The sound of women and children crying echoed in the side hall.
Such a major event occurred in the palace, with the Imperial Army running about, naturally unable to conceal from the concubines.
The empress led the concubines over, and a large number of them fainted in fright on the spot.
However, the Empress Dowager did not come, and several court officials, noticing something amiss, rushed over with the Imperial Guard. They found that the Empress Dowager had been locked up by several eunuchs, and by the time they broke in and subdued the eunuchs, the Empress Dowager had already fainted from shock.
The palace was in even greater chaos.
But the most critical place was still the emperor's side.
The concubines cried as if their lives depended on it, and it was only after being persuaded by the court officials not to disturb the imperial physicians' work that they slightly restrained themselves.
The sound of footsteps was disorderly, accompanied by the rustling sound of turning pages, making the already oppressive room even more suffocating.
"Here it is."
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
Upon hearing these words, the court officials, each with different expressions, immediately surged forward.
An imperial physician was holding an old booklet.
"Look, the symptoms at the onset of the former Crown Prince's illness were recorded back then," he said with delight.
Finally found it, but this matter was nothing to be happy about, in fright the imperial physician hurriedly reined in his expression.
The officials weren't in the mood to mind his expression. Ning Yan took the booklet, and the others all crowded around to look carefully.
The former Crown Prince was diagnosed with a poor constitution from birth, making survival difficult. From that moment on, medical records concerning him were kept without interruption.
However, when Prince Qi ascended the throne, they were sealed, and the imperial physicians in charge of the Crown Prince either resigned or were demoted following his death, making these medical records difficult to retrieve.
Indeed, there were records of the symptoms of the former Crown Prince's childhood illness.
As everyone looked, they couldn't help but compare it with the emperor lying on the bed inside.
"There's more here." Another imperial physician hurried over with a book, "This records Divine Doctor Zhang's discussion of the former Crown Prince's illness."
A court official quickly took it, and everyone immediately surrounded him again.
"The name 'Heavenly Paralysis' was proposed by Divine Doctor Zhang back then," the official said, nodding with a hint of melancholy, "He said it's incurable."
The imperial physicians by the bed who were treating the emperor also came over with uneasy expressions.
"His Majesty is conscious, besides the marks left by Lord Ning, there are no other injuries, it's merely paralysis," said the foremost imperial physician.
These words caused everyone to involuntarily look towards Ning Yunzhao.
The strangulation mark was certainly peculiar...
According to the previous records, during the former Crown Prince's attacks of Heavenly Paralysis, he would become rigid and unable to breathe, so why would he strangulate his neck then, isn't that even more fatal?
"Ah, there's a record here." Suddenly an official exclaimed, pointing at the booklet in his hand, "Divine Doctor Zhang said, if the Crown Prince's illness flares up, strangling the throat can preserve a breath..."
Did he truly say that?
What's the rationale?
Everyone looked where the official pointed, the words of Divine Doctor Zhang sounded mysterious, but the gist was similar to fighting poison with poison.
So that's how it is...
There are many bizarre ways of treating illnesses, but there's no way to definitively say what's right or wrong.
So, is this truly an illness?
The expressions of the court officials grew more complicated.
"His Majesty as well..." someone said, "How could it be that not a trace was detected before?"
"Some diseases are indeed hidden," someone else nodded and said, "They don't show on the surface."
"Yes, His Majesty and the former Crown Prince are full brothers... having the same bloodline..." someone added, and upon mentioning this, was startled again, "Ah, quickly examine the princes to prevent them..."
Upon these words, the concubines, initially sobbing quietly, were suddenly alarmed, especially those with offspring, immediately clamoring for the imperial physicians to examine their children.
The hall became chaotic again.
But the atmosphere wasn't as tense and severe as before.
This was because it was confirmed not to be a palace coup, but an illness.
However, now is not the time to discuss whether other princes or royal members have this hidden ailment.
A few court officials solemnly advised briefly, persuading the concubines to agree to examine the princes and princesses later.
The officials turned their gaze back to the bedside, after a moment of silence, someone unknown was the first to cry out.
"Your Majesty!"
Soon all the officials knelt by the emperor's bed with sorrowful expressions.
"Now is not the time for mourning," Ning Yan said in a deep voice.
The officials crying immediately wiped their tears, with complex expressions looking at the emperor on the bed.
Indeed, there's too much to handle now.
"Miss Jun." Ning Yan looked at Miss Jun.
Since entering this side hall, Miss Jun had been quietly standing in a corner.
Upon hearing Ning Yan's voice, she looked over.
"Miss Jun has outstanding medical skills, since you were able to preserve His Majesty's life during the onset, is it possible to cure him?" Ning Yan asked.
Yes, yes, the empress, concubines, and other officials also looked over.
Even if not cured, even if paralyzed, as long as able to speak, it's fine.
Miss Jun looked at the bed.
"I am skilled in medicine, specializing in difficult and complicated diseases," she said, slowly shaking her head, "But this is Heavenly Paralysis."
