Prince Ling was so furious that he wanted to kill Prince Rui.
However, with the Emperor and all the ministers present, Prince Ling did not dare act rashly.
He put on an expression of deep anguish and regret.
“Fourth Brother, it was all because Second Brother failed to manage things properly that the people under me caused this mess.”
“It was entirely Second Brother’s fault. Second Brother apologizes to you!”
“How about this? Second Brother will personally visit Fourth Brother’s wife and apologize to her.”
“Also, Second Brother will have the imperial physicians take charge of Fourth Brother’s wife’s recovery.”
“All the expenses will be covered by Second Brother!”
“Furthermore, Second Brother has some top-grade medicinal herbs for restoring the body. I’ll send them all to Fourth Brother’s wife to help her recuperate.”
“Rest assured. Fourth Brother’s wife will definitely be able to conceive again!”
Prince Ling seemed to have made up his mind.
“If Fourth Brother still feels that Second Brother hasn’t shown enough sincerity, then from this day forward, An’er will be your son!”
The moment Prince Ling said this, the ministers erupted in an uproar.
Prince Ling had only one legitimate son, yet he was actually willing to say such a thing. It seemed he truly intended to make amends for his mistake.
After all, no one was perfect.
As the sages said, recognizing one’s mistake and correcting it was the greatest virtue!
With such broad-mindedness, Prince Ling truly lived up to his position as Crown Prince!
Prince Rui was also shocked by Prince Ling’s words.
He wanted a son, but he had never intended to adopt someone else’s child.
What was more, the child belonged to his second brother!
He dared not accept him.
However, if he continued to press the matter, not only would the ministers side with his second brother, even the Emperor would begin to suspect him.
Thinking of this, Prince Rui cast a sidelong glance at the Sixth Prince beside him.
“Father, my seventh brother and I came happily to the capital to wish you a happy birthday.”
“But we never expected to suffer such an unjust calamity!”
“Father, under your rule, the empire has always enjoyed peace and prosperity.”
“As the guards of the imperial palace, when did the Imperial Guards become so bold?”
“As the ancients said, those above set the example for those below. Clearly, the people in charge have failed in their duties!”
“If this hidden danger is not eliminated, the nation itself will be endangered!”
The Sixth Prince knelt unsteadily, swaying as though he might collapse at any moment.
The Seventh Prince joined in. “That’s right, Father. This matter must be thoroughly investigated, and the guilty must be severely punished!”
“Father, you didn’t see it yesterday. The Imperial Guards arrested countless commoners and killed many of them!”
“Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought the barbarians had come to massacre the city!”
“Father, those were all your subjects!”
Inside his sleeves, Prince Ling’s hands clenched tightly into fists. The veins stood out, and his knuckles had turned nearly white.
His sixth and seventh brothers—one fond of money, the other fond of women—had both shown no interest in the throne since childhood.
Prince Ling had never taken either of them seriously.
But he had never imagined that these two brothers would join forces with Prince Rui!
Prince Ling did not dare continue defending himself.
The more he said, the more mistakes he would make.
He had already said everything he could. If he continued, he would only be gilding the lily.
Prince Ling lowered his head, his expression shifting unpredictably.
After the Seventh Prince finished speaking, the Hall of Supreme Harmony once again fell silent.
The ministers outside the hall were as quiet as frightened chickens.
Everyone was waiting for the Emperor’s decision.
The Emperor stared gloomily at Prince Ling for a long while.
“The Crown Prince has committed a grave error this time…”
Before the Emperor could finish, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
The blood shot out like an arrow, splattering across the floor.
Prince Rui, who was closest to the bed, happened to be sprayed in the face.
After vomiting blood, the Emperor fell backward onto the bed.
The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony, inside and out, instantly sank into deathly silence.
Eunuch Li was horrified. He hurried forward and helped the Emperor sit up.
The Emperor’s eyes were tightly shut, his face as pale as paper. For a moment, it seemed he was taking in less air than he was breathing out.
“Someone!”
“Quick, summon Imperial Physician Li!” Eunuch Li’s voice had changed from shock and panic.
The eunuch waiting outside the hall immediately ran off.
“Father, what’s wrong?” Prince Ling reacted with astonishing speed and was the first to rush to the bedside.
Prince Rui wiped the blood from his face. Seeing the vivid red staining his palm, he felt a chill run through his heart.
After spitting out so much blood, how could Father possibly survive?
He had heard that the Emperor had been poisoned just a few days earlier.
The Emperor’s complexion had already looked poor today.
Prince Rui had been entirely focused on bringing down Prince Ling and had not paid much attention to it.
After all, the palace possessed the finest imperial physicians in the world.
Imperial Physician Li could even be called a miracle doctor, capable of saving someone from the brink of death.
Prince Rui had initially assumed that the Emperor’s poor complexion was merely because Prince Ling had angered him.
But now, watching his father lose consciousness after vomiting blood, Prince Rui was overcome with grief.
“Father, what’s wrong? Please wake up!” He also rushed to the bedside.
The Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince were jolted awake by Prince Rui’s cries, and they rushed over together.
Outside the hall, every minister was trembling with fear.
The Emperor was advanced in age, and his health had steadily deteriorated over the years.
Recently, he had even handed all state affairs over to the Crown Prince.
Now that he had suffered such a violent fit of anger, he might not have long to live!
The ministers who had just impeached the Crown Prince were filled with regret.
Especially the first minister who had spoken up.
His house had burned, but so what? He owned plenty of properties anyway.
However, the Crown Prince was notoriously petty and vengeful.
If the Emperor died and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, that minister feared he would not be able to keep the official cap on his head.
Thinking of this, the minister immediately cried out, “Your Majesty! You mustn’t let anything happen to you!”
When he shouted, the others quickly echoed him.
“Your Majesty, you absolutely cannot die!”
At the bedside, Prince Ling pushed Eunuch Li aside and scooped the Emperor into his arms.
“Why haven’t you gone to see where Imperial Physician Li is? Hurry and find the secret guards—have them carry Imperial Physician Li here!”
Prince Ling’s eyes were bloodshot, his face filled with panic.
Eunuch Li hesitated for a moment before turning and walking out.
Before long, guards arrived carrying Imperial Physician Li on their backs.
Imperial Physician Li had no time to offer his formal greetings. After taking one look at the Emperor, he immediately produced a set of silver needles and inserted several into the Emperor’s head.
Then the physician placed his fingers on the Emperor’s wrist to take his pulse.
Everyone stared intently at Imperial Physician Li.
Several breaths later, Imperial Physician Li withdrew his hand, his expression grave.
He looked at Eunuch Li.
“The poison Your Majesty suffered earlier has not been fully purged. Now, having become violently agitated, His Majesty has also suffered damage to his meridians.”
“I have used acupuncture to protect His Majesty’s heart meridian.”
“But whether His Majesty can regain consciousness will depend on Heaven’s will!”
Imperial Physician Li’s words shocked everyone.
No one had expected the Emperor’s condition to be so serious.
“Imperial Physician Li, I order you, no matter what it takes, you must cure Father!” Prince Ling held the Emperor in his arms, his eyes blood-red.
Imperial Physician Li rose and bowed.
“Your Highness, this humble subject will certainly do everything within his power. However, I cannot defy the will of Heaven.”
Prince Rui rose in disbelief.
“Imperial Physician Li, Father was speaking with us perfectly well just moments ago. How could his condition suddenly become so serious?”
“And you said that Father’s poison has not been fully purged. Who poisoned and attempted to murder His Majesty?”
