The Emperor was the core of an empire. Anything he did would affect the nerves of the entire empire. Therefore, the Emperor was also the least free person. He could not really do whatever he wanted and do whatever he wanted. There were many rules that could restrict the Emperor's freedom. The so-called Emperor could do whatever he wanted was only relatively speaking. For example, he could eat whatever he wanted and let any beauty accompany him. If he was unhappy, he could scold and beat the eunuchs and maids around him so that he could vent his anger.
As an Emperor, he was both lucky and unlucky at the same time. He was lucky because he had supreme power, but unlucky because his every word and action would be watched by others, forever living under the spotlight without much privacy. For example, if he rewarded the Yang Clan with some land, the entire world would immediately know about it and comment on it. As a result, when the Emperor rewarded someone, he would have to consider too many restrictive factors, and would not randomly reward according to his own wishes, so as to avoid causing the people to boil with anger.
In addition, the whole imperial family's affairs were also cared about by the people. For example, whether the Emperor's successor had been chosen, whether the Emperor was healthy and safe, etc. These were all the focus of people's attention because the Emperor was the core of an empire. Once something happened to the imperial family and it was not handled properly, it could cause the whole empire to be in turmoil. It could even cause the whole empire to fall apart and the world to fall into chaos again. The people would be displaced and wailing everywhere.
In other words, the people were very concerned about the imperial family's affairs. In fact, they were also concerned about their own interests. There was nothing more damaging than the world being in chaos. As long as the people did not have ulterior motives, they all hoped that the world would be peaceful. No one liked war and turmoil. As long as the imperial family was stable and could firmly control the political power of the whole country, then the possibility of the world being in chaos was very small. This was the main reason why people cared about the Emperor and the imperial family.
Now, people were beginning to care about the royal family again, even more than they cared about perfume and novels, which were popular topics that they liked very much. After all, these were all things that could be passed after meals. The safety of the emperor and the stability of the court were the most fundamental guarantee that determined whether they could live a happy life.
"Have you all heard? His Majesty is sick and has been lying in his bedroom. He has not left the bedroom door for three days. It seems that his illness is not light! "
"Yes! This is absolutely true. One of my fellow-townsmen is a eunuch in the palace. He works beside His Majesty's bedroom and is very clear about this matter. I heard that the Crown Prince, the other princes, and many ministers are waiting outside His Majesty's bedroom. They want to see His Majesty, but His Majesty does not see any of them. Do you think this is … "
"Bah bah, what nonsense are you talking about? His Majesty has always been healthy....
"Gentlemen, the dishes you ordered, don't talk about national affairs, don't talk about national affairs!"
In an inconspicuous restaurant, friends who were eating together talked about the Emperor's illness. Although their voices were very low, it was still heard by the waiter who came to serve the dishes. The waiter advised them not to talk about this matter, lest they say something wrong and be heard by someone with ulterior motives.
After all, some national affairs could be discussed, but some could not be talked about carelessly. For example, there could be many guesses about the Emperor's illness. There could also be many guesses about why he did not see the Crown Prince and the other princes. However, ordinary people could not make wild guesses, and could not say anything disgraceful. For example, whether the Emperor was going to die or something like that. Even if it was just a guess, if it was heard by someone with ulterior motives, it would be a serious crime. Beheading would not be a problem. Therefore, it was better to be cautious.
Ordinary people were just a little concerned. In fact, they were not very nervous. Anyway, the Crown Prince had been established for more than ten years. Even if the Emperor died, the Crown Prince would take over. However, in the eyes of the court officials and the princes, it was not so simple. They were very nervous, afraid that something would go wrong and they would suffer an unexpected disaster.
Outside the Emperor's bedroom, the Crown Prince and the other princes came together. Outside the Emperor's bedroom, there were already many ministers who had arrived in advance. They came to greet the Emperor. Whether the Emperor saw them or not, they still had to show their attitude. At the critical moment when the Emperor was not feeling well, they had to use this kind of behavior to show their loyalty and filial piety. Even if they hated the Emperor in their hearts, they had to do it on the surface and not let others see it.
