Xiao Shuo walked forward slowly, with a faint smile on his lips. He seemed calm and composed, but in fact, no one would think that he was weak.

"Your Majesty. The decree has been drafted."

Xiao Shuo was in charge of the Imperial Household Department and even the imperial seal was in his hands, so drafting imperial edicts was no problem for him.

He presented the imperial edict to the emperor.

The emperor took a deep breath and used all his strength to open the imperial edict. He read it slowly, weighing every word.

Everyone knew what the imperial edict contained, and the atmosphere became even quieter. They were afraid that the emperor might not be pleased and they might get into trouble by accident.

Only the dancers were still dancing in the hall, their skirts fluttering.

Jingle sneered and said, "What a waste of time."

Her voice was silent, so only Sheng Xiyan, who was sitting next to her, heard it.

Sheng Xiyan nodded seriously, poured fruit juice for Jingle and herself, and then held it in her hands and sipped it. The fruit juice was very sweet, and she curled her eyes happily.

She looked at Xiao Shuo, thinking about the jade pendant around her waist.

Jingle's eyes were deep. The Xue family and their Chu family were close friends in the past and had frequent exchanges. She had even lived in Lingnan for a period of time. Even though many years had passed and her appearance had faded, she still remembered that the Princess of Lingnan was a gentle woman.

It has been more than 20 years, and now even Achen is in his twenties.

Jingle was feeling a little confused. Even though the opportunity she had been waiting for for so long was right before her eyes, she was finding it increasingly difficult to calm down.

She took a sip of the fruit juice to calm herself down. As soon as she took a sip, Jingle was stunned and said quickly, "Sister Yan, don't drink it..."

This looks like fruit juice and tastes sweet, but Jingle knew after just one taste that it was clearly fruit wine.

When she turned around, Sheng Xiyan had already finished the whole glass and was smiling at her quietly.

Jingle: “…”

Drunk again?

No wonder I haven't seen her speak!

Sheng Xiyan smiled sweetly and obediently, with a light blush on her cheeks and two dimples faintly visible. She was so adorable that Jingle couldn't help but want to hold her in his arms and caress her.

Jingle chuckled, took the wine glass from her hand, asked the palace maid to pour her a glass of warm water, and coaxed her to drink most of the glass.

When Sheng Xiyan was slightly tipsy, she was very obedient and would do whatever she asked her to do.

Jingle wanted to coax her out for some fresh air, but the emperor finally finished reading the imperial edict and nodded with a gloomy face.

In the imperial edict, the emperor issued a self-criticism edict on behalf of the late emperor, admitting on behalf of the late emperor that it was because of his negligence that the people were suspicious and speculative about Xue Zhongzhi's death, and that Xue Zhongzhi's grave was dug up. For more than 20 years, he had been wronged...

He knew that once this imperial edict was made public, it would be an indelible shame and humiliation for both him and the late emperor.

If someone knew that Xue Zhongzhi's death was a plot by the late emperor to reduce the power of the feudal lords, then the late emperor... No! He would never let anyone know!

The emperor closed his eyes.

Xiao Shuo smiled and said in a feminine voice: "Your Majesty, you are doing this to make up for the mistakes of the previous emperor. This is a great act of filial piety."

The emperor thought about it and his expression became better. He handed the imperial edict back to Xiao Shuo and said, "That's it."

These words were almost squeezed out from between teeth, and every word is difficult.

The imperial edict has already been stamped.

Xiao Shuo gave the imperial edict to Song Yuan, who announced it in front of the crowd, and everyone knelt down to listen to the edict.

Even though the emperor had already read it once, listening to Song Yuan reading it word by word still felt like a knife cutting into his heart.

A mouthful of blood rolled in his throat, and he could hardly hold it back.

Finally, Song Yuan finished reading the imperial edict.

The emperor seemed to have been drained of all his strength. He leaned weakly on the armrest, his face turning pale and blue.

The continuous blows made him feel exhausted all over, as if he had suddenly aged several years and no longer had the vigor and vitality he had at the beginning.

Xiao Shuo lowered his eyelids slightly to hide the expression in his eyes. His voice was as gentle as ever, and he said, "Send an urgent message eight hundred miles away. Announce it to the whole territory of Darong."

"Yes, Lord Governor." Song Yuan obeyed and handed the imperial edict to another eunuch.

