Chapter 377: Gao Gonggong's Betrayal
The next day was the fifteenth.
As usual, Yun Chu entered the palace to pay her respects.
When she arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she saw a consort walking out with a disappointed expression, carrying a bowl of nourishing soup.
Inside the main hall, besides the attendants, she also noticed Fan Ming, the head of the Imperial Guards, stationed at the inner hall's entrance.
She had heard from Chu Yi that Fan Ming's father grew up with the Emperor since childhood and died protecting him. Consequently, the Emperor personally promoted Fan Ming to lead the Imperial Guards, commanding all Imperial Guards of the Great Jin under the Emperor's direct jurisdiction.
In the current circumstances, the Emperor having Fan Ming guard the Hall of Mental Cultivation demonstrated his trust in this man.
"Greetings, Crown Princess." Gao Gonggong approached and bowed. "The Emperor has been coughing for a long time this morning. His Dragon Body is unwell and he is not receiving guests. Please come another day, Crown Princess."
Yun Chu took a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and handed it over. "The remaining antidote is all here. I trouble you, Gao Gonggong, to feed it to Father Emperor. Once the medicine takes effect and cures his illness, he will be able to resume court sessions."
Gao Gonggong immediately took the bottle, repeatedly assuring her.
Yun Chu continued, "I heard from the Crown Prince that the Emperor particularly enjoys a type of folk pastry. I specially had someone purchase some and brought them as a gift. I trouble you, Gao Gonggong, to deliver them to the Emperor."
Gao Gonggong said, "The Emperor has had little appetite lately and may not eat them. However, this is the Crown Princess's kind gesture. This old servant will try."
He carried the tray to the main hall entrance and was about to speak.
Fan Ming, the head of the Imperial Guards, coldly stated, "Any food entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation must be tested for poison. Gao Gonggong, please."
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Gao Gonggong showed no suspicion that Yun Chu might have tampered with the food. He directly ate a piece and then walked into the main hall with an unchanged expression.
After a while, he came out carrying the pastries. "This old servant tried to persuade him for quite some time, but the Emperor still has no appetite..."
Yun Chu studied Gao Gonggong's face and understood in her heart.
She smiled and said, "Then I shall come another day."
As she turned around, her smile instantly vanished, replaced by an icy expression.
After taking the gu-killing medicine, the host would experience a momentary chest pain. Su Ziyue had this reaction, but Gao Gonggong showed none at all.
Gao Gonggong was not under gu influence.
Instead, he had betrayed the Emperor.
Without consuming the sub-gu and without gu worms clouding his mind, Gao Gonggong had still chosen betrayal.
No wonder the Emperor suffered from such severe paranoia. The woman he deeply loved for thirty years was false, his wedded wife the Empress conspired to murder and seize the throne, the servant who attended him for over fifty years betrayed him effortlessly, and so many children, each with their own hidden agendas...
Indeed, it is lonely at the top.
After leaving the palace, Yun Chu returned to the Yun family home.
She stayed at the Yun residence for two hours before returning to the Prince's mansion, just in time to receive Chu Yi's first letter.
In the letter, he inquired about her and the children's well-being and briefly mentioned his own situation—the journey had been smooth, and he would reach the coastal city in a few days...
With a gentle expression, Yun Chu wrote a reply to Chu Yi and had it delivered by express courier.
Holding Jue Ge'er in her arms as she sat on the couch, various thoughts raced through her mind.
She pondered, besides Gao Gonggong, who else did the Emperor trust now?
The Imperial Guards Commander Fan Ming was indeed highly trusted by the Emperor, but she couldn't bring herself to trust this man.
Who should be chosen to feed the antidote to the Emperor?
After much contemplation, Yun Chu found an answer in her mind. She sent a message to Consort Yun in the palace.The next morning, the palace consorts arrived punctually at Consort Yun's residence to pay their respects.
Though Consort Yun wasn't the Empress, she currently held authority over the six imperial departments with the Empress's power, making her the de facto leader among the rear palace consorts.
Of course, not everyone accepted this—Consort Yin being the primary dissenter. However, with Chu Yi's repeated warnings, Consort Yin refrained from openly targeting Consort Yun, though her expression remained far from pleasant.
With the Emperor gravely ill, all consorts were shrouded in gloom.
Consort Yun sighed and said, "Previously, with Princess Consort Zhuang attending to His Majesty's illness, it wasn't our place to intervene. Now that the Emperor has inexplicably grown weary of Princess Consort Zhuang, we should fulfill our duties as imperial consorts. If any of you sisters have time, visit the Hall of Mental Cultivation to pay respects to the Emperor. Being permitted to stay and attend to him would be considered a significant merit."
The Emperor had been ill for several months now and hadn't summoned anyone for nighttime services during this period, instead frequently visiting the eldest daughter of the Li family.
Though the Li family's eldest daughter was mad, who could guarantee she would remain so forever?
If her madness were cured and she entered the palace, all existing consorts would likely become mere decorations.
These consorts had long wanted to try their luck at the Hall of Mental Cultivation but feared being reprimanded for drawing attention, hence their hesitation.
With Consort Yun's encouragement, the consorts could no longer restrain themselves. They immediately left her quarters to prepare medicinal soups and tonics before heading to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
That afternoon, every rear palace consort made a trip to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Gao Gonggong was utterly exasperated.
Seizing an excuse, he left the Hall of Mental Cultivation for the Ministry of Works, where he met privately with Chu Rui near the rock garden.
"Your Highness, this cannot continue," Gao Gonggong whispered. "With the Emperor seriously ill, it's natural for consorts to attend to him. Continuously turning them away defies reason, and this old servant fears it may arouse suspicion among observant individuals."
A smile touched Chu Rui's lips.
He had received news that Yun Chu returned to the Yun family yesterday.
This was deliberately creating chaos in the rear palace, hoping Consort Yun would attend the Emperor at the Hall of Mental Cultivation to facilitate administering the antidote.
He spoke slowly: "Later, I will visit the Hall of Mental Cultivation to report important matters to His Majesty. Seize the opportunity when it arises."
Gao Gonggong nodded and returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Just then, a consort stood at the entrance holding soup, pleading desperately: "This humble consort worries about the Emperor's Dragon Body and specially comes to attend to his illness. I beg His Majesty to grant me this opportunity—it has been so long since I last saw the Emperor..."
Fan Ming stood at the main hall entrance, his expression icy: "Talented Lady Li, please return!"
Talented Lady Li stamped her foot in anger: "Official Fan hasn't even announced my presence yet orders me to leave! How unreasonable!"
Gao Gonggong hurried forward: "Let this old servant announce your visit."
He pushed the door open and saw the Emperor lying on the dragon bed, his face deathly pale with traces of blood at his lips from coughing.
Guilt rose in Gao Gonggong's eyes, and he averted his gaze.
He truly couldn't be blamed... Having served the Emperor for so many years, he valued the Emperor's health more than his own life. Yet, not long ago, when he requested the Emperor to secure a substantial position for his adopted son, he was mercilessly refused.
The Emperor had so many sons to care for him in old age, while he had only this one adopted son.
That the Emperor wouldn't grant such a small request made him feel his years of loyal service had become a joke.
Before Gao Gonggong could announce Talented Lady Li's request, Fan Ming's voice rang out: "Your Majesty, Prince Zhuang has arrived, claiming to have urgent matters to report."The Emperor opened his eyes, and Gao Gonggong hurried forward to help him sit up on the couch.
Shortly after, Chu Rui entered with his head bowed, made a respectful bow, and then reported on the flood situation in the south...
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