Li Linfu did not come in person because of his illness. However, his son, Li Xiu, came on behalf of Li Linfu. Before Li Xiu left, Li Linfu repeatedly told his son to listen and watch more. He had to be polite to everyone, speak as little as possible, and not easily express his views. He had to leave these opportunities to others. After all, he felt that his son's rank was too low and he was not qualified to be on the same level as those big shots in the court. It was necessary to be humble.
Li Xiu himself was not an arrogant person. Naturally, he would do as Li Linfu told him. He would definitely not cause trouble for Li Linfu. He was a very sensible person.
The officials of the imperial court and almost all the princes were present. Even some of the imperial grandsons were present. For example, Li Yu, the imperial grandson of the first wife, was present. In addition, Li An, who did not come last time, was also present. However, he came a little late.
It was not that Ang Lee deliberately disrespected the Emperor, but something had happened at the research and development center. He needed to deal with it as soon as possible, so he was delayed.
Ang Lee looked. The Crown Prince's face was a little pale. The other princes' faces were also not very good. The ministers were also worried. The atmosphere was a little depressing. No one dared to show happiness or smile. After all, this was not an occasion suitable for happiness. The Emperor was sick. The ministers and princes had to be worried to show their loyalty and filial piety.
Loud noise would disturb the Emperor's rest. Therefore, the ministers and princes either did not speak or whispered to each other to discuss the Emperor's situation. They also said some words of blessing. No one dared to casually talk about topics unrelated to the Emperor.
"Assistant Minister Li is also here! I wonder what's the Emperor's situation? He hasn't left the palace for three days. "
Li Xiu had not spoken all this time. When he saw Ang Lee come, he leaned over and said a sentence. He had been listening to others talk and not saying a word. Li Xiu had long been uncomfortable.
Ang Lee naturally did not know the Emperor's situation. He looked at the surrounding ministers and said, "I just came today, so I'm not very clear. Right, how is the Right Chief Minister?"
Li Xiu hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Father is still the same. I'm afraid he won't get better. Today, he said he would come personally, but unfortunately, he can't."
"The Right Chief Minister has been sick for a few months. Now, the Emperor's body is also unwell. What should we do?"
A minister whispered in a low voice, and it caused the people around to whisper as well.
"The situation is not that bad. I heard from the Imperial Physician that the Emperor is fine. It's not a big problem!"
"I heard that too. However, the Emperor has not left the palace for three days. Even if it's not a big problem, it's still not light!"
"Yes! Yes! Now that the Emperor is unwilling to see us, we can only find out the real condition of the Emperor from the Imperial Physician. "
"If the Emperor has given instructions, the Imperial Physician would not dare to speak carelessly. It's useless to ask."
The ministers whispered in low voices.
Because the Emperor was ill and had not left the palace for three days, this attracted the attention of the ministers and princes. They had no choice but to come and pay their respects to the Emperor. They wanted to see how the Emperor's condition was. Among them, there were those who were sincerely concerned, and there were also those who had ulterior motives. There were all kinds of people.
However, the Emperor refused to see any of them. Other than the Imperial Physician, Yang Yuhuan, and the few eunuchs and palace maids who served him, no one else would see him. Therefore, other than these few people, no one knew the Emperor's real condition. This caused all kinds of speculations, and it became the hottest topic in the capital.
"Your Majesty, after taking this last dose of medicine, rest more and drink more water, you will recover in at most three to five days."
An Imperial Physician said softly.
Li Longji nodded. Gao Lishi, who was beside him, said, "You may leave!"
"I will take my leave."
The Imperial Physician left with the box and quickly walked out of the door.
Seeing the Imperial Physician come out, the Crown Prince, the princes, and the ministers all gathered around him.
The Crown Prince was the first to speak, "How is Father's condition?"
The Imperial Physician bowed respectfully to everyone and replied, "Your Highness, His Majesty is fine. It's not a big problem."
