Having made up her mind, Qin Guan sent Baiying to inform Han Bo. Since considerable time had passed and arrangements needed to be made for Han Laobo after deciding to erect the tomb, Han Laobo quickly consulted a Taoist priest for divination. The date for building the tomb outside the city was ultimately set for the twenty-seventh of October.
Qin Guan then made a special trip to the Shen residence to inform Sun Muqing of this matter. With four or five days remaining, it was ample time for Sun Muqing to prepare.
Yan Zhen had only left the capital two days prior. The city, which had just been bustling with the festivities of Yan Zhen's wedding, was now shrouded in gloom. The reason was none other than the increasing negative discourse about the Crown Prince in the court. On the twenty-fourth of October, four days after Yan Zhen's departure, the Minister of Revenue, Yang Han, led dozens of senior officials in submitting a joint memorial to the Emperor, requesting the deposal of the Crown Prince and the selection of another prince as the Heir Apparent. The submission of this memorial sent shockwaves throughout the capital!
The Empress Dowager had just risen and was reading Buddhist scriptures when Mammy Chen hurried in from outside. "Your Majesty—"
Mammy Chen’s face was pale with panic, clearly indicating something major had occurred. Yet, when the Empress Dowager looked up at her, she found herself unable to speak. The Empress Dowager’s health was frail, and Mammy Chen dared not deliver the news directly. Sensing something amiss, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly and asked, "What is it?"
Mammy Chen’s expression was pained. "Your Majesty, there was some turmoil during the morning court session. I came to inform you as soon as I heard the report, but please do not be angered. I fear your health may not withstand it—"
The Empress Dowager chuckled lightly. "Matters of the morning court? What could possibly anger me? Speak."
After a moment’s hesitation, Mammy Chen whispered, "The Minister of Revenue, along with others, submitted a memorial calling for the deposal of the Crown Prince."
The Empress Dowager had been turning the pages of her scripture, but her hand stilled at these words. "What memorial?"
Mammy Chen hesitated again, and the Empress Dowager slammed the scripture shut. "Depose the Crown Prince?! They dare submit a memorial to depose the Crown Prince?! How audacious!"
After exclaiming twice, the Empress Dowager’s breath caught, and she leaned back, nearly collapsing. Mammy Chen’s face turned ashen. "Your Majesty! Someone, fetch the imperial physician! Fetch the imperial physician—"
The servants outside scrambled into action upon hearing this. Mammy Chen supported the Empress Dowager, continuously patting her back to help her breathe. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager soon regained her composure.
Taking a deep breath, the Empress Dowager managed to calm herself. "Audacious! Utterly audacious! They dare suggest the Emperor depose the Crown Prince!"
She grabbed Mammy Chen’s hand tightly. "What was the Emperor’s response?"
"The Emperor withheld the memorial without issuing a decision," Mammy Chen replied hastily, then poured tea for the Empress Dowager. After sipping the hot tea, the Empress Dowager’s breathing stabilized completely.
Leaning against the large pillow behind her, she closed her eyes weakly, though her hand resting on the table trembled slightly. Soon, she opened her eyes wide and declared, "Summon the Emperor. I must speak with him and offer some advice…"
Mammy Chen smiled wryly. "Your Majesty, such a decision cannot be made lightly. You must not rush. The Emperor is still in deliberation."
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager came to her senses. Indeed, she must not appear impatient, lest the Emperor feel pressured by her.The Empress Dowager's hands trembled increasingly violently, to the point where she couldn't even hold a teacup steady. Mammy Chen quickly took the cup from her and said softly, "Don't worry, it's just because of recent events. Rest assured, His Majesty has a plan..."
Thinking of the Emperor's recent actions, the Empress Dowager felt no certainty in her heart. She shook her head and sighed heavily, "The Heir Apparent concerns the nation's fate and is the foundation of our state. Even if the Crown Prince has made mistakes, they are only minor ones. If we were to depose the Crown Prince just like that, not to mention there being no other candidate I find satisfactory, even if there were, the Great Zhou's destiny would be utterly ruined by him. These people... these people are far too bold. Yang Han, is it? Yang Han is from the Ministry of Revenue, which was previously under the Crown Prince's supervision. How could he be the one to take the lead?! Ah, the Crown Prince... over these years, he has been too conventional. Why doesn't he know how to plan for himself at all?!"
By now, the Empress Dowager was both furious and distressed. Mammy Chen hurriedly comforted her, "Shall this servant go and invite His Majesty tonight?"
The Empress Dowager nodded, "Alright, I was too impatient. Let's wait until tonight to invite him."
