Chapter 286: Commotion

The Hundred Flowers Palace, its gates tightly shut.

Princess Jinyu stood inside the hall, watching as two eunuchs pressed their ears against the palace doors, listening to the commotion outside.

“How is it?” she asked in a low voice, her expression filled with fear.

The two eunuchs turned around, their voices trembling as they said, “Princess, the commotion outside has quieted down a bit.”

Before Princess Jinyu could speak, the Imperial Consort’s Husband’s voice rang out from within the hall, “Quickly, go out and see! Let me out to have a look!”

Princess Jinyu turned around to see the Imperial Consort’s Husband sitting inside the hall, firmly held back by two eunuchs.

Earlier, when they entered the palace and heard that the Emperor was still busy, she had no desire to see that Bai Ying, so she decided to visit her old palace and wait. Once the Emperor finished his work and learned of her arrival, he would naturally send someone to invite her.

Unexpectedly!

Instead of an invitation, she heard the sounds of guards running and shouting outside, the cries and wails of eunuchs and palace maids, declaring that Consort Bai had committed treason and the Emperor had been harmed.

Princess Jinyu immediately ordered the palace gates to be closed. The Imperial Consort’s Husband wanted to rush out to “protect the Emperor,” but Princess Jinyu ordered the eunuchs here to stop him.

“Protect what Emperor! It’s more important to save our own lives.” she snapped, then sneered, “You’re not protecting the Emperor, you’re protecting that bastard!”

Li Yu had also received a summons today and was surely with Bai Ying at this moment.

Princess Jinyu understood. Today’s so-called Emperor’s summons must have been orchestrated by Bai Ying to catch them all in one fell swoop!

What a vicious woman!

Compared to the Empress, that foolish woman who only knew how to argue with the Emperor, Bai Ying was truly malicious, smilingly plotting to harm the Emperor.

Although shocked, angry, and resentful, she was also terrified.

They absolutely could not go out now. They would wait until a victor emerged and then decide what to do.

“Shut up!” Princess Jinyu strode into the hall, reprimanding the Imperial Consort’s Husband, “I don’t care if you want to die, but don’t drag me down with you.”

As she was scolding him, someone knocked on the tightly closed palace door, startling Princess Jinyu.

“Princess, Princess, it’s me.”

A trembling voice came from outside.

The two eunuchs guarding the door reacted and shouted joyfully, “It’s Cheng’an.”

Cheng’an was the eunuch who had guided Princess Jinyu. When the chaos erupted, Princess Jinyu had forced him to go out and gather information. They had thought he had died outside, but he had actually survived.

After repeatedly confirming his identity, Princess Jinyu allowed him to enter. The eunuch had lost his hat and was panting heavily, looking disheveled but unharmed.

“Princess, Princess, it’s alright.” he said excitedly, “Consort Bai has been subdued. The Imperial Cavalry has arrived, the Imperial City is under martial law, and all the court officials have entered the palace.”

Princess Jinyu breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to speak, someone behind her spoke first.

“How is Prince Chu?”

Princess Jinyu turned around and glared at him angrily, “Your heart only cares for that bastard!” Then she looked at the eunuch, “How is His Majesty?”

The eunuch swallowed hard, “He should be alright.” He quickly explained, “The palace is under martial law, no one is allowed to move around freely. This servant couldn’t get close to the Hanliang Palace.”

So, whether the Emperor was alive or dead was still unknown?

Princess Jinyu looked outside the hall.

A knock came from the tightly closed door. It was almost noon, and the sound penetrated the door cracks along with the scorching sunlight.

“Ancestor, Ancestor, something happened in the palace.”

Hearing this, Zhou Jingyun continued to stare at Xuanyangzi, his gaze unwavering.

Xuanyangzi looked past him towards the door, “What happened?”

The door was pushed open, but the blinding sunlight did not enter, blocked by seven or eight people.

Two Taoist priests, two eunuchs, and two officials surged in, making the small room even more crowded.

“Ancestor, Consort Bai committed treason, poisoned His Majesty. His Majesty requests your immediate presence.”

“Consort Bai’s little prince is a fake—”

The two eunuchs spoke incoherently, crying as they spoke.

The two officials sighed and looked sorrowful.

Poisoned His Majesty? Zhou Jingyun’s expression was slightly shocked. The fact that the little prince was a fake was already known. Bai Li had arranged for it to be revealed when Bai Ying had Guo Shun accuse the Prince of Chu and his wife of treason, exposing all of Bai Ying’s actions.

But he didn’t expect Bai Ying to poison the Emperor as well.

He immediately guessed why Bai Ying would do this. Clearly, she wasn’t solely relying on Guo Shun’s accusations and evidence. By eliminating the Emperor and framing the Prince of Chu, with the Emperor gone, she could support the little prince’s ascension to the throne, and no one would be able to threaten her.

“Is everything alright in the palace?”

