There weren't many people in the court who could do this. A flash of white light appeared in Li Sheng's mind, and as if he had thought of something, he suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up. His finger pointed into the hall and trembled incessantly. Suddenly, his heart ached violently. Li Sheng quickly clutched his chest, twisting the giant dragon embroidered on his chest into a ball. He couldn't catch his breath, and suddenly everything went black before his eyes. He fell straight down.
"His Majesty!"
Zhang Rang screamed, and several ministers nearby quickly helped him up. Grand Tutor Xie was extremely anxious and shouted at the people around him, "Hurry up and summon the Imperial Physician!" After saying that, he glanced at Cao Yan and ordered, "Take him away first, and we will make a decision after His Majesty wakes up."
Song Yansi stood behind Grand Tutor Xie. Seeing him turn around, he sighed and said, "With such incompetent pillars of the court, it's no wonder His Majesty is worried."
"Thanks to Marquis Anguo, otherwise His Majesty would have been deceived by this man for who knows how long." Grand Tutor Xie cupped his hands in thanks.
"I dare not. Once His Majesty awakens, that person will be brought to justice." Song Yanji glanced at the flustered eunuch, then looked at Grand Tutor Xie.
"I hope His Majesty will wake up soon." Grand Tutor Xie nodded with a slight frown, looking at Li Sheng being carried away, as if he was extremely worried about his health.
Li Sheng's illness threw the entire Imperial Medical Academy into chaos, and he remained unconscious until the third watch of the night.
Lady Sili paced anxiously in her bedchamber. The women in the inner palace were not allowed to participate in politics. They only knew that a major event had occurred in the previous dynasty and that Cao Yan had been imprisoned. However, only His Majesty, Cao Dongguan, and Marquis Anguo, who had read the memorial, knew the specifics of what had happened.
Suddenly, there was a knocking sound at the door.
"who?"
"Madam, this servant is Qiu Xing."
Qiu Xing was a personal maid given to her by her father before she entered the palace. Lady Si Li simply went to open the door herself, grabbed her arm, and asked, "What exactly happened?"
Qiu Xing quickly glanced around before closing the door, her face full of anxiety as she whispered, "Madam, something terrible has happened to the young master."
Qiu Xing explained it clearly, and Madam Si Li was completely stunned. "You can't just say things like that."
"Miss, it's absolutely true. Our Cao family mansion has been sealed off, and Master is extremely anxious."
"Impossible. If it were true, how could the Emperor and Empress allow me to be so free? They would have probably issued an imperial decree long ago to confine me to the Lishe Pavilion."
"The matter has been temporarily suppressed by the Grand Tutor, who said that a decision will be made after His Majesty wakes up." If His Majesty wakes up, it will be a catastrophe for the Cao family!
"What are my father's plans?" Mrs. Sili asked, biting her lip.
“Master said,” Qiu Xing pulled a thumb-sized porcelain bottle from her sleeve, its surface gleaming with a faint pearly sheen, “that Madam might be able to find a way to prevent His Majesty from waking up.”
"Father." It was nearly midnight. Xie Jiali looked at Grand Tutor Xie sitting in the armchair and couldn't help but speak. He was somewhat uncertain. "Will Cao Liniang really make a move? If something goes wrong, it's a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of her family."
"How long has His Majesty been asleep?" Grand Tutor Xie asked.
Xie Jiali did not understand what his father meant, but still replied, "About seven or eight hours."
"If we don't act now, it will be too late." Grand Tutor Xie stroked the teacup in his hand. "I haven't given her any time to think."
When a person is suddenly driven to a dead end, they will subconsciously try many things, especially when they have so-called confidants around them who advise them. "The execution of the whole family and the extermination of nine generations are probably not much different in her mind."
If Lady Sili had the time to calm down and think things through, she would know that this step was not an option, and the Cao family would certainly not allow her to take it. After all, the former only concerned their Cao family, while the latter was related to the life and death of the entire clan.