The emperor's fingers trembled. Yes, this imperial edict will be announced to the whole country. It will only take two or three months for all places in Darong to know about this edict of self-criticism and know the mistakes of the previous emperor.

Just thinking this, the emperor's throat churned and finally, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"emperor--"

Everyone shouted in surprise, some even stood up and tried to rush over subconsciously, but then stopped abruptly.

Song Yuan quickly supported the emperor and shouted anxiously: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Everyone in the hall looked at each other in bewilderment. King Zhao Qin Wei walked over quickly and shouted, "Brother Emperor!"

Xiao Shuo gave a look, and immediately two Jinyiwei came forward to stop him, saying with a cold face: "Your Majesty, please step back."

"Get out of the way." Qin Wei shouted and waved his hand to push them away.

Jinyiwei said nothing more and drew his Xiuchun sword.

In the cold light, Qin Wei was forced to take several steps back, unable to get close. He was so angry that he blurted out, "Brother! Brother! Xiao Shuo, what do you want to do? Are you trying to use the emperor to control the princes?"

Everyone gasped. How dare he say such a thing? If Qin Wei wasn't the emperor's biological brother, he would have died a thousand times! They all lowered their heads, pretending that they heard nothing and knew nothing.

Xiao Shuo ignored his shouting, flicked his sleeves, and said calmly: "Take King Zhao away."

The emperor was still conscious. In fact, after spitting out the blood from his chest, he felt much better. However, Qin Wei's noise gave him a headache. He was secretly annoyed: Qin Wei was not a child anymore. He said "using the emperor to command the princes" in front of so many people. Was he treating himself as if he were dead?!

The emperor was upset and didn't want to listen to him anymore, so he said nothing.

Two Jinyiwei followed the order and immediately grabbed King Zhao's arms, one on the left and one on the right, and dragged him away.

"Royal brother! Royal brother! Let me go...Royal brother!"

King Zhao started shouting, but soon his voice gradually faded away until it could no longer be heard.

Zhao Yuanrou covered her mouth in disbelief. In the history she knew, there had been a dark period when eunuchs ruled for nine thousand years. Even so, there was no one as arrogant as Xiao Shuo, right? How dare he take away the emperor's own brother in front of the emperor?

Looking at the other people, they all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word, with an air of as if it was a matter of course, as if this kind of thing was too common to happen to Xiao Shuo and not worth being surprised at all.

She was even more uneasy, thinking: Maybe she really didn't know enough about Darong's political situation...

However, eunuchs never have a good ending. They rely on the emperor's trust. Their power and life are all in the emperor's hands. Once this trust is lost, what can an eunuch do? He can only be domineering for a while. She sighed and planned to persuade Qin Wei next time not to confront Xiao Shuo openly. It would be better to start with the emperor and the queen mother. The queen mother couldn't just watch her little son being bullied by a eunuch.

Xiao Shuo continued, "Summon the Imperial Doctor."

The emperor waved his hands, wanting to say forget it. He didn't want Chu Yuanchen to laugh at him.

"Your Majesty," Xiao Shuo said gently, "This is not the first time you have vomited blood. You should ask the imperial physician to take a look. Isn't this... going to make Prince Chu worry?"

His words were extremely obscure, but the emperor understood them. He nodded. Yes, Chu Yuanchen wanted to piss him off to death again and again. Last time he came back to Beijing, he was so angry that he vomited blood, and now he's doing it again!

The emperor was so focused on talking to Xiao Shuo that he didn't notice at all that the ministers below were all shocked when they heard what he said, and then became a little worried.

They all thought of the emperor vomiting blood in the street. Later, the emperor insisted that he was fine and did not leave the court due to illness. They thought that there was really nothing wrong. However, what Governor Xiao meant by what he said just now was that the emperor had been vomiting blood recently?! Doesn’t that mean there is something seriously wrong with his body?

When they thought of this, they were shocked and panicked.

There is only one princess now, and the only eldest prince died young. The court has been worried about the lack of heirs. Now, if the emperor really dies, what will happen to this great foundation?

The imperial physician hurried over, greeted the emperor, and then took his pulse.

His brows were tightly knitted together, and the emperor's pulse showed that he was extremely angry, but fortunately, his condition was not critical, and after spitting out a mouthful of blood, he was almost healed.

