The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 1054 - 239: Passing the Throne to Prince Yongle_4

Chapter 1054: Chapter 239: Passing the Throne to Prince Yongle_4

Emperor Chu Wen thought of the Crown Prince’s emaciating his people and fattening himself, the fall and execution of most officials from the Ministry of Revenue, and the main conspirator behind the southern hunting expedition, all of which angered him in his heart. Had it not been for the southern expedition, he would not have fallen ill so gravely and suddenly.

Pei Qin watched his expression change, "Emperor! Please give your servant one of the elixirs you’ve taken!"

"Right! That Daoist Xu truly is miraculous. I’ve summoned him to see you and prescribe some elixirs!" Emperor Chu Wen said, ordering someone to fetch Daoist Xu, "These past few days, I’ve been waiting for you, but you’ve been too busy to enter the palace. This time it’s just right to see if you might cure your chill!" If she can be nursed back to health, and to bear an heir, then she and Mo Heng can continue to serve The Imperial Court with loyalty.

Pei Qin did not refuse and waited for Daoist Xu to arrive.

Not long after, an elderly man, wearing a Taoist robe, with ruddy complexion and hair white as snow, entered spiritedly, arriving with an air of transcendent nobility and greeted the Emperor.

Emperor Chu Wen bade him rise and asked him to examine Pei Qin and prescribe her medicine.

Daoist Xu complied, "Please, General Pei, extend your hand."

Pei Qin watched coldly, extending her hand onto the pulse pillow.

Daoist Xu felt her pulse and directly revealed Pei Qin’s female identity, the cold poison within her body, and the difficulties of bearing offspring.

She was so cold intolerant that Mo Heng had warmed her with fire for months, and even without being told, with everyone saying she could be nursed back to health within a year and a half, Pei Qin was not truly foolish, already suspecting that she could no longer conceive.

Even though she was somewhat different from others, she was still a woman after all, unable to bear children again, and with only two daughters and no son, it also struck at her core, disarraying her heart, then she used his elixir. Daoist Xu folded his hands in greeting, "If General Pei’s condition worsens, I’m afraid not even a Daluo Golden Immortal could nurse her back to health. Fortunately, you’ve met me. I’ll accompany General Pei with some elixirs. As long as you persist in taking them, within a year, I guarantee General Pei will joyfully conceive a boy!"

Xiao Guangbi had plans from early on; if the outcome was not achieved, Daoist Xu would intervene, making sure to restrain Pei Qin and persuade her to also ingest the elixirs, which had been tampered with.

"Emperor! Do you know what this old Taoist is here for?" Pei Qin asked, looking toward Emperor Chu Wen.

Emperor Chu Wen, upon hearing her question in this way, replied, "What for?"

"To take advantage of your illness and claim your life." Pei Qin said coldly, and in one swift motion, she drew her handgun, loaded it, and aimed at Daoist Xu, followed by a loud bang.

Daoist Xu had no time to react before a bloody hole appeared in his forehead; with astonishment beyond words, he collapsed with a thud.

"Pei Qin! What is this madness?! To kill a man in court!" Emperor Chu Wen exclaimed in shock.

Several palace maids and eunuchs serving in the hall turned pale with fright and knelt all at once with a thud.

"Bring over the attendant who served him and all the elixirs he concocted!" Pei Qin commanded, looking toward Shi Rui.

Shi Rui, still unsettled, dared not obey her but looked at the Emperor instead.

Emperor Chu Wen, pondering her words "to take advