Three people waited quietly. Not long after, the sound of Imperial Guards could be heard: "Bad news, the treasury is on fire, quickly, go put it out."
Just as Qingyao had predicted, chaos ensued. Since no reinforcements could be brought in from outside the palace and the palace guards were insufficient, any fire would require everyone to rush to extinguish it, leaving only a small contingent to maintain order.
If not now, then when? Qingyao gestured and threw a small pebble. The few remaining Imperial Guards nervously headed west to investigate.
With a wave of her hand, three figures, like phantom shadows, instantly shot into Chengming Hall. The hall was devoid of eunuchs or palace maids; everyone had been withdrawn. Observing this situation, Qingyao estimated that the old emperor's illness was not simple, which was why the First Prince, Shen Ye, had ordered the excess eunuchs and palace maids out of Chengming Hall.
In the imperial bedchamber, several imperial physicians surrounded the Emperor, taking turns to step forward and advise him.
"Your Majesty, please issue your decree. Don't suffer any more. I am not afraid of death, but it pains me to see you tormented like this."
The others nodded in agreement. It was true that the First Prince and the Empress were taking turns administering medicine to the Emperor, leaving him gaunt and wishing for death. They felt heartache. Frankly speaking, they wouldn't live much longer either, as the First Prince, upon ascending the throne, would surely eliminate any witnesses.
Upon seeing this scene, Mo You could no longer contain his anger and berated, "Scoundrels, what have you done to my father, the Emperor?"
His exclamation startled the imperial physicians and the Emperor's personal eunuch in the bedchamber. They quickly turned around to find a stranger, dressed in a eunuch's robe, glaring at them with angry, cold eyes.
Qingyao spoke in a deep voice, "This is the Seventh Prince, Shen Yu. Everyone, do not be alarmed."
"Ah," the imperial physicians faltered. Upon recovering, they realized it was indeed the Seventh Prince and immediately knelt in fear, trembling as they said, "Your old servants greet the Seventh Prince."
"What have you done to Father?"
Mo You quickly stepped forward and stood by his father's bed. The Emperor, who had been healthy just a few months ago, was now emaciated like a dried bone, lying on the bed with his eyes tightly closed, his face sallow, his breathing faint and intermittent. Mo You's tears immediately fell, soaking his face. The eunuch standing behind him quickly handed him a handkerchief. Mo You took it, wiped his face, and revealed his true appearance – the Seventh Prince, Shen Yu. The old eunuch dropped to his knees with a thud, crying out with inexplicable heartache.
"Seventh Prince, you have returned. The Emperor has been constantly thinking of you. Otherwise, he would have succumbed long ago."
Whether it was the old eunuch's words that elicited a response or a telepathic connection between father and son, the Emperor, who had been in a daze and asleep, opened his eyes. His eyes shone with a bright light as he fixed his gaze on Shen Yu standing by his bedside. He moved his lips, and after a long moment, managed to say, "Yu'er, you've returned."
"Yes, Father. What is happening here?"
Shen Yu knelt and sobbed by his father's bedside. The old Emperor, with his withered hand, reached out to stroke Shen Yu's head, finally feeling content. "Yu'er, with you back, your Father is content. But who will protect Yu'er to ascend the throne?"
Though he had only a breath left, he was fully aware of the current situation in the palace. Even with an imperial decree, Yu'er would likely not be able to ascend the throne as desired, as he lacked significant influence within and outside the palace. The Emperor's eyes were wide open, his chest rising and falling.
Qingyao, observing the situation, stepped forward quickly and said in a deep voice, "We must act without delay, Shen Yu. This is not the time for grief. When they barge in, all your father's and your efforts will be in vain."
At Qingyao's words, the old Emperor turned his head to look at her and asked Shen Yu, gasping for breath, "Who is she?"
"She is my savior, Father. I have mentioned her to you."
Shen Yu, sobbing, pointed at Qingyao. The old Emperor, agitated, struggled to say something, but the more agitated he became, the more he found it difficult to speak. Qingyao, knowing what he wanted to say, quickly interjected, "You wish for me to protect Shen Yu, don't you?"
The Emperor nodded, a look of relief on his face. This woman was very intelligent. Although her face was covered by a veil, her eyes revealed a sharp, intelligent gleam, indicating she was no ordinary person.
"We need your imperial decree now, so that Shen Yu can ascend the throne smoothly."
The old Emperor also understood the gravity of the situation. He reached towards his chest with his hand. The old eunuch who had been serving the Emperor knew his intention and quickly stepped forward to assist the Emperor. He forcefully pulled a piece of silk brocade from the front of the imperial robe. It turned out the old Emperor had been prepared and had already prepared an imperial decree, hidden within his personal robe. As soon as the small eunuch produced the silk brocade, he handed it to Shen Yu.
"Seventh Prince, this is the Emperor's imperial decree. He had been keeping it on his person."
It was truly lamentable that an emperor would be so guarded against his own children.
A thick atmosphere of sorrow permeated the bedchamber. Shen Yu began to cry again, "Father, Father."
Suddenly, Qingyao sensed approaching footsteps. Not good, someone was coming. It must be the First Prince, Shen Ye, suspecting something. Qingyao quickly turned to survey the bedchamber, her gaze finally settling beneath the bed the Emperor was lying on. Though the Emperor was critically ill, the First Prince would not dare to search the bedchamber without authorization.
Therefore, she calmly said, "Quickly, lie down beneath the bed. Someone is coming."
Her words startled everyone in the bedchamber. Mo Chou was the first to hide. The Seventh Prince, Shen Yu, was still immersed in grief. Qingyao quickly pulled him and they crawled under the bed. The three of them squeezed in, and then her voice, as cold as ice, rang out, "If you don't wish to die, then all of you, shut your mouths."
The imperial physicians and the chief eunuch trembled slightly.
They dared not even breathe. At this moment, who would dare to say anything? Moreover, the woman's words held some truth. The imperial decree was now in the hands of the Seventh Prince. If the Seventh Prince successfully ascended the throne, none of them would be harmed. Conversely, if the First Prince ascended, none of them, who had witnessed his usurpation, would survive.
Seeing Qingyao and the others hiding, the imperial physicians breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from their faces. Everyone felt extremely weary.
The chief eunuch of the palace saw the others still kneeling and anxiously said, "Get up quickly. Why are you still kneeling? Do what you should be doing, don't just stand there thinking."
"Yes, yes," for the sake of their lives, they came to their senses and immediately stood up, gathering around the Emperor's bedside. At this moment, the Emperor had fallen asleep again. The chief eunuch tidied his imperial robe. Though his face was as gaunt as before, his expression was much more peaceful. They all knew in their hearts that the Emperor, having finally fulfilled his wish, was at peace.
As they were about to say something, approaching footsteps sounded from behind, and someone burst into the bedchamber.
Qingyao raised her hand, signaling Mo Chou and Mo You to hold their breath. The First Prince was likely a formidable martial artist, so they had to be cautious.
The person who barged in was indeed the First Prince, Shen Ye. His square-shaped face was now covered with a sinister and cold expression. His pupils were bloodshot, and his lips were tightly pursed, indicating his extreme anger. As soon as he entered the bedchamber, he spoke in a chilling voice.
"Has anyone entered here?"