Chapter 381: Taking Control of the Hall of Mental Cultivation
Fan Ming strode into the Eastern Palace.
Entering the Flower Pavilion, he cupped his hands respectfully and said, "Greetings, Crown Princess. I apologize for disturbing you so late at night. I hope I haven't interrupted your rest."
Yun Chu's brow was furrowed with worry. "For Lord Fan to come at such an hour, it must be an urgent matter. Please, speak quickly."
"The Emperor has fallen into a deep slumber and cannot be awakened," Fan Ming raised his head. "I believe what the Crown Princess said might be true—there are traitors among the imperial physicians. But... Consort Shu has been personally attending to His Majesty, which is also suspicious."
Yun Chu paused briefly before responding, "Consort Shu gave birth to the Seventh Prince. Currently, the Seventh Prince only has an honorary title without any fiefdom. If something were to happen to the Emperor now, it would be extremely disadvantageous for both Consort Shu and the Seventh Prince. Lord Fan might be overthinking this."
Her words struck Fan Ming like a sudden revelation. He immediately nodded in agreement. Indeed, the Seventh Prince was still so young. If the Emperor were to pass away, the young prince would have no support and would be at the mercy of the new emperor.
Considering this perspective, it seemed unlikely that the Crown Princess would plot against the Emperor either.
With the Crown Prince away on a distant campaign, if something happened to the Emperor now, there would be no one to ascend the throne, inevitably causing chaos in both the court and the inner palace...
Thinking this through, Fan Ming became more resolute. He asked, "Then, in the Crown Princess's opinion, who might have bribed the imperial physicians to harm His Majesty?"
Yun Chu lowered her gaze.
Recently, Chu Rui and Su Ziyue had been actively maneuvering, building relationships with the matriarchs of various noble families. She wasn't certain whether the Fan family had switched allegiances.
If even Gao Gonggong could betray the Emperor, what else was impossible?
Therefore, she couldn't fully trust Fan Ming.
"This matter should be entrusted to Lord Fan to investigate," Yun Chu said. "Please quickly arrange for physicians from outside the palace to come and examine His Majesty. Additionally, if news of the Emperor's coma spreads, it will surely cause turmoil in the court. How does Lord Fan suggest we handle this?"
"I have already sealed off the Hall of Mental Cultivation," Fan Ming replied. "But every morning at the hour of the Dragon, the ministers come to report important matters. There are also numerous memorials in the Hall of Mental Cultivation awaiting review. These matters must be dealt with, so we cannot keep this hidden for too long."
Yun Chu had already considered these issues. "Lord Fan need not worry. I will handle these matters. For now, let us go see His Majesty. Also, send someone to inform Consort Yun."
Fan Ming was about to object.
But then he remembered that Consort Yun was currently managing the inner palace, and she was the Crown Princess's paternal aunt.
From this perspective, there were now three factions in the Hall of Mental Cultivation: first, the Imperial Guards under his command, who remained absolutely loyal to the Emperor; second, the Eastern Palace Faction led by the Crown Princess and Consort Yun; and third, the faction centered around Consort Shu and the Seventh Prince... As military strategy texts stated, a tripartite balance of power was often the most stable. With these three factions jointly guarding the Hall of Mental Cultivation, things should remain secure for the time being.
When Yun Chu and Fan Ming arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Consort Yun had just arrived as well.
Consort Shu was clinging to Consort Yun, weeping. "Sister, what should we do? Could His Majesty possibly..."
"Impossible," Consort Yun pressed her lips together. "His Majesty trusts you, Sister Shu. You should remain in the hall and continue attending to His Majesty diligently. Even though His Majesty is unconscious, he still needs to take his medicine."
Fan Ming interjected, "Let's hold off on the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Hospital for now. Before dawn, I will bring several physicians into the palace to examine His Majesty's pulse. I entrust the Hall of Mental Cultivation to Your Ladyships."
