She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

When Prince Yu arrived at the palace gate, he dismounted and happened to see the imperial guards standing at the palace gate.

Before he could walk over, the imperial guards approached him.

The imperial guard bowed to Prince Yu and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Your Highness, I heard that your Chamberlain just came by, but the Emperor refused his request to see you. Now you've come to see the Emperor again. I'm afraid you will not only fail to see him, but also incur his wrath."

Prince Yu spoke frankly: "I would like to trouble Lord Jin to convey my message to my father, the Emperor. My mother is critically ill and I hope he will allow me to enter the palace to deliver medicine to her."

Seeing that Prince Yu was determined to meet Emperor Jing'an, the imperial guards turned around and went to the Taiji Hall to inform Prince Yu on his behalf.

A quarter of an hour later, the imperial guards arrived at the Taiji Hall and reported to Emperor Jing'an from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is critically ill. Prince Yu is requesting an audience at the palace gate and begs your permission to enter the palace to deliver medicine to the Imperial Concubine."

Emperor Jing'an was currently in the Taiji Hall discussing state affairs with the Third Prince, debating how to govern the Great Zhou Dynasty after years of war.

The third prince replied: "Father, I believe that we should follow the principle of governing by non-action and winning without contention. We should seek stability for the people through non-action and solidify the foundation of the state through non-contention."

"After the war, what is most needed is to allow the people to recuperate, reduce taxes and corvée labor, and promote the recovery of the population and economy. Once the Great Zhou has restored its national strength and become prosperous and powerful, it can then govern the country with the principles of Confucianism on the outside and Legalism on the inside, win the hearts of the people with benevolent governance and virtuous rule, and maintain the order of the country with strong and effective laws."

When Emperor Jing'an heard the Third Prince's answer, he was slightly taken aback, recalling how Zhao Yi had used the method of "doing without doing, and contending without contending" when he was vying for the title of Duke's mansion.

Just as he was about to ask for details, he heard the imperial guard announce his arrival. His brows furrowed immediately, and displeasure flashed in his eyes. The mother and son's relentless fuss, determined to achieve their goal, only fueled his growing annoyance.

When Consort Ling fell ill, he was in Yanxiang Palace. The imperial physicians had already examined her and confirmed that Consort Ling was fine. So how could she be seriously ill and on the verge of death?

Emperor Jing'an's first thought was that Consort Ling's scheme had failed, so he sent Prince Yu into the palace to devise another plan with her.

"Understood. I will send the imperial physician to treat Consort Ling later. You may let Prince Yu return to his residence and focus on preparing for tomorrow's wedding." Emperor Jing'an instructed the eunuch serving beside him: "Go and invite the imperial physician to treat Consort Ling."

“Father, my elder brother has always been prudent and has never given anyone cause for gossip. He says the Empress is seriously ill, so her condition must truly be grave.” The Third Prince put down the memorial he was holding and advised, “Please allow my elder brother to see the Empress, so he can marry in peace tomorrow. If the Empress is truly unwell, I fear my elder brother will…”

At this point, the Third Prince realized something was amiss and stopped speaking.

How could Emperor Jing'an not know what the Third Prince had left unsaid?

However, Prince Yu had long since become estranged from him, and a rift had formed between father and son.

If we were of one mind with him, how could this have happened?

“In the entire capital, apart from Gu Changsheng, there is no other doctor whose skills can compare to those of the imperial physicians. If even the imperial physicians cannot cure her, then the medicine sent by Prince Yu will be even less effective.” Although Emperor Jing’an said this, he still considered the last bit of affection and said to the eunuch, “If Consort Ling’s condition is serious, you should go and invite Prince Yu to Yanxiang Palace.”

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince lowered his eyelashes slightly, concealing the expression in his eyes.

"This servant obeys." The eunuch hurriedly left, and returned a few moments later to report: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is well and unharmed."

Emperor Jing'an's eyes revealed a deep disappointment as he addressed the palace servants, saying, "Unless it involves matters of the palace or matters of life and death, there is no need to report any affairs of Yanxiang Palace to me."

The palace maids all knelt down: "Your servants obey."

-

Prince Yu stood motionless at the palace gate, waiting for the imperial guards to come and report. He waited for nearly three-quarters of an hour before the imperial guards finally arrived.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered you to return to your residence to prepare for the grand wedding. As for the Imperial Concubine, he will send a royal physician to treat her." Before leaving, the imperial guard revealed the reason why Emperor Jing'an refused Prince Yu's entry into the palace: "His Majesty went to Yanxiang Palace today and sent someone to summon a royal physician to treat the Imperial Concubine. The physician said that the Imperial Concubine was injured by food and there is nothing serious."

"If you are concerned about the safety of the Imperial Concubine, you may continue to wait here. Before I came to report to you, the eunuchs around the Emperor had already gone to invite the Imperial Physician to examine the Imperial Concubine. If the Imperial Concubine's condition is serious, then the eunuchs will come to invite you to Yanxiang Palace."

Prince Yu seemed to have anticipated this outcome, clenching the small porcelain bottle in his hand as if he had something to say to the imperial guards.

The imperial guard glanced at Prince Yu's clenched fist and spoke first: "The Third Prince has moved into the Taiji Palace, an honor that no prince has ever received before. You should know how fickle the world is; many palace servants have pledged allegiance to the Third Prince."

The guards who could serve in front of the emperor all came from noble families, so he was not afraid of Prince Yu and the Third Prince, but he did not want to be dragged into the quagmire of the struggle for the throne and implicate his own family.

"This humble official's duty is finished; I shall take my leave now." The imperial guard withdrew.

How could Prince Yu not know this principle?

After Emperor Jing'an removed Tan Rui from his post, he purged the palace staff again, making everyone in the palace feel insecure.

Whether in the imperial court or among the palace staff, no one dared to have anything to do with them, mother and son, openly.

Besides, he dared not entrust the antidote to the palace servants casually.

These palace servants had no official authority, and they were afraid that they would be detained by the Third Prince's men on their way to deliver medicine to his mother.

At that time, his mother would truly not survive.

Prince Yu continued to wait in front of the palace gate; there was still one hour before Consort Ling's medicine would take effect.

Time passed slowly, and the sky gradually darkened.

Prince Yu grew increasingly anxious. The heavy night sky above him enveloped him, and his unease quickly intensified, even causing his heart to pound uncontrollably.

At this moment, only half an hour remains.

We can't wait any longer.

At this moment, the palace gates opened, and a palace attendant came out: "Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine is alright. You may return to your residence." After a pause, he added: "Your visit to the Emperor has caused him to feel disgusted with you and the Imperial Concubine. The Emperor has also issued an order that from now on, matters concerning the Imperial Concubine need not be brought before him."

Prince Yu suddenly grabbed the eunuch by the neck and led him into the palace gate.

Struggling, the eunuch managed to squeeze out a sentence from his throat: "Prince Yu has trespassed into the Forbidden City, intending to rebel—"

The guards at the palace gate drew their swords and quickly surrounded Prince Yu.

The air instantly condenses, ready to explode at any moment.

Just then, with a "thud," Prince Yu pushed the eunuch forward, and the long sword pierced through the eunuch's chest.

As if it were a signal, half of the guards at the palace gates swiftly thrust their long swords into the chests of their comrades. Amidst their comrades' incredulous gazes, they escorted Prince Yu all the way to Yanxiang Palace.

Prince Yu, covered in blood, stepped into Yanxiang Palace and headed straight for the inner hall. He stopped abruptly at the entrance.