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager suddenly frowned, "Is Prince Cheng behind the mischief in the court?"
Mammy Chen smiled bitterly, "This servant naturally wouldn't know about such matters."
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes and sank into deep thought.
...
...
At the same time, the news had also reached Changxin Palace.
Bao Die entered the inner chamber with a joyful expression, "Your Highness! Good news has arrived! During this morning's court session, Yang Han, the Minister of Revenue, led over ten other senior ministers in jointly submitting a memorial requesting the Emperor to depose the Crown Prince. Your Highness! Our prince now has hope!"
Feng Lingsu was drinking water when she heard this. The teacup in her hand clattered to the ground.
Bao Die's expression changed, "Your Highness! What's wrong? What happened to you?"
Feng Lingsu leaned against the bed, her face deathly pale. Since Yan Zhen's marriage until today, she hadn't had a single good night's sleep, which caused her complexion to deteriorate rapidly. These past few days, she had been claiming illness and lying in bed, while the Emperor hadn't come to see her. Little did she expect that after just a few days of not paying attention to outside matters, there would already be calls to depose the Crown Prince.
Feng Lingsu's disheveled hair made her pale face appear even whiter. She leaned against the headboard in a daze for a while, then suddenly asked, "What was the Emperor's reaction?"
Bao Die smiled, "His Majesty withheld the memorial without issuing a response. He'll probably need to consult with other officials."
Deposing the Crown Prince was, after all, a major matter that naturally required discussion with other ministers. But...
Feng Lingsu suddenly remembered how Prince Luo had valued Yan Che in the past. Even back then, it was evident that although Prince Luo was still young, he cherished the legitimate son born to his princess consort above all else. Very early on, people had said that if Prince Luo were to ascend the throne, Yan Che would undoubtedly become the future Crown Prince.
Yet now, barely a year after Yan Che's investiture, there were already voices in the court calling for his deposition!
And the Emperor had withheld the memorial without response—such an attitude filled Feng Lingsu with dread.
These past few days, the more Feng Lingsu thought about it, the more convinced she became that the Empress must have been deceiving her. Yet even so, a strange feeling continued to envelop her, keeping her awake at night, filling her with panic and fear. Feng Lingsu pulled the brocade quilt higher over herself, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Have... have Prince Cheng come see me."
Bao Die, concerned by Feng Lingsu's appearance, quickly acknowledged and went to carry out the order.Feng LingSu had been ill these past few days, though no one knew exactly why. Bao Die had thought this news would cheer her up, yet Feng LingSu remained as if frightened by something. Unsure of what to do, Bao Die simply wanted to summon Yan Qi to the palace quickly.
Yan Qi arrived promptly. After this morning's court session, Yan Huai had left the memorial to depose the Crown Prince in the Imperial Study—a telling sign that he had at least considered the idea. Since he hadn't outright rejected it, the chances of success seemed greater. Yan Qi, already pleased, had intended to visit Changxin Palace anyway. Just as he stepped out of the Imperial Study, a servant informed him that someone from Changxin Palace had come to fetch him.
Though surprised, Yan Qi went to Changxin Palace immediately.
Feng LingSu rose from her bed. Though she had changed clothes, her sickly appearance remained. Yan Qi was taken aback at the sight. "Mother, what happened? I heard you were staying in due to illness, and I sent someone to check on you just the day before yesterday. How did you become so severely ill in just two days?"
Feng LingSu weakly waved her hand. Without makeup today, her wrinkles were starkly visible, and her lack of vitality made her look a decade older. She skipped pleasantries and asked directly, "Was the memorial from this morning's court session yours?"
Yan Qi took a seat and smiled. "Yes, I've been planning this for days. No one else knows about my connection with Yang Han, so rest assured, Mother."
Feng LingSu's gaze grew vacant. She stared blankly out the window before suddenly saying, "From today onward, do nothing more."
Yan Qi was stunned. "What do you mean, Mother? The memorial was submitted today, and Father hasn't rejected it outright—that means it's not impossible. If we can really depose the Crown Prince this time, wouldn't it benefit us?"
Feng LingSu shook her head. "No, it wouldn't be good. If the Crown Prince is deposed, I'm afraid it might..."
I'm afraid it still wouldn't be you...
She didn't voice this thought, instead insisting firmly, "Listen to me—don't be too radical. Do you think your father knows nothing? If you don't tread carefully, even if the Crown Prince is truly deposed, remember, there are several others below you. You're not his only option."
Yan Qi frowned. Just days ago, Feng LingSu had called this their best opportunity—why the sudden change?
After a moment's thought, however, he nodded. "Don't worry, Mother. I understand what you mean. I won't give Father any reason to distrust me."