He cupped his hands and went outside, once again instructing the Imperial Guards to secure the Hall of Mental Cultivation before leaving the palace overnight.
After he departed, Consort Shu continued her vigil over the Emperor.The palace maids and eunuchs in the Hall of Mental Cultivation had no idea what was happening, each filled with restless anxiety.
Yun Fei stepped out, gathered everyone together, and spoke calmly: "I have arranged for all your families to be taken to a manor for relaxation. Once His Majesty awakens, your families will return home. During this period, I expect every one of you to guard your tongues."
Her words only deepened the servants' unease.
"As long as you perform your duties properly—speaking no unnecessary words and doing no improper deeds—I shall ensure your families remain unharmed." After delivering this stern warning, Yun Fei suddenly smiled. "You've all worked hard serving His Majesty. Attendants, prepare rewards."
Yun Fei proved generous, bestowing upon each present servant a full year's monthly stipend.
This combination of stick and carrot gradually eased the servants' fears. Under the circumstances, they could only maintain strict silence and pray for their families' safe return once the crisis passed...
At dawn's approach, during the darkest hour before daybreak, Fan Ming discreetly brought three physicians into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, avoiding notice.
These folk physicians had been urgently summoned by the Fan family overnight. The three entered the main hall with trepidation, kneeling beside the Dragon Bed to examine the Emperor's pulse.
The first physician finished his examination with a deeply furrowed brow, making way for the next.
After all three had completed their diagnoses, Fan Ming urgently inquired: "How fares the Dragon Body? Is the condition serious? Speak quickly!"
"Reporting to Lord Fan," one physician replied, "His Majesty's symptoms do indicate common cold, but the hemoptysis and fainting suggest medication error has damaged his internal organs. We shall prepare a new prescription for trial..."
Fan Ming's expression darkened at these words.
Indeed, some imperial physician had tampered with the prescription.
"Prepare the formula immediately," he ordered. "I'll dispatch someone to fetch the medicines from outside the palace."
As the three physicians consulted on the prescription, they wondered how a simple cold could bring the Emperor to death's door—either through gross medical incompetence or deliberate foul play...
Yun Chu addressed them: "Until His Majesty revives, you three shall remain in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. When the Dragon Body recovers, His Majesty will surely reward you handsomely."
The physicians understood their entry into the palace at such time meant crossing a point of no return. Bowing their heads, they responded: "As you command."
While the physicians prepared the prescription and Fan Ming arranged for its procurement, daylight gradually brightened the sky.
Yun Fei and Shu Fei attended the Emperor inside the hall.
Yun Chu observed Shu Fei attempting to administer an antidote to the Emperor, but Yun Fei subtly intercepted it.
Speaking softly, Yun Chu instructed: "Lord Fan, before the other ministers arrive, please first summon the Grand Tutor."
Fan Ming straightened: "Grand Tutor Xu?"
Yun Chu nodded: "As a veteran of three reigns, Grand Tutor Xu remains loyal to both His Majesty and the court. At such critical times, having him oversee matters would be most appropriate."
"But..." Fan Ming hesitated, "The Grand Tutor's eldest granddaughter is the former Crown Princess—wife of Prince Ren. Aren't you concerned Grand Tutor Xu might exploit this situation to conspire with Prince Ren?""If I were to invite the Yun family to take charge, then it would be Minister Fan's turn to worry about me having ulterior motives," Yun Chu said calmly. "His Majesty's Dragon Body is ailing, and with no one overseeing state affairs, I have long set aside personal interests during such times. So long as I can safeguard the stability of our Great Jin, I would even relinquish my position as Crown Princess. I believe Minister Fan shares the same sentiment, does he not?"
Fan Ming's gaze toward Yun Chu held a trace of newfound respect, and he immediately turned to carry out the task.
Yun Chu pressed her lips together.
She was gambling too.
Based on her understanding of the Xu family from her past life, she was betting that Grand Tutor Xu valued the enduring peace and stability of the Great Jin Dynasty above all else.
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