A thought flashed through Duke Chen’s mind: so this old fox had pledged allegiance to the Prince of Qin. It made sense; in the current court, only the Prince of Chu and the Prince of Qin were viable contenders. Since Chu Yuan was at odds with the Prince of Chu, he had no choice but to align with the Prince of Qin.
“Where is he?” Duke Chen inquired.
“Where he is, this subordinate does not know. However, he asked me to convey a message to Your Grace: as long as he is here, the heir will surely be safe.”
Duke Chen found it hard to believe. How much hidden influence did the Prince of Qin possess to have infiltrated the Prince of Chu’s mansion and be close to his grandson?
“How does he guarantee it?”
Minister Chu handed Duke Chen a longevity lock. A chill ran down Duke Chen’s spine. This was the longevity lock he had gifted the heir on his full moon celebration, and now it was in Minister Chu’s hands. The implication sent a shiver down his spine.
“What if I refuse?”
“He also said that whether you agree or not, he will ensure the heir’s safety. He only hopes that Your Grace will cherish your own life and not confront His Highness the Prince of Chu head-on, lest you lose your life in vain. You are, after all, a pillar of the state of Yusheng.” Minister Chu paused for a moment before continuing, “As for how to choose, the decision lies in your hands. He will never force you. This subordinate takes his leave.”
Duke Chen watched Minister Chu’s retreating figure, shadows clouding his eyes. He and the Prince of Chu had long since parted ways. He had no choice, for the Prince of Chu would not grant him one.
In Chengyu Palace, Yusheng, the Emperor lay in his sickbed, unconscious. Wan Quan attended to him, offering tea and medicine, just as he always had.
The Prince of Chu entered from outside, “How is Father Emperor? Did he wake today?”
Eunuch Wan immediately bowed, “Greetings, Your Highness. His Majesty shows no improvement and remains unconscious.”
The Prince of Chu looked at the imperial physician beside him, “Imperial Physician Xu, have you discovered why Father Emperor is unconscious?”
“Reporting to Your Highness, this humble servant is incompetent and cannot ascertain the reason for His Majesty’s unconsciousness.” Imperial Physician Xu’s face was filled with distress. If Divine Physician Ye were here, perhaps he could discern why His Majesty had fallen into a coma. But he had exhausted all his lifelong learning and still couldn’t find the cause.
“The court is in turmoil. If Father Emperor doesn’t wake soon, this matter cannot be suppressed,” the Prince of Chu said with concern. “I am not particularly worried about the court officials, but if this drags on, I fear the Shen Du Army might mutiny. Then, with internal and external threats, Yusheng will be in peril.”
Wan Quan was also quite worried, “Currently, the leader of the Shen Du Army is General Ran. Ever since the incident with Princess Yongning, His Majesty has not allowed scions of noble families to take command of the Shen Du Army. General Ran only obeys His Majesty’s orders, and His Majesty contacts General Ran every half month. It has been only three days since His Majesty’s last contact with General Ran.”
“Three days, three days!” A flicker of unease crossed the Prince of Chu’s eyes. If the Emperor did not wake within three days, and Ran Sheng could not contact the Emperor, the first course of action would be to lay siege to the capital!
The Prince of Chu paced the room anxiously. Everyone believed he was controlling the Emperor. If it were true, he would accept it, but it was not him!
“Do you have no solution at all?” Nan Gongyan asked irritably, his heart filled with annoyance. What a group of useless people, unable to even diagnose the Emperor’s illness.
“Reporting to Your Highness, we have done our utmost…” the imperial physician said softly.
“Your Highness the Prince of Chu, doesn’t your mansion have a guest with excellent medical skills?” one imperial physician suddenly said. “Perhaps you could have that guest from your mansion examine His Majesty. Maybe he has a solution.”
The Prince of Chu finally remembered Xiao Qin. Xiao Qin was currently serving as an advisor in his mansion, with an outstanding background. He had almost forgotten that Xiao Qin possessed medical skills.
“Someone, immediately invite Mr. Xiao to the palace.”
As Xiao Qin entered the palace, he happened to encounter Duke Chen leaving. Upon seeing Xiao Qin, Duke Chen’s face immediately turned grim. Even though this man had saved his grandson’s life, he was also an accomplice in the death of his daughter!
“Dressed impeccably, yet a wolf in human clothing,” Duke Chen spat at him.
Xiao Qin, unfazed, bowed harmoniously, “Greetings, Duke Chen.”
Duke Chen immediately sneered, “I dare not accept such a salute. You are a favorite of His Highness the Prince of Chu. I, a fallen old man, cannot possibly bear your grand bow.”
Xiao Qin’s smile remained unchanged. He completed the polite bow with due deference before taking his leave.
Duke Chen watched Xiao Qin head towards the palace, a cold glint in his eyes. Something had clearly gone wrong in the palace, and it was related to the Prince of Chu. Otherwise, why would the Prince of Chu’s favored strategist appear at the palace at this time? It seemed the Prince of Chu could no longer remain idle.
Duke Chen pondered for a moment, then hurried back to his mansion. The Prince of Chu could no longer sit still, and the Emperor’s life hung in the balance. He had to prepare for the worst.
“Your Highness, Mr. Xiao has arrived.”
“Quickly invite him,” the Prince of Chu said upon hearing of Xiao Qin’s arrival, and hurried out to meet him. “Sir, you have arrived.”
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
The Prince of Chu quickly helped him up, “Please dispense with the formalities. Sir, I have a matter to request your assistance with.”
Xiao Qin’s expression was calm, “Your Highness, please state it.”
“Sir, please accompany me.” The Prince of Chu led Xiao Qin into the Emperor’s chambers. The Emperor lay on the bed, oblivious. “Father Emperor has been unconscious for many days. I fear news of this will cause upheaval in the court. Now, Yun Qi and Lan Yue have both become enemies of our Yusheng, and my fourth and thirteenth brothers are away. I am truly worried. Your medical skills are excellent, I implore you to examine Father Emperor. If you have a cure, I will repay you immeasurably.”
Xiao Qin demurred, “Your Highness flatters me. My medical skills are shallow, and I may not be able to cure him.”
“Whether you can cure him or not, please examine him first. If you can, it would be best. If you cannot, I will find another way.”
Xiao Qin nodded in agreement and stepped forward to examine the Emperor. The Emperor’s pulse was very weak, indeed a normal weakness for old age. The Emperor seemed merely asleep, but his pulse was growing weaker.
Xiao Qin’s fingers, which were taking the Emperor’s pulse, suddenly retracted, then were placed back, as if he felt his previous action had been improper. After a moment, he looked towards the Prince of Chu.
“Your Highness, may I speak with you privately?”
The two immediately moved aside. After taking two steps, the Prince of Chu called out to Eunuch Wan, “Eunuch Wan, please join us.”
Wan Quan felt a sense of unease. After all, it concerned the Emperor’s safety, and he was extremely anxious. He hurried to follow.
“Mr. Xiao, what is wrong with His Majesty?”
Xiao Qin’s expression was solemn, “I am untalented and can only speculate, not ascertain. I suspect His Majesty has been poisoned.”
“Impossible!” Eunuch Wan exclaimed emotionally. “Everything His Majesty uses has undergone numerous checks. His food and drink must be tested for poison by at least three people. Those who tested the poison are all well, yet His Majesty is poisoned. How is this possible?”