Finally, the imperial physician took his hand off the emperor's wrist and reported to Xiao Shuo.

Everyone was concentrating on hearing what the imperial physician said, but they were too far away and the physician's voice was deliberately lowered, so they couldn't hear clearly at all.

Until Xiao Shuo said, "Help the emperor to the back first. The imperial physician should also go with him."

Xiao Shuo paused, then said loudly, "Song Yuan, send someone back to the capital to call all the other doctors from the Imperial Hospital."

As soon as he spoke, the words he said made the others even more panicked. They couldn't help but wonder, could it be that the emperor was really so ill that he had to call all the doctors over? !

The eunuch helped the emperor to the back.

Xiao Shuo and Chu Yuanchen looked at each other for a moment, then followed him over, leaving only the ministers and nobles sitting in the hall. The dancing and music had stopped long ago, and everything was quiet.

No one was serving food at the banquet, and they didn't know whether they should leave or stay.

"Master Prime Minister." Someone said to Prime Minister Lin, "Do you want to go and take a look?"

Lin Shoufu said hesitantly, "Master Xiao has passed away. The emperor is seriously ill, and it's not good to have too many people around him."

Lin Shoufu will retire next year, so it is natural for him to do less and make fewer mistakes now.

Lin Shoufu stroked his graying beard and said, "We will just wait for the summons."

He was just trying to smooth things over, and it seemed like he was right. Without Xiao Shuo's announcement, who would dare to just pass by?! Didn't they see that even King Zhao was arrested just now?

Whoever wants to go can go; he is not going anyway.

Prime Minister Lin was not going, and Prince Zong Lingli hesitated for a moment but did not stand up, so everyone stayed in their seats and did not dare to talk loudly.

Sheng Xiyan tilted her head and continued drinking from the glass.

When Jingle saw this, she quickly snatched it back. She was so focused on looking at the emperor that she let Sheng Xiyan pour her an extra glass of fruit wine, which she drank half of.

Jingle: "..." She couldn't help but rub her forehead and laughed.

Seeing a blush on her cheeks, Jingle coaxed her and said, "Let's go out for a walk."

Sheng Xiyan nodded obediently: "Okay..."

Jingle took her out of the Xuanwu Hall.

The bed crossbow had been pushed away, and the emperor said he wanted to burn it, but no one knew whether it was actually burned or not.

Wuti was still outside. Perhaps due to negligence, he was not taken to the stable and was just walking around the martial arts field by himself.

"Black hoof."

When Sheng Xiyan saw it, she waved to it happily, ran over, and reached out to hug its neck.

Wuti still recognized her and was about to retreat in disgust. Someone shouted, "Wuti." This was the voice of its owner.

Wu Ti stopped moving and helplessly stretched out his head for her to hug.

Sheng Xiyan hugged him and rubbed his pink cheeks happily, saying, "You are so pretty. Come home with me and I will give you candy, okay?"

Jingle burst out laughing.

Chu Yuanchen looked at Sha Ma with some envy. Jingle winked at him and said, "I'll go in first. Sister Yan accidentally drank some fruit wine and is a little tipsy. You stay with her for a while before going in."

Chu Yuanchen understood and thought: It turns out that mother loves him the most!

Jingle went in by herself.

Chu Yuanchen walked over, looked at her rosy cheeks and a dazed look in her eyes, and suddenly realized what "a little drunk" meant.

Sheng Xiyan smiled at him and took out maltose from her sleeve pocket: "Eat candy!" The candy was for Wuti.

Wuti rolled his tongue and swallowed a piece of candy.

Sheng Xiyan touched its mane happily and became even happier: "Then you come home with me, we agreed."

No matter how smart Wuti is, it can't figure out such a complicated problem in its little brain. Does it have to change its owner after eating a piece of candy?

Before it could figure it out, Sheng Xiyan was already happily pulling its reins and ready to leave.

Wuti glanced at his master hesitantly and remained as still as a mountain.

Sheng Xiyan didn't pull, but turned around to look. Her beautiful almond eyes met Wu Ti's gaze, and her long eyelashes fluttered.

"Ayan."

Chu Yuanchen coughed lightly, and finally managed to hold back his laughter, and said, "Would you like to check my pulse?"

