Chapter 380: The Whole Family Moves into the Eastern Palace
The Emperor suddenly opened his eyes.
Another reason he had grown suspicious of Yi'er was that Yi'er was unwilling to move into the Eastern Palace.
Under his command, the Imperial Guards controlled the entire palace, making it the Emperor's domain.
And Yi'er refused to enter his sphere of influence.
It was hard not to be suspicious.
But now, the Crown Princess had taken the initiative to propose moving in.
The Emperor's voice was cold and stern: "Are you moving into the Eastern Palace alone, or with the children?"
"Of course with the children," Yun Chu replied with her head lowered. "Yu Ge'er and Changsheng often talk about their Imperial Grandfather. Jue Ge'er has barely seen His Majesty since he was born. After moving into the palace, the children can often come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to keep Your Majesty company, which might help Your Majesty recover faster."
The Emperor twisted his fingers.
If Yi'er dared to do anything while leading troops on the expedition, then Yun Chu and these three children would be the perfect hostages.
He had no reason to refuse.
He said indifferently, "Then move into the Eastern Palace today. I will order the Imperial Household Department to make proper arrangements."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yun Chu withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Returning to the prince's residence, she immediately had people pack everything. Barring any accidents, she would spend the rest of her life in the imperial palace.
All her dowry and luggage were loaded onto carriages. Holding Jue Ge'er in one arm and leading Changsheng with the other, with Yu Ge'er following behind, she boarded the lead carriage.
By evening, the carriage arrived at the palace gates.
Officials from the Imperial Household Department were there to receive them, respectfully welcoming the Crown Princess and Imperial Grandsons into the Eastern Palace.
The Eastern Palace had been reassigned attendants—at least sixteen servants for each master, plus many lower-ranking palace maids and matrons. Combined with the trusted aides Yun Chu had brought into the palace, the once quiet Eastern Palace suddenly became lively.
Chu Hongyu looked at a pavilion and said, "That's the flower tower Chu Lan once boasted to me about, where you can pick stars. Ah, I wonder how Chu Lan is doing now."
Chu Changsheng responded, "She's with her parents and siblings. That's the best thing in the world."
Just as they had settled in, Yun Fei arrived, smiling as she said, "Now that Chu'er has entered the palace, I'll have someone to talk to in the future."
After exchanging pleasantries with Yun Fei for a while, Yun Chu took out a box from the side and said softly, "Aunt, Chu Rui will surely find a way to move into the Hall of Mental Cultivation next. He has gu worms inside him. If he stays by His Majesty's side, His Majesty will surely lose his senses and do many outrageous things..."
Yun Fei glanced at the box. It contained incense that smelled like ambergris but seemed mixed with another scent.
"Let His Majesty sleep well for nine days," Yun Chu continued. "After nine days, the gu worms in His Majesty's body will die, and everything will be easier to handle."
Yun Fei's face paled in shock: "The Hall of Mental Cultivation is guarded by the Imperial Guards, and over a dozen imperial physicians come daily to check His Majesty's pulse. This will be difficult to accomplish... Moreover, His Majesty's health is nearly depleted. I fear if he falls asleep, he may never wake up again..."
"This incense was specially prepared by Doctor Wu. It's ambergris blended with another type of incense and is harmless to the body," Yun Chu said calmly. "Now that Chu Yi is not in the capital, if anything happens to His Majesty, the court will fall into chaos... I am the last person who wants to see that happen. So please rest assured, Aunt, I won't let anything happen to His Majesty."
Yun Fei took the incense, her hands trembling slightly.But she understood clearly in her heart that if Chu Rui gained the upper hand, whether the Emperor could wake up would become secondary.
To legitimize his own succession, Chu Rui would surely use the Emperor's hand to eliminate all legitimate heirs. All the princes would likely be unable to escape death...
"Alright!"
Yun Fei responded firmly.
"Let's go tonight." Yun Chu stood up. "I'll accompany Auntie there."
The aunt and niece left the Eastern Palace and walked toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The night was very dark, with palace lanterns lit everywhere. The Hall of Mental Cultivation was brightly illuminated, guarded by many soldiers outside. Palace maids and eunuchs stood at the entrance, while Shu Fei was attending inside.
"Consort Yun, Crown Princess, please stop." Fan Ming blocked them with his sword. "It's late, the Emperor has retired. If you have any matters, please return tomorrow."
"Lord Fan, perhaps we could speak privately?" Yun Chu smiled. "This way, please."
Fan Ming frowned. "I have nothing to discuss with the Crown Princess."
"Lord Fan is the person His Majesty trusts most. Aren't you concerned about His Majesty's life?" Yun Chu's smile gradually faded. "Now that His Majesty's illness is worsening daily, aside from Gao Gonggong's influence through the dragon vein's energy, I believe there must be other reasons. Wouldn't Lord Fan like to hear about them?"
Fan Ming thought for a moment, then finally followed Yun Chu to a bamboo grove beside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Meanwhile, Yun Fei gave a meaningful look to a palace maid stationed at the entrance. The maid glanced around and, seeing no one paying attention, immediately walked toward Yun Fei. As she passed by Yun Fei, she discreetly received a incense box in her hand.
The maid turned back and entered the main hall, casually scattered some incense ashes, then replaced the incense.
Yun Chu looked at Fan Ming standing before her and spoke quietly: "Those imperial physicians come to examine His Majesty's pulse every day, yet His Majesty's condition shows no improvement. Has Lord Fan ever suspected anything?"
Fan Ming said coldly: "What exactly is the Crown Princess trying to say?"
"Since His Majesty trusts you so much, why doesn't Lord Fan have the Fan family bring physicians from among the common people to treat His Majesty?" Noticing that Yun Fei had accomplished her task, Yun Chu lowered her eyes and said, "Whether you believe me or not is entirely up to you. I've said all I need to say."
After speaking, she turned and left with Yun Fei.
Fan Ming stood in the courtyard of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, frowning in deep thought for a long time.
He was just a straightforward man who didn't understand these intricate schemes, but he could clearly sense that the Emperor's health was indeed deteriorating rapidly.
Just after the third watch bell had sounded, as Fan Ming was about to rest for a while...
Shu Fei rushed out from the hall, her face pale with fright: "Something terrible has happened, Lord Fan! Quickly, summon the imperial physicians, hurry!"
Fan Ming's expression darkened: "What's wrong with His Majesty?"
"His Majesty needs to take medicine every two hours. I just tried to wake him at the scheduled time, but I couldn't rouse him no matter how long I tried." Shu Fei was so frightened her face had turned white. "If Lord Fan doesn't believe me, you may enter and see for yourself."
Fan Ming immediately strode into the hall.
He approached and called out twice, but the Emperor showed no response. He bent down, pressed the Emperor's philtrum, and applied strong pressure several times, yet the Emperor's eyelids didn't even twitch.
Suddenly, he recalled the Crown Princess's words.
Could it be that those imperial physicians were truly problematic?
If he summoned the imperial physicians now to examine the Emperor, wouldn't that give them the perfect opportunity to administer another potent dose?
"Please take good care of His Majesty, Consort Shu. I'll return shortly!"Fan Ming walked outside the hall and cast a cold glance at all the Imperial Guards.
"From this moment onward, no one is permitted to leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Should anyone dare to trespass into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, execute them without mercy!"
"Yes!"
Dozens of Imperial Guards knelt to receive the order.
Fan Ming proceeded directly to the Eastern Palace.
After Yun Chu had lulled Jue Ge'er to sleep, she took a book herself and sat reading in the Flower Pavilion of the Eastern Palace.
Just as she had anticipated, a servant came to report that Lord Fan requested an audience.
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