But he deliberately didn't give her time.
Chapter 59 A Choice Between Life and Death
"Mother, are there any stars tonight?" Cheng Yu ran to Jiang Yuan's side and tugged at her sleeve, calling out.
Jiang Yuan squatted down, tightened his robe, looked at the sky and said, "No, there aren't stars every night."
“But Father has been sitting in the courtyard the whole time.” Cheng Yu tugged at Jiang Yuan’s sleeve. “I asked Father what he was doing, and he said he was looking at the stars. Father is a liar.”
He was about to take off to confront Song Yansi, but he couldn't move his feet. Cheng Yu looked curiously at Jiang Yuan, who was grabbing his collar, and asked, "Mother?"
What are you doing
Look at the stars.
But there was clearly nothing in the sky.
Yes, it's coming soon, and it's incredibly bright.
At that time, she looked at the empty night sky without saying a word. Then, the capital city changed.
“Maybe, there is.” Jiang Yuan released Cheng Yu and walked to the door. She leaned against the door frame. The night was as dark as ink, frighteningly black, and her expression was somewhat inscrutable. “It will appear soon, and it will be very bright.”
"Your Majesty, please don't blame me. I had no choice but to do it." Lady Sili knelt outside the bedchamber with Qiuxing, murmuring to herself.
“Madam, please go back.” Zhang Rang descended the steps in small steps. “The Emperor and Empress said that His Majesty is still unconscious and may not be able to see you.”
"Your Majesty, my heart for His Majesty is as clear as the sun and moon. Please allow me to see His Majesty one more time." Lady Sili's forehead thudded against the stone slab. "I beg you."
Outside the palace came the cries of Lady Sili. The Empress sat on a sandalwood throne carved with clouds, with a young female physician standing behind her, massaging her temples. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were pursed into a line. Although Li Sheng was currently unconscious, she couldn't help but feel a surge of barely suppressed joy as she listened to Lady Sili's cries outside.
No matter how domineering she usually was, and how much Li Sheng doted on her, in the end, she still had to kneel on the ground and beg him.
"Open the door," the Emperor and Empress said, leaning back in their chairs.
"promise."
The palace doors were opened, and Lady Sili was overjoyed, but she still hurriedly scrambled forward two steps, pleading, "I beg Your Majesty to have mercy on me."
"Why is this, Madam?" The Empress glanced at the Imperial Physician Wang, who naturally moved closer to her side and whispered to the Empress, "His Majesty will probably not wake up for some more time."
She then smiled and looked outside the palace, "It's not too late for Lady Sili to come after His Majesty wakes up."
"Your Majesty, I beg you. I have been by His Majesty's side since I was sixteen. I know that my brother has committed a grave mistake and dare not ask for His Majesty's forgiveness. I only wish to see His Majesty a few more times." She kept hitting her head against the stone slab, her forehead was bruised, her hair was disheveled, her eyes were filled with tears, and even her usually exquisite makeup was smudged into a mess, making her look extremely miserable.
"Since you are so sincere, Madam, I will not stop you." The Emperor and Empress stood up and took two steps forward. "Come in!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lady Sili was about to get up when she heard the Emperor and Empress's voice coming from inside the hall.
"I suppose Madam Xie didn't hear me clearly. What I said was, 'Get in here,'" the Emperor and Empress said, enunciating each word clearly.
As she bent over, Lady Sili's eyes hardened. Surrounded by eunuchs and maids, dozens of eyes were fixed on her. She rolled over, biting her lips until they ached.
The Cao family cannot fall, and neither can she. From childhood, she was the eldest legitimate daughter, raised with the utmost care; when had she ever suffered such humiliation? Lady Si Li stumbled down the steps, her back aching. Now, her brother and father hadn't even been convicted yet, and they were already enduring this disgrace. If they truly fell… Lady Si Li gritted her teeth; she didn't want to die! She couldn't die, so the only option was for His Majesty to die. Besides, there was still the young prince. As long as the young prince ascended the throne, and as long as the Grand Tutor gave them a helping hand, she could continue to enjoy her life of luxury in this deep palace, remaining the late Emperor's consort.
