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

Yan Yi had been deliberately avoiding the topic of the Imperial Tutor's health, but upon suddenly hearing the Imperial Tutor's words today, a feeling of bitterness, sullenness, and great discomfort welled up in her heart.

Since the beginning of spring this year, the Imperial Tutor's health has been poor, with constant minor illnesses and pains.

The abbot of the temple said that the Imperial Preceptor's health had been severely depleted in his early years, and with proper care, his lifespan could be extended. However, if things continued to be neglected, he only had a few years left.

Yan Yi and Yan Er could not accept this reality, so they secretly invited several renowned doctors from the local community to examine the Imperial Tutor, but they all came up with the same result.

The Imperial Tutor remained calm and composed, as if he had long since taken life and death lightly. He was worried about upsetting them, so he made sure they took their medicine on time every day. Just as his health was showing some improvement, the Imperial Tutor, in order to prepare for the upcoming event, was completely devastated by this serious illness.

On his first day back in the capital, Gu Changsheng examined the Imperial Tutor's pulse and said bluntly, "The Imperial Tutor's body is like a remnant of medicine in this bowl. After being attacked by fierce fire, it has long been boiled dry, and I am helpless. I can only hope that he will wake up within the time agreed upon with me."

At this moment, Yan Yi realized that the Imperial Tutor had not only calculated everyone around him, but had also included himself in the calculation.

"Jinyan, you don't need to be sad for me." The Imperial Tutor coughed a few times and offered Yan Yi a few words of comfort, which was rare for him: "Everyone's life and death are predetermined. It is enough to do what you should do and leave no regrets."

Yan Yi countered with a question: "Are you truly without any regrets?"

The Imperial Tutor was slightly taken aback.

Yan Yi, who had always been obedient and never dared to disobey the Imperial Tutor, surprisingly retorted today: "What should be done? What shouldn't be done? I only believe in one principle: the only thing we are here to do is to make our lives better and happier."

Then, he muttered timidly, "You think His Majesty is easy to control, so you chose him to be the ruler of the world just now, all to overthrow the Chu family's rule. But you've racked your brains to plan all this, yet you haven't taken over. Instead, you've put His Majesty's son on the throne, and you've even ruined your own health. Isn't this just a waste of time and asking for trouble?"

The Imperial Tutor heard someone say to him for the first time: "The only thing we are here to do is to make our lives better and happier."

Ever since he could remember, people had told him that he was the future master of the world, and that his father, mother, and tutors taught him how to be a wise ruler, to create a peaceful and prosperous world, and to let the people live in peace and happiness.

After the country was destroyed and his family perished, someone told him that Chu Changyue was a traitor who had seized the country from the Zongzheng family, and that he was burdened with the mission of restoring the country.

Suddenly, the Imperial Tutor recalled the words of an old friend: "Yan Heqing, you and I are no different. We are both people whose fates have already arranged for us."

The Imperial Tutor frowned: "Be careful what you say."

Yan Yi immediately became obedient, standing ramrod straight, waiting to be scolded.

The Imperial Tutor reminded him, "Remember your name."

Yan Yi: "..."

At this moment, Gu Changsheng walked into the inner room carrying his medicine box.

Yan stepped aside, making room for herself by the bed.

Gu Changsheng put down his medicine box, took out a pulse pillow, placed it under the Imperial Tutor's wrist, and concentrated on taking the Imperial Tutor's pulse. After a moment, Gu Changsheng switched to the Imperial Tutor's other hand and examined the pulse again.

After a moment, Gu Changsheng withdrew his hand: "Continue taking the original prescription."

The Imperial Tutor coughed a few times, signaling Yan Yi and Yan Er to leave.

Yan Yi and Yan Er were unwilling to go out, but seeing how emaciated the Imperial Tutor was after his serious illness, they dared not upset him any further and silently withdrew.

After the two left, the Imperial Tutor cut to the chase and asked, "How am I feeling?"

Gu Changsheng said indifferently, "Why does the Imperial Tutor ask a question he already knows the answer to?"

"I appreciate your concern these past few days. I have another request, please come to the palace." The Imperial Tutor was not annoyed, and said in a calm tone, "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Your Majesty should wake up."

Gu Changsheng paused in packing his medicine box, then slowly lowered his eyes: "When will we enter the palace?"

The Imperial Tutor turned his gaze to the window, where the moon was obscured by thick clouds in the night, and the lanterns hanging under the eaves were more dazzling than the moonlight from the dome. He slowly said, "Tomorrow someone will come to invite you; go to the palace again to treat His Majesty's illness."

Having received the answer, Gu Changsheng picked up his medicine box and left.

-

The news of the Imperial Tutor's awakening spread throughout the court and the country. For a time, the ministers had different thoughts. One faction, led by the Grand Secretary, immediately sent a letter of invitation to the Imperial Tutor, but the Imperial Tutor refused it.

When the imperial relatives heard that the Imperial Tutor had not met with anyone from the Grand Secretary's faction, they breathed a sigh of relief.

The Imperial Tutor's actions suggest either that his health is failing and he is unable to manage state affairs, or that he does not support Zhao Yi's succession to the throne.

In either case, no one would step in to stop the conflict between the Right Pillar State and Zhao Yi.

Only the Right Pillar of State's faction was in a state of extreme anxiety. On one hand, Shou'an City, which borders the capital, was about to be captured by Zhao Yi's men. On the other hand, they worried that the Imperial Tutor would wake up, seize his power, expose his crimes, and put him on trial.

Therefore, the Right Pillar of State personally sent someone to spend a large sum of money to invite Gu Changsheng to treat the Northern Qi Emperor.

Only if the Northern Qi emperor wakes up can his life be saved.

During the time that Gu Changsheng was treating the Northern Qi Emperor, the Right Pillar of State practically lived in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, staying by the Emperor's side without leaving him for a moment.

There were two reasons for doing this. One was that he was worried that Gu Changsheng would take the opportunity to harm the Emperor of Northern Qi. Once the Emperor noticed anything amiss, he would immediately deal with Gu Changsheng.

Secondly, for him, only the Hall of Mental Cultivation was the safest place.

Even if the Imperial Tutor wanted to judge him, he wouldn't dare to do so in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After all, he was a regent appointed by the Emperor of Northern Qi.

The Northern Qi emperor's secret guards would not allow anyone to harm him.

Gu Changsheng treated the Northern Qi emperor for five or six days, but the emperor's condition did not improve at all.

The Right Pillar State was so anxious that he couldn't eat or sleep properly. He wished that Gu Changsheng could prick the Northern Qi Emperor with a needle and wake him up.

That day, the Right Pillar of State received a battle report from Shou'an City and could no longer contain himself. He rushed to the inner palace, only to find Gu Changsheng inserting a silver needle into the Northern Qi Emperor's head. He tried his best to control his impatience and patiently asked, "How is Your Majesty's condition? When will you wake up?"

Gu Changsheng did not answer, but instead inserted the last silver needle in his hand into the acupoint of the Northern Qi Emperor.

Seeing Gu Changsheng's arrogant demeanor, the Right Pillar of State was about to vent his anger when he saw the Northern Qi Emperor make a weak and indistinct sound in his throat, and then open his eyes.

He was overjoyed, but before he could say anything, someone outside the hall reported: "Lord Liu, something terrible has happened! Shou'an City has fallen."