Chapter 1 The Emperor's Illness

"Pfft!"

Jiang Chen spat out a mouthful of black blood without warning.

The foul-smelling blood splattered on Mei Ruoying's skirt.

"Your Majesty!"

Feng Jin shrieked and rushed towards Jiang Chen.

She pushed aside Mei Ruoying, who was frozen by the bed, and yelled, "Imperial physician! Where's the imperial physician? Quickly, treat His Majesty!"

In an instant, the Qin Zheng Palace was in chaos.

The chief of the Imperial Hospital, who had been waiting in the corner, scrambled over and squeezed by the bed.

The maids and eunuchs also panicked. Some went to get towels, some to fetch water, and others to fetch tonics.

Mei Ruoying watched the chaotic scene before her and slowly stood up, retreating to a corner.

A pair of upturned phoenix eyes flashed with complex emotions such as excitement, agitation, and anticipation.

She had been sitting next to Jiang Chen just now and was certain that he was truly weak.

Moreover, the foul-smelling blood was a sign of being poisoned by insect-based gu. All signs indicated that the emperor was on his last leg and no further probing was necessary.

Her red lips curled into a smile of satisfaction.

Mei Ruoying looked at Jiang Chen, who had fallen into a coma on the bed in the distance, and her eyes flickered with the light of ambition.

The court was without a leader.

It was the perfect opportunity to make things happen!

She had to quickly spread the news and not miss this golden opportunity.

Looking at the colorful bloodstains on her skirt, Mei Ruoying seemed to remember something and showed a creepy smile.

Then, she moved with light steps and left in the chaos.

When Mei Ruoying had completely left, the Qin Zheng Palace returned to order.

"Your Majesty, the dark guards have already followed Imperial Concubine Mei," Jing Yue reported as she emerged from the shadows.

"Yes."

Jiang Chen nodded, his eyes flashing with a cold light, full of vigor.

Everything just now was just a show.

It was all to completely confuse Mei Wenshi's faction and lure the snake out of its hole.

"Your Majesty, now that she's gone far, you should rest for a while. This concubine will stay with you," Noble Consort Shu said as she walked out of the corner, her pretty face full of heartache.

When she was in a coma, Jiang Chen had been keeping watch without sleep, even an iron man couldn't stand such torture!

Jiang Chen said softly, "Yun'er, I'm fine. I can still hold on."

"Your poison has just been cleared, you can't overwork yourself. Go and rest first, I still have things to deal with."

Noble Consort Shu bit her pink lip and unusually did not obey, insisting:

"Your Majesty, please rest for a while, just a little while, Yun'er begs you!"

As she spoke, she suddenly knelt down, prostrating herself by Jiang Chen's bed, her eyes filled with tears:

"These past few days when I was in a coma, you were the one who stayed with this concubine, giving me warmth, which allowed me to persevere. But if you ruin your imperial body because of this, wouldn't this concubine become a sinner of Great Wei? What face would I have to live in this world?"

Seeing Noble Consort Shu crying uncontrollably, Jiang Chen surrendered helplessly and repeatedly assured her:

"Alright, alright, I'll rest, I'll rest right away! Don't cry, my beloved concubine!"

Noble Consort Shu then showed a smile.

Ignoring her weak body, she bustled about helping Jiang Chen tidy the bed and serving him to sleep.

Feng Jin and the others quietly retreated to the door after Jiang Chen agreed.

They were all people who served the emperor closely and had a good sense of propriety, not wanting to spoil the mood at this time.

Time passed.

The news of Jiang Chen's serious illness spread through layers of blockades and reached the ears of many high-ranking officials.

By late at night.

Mei Wenshi had gathered more than thirty confidants at a manor in the suburbs.

The large廂房 was fully occupied, packed tightly with familiar faces.

Minister of Revenue Mei Wenshi, Censor-in-chief Zhang Kang, Minister of Works Zhao Chengyou, nearly half of the six ministries were gathered here!

As for the military forces, they were even more terrifying. General Liu Bian, who was in charge of the Jianzhang Camp, Zhao Qingyun, the commander of the Huben Guard, and Wang Zijin of the骠骑 Camp.

With such power, even a conservative estimate could overturn the imperial capital in an instant!

The candlelight flickered, illuminating the entire manor.

After tonight.

This Great Wei would surely be reshaped according to their will!

While they were plotting in secret.

Jiang Chen's arrangements were also starting quickly.

Several dark guards, taking advantage of the darkness, surrounded and monitored the manor.

Although it was located in a remote area and these people's movements were secretive enough, Jiang Chen was deliberately targeting them, so he could easily grasp their movements.

At the same time, Feng Jin, Jing Yue, and others also acted quickly, fulfilling their respective duties according to the well-rehearsed plan.

Under the peaceful facade of the silent imperial capital, countless undercurrents were surging.

Even the air became oppressive, filled with the aura of an impending storm!

The next day.

The sky had just begun to glow faintly.

A message at eight hundred li urgency was sent back to the imperial capital.

The Southern Army, led by Xu Changqing, had arrived at the last stop of the disaster area.

By the time the letter was presented to the Emperor's desk, it was estimated that the disaster relief and pacification would have been completely completed.

It was expected that in at most two days, the lightly armed Southern Army soldiers would be able to return to the imperial capital in triumph.

Jiang Chen perused the memorial in his hand, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He had been holed up in the Qin Zheng Palace for the past few days, not taking a single step out, to prevent being seen by Mei Wenshi's spies and leaking the news.

He was feeling unbearably bored when he suddenly received such a pleasant surprise, how could he not be happy?

The victims of the Wei River had always been a concern of his.

Now that he received news from the front line, confirming that the people had been settled, he could breathe a sigh of relief!

Xu Changqing, that guy, really did a good job, he didn't let him down!

At this moment, Feng Jin suddenly pushed the door open and reported, "Your Majesty, Minister of Rites Shi Ping requests an audience!"

Jiang Chen slammed down the memorial, a bright light flashing in his eyes, "Quick, invite him in!"

Shi Ping was an important link in his plan.

"This minister greets Your Majesty!"

Shi Ping wore a vermilion official robe, his posture was steady, his eyes were firm, only his face was much thinner than before.

Obviously, he had not been living peacefully these past few days.

"Grant him a seat!"

After Jiang Chen finished speaking, he waved away the attendants on the left and right, and then said, "Minister Shi, how is the matter that I entrusted to you coming along?"

Shi Ping did not hesitate, saluted, and sat down, saying, "Your Majesty, this minister has been fortunate enough to not fail in his mission. This is what Minister of Works Zhao Chengyou asked me to give to you!"

As he said that, he took out a roll of cloth from his sleeve.

Feng Jin took it, and after confirming that there was no danger, presented it to Jiang Chen.

Without opening it immediately.

Jiang Chen caressed the cloth in his hand, joy appearing in his eyes.

Courtesy demands reciprocity!

Since this old thing Mei Wenshi could plant people in the palace, he, Jiang Chen, could naturally return the favor and win over Mei's allies.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Chengyou said that Mei Wenshi and the others' discussed plans, the marching routes, and the participating military and civil officials are all recorded in this roll of cloth. As long as these people are taken down in advance, the Mei family will not be a threat!"

Jiang Chen remained noncommittal, shaking his head, "No!"

"As the saying goes, catch the thief, seize the loot. Everything must be done according to the rules. Since they have not taken action now, I cannot arrest them on trumped-up charges!"

"If I rely on my status to break this rule, then all the officials, noble clans, and imperial relatives in the world will not be able to sleep peacefully in the future!"

Shi Ping nodded, then showed a suspicious look...