Then, his little girl finally turned around and looked at him, nodded obediently, and said, "Give me your hand."

Chu Yuanchen stretched out his hand as he was told, his peach blossom eyes became even more charming.

He stared at her rosy cheeks intently. The difference from usual was that her beautiful almond-shaped eyes seemed to be covered by a thin veil. They were not as bright as usual, but instead looked a little hazy and misty. Being looked at by such a pair of eyes, Chu Yuanchen's heart was burning.

Sheng Xiyan took his pulse and diagnosed it carefully.

This wasn't the first time she had taken his pulse, but it was the first time that his heartbeat quickened just by the touch of her fingers on his wrist.

She was just slightly tipsy, not completely drunk. When he took her pulse, it was as if his instinctive memory had been activated, and he was able to identify the pulse in just three or four breaths.

She smiled, looking cute and adorable, and said, "You must take your medicine well."

His pulse was much better than when he left Beijing, but his heart was still a little weak. That was because he had not fully recovered from the injury and needed time.

Chu Yuanchen looked obedient and said, "I took my medicine well."

Well! Those who take medicine well are good patients! The curve of Sheng Xiyan's mouth curved higher.

Good patients should be praised!

She stood on tiptoe and raised her hands high.

Chu Yuanchen was startled, then suddenly laughed and lowered his head in cooperation. Then a soft hand gently touched his forehead: "Good boy!"

Sheng Xiyan put down her hand with satisfaction.

When the warm palm left his forehead, Chu Yuanchen felt a little regretful. In fact, he really wanted to move over and rub it again, what a pity.

Sheng Xiyan looked at him seriously: "Take your medicine well."

"Okay." Chu Yuanchen agreed readily, and then said pitifully, "The medicine is too bitter."

The medicine is quite bitter. Sheng Xiyan thought seriously, her eyebrows furrowed, and then her eyes lit up and she took out maltose from her sleeve pocket.

Sheng Xiyan smiled with eyes crooked: "Eat candy!"

Finally, I don't have to envy Sha Ma anymore! Just as Chu Yuanchen was about to reach out to take it, a piece of maltose was already handed to his lips.

Chu Yuanchen was stunned. He simply couldn't believe that he would have such good luck.

The maltose touched his lips, and he could smell the unique aroma of the maltose. He opened his lips and put the candy in his mouth along with her fingers, and his lips accidentally touched her fingers.

Feeling his soft lips and warm breath, Sheng Xiyan's head buzzed and the alcohol in her body sobered up immediately.

She pulled her hand back abruptly; her fingertips were still warm and her cheeks were burning. Without a second thought, she turned around and ran.

From now on...I will never drink again!!

Sheng Xiyan's mind went blank. She hardly dared to recall what she had done and felt like crying but had no tears.

Chu Yuanchen stood where he was, the aroma of maltose still lingering in his mouth. Her breath seemed to still linger around him, warm and sweet as honey.

She thought with some regret that he ate the candy and she didn't take him home.

His joy extended from his brows to the corners of his mouth, and his feet quickly followed.

He had long legs and walked fast. He caught up with her before entering the Xuanwu Hall. He leaned over and said to her, "The candy is really delicious."

Sheng Xiyan paused slightly, her eyes sparkling.

Chu Yuanchen: "Can you make me red bean cake next time?"

Once again, her mouth was faster than her brain, and Sheng Xiyan happily responded, "Okay!"

Sheng Xiyan: “…”

This time it doesn't count, she must not be completely sober yet! After Sheng Xiyan finished talking to him, she glared at him and stomped back to her seat.

Chu Yuanchen was in high spirits. He stood there and watched her sit down.

Sheng Xiyan's heart was still pounding, and her cheeks were red, but it didn't look like the blush from being drunk, and it made her look even more beautiful against her fair skin.

Drunkenness leads to mistakes! The ancients were not deceiving me!

She frowned and smiled from time to time, Jingle was watching with great interest. She pretended not to know and asked someone to bring her a cup of warm water and put it in her hands.

Sheng Xiyan obediently scooped up the warm water and held it in her mouth.

From noon till mid-afternoon, there was still no movement in the back hall. When someone couldn't help but go out for some fresh air or to change clothes, they saw several imperial doctors rushing over and going straight into the back hall.

