inspire-indiana Chapter 193 Because of that woman?
Chapter 193 Because of that woman?
Song Jinglan and Jixiang, one after the other, moved like swallows, lightly leaping across the rooftops. About a quarter of an hour later, the vermilion gate of the Prince Jing's mansion was almost in sight.
The servant at the gate frowned when he saw someone suddenly arrive. After all, everyone in the world knew that Prince Jing was someone who could not be provoked, and no one dared to come to Prince Jing's mansion casually.
But as Song Jinglan stepped onto the stone steps, the servant immediately recognized him, his face lit up with joy, and he quickly bowed to him.
“…Your Highness!”
Song Jinglan's expression was cold and stern, clearly still displeased by what Jiang Yuyue had just said. He only responded with a single word, and the servant hurriedly pushed open the gate and immediately announced the news to the mansion.
"His Highness Prince Jing is back!"
Song Jinglan was away from the manor for a long time, so there weren't many servants in the manor. When Steward Li, who stayed in the manor to manage the household affairs for him, heard this, he hurriedly came out, his eyes full of surprise and disbelief.
"Your Highness...! It really is Your Highness who has returned!"
Manager Li seemed somewhat incredulous and quickly walked up to him, carefully examining him. Seeing that Song Jinglan's complexion was rosy, a huge weight was finally lifted from his heart.
"Has Your Highness's poison been cleared? Although the young marquis often keeps watch over you, this old servant was truly worried. Now that Your Highness looks so well, this old servant can rest assured!"
"I am well."
Song Jinglan patted Manager Li on the shoulder, "Thank you for your hard work these past few days."
"What nonsense are you spouting, Your Highness!"
Steward Li then remembered the important matter and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, the young marquis came to the manor today. Who would have guessed that you would return today? He is waiting for you in the study right now!"
Song Jinglan's expression darkened; Jiang Feili seemed to have a clear understanding of his whereabouts.
When Song Jinglan strode into the study, he saw Jiang Feili lounging lazily in his chair. Hearing the footsteps and seeing him arrive, Jiang Feili stood up.
"So you've finally decided to come back?"
Jiang Feili spoke in his usual playful tone, but upon seeing Song Jinglan's gloomy face, he couldn't help but frown.
Logically speaking, Song Jinglan should have come to the capital with Jiang Yuyue. Now that he has arrived with a dark face, could it be because of that woman again?
Thinking of this, Jiang Feili couldn't help but purse his lips, truly not understanding. However, this was not the time to joke, so he didn't say these words out loud.
"What is the current situation?"
Song Jinglan spoke in a cold tone, getting straight to the point. Jiang Feili also said in a serious tone, "His Majesty's health is deteriorating. My senior brother has been required to stay by His Majesty's side at all times and has not left the palace for more than ten days. I'm afraid he really can't hold on much longer."
"As for your imperial nephews..."
Jiang Feili paused for a moment, then continued, "Prince Ding and Prince Liang went to the palace to attend to the sick early on, and Prince Ning also hurriedly returned to the capital yesterday and should be in the palace now."
"However, since His Majesty has not yet designated an heir, these three are secretly vying for power and guarding against each other. Prince Liang has some military force under his command, and I inquired about it a couple of days ago. He seems to be planning to place the capital under martial law, probably intending to..."
Jiang Feili didn't say the second half of the sentence, but Song Jinglan naturally understood his meaning. As long as they controlled the entire palace first, no matter who His Majesty would pass the throne to, as long as they led the troops to seize the initiative, the throne would be within their grasp.
At this point, Jiang Feili glanced at him again, "See? I didn't lie to you. If you had come back any later, things might have really changed. Now, your three imperial nephews are not only competing with each other, but they are also secretly searching for your whereabouts, afraid that you might still be alive to compete with them for the throne."
"But it's becoming increasingly difficult to enter the palace. I suspect this is at the behest of your nephews, though they have indeed underestimated you."
Jiang Feili's words were full of sarcasm, "They think they can stop you from entering the palace with just their limited military strength? That's wishful thinking. Besides, His Majesty is still alive. They don't have the guts to stop an imperial uncle like you from entering the palace to meet the Emperor."
After listening silently to Jiang Feili's words and gaining a general understanding of the current situation, Song Jinglan got up and walked outside.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Feili frowned and quickly asked, "Where are you going?"
Song Jinglan glanced at him, her tone still exceptionally cold.
"Change your clothes and enter the palace."
A moment later, Song Jinglan changed into a black brocade robe. The intricate cloud patterns on the fabric subtly revealed a hint of arrogance, and the black jade belt around his waist accentuated his slender figure. Every gesture he made exuded nobility.
Jixiang sighed inwardly as she looked at her prince's attire, and immediately followed him into the carriage heading to the palace.
Meanwhile, inside the emperor's bedchamber, countless palace servants stood at attention, holding their breath. Baili Zixuan was also there, his brows furrowed as he watched the emperor on the bed, while Eunuch Liu held a bowl of medicine and fed it to the emperor.
However, the emperor looked extremely unwell. As soon as he took a sip of medicine, he coughed violently, and the medicine dripped from the corner of his mouth, clearly indicating that he could no longer swallow.
"Dr. Baili, what should we do?"
Eunuch Liu was truly at a loss. Helplessly, he wiped the emperor's mouth clean and hurriedly turned to Baili Zixuan for help. Baili Zixuan was also frowning. He had been in the palace for many days to treat the emperor, and he could count the days left on his fingers.
"Cough cough..."
The emperor on the bed coughed a few more times, then waved his hand, indicating that Eunuch Liu need not ask any more questions.
"I know my own body best. Right now... I don't have much time left."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Liu hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, you mustn't say such things! With Physician Baili here, he will surely be able to save Your Majesty from this calamity!"
The emperor shook his head again, about to speak, when the voices of many ministers rang out outside, led by Zhang Ziqing, the Minister of Revenue, who shouted in unison:
"Your Majesty, we earnestly request that you establish an heir as soon as possible to stabilize the hearts of the people!"
Upon hearing this, the emperor closed his eyes again, his expression one of helplessness and exhaustion.
Eunuch Liu's expression also darkened. This kind of thing had been happening almost every day for the past few days. Zhang Ziqing and the others had been kneeling at the entrance of the palace every day. Although they claimed to be thinking about the country and the people, their actions were no different from a coup!
"Your Majesty, shall I go and escort them away?"
Eunuch Liu asked the emperor for his opinion in a low voice, and the emperor sighed deeply again, his weak tone revealing a hint of determination.
"Even if you drive them away today, as long as I do not establish an heir, I will not have a single day of peace. They only dare to be so presumptuous because they see that I am about to die."