The news of Yan Han vomiting blood and falling critically ill spread throughout the capital in no time.
With Prince Rui leading his army to the city gates, the entire capital—from noble families to commoners—kept a close watch on the palace's movements. When the director of the Imperial Hospital was urgently summoned into the palace, it became clear that something was amiss within.
It was not until the second quarter of the hour of Hai (around 9:30 PM) that Yan Han slowly regained consciousness.
Upon waking, he saw Yuan Qing’s anxious face, and as he lifted his gaze, he noticed Yan Ze standing not far from the dragon bed.
Seeing Yan Han awake, Yuan Qing was overjoyed. "Your Majesty! You’re finally awake."
Yan Han coughed lightly twice. Hearing the sound, Yan Ze quickly approached. "Your Majesty?"
Yan Han felt his throat was dry and tasted a metallic sweetness. He called out, "Water." Yuan Qing hurriedly fed him a few sips of warm water. After moistening his throat, Yan Han asked, "What time is it?"
Yuan Qing replied, "It’s the second quarter of Hai, Your Majesty. You’ve been unconscious for over two hours."
Hearing this, Yan Han’s expression froze for a moment. "The city... how is the city?"
"Don’t worry. Heir Apparent Yue Jia and the Duke of Wei are guarding outside. Inside the palace, Commander Zhao is keeping watch. There’s no chaos, so please rest assured."
Yan Han’s expression relaxed slightly, but then he recalled Yan Ze’s words from the afternoon and jolted back to alertness. He stared blankly at the dragon-embroidered canopy above for a moment before saying, "Help me change clothes. I must go to the Longevity and Health Palace."
Yuan Qing anxiously protested, "Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance. Right now..."
Yan Han shot him a glance, and Yuan Qing immediately fell silent, calling in the young eunuchs outside to assist Yan Han in changing.
Yan Han coughed intermittently as he dressed. When he stood up, Yan Ze noticed the white hair at his temples. In just one afternoon, Yan Han seemed to have aged ten years. His steps were unsteady and feeble as he walked out, his back hunched.
As Yan Han set off for the Longevity and Health Palace, Yan Ze followed. Seeing Yan Ze now brought Yan Han some peace of mind. On the Dragon Carriage, he asked while moving, "Do you know how he acquired over a hundred thousand troops?"
Yan Ze replied, "The Empress... no, the deposed Empress was severely injured and remains unconscious to this day. The old general also fell gravely ill, leaving no one to command the Northern Garrison Army. So, the old general ordered the army to join Prince Rui, which is how he amassed such a large force now."
Hearing this, a faint glimmer flashed in Yan Han’s eyes.
Although Yan Chi had rebelled, Yan Han did not know that Yan Chi had long been aware of the secret from years past. Now, upon hearing of the Empress’s mishap, Yan Han speculated that she might have informed Yan Chi. Thinking of Yan Chi’s threatening words, Yan Han felt his vision darken again.
Soon, they arrived at the Longevity and Health Palace. Yan Han had not visited for months, and his sudden appearance threw the palace into chaos. Yan Han hurried into the main hall and, just as he reached the entrance, saw Yan Sui rushing out in a fluster. Upon seeing Yan Han, Yan Sui quickly bowed.
Yan Han said nothing and headed straight to the inner chamber to see the Empress Dowager.
At that moment, the Empress Dowager was already lying down, muttering to herself. Hearing the noise, she turned her vacant gaze and, seeing Yan Han, showed no expression. Yan Han approached the bedside and called softly, "Mother—"
The address stirred a flicker in the Empress Dowager’s eyes. She looked at Yan Han and said, "You’ve come. Why didn’t your elder brother come with you?"Yan Han's eyes shifted several times as he murmured, "Mother, do you truly not remember? Yan Chi has rebelled, leading a hundred thousand troops to the city gates. He seeks to seize your son's throne. Mother, what should I do?"
The Empress Dowager looked at Yan Han. "The throne? The throne belongs to your elder brother. No one can take it away."
Already panicked and fearful, Yan Han felt a bitter, metallic taste rise in his throat at these words.
"Mother! What if someone tries to seize elder brother's throne?"
The Empress Dowager frowned vaguely. "Then... then they would defy the heavenly Path and face divine retribution."
Yan Han's heart raced, and he slumped defeatedly onto the edge of the bed. Seeing the Empress Dowager's bewildered expression, he smiled bitterly. At such a critical moment, he had actually thought to seek her counsel. Not only was she gravely ill and unaware, but even if she were lucid, what use would it be?
As Yan Han fell silent, the Empress Dowager began muttering again. He strained to listen and heard her say, "The Crown Prince's position is the foundation of the state and must not be shaken," followed by, "Please spare them. Your younger brother merely strayed from the right Path temporarily..."
Yan Han froze by her bedside, utterly shaken.
Twenty years ago, after being rescued from Wind Thunder Ridge and following the late emperor's passing, he had ascended the throne while still recovering from injuries.
Back then, the Empress Dowager had pleaded with him just like this, begging him to spare the Prince Gong's household and the Fu Clan's children.
He had spared only the princess consort and Yan Li, showing no mercy to anyone else.
He dared not reveal the slightest hesitation—if he was to act, he had to be utterly ruthless, only then could he truly wear Yan Huai's mask.
Recalling this, Yan Han shuddered violently and snapped back to reality, immediately standing up.
Twenty years—he had endured on this throne for twenty years. All the achievements of those two decades belonged to Yan Huai, and now he was to be driven from the imperial seat just like this?
Yan Han shook his head. How could that be?!
He had worn this mask for twenty years until it became inseparable from him, yet he had his own bloodline.
The throne of Great Zhou should pass to his descendants—only then would his twenty years of toil not be in vain.
As for the Edict of Self-Accusation, it merely bore Yan Huai's name.
Yan Han suddenly laughed. Why hadn't he thought of it before? What did the Edict of Self-Accusation matter?
With this realization, Yan Han no longer felt the need to speak with the Empress Dowager. He stumbled out of the chamber and, upon exiting, saw Yuan Qing and Yan Ze waiting outside. Meeting their concerned gazes, Yan Han said with relief, "We agree to Yan Chi's terms!"
Yan Ze looked surprised. Yan Han coughed twice and declared, "For the peace of Great Zhou, we agree to his demands!"
With that, Yan Han turned to look at Yan Sui.
Under his gaze, Yan Sui instinctively shrank back.
But Yan Han curved his lips slightly, crouched down, and spoke with rare gentleness, "Sui'er, are you afraid?"
Yan Sui looked puzzled. "Your son... what should your son fear?"
"Yan Chi has led his army to our gates. Are you afraid?"
Yan Sui wanted to shake his head, but under Yan Han's gaze, he nodded instead. "A... a little..."Upon hearing this, Yan Han curled his lips into a smile and said, "Don’t be afraid. You are heaven’s favored one, my own flesh and blood. As for Yan Chi, he is merely a prince of the imperial clan. Your father will place you on the highest throne and, from behind you, teach you how to become the true Son of Heaven."
These words startled everyone present, causing their expressions to shift. Yan Sui, in particular, shrank back, frozen in place.
Yan Han, however, let out a hearty laugh, rose to his feet, and stepped into his sedan chair, preparing to return to the palace. Yuan Qing hurriedly ordered the procession to depart. As the group moved toward the gates of the Longevity and Health Palace, Yan Ze followed behind, his eyes icy cold.
Back in Chongzheng Hall, Yan Han strode swiftly to the desk in the inner study, intending to pick up a brush. But as soon as his hand grasped the brush, it trembled uncontrollably, making it impossible to write. Yan Han then said, "Yan Ze, you come. I will dictate, and you write—"
As Yan Ze stepped forward, Yuan Qing couldn’t help but interject, "Your Majesty, perhaps you should rest first and take your medicine."
Yan Han seemed not to hear him and insisted, "I will dictate, and you write. Quickly, write that I have indeed committed wrongs, as the rumors in the streets claim…" As he spoke, he rubbed his ears. "What’s happening? Why…"
Yuan Qing hurriedly supported Yan Han. "Your Majesty, what’s wrong?"
Yan Han not only rubbed his ears but also tapped his head. "My ears are ringing terribly, and my head aches… This won’t do. Help me lie down… Where is the medicine? Bring it quickly…"
Yuan Qing had no idea what was happening to Yan Han. Earlier that day, he had coughed up blood, and the physician had only said it was due to extreme anger, with no mention of any other illness.
In a panic, Yuan Qing called for the medicine again. The person who delivered it was an unfamiliar young eunuch, but Yuan Qing paid no mind. He first took a sip himself to test the medicine, then fed it to Yan Han. After drinking it, Yan Han still complained of an unbearable headache. "I feel terrible. I cannot write now. Yan Ze, draft it according to my intentions. I must rest. When I recover, I will review it…"
Yan Ze acknowledged the command, and only then did Yan Han seem to relax, closing his eyes and soon falling into a deep slumber.
Yuan Qing stood up and looked at Yan Ze. "Heir Apparent, what should we do? His Majesty said he wants to issue an Edict of Self-Accusation. Does he truly mean it?"
Yan Ze replied calmly, "Since His Majesty has given the order, I can only comply."
Yuan Qing sighed but said nothing further. "Very well. Where will you write it?"
Yan Ze said, "I will write it here. I will not return to the royal residence today. I will wait here so His Majesty can review it as soon as he wakes. This matter is of great importance."
Yuan Qing nodded quickly. "That is excellent, though it will be hard on you."
Yan Ze smiled and said, "It’s no trouble," then sat down behind the desk and began writing shortly after. Meanwhile, Yan Han lay on the couch, occasionally murmuring in his sleep. By the latter half of the night, he was even crying out in pain from his dreams. Yuan Qing was at a loss, but Yan Ze remained composed and reassured him.
Seeing that this was not a sustainable situation, Yuan Qing left the inner hall to send an order, intending to summon the director of the Imperial Hospital back to the palace. However, when he stepped outside, he found none of the usual young eunuchs who attended him. He found it strange, but given the circumstances, he had no time to dwell on it. Instead, he called upon a nearby imperial guard to leave the palace and deliver the decree.
The imperial guard left but never returned. Even as dawn broke, no physician arrived at the palace.
Yan Qing exclaimed anxiously, "What is happening? The Emperor has fallen ill. Have the people in the palace lost their minds?!"Though his trusted aides were nowhere to be seen, the delivery of medicine remained punctual. Yan Ze, who had stayed awake all night without losing his dignified composure, calmly advised, "Let His Majesty take the medicine first."
Outside, the sky had brightened fully. After the long night, the entire palace seemed quieter than the day before. The morning court session had already passed its scheduled time, yet Yan Han still showed no signs of waking. Moreover, even the messenger sent to summon the imperial physicians had vanished.
Furious, Yuan Qing strode out and saw imperial guards everywhere within sight. The few young eunuchs present were all unfamiliar faces. Frowning deeply, Yuan Qing called one over to inquire about his own subordinates' whereabouts, but the young eunuch only shook his head in silence. Scanning his surroundings, Yuan Qing suddenly felt the place he had served for over thirty years had become strangely alien. Though the sun had climbed to its zenith in broad daylight, a chill crept up his spine. He hurriedly asked, "If you don't know about those people, you must at least know where Commander Zhao is..."
The young eunuch continued shaking his head. Yuan Qing had no choice but to call a nearby imperial guard. "Where is your Commander Zhao?"
The guard replied, "Commander Zhao is stationed at the palace gate."
"Go summon him at once," Yuan Qing urged.
The guard acknowledged the order and departed, allowing Yuan Qing to finally release a tense breath.
Returning to the inner chamber, Yuan Qing found Yan Ze organizing the memorials drafted overnight. The documents were exceptionally lengthy, written with Yan Ze's characteristic literary elegance and calligraphic mastery reminiscent of the Sage of Calligraphy. Noticing Yuan Qing's entrance, Yan Ze said, "I trouble you to fetch the imperial seal. Once affixed, these can be dispatched."
Yuan Qing paused in surprise. "Will the heir apparent not show them to His Majesty first?"
Yan Ze responded with a bitter smile. "How impatient of me. Of course they must be reviewed. Let us wait for His Majesty to awaken. We shall send them at dusk after he has examined them."
Yuan Qing found Yan Ze's demeanor somewhat peculiar, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly why. The silence enveloping Chongzheng Hall felt different from its usual solemn tranquility.
An uneasy palpitation stirred in Yuan Qing's chest as he turned to leave. Before he could take more than a few steps, Yan Ze's voice stopped him. "Where are you going, Eunuch?"
Yuan Qing halted abruptly. "I... I need to find my apprentices. With His Majesty fallen ill, it's utterly improper for them to disappear amid their frivolous amusements."
Yan Ze sighed. "I advise you not to wander about. Should His Majesty wake..."
Just as he spoke, coughing erupted from the dragon bed. Without needing further prompting, Yuan Qing rushed back to the bedside. "Your Majesty?"
Yan Han remained unconscious, stirring fitfully in his stupor. Hearing the voice, he opened glazed eyes and mumbled indistinctly, "Has dawn not broken yet?" After this single utterance, his eyelids drooped shut as he slipped back into slumber.
Yuan Qing stood frozen before finally murmuring, "Is His Majesty trapped in a Nightmare?"
Yan Ze stood composedly nearby. "Set your mind at ease, Eunuch. His Majesty will surely awaken before nightfall."
As they spoke, a young eunuch delivered meals and medicinal soup. While ordinarily unremarkable, today this routine service struck Yuan Qing as bizarre—he had issued no instructions, his subordinates had mysteriously vanished, yet the kitchen still attended to Chongzheng Hall's needs. The strangeness was palpable!
Observing Yan Ze, who ate and drank tea with undisturbed normalcy, Yuan Qing felt a creeping horror at his unshakable calm.The sun reached its zenith, yet Yan Han still hadn't awakened. Neither the summoned physician nor Zhao Yu had reappeared. Yuan Qing grew increasingly fearful, but aside from remaining by Yan Han's side, he had no other recourse. As the sun dipped westward and the hour grew late, Yuan Qing finally panicked. "Heir Apparent... what arrangement did you make with Prince Rui? What exactly is... does the Heir Apparent know what this means?"
Yan Ze suddenly raised a finger. "Hush. His Majesty is about to wake."
Yuan Qing immediately fell silent. At the same moment, he heard Yan Han's sudden, ragged gasps—each breath more frantic than the last, as if some immense agony had abruptly seized him. Just as Yuan Qing was puzzling over this, he heard Yan Han cry out in pain and struggle upright—
While shouting, "Someone... light the lamps!"
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