It was impossible to enter the Imperial Prison, but Duke Xu had his own plans. Thus, even though he greatly feared Feng Xiwu, who was known for his unpredictable actions, he still had to try and negotiate with him.
However, whether he could negotiate or not depended on whether Feng Xiwu gave him the chance.
While Duke Xu was hesitating and carefully choosing his words, Feng Xiwu had already entered with Lu Qingwan.
The soldiers of the Divine Strategy Battalion did not stop Lu Qingwan at any point.
Having displeased Feng Xiwu for no reason and gained nothing, Feng Xiwu even instructed the soldiers of the Divine Strategy Battalion, "From now on, without my command, everyone here shall not leave the palace nor contact anyone.
Any disobedience will result in immediate imprisonment in the Imperial Prison to await judgment."
The soldiers of the Divine Strategy Battalion responded in unison, their sharp, eagle-like eyes fixing on the assembled ministers waiting outside the palace.
The ministers' gazes fell upon Duke Xu with resentment.
Even ministers who were on good terms with him couldn't help but complain, "Why did you provoke that demon for no reason?"
Duke Xu felt like he had swallowed a bitter herb, unable to speak his grievances, and was on the verge of tears.
Inside Weiyang Palace.
Prince Nan, Lu Zhenting, and Academician Chi had arrived earlier. Upon seeing Feng Xiwu and Prime Minister Wen, they immediately rose to pay their respects.
Before they could even fully straighten their postures, Feng Xiwu raised his hand to stop them and directly asked Tang Xiao, "What is the situation with Imperial Brother? Why did he summon several ministers with a secret decree, yet those outside already knew about it?"
Tang Xiao quickly clasped his hands and replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, after His Majesty finished his dinner tonight, for some unknown reason, he suddenly began speaking incoherently.
At one moment he said he had not failed the late Empress Dowager's trust in caring for Your Highness well, and at another, he spoke of unfulfilled ambitions, wishing to personally lead troops to drive the Northern Wei cavalry three thousand li out of the northern border...
He appeared as if possessed. As you were not present, I dared not let the ministers know and took the liberty of giving His Majesty an antidote pill that the Consort had once bestowed upon me.
After taking the antidote pill, His Majesty regained a moment of clarity and immediately ordered me to summon several officials into the palace.
However, within moments, Noble Consort Ye and Concubine Lan barged into the palace and witnessed His Majesty in a state of confusion. And thus, all these people have arrived."
Upon hearing that Noble Consort Ye had been there, Feng Xiwu's brow furrowed tightly.
"Where are they now? Where are Prince Ning, Prince Jing, and Prince Chen? The ministers received the news; surely they did not?"
When the Emperor was in trouble, it was only natural that the princes should be the first to rush to the palace to curry favor and prove themselves, preventing others from seizing the throne.
Yet, at this moment, with Emperor Jingyou's condition unclear, none of the three princes were present. Something felt very wrong.
Hearing this, Tang Xiao immediately knelt on one knee, "Please forgive my presumption, Your Highness.
After His Majesty's consciousness became confused for the second time, fearing rebellion, I ordered the Divine Strategy Battalion to softly confine all the imperial consorts to Kunning Palace.
I also had Li Jin help to confine the three princes to their residences."
Lu Qingwan listened and clicked her tongue. The commander of the Divine Strategy Battalion, though called the Emperor's personal guard, was in fact only a fourth-rank official.
Among the officials in the capital, he was at the very bottom.
He dared to imprison imperial consorts and confine princes; this young man was truly audacious!
The ministers were also greatly surprised, but Feng Xiwu remained the most composed. "Leave the imperial consorts for now. Immediately send someone to bring the three princes into the palace.
Also, keep an eye on Duke Xu for me, don't let him have any opportunity to speak with anyone, especially Prince Ning and Prince Jing."