Before Xuanyangzi could speak, Zhou Jingyun asked urgently.

The two eunuchs were interrupted and seemed to have just noticed other people in the room. They recognized Zhou Jingyun.

But at this moment, they didn’t have time to ask why Zhou Jingyun was here.

“Fortunately, Prince Chu was present and stopped Consort Bai’s treacherous plot in time. Consort Bai has committed suicide.”

“But His Majesty is critically ill from the poison. Ancestor, please hurry over—”

They didn’t drive Zhou Jingyun out, and they even answered his question before tearfully addressing Xuanyangzi.

Consort Bai was dead, which meant that Bai Li and the others were safe. Zhou Jingyun breathed a sigh of relief as he heard Xuanyangzi speak, “Are all the imperial physicians present?”

The eunuchs nodded, “They were summoned in time. Everyone from the Imperial Medical Academy is there.”

Xuanyangzi asked again, “Are all the court officials aware of the situation?”

The two officials nodded, “The grand court session had just ended when it happened. Minister Lu of the Left rushed out and gathered everyone. They are all there.”

Xuanyangzi nodded, “Then there’s no need for me to go. I don’t possess medical skills, I cannot cure poison, and I am not a court official, I cannot stabilize the court.”

The eunuchs and officials were stunned, and hurriedly said, “Ancestor, such a major incident has happened to His Majesty—”

Xuanyangzi interrupted them, “This is not a major incident. Consort Bai’s struggle with His Majesty is like the previous Emperor’s near confrontation with the Crown Prince. Husband and wife, father and son, these are all family matters. We at the Temple of the Holy Ancestor do not interfere in family matters or worldly affairs.”

One official became anxious, “How can this be a family matter? This is Consort Bai attempting to usurp the throne.”

Another official also said urgently, “When Empress Jiang usurped the throne before, and Prince Changyang intervened to restore order, didn’t you also go?”

Xuanyangzi shook his head, “That was different. At that time, the previous Emperor was deeply caught in a delusion, wanting to give the Li family’s empire to someone else. I was bound by the agreement between the founding Emperor and the Temple of the Holy Ancestor to break the previous Emperor’s delusion and protect the Li family’s empire. That’s why I went to assist when Prince Changyang forced the abdication.”

One official couldn’t help but correct him, “His Majesty’s actions shouldn’t be called forcing an abdication. It was… rectifying chaos—”

The term “forcing an abdication” was not a pleasant one and would not look good in the historical records.

Xuanyangzi looked at the official and asked, “Did the previous Emperor want to abdicate? Did he appoint Prince Changyang as Crown Prince beforehand?”

Of course not. Prince Changyang was still in exile at the time, and he entered the capital secretly. In terms of rules, it was indeed… The official’s face turned unsightly, and he mumbled a few words, not daring to mention the past again.

“Consort Bai had the intention to seize power, but His Majesty was deceived and did not have the intention to abandon the Li family’s empire. The court officials are also wholeheartedly supporting His Majesty, so the court and the Li family’s empire are stable.” Xuanyangzi continued, “There’s no need to panic.”

✿✿✿

Indeed, the two officials thought pensively.

Seeing that they were no longer speaking, one eunuch kowtowed and pleaded, “But His Majesty’s condition is critical—”

Xuanyangzi said calmly, “I have said it before. His Majesty’s condition is critical, but there are imperial physicians and court officials present. My presence would be of no use.”

The eunuch wanted to say more, but Xuanyangzi waved his hand, “When my presence is needed, I will go myself.”

Seeing Xuanyangzi’s gesture, the Taoist priests who had led them in gestured with their hands, “Please return.”

Helpless, the officials and eunuchs could only get up and leave.

“…Well, for so many years, Xuanyangzi has always been difficult to invite.”

“…Indeed. Even when the previous Emperor neglected state affairs, indulged Empress Jiang, and father and son were at odds, he didn’t interfere.”

“…However, when Empress Jiang was about to ascend the throne, he entered the palace in time and subdued the previous Emperor.”

“…In that case, Xuanyangzi not entering the palace is actually a good thing. It means the situation is not serious.”

“Bai Ying is already dead, and the fake prince’s identity has been exposed. It indeed won’t endanger the stability of the court.”

Accompanied by low murmurs and the sound of chaotic footsteps fading away, silence returned outside the door.

Zhou Jingyun withdrew his gaze and looked at Xuanyangzi, asking, “Is it… over?”

Xuanyangzi yawned, “What else? What did Marquis Zhou’s Heir expect? That I would intervene to stop Consort Bai from seizing her husband’s power, or that I would stop the Princess of Chu from seeking revenge for her blood relatives?”

He chuckled as he spoke.

“I am a man of religion, how can I interfere in such matters?”

Bai Li didn’t trigger the Imperial Bell in the palace this time? Zhou Jingyun thought. This was a matter between the Emperor and Consort Bai, a matter of family feud between Bai Ying and Bai Li, a matter between people.

