Chapter 375: I Have No Choice
Yun Chu's expression remained indifferent.
Chu Rui could manipulate Su Ziyue precisely because she was extremely naive.
And the reason Yun Chu could so easily eliminate the gu parasite was also due to Su Ziyue's lack of cunning and scheming.
Su Ziyue bit her lower lip, finally speaking after a long silence: "Sister Crown Princess, there was something wrong with the osmanthus cakes, wasn't there?"
Yun Chu offered no response.
Su Ziyue didn't know what else to say, and the two fell into silence.
Soon, the Emperor's voice could faintly be heard from the main hall: "...Very well, since all my ministers share this opinion, we shall dispatch additional troops—fifteen thousand elite soldiers in total..."
Yun Chu breathed a sigh of relief.
Though fifteen thousand troops were barely sufficient to subdue the Eastern Tomb Kingdom, it was still better than eight thousand.
Not long after, the ministers emerged from the main hall.
Chu Hongyu immediately called out loudly: "Grandfather Emperor, I'm coming in! I've missed you so much, Grandfather Emperor."
Gao Gonggong hurriedly said: "Young Highness, please allow this old servant to announce your arrival first..."
Yun Chu took her son's hand, signaling him to wait patiently.
In the past, Yu Ge'er could barge into the Hall of Mental Cultivation without announcement because the relationship between the Emperor and Chu Yi was primarily that of father and son.
But now... after so many incidents, with Chu Yi becoming the Crown Prince, and last time when the Emperor woke after vomiting blood and fainting, Chu Yi was drawing blood from the Emperor's fingertips...
It was said that the Crown Prince was the Emperor's most outstanding son.
Yet, the person the Emperor feared most was also the Crown Prince.
If the Crown Prince grew impatient, wouldn't he kill the monarch and his own father?
Gao Gonggong soon returned, announcing respectfully: "His Majesty summons the Crown Princess and the Young Highness to the hall."
Yun Chu led her son inside, and both paid their respects.
Chu Hongyu looked up, seeing the Emperor's pale complexion, and immediately approached: "Grandfather Emperor, how did you become so ill? Where does it hurt? Let me blow on it to make it better..."
The Emperor's expression softened considerably.
But when Chu Hongyu picked up the medicine bowl by the bed and tried to feed him, the Emperor coldly turned his head away: "There's no need for a child to trouble himself with feeding me medicine."
"I just want to do something for Grandfather Emperor," Chu Hongyu said, genuinely concerned about the Emperor's health. "The medicine may be bitter, but you'll feel better after drinking it. I even prepared some candied fruit. Please take a sip, Grandfather Emperor."
The Emperor's expression darkened.
Chu Hongyu pulled a piece of candied fruit from his pocket and tried to put it in the Emperor's mouth: "Alright, alright. How about Grandfather Emperor eats the candied fruit first before taking the medicine? Is that acceptable? Oh my, you're harder to coax than little sister..."
Before he could finish, the Emperor spat out the candied fruit, refusing to eat it.
Chu Hongyu stared in astonishment: "Grandfather Emperor..."
"Yu Ge'er!"
Yun Chu pulled the little one to her side.
She understood now—the Emperor's paranoia had taken hold. He suspected Chu Yi, suspected Yu Ge'er, and would certainly suspect her, the Crown Princess.
If the Emperor didn't believe he was poisoned by gu at all, then her so-called antidote meant nothing to him.
It seemed they would have to find someone to secretly administer the antidote to the Emperor.
"Yu Ge'er was only concerned about Your Majesty's Dragon Body. I beg Your Majesty to forgive him," Yun Chu said with bowed head. "Since Your Majesty's Dragon Body is unwell, your daughter-in-law and Yu Ge'er shall not disturb you further."