After returning, he told people quietly about it, and the news spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, until almost everyone became worried about the emperor's condition.

Some even speculated that the emperor might be...

At 3 p.m., a eunuch came out from the back hall. He flicked his snow-white whisk and said, "The governor has ordered that you all return to the capital first."

He finished his words expressionlessly and turned to go back.

"Great eunuch."

Prince Li quickly called him over, lowered his posture, and asked, "How is the emperor now?"

Li Gui said calmly, "Not bad." He left without looking back.

Li Gui is now the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and Xiao Shuo's confidant. He has always obeyed Xiao Shuo's orders. It was a blessing for them that he came to explain something, so they dared not ask him to stay and explain in detail.

Prince Li was the head of the clan. He cleared his throat twice and said, "Since the emperor is fine, let's return to the capital for the time being."

Yes, it’s almost the afternoon. If I don’t go back now, I won’t be able to reach the capital before the city gates close. I can’t just sit in the Xuanwu Palace all night.

No matter how seriously ill the emperor is, they still have government affairs to attend to and have to get busy.

The Prime Minister also said: "Let's go back to Beijing first."

After these two people said this, the others looked at each other and agreed. The most important thing was that Xiao Shuo had already sent someone to deliver the message, so they didn't dare to stay.

The crowd left the Xuanwu Hall one after another.

Only after most of the people had left did Jingle get up and go out with Sheng Xiyan.

Chu Yuanchen was waiting outside with Chu Yuanyi and Sheng Yan. Sheng Yan was supposed to go back with Sheng Xingan, but as soon as he arrived, Sheng Xingan sent him away.

"Mom. Ayan." Chu Yuanchen smiled and walked over, "Let's go together."

Jingle agreed with a smile.

She also winked at Chu Yuanchen, indicating that he should walk to the other side of Sheng Xiyan, and she moved her feet and walked with her younger son.

The sun was setting and a cool breeze was blowing on my face, making me feel refreshed and comfortable.

Chu Yuanchen leaned over and spoke to her: "Are you hungry?"

Sheng Xiyan nodded honestly and went out at noon. He ate some breakfast, but as for lunch, alas, the emperor fell down before he could even eat a single dish. It would have been better if he had waited until the food was served before falling down.

She only drank one and a half glasses of wine the whole day and got drunk.

Chu Yuanchen said with a smile: "I'll take you to eat something delicious."

"good……"

Sheng Xiyan nodded, feeling a little tired.

In front of him, she would always involuntarily take off all her disguises and reveal her weak side.

Sheng Xiyan thought he was talking about waiting until we got back to the capital, but once she got on the carriage, she found a small table full of food. From cold dishes to hot dishes, from noodles to warm porridge, everything was available, especially the hot dishes that looked like they had just come out of the pot, still emitting hot steam.

It’s delicious and has good color, aroma and taste.

Just smelling the smell made Sheng Xiyan even hungrier.

Jingle was a little surprised and asked with a smile, "Achen, did you ask someone to prepare this?"

Chu Yuanchen smiled but said nothing, "Mom, Ayan, you guys can use it first to cushion your stomach."

"You guys can come up and have some too," Jingle said.

The carriage was large enough to accommodate a few more people without any problem.

"No need." Chu Yuanchen picked up two buns and threw one to Chu Yuanyi and Sheng Yan, saying casually, "When you go to the army, there will be no such thing as eating on time. Just eat whatever you want."

“Yes, yes, yes.” Sheng Yan said while holding the still hot buns, “Your Highness is right!”

As long as his brother-in-law is willing to take him to the army in the future, whatever his brother-in-law says is right.

Moreover, what his brother-in-law said just now about the bed crossbow being useless turned out to be true. Now he said that he would not have food to eat in the army, and that meant he would not have food to eat. He should get used to it as soon as possible and let his brother-in-law know that he is not a spoiled little master!

It seemed like Chu Yuanchen was just throwing it casually, but actually his aim was very accurate. He saw Sheng Yan catch it easily with one hand, while Chu Yuanyi was in a panic and almost dropped the bun on the ground, frowning slightly.

He has been good at martial arts since he was young, whether it is archery, horse riding or spear, there is nothing he is not good at. His grandfather said that this is the talent of the Chu family. Why does Brother Yi seem to have uncoordinated hands and feet?