As the sun rose, the willows of Tai Ming Lake rested on the surface of the water.
Lotus leaves began to emerge from the lake. A few egrets could be seen pacing in the water, occasionally pecking at the fish in the water. Swallows could be seen flying across the lake, leaving their shadows behind.
As the mist rose, the Emperor felt better. He held two jade balls in his hands and spun them around.
The red robed eunuch spoke beside him.
"Your majesty, this year's Heavenly Birthday Festival has been organized by the Crown Prince. He's currently inspecting the music and dances." The red robed eunuch reported, "He left early in the morning."
Hearing this, the Emperor revealed a relieved smile. These days, good things had happened one after another. The sun was even brighter than before. He then asked, "What's the Crown Prince's music?"
The red robed eunuch thought for a moment before replying, "Your majesty, it's Music of Peace."
The Emperor smiled and nodded his head. There were more than ten different kinds of music that could be played. Music of Peace was more elegant and refined. It was performed by a group of thirty fifteen year old girls.
The Emperor stopped and looked up at the sun. Some distance away, a palace maid was collecting dew from the flowers in the garden.
"The weather is so good." The Emperor spoke as the red robed eunuch smiled, "It's all thanks to your majesty that we are able to enjoy such a beautiful day."
"You're really good at kissing ass. It's just that I'm not stupid enough to think that I can do anything as the Emperor. This weather is not my strength."
"Your majesty is wise, to see through me." The red robed eunuch replied.
"You followed the Crown Prince yesterday, did anything important happen?" The Emperor asked.
"Your majesty, the Heavenly Birthday Festival is approaching. All the prefectures have sent their regards."
"The situation in Ying Prefecture has turned for the better, and Qi Yuan County has been conquered. Now Pei Zi Yun is attacking Yuan An County. Based on the current situation, he should be able to conquer it very soon. The rebels will be vanquished soon." The red robed eunuch explained everything clearly.
Actually, the Emperor had already sent his regards. When he heard this, he laughed, "Pei Zi Yun is indeed talented. He's done a good job."
This was a rare compliment. As soon as he finished speaking, he started coughing.
The red robed eunuch received the medicine from the palace maid and handed it to the Emperor, "Your majesty, it's time to take your medicine."
The Emperor stretched out his hand and took a bowl of medicine. A eunuch walked up and reported, "Your Majesty, there's an urgent message."
The Emperor had set the rule that unless he was sleeping, he had to report it immediately. The Emperor's expression was a little serious. He was not in a hurry to read it. After drinking the medicine, he nodded slightly and walked back into the hall.
The originally relaxed atmosphere immediately became serious. Even the red-clothed eunuch immediately restrained his expression. The eunuchs in the hall all bowed and did not even cough.
The Emperor sat down and opened up a scroll. It was about Pei Zi Yun personally leading his cavalry to defeat three thousand enemies. The Emperor laughed and said, "I was wondering what it was about."
Using the red brush, he said, "Got it!"
There was another booklet below. The Emperor picked it up and read it, and his smile froze. His face turned pale, and his face turned green. He couldn't catch his breath, and all he could see was darkness.
The red-robed eunuch saw the Emperor's body swaying, and his expression changed. He hurriedly supported him, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
He checked the Emperor's body and shouted to the people beside him, "Quick, summon the imperial physician. Also, don't make any noise. If anyone makes a noise, I will beat him to death!"
As he spoke, he retrieved a glass bottle from his robes and drank a mouthful before handing it to the Emperor. This was actually a medicinal wine that the Emperor often drank, but that was the rule of the palace.
After some time, the Emperor took a deep breath and slowly recovered. His face was pale, "Keep the booklet. I'm tired. I'll read it later."
The red robed eunuch kept the booklet on the floor and swept his gaze across it. He saw that Ji Bei Hou had claimed that he was rebelling against the Emperor, and that he was acting under the orders of King Lu. At that point, he couldn't help but feel dizzy. At that point, he finally understood why the Emperor was acting this way. He then instructed, "Summon the Crown Prince."
"Yes!" Immediately, a eunuch went out to pass the order.
Crown Prince's Palace, Hall of Music
The Crown Prince was surrounded by winding corridors. On one side of the garden, there was a row of weeping willows. Musicians were playing music, and young ladies were dancing. The Crown Prince's face relaxed as he watched the music.
The Imperial Concubine was by his side, and the Crown Prince gently held her hands. Occasionally, the Crown Prince would turn his head to look at her, and the two of them would smile at each other. It was a loving gesture. This was because the Imperial Concubine had given birth to a son for the Crown Prince, and the Crown Princess was pregnant. The Crown Prince was finally at ease.
The Crown Prince was enjoying the music, and his eyes were filled with worry. The female singer tossed her sleeves up and down, and when the song was over, the Crown Prince laughed, "The sound of the guqin isn't as good as Qianye's."
The Imperial Concubine laughed as well, "That's natural. The Princess has been practicing the guqin very hard. It's not easy at all. The last time I went to see the Grand Princess, I heard her playing the guqin.
The Crown Prince nodded his head before sighing, "If Qianye wasn't a Princess, I would've asked her to perform for my father during the Heavenly Birthday Festival."
Even before he finished speaking, a commotion broke out. The Crown Prince paused as he saw a eunuch close to the Emperor walk in. His face was pale, "Pa!" He fell to his knees, "The Emperor isn't feeling well. Please see him."
The Crown Prince's face turned pale as he stood up, "What's wrong with father?"
The eunuch was already nervous, and when he heard the Crown Prince's question, he became even more nervous. He then trembled, "Your Highness, the Emperor has fainted by Tai Ming Lake."
