xymnovel Chapter 94 The Prince is Critically Ill
Chapter 94 The Prince is Critically Ill
Chapter 94 The Prince is Critically Ill
Zhao Mingcheng's Ningxiang business is booming.
Goods were continuously transported to the capital through Tong Guan's connections and sold at Yunxiang Pavilion and several other shops, with profits growing like a snowball.
As Zhao Ji looked at the ever-increasing numbers in the account books, he was overjoyed, and his trust and reliance on Zhao Mingcheng grew day by day.
With more money in his pocket, Emperor Huizong became even more generous in his offerings to Empress Dowager Xiang.
Today it's fresh seasonal fruits from Jiangnan, tomorrow it's rare and precious artifacts from overseas, and the day after that, she personally painted a "Pine and Crane Longevity" picture to present to the Empress Dowager, making the Cining Palace of the Empress Dowager pleasing to the eye everywhere.
Empress Dowager Xiang had always favored this intelligent and considerate son.
Seeing that Zhao Ji was not only filial but also seemed to be becoming more sensible and mature, she was even happier and often praised Prince Duan's benevolence and filial piety to the other concubines in the palace.
And so, the days slipped by quietly in a seemingly peaceful atmosphere, and December arrived.
In early December, heartbreaking news spread through the inner court: the newborn prince Zhao Mao, less than three months old, had caught a cold.
At first, the people in Rouyi Palace were not too panicked.
Infants are delicate and it is common for them to catch illnesses in winter.
The imperial physicians carefully examined her and prescribed mild remedies. Empress Liu herself stayed by her side day and night, taking care of her without ever taking off her clothes.
Although Zhao Xu was still physically weak, he was extremely anxious upon hearing the news and would inquire about it several times a day.
But whether it was because the child's constitution was ultimately too weak, or because the cold that year was particularly severe, or perhaps it was truly fate playing tricks on them.
The young prince's condition not only failed to improve as hoped, but instead deteriorated rapidly within a few days.
The cold quickly turned into a persistent high fever, followed by shortness of breath and convulsions.
The little body was burning hot, its once rosy face turned sallow, and its loud cries gradually weakened.
Rouyi Palace was thrown into chaos.
All the imperial physicians, both on and off duty, were summoned and examined in turn. Prescriptions were changed again and again, and acupuncture, massage, and even some folk remedies were used, but it was as if the medicine had sunk into the sea, with no improvement whatsoever.
Empress Liu wept uncontrollably, and within a few days she became emaciated and unrecognizable.
Upon hearing the news in the Funing Palace, Zhao Xu was filled with shock and anger. He felt a sharp pain in his chest and a metallic taste in his throat. He suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, staining the front of his dragon robe red, which terrified the eunuchs serving him.
"Mao'er—my Mao'er!"
Zhao Xu's face was ashen, he clutched his chest, barely able to breathe, but he refused to lie down and shouted at the imperial physicians and eunuchs kneeling on the ground.
"Heal! Heal Mao'er for me! Use the best medicine! Spare no expense! If anything happens to Mao'er—I—"
I----"
Before Zhao Xu could finish speaking, he coughed violently again and collapsed backward as if he had collapsed from exhaustion. He was caught by the flustered eunuchs.
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health!" The head imperial physician knelt forward, his voice trembling. "The prince's illness—has come on fiercely, and we—will do our utmost! But—but—"
"Just what?!" Zhao Xu's eyes were filled with horror.
"However—the child is young and his foundation is too weak; this illness—is extremely dangerous, and we—really dare not guarantee anything—"
'
The head of the imperial physicians touched his head to the ground, daring not to say another word.
Zhao Xu closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently. After a long while, he waved his hand with all his might, his voice terribly hoarse.
"Go—all to Rouyi Palace—guard it day and night—report immediately if there are any changes—and also,"
Zhao Xu suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, scanning everyone in the hall.
"Keep the prince's serious illness a complete secret from me! Not a single word is to reach the court! Anyone who leaks this information will be executed along with their entire clan!"
Cough—cough—
"Yes! This servant obeys!"
The people inside the hall were terrified and dared not even breathe.
However, with such a commotion taking place within the palace, how easy would it be to completely conceal it?