Tang Xiao acknowledged and left. Feng Xiwu himself steered his wheelchair into Emperor Jingyou's sleeping quarters and saw Emperor Jingyou lying on the dragon bed, muttering and searching for something with a dazed expression.
Seeing that although his consciousness was hazy, he was not so disheveled that he could not be seen, Feng Xiwu then raised his voice, "The Consort may enter."
The old ministers exchanged glances, unsure of Feng Xiwu's intention in having his consort see the Emperor at such a time.
However, they all knew that Emperor Jingyou trusted Feng Xiwu as much as his own right hand, so none dared to object.
Lu Qingwan entered as instructed. Seeing Emperor Jingyou's condition, she already had a suspicion in mind.
"Help me hold His Majesty down so he doesn't move erratically. I need to take his pulse."
Due to Emperor Jingyou's special status, only Feng Xiwu and Prime Minister Wen could perform this task.
The moment Lu Qingwan's fingers touched Emperor Jingyou's wrist, the laboratory's alarm sounded.
"Warning, detected highly toxic substance Xylosibine..."
The laboratory quickly produced a report analyzing the poison. Lu Qingwan raised an eyebrow, "Xylosibine? Isn't that the famous 'red cap, white stem'?"
Almost unable to resist singing, Lu Qingwan awkwardly withdrew her hand from Emperor Jingyou's wrist and asked Feng Xiwu, "Has Meng Tang arrived?"
Feng Xiwu did not answer and simply gestured. Ying Yi brought over Lu Qingwan's usual medicine chest.
Lu Qingwan took the medicine chest but did not act immediately. Instead, she asked Tang Xiao, "After His Majesty fell ill, didn't you summon the imperial physicians? Did you immediately give him an antidote?"
Tang Xiao shook his head. "I did. Director Chen was too ill to attend, so I summoned Imperial Physician Yang. Who knew he'd immediately say His Majesty was possessed.
I feared he might spread rumors, so I detained him and dared not invite any other imperial physicians, directly administering the medicine.
I also sent someone to the Prince's manor to summon Doctor Shen, but Doctor Shen was out collecting herbs and was not present.
I dared not take any further unilateral action, so I wished to invite several officials to discuss a solution together, but unexpectedly, you and His Highness returned."
No matter how powerful the Divine Strategy Battalion was, they were merely guards.
Tang Xiao, as the commander of the guards, had done quite well to reach this point.
Lu Qingwan nodded, injected Emperor Jingyou with a dose of antidote serum, then stood up. Feng Xiwu raised an eyebrow, "Leaving already?"
Lu Qingwan pushed him out. "Someone still needs to administer acupuncture to His Majesty. It's not convenient for me.
Have Meng Tang come, I'll tell him the acupoints, and he can perform the acupuncture. There will be no problem."
Feng Xiwu thought, "When you stripped Father-in-law bare to perform surgery, you didn't say it was inconvenient then."
However, he was indeed tactful and did not argue with Lu Qingwan at this moment. Instead, he followed her instructions and sent for Meng Tang.
Meng Tang was quite pleased to see Lu Qingwan, but out of respect for the environment, he dared not call her Master. However, upon hearing that he was to administer acupuncture to the Emperor, he nearly fainted!
His head shook like a rattle drum, his hands blurring. "No, Master! I, I, I... I have never treated anyone so noble and precious.
I can't do it. What if..."
As he thought about who lay on the dragon bed, he couldn't even finish the "what if."
Lu Qingwan offered a professional, fake smile and offered him insincere comfort, "Your Master believes you can do it."
She then pushed Meng Tang into the sleeping quarters.
Meng Tang was still trembling. Lu Qingwan decided to administer a strong dose of encouragement. "When I went out this time, I unexpectedly met a protector from the Reincarnation Hall. If you cure His Majesty, I'll let you see the handwritten notes the envoy from the Reincarnation Hall gave me."
"Reincarnation Hall?!"
Upon hearing these three words, Meng Tang's heart stopped trembling, his hands stopped shaking, and his eyes gleamed with green light.