Rebirth: Find a General as Your Backer

The group discussed the reception arrangements for the Canglang Kingdom again, each person's face bearing an expression of either solemnity or contemplation. The ministers frowned slightly, their eyes revealing caution, occasionally whispering to each other before dispersing, their departing figures appearing somewhat desolate in the empty palace.

The emperor had been feeling exhausted lately. He leaned back on the dragon throne, his brows furrowed and bloodshot eyes clearly visible, perhaps due to his advanced age.

He gently rubbed his temples, seemingly trying to relieve the ever-present fatigue. The Great Chu had yet to appoint a crown prince, and he himself had risen from the position of prince. A complex light flashed in his deep eyes; he knew that his sons must all have their own plans.

His lips curled down slightly, revealing a bitter smile. The Empress had no legitimate son and had been unable to conceive, so the princes, now of age, naturally harbored their own ambitions. A hint of worry flickered in his eyes, as if he were watching a herd of wild horses about to break free, unsure how to rein them in.

He really didn't want to see his sons killing each other, so his brows furrowed even more, his eyes filled with helplessness and heartache. But the emperor also knew in his heart that power could make people lose their way and cause them to lose a lot.

He sighed deeply, his breath seemingly carrying immense pressure. Therefore, he only wanted to take advantage of his remaining energy to properly settle his sons, and his eyes showed even more determination.

However, in the eyes of many people, and even the emperor himself, Chu Mohan, as a general, had the talent of a general but not the talent of an emperor.

Recalling Chu Mohan's performance in the palace, his tall but somewhat dull figure seemed to reappear before his eyes. Therefore, he could not let this son return to Mofang City. He had to protect him. Although he had the title of Iron-Blooded General, the capital was full of conspiracies and schemes.

"Did you see the expression on Prince Yao's face when he heard that I wanted to leave Prince Rui in the capital?" The emperor spoke calmly, his eyes seemingly serene, yet revealing a sharpness that was hard to detect.

Eunuch Lu hurriedly bowed deeply, his eyes lowered, "This servant is old and has poor eyesight. I did not see Prince Yao's expression. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." His body was almost prostrate on the ground, and his hands trembled incessantly.

"You old codger, you're just afraid of offending people, aren't you?" the emperor couldn't help but scold, his eyebrows raised high, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes, and a disdainful sneer on his lips.

Eunuch Lu could only force a smile, his lips parted in a fawning grin, but the smile looked more like a grimace. "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

As the chief eunuch, Lu Gonggong was naturally shrewd and resourceful; how could he not know when to say what?

His eyes darted around, but he dared not look at the emperor, only staring at the ground. The emperor had no real intention of asking him anything; he was only concerned with what he saw.

Now that he serves by the emperor's side, he cannot utter the slightest biased words; otherwise, given the emperor's suspicious nature, he will surely suspect that he has been bribed.

Eunuch Lu asked, "Your Majesty, which concubine's palace will we visit later? Will we be choosing one?" He cautiously looked up at the emperor, his face full of fawning smiles.

The emperor pondered for a moment, his eyes somewhat lost. He looked up slightly at the palace dome, as if searching for an answer. At this moment, he didn't want to go anywhere. After thinking for a while, he said, "Go to the Phoenix Palace." His tone was calm.

It must be said that since the Empress has no sons, when the Emperor visits her, she will not say much about the matter of establishing a Crown Prince.

The most troubling thing is that the Empress has been seeking medical treatment and drinking Chinese medicine every day in order to give birth to a legitimate son, but after so many years, there has been no improvement.

......

The Emperor arrived at Fengyi Palace, and along the way, palace servants bowed respectfully, but none dared to look him in the eye. Inside Fengyi Palace, the Empress, having already received the news, awaited him in her finest attire. Upon seeing the Emperor's arrival, she gracefully bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, respectfully welcome you."

The Emperor slightly raised his hand, gesturing for the Empress to rise. Looking at her meticulously made-up face, which couldn't conceal the fine lines around her eyes, a complex emotion flashed through his mind. "Your Majesty, you may rise. I've come today simply to speak with you."

The two sat down on the couch, and the palace maids served fragrant tea before withdrawing. The Empress took a sip of tea and asked with a smile, "How has Your Majesty been lately? I've heard that Your Majesty has been feeling somewhat tired. Has the imperial physician been summoned to examine you closely?"

The emperor waved his hand. "It's nothing serious, just a bit tiring from being busy with state affairs. But you, have you found any good doctors lately?"

The Empress's eyes dimmed slightly. "Your Majesty, it is still to no avail. I fear... I will never be able to bear Your Majesty a legitimate son in this lifetime." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

The emperor sighed and took the empress's hand. "Empress, please don't worry too much. This matter cannot be forced."

The Empress wiped away her tears and nodded. "I understand, but the thought that Your Majesty still has no legitimate son and the position of Crown Prince remains undecided fills me with guilt."

The emperor gazed intently out of the hall, "As for the position of crown prince, I will consider it carefully. My sons are all secretly vying for power, and I only hope that they will not lose their brotherly bond because of power."

The Empress frowned slightly. "Your Majesty is wise, but people's hearts are unpredictable. I worry that they might do something wrong. What should we do then?"

......

Inside Yao Hua Palace, candlelight flickered, casting dappled shadows on the carved walls. Upon hearing that the Emperor had gone to the Empress's quarters, the Imperial Concubine's meticulously painted face was instantly shrouded in a cloud of disappointment.

Her heart felt as if it had been gripped by an invisible hand; her brows furrowed slightly, and a barely perceptible trace of sorrow flashed in her eyes.

For some reason, ever since she learned that Prince Rui was about to return, she felt as if an invisible net was stirring up her life and making everything go wrong. Could it be that she and Prince Rui were really incompatible, which was why her luck was so bad?

She inadvertently let slip that her words had run wild, and as soon as they left her mouth, she realized her mistake.

The nanny serving nearby was startled upon hearing the Empress's words. "Your Majesty, please be careful what you say!" Having served in the palace for many years, she knew all too well the catastrophic consequences that could result from careless speech. The Empress was referring to Prince Rui, the Emperor's son.

No matter what, a concubine should not speak of a prince in such a way.

Afterwards, the nanny dismissed everyone in the room.

The old woman was a trusted confidante that the Imperial Concubine had brought from her maiden home. While directing everyone to leave, she secretly glanced at the Imperial Concubine out of the corner of her eye, thinking to herself, "Your Highness, how could you be so careless? There are eyes and ears everywhere in this palace. If there is the slightest mistake, we will all be doomed."

Seeing the nanny's nervous expression, the Imperial Concubine said to her, "Nanny, I'm counting on you for everything in the palace. If you discover anyone who has ulterior motives, don't hesitate to deal with them immediately."

Her voice was soft, but there was a hint of coldness in her words; she was just a servant.

"Yes, Your Majesty. However, Your Majesty should be very careful with your words in the future."

The Imperial Concubine nodded slightly, and the nanny then turned and called the people outside in. The group filed in and began to serve their mistress again.

The emperor probably won't be coming tonight. The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat somber and oppressive. The candlelight flickered, illuminating the lonely and somewhat uneasy figure of the imperial concubine, while the nanny stood silently by her side.