"Heavenly Paralysis is also a disease," an official pressed urgently.
Miss Jun looked at him again.
"Heavenly Paralysis is a disease, but it's a divinely destined disease," she said.
What divinely destined disease?
"And so?" another official frowned and asked.
"That's the way of heaven, if heaven destines this for a person, how can one change it?" Miss Jun said.
Several officials looked at the booklet still in their hands.
"Look, even Divine Doctor Zhang said back then that heavenly ways are hard to defy," an official whispered.
What's hard to defy about heavenly ways?
To put it bluntly, it just means it can't be cured.
Afraid of tarnishing his divine doctor's reputation, saying some mystical words.
The officials were somewhat disdainful, while the concubines lost their last hope and wept bitterly again.
"Illness descends like a mountain collapse, as His Majesty's life is preserved, there's a chance of improvement. The imperial physicians should contemplate prescriptions to treat His Majesty," Ning Yan said, no longer questioning Miss Jun, his gaze shifted to other officials, his expression growing solemn, "Then the matter of the dynasty's affairs..."
Finally reaching this point.
The officials present also became solemn, and the concubines perked up their ears, especially those who had princes.
No matter how chaotic it had been, the emperor lay quietly on the bed all along, occasionally emitting coughs, indicating his consciousness, but after repeated attempts, they gave up on communication.
Unable to speak or move, even if conscious, completely unable to clearly express one's intentions, this person has completely become a wreck.
Such a person can no longer serve as the Monarch.
The kingdom cannot remain without a Monarch even for a day, especially at this moment.
So, which prince ascends?
Then according to convention, the eldest son...
"Regarding the Crown Prince."
From the moment entering this room, Ning Yunzhao had been silent for a long time, now his voice resounded again.
"His Majesty has already made arrangements."
These words drew everyone's gaze.
Ning Yunzhao unfolded the decree before him.
"His Majesty has decided to establish Prince Huai as the Crown Prince," he said solemnly.
Prince Huai!
The hall was instantly in an uproar.
The concubines screamed, and the empress even stood up.
"Why, why isn't it my son being appointed?" she said in a trembling voice, her rural accent and colloquialisms emerging in her urgency.
Yes, why isn't it the emperor's son being appointed, but instead Prince Huai?
Is it because Miss Jun requested His Majesty to appoint Prince Huai as the Crown Prince?
Isn't that too much of a coincidence?
Such a coincidence that it defies logic.
There must be a reason, right?
Everyone's gaze turned to Ning Yunzhao.
"I don't know why His Majesty did this." Ning Yunzhao did not answer but shook his head calmly, "If you want to ask, you can only ask His Majesty."
The whole hall was dismayed.
The empress was even more enraged.
His Majesty is in this state now, what could he possibly answer!
Moreover, she believed His Majesty could never have issued such a decree!
There's no one in the world who doesn't love their own children and would pass their legacy to someone else; even the elderly in the countryside know this principle.
"You, your decree is fake..." she couldn't help but scream.
Before her voice fell, Ning Yunzhao's previously calm expression suddenly changed, and he stepped forward.
"Is Her Highness saying that I forged the decree and falsely conveyed the imperial edict? I, having studied under the teachings of the sages since childhood, respecting the heavens, the earth, the monarch, the family, and the teachers, and being knowledgeable of the national laws and family rules after entering the Emperor's court, how could I proclaim such words without His Majesty's command?" he shouted sternly, "Such actions as violating the ways of the sage and the etiquette between ruler and minister, how could I commit?"
As he spoke, he raised the decree with one hand and pointed to the sky with the other, his voice echoing in the hall, causing everyone's ears to buzz.
"A gentleman can be killed but not humiliated; if I, Ning Chang, speak a single false word, may I be struck by thunder and lightning."
Ning Yunzhao, always composed and polite, was acting and speaking in such a way for the first time.
The people in the hall couldn't help but be startled.
The empress had never dealt with these ministers, and now, overwhelmed by a barrage of words constantly mentioning the sage, she instinctively retreated a step, unable to say a word.
Ning Yunzhao did not give the others a chance to speak, but neither did he press on aggressively.
"This decree was given to me by His Majesty during his illness. How His Majesty thought about it, or when it was written, I do not know at all," he said solemnly with a calm tone, "I also know that bringing out this decree at this time will invite criticism, but as a minister, it's my duty to be loyal to the monarch's matters, even if I'm seen as a forger or traitor, I am not afraid."
The concubines, seeing how a minister responded for the first time, were so frightened that they forgot to cry, not understanding much but feeling that these words and his bearing were quite impressive.
This must be what they often call righteousness and integrity.
But the other ministers did not react like those women of the deep palace; their expressions were somewhat strange.
Righteous and dignified, or could it also be described as shameless?
After all, he's holding the emperor's decree, and as for why this decree is as it is, he doesn't know either, as if saying, "Do as you wish, regardless."
