“Since I happen to have something to discuss with Imperial Father, why don’t I go with you, Mother Consort?” Prince Ling set down the teacup in his hand.
Consort Li’s heart sank.
Did her son not believe she could bring herself to do it?
She had fought her way out of the imperial harem and made it to where she was today. How could she possibly be a kindhearted woman?
Besides, she had understood long ago that men could not be relied upon.
She could only rely on her son!
Consort Li also set down her teacup.
“Very well! I just had some pastries prepared—the kind your Imperial Father likes.”
“Let’s go. We can visit your Imperial Father together!”
Consort Li instructed someone to prepare the food.
Prince Ling noticed the disappointment in her eyes and pondered for a moment.
“Mother Consort, a few days ago, I encountered assassins on my way into the palace.”
Consort Li had still been immersed in her son’s apparent distrust of her.
Then, all of a sudden, she heard Prince Ling say this.
Consort Li was shocked. She hurriedly disregarded all propriety and pulled Prince Ling over, examining him from head to toe.
“Were you injured?”
“You child, why didn’t you tell Mother Consort anything?”
Seeing the worry in his mother’s eyes, Prince Ling gently shook his head.
“Mother Consort, rest assured. I wasn’t injured.”
Consort Li breathed a small sigh of relief.
“Have you found out who the assassins were? What is the Prefect of the Capital doing? How could assassins appear in broad daylight?”
“My son, your Imperial Father is bedridden, and you are helping him manage state affairs.”
“You should take this opportunity to clean things up for your Imperial Father!”
“With these villains running rampant, how can the common people live and work in peace?”
“Those who are incapable should step down and make way for the capable. Your Imperial Father will certainly agree!”
Prince Ling nodded. “I understand.”
His mother meant that they should use this opportunity to replace those officials with their own people.
Such a simple principle needed no explanation.
Just then, the palace maid who had gone to prepare the pastries reported from the doorway that everything was ready.
Prince Ling rose first and extended a hand toward Consort Li.
Consort Li took his hand and stood up.
“Why don’t I mention to your Imperial Father later that you should move into the Eastern Palace?”
“That way, Mother Consort can see both of my grandchildren whenever she wishes.”
“By the way, why hasn’t your wife come to the palace to pay her respects recently?”
Consort Li had not noticed until she brought it up that Princess Consort Ling had not entered the palace for some time.
When Prince Ling heard his mother mention his wife, his expression darkened.
Consort Li immediately sensed that something was wrong.
With so many people following behind them, it was inconvenient for her to ask further.
“She has been unwell recently,” Prince Ling explained after a moment’s hesitation.
“When her health improves, I’ll have her come to the palace.”
Consort Li glanced at her son and smiled as she nodded.
“Good. Let her rest and recover properly. There’s no hurry.”
“Mother Consort is simply lonely and wants someone to talk to.”
The mother and son said no more. Soon, they arrived at the Hall of Supreme Polarity.
The young eunuch standing guard at the entrance saw them and hurriedly knelt to pay his respects.
“Rise,” Prince Ling said with a wave of his hand.
“How is Imperial Father’s health? I have something to discuss with him.”
“I’ll go in and report this. Crown Prince and Your Ladyship, please wait a moment.”
The young eunuch bowed and pushed open the palace doors before entering.
Not long afterward, he emerged with his back bent.
“Crown Prince, Your Ladyship, His Majesty summons you!” the young eunuch announced as he pushed open the doors.
Consort Li and Prince Ling exchanged a glance.
“I have important matters to discuss with Imperial Father. Do not let anyone disturb us,” Prince Ling instructed.
“Yes!” The young eunuch lowered his head respectfully.
Prince Ling lifted his foot and entered the hall first.
A cool breeze swept toward him, causing every pore on his body to open. It was immensely refreshing.
The Hall of Supreme Polarity was naturally cooler than the other palace halls.
With the addition of the ice blocks, it was as pleasant as spring.
Prince Ling felt the heat clinging to his body vanish in an instant.
His eyes deepened imperceptibly.
“Your son pays his respects to Imperial Father. May Imperial Father live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!”
After entering the hall, Prince Ling bowed respectfully to the Emperor.
Consort Li followed and bowed as well.
“Rise. Why have the two of you come together?”
The Emperor’s weak voice came from the bed.
Consort Li straightened and hurried to the bedside, clasping the Emperor’s hand tightly.
“Your Majesty, it has only been a few days since I last saw you. How have you become so much…”
She could not finish. Turning her head aside, she secretly wiped at the corners of her eyes.
The Emperor frowned slightly.
Prince Ling stepped forward and examined him.
The Emperor appeared weak and listless, but his complexion actually looked quite good.
Prince Ling knitted his brows.
“Imperial Father, has your health still not improved?”
“Then it seems the imperial physicians should be replaced!”
Consort Li turned her head and nodded in agreement.
“The Crown Prince is right!”
“Those imperial physicians receive salaries from the court, yet they fail to perform their duties wholeheartedly.”
“Your Majesty is merciful, but they have treated you so carelessly. They should be executed as a warning to others!”
“Why not have the Crown Prince post an announcement later seeking renowned physicians among the common people and summon them to the palace to treat Your Majesty?”
Consort Li coaxed the Emperor gently.
The Emperor’s gaze paused for a moment on Consort Li’s reddened eyes.
“It is I who have made you worry.”
“I am advanced in years, so naturally my body recovers more slowly. You needn’t worry.”
“Besides, once a person reaches a certain age, one has no choice but to accept that one is growing old.”
Prince Ling wore a sorrowful expression. “Imperial Father is not old at all.”
“I’ll have someone post the announcement immediately. There are many skilled physicians among the people. Surely one of them can cure Imperial Father!”
The Emperor glanced at Prince Ling. “Have any of the court officials made things difficult for you recently?”
Hearing his Imperial Father’s concern, Prince Ling instantly became animated.
“Imperial Father, rest assured. I will make those officials acknowledge my abilities!”
Consort Li was taken aback. “My son, someone actually dared to make things difficult for you?”
“Why haven’t I heard you mention it?”
“You child, you bear every hardship alone. You’re far too honest!”
Prince Ling declared resolutely, “Imperial Father has entrusted the empire to me. I do not wish to disappoint him.”
“Imperial Father, rest assured. Your son will devote himself fully to handling every matter properly!”
“You should set your mind at ease and recuperate. When the time comes, you can celebrate a happy birthday!”
The Emperor smiled and nodded slowly.
“Good. I believe in you!”
Prince Ling’s face filled with emotion. He decisively dropped to his knees and swore an oath to the Emperor.
“Imperial Father, rest assured. Your son will protect the Xiao family’s empire with all his strength!”
Consort Li seized the opportunity to make her request.
“Your Majesty, why not allow the Crown Prince to move into the palace?”
“That way, he will have more time to seek your guidance and learn from you!”
“Your Majesty, you don’t know this, but the Crown Prince encountered assassins on his way into the palace!”
As Consort Li spoke, tears began to fall.
A strange look flashed through the Emperor’s eyes.
“Assassins?”
Prince Ling hurriedly explained, “Imperial Father, I’m fine. You needn’t worry.”
The Emperor nodded.
“If you cannot overcome even such a minor incident, how can I feel confident entrusting the throne to you?”
“When you encounter a difficult problem, if all you do is run away, then when disaster befalls the nation, would you not abandon the empire and flee?”
