PNB Chapter 142 Everyone hopes Prince Jing will die soon.
Chapter 142 Everyone hopes Prince Jing will die soon.
After the court session, the emperor went to the imperial study to review memorials, but he still couldn't stop coughing. Seeing this, Eunuch Liu frowned and hurriedly bowed and offered him tea.
"Your Majesty, please have some tea to soothe your throat."
Eunuch Liu couldn't help but offer a few more words of advice, "Your health has been unstable lately, so you should put these political affairs aside for now. If it really doesn't work out, you can let the princes handle the affairs of state and share the burden with His Majesty, so that you can focus on recuperating."
"Safe?"
Emperor Wende put down his vermilion brush and sighed, "Didn't you hear those ministers urging me to establish an heir today? It's precisely at times like these that they pay extra attention to my every move. If I show even the slightest favor to any prince, it will trigger another bloodbath."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Liu was startled and quickly knelt down, saying, "This servant has misspoke, please punish me, Your Majesty."
"That's all."
Emperor Wende felt somewhat tired. "Get up."
Liu Gonggong hurriedly stood up, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. Although he had been a servant who had served the emperor since childhood, he knew that if he said the wrong thing at such a critical moment, it would be disastrous.
Just then, a young eunuch walked to the door, bowed to the emperor, and said, "Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Ding requests an audience."
Prince Ding?
Eunuch Liu secretly glanced at Emperor Wende's expression, but couldn't discern anything.
Although the current emperor has three sons, none of them are born to the empress. Prince Song Chengyan is the eldest son of the emperor. He is handsome and refined, and has always disliked fighting. He can be said to be the prince who makes the emperor the least worried.
However, the imperial court just had this uproar over the selection of an heir today, and yet His Highness Prince Ding is so eager to come to His Majesty. Could it be...?
"pass."
Emperor Wende's tone was unreadable, and the young eunuch immediately went outside to deliver the message.
A moment later, Prince Ding, Song Chengyan, stepped in.
The newcomer walked with light and steady steps, his expression as calm as ever, without any sign of impatience on his face. His features were sparse and his moon-white robe with silver thread patterns accentuated his outstanding demeanor.
"My son, I bow to my father."
Song Chengyan bowed respectfully to the emperor, and after standing up, he immediately inquired about the emperor's health, "Father, you look worse today than you have a few days ago. Could it be that you have been busy handling state affairs and have not had a proper rest?"
"Now that the Emperor is in power, he should take better care of his health. Eunuch Liu, you are an old servant of the Emperor, why don't you give him more advice?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Liu hurriedly apologized, "Your Highness is right, this servant deserves to die!"
"It's none of his business."
Emperor Wende waved his hand, turned his gaze to him, and said in an ambiguous tone, "You have come here today not just to inquire about my health, have you?"
"Indeed, nothing can be hidden from Father."
Song Chengyan smiled slightly, "I came today to ask if my royal uncle is well. Yesterday, I went to visit the Prince Jing's residence, but Steward Li said that my royal uncle was not at home. I had recently found a famous doctor who was good at detoxification, thinking of helping my royal uncle to recuperate, but I did not expect to find the place empty."
Hearing this, the emperor's expression softened a bit. "You are thoughtful, knowing to care about your uncle's health. However, he has indeed been away from the capital these days. I sent him to deal with the bandit gangs in Jiangnan, but there has been no news yet. When he returns, I will certainly tell him about your filial piety."
"I see."
Song Chengyan smiled faintly, "Then I will not disturb Your Majesty's busy work any longer. However, I still implore Your Majesty to take care of your health and not to overwork yourself."
Emperor Wende nodded, and Song Chengyan did not linger any longer. After bowing, he left the imperial study, but as soon as he stepped out, he lowered his eyes slightly and his expression darkened.
"Your Highness."
The servant waiting outside immediately draped a cloak over him. "Shall we go back to the manor now?"
"Ah."
Song Chengyan responded and strode towards the palace gate, his face no longer bearing the smile from before, but instead carrying a slight chill.
As luck would have it, Song Chengyan hadn't walked more than a few steps when he ran into Prince Ning, Song Yunming, on the palace road.
Song Chengyan glanced in the direction he came from and immediately understood that he had come from his mother, Consort Chun.
Consort Chun came from a very high social standing; she was the daughter of the Zhou family, a prominent clan in the capital. Thanks to her maternal family's influence, Prince Ning was doing quite well.
"Why has Your Majesty come to the palace today as well?"
When Song Yunming saw him, he took the initiative to greet him. Song Chengyan smiled slightly and said, "Let's go to the palace to see Father Emperor."
"Father's health has indeed not been very good recently."
Song Yunming remarked, seemingly casually, "But I haven't seen our Imperial Uncle for quite some time now. I hope something has happened to him since he hasn't shown up for so long."
Upon hearing this, Song Chengyan frowned and immediately said in a deep voice, "Second brother, stop talking nonsense. Your uncle is a lucky man and will surely recover. I will pretend I didn't hear what you said today, but please don't say such things again in the future."
Song Yunming didn't argue with him, but nodded respectfully and said, "Your Majesty is right."
"I still have matters to attend to at my residence."
Song Chengyan's expression returned to normal. "I'll be going now."
Song Yunming gave a slight bow and watched Song Chengyan leave. The smile on his lips vanished instantly, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his words were full of disdain.
"He's always been good at pretending. Which of us brothers doesn't hope that Prince Jing dies soon? He's all high and mighty, trying to act like a gentleman?"
The servant beside him immediately whispered, "Your Highness, be careful, walls may have ears."
Hearing this, Song Yunming didn't care much, but he still didn't say anything more.
……
Jinling.
As usual, the housekeeper reported the situation to Jiang Yuyue every day.
“Miss, General Pei returned to Jinling a few days ago. Ever since he learned about our Jiang family, he has been loitering around our house almost every day, asking the neighbors about the details of that day.”
The butler observed Jiang Yuyue's expression and said, "Miss, what do you think..."
"Just tell the steward what you've revealed."
Jiang Yuyue didn't react much to these words. "The villains who attacked our family have stopped because they think we are all dead. If more people find out that we are alive, there will be more risks."
"Yes."
The steward nodded immediately, "This old servant will act with caution and not let Miss worry!"
Jiang Yuyue leaned back on the soft couch, stroking her abdomen.
Now that she is pregnant, she needs to focus on her pregnancy. However, the hidden dangers in the Jiang family have not yet been eliminated, so she cannot sit idly by and wait for her fate. She must also secretly develop her own power so that she will have the ability to protect herself or fight back should any changes occur.