If he were to speak righteously about what the emperor said, instructed, and how he wrote this decree, these ministers who have been navigating the court for decades would easily discern the truth and pick out flaws in his words to refute them.
But now Ning Yunzhao wouldn't explain anything but insisted the decree was genuine and claimed ignorance of everything else, leaving no room for questioning.
"First, treat His Majesty's illness."
An elder minister's voice arose.
"Investigate how His Majesty fell ill first."
He glanced at the court officials and then the empress.
"First explain the situation to the world, then discuss the matter of the Crown Prince."
Delaying tactic.
It's indeed the best approach at the moment.
For the empress and the skeptical officials, as long as the Crown Prince is not decided on the spot, there's still a chance.
And for Ning Yunzhao, firmly believing in loyalty to the sovereign, he doesn't mind waiting a bit longer.
"Investigate! Find out how His Majesty fell ill, when it happened, investigate those bold eunuchs and Jinyiwei, find out how all this happened, and don't spare anyone..." the empress said in a trembling voice.
Now, with the emperor unable to speak or move and the Empress Dowager unconscious as well, she is the only one left in charge in the palace.
The officials present responded in unison.
Subsequently, the court officials arranged for the rotation of the Imperial Guard, summoned all the ministers, planned for the imperial physicians to treat the emperor and Empress Dowager, and ordered the arrest and questioning of Yuan Bao and Lu Yunqi's associates both inside the palace and at the Imperial Mausoleum. The entire imperial palace buzzed with activity.
But none of this concerned Miss Jun; she stood quietly aside, like a forgotten person, and she seemed to have forgotten everything in front of her, focusing only on the emperor on the bed.
Miss Jun saw tears sliding down from the corner of the emperor's eyes as he lay there quietly.
Yet only she noticed this; the eunuchs were serving the weeping and terrified concubines anxiously, the physicians were busy flipping through medical books and cases, and the court officials were arranging the rotation of state affairs, as if no one spared another glance at the emperor.
From the beginning of the incident until now, from morning to evening, the day had not yet ended, but the emperor seemed to have already become a forgotten person.
Yes, from now on, he is already a useless person, and his reign as Emperor has come to an end.
Miss Jun lowered her eyes and withdrew her gaze.
"Miss Jun, please leave the palace." An official responsible for clearing unrelated individuals approached and said solemnly.
Although she holds the title of County Magistrate, she will have no opportunity to intervene in the forthcoming matters, and the people in the palace and the court officials will not allow her to interfere.
Having already stated that she couldn't cure His Majesty, the palace people and court officials who were originally wary of her wouldn't let her stay.
Miss Jun responded and walked away.
.......
........
As dusk settled, numerous officials gathered in front of the Imperial City.
Although the ministers had not yet been summoned, the commotion within the city could not be concealed, and messages sporadically emerged from the closed palace gates, especially since almost all the imperial physicians had entered the palace, causing widespread speculation.
"I heard that the emperor is back."
"They say he is ill."
"If he's ill, why muster so many troops? Could something have happened inside?"
The chatter grew at the palace gates, and more officials and clerks flocked from afar, making the area before the Imperial City extraordinarily noisy.
Upon seeing Miss Jun exit, the buzz ceased, and all eyes turned to her silently, yet no one stepped forward to inquire. For one, the Imperial Guards watched them closely as they escorted her, and for another, people from Jiuling Hall hurried forward, ushered Miss Jun to a carriage, and whisked her away.
"I think he's not going to make it."
"If he's truly ill, why would Miss Jun leave?"
"Perhaps it's a mild illness that doesn't require Miss Jun's treatment."
"Do you really think the Emperor is just any ordinary person? Even if Miss Jun wasn't treating him, the palace would have kept her to monitor."
The discussions rose again, but Miss Jun's carriage soon disappeared, leaving the chaos behind.
At Jiuling Hall, lights illuminated the interior as Manager Liu and Seventh Chen stood inside, eagerly awaiting her return.
"The whole city is talking..." Seventh Chen said urgently, "What happened?"
"His Majesty is ill," Miss Jun replied.
Indeed.
Seventh Chen's eyes glinted.
"How severe..." he began to ask.
But Manager Liu interrupted him.
"Miss Jun," he said seriously, "Young Master has met with an accident."
......
......
Spring's scene had bloomed, and early summer approached, but suddenly, countless paper money fluttered up on the once flowering, willow-lined streets, followed by rows of spirit-summoning white banners, and then an endless procession of mourners in mourning attire.
The once-quiet streets, calmed due to the ravages of the woodcutters, were now crowded with people, paper money constantly lifted into the sky, covering it, only to fall and cover the ground, as if returning the world to the midst of winter, blanketed in a vast whiteness.
"This funeral is even grander than when Old Lady Fang and Old Master Fang passed away," an elderly voice murmured in the crowd, "Truly befitting of the Fang Family."
....
...
(Two Updates Combined)