But the current Emperor was like a paper tiger, incapable of harming anyone. Didn't everyone start to side with him? Even the grand eunuch beside the Emperor unconsciously took a step forward, shielding him from the Emperor's displeased gaze. The Emperor was stunned for a moment, and after realizing what was happening, he looked at him with disbelief.
This was someone he had personally promoted. He knew all about his own affairs and hadn't expected that after he had a stroke, this person would immediately defect. How quickly people's allegiances could change. If he had known this earlier, he would never have let him rise to power. Unfortunately, he couldn't make a sound right now. He tried desperately to speak, but only managed to grunt.
The Third Prince couldn't even bother to pretend anymore. He bowed respectfully and said, "Whether Father Emperor believes it or not, I have never done anything to harm you. On the contrary, I have been the victim from beginning to end. Since you don't wish to see me, please rest well in bed. I believe the imperial physicians can find a way to restore your health so that you can direct state affairs. I shall not be an eyesore to you here."
After saying this, he quickly turned around and gave some instructions to the grand eunuch and the imperial physicians. He left amidst their respectful gazes.
As soon as he left, the Emperor began to struggle again, but this time no one paid him any attention. Even though the imperial physicians and the grand eunuch saw the signs, they deliberately closed their eyes. From this moment on, they knew they had offended the Emperor and had to find a new master. After all, they had never heard of anyone who had a stroke living for more than five years, nor had they ever heard of anyone being cured of a stroke.
Soon, the Empress and Concubine Ru received the news. The Empress was still lying in bed, feeling unwell. Upon hearing that the Emperor had a stroke, she was at first incredulous, then cried and wailed for them to carry her to the Emperor. Concubine Ru had already arrived, holding the Emperor's hand, her eyes filled with tears. She couldn't imagine how she and her son would survive if the Third Prince ascended the throne.
Over the years, there had been a constant stream of new consorts in the harem, but she had always held a special place in the Emperor's heart. Their affection had remained as strong as ever. She was truly heartbroken by the Emperor's illness, both for her own future loss of support and for not being able to bear seeing him in such pain. He had been fine the day before, and now he was like this overnight.
She went to question the imperial physicians and the palace maids and eunuchs, but no one could give a clear explanation. Someone was on duty that night, but for some reason, the palace maid slept exceptionally soundly and only woke up after being shaken for a long time. Although everyone suspected she had been drugged, the imperial physicians examined them and found that they were merely exhausted. Normally, they should have been punished, but whether it was deliberately forgotten or the Third Prince wanted to protect them, they were let off lightly without any mention of the incident, leaving them full of gratitude towards the Third Prince.
Unfortunately, once Concubine Ru arrived, they were not so lucky. The concubine, seeing the palace maids kneeling on the side, became furious. The Emperor was in this state, and they were still sleeping like logs. Were they pigs?
Just as she was about to take her anger out on them, the Empress arrived. Their eyes met with animosity, but the Empress knew this was not the time to argue. She slowly approached the Emperor's bedside and, looking at the Emperor lying on the bed, couldn't help but shed tears. Although Concubine Ru had always occupied the first place in his heart, she had fallen in love with the Emperor at first sight, which was why she had married him back then.
"Were you not the ruler of a nation? How did you end up like this? I was still waiting for you to rise and seek justice for my Crown Prince! Yesterday, I was lamenting the injustice of fate, wondering why all the misfortunes befell our mother and son. Today, I learned that even worse situations were yet to come. With you incapacitated, the court will fall into chaos, but some people will rejoice." The Empress said, sobbing, while still trying to instigate against the Third Prince.
The Emperor opened his mouth, but instead of speaking a word, a considerable amount of saliva flowed out. The palace maid serving him quickly took a handkerchief to wipe it for him. Concubine Ru and the Empress, though still standing, involuntarily took a step back. They had never imagined that a stroke could result in such a state. It was somewhat disgusting, yet they dared not show it.
Finally, seeing that the Emperor was indeed unable to help them, they gave up. They hastily concluded their business, realizing they needed to quickly win over allies, or their twilight years would be uncertain. Everyone knew they were at odds with the Third Prince. If possible, they truly wished to support another prince, and Concubine Ru was one of them. She understood that they had gone too far in the past.
If he ascended the throne, they would be the first to be targeted. To counter him, she quickly pushed the Fourth Prince into the spotlight and rallied her own family, hoping to catch the Third Prince off guard.
"My Lord, the capital is in turmoil. Should we not do something?" Madam Sun approached Sun Guotang, looking at his worried expression, and couldn't help but ask. After their son's attempts to find a way out were met with rejection, they understood their own predicament.
The Sun family had finally risen, and they did not want to fall. They didn't know when they had incurred the Third Prince's displeasure. Although they had been staunch confidantes of the Second Prince, this matter was very secretive. On the surface, they merely appeared to be close to the Second Prince and had done nothing to actively participate. They didn't know how the Third Prince had obtained this information.
Moreover, their lord was a rare talent, and it was incomprehensible that the Third Prince would be willing to abandon him. Of course, since the superior showed his displeasure towards them, naturally, some people would cater to him and try to please him. Not only could they not stand out recently, but even if they kept a low profile, others would not let them off.
If things continued like this, they wouldn't be able to stay in the capital. If the Third Prince ascended to that position, their situation would become even more difficult. Would they just decline and return to their hometown to be ridiculed by others? This was their greatest fear, but now it seemed there was no other way.
"I also want to make a move, but have you considered that although the Empress and Concubine Ru will take action, they are like grasshoppers in late autumn? The Third Prince has the momentum on his side. If we act, we will not only gain no benefit but will also drag our family into a deep pit, possibly leading to the annihilation of the entire family."
This was Sun Guotang's real concern. If they had a chance of winning, why would he stand idly by? He would have joined forces with them to bring down the Third Prince. But now, that was clearly unrealistic.
Upon hearing this, Madam Sun also became worried. It seemed her husband did not have high hopes for Concubine Ru and the Empress. She had originally thought that with their powerful maternal families and the support of another prince, it would be a simple matter. Now, it seemed the Third Prince was more formidable than she had imagined. Indeed, if he were not formidable, how could he have seized the opportunity after the Crown Prince and the Second Prince had fallen one after another?