Zhou Changling: "What did you say? Consort Rong has been ordered to be sent to the imperial palace?"
Zhou Changling was excited. Consort Rong had been abandoned by the Emperor, so wouldn't he be able to take advantage of the situation?
Overwhelmed with joy, he was unable to think clearly, even though he was usually rational. Zhou Changling wished he could fly to the palace immediately to see her.
The person who reported was a spy named Zhao Qi, who was skilled in stealth and was specially trained by Zhou Changling. Now, seeing Prince Jing in such a frenzy, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. Was this still the Prince Jing he knew?
Zhao Qi: "Your Highness, I have learned that Consort Rong is four months pregnant with the imperial heir. The Emperor is probably trying to protect the child in her womb."
Zhao Qi never expected that the Emperor would keep it a secret for so long for Consort Rong, without revealing a single word.
If it weren't for my quick wit, secretly going to the Imperial Household Department to look through the official records and discovering that Consort Rong hadn't served the Emperor in bed for a long time, while the Emperor had previously stayed at Luanxi Pavilion every day.
Zhou Changling: "What?"
Zhou Changling's previously high spirits were suddenly shattered, as if his beautiful dream had been crushed. He turned and stared intently at Zhao Qi, trying to find a trace of lying on his face, but he couldn't. Could it be true? Zhou Changling couldn't believe it.
Zhao Qi: "This servant found the dregs of Consort Rong's medicine and had them examined by Physician Song; they are undoubtedly genuine."
Zhao Qi had been by Zhou Changling's side for quite some time, and he could still discern some obvious emotions. Seeing the prince's loss of composure, he guessed that the prince had developed feelings for Consort Rong in the palace.
Zhao Qi was shocked by his own thoughts. He never expected that Zhou Changling would like Bai Lingxi, who was also the niece of the Imperial Concubine Yi. He never expected this. He thought this way now because he had not yet met Bai Lingxi. He would understand when he met her, but that was a matter for later.
Zhou Changling: "How is Father?"
Zhou Changling suddenly asked about the emperor. His feelings for this man were very complicated. On the one hand, he was grateful for the protection and training he had received over the years, and on the other hand, he hated him for failing to protect his mother. Now, because of Bai Lingxi, his feelings were even more complicated.
Emperor Zhou Jin has not attended court for several days, and he has been reviewing all the memorials himself. The court officials have not acted recklessly because of what happened before, but they have some complaints about him.
This is very unusual. Zhou Changling recalled Zhou Jin's series of actions over the past three months: eliminating the rebels, taking back military power, and even dismissing the harem. Yes, if Father Emperor had no problems, why would he take such urgent and drastic actions?
Zhou Changling stared intently at Zhao Qi, not wanting to miss a single detail. He wanted to know exactly what was happening in the palace.
Zhao Qi: "This subordinate is incompetent and unable to witness His Majesty's countenance."
Zhao Qi was on the verge of tears. He wanted to bravely venture into the Taiji Hall, but it was the most heavily guarded place in the entire palace. If he got even slightly close, he would be hunted down. He had been chased thirty times already, and had never managed to sneak in once.
Zhao Qi: "However, His Majesty has indeed not left the Taiji Palace for a long time."
Zhou Changling frowned deeply. It seemed that his father's condition was not good, and had even reached a critical level.
Steward Li: "Your Highness—"
Steward Li knew that the prince had important matters to discuss in his study, and he did not want to disturb him. However, now that someone from the palace had arrived, he had no choice but to inform them.
Zhou Changling knew that Steward Li was not a fool, and there must be something going on outside. He waved to Zhao Qi to hide, as his identity could not be revealed to others.
Zhou Changling opened the door only after seeing that the study had returned to calm.
When Steward Li saw the prince come out, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that he wouldn't be able to handle the old fox, Li Mu.
Li Mu: "This servant greets Your Highness Prince Jing, but I am here to deliver an imperial edict, so it is inconvenient for me to perform the proper courtesies. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Li Mu was followed by quite a few people, and Zhou Changling felt that this trip was not going to be very promising.
Does my father intend to execute me?
Or perhaps his father intends to pass the throne to him?
Whether one enjoys wealth and honor or dies without a burial place, it all depends on the Emperor's whim.
Zhou Changling: "Eunuch Li, should we ask the Princess Consort to receive the imperial decree together? My wife is in the backyard; there should still be enough time."
Zhou Changling had many thoughts running through his mind, but he didn't show them on his face. Instead, he smiled slightly, appearing extremely humble.
Eunuch Li rejected his idea, and Li Mu, seemingly sensing the Seventh Prince's caution, reassured him, "Your Highness Prince Jing need not summon the Princess Consort; the Emperor only summons you."
Eunuch Li: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Prince Jing is my seventh son. I am overjoyed, and having not seen him for so long, I hereby summon Prince Jing to the palace to comfort my heart."
Eunuch Li personally helped Zhou Changling up, and as he bowed, he whispered in his ear, "Stay in bed."
No one else heard it, except Zhou Changling, whose pupils constricted slightly, as if he had heard some earth-shattering secret.
Seeing that Zhou Changling didn't react, Eunuch Li had to loudly remind him again to avoid making a mistake: "Your Highness, aren't you going to accept the imperial decree? The Emperor is waiting for you."
Zhou Changling then seemed to wake from a dream, hurriedly accepted the imperial edict, and kowtowed to express his gratitude.
Li Mu arrived in a hurry, he had no time to prepare, and he was stunned by the news, so he couldn't think of anything else for a moment.
Only after Zhou Changling sat in the sedan chair did he come to his senses. It seemed that his father was really dying, and he was now the only heir to the throne.
However, when he thought of Bai Lingxi, he didn't know what to do.
Zhou Changling followed Li Mu all the way to the Taiji Hall. As Zhou Changling walked along the familiar palace path, his heart was filled with mixed feelings. He was happy, but also worried. His father had never harmed him, yet he had ended up in this state. The palace had always been a den of iniquity.
Eunuch Li: "We've arrived—"
Eunuch Li: "Your Highness Prince Jing, the Emperor is waiting for you inside."
Eunuch Li: "This servant will not go in; please come in."
Li Mu extended his hand, making a "please" gesture, but his eyes were full of respect.
Zhou Changling pushed open the door, stepped inside, and the door behind him slammed shut with a "bang."
Zhou Changling didn't turn around, but instead walked into the inner room.
A large, bony hand rested on the edge of the bed. Zhou Changling strode forward and pulled back the bed curtains.
What came into view was a face that was withered and aged.
Zhou Changling: "Ah—Father!"
Zhou Changling was initially startled, but then he suddenly realized that this was his father, Emperor Zhou Jin!
All of Zhou Changling's grudges vanished at this moment. His mind was filled with images of his father spoiling and doting on him when he was a child. His eyes were full of tears, but he held them back from falling.
Zhou Changling: "Father, it's only been a few days, what's wrong?"
Zhou Changling: "Who did this? My son will kill him!"
Zhou Changling's eyes turned bloodshot with rage. He never imagined that the ruler of the world would be harmed in such a state! He was filled with hatred!
Zhou Jin: "Wait—cough cough—."
Zhou Jin: "My son, come back!"
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