This answer naturally did not satisfy the Crown Prince, the princes, or the ministers. They wanted to know the specifics of the Emperor's condition, not the words' it's not a big problem. '
Crown Prince Li Heng was the first to complain, "It's not a big problem, it's not a big problem again. Since it's not a big problem, why hasn't Imperial Father left his chambers for three days?"
"Your Highness, calm your anger. His Majesty is already advanced in age. More rest will be of great help to his recovery."
The Imperial Physician was neither servile nor overbearing.
Seeing that he couldn't get anything out of the Imperial Physician, the Crown Prince didn't dare to press. What if the Emperor had some secret? Wouldn't that be a huge problem?
"Withdraw!"
The Crown Prince waved his hand and allowed the Imperial Physician to leave.
As he watched the Imperial Physician slowly walk away, and then he looked at the Crown Prince, the princes, and the ministers, Ang Lee felt that they were all wasting time. The Emperor was ill and recuperating, but they had put aside all their work and come here to put on a show. This was delaying so much work that it was practically a waste of time. But they had no other choice, especially the Crown Prince and the princes. If they did not come, they would be unfilial, and if the ministers did not come, they would be disloyal.
Who would dare to wear such a thing? Although Ang Lee was waiting outside the Emperor's chambers, he was still worried about the research and development center. Recently, there had been some problems with the research and development center. Moreover, these problems required Ang Lee to personally go and resolve them. Ang Lee was rather worried about this. He wanted to see the Emperor and then go back to resolve these problems, but from the current situation, Ang Lee would not be able to leave for the time being. None of the princes or ministers who had come had left midway, and none of them had even gone to the toilet. Were they holding themselves back? In this way, he could show his loyalty and devotion.
Even if Ang Lee did not care about these superficial acts, since he was in this era, he had to abide by the rules of this era. He still had to do the superficial acts that should be done. If he secretly left alone while everyone else did not move, it would be a big mistake of disloyalty. Although the Emperor did not let him come, as a minister, he had to learn to consciously show his loyalty.
Of course, the Emperor in the chambers would not let them wait for too long. He would probably ask them to leave after four to six hours and acknowledge their loyalty and filial piety.
"Your Majesty, the medicine is ready."
A palace maid brought the medicine that the Imperial Physician had brewed.
"Give it to me!"
Yang Yuhuan stood up and took the medicine. She gently tasted it with a spoon, then walked to the Emperor and personally fed him the medicine.
"My beloved concubine has worked hard. My illness has lasted for several days and delayed many things."
Li Longji drank a few mouthfuls of the medicine and said.
"Your Majesty, your complexion is much better today. Rest for two more days and you will definitely recover."
Yang Yuhuan smiled slightly and continued to feed him the medicine.
Li Longji did not like to drink medicine. If he was not sick, he would not drink such bitter medicine even if he was beaten to death. Every time he drank it, he would frown.
After drinking the medicine in one breath, Li Longji looked at Gao Lishi and asked, "What is the situation outside?"
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and the other princes have been waiting outside for more than two hours. The ministers are almost all here. The latest to arrive has been here for more than an hour. The Right Chief Minister is seriously ill and cannot come in person. The eldest son came in his place."
Gao Lishi knew the situation outside like the back of his hand. He was very clear about who would come and what time.
"Ah! I only caught a cold and my body is weak. It has been hard on them. "
Li Longji's heart was still quite comfortable, but at the same time, there was also a trace of worry in his heart. He was already very old, and sooner or later, he would fall ill and die. At that time, everything he had would no longer exist.
After thinking for a moment, Li Longji said, "Let them all go back! The weather is so cold, don't catch a cold. "
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Gao Lishi would not ask further. Since the Emperor had decided not to see anyone, he would do as he was told. Outsiders could not casually guess the Emperor's thoughts, nor could they casually ask about it.
"Everyone, please go back!"
Everyone was dismissed with a single sentence.
"Duke Gao, how is father's health?"
Prince Yong, Li Gui, stepped forward and asked shamelessly.
Gao Lishi said calmly, "Your Highness, His Majesty is fine. The weather is cold, please go back! Go back! "
After saying that, he bowed to the princes and the Crown Prince. Then, he turned and left.
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