuss this matter with your uncle first, and then I will tell you the details."
"Remember, never tell anyone," Consort Lan instructed Xiao Dongyang again.
"I will, Mother." Xiao Dongyang knew that this matter was of utmost importance, concerning the future and fate of himself and even his maternal grandfather's entire family, so he would definitely have to act with caution.
"It's getting late. Mother Consort has had a long day. Please rest early." Xiao Dongyang led Consort Lan to the bedside.
"I am indeed a little tired today, my son, you should go and rest early." Consort Lan said to Xiao Dongyang while sitting on the bed.
"Then I shall take my leave." Xiao Dongyang bowed and withdrew.
Meanwhile, the Third Prince was unaware that disaster was gradually approaching him.
At this moment, a fierce argument was breaking out in the Third Prince's military camp, or more precisely, it was Xiao Nan Gua's impotent rage.
"What did you say?! Xiao Xiyou has completely cut off contact with you!"
"Then what use is it for me to support you?"
"You might as well raise a dog! Useless thing!" The Third Prince was unleashing a torrent of abuse, while kneeling opposite him was Xu Cang, who used to be by his side.
"Your Highness, please give me another chance," Xu Cang pleaded, crawling forward on his knees.
"Give you a chance? You couldn't even be a good candidate?"
"Tell me, how many chances have I given you during this period of time?"
"Xiao Xiyou used to reply to you with some useless messages at the beginning, but now he has completely stopped replying!"
"How am I supposed to pin the charge of illegally forming an army on him?!"
Hearing Xu Cang's words, Xiao Nan Gua became even angrier. He had been shrewd all his life and had never suffered a loss in anything, but now he had been outmaneuvered by a mere guard.
If it weren't for Xu Cang's earlier pledge of allegiance to him, saying that he could gain Xiao Xiyou's trust and eliminate a major hidden danger on his path to the throne.
At first, he did perform quite well, but Xiao Xiyou was stepping into his trap step by step.
But recently, for some reason, Xiao Xiyou seems determined to sever ties with them.
He now even suspects that this is a scheme by the two to sow discord between him, so that they can turn around and betray him after he has built up his army!
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