Chapter 147 The Emperor Reveals His Cards

Chapter 147 The Emperor Reveals His Cards

At Prince Jing's residence, Xie Yan returned to his courtyard and looked at the brocade box on the table.

Shi Tou cautiously reported, "Your Highness, Princess Jing sent someone to deliver it."

Xie Yan's fingers touched the brocade box, and the cool touch of the mother-of-pearl inlay spread.

He knew she didn't want to wear it because she didn't wear it in the morning.

I don't want anything of his.

Shen Nanzi rejected his advances without the slightest hesitation.

Xie Yan picked up the brocade box, knocked on the copper clasp, and revealed a complete set of headdresses inside.

He took out the most dazzling one, a hair ornament shaped like a peacock.

Its entire body is made of pure gold, and its wings are adorned with red fluorescent dots, sparkling and dazzling.

The feathers are decorated with colorful kingfisher feather inlay, resulting in a vibrant and varied appearance.

Two light-colored jade seals, crystal clear, were visible in his eyes.

The crest is inlaid with three red gemstones, swaying gracefully.

On its vermilion beak lies a lotus, with several delicate gold tassels dangling below it, shimmering brightly.

They also have matching earrings, chokers, bracelets, and rings.

He took them out one by one and examined each one for a long time.

A wave of regret washed over me. If I had been kinder to her before, she wouldn't be so hard to get close to now.

*

The next day, Shen Nanzi thought about Xie Yan's words, and seeing the time her brother would return to the mansion, she took Cheng'er with her and went out.

The Emperor's illness has become apparent, and it is estimated that all parties are eager to make their move. She is worried about Cheng'er's safety.

Once outside the palace, he was kept in sight, and four guards were assigned to protect him.

The mother and son arrived at the Grand Commandant's residence, and Cheng'er immediately went to play with his cousins.

Shen Nanzi went to the study to find her brother.

Shen Minghan had just returned to his residence, changed out of his court robes, and put on a cypress-colored long gown.

She entered the study one step after Shen Nanzi.

"What's the urgent matter?" Shen Minghan walked to the opposite side of the desk and sat down.

He habitually pressed the bronze toad beside him, and a few drops of water spilled from its mouth and fell onto the inkstone.

Release the bronze toad, then pick up the inkstone and gently grind the ink.

Shen Nanzi watched her brother's actions. "Xie Yan said yesterday that he wanted to join hands with us. He asked me to ask you, saying that if you agreed, he would come over to talk to you in detail."

"He even said he would handle your problem."

Shen Minghan paused for a moment while grinding the inkstone, then continued grinding the ink:

"Judging from his words, he has already found out about our hidden soldiers."

Shen Nanzi nodded, "He said if he wins, he will send us to live on his fiefdom."

Xie Yan's arrangement was actually very attractive to Shen Nanzi, and it was also the ideal ending for her and Cheng'er.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been moved and agreed to discuss it with her brother.

"However, I find it difficult to trust either Xie Yan or Xue Qingning." This was her biggest concern; you can't judge a book by its cover.

Shen Minghan chuckled softly, recalling the day he tested the medicine, a feeling tinged with something indescribable.

"Xie Yan is indeed suspicious. If we join forces with him, the Sixth Prince will be out of the game unless the Emperor passes the throne to him."

Even if Xie Yu obtains the throne, it's not impossible for Xie Yan to take it away.

He weakened a force without lifting a finger.

If we join forces with Xie Yan now, it would be a betrayal of Xie Yu.

The brother and sister remained silent for a long time before Shen Nanzi asked, "Brother, think about it for two more days. I'll wait for your message."

Shen Minghan nodded, and seeing that Shen Nanzi was about to leave, he said, "The situation is serious recently. You and Cheng'er should not run around. Try to stay in the Jingwang Mansion as much as possible."

"Give me all the intelligence from the spies. While you're in the Prince Jing's residence, don't take any more risks."

Shen Nanzi nodded, "Brother, you should also be careful."

*

Meanwhile, Xie Yan, who had already returned to the Pear Garden, was summoned to the Shengming Palace by the Emperor.