With her clothes stained with mud and her hair disheveled, Lady Si Li crawled up to the Emperor and Empress, saying, "Your Majesty, please let me see His Majesty one more time."
"Go away." The Empress said with narrowed eyes. No matter how pitifully you cry, His Majesty will not wake up. She just wanted to see Lady Sili struggle in despair, which made her feel very comfortable.
"Your Majesty, wake up! Look at Li Niang!" Lady Si Li rushed to the imperial bed, took out the porcelain bottle from her bosom and placed it in her palm. She then poured out the black pills through her sleeve.
The imperial physician Wang estimated that the medicine was almost ready, so he called the female physician to bring it. It was the perfect opportunity. Madam Si Li's heart was pounding. Her fingers trembled slightly as she gently touched Li Sheng's face.
Suddenly, Li Sheng's lips moved slightly, and his eyes opened a crack. He was awake! Madam Si Li's heart leaped into her throat. With a steely resolve, she shoved the pill into Li Sheng's mouth.
She looked into his eyes and trembled silently, saying, "Your Majesty, please don't blame me. I don't want to die."
"What's wrong?" The Emperor and Empress had been watching the situation closely, and when they saw that Lady Sili was silent, they asked suspiciously.
Just as she was about to take a step forward, Imperial Physician Wang spoke first, "Perhaps she is about to wake up. Your humble servant will go and check on her."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor and Empress immediately shouted sternly to the people beside them, "His Majesty is about to wake up, why don't you drag Lady Sili away immediately!"
Lady Sili's body was trembling uncontrollably, and Li Sheng saw it, he saw it.
Imperial Physician Wang strode to the dragon bed, naturally not handing the medicine bowl to the female physician. He saw that Li Sheng, lying on the bed, was slightly sunken, his lips and teeth moving slightly, as if there was something in his mouth. Imperial Physician Wang breathed a sigh of relief and took the opportunity to scoop up a spoonful of bitter medicine and bring it to Li Sheng's lips, "Your Majesty, drink the medicine first."
The man on the bed could not speak, but could only watch as the imperial physician fed him spoonfuls of medicine. The pills in his mouth dissolved upon contact with water and flowed into his throat.
A tearing pain shot through Li Sheng's chest, and he suddenly spat out a mouthful of foul blood. He used all his strength to grab the wrist of Physician Wang.
Imperial Physician Wang was shocked and cried out, holding the bowl, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, what's wrong with you!"
The Empress rushed to the bedside and saw that Li Sheng's lips were bluish-purple, his eyes were slightly bulging, and his chest was heaving like a dying fish. She suddenly glared at the Imperial Physician Wang.
The Imperial Physician Wang could tell from the Emperor and Empress's eyes that they suspected each other. There was still a little less than half a bowl of medicine left in his hand. He tilted his head back and ate some himself. After a moment, he said, "The medicine is fine." Then he put down the bowl and pressed one hand against Li Sheng's pulse. The pulse was erratic. "It's a sign of poisoning."
The medicine was fine, but the person was poisoned right under her nose. The Empress screamed, "Guards!"
The guards filed in from outside the palace. The emperor and empress pointed at everyone in the palace and said fiercely, "Take them all away from here. Don't let a single one of them go."
Physician Wang was not immune to this either, but he was not afraid, since all his medicines were fine except for the first one which contained a large amount of sleeping powder.
"Emperor and Empress," Lord Wang deliberately reminded her, "Lady Sili was also here just now."