Rouyi Palace was brightly lit day and night. Imperial physicians came and went in a panic, and the smell of medicine filled the air. The palace servants all had solemn expressions and hurried steps.
How could these anomalies escape the keen eyes of those in the palace with their sharp senses?
The Empress Dowager's residence, Baoci Palace, naturally also noticed something unusual.
Although the Empress Dowager no longer interferes much in specific affairs, how could she be completely unaware of any disturbances in the palace, especially those involving such momentous matters as the imperial heir?
Soon, a trusted confidant from the Rouyi Palace secretly reported that the young prince was critically ill.
Upon hearing the news, Empress Dowager Xiang's face turned pale instantly.
She had no children of her own, and always doted on her adopted son, Zhao Xu. She placed even greater hopes on her newborn grandson, regarding him as the foundation of the nation's future. Now—
With trembling hands, Xiang Taihou closed her eyes and murmured a prayer for blessings.
May my ancestors bless my poor grandson and help him through this calamity.
She immediately gave the order that Bao Ci Palace would begin praying for the prince from that day forward, and all palace staff were forbidden from laughing or joking. They were to burn incense and chant scriptures day and night to pray for the prince's safety.
The sudden, solemn, and almost oppressive prayer ceremony at Baoci Palace, along with the extremely tense atmosphere that was faintly circulating in the palace, naturally caught the attention of those who were interested.
Yang Jian was that clever and thoughtful person.
Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly hold such a grand ceremony to pray for the princes' well-being?
Moreover, the atmosphere was so heavy that it was no ordinary prayer for peace and well-being.
He recalled the unusual busyness around the Rouyi Palace and the solemn expressions on the faces of the imperial physicians, and a terrible guess formed in Yang Jian's mind—
The prince may be in serious trouble, or even—his life may be in danger!
Yang Jian knew that this matter was of great importance, and might even involve a major shift in the overall situation.
The next time he went to Prince Duan's residence to "tend the garden" as usual, he was more careful than usual.
Upon arriving at the Prince's residence, he first reported the garden's recent situation to Liang Shicheng as usual, and then took on his duties.
When no one was around, he found an excuse to secretly request an audience with Zhao Mingcheng.
Zhao Mingcheng was discussing the pricing of a newly arrived batch of furs with Zhao Ji in the study of the Prince's Mansion when he heard that Yang Jian had urgent business to attend to. He had an idea and asked Zhao Ji to wait while he went to the next room.
"Young Master Zhao!"
As soon as Yang Jian saw Zhao Mingcheng enter, he immediately closed the door, disregarded all formalities, lowered his voice, and hurriedly said.
"Something big is about to happen in the palace!"
Zhao Mingcheng's expression hardened: "What is it? Speak slowly."
Yang Jian's voice trembled uncontrollably.
"When I was in Baoci Palace, I saw that the Empress Dowager suddenly ordered the entire palace to pray for the prince's well-being, chanting scriptures day and night. The atmosphere was extremely solemn."
"I've inquired privately and learned that His Majesty's condition has worsened; he's coughing up blood! The palace is in a state of panic, but the news has been strictly suppressed by His Majesty, and it seems the court is still unaware!"
His words were like ice picks, piercing Zhao Mingcheng's ears.
The Empress Dowager prays for the prince's well-being! The Emperor's condition worsens!
The combined impact of these two pieces of news is no less than that of a political earthquake.
These two pieces of news confirmed that something had happened to Zhao Xu's prince.
Zhao Mingcheng instantly realized that the "what if" he had been waiting for might really be coming!
Zhao Mingcheng quickly calmed down and stared at Yang Jian.
"Is the news reliable? How did you know the Emperor was coughing up blood?"
Yang Jian hurriedly replied.
"The matter of praying for blessings is absolutely true, and it is true throughout Baoci Palace. The fact that His Majesty coughed up blood was something I managed to get from a eunuch who worked outside Rouyi Palace and was familiar with me. I spent some money to get the information out of him indirectly. Although I didn't see it with my own eyes, judging from his terrified appearance at the time, it didn't seem like he was faking it."
Moreover—the Empress Dowager has been absent-minded these past two days, often staring blankly at the flower garden and sighing. I, a servant, happened to catch a glimpse of this while tending to the plants, and I am even more certain that this matter is of utmost importance!
