The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Chapter 350 The Emperor is Seriously Ill

The full moon in the sky was obscured by drifting clouds at some point.

In the study of the Du family mansion, Du Yuqing was shocked by her father's words.

"Dad, do you know what you're doing?"

Du Zhong's smile vanished, his eyes filled with displeasure. "Of course I know what I'm doing."

"Didn't you expect this day to come?"

"Don't forget how Consort Jing died, and now the Third Prince is being raised under your name."

"Besides, consider how the Emperor treats you and how he treats our Du family."

Du Yuqing softened slightly, "Father, if this gets exposed, the entire Du family will be finished."

"Don't worry, I've already made all the arrangements. I won't make a move unless it's absolutely certain."

"His Majesty is seriously ill, and the affairs of the court have been handed over to Ji Lingfeng." Everything will proceed smoothly according to his plan.

"During this time, you continue to gather information for your father in the harem. If there is anything unusual, give the letter to Qiu Xin, and she will send the letter out of the palace."

Qiu Xin is the little palace maid who came to Chengqian Palace today.

Although Du Yuqing was somewhat shaken, she was still startled by her father.

Her father is plotting a rebellion.

On the way back to the palace, Du Yuqing was more cautious than when she came. She would look around anxiously every few steps.

They were afraid of being discovered.

Fortunately, they returned to Chengqian Palace unharmed.

Upon returning to the palace, she dared not even light candles, nor did she dare summon anyone to serve her.

After quickly washing up by myself, I lay in bed, too afraid to fall asleep for a long time.

……

Shen Cao looked down at the bracelet in her hand, an exquisite gold bracelet with nine gemstones of different colors inlaid on its surface.

She fell in love with it at first sight.

"I saw that you didn't wear the hairpin I gave you before, so I specially had someone make this bracelet for you."

"That hairpin is too expensive and not suitable for me to wear on a daily basis."

Shen Cao didn't know why she had started to explain.

"Hmm." Ji Lingfeng smiled, clearly satisfied with Shen Cao's words.

"The red gemstone on the far left of this bracelet is a button."

"You only need to press it once to take out the dagger hidden in the middle of this bracelet."

After saying that, he took the gold bracelet from Shen Cao's hand and pressed it hard on the ruby. With a 'snap', the once intact gold bracelet broke.

The bracelet is hollow in the middle, and there is a retractable dagger inside. Take out the small dagger.

Ji Lingfeng lightly scratched the table, and a piece of the sturdy table corner broke off.

It can cut through iron like mud; it is extremely sharp.

Shen Yuanyuan had initially thought the gold bracelet was exquisite and beautiful, but now he couldn't quite understand it.

How come the gifts he gives himself are always practical?

Weapons were hidden inside.

Perhaps sensing Shen Cao's confusion, Ji Lingfeng explained, "It's a habit. When we're on the march or fighting, our biggest fear is being without our weapons."

"So I had someone make some hidden weapons for me, just in case."

Shen Cao nodded, put the small dagger away, and then put the bracelet on her wrist.

The size is just right.

Shen Cao yawned. She had been woken up early this morning by Wan Yue and had been busy all day.

Ji Lingfeng glanced at her with some reluctance, "For the next month, you should not enter the palace."

"If Wanyue comes to see you, let her stay here with you."

"Never go to the palace unless absolutely necessary."

"As for the reason, you'll find out when the time comes."

Shen Cao nodded.

Ji Lingfeng gave her a few more instructions, then vanished from the spot in a flash.

Shen Cao looked down at the gold bracelet on her wrist. If it weren't for it, she would have wondered if everything that happened tonight was just a dream.

After closing the window, she went to her bedside.

She lifted the pillow, and there it was—the hairpin he had given her before.

……

Early the next morning, news spread that the emperor had fallen ill.

Upon hearing the news, Shen Shuhua went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation without even having breakfast.

"Your Highness, the imperial physicians are treating His Majesty inside. Please wait a moment."

Shen Shuhua looked worried and grabbed Li Defu's arm, asking anxiously, "Eunuch Li, His Majesty was fine yesterday, how did he suddenly become so ill?"

Li Defu looked worried. "Your Highness, to be honest, His Majesty has been feeling unwell for the past few days. The imperial physicians came to see him, and he is fine."

"Who knew that he would suddenly fall into a coma this morning."

His voice choked with emotion, and his eyes were slightly red.

"Your Majesty, please don't worry. His Majesty's health has always been very good. He will be fine," he comforted softly.

Clearly, such words did not comfort her.

A short while later, the imperial physicians came out.

"How is the Emperor?" Upon hearing the Imperial Concubine's voice, the imperial physicians bowed to her.

The head of the Imperial Medical Academy shook his head with a worried look on his face. "I have not yet found out the cause of His Majesty's sudden illness."

"This illness is very strange. Judging from the pulse, the emperor is fine, but he has fallen into a coma."

"Your Majesty, I can only prescribe some mild medicine for now."

"Is it possible that there is not a single person in the Imperial Medical Academy capable of diagnosing His Majesty's illness?"

The abbot shook his head.

Shen Shuhua stumbled and almost lost her balance.

"Your Highness, please take good care of yourself. The Emperor needs someone to look after him right now."

Li Defu looked worried.

Shen Shuhua helped Granny Cao stand up slowly after the dizziness subsided.

She walked up to the chief physician and said, "You must keep His Majesty's illness a secret from me."

"If any news about His Majesty's illness gets out, I will not let it go easily. You should all think about your families before you speak."

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Shen Shuhua looked at the person lying on the bed, and could no longer hold back her tears.

Just a few days ago, he said he would grow old with me.

"Ah Xun, you'll be alright, right?"

"I'm still waiting for you to take me to the grasslands to ride horses, waiting for you to take me out of the palace."

"Didn't we agree to wait for you for another five years?"

Shen Shuhua stayed in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for a whole day.

It was already dark when I went out.

Granny Cao looked at her mistress with concern, "Your Highness, please eat something, otherwise you'll collapse again when the Emperor wakes up."

……

Half a month later

Rumors began circulating not only in the imperial court that the emperor was terminally ill, but also among the common people that he was about to pass away.

On the second day of Ji Lingfeng's regency, military reports arrived from the border.

After handing over the power of regent to the prime minister, he immediately went to the border.

The emperor was in a coma for half a month and had not woken up.

The imperial physicians were at a loss and said they could only leave it to fate.

In just half a month, Shen Shuhua's face has become noticeably thinner.

Wanyue was driven out of the palace by her.

She looked at the food that used to be her favorite, but had no appetite.

Suddenly a voice came from the doorway.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"