Li Sheng lay on the imperial bed, feeling his heart pounding faster and faster, his chest tight and unable to breathe. He desperately dug into his throat, trying to breathe, his neck covered in scratches. The Empress and Emperor panicked, rushing over to hug his arms tightly, their voices trembling with tears, "Where is everyone dead! Quick! Quick! Imperial physician! Imperial physician!"
Li Sheng's consciousness became increasingly scattered, and he heard the screams and wails of the Emperor and Empress in his ears.
"A treacherous official may appear trustworthy, but outwardly he may appear simple and rustic; inwardly he may be cunning and deceitful. Such a person should never be trusted." Xie Taifu's voice still echoed in my ears.
Clang—clang—clang—
Three tolls echoed from within the palace, signaling the arrival of the hour of Chou (1-3 AM). The heavy tolling of the funeral bells sounded exceptionally clear in the silent night.
The wine glass in his hand fell onto the table. Song Yansi looked up at the sky. In this life, now that you know the truth, are you even more uneasy? The Li family's empire is truly in turmoil.
Suddenly, a warmth spread across his back as Jiang Yuan draped a white fox fur coat over his shoulders. Song Yansi turned to look at her, his eyes showing neither the joy of victory nor the pity of pity, just a calm and serene expression.
"What are you doing?" Jiang Yuan squatted down and reached out to help him tie the straps.
"Look at the stars." He took her hand and gently pulled her into his arms.
"Nonsense." Jiang Yuan squatted down, resting her head on Song Yansi's knees, the soft white fur of the fox fur brushing against her cheeks. "There's clearly nothing in the sky."
Yes, it has appeared, and it's very bright.
The suspicious death of Li Sheng caused widespread panic among the people and chaos in the court. Li Jing was hurriedly dressed in a black imperial robe by the palace servants, with nine tassels hanging in front of his eyes. At this moment, the young prince was unaware of what was happening and cried, wanting Consort Bai to hold him.
"Shut up!"
Seeing that the Emperor and Empress were about to slap him, Consort Bai quickly stepped forward to block it. She hugged Li Jing tightly and pleaded, "Jing'er is still young, Your Majesty, please don't take it to heart."
"Don't let him cry. No matter what, he has to step onto that throne this morning!" The Emperor and Empress looked at Consort Bai kneeling at their feet and found it very irritating. Just because Li Sheng had drunk too much and forced himself on her, Consort Bai became pregnant with the dragon's child and rose from a lowly concubine to one of the Nine Consorts. And what's more, the child she gave birth to was Li Sheng's only son.
"Mother." Li Jing's eyes were still wet with tears.
"Jing'er, be good. In a little while, will you go for a walk with the Empress Dowager?" Consort Bai's family background was ordinary, and her appearance was not as good as others. Moreover, she lost her father at a young age, and her elder brother was useless. Even though she gave birth to the prince, she was still not well received in the palace. At this moment, she could only tell Li Jing again and again, wiping away his tears, "When the time comes, Jing'er will listen to your mother. You must not cry, understand?"
"Hmm." Li Jing nodded, looked at the Emperor and Empress's outstretched hand, hesitated for a moment, and then took it. He looked back at Consort Bai every few steps until he turned the corner.
"Your Highness," a maidservant beside Consort Bai reached out to support her, "Will His Highness return?"
Consort Bai covered her mouth, watching the small figure disappear around the corner, tears streaming down her face. Yes, would the Emperor and Empress allow her son to return?
Her maidservant said worriedly, "I have served Your Highness for many years and know that Your Highness is kind-hearted, but there is something I don't know whether I should say it or not."
"Please speak freely." Consort Bai wiped away her tears and was helped to sit down by her maid.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor and Empress have always wanted to adopt His Highness. In the past, this would have been fine," a maid said, pouring her a cup of tea and offering it to her with both hands. "But now, His Majesty is gone..."
Seeing her slight hesitation, Consort Bai looked at the empty hall that had been vacated after the Emperor and Empress left and said, "Since it's just the two of us in the hall now, let's speak."