Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 631 - 629

Chapter 631: Chapter 629

The Emperor was critically ill. Upon hearing the news, Shangguan Xuanhao and the Third Prince hurried into the palace. Civil and military officials were stationed outside Zichen Palace.

If the Emperor were to not make it through, then on this very day, the kingdom would need a new ruler.

Many officials were filled with apprehension. Amongst the Empress’s sons, the Fourth Prince was nowhere to be found, the Sixth Prince’s whereabouts were unknown, his life hanging by a thread, the Seventh Prince, still a child, and the only adult prince — the Second — was engrossed in medicine, not interested in power. In the eyes of the officials, the Second Prince was the least suitable heir to the throne.

As for the Third Prince? Those officials who always supported legitimate sons quickly dismissed the thought. The Emperor had never favoured illegitimate children, and it’s unlikely he’ll pass the throne to one. If there were no one else to pass it to, they’d prefer it to be the unsuitable Second Prince rather than the Third Prince.

Why? Because they had always supported legitimate sons. If an illegitimate son took the throne, how could they possibly live peaceful days?

Yet by the looks of it, either the Second or Third Prince seemed to be the options, neither of which they had hoped for. How could their hearts not be anxious?

"How did the Emperor’s condition worsen overnight? Wasn’t he fine before?" The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue asked puzzlingly. Before leaving his house, he instructed his servants to lock the door as the situation seemed to have taken a turn for the worse.

"This is the nature of hemiplegia. It strikes fiercely and suddenly. No one knows when it will happen," said the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

"Prime Minister, has the Emperor announced his last will?" the Minister of the Ministry of Works asked softly.

"I have no idea!" The Prime Minister massaged his aching head. If he had, it would be better; if not, he could almost smell a bloody storm brewing.

"This is driving me crazy," the Minister of the Ministry of War voiced the sentiments of many present.

One by one, officials prayed for the Emperor to hold on.

At least wait until the reliable Third and Sixth Princes returned before passing away.

Inside Zichen Palace, the Empress was holding the young Seventh Prince and wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

The handkerchief soaked in chili water was harsh on her eyes, causing them to burn!

The Empress’s eyes were red, her tears streaming down as she blinked relentlessly.

Although the Seventh Prince was still a child, he was mature for his age. He knew that his father was merely pretending to be ill, but the thought of his sixth brother and the county lord of Rui’an falling off the cliff, their fate unknown, combined with his mother’s plea for him to cry, brought him to tears.

The imperial doctors, led by the director of the Imperial Hospital, took turns to examine the Emperor’s pulse.

Every imperial doctor who examined the Emperor shook their heads.

The Empress Dowager, gravely concerned, enquired the director of Imperial Hospital, "How does the Emperor fare now?"

"Your Highness, the Emperor’s pulse is extremely uneven, with water boiling in it like in a pot. It has no regularity. I’m afraid his end is near," the director responded, his face a mask of sorrow.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager fainted. The director immediately checked her pulse and found her to be in no critical danger. The Empress then ordered people to take the Empress Dowager back to Cining Palace.

"Father!" The Third Prince cried out in grief.

Chang Guiren also wept quietly.

Shangguan Xuanhao was the first to take the Emperor’s pulse. At the moment, he sat aside deep in thought.

Now it was Doctor Lin’s turn to examine the pulse. As soon as he put his hand on the Emperor’s pulse, the Emperor grabbed his hand tightly, appearing to be in tremendous pain. He opened his mouth as if to speak. Doctor Lin quickly leaned in, blocking everyone’s view in the process.

All they saw was the Emperor tightly grasping Doctor Lin’s hand, half his body slightly leaning forward, Doctor Lin’s ear pressed against the Emperor’s mouth and the Emperor seemingly whispering something to him.

Within a moment, the Emperor’s body spasmed before he collapsed onto the bed, his hand hanging limp.

"The Emperor, the Emperor, the Emperor has passed away..." Doctor Lin knelt down, shrieking woefully.

Shangguan Xuanhao, the Empress, the Third Prince and the Seventh Prince hurried to the side of the dragon bed.

"Father..."

Upon seeing this, everyone else in the room knelt down.

The civil and military officials outside Zichen Palace felt a jolt upon hearing the wail. Everyone seemed to kneel down instinctively.

The Third Prince cried out again, "Father!"

Doctor Lin wiped his tears, "The Empress, the Second Prince, the Third Prince, the Seventh Prince, please accept my condolences."

The Third Prince, his face full of grief, asked through his tears, "Doctor Lin, did the Emperor say anything before he passed?"

On hearing this, everyone’s eyes turned to him.

What exactly did the Emperor say to Doctor Lin before his death?

The Emperor’s last words were paramount. It would determine who the ruler of the kingdom would be!

With her red eyes, the Empress focused on Doctor Lin.

Shangguan Xuanhao also stared at him intently.

The Third Prince, looking heartbroken, directed his gaze towards the Emperor on the dragon bed.

"The Emperor said...he said he wishes to pass the throne to the Third Prince." Doctor Lin, avoiding the gaze from Shangguan Xuanhao and the Empress, began to speak.

The moment Doctor Lin’s words fell, silence descended upon Zichen Palace.

The doctors from the Imperial Hospital glanced at the Empress and the Second Prince, not daring to take a single breath.

Upon hearing this, the Empress looked shocked and disbelieving. She exclaimed, "How is this possible!"

Chang Guiren also stopped crying, her eyes filled with disbelief. She cast a timid glance at the dumbfounded Empress and her three sons; a smirk hiding in her heart!

With his eyes blazing, Shangguan Xuanhao questioned Doctor Lin, "Doctor Lin, are you sure you didn’t mishear?!"

Doctor Lin nodded firmly, "I did not mishear. Before his death, the Emperor indeed named the Third Prince as his successor."

Doctor Lin’s voice echoed beyond the walls of Zichen Palace.

All officials who heard this were in shock!

How is this possible! How could the Emperor pass the throne to the Third Prince, an illegitimate son, rather than his own sons?

Many officials began whispering among themselves.

They believed that Doctor Lin must have interfered and manipulated the Emperor’s last will.

"You’re lying! The Emperor would never pass the throne to the Third Prince," Shangguan Xuanhao angrily denied.

"I would not dare!" Doctor Lin hastily kowtowed.

"Hmph. There’s nothing you wouldn’t dare! Who doesn’t know that you and the Third Prince have always been close? Even if the Emperor were to pass the throne to the Seventh Prince, he would not pass it to you! It’s clear that Doctor Lin has lied!" Shangguan Xuanhao snorted.

Many officials nodded in agreement upon hearing his words. How could a man of the Third Prince’s questionable character be made ruler over this kingdom? If he became the Emperor, wouldn’t they be slaughtered?!

"Second Brother, I understand your disbelief. However, I am also the Emperor’s son. Why can’t the Emperor pass the throne to me! The Emperor had said long ago that I possess the traits of a great Emperor. The Emperor also said that all these years, his coldness was not because he did not love me, but because he wanted to protect me!"

"Your Highness...sob...I misunderstood you, I...I deserve to die..." Chang Guiren, played her part and cried sorrowfully.

The Third Prince’s words once again left everyone astonished.