He knew well that arousing Yan Huai's suspicion would be the gravest of mistakes.
Hearing this, Feng LingSu nodded. "Good."
After speaking, she drifted into a daze again. Yan Qi, unaccustomed to seeing her like this, asked, "Mother, what's really wrong with you? The imperial physician said it was just excessive worry, but why do you keep spacing out like this?"
Feng LingSu snapped back to attention and shook her head. "It's nothing, really."
Yan Qi didn't believe her—he knew her usual demeanor too well. Frowning, he pressed, "What exactly did the Empress say to you that day?"
At this, Feng LingSu immediately scowled. "Don't bring up that day again! Never mention it to anyone!"Feng Lingsu's hoarse voice carried a hint of ferocity, startling Yan Qi. Seeing how serious she looked, Yan Qi nodded, "Alright, alright, I understand. I won't ask anymore. It's just... you seem like a completely different person, Mother. Weren't you always the one who loved dressing up the most? How can you win Father's favor looking so sickly now? If the previous imperial physicians were useless, find another one. The important thing is to recover quickly."
In the past, whenever the Emperor's favor was mentioned, Feng Lingsu would always beam with pride and satisfaction. But today, she remained unmoved, instead wearing a confused and lost expression.
Yan Qi found this strange, but Feng Lingsu waved him off, "Enough about this. From now on, you must refrain from competing or stirring up trouble regarding the Crown Prince's affairs. Just be an observer and watch the drama unfold."
Feng Lingsu's cautious attitude was utterly unlike her. Yan Qi wanted to ask more, but seeing her distraught state, he held back.
As soon as Yan Qi left, Feng Lingsu retreated to her inner chamber and lay on the bed. She felt as if all her strength had been drained away—unable to sleep, unable to eat, as if trapped in a dream. She dared not think about anything, nor did she want to.
News of the Crown Prince's deposition spread like wildfire. By the time it reached the Loyal Marquis Manor, Qin Shu had also fallen ill.
After half a month of constant worry, the submission of the deposition memorial and the Emperor's delayed response made Qin Shu—a seasoned official—realize the situation was truly dire. He took sick leave and sank into deep despondency. Qin Guan was summoned to treat him. Qin Shu looked at her several times, opening his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing. In the current circumstances, even Qin Guan could do nothing to help.
After taking his pulse, prescribing medicine, and carefully explaining the precautions, Qin Guan had no intention of saying more.
Hu Shi took Qin Guan's hand and said, "Wan'er, your uncle..."
"It's just excessive worry. Nothing serious, so please don't worry."
Hu Shi sighed in relief, "That's good, that's good. Ah..."
Everyone knew what Qin Shu was worried about, but Hu Shi could do nothing except order the servants to prepare the medicine.
After bidding farewell to Hu Shi and Qin Shu, Qin Guan left the main chamber, but Qin Yan followed her out.
"Ninth Sister—"
Qin Guan turned to see Qin Yan looking at her. "Ninth Sister, may I have a word in private?"
Qin Guan followed Qin Yan a few steps into the nearby corridor. Qin Yan lowered his voice, "Ninth Sister, were those words you told me before... told to you by Prince Rui?"
Qin Guan raised an eyebrow, "Of course not."
Qin Yan seemed puzzled, as everything Qin Guan had said had now proven true.
Qin Guan sighed, "No one told me those things. I merely thought of them myself. I never expected my words would come true."
Qin Yan's expression turned grave, "Ninth Sister, do you know something?"
Qin Guan did know something else, but she hadn't yet discerned the full truth. Even if she had, she wouldn't have confidently told Qin Yan. "I don't know anything. It's just that everything is subject to change. Uncle staked everything on the Crown Prince, so naturally, there was always the risk of sharing both glory and ruin."
Qin Yan studied Qin Guan deeply for a moment, at a loss for words. After a long pause, he sighed, "I understand."
"It's not too late to understand now," Qin Guan whispered.Qin Yan pondered for a moment, then smiled gratefully. "Alright, I'll speak with Father and Mother. If... if you have a chance to visit the Eastern Palace, please comfort Yu'er. Right now, she must be even more frightened than we are. There's nothing we can do, so we can only rely on you."
Qin Guan nodded, and only then did Qin Yan bow his head and enter the room.
With a sigh, Qin Guan turned and headed toward Pine Breeze Courtyard. The Loyal Marquis Manor truly could only seek a path of self-preservation now. Not only was the Crown Prince in a difficult position, but she herself wouldn't remain in the manor for long. If that day truly came, would the manor be implicated because of her?
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