Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 630 - 628

Chapter 630: Chapter 628

"What, is this true?" Third Prince quickly stood up upon hearing the news.

"Your Highness, it’s true without a doubt!"

"Why did he and the countess of Rui’an County fall off from the cliff? No matter, it doesn’t matter. As long as they really fell, that’s enough! Hahaha..." The Third Prince was so delighted that he was spinning around on the spot.

"Hahaha...hahaha... Heaven is helping me! Heaven is helping me! Hahaha..." The Third Prince couldn’t help but burst into laughter, laughing so much that tears welled up in his eyes before he stopped.

"Congratulations, Third Prince!" Seeing the Third Prince so elated, the bodyguard hurriedly sent his blessings.

Indeed, it was a joyous event. Third Prince took off the jade pendant hanging from his waist, "Here’s a reward for you, you may leave now!"

Only after the bodyguard had left did the Third Prince sit down again.

The disturbance in the Sixth Prince’s mansion last night was so great that Third Prince sent people to inquire about the events. Since it was too late, they didn’t manage to find out much information, so he had someone go to Marquis Shengping’s mansion early this morning to ask Gu Rou’er.

The news that was brought back was so unbelievable to him! He couldn’t believe that the heavens would be so kind to aid him!

Although Shangguan Xuanyi was not ordained by the Emperor, he was both literate and martially capable, definitely the greatest obstacle to his claim of the throne!

Now, he was presumably dead! How could he not be overjoyed! Third Prince felt like laughing once again.

No, he wasn’t clear whether he fell or not, he might not be dead!

As these thoughts occurred to him, Third Prince could no longer keep his composure. Hiding his excited expression, he shouted loudly, "Lei Hu!"

"At your service!"

Third Prince signaled him to come closer, whispered a few sentences in his ear, and then waved him off.

No matter if you are alive or dead, Shangguan Xuanyi, I won’t let you fly back to the Imperial City!

The Third Prince hastily walked out. The situation was now incredibly favorable! Incredibly favorable indeed!

Shangguan Xuanjun had secretly led a team of soldiers out of the Imperial Capital.

Di Shaowei and the two brothers of the Zhao family led 60,000 troops into battle against General Li.

Shangguan Xuanyi had presumably met with a fatal accident! No, he was definitely going to die!

Apart from his medical skills, Shangguan Xuanhao’s scholarly and martial abilities greatly surpassed his own! In any case, he was not a threat.

As for Shangguan Xuanyao, he was like a pig only focused on food! He had also been tutored by his father, which resulted in him only knowing how to indulge himself in food and games. At seven years old, he hadn’t started learning any martial arts skills yet!

This chubby child, keeping him alive as proof of his love for his brothers, would only need royal raiment and food to render him incapacitated!

Most importantly, the Emperor was bedridden and had not been able to recover from his illness for a long time! If something were to happen...that would be very normal, wouldn’t it?

Having thought of this, Third Prince’s heart was pounding heavily!

He couldn’t help placing his hand over his chest, worried that his heart would leap out.

If it really turned out like this, by the time everything was settled, even if Shangguan Xuanjun returned, it would be too late!

No, he had to go into the palace to check on the Emperor’s condition, discuss it with the Empress, and then find a few strategists to discuss some countermeasures.

Time was ticking! He needed to seize this golden opportunity.

The Third Prince rushed into the palace and arrived at the outskirts of Zichen Palace to seek an audience with the Emperor.

The old eunuch beside the Emperor blocked him, "Third Prince, the Emperor has decreed that he is not to be disturbed and refuses to see anyone!"

"I haven’t seen the Emperor for quite some days, I am worried about his condition. I must see him today or else I won’t be at ease!" Third Prince said anxiously.

"Please do not put me in a difficult position, Third Prince. I am just following orders and dare not disobey the Emperor’s commands." The old eunuch bowed his head to the Third Prince. His attitude and tone was respectful, and it would be hard to find fault with him.

How dare this dog slave indirectly suggest that he was disrespecting the Emperor’s orders!

The Third Prince was seething with rage upon hearing his words. How dare a eunuch act like this in his presence! Once he ascends the throne, the first person he will have executed will be him!

He had had enough of the eunuch’s hypocritical civility throughout the years.

This impotent man, despite his external respect towards him, looked down upon him at heart! Do not think that he didn’t know it!

"Then I won’t disturb the Emperor. I will go and ask the imperial doctor about the Emperor’s condition." Third Prince was dissatisfied, but he didn’t let it show on his face.

"I’ll see the Third Prince out." The old eunuch breathed out a sigh of relief. At the same time, he was inwardly praying for the Emperor to return soon as he couldn’t play along any longer.

The Third Prince left and went to the Imperial Doctor’s Office to inquire about the Emperor’s condition.

Even though he had inquired about it every day, the news he got was that the Emperor’s condition was constantly deteriorating.

The Third Prince asked one of the imperial doctors he was familiar with and got the same answer.

"How much longer before my father can fully recover?" In fact, what he wanted to ask was, how much longer can he live?

Doctor Lin shook his head: "It’s hard to say, I can’t make any guarantees. Despite having tried our best, the Emperor’s health continues to deteriorate."

"Has the Emperor made a will during this period?" The Third Prince asked softly.

"I don’t think so." Doctor Lin shook his head. The Emperor probably couldn’t even lift a pen.

It was good that he hadn’t! He wouldn’t have to waste time finding it to destroy it!

Third Prince leaned into Doctor Lin’s ear and whispered a few sentences that only the two of them could hear.

Upon hearing this, Doctor Lin’s eyes widened: "This...this isn’t possible."

Hearing his response, the Third Prince’s face flashed with a trace of viciousness: "Doctor Lin, you better think about it!"

With those words, Third Prince left.

Doctor Lin stumbled back into the Imperial Doctor’s Office like he was in a daze.

Seeing him like this, Doctor Luo showed concern. But as Doctor Lin regained his senses and hurriedly put on a brave front, shaking his head to show there was nothing wrong, Doctor Luo stopped questioning.

Upon his return to the mansion, Third Prince summoned several of his strategists to discuss their next moves.

Laboring behind the scenes, there were many people in the Imperial City, although it was as peaceful as usual on the surface.

The Emperor, who was enjoying his time playing in the suburbs, was disguising himself as a village chief. Just as the city gate closed, he entered the Imperial City, bringing a gift to Marquis Shengping’s mansion from the village - salted fish dried in the sun, which he had caught from the river that month.

"Marquis Shengping, this is the salted fish that I caught and dried myself. I brought back two baskets of it! I’ll give you one basket; the other one will be taken back to the palace for the Empress Dowager and Empress to try!" The Emperor looked at the salted fish as if they were his own children, overjoyed.

Shen Chengyao hurriedly expressed his thanks and then whispered, "Emperor, let me take you to my brother’s house."

The Emperor nodded in agreement, "I’m sorry to trouble you. I can thank you with some salted fish!"

Shen Chengyao quickly thanked him. There were probably few people who had ever eaten salted fish dried by the Emperor himself. After all, which Emperor would have the spare time to catch fish and dry it?

Thus, the Emperor, disguised as a village chief, went to give Shen Chengzu some produce from his village.

The people stationed outside Marquis Shengping’s mansion saw the carriage heading towards the civilian area and paid no more attention.

The next day, the news of the Emperor’s serious illness was conveyed to the civil and military officials.