The war at the border has subsided, and everything in the court seems calm. But under this calm, there are clearly waves and undercurrents, and it seems that a violent storm is brewing...
More than half a month later, news came that the emperor's dragon body was in bad condition. A few days later, even the court meeting was temporarily suspended. All political affairs were handed over to several cabinet ministers. The prince naturally acted as an agent for the government. In the Imperial Medical Office
All the imperial doctors were left in the palace to diagnose and treat the emperor. Looking at this situation, it seemed that if the emperor did not get better in a day, these imperial doctors would not be able to leave the palace for a day.
The emperor's condition has become the focus of attention of many courtiers. Some of them are flexible and have begun to make small moves secretly. They have begun to think that if the emperor cannot afford to fall ill, he should write a letter to ask for his succession...
There was also a low pressure in the palace.
These days, the concubines came to pay their respects every day, and some of them were eager to come and attend to the emperor's daily life. They were all stopped one by one by Empress Gu. Empress Gu put down all palace affairs and insisted on taking care of the emperor's body personally. To say that she took care of the emperor personally was definitely not an understatement.
It's no exaggeration. Even after the medicine was boiled and brought to her, Queen Gu would taste it herself and then wait for the emperor to drink it.
When people are sick, they are inevitably more fragile than usual, and more easily moved than usual. Queen Gu waited on her without taking off her clothes, even if the emperor was hard-hearted, he was moved by Queen Gu's actions. He was quick to be suspicious and jealous.
After all the love between husband and wife, there is a trend of recovery.
On this day, Queen Gu brought the hot medicine as usual. She took a sip first. After a while, she felt that there was nothing strange, and then she carefully fed the emperor the medicine.
The emperor looked at the haggard Empress Gu and suddenly sighed: "Queen, you have worked hard these days."
Queen Gu made a move, and a glimmer of water flashed in her eyes: "Your Majesty said this, you are really out of touch with your concubines. In a more serious sense, you are the emperor of the dynasty, and you are responsible for the safety of the world. In a more minor sense, you are the emperor.
My husband, I serve you, that is the duty of a wife."
Although these two sentences were a bit disgusting, they were indescribably pleasant to the ears of the emperor who could not afford to suffer from illness. The queen's title was also changed: "Weiniang, you should take more care of yourself. If I get better,
, but you fell ill again, the palace is missing a backbone."
Empress Gu smiled and said: "As long as the emperor's dragon body recovers, I will be willing to lose ten years of my life."
How else can I say that I have never worn anything but flattery? When the emperor heard these words, his expression suddenly softened a lot. Just as he was about to say something, the eunuch's report suddenly came from outside: "Your Majesty, the noble concubine is here.
My regards."
The emperor's expression was indifferent, and he casually ordered: "I accept her wishes, but I am lying on the bed and have no strength to speak. Let her go back first!"
The eunuch hurriedly responded, sighing secretly in his heart. The Sacred Heart is unpredictable, and it is true. Concubine Zheng was so favored back then that even the empress did not pay attention to her. But in just one year, Concubine Zheng
But the situation is declining. It is not easy to see the emperor even once.
Needless to say, Concubine Zheng, who was waiting hard outside, was disappointed when she heard such news. She tried hard not to show it in front of all the eunuchs and maids. She turned around and left as if nothing had happened. After returning to the palace, she was so angry that she
A set of favorite tea cups shattered.
That night, the third prince entered the palace to check on the emperor's condition, and successfully settled in Concubine Zheng's palace. What the mother and son discussed in private was naturally unknown to outsiders.
After Empress Gu learned about this, she smiled meaningfully and ordered someone to quietly send a letter to the prince.
…
The emperor fell ill and lay on the dragon bed. The prince acted in government affairs every day and was busy dealing with ministers and learning to deal with various political affairs. He was really busy. However, even so, he still insisted on visiting the emperor every day.
After entering the palace that day, the prince greeted the emperor respectfully as usual. The emperor was weak due to illness, but his thoughts were still clear. He gave the prince some advice: "... As the emperor, the most important thing is how to use people.
There are so many trivial matters in the court that have to be taken care of by the ministers. It is impossible to ask about everything. However, you must not be deceived into a fool because of this. Therefore, important memorials must be personally reviewed by Zhu Pi.
…”
The prince listened respectfully and asked some questions in his heart. The emperor no longer remained silent as before, but instead tried his best to guide the prince on how to deal with it.
Among the subtle changes, the prince's feelings were naturally the most profound, and the joy of overcoming all hardships surged in his heart. However, he was very careful not to show this joy on his face, but showed an expression that was hesitant to speak.
The emperor saw this and asked, "Is there something you haven't said yet?"
The prince hesitated for a moment, as if he was about to say something, but then changed his mind and denied with a smile: "It's nothing. My father is ill and it's important to rest in peace. Don't worry about the affairs in the court. I will definitely try my best to handle the matter well."
.”
The emperor was so familiar with the prince's temperament that he knew at a glance that he must be hiding something he was worried about. He immediately asked, "What happened?"
Seeing that he couldn't hide it, the prince could only whisper: "My son, I didn't want to disturb my father's recovery with these trivial matters. It's just that rumors have been spreading too much in the capital recently, and there are even some treacherous words..." After a pause, the conversation changed:
"My son has ordered people to investigate this matter thoroughly, and we will definitely find out who is causing trouble behind it as soon as possible. Father, don't worry!"
I asked him more questions next, but he refused to say more.
The emperor had no special reaction at the time, but after the prince left, he immediately secretly ordered someone to investigate the matter.
…
That night, in the study room of the Prince's Mansion.
"You didn't see that after I said a few words, my father's face immediately changed." The prince whispered to Gu Xinian with excitement: "I heard that not long after I left, my father summoned someone.
Go over and ask questions. This situation has been set up for so long, and I have finally waited for this day."
It has been three or four months since the day the layout was laid out. The prince thinks he is very patient, but he is also getting impatient while waiting.
Gu Xinian was much calmer than the prince, and said in a low voice: "Now that the emperor has taken action, within two days, he will probably call you into the palace again for careful questioning. You must act well by then. Don't do it."
exposed."
The prince said without hesitation: "Don't worry! I have been prepared for a long time. As long as the father opens his mouth to ask, I will bite my tongue and say nothing at first. I will cry a few words until the end. I guarantee that the father will not be suspicious."
The reason for not saying anything at first is to show the kindness of the prince and brother and the filial piety that is considerate of the emperor's body. This can also relieve the emperor's suspicion to the greatest extent.
Gu Xinian nodded and said: "Everything has been arranged. Just wait patiently! If there are no accidents, the third prince will definitely anger the emperor this time."
It would be best if the emperor was so angry that he asked the third prince to leave the capital.
The prince and Gu Xinian exchanged knowing glances and discussed in a low voice.
…
Within two days, the guard in charge of the matter presented the results of the investigation to the emperor.
After the emperor read it, his face turned black with anger. He didn't care that he was still ill. He immediately got out of bed and paced back and forth, sneering several times: "Okay, that's great! I really gave birth to a good son!"
The confidant eunuchs and guards who were standing by did not dare to say a word and lowered their heads together. The emperor was obviously in a very bad mood, and interfering at this time was undoubtedly asking for death.
After a while, the emperor's mood finally calmed down a little, and he gave a calm order: "Pass on my oral instructions, and order the prince to come to the palace immediately to have an audience."
Less than two hours after the oral instruction was passed down, the prince entered the palace.
The emperor summoned the prince alone to question him, but no one knew what he said. Only the eunuch standing outside vaguely heard the prince's choking voice coming from inside. Although he was curious, he did not dare to go over and listen carefully. The emperor is not here today.
If you are really angry, if you go forward at this time, it is the old man who eats arsenic and feels that his life is too long.
In the room, the prince knelt beside the emperor's bed, with tears streaming down his face: "Father, all sons and ministers are unfilial. I shouldn't have mentioned these things in front of you to make you angry."
Although the emperor was angry, he had not yet lost his mind and expressed his anger indiscriminately: "These things were all done by your third emperor brother, and you are also deeply affected by them. What does it have to do with you?"
The prince was secretly feeling happy, but he still had an expression of guilt and self-blame on his face: "It's because of my incompetence. Even though I hold the position of prince, my talents are mediocre. It is inevitable that the third emperor's brother will be dissatisfied with me..."
The emperor snorted coldly: "It's not him who has the final say whether your talent is mediocre or not. I think you are kind-hearted and have the demeanor of a prince. I was wrong before and thought he was better than you. Now it seems that he is.
He is an unfaithful, unfilial and bold person. It is simply ridiculous that such a person wants to covet the throne!"
What a great scolding! Keep scolding me!
The prince did not plead for the third prince anymore. He said too much and went too far, which made people feel hypocritical. Therefore, he maintained a distressed look and listened to the emperor scolding the third prince. But he sneered secretly in his heart, Zhao
Zhang, Zhao Zhang, let me see how long you can remain proud!
…
The next day, the third prince was summoned into the palace.
The emperor sat expressionlessly on the dragon couch, his eyes cold. Even when he was ill, his magnanimity and coercion still made him breathless.
The third prince's heart skipped a beat, and he had a vague premonition of something bad. Sure enough, before he could greet him, the emperor's anger swept over him: "I have indeed given birth to a good son!"
The third prince's body reacted completely automatically and he immediately knelt down to apologize: "Father, please calm down!"
"Calm down your anger?" The emperor sneered: "How do you want me to calm down my anger? If I come to ask you in person, if you dare to lie even half a word today, I will immediately ask you to lead Concubine Zheng to the land. From now on, you will not be allowed to come back again.