Zhao Mingcheng pondered for a moment. Yang Jian was always intelligent, and his words were logically clear and detailed, which matched the reaction that should be made in the palace at this time. He was highly credible.
He secretly handed Yang Jian a large denomination banknote, more than any previous tip he had ever given him.
"Master Yang, you reported this matter in a timely manner and have made a great contribution. After you return, everything will be as usual. Do not inquire about it again, and you must not mention this matter to anyone."
Just keep a close eye on what's happening at Baoci Palace, especially whether the Empress Dowager's attitude towards Prince Duan has changed. Understand?
"This servant understands! Young master, rest assured!" Yang Jian quietly accepted the silver note and kowtowed deeply.
After seeing Yang Jian off, Zhao Mingcheng also temporarily bid farewell to Zhao Ji, already having made his plans.
After leaving the Prince Duan's residence, Zhao Mingcheng went straight to Zeng Bu's residence.
This matter must be brought to the attention of the Grand Chancellor immediately.
In Zeng Bu's study, the charcoal fire burned brightly, but it couldn't dispel the sudden chill.
Upon hearing Zhao Mingcheng's low and urgent report, Zeng Bu's pen, which he was using to review documents, fell to the ground with a "thud," splattering ink everywhere.
He suddenly stood up, his expression shifting rapidly, and paced back and forth in the study.
"Mingcheng, where did this news come from? Is it reliable?"
"The report from the informant at Baoci Palace, combined with the unusual situation within the palace, should be true."
Zhao Mingcheng gave a brief answer, without mentioning Yang Jian's name.
-
"Baoci Palace—" Zeng Bu murmured repeatedly, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, "Even the Empress Dowager has begun praying for blessings—it seems the situation is worse than we imagined!"
Zeng Bu stopped and looked at Zhao Mingcheng, his tone more severe than ever before.
"Mingcheng, from this moment on, the situation is extremely critical! If anything were to happen to the prince, the foundation of the nation would be shaken, and the court would be overturned in an instant!"
"The student understands," Zhao Mingcheng said solemnly.
"Your most important task right now is to keep an eye on Prince Duan!" Zeng Bu said firmly, almost emphasizing each word.
"From today onwards, you must try every means to keep Prince Duan in the mansion as much as possible and reduce his outings, unless the Empress Dowager or the Emperor specifically summons him."
Increase the number of guards around Prince Duan to ensure his absolute safety! You must also pay close attention to his daily life, including his food and lodging!
Zeng Bu was worried that if the prince was not safe, the Jianwang faction might resort to desperate measures and attack their rivals, with the Duanwang being the first target.
"Your Highness, I obey! I will ensure your safety." Zhao Mingcheng replied in a deep voice.
Zeng Bu nodded, took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and a resolute look flashed in his eyes.
"I will try to verify the matter in the palace through other channels, but in any case, we must prepare for the worst."
When you return, besides keeping a close eye on Prince Duan, you also need to make sure he—is prepared. There are some things I can't say directly, but you can offer subtle hints. As for the Empress Dowager—”
He paused, lowering his voice even further, "Perhaps—I should go to Baoci Palace myself."
Zhao Mingcheng was startled, realizing that Zeng Bu was going to personally express his support to the Empress Dowager for Prince Duan in the matter of the possible successor to the throne, and to win the Empress Dowager's support.
This was a crucial move, placed before Zhang Dun could make a move.
"Uncle, we may need to be extra careful with the Empress Dowager," Zhao Mingcheng reminded him.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Zeng Bu waved his hand, sat down again, his face regaining its usual composure, but his eyes held an unprecedented seriousness.
"Go now, Mingcheng. Remember, from this moment on, every step we take must be as if we are walking on thin ice, yet we cannot hesitate in the slightest."
"Yes, Uncle." Zhao Mingcheng bowed and left the study.
Stepping out of the Zeng residence, a biting wind swept over me, chilling me to the bone.
Zhao Mingcheng glanced back at the tightly closed gate of Zeng Bu's mansion, then looked towards the majestic palaces shrouded in a gray sky in the direction of the imperial city.
Beneath the calm surface of the lake, the long-accumulated undercurrents are finally about to surge violently.
Zhao Mingcheng has been pushed to the forefront of this vortex.