It was already evening outside, and the evening breeze blew through the empty courtyard, creating a desolate scene reminiscent of approaching autumn.

Xie Yan walked into the hall, his tall figure reflected on the smooth floor.

The emperor lay hunched over the table, his face pale and beads of sweat the size of soybeans on his forehead.

With his left hand pressed against his abdomen, his usually resolute face was now filled with pain.

A palace servant brought over a large bowl of thick, dark medicine. Instantly, the entire hall was filled with a strong, bitter smell.

Xie Yan stood below the prince, his expression showing no sign of softening.

Looking at the emperor and the medicine, his eyes were full of resistance.

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician advises you to drink it while it's hot, as the medicine will be most effective then," a palace maid whispered, bending down beside you.

The Emperor scoffed, "You're all a bunch of useless fools. All you can do is make me take medicine. Don't you have any other ideas?"

It was supposed to be a thunderous rage, but Xie Yuan's body was in so much pain that his face was convulsing, and his voice carried the weakness of a powerful man.

"Your Majesty, you should drink it as soon as possible, at least it will alleviate some of your pain!" The palace servants beside him were almost crying.

The emperor continued to glare fiercely at the bowl of medicine, his eyes like those of a beast tormented by illness.

The palace maid raised her eyes, intending to ask for help, but upon seeing that the person below was Prince Jing, she quickly lowered her gaze.

This man can't ask for help; if he were to speak up, the Emperor might just overturn the medicine bowl.

After a while, Xie Yan walked to the table and asked, "Your Majesty, what brings you to my court?"

The palace servants stood anxiously by, wondering if Prince Jing had truly failed to see the Emperor's current condition.

Is now the right time to speak?

The emperor is in excruciating pain; even a few kind words would be appreciated!

The emperor was in so much pain that the veins on his neck bulged. The ferocious beast in his old age looked at the newcomer, and some indescribable emotions surged in his eyes.

After hesitating for a moment, he picked up the pills on the table and drank them all in one gulp.

Tormented by pain, the emperor's eyes were bloodshot, his thin cheekbones protruded, and even the strongest incense could not mask the medicinal smell that filled the room.

This diligent emperor could no longer hide his illness and unusually did not hold a morning court session today.

All day long, the court officials were secretly speculating.

In front of Prince Jing, he directly revealed his current situation.

A palace maid brought mouthwash, but the emperor waved it away.

He raised his head and looked at His Highness Xie Yan, who was tall and imposing, and was in the prime of his life.

Xie Yuan's eyes showed a hint of envy as he struggled to sit up straight behind the imperial table.

He took a few deep breaths before speaking, "You see, my body is weak and I'm at my limit."

Xie Yan remained silent, his calm eyes gazing indifferently at the emperor behind the throne.

The palace servants behind were getting anxious.

He's just like always. The other princes would definitely say something intimate, or take the opportunity to win over the father and son.

This man remained silent, completely unlike a father and son. The emperor was like a piece of wood in his presence, utterly devoid of emotion.

Xie Yuan didn't expect him to say anything, so he added, "I have been diligent my whole life and rarely slacked off."

"I always think that once I'm done with this busy period, I must go out and see how magnificent this vast land is."

"Now it seems there's no chance."

The emperor's pain eased somewhat, and his complexion changed from white to sallow. It seemed that even speaking a few words required great effort.

"When I was young, I loved hunting, traversing the mountains and forests to chase wild beasts."

"The satisfaction of hitting the prey is something I never want to leave."

Xie Yan understood the Emperor's meaning, but remained silent.

“My condition is worsening day by day, and the imperial physician said I might not survive more than half a month.”

The palace servant behind him trembled slightly. Could he even hear this?

Xie Yan's eyes remained unmoved, as if the emperor's life or death had nothing to do with him.

The Emperor's gaze seemed to be lost in regretful, joyful memories. After a long while, he finally spoke:

"I have not held a hunt for many years, as I am busy with endless political affairs all day long."

"Although I have enjoyed honor and privilege for half my life, I have never had a few days of true peace."

"I wonder how future generations will judge me? Prince Jing, what is your opinion of me?"

Xie Yuan looked at Xie Yan.