A Shocking Dream

Moreover, he had just sent a message to Qin Rongchen saying that the Saint would stay in the capital to celebrate the New Year, and then the news came out that the Saint was seriously ill. If Qin Rongchen knew about this, who knows what stupid thing he would do.

After some thought, Su Yijing said, "Your Majesty, the Saint Girl is seriously ill. The Yun Kingdom envoys must know something. I will personally go to Jinyu to investigate."

Emperor Ansheng nodded slightly and said, "The Saint is seriously ill in our country. It is my fault that I, the Great Qi, failed to provide adequate care for her. I should go to the Jinyu Courtyard to care for her condition. Prime Minister Su, please investigate first. If you have any news, send someone back to report immediately. After I have processed the memorials, I will go with the Empress Dowager and the Empress."

"Your humble servant obeys your order. I'll take my leave." Su Yijing bowed and left the hall.

Emperor An Sheng paced restlessly. His mind reeled from the various troubles caused by the Saint's illness. His thoughts raced. His mother must have been delighted by the Saint's illness, as she had always disliked Yun Shuang. However, he had assumed that after the Saint had safely left the capital, Qin Rongchen, given his temperament, would follow her to the Yun Kingdom. If he never returned to Daqi, it would save him a lot of trouble; he could just appease his mother. And now, the Saint suddenly became seriously ill. If Qin Rongchen knew about this, who knew what crazy things he would do.

"It would be better if she died. If she died, I would be buried with her." Recalling Qin Rongchen's words that day, Emperor Ansheng couldn't help but wonder if Qin Rongchen would actually do such a thing if he knew. If he did so, he would have eliminated a major threat. No one would ever threaten his throne again.

Yet, a lingering hesitation and uneasiness lingered within Emperor Ansheng. His brow furrowed, his heart, like the surface of a lake ruffled by a gentle breeze, restless. He knew full well that the Saint's death would inevitably cause turmoil at court. The Yun Kingdom Saint held a pivotal position in the relationship between the two nations. Her presence was not merely a symbol, but a vital bond maintaining peace between the two nations.

If Qin Rongchen really did something extreme, even though he would no longer be a threat, he knew he couldn't be so short-sighted. The people of both countries should be prioritized. He truly didn't want to provoke an unnecessary war and plunge the people who had lived in peace into the flames of war again. After years of stable living, the people had just emerged from the shadow of past wars and longed for peace and happiness.

Emperor Ansheng paced slowly, each step weighed down by heavy thought. He imagined the tragic scene of war, the people displaced and their homes destroyed. As the ruler of a nation, he shouldered the heavy responsibility of protecting his people. He could not abandon them for fleeting selfish desires.

He paused, gazing out the window at the sky. Its clear blue seemed to carry his worries. He silently pondered how to handle this difficult situation. He had to ensure the Saint's condition was properly addressed and not allow the situation to escalate further.

In this tense atmosphere, Emperor An Sheng knew that his decision would determine the fate of countless people, and he had to act cautiously for the stability of the country and the peace of the people.

Amidst this complex situation, Emperor An Sheng felt incredibly conflicted. He didn't know how to address the series of issues raised by the Saint's illness, nor did he know how to handle Qin Rongchen's potential reaction. He could only hope that Su Yijing's investigation would bring some kind of turnaround, allowing him to find a proper solution.

Ninghua Palace

As Kou Jing listened to the palace maid's news of the Jinyu Courtyard, her mind raced. If the Saint Lady truly died in the capital, her son, Emperor Ansheng, would be worried. She hoped the Saint Lady would die from her illness, so Qin Rongchen wouldn't be deceived by her. Thinking of Qin Rongchen, Kou Jing suddenly felt fortunate to have sent him out of the city. If he had stayed, who knows what kind of trouble he might have caused.

"It would be better if she died. If she died, I would be buried with her." Qin Rongchen's words kept echoing in Kou Jing's mind. She knew her son well; he was a man of his word. They were both human, but at this crucial moment, the priority should be on the country and the people.

It's been several months since the Saint was assassinated and now she's seriously ill. Even as the Queen Mother, I've never visited her to avoid gossip. This time, she should go. "Someone, go get the Queen." Kou Jing's tone was steady, yet there was a subtle hint of worry.

"Yes." The palace maid took the order and left.

Kou Jing sat in the magnificent palace, her eyes gleaming with complex emotions. She knew her every move could affect the entire court. Now that the Saint was seriously ill, she had to act with caution, maintaining the dignity of the royal family while also considering the stability of the country.

After a while, the Queen came hurriedly. "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Queen Mother." The Queen saluted, a puzzled look in her eyes.

Kou Jing raised her hand slightly, "Get up. I called you here today because of the matter of the Saint of Jinyuyuan. The Saint is seriously ill, and as the masters of the harem, we should go to visit her."

The Queen nodded slightly, "Your Majesty, what you said is absolutely true. I, your concubine, have also heard the news that the Saint is seriously ill, and I am worried about this matter."

Kou Jing looked at the Queen, "We must proceed with caution during this visit. We can't let outsiders see what we're thinking."

The Queen understood the Queen Mother's concerns, "I understand. Don't worry, Queen Mother, I will make careful arrangements."

In this tense situation, the Queen Mother and the Empress began to discuss the matter of visiting the Saint. Meanwhile, in the Jinyu Courtyard, the Saint's illness was still a concern for everyone.

The atmosphere within the Jinyu Courtyard was oppressive and suffocating. A group of imperial physicians gathered around the Saint's bed, all with solemn expressions. "Doctor Su, how is the Saint?" Su Yijing, upon arriving at the Jinyu Courtyard, immediately went to the Saint's room to inquire about her condition. One of the most experienced imperial physicians slowly withdrew his hand from taking her pulse, shook his head slightly, and said gravely, "The pulse is weak. I'm afraid she won't last more than three days."

These words were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, stirring up ripples. The surrounding imperial physicians expressed shock and worry. They knew the Saint's illness was crucial to the relationship between the two nations, and the current situation was truly worrying.

The room was eerily silent, with only the Saint's faint breathing as a reminder that she was still alive. The imperial physicians looked at each other, unsure how to break this tragic news to the Emperor and Empress Dowager. They knew that if word got out, the entire palace, and indeed the entire nation, would be plunged into a grave crisis.

Outside the palace, various factions closely monitored the movements of the Jinyu Courtyard. News of the Saint's serious illness had already spread throughout the capital, and people speculated about her fate. Some with ulterior motives began to plot secretly, attempting to exploit this crisis for their own benefit.

Emperor Ansheng sat in his imperial study, his face solemn. When he heard Su Yijing's message that the Saint Maiden wouldn't survive more than three days, his heart sank. A flicker of panic flashed across his eyes, and he unconsciously paused writing.

Emperor Ansheng stood up and paced back and forth in his study, his mind racing. The Saint's illness had put him in a difficult position. On the one hand, he had to consider how to explain this to the Yun Kingdom; on the other, he was worried about the domestic unrest that would result.