Empress Jiang did not appear.

The Imperial Bell, which could threaten the Li family’s empire, was not triggered, and Xuanyangzi’s intervention was not needed.

So it was over just like that?

Bai Li would not be harmed?

“Marquis Zhou’s Heir, I have said it before, it is never the object that hurts people.” Xuanyangzi’s voice rang out, “It is people’s obsessions, for example…”

Zhou Jingyun looked at him, a hint of nervousness in his voice, “For example, what?”

He knew it wouldn’t be that easy. Was Ah Li still in danger?

Xuanyangzi looked at him, “For example, you are about to be hurt by obsession.”

He was going to be hurt by obsession? Zhou Jingyun was about to speak, but Xuanyangzi interrupted him.

“I know Marquis Zhou’s Heir doesn’t care about himself, but don’t you care about the people you cherish?” Xuanyangzi said, chuckling, “Like your family, for instance.”

Family? Zhou Jingyun’s expression changed. He thought of something and abruptly stood up, turning to rush outside.

The sunlight was scorching, but the Imperial City was as solemn as an ice cellar.

Outside the Hanliang Palace, guards stood in formation, and officials continued to arrive in a hurry, but they were all stopped outside the hall.

“Your Majesty—”

“How is His Majesty—”

“Our court is plagued by a wicked woman—”

Some cried, some shouted, and some old officials knelt and kowtowed, but they were quickly stopped by officials emerging from the hall.

“Do not make a commotion. His Majesty is inside with the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, Minister Lu of the Left, and others, examining the case.”

They were still examining the case? That meant things were alright. The officials breathed a sigh of relief, standing outside the hall and watching as guards carried out the bodies of dead and injured eunuchs, palace maids, and rebel soldiers. Other guards escorted the eunuchs and palace maids of the Hanliang Palace away, creating a cacophony of wails, shouts, and cries.

Inside the hall, it was also chaotic.

The Emperor had been carried back to the main hall, and several officials were busy going through various documents and records. In the side hall, although Bai Ying’s body had been removed and the guards had withdrawn, it was still crowded with people.

The witnesses Guo Shun had brought earlier, along with Bai Ying’s personal eunuchs and palace maids, were all detained here. Officials shuttled among them, verifying the records of crimes and conducting inquiries.

The Emperor lay on a soft couch, surrounded by imperial physicians, but he was not resting. He was listening to the Prince of Chu speak.

Besides the Prince of Chu, his wife, the Princess of Chu, knelt beside him, holding their child.

The officials in the hall would occasionally glance at her. The officials who arrived later had already heard from those who were present at the time that the Princess of Chu was Consort Bai’s younger sister.

However, compared to Consort Bai, this woman had an ordinary appearance, a quiet disposition, and seemed somewhat timid. According to the recollections of the officials who were present, the Princess of Chu was almost non-existent during the incident.

It was the same at this moment. She sat quietly behind the Prince of Chu, holding her child in her arms, and the child was not crying, but asleep.

Perhaps this woman posed no threat, so they didn’t detain her in the side hall. She had been with the Prince of Chu all along and was now by the Emperor’s side.

The Prince of Chu was personally guarding His Majesty. After all, it was he who had stopped Consort Bai’s plot.

At this moment, he was telling His Majesty how he had become suspicious of Bai Ying.

“Consort Bai knew that her younger sister, Bai Li, was still alive, but in order to gain His Majesty’s trust, she kept having Zhang Ze pursue and attempt to kill her.”

“Ah Li believed that her father was innocent and wrongly accused, and she came to the capital at great risk to clear his name. Your son and I were fortunate enough to meet her and learn of the situation. We also found it strange, so we’ve been helping to investigate.”

“Unexpectedly, after investigating, we found that there were issues with Bai Ying and Zhang Ze.”

As he spoke, several officials rushed in from the side hall, holding records of crimes, and reported the latest progress, “Your Majesty, many cases in the Censorate were fabricated in advance, and then brought to Your Majesty’s attention for investigation according to Consort Bai’s needs. In addition to the Bai Xun case, the Empress Yang case was also like this.”

Yang, Empress. Hearing this, the Emperor, lying on the couch, coughed violently, spitting out blood.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

The imperial physicians rushed forward and hurriedly administered acupuncture.

The officials also gathered around, their expressions tense.

“Your Majesty, please rest. Don’t inquire about the case anymore.” Minister Lu of the Left urged anxiously, “Your health is paramount.”

The Emperor gasped for breath.

“No, I can’t.” he struggled, “I have always been lazy, but I can’t be lazy now. I’m afraid… I won’t have time. I…”

The bloodstains on the Emperor’s lips were wiped away by the imperial physicians, but his eyes were bloodshot, as if they were also bleeding.

“I must die with my eyes closed, knowing the truth of everything!”

“I will not spare… anyone… who has deceived me!”

“All those who deserve to die… shall die!”