Eunuch Li bowed his waist lower and said, "This old servant would not dare!"
Upon seeing this, Prince Ling stepped past Eunuch Li and prepared to enter.
Eunuch Li could not stop him and had no choice but to follow inside.
The other consorts, seeing this, quickly rose and trailed behind.
Ignoring his own physical discomfort, Prince Ling quickened his pace and strode into the inner chamber.
On the bed, the Emperor lay motionless.
Imperial Physician Li stood at the bedside, his hands hanging at his sides.
Prince Lung rushed to the bed and cried out in a choked voice.
"Father! Wake up!"
The Emperor remained still, as if merely asleep.
"Imperial Physician Li, what is wrong with my father?"
Prince Ling called out several times, but his father did not respond.
Hearing the question, Imperial Physician Li stepped forward and bowed.
"To answer Your Highness, Prince Ling: His Majesty has only fainted from an overwhelming fit of rage."
"Your humble servant has already examined His Majesty; with just a little rest, he will awaken."
A flicker of disappointment sped across Prince Ling's face.
He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, then let out a long sigh of relief.
"That is excellent! I was so worried about Father that I rushed into the palace in a panic."
The guard beside him supported Prince Ling.
"Your Highness, would you like to sit down? Your lower back has not yet fully healed."
Prince Ling's face showed displeasure. "Who asked you to speak?"
After scolding the guard, Prince Ling looked again at Eunuch Li.
"Did Father encounter something today that caused him to faint from rage?"
Eunuch Li hesitated. Seeing Prince Ling's sharp gaze, he lowered his head.
"His Majesty said that today's matter shall be dealt with after he awakens."
Prince Ling was startled. "Father woke up?"
"Yes," Eunuch Li replied.
Prince Ling pondered for a moment, then turned to look at the crowd of consorts behind him.
"You have all just heard Imperial Physician Li's words. Father is fine. You may all return now."
"Keep order in your own palaces, and do not spread rumors!"
"If, during Father's unconsciousness, any gossip or slander emerges from any palace, do not blame me for showing no leniency!"
The consorts slowly filed out.
In the end, only Consort Xian remained.
Prince Ling frowned. He was about to speak when footsteps sounded from outside the door.
It was Prince Rui who had arrived.
Prince Rui first walked quickly to the bedside and glanced at the Emperor.
"Eunuch Li, what exactly caused His Majesty to fall unconscious?"
Eunuch Li bowed and mechanically repeated his earlier words.
"Please do not inquire about today's matter, Your Highness Prince Rui."
"His Majesty said that everything will be decided after he awakens."
Prince Rui glanced at Prince Ling.
He nodded at Prince Ling. "Second Brother."
Prince Ling smiled back at Prince Rui. "Fourth Brother."
"Just now, Imperial Physician Li said that Father needs quiet rest."
"I have already sent everyone else back."
"Why don't you also return, Fourth Brother? Your wife is pregnant, isn't she? We musn't let her worry."
Prince Rui's gaze swept over Prince Ling.
"Second Brother, let us leave together. Isn't your back still not fully healed?"
"A man's back is most important. You must take good care of it!"
Prince Ling's face changed color briefly, but he quickly broke into a smile.
"Fourth Brother speaks very truly. I came too hastily earlier and am now feeling somewhat unwell."
The guard beside him interjected, "Your Highness, perhaps you could rest for a while in Consort Li's palace before leaving?"
"How dare you speak out of turn!" Prince Ling scolded with a stern face.
Prince Ling turned around, bent his waist with difficulty, and bowed to the Emperor.
“Father, your son will take his leave now. I will come to see you another day!”
After saying this, Prince Ling turned to look at Prince Rui.
“Fourth brother, let’s go.”
Prince Rui’s eyes flickered. He nodded to Prince Ling.
“Second brother, I’d like to stay a while longer and keep my mother company before leaving the palace.”
Prince Ling smiled and left with his guards.
Prince Rui also bowed to the emperor before departing with Consort Xian.
“Mother, what exactly is going on?” Prince Rui asked impatiently as soon as they were a distance away.
Consort Xian looked around cautiously.
Currently, the most likely candidates for Crown Prince were Prince Ling, Prince Xian, the Fifth Prince, and Prince Rui.
Because Consort Shu was under house arrest, Prince Xian had not yet received the news.
For reasons unknown, the Fifth Prince had also not yet entered the palace.
Prince Ling had gone to Consort Li’s place—most likely to discuss strategy.
Thinking this over, Consort Xian gave her son a meaningful glance.
“I’m tired. Let’s return to the palace first and talk there.”
Prince Rui understood his mother’s intention and helped her walk back.
Once they were inside their palace, Consort Xian quickly recounted everything she had learned.
“My son, I feel that this matter is by no means simple!”
“Prince Ling entered the palace so quickly. I believe those mother and son are plotting something!”
Prince Rui paced back and forth a few times, pondering what Consort Xian had told him.
Suddenly, he stopped.
“Mother, do you think Second Brother might be using this chance to seize the throne?”
Consort Xian’s face paled.
“That’s what I suspect. You must think of a plan, and quickly.”
“No one else has received word yet. Right now, only you and Prince Ling are in the palace!”
Prince Rui’s eyes lit up.
“Mother, if Second Brother does intend to usurp the throne, I can lead a loyal purge!” ...
Prince Rui leaned closer to Consort Xian and whispered his plan to her.
Consort Xian nodded repeatedly.
“But you must be careful! Prince Ling saw you just now—he will definitely be on his guard against you!”
Prince Rui nodded.
“Mother, take care of yourself. Your son will take his leave now.”
Consort Xian watched him leave with a worried look. She was lost in thought for a moment, then called for her trusted nanny and began making her own arrangements.
In the Imperial Prison, Duoduo’s stomach started growling.
“Gurgle, gurgle.”
Just as her stomach finished its noise, Lüdou’s stomach began to rumble too.
Duoduo turned to look at Nanny Li, who was sitting in the corner.
“Nanny, are you hungry?”
Nanny Li, who had her eyes closed, opened them when she heard Duoduo’s question.
“In response to the Princess, this servant is not hungry.”
No sooner had Nanny Li spoken than a loud “gurgle” was heard.
Duoduo couldn’t help but laugh.
Nanny Li felt a bit embarrassed and covered her stomach. It was rare for her to be so undignified.
Seeing Duoduo laugh, Lüdou felt a pang of sympathy.
She fumbled in her sleeve and pulled out a paper packet.
“Princess, this servant has a few pieces of mung bean cake here. Please eat them.”
Duoduo’s eyes lit up. She took the oilpaper packet and opened it.
Inside the packet were only three very small pieces of mung bean cake.
Duoduo smiled.
“There are exactly three. Let’s each have one!”
Lüdou and Nanny Li both shook their heads.
“This servant won’t eat! This servant isn’t hungry!”
But Duoduo insisted. She picked up the cakes and gave one to each of them.
She put her piece into her mouth.
Having not drunk water for half the day, her mouth was dry, and the mung bean cake was a bit hard to swallow.
Duoduo craned her neck, struggling a bit to swallow the mung bean cake.
“Hurry up and eat! If you faint from hunger here, I won’t be able to drag you out.”