She paid her respects and led Chu Hongyu out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Mother, why was Grandfather Emperor so cold?" Chu Hongyu looked up, his face full of grievance. "It wasn't like this before."Yun Chu gently patted his head and said softly, "Your Imperial Grandfather is ill. A patient's emotions are hard to control even for themselves. You must forgive someone who is unwell."
She sent Chu Hongyu off to the Imperial College by himself, while she stood quietly outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, waiting.
After a long wait, she finally saw Gao Gonggong emerge from the main hall. He gently closed the door and stood at the foot of the steps, silently guarding the person inside.
She took two steps forward, making herself visible in Gao Gonggong's line of sight.
Gao Gonggong indeed noticed her and approached: "Does the Crown Princess still have matters to discuss with His Majesty? The Emperor has just taken his medicine and fallen asleep. Perhaps the Crown Princess could return tomorrow."
Yun Chu looked at Gao Gonggong and spoke slowly: "How many years has Gao Gonggong served His Majesty?"
Gao Gonggong thought for a moment and replied: "This old servant has been by His Majesty's side since entering the palace at age six. In the blink of an eye, both His Majesty and I have grown old. Time spares no one."
"You are probably the person His Majesty trusts most. This matter... I can only ask for your help." Yun Chu began, "His Majesty's poor health isn't actually due to a cold—he has been poisoned."
Gao Gonggong's hand trembled violently, nearly dropping the horsetail whisk he held: "Is the Crown Princess certain of this?"
Yun Chu nodded: "As you've witnessed, His Majesty has become deeply suspicious—he won't even eat candied fruit offered by a child like Yu Ge'er. If I were to present the antidote directly, His Majesty wouldn't believe me."
"Having an antidode is what matters! Then His Majesty won't have to suffer like this every day..." Gao Gonggong wept with relief, wiping his tears as he spoke, "This old servant understands the Crown Princess' intention—you wish for me to administer the antidote to His Majesty, correct? Though merely a servant, I can read the situation clearly... With the Crown Prince newly ascended to his position, even considering the worst assumptions, he wouldn't act at such a time. Therefore, this old servant is willing to trust the Crown Princess!"
Yun Chu took a paper packet containing a single pill from her sleeve and handed it over: "This antidote must be taken in nine doses. This is the first dose. I humbly request that you serve it to His Majesty. Tomorrow, I'll have Yu Ge'er deliver the next dose to the palace."
Gao Gonggong carefully accepted the packet: "The Crown Princess need not worry! This old servant will surely fulfill your expectations. After His Majesty takes the medicine, I'll send word to the Crown Princess."
Yun Chu met his gaze: "Thank you, Gao Gonggong."
After completing her important task, Yun Chu finally left the palace.
At the palace gate, she noticed another carriage parked beside hers. Standing beside it was a figure dressed in dark official robes, wearing an official hat that somewhat suppressed his originally sickly appearance.
"Greetings, Crown Princess."
Chu Rui approached her, cupping his hands in salute.
Yun Chu curved her lips into a smile: "Prince Zhuang now holds the position of Second Rank Vice Minister of Revenue—how impressive."
Last year during the longevity banquet, Chu Rui had saved the Emperor and was enfeoffed as a prince while being granted a Third Rank official position in the Ministry of Revenue. In less than half a year, he had been promoted—clearly the work of the gu worms.
"The Crown Princess flatters me too much." Chu Rui met her gaze, "The Crown Princess is intelligent and decisive. That my wife fell by your hands comes as no surprise to me."
Yun Chu's eyes turned piercingly cold: "Outsiders all say Prince Zhuang is a sickly invalid. I too believed Prince Zhuang wouldn't live long. Now, I truly regret saving you that day in the Golden Hall—it seems I rescued a wild wolf.""I too have no choice..." Chu Rui's eyes were filled with profound gloom. "My position leaves me no alternative."
Yun Chu shook her head: "We speak different languages. Farewell."
She gathered her skirts and boarded the carriage.
Chu Rui watched the slowly departing carriage, the shadows in his eyes deepening further.
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