Although Yizhiye smiled outwardly, Zheng Wei could tell without thinking that using his woman's spiritual energy to extend his life would be an extremely painful process.
However, refusing Yizhiye would also be a cruel act.
Ultimately, he was unwilling to leave Namu Zhong like this.
Namu Zhong would definitely not let him leave.
“Exactly, it’s a time of much unrest. Why don’t we handle this matter after Ah Han successfully ascends the throne? We won’t tell them anything for now, to avoid raising too many hopes. If it turns out to be useless later, the disappointment will be even more severe.”
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan say this, Zheng Wei strongly agreed.
People are not afraid of having no hope; they are afraid of having hope and then losing it.
That kind of thing can easily break the last straw in a person's heart.
The next morning, before breakfast, someone from the palace arrived, stating that the third-day ceremony for the young prince would be held tomorrow, and he would also be made Crown Prince. Sima Han and Yizhiye were specifically requested to attend.
After the young eunuch finished delivering the message, he quickly took his leave, perhaps because he had another family to visit, or perhaps fearing that Yizhiye and Sima Han would directly refuse him, making it difficult for him to report back.
After the young eunuch left, Shen Xiaoyan and the others exchanged glances.
Sima Zhu was truly impatient.
The child was only three days old, and he was already to be made Crown Prince. He wasn’t afraid…
The next day, after an early breakfast, Yizhiye and Sima Han were to enter the palace. This time, Shen Xiaoyan, Zheng Wei, and the others did not accompany them.
The investiture of the Crown Prince was a major event, and women were not permitted to be present.
Shen Xiaoyan was not particularly curious about this, but before Yizhiye and Sima Han left, she still said, "You must be careful when you enter the palace. If Sima Zhu has any schemes, don't fall into his trap."
Yizhiye nodded seriously, "We will."
This was not Shen Xiaoyan being overly worried. It was true that some people, when they felt they had reached a dead end, would fight back fiercely. Because they were unwilling to die like this, they would try every means to survive.
If they truly couldn't survive, they would at least drag someone down with them.
Sima Zhu was currently in this situation. The imperial physicians might not have been able to diagnose it yet, but he himself should have been able to feel that his stomach was once again starting to feel insatiably hungry.
Although he tried his best to endure it, knowing he couldn't eat like this anymore, he was still somewhat unable to resist.
Moreover, Yizhiye had said that the powerful rebound of the medicine was expected in the next two days.
Therefore, it was difficult to guarantee that Sima Zhu would not do something crazy out of impulse.
After seeing off Yizhiye and Zheng Wei, Yue Qingxin began to frown and remain silent.
Seeing this, Shen Xiaoyan walked over with some concern and asked, "What's wrong, Sister?"
Yue Qingxin touched her chest and said hesitantly, "I don't know why, but my heart feels uneasy. I have a feeling that something bad might happen today."
Shen Xiaoyan was taken aback.
Perhaps Yue Qingxin was worried about Sima Han, but women's intuition was sometimes very accurate.
Therefore, Shen Xiaoyan said, "Sister, don't worry. I'll ask Awei to go to the barracks outside the city later and make all the necessary preparations. If anything goes wrong in the Forbidden City, he can quickly lead people in."
Yue Qingxin nodded. This was all they could do for now.
"I hope I'm just overthinking things."
Hearing Yue Qingxin's words, Shen Xiaoyan also felt a sense of oppression.
In fact, it wasn't just Yue Qingxin; she too had a sense of an impending storm.
Zheng Wei was already not far away. Without Shen Xiaoyan or Yue Qingxin saying anything more, he said goodbye to them and flew out.
He didn't ride a horse for two reasons. One, he felt it was too slow.
Second, if something were to happen, the city gates would definitely be under strict guard.
He wasn't afraid of not being able to get out, but he was afraid of wasting time.
After watching Zheng Wei leave, Shen Xiaoyan's heart truly clenched.
As time ticked by, Shen Xiaoyan and the others felt increasingly anxious.
They didn't know what was happening in the Forbidden City.
Namu Zhong saw Yue Qingxin's worried expression and comforted her, "Xinxin, don't be afraid. Little Brother Xie is here. Even if everyone in the Forbidden City comes together, they are no match for him."
Although she said this, she was still afraid of unexpected events.
Shen Xiaoyan added this thought in her heart, but ultimately did not say it aloud.
She really couldn't make Yue Qingxin worry any more.
Meanwhile, after Sima Han and Yizhiye arrived at the Forbidden City, they sensed something was wrong.
The guards at the palace gate were more than three times their usual number. After entering the Forbidden City, there were guards everywhere. It was almost impossible for the two of them to whisper anything, as hundreds of eyes would be watching them.
Yizhiye was truly surprised. Where did Sima Zhu get so many guards?
As they walked towards the Hall of Diligent Governance, they found that the surrounding guards were becoming even more numerous, almost shoulder to shoulder.
Sima Han shook his head, "What is he thinking, bringing so many people? If something really happens, there won't even be room to turn around, let alone fight."
Yizhiye laughed heartily, "Why do you care? Perhaps he only feels safe when he sees so many people."
As they spoke, they arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance.
However, Sima Han still felt it was a bit strange. Logically, the investiture of the Crown Prince should not be held in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
The Hall of Diligent Governance was where state affairs were handled. Although it was solemn and serious, there was a significant difference compared to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
To invest the first Crown Prince of the dynasty, they did not go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, but instead came here. It was difficult not to be suspicious of his intentions.
Without further thought, the two walked into the hall.
The hall was already bustling with people, packed to the brim.
The main hall, which usually seemed very large, now contained so many people that it felt stifling and hard to breathe.
Yizhiye and Sima Han only took a glance from the doorway and then retreated.
There were simply too many people!
Just then, they heard Wang Lin's voice from inside the room.
"Since everyone is here, there's no need to wait for the auspicious hour. We can proceed with the imperial edict for the investiture now."
At this, not only Sima Han and Yizhiye, but also all the court officials in the hall felt as if their ears were playing tricks on them.
Wasn't Wang Lin joking?
An important event like the investiture of the Crown Prince, and they weren't even waiting for the auspicious hour.
This…
"This is simply absurd!"
Among the court officials, there was a straightforward person who directly voiced his thoughts.
This remark seemed to stir up a thousand waves, and everyone began to murmur.
"Eunuch Wang, who gave you the courage to speak such nonsense on such an occasion?"
"Indeed, Eunuch Wang, where is His Majesty? On such an important day, how could His Majesty not be present, and how could he allow you to speak such nonsense?"
Hearing the questioning from the court officials, Wang Lin's forehead was covered in sweat, but he still insisted, "Esteemed officials, please remain calm. This is indeed an imperial decree entrusted to this servant by His Majesty. Otherwise, even if this servant had the greatest courage, he would not dare to do so."
Although the court officials found Wang Lin's words to be quite reasonable, it did not mean they were willing to accept this explanation.
"If that is the case, please ask Eunuch Wang to summon His Majesty."
Wang Lin quickly shook his head, "His Majesty cannot come at this moment. After this servant has proclaimed the edict, we can go and see His Majesty together."
"Then tell us where His Majesty is, and we will find him ourselves."
"Indeed. If His Majesty is unwell, why not ask the Grand Emperor or the Emperor Dowager to preside over the ceremony? That would be acceptable. However, the investiture of the Crown Prince of our Great Chu cannot be conducted so hastily."
Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, Wang Lin simply stopped explaining or wasting words.