The Sickly Regent Prince Who Was Abandoned as a Substitute Bride

Inside the palace, in the magnificent golden palace, the courtiers knelt on the ground, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Ye Erxiao sat upright on his dragon throne, looking down at his assembled ministers, and said with a majestic and awe-inspiring air, "All of you, rise!"

The ministers unanimously expressed their gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The chief eunuch, Li Fu, shouted in a shrill voice, "Speak if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned!"

At this moment, the Left Chancellor stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the Regent Prince has recovered lost territory but has now returned injured. I believe that a royal physician should be sent to treat him, to show Your Majesty's respect for the Regent Prince..."

Upon hearing the Left Chancellor speak, the ministers all echoed his sentiments:

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that proposal!"

The emperor cursed inwardly, "These people, all they do is second others' opinions! Especially the Left Chancellor, who has always supported my ninth brother becoming emperor, and now he's in cahoots with him..."

He suppressed his anger and said expressionlessly, "Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. Guards, convey my decree: dispatch the imperial physician to the Prince's residence to treat my ninth brother. In addition, bestow upon him ten thousand taels of gold, one hundred bolts of cloth, and ten maidservants."

The Left Chancellor was the first to shout, "Your Majesty is wise!"

The other ministers joined in, shouting, "Your Majesty is wise!"

The Emperor muttered to himself, "Brilliant my foot! If it weren't for my fear of the Regent's power, I wouldn't have treated him so kindly! Father even handed the military tally to my ninth brother..."

"Your Majesty, Lu Chengfeng, the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo, is now serving under the Regent and is capable of handling matters independently. I believe he should be rewarded!" the Left Chancellor continued.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Lu Chengfeng's qualifications are still insufficient. Perhaps we should first appoint him as a Lieutenant General..." the Right Chancellor continued.

After listening to the two men's words, the emperor thought to himself, "The Left Chancellor always contradicts me, while the Right Chancellor's suggestion is more prudent. However, Lu Chengfeng is indeed quite capable and should be appropriately rewarded." With that thought, the emperor nodded and said, "Very well, let it be as the Right Chancellor says!"

At this moment, the emperor suddenly remembered Marquis Dongfang, a loyal minister who had always been devoted to him and wielded considerable influence in the court. He looked around but did not see Marquis Dongfang, which puzzled him.

"Why didn't Marquis Dongfang come today?" the emperor asked, frowning.

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, a young eunuch hurriedly came out, knelt on the ground, and said, "Your Majesty, the steward of the Marquis of Dongfang just reported that the Marquis of Dongfang's mother is ill, so he was unable to attend court today."

Upon hearing this, the emperor felt somewhat relieved, realizing the situation. He knew that the Marquis of Dongfang was always filial, and that he must be unable to leave because he was worried about his mother's illness.

So the emperor waved his hand, signaling the eunuch to rise, and then said, "Since the Marquis of Dongfang's mother is ill, and the imperial physician is going to examine Ninth Brother's injuries, let him also go and see his mother!"

"Do any of you ministers have anything else to report...?" the emperor asked.

The ministers all shook their heads…

Upon seeing this, the chief eunuch Li Fu announced, "Dismiss the court..."

"Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Ye Erxiao has finished his court session and is now at the Empress Dowager's palace!

After paying his respects to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor inquired about the Regent.

"Mother, what do you think I should do about the Regent? His power is growing stronger every day, and I am truly worried."

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly and comforted him, "My son, do not worry. The Regent is, after all, your brother. As long as he has no interest in the throne, he will not pose a threat to you. The most urgent task at present is to consolidate your power and cultivate your own confidants."

The Emperor nodded. "Your subject understands. However, since the Regent has returned injured, many ministers in the court have proposed to bestow honors upon him. Your subject is unsure how to decide."

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and said, "The matter of bestowing titles and honors requires careful consideration. We must show the imperial favor, but we must not allow the Regent's power to become too inflated. Perhaps we could grant him some honorary titles or assign him some nominal positions in the court."

"What Mother says is true. I have only given some rewards. My ninth brother is already the regent. I really don't know how to bestow any more titles upon him."

"My son sent ten maids over there..."

"Yes, Mother, some of my people are among them and can gather information for me."

"Well done"

"Furthermore," the Empress Dowager continued, "the Marquis of Dongfang has always been loyal to you. Now that his mother is ill, you can send someone to deliver some precious medicines to show your concern."

"Yes, Mother..."

The two talked for a while longer before the emperor left.

At the Regent's Palace, Eunuch Li Fu brought gifts.

"Your Highness, this is the Emperor's reward for you: ten thousand taels of gold, one hundred bolts of cloth, and ten maids to take care of Your Highness's daily needs..." Eunuch Li Fu spoke the Emperor's decree, his voice sharp and high-pitched, as if to spread the joy to every corner.

Ye Jiuchen sat quietly in his chair, listening to Eunuch Li read out the rewards, his face expressionless. His eyes were deep and cold, as if he had long since seen through all the worldly splendor and vanity.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has also ordered the imperial physicians to treat you..." Eunuch Li continued.

Ye Jiuchen nodded slightly, indicating that he understood. He knew in his heart that his elder brother's concern for him was not genuine, but more of a political maneuver. However, he didn't care about such things, because he didn't have much desire for power and status.

"Eunuch Li, please thank my brother for me..." Ye Jiuchen's voice was deep and magnetic, yet it carried an irresistible air of authority.

Because the late emperor had granted Ye Jiuchen special treatment, exempting him from the kneeling ceremony, he could sit there comfortably without having to bow to anyone.

"Your Highness, let me examine you..." The imperial physician cautiously stepped forward, his tone revealing a hint of nervousness.

Ye Jiuchen nodded slightly, then leaned back in the recliner, displaying a languid posture. His movements were elegant and natural, as if the world was under his control.

The imperial physician cautiously reached out to take Ye Jiuchen's pulse. Soon, a fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead. In truth, Ye Jiuchen's physical condition was not serious; it was just that the Regent's powerful aura filled him with immense fear.

"Imperial Physician Li, how is my injury?" Seeing the imperial physician covered in sweat, Eunuch Li Fu mistakenly thought that Ye Jiuchen's condition was very serious, so he asked anxiously.

Physician Li quickly withdrew his hand and shook his head. "The prince is injured, and his old ailment has not yet healed, so this is like adding insult to injury, resulting in insufficient qi and blood. He needs to rest and recuperate for a period of time..."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li's expression turned solemn. He knew how important Ye Jiuchen was to the country, and if anything happened to Ye Jiuchen, the entire country would likely descend into chaos.