"What? Hurry, prepare a carriage for me. We shall enter the palace. " The Crown Prince spoke without hesitation. He then turned around, "Imperial Concubine, the Heavenly Birthday Festival Dance shall be arranged by you."
As he spoke, he went to change his clothes. Before long, a carriage passed by, and the Crown Prince changed his clothes as well. He then boarded the carriage, and a group of soldiers followed him towards the palace.
Imperial Palace
The carriage had just arrived at the palace, and the Crown Prince alighted from the carriage. He saw two eunuchs and a few servants waiting for him. The Crown Prince asked, "Where's father now?"
"He's in Meditation Hall." The eunuch replied before gesturing for the Crown Prince to board another carriage. The Crown Prince boarded the carriage and headed towards the Meditation Hall. It was noon, and although it was spring, it was still scorching hot. The Crown Prince had just arrived when Huang Wu Gong, who had been serving the Emperor, stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, you've finally arrived. The Emperor has something on his mind and refuses to take his medicine. Please advise him."
The Crown Prince was taken aback, and hurriedly entered the hall. He bowed before the Emperor ordered him to dispense with the formalities. When he looked up at the Emperor, he was taken aback. Compared to yesterday, the Emperor looked much older. His face was flushed red, and had a tinge of grey to it. The Crown Prince knew that the Emperor's illness wasn't light. He then advised, "Father, I've heard that you don't want to take any medicine. This won't do. If a person isn't feeling well, he has to listen to the doctor's advice.
The Crown Prince then took the spoon and fed it to the Emperor. The Emperor drank a few mouthfuls and felt much better. There was still half a bowl left, and he shook his head in rejection.
The Emperor's breathing was heavy, and his forehead was sweating profusely. He leaned against the pillow and spoke weakly, "I'm fine. It's just that I'm getting old, and can't take it anymore. Just a little bit and I'll get sick. Ai!"
Just as the Crown Prince was about to console him, the Emperor smiled and said, "Crown Prince, I dreamt of your grandfather and great grandfather. They saw me and said that I've opened up new lands and became the Emperor. They've done a good job. They even invited me to a banquet. When you came, I woke up."
As the Emperor spoke, his voice was drifting, as though he was sleep-talking.
When the Crown Prince heard these words, tears started rolling down his cheeks. This was an ominous sign. He couldn't stand it any longer and kowtowed, "Father, you drew your sword and swept away the bandits. Who dares to say that your achievements are inferior to those of the previous Emperors?"
"Your son can still remember the way you fought on the battlefield. Your body has always been strong and healthy. This time, it's just a small illness. In the future, you will recover and live to a ripe old age."
"Haha!" Hearing the Crown Prince's words, the Emperor laughed, "Crown Prince, life and death are decreed by fate. It's not like your father doesn't know this. Since ancient times, which Emperor hasn't died? This is all destined. As long as the empire is stable and stable, when I see your grandfather in the future, I'll be able to rest easy. "
"Those who seek longevity are the ones who lose their lives. Remember, you must never give up on the path of greatness to pursue petty tricks."
Seeing that the Crown Prince had agreed, the Emperor seemed to be in better spirits. He then said, "Ji Bei Hou said that he rebelled under King Lu's orders. Is that right?"
The Emperor's words were emotionless, as though he was asking a normal question. When the Crown Prince heard this, he felt goosebumps all over his body as his heartbeat quickened. He then remembered what Pei Zi Yun had said before he left. He hurriedly kowtowed, "Father, Ji Bei Hou said that he rebelled under King Lu's orders. Your son feels that this is the ambition of a wolf, and that he intends to bring chaos to the world."
As the Crown Prince spoke up to this point, he regained his composure and raised his voice, "Father, your son believes that King Lu is my younger brother, and also your son. Ji Bei Hou rebelled, and saw that he was about to be wiped out. That's why he's like a cornered beast, trying to drive a wedge between us. Such accusations cannot be taken seriously."
"It's just that in order to avoid arousing suspicion, I have to announce my younger brother's return. This way, I can show my innocence to the rest of the world. He can also accompany my father, as a sign of filial piety. I plead for my father's judgement."
Ji Bei Hou's rebellion had caused a huge change in the world. The Crown Prince finally understood that it was a mistake for him to release King Lu. Furthermore, Ji Bei Hou had publicly announced that he was obeying King Lu's orders before he rebelled. Regardless of reason or reason, he had to recall Ji Bei Hou for investigation. If the Crown Prince continued to be unreasonable, it would seem like he had other intentions.
"Cough cough" The Emperor coughed twice. When he heard the Crown Prince's words, he stared at the Crown Prince. He then sighed, "You're right, we should investigate."
The Emperor fell silent for some time before closing his eyes, as though he was deep in thought. After some time, he spoke, "Send someone to relay my orders. Investigate King Lu thoroughly, and decide what to do with him."
As soon as the words were spoken, the Emperor's heart started palpitating violently. He then sighed, "You may leave!"
Seeing the Crown Prince leave, the red robed eunuch whispered, "Your Majesty?"
"Ai, it's really King Lu. I shall act personally and strip him of his title and imprison him. That's better than brothers killing each other. If not, King Lu might not even be able to keep his life."
"Besides, if I act personally, King Lu's descendants can still inherit the title of Canton King. I can't allow them to die together with King Lu." The Emperor mumbled as he fell asleep.
"Your Majesty!" The eunuch couldn't help but whimper. Seeing that the Emperor had fallen asleep, he took off his shoes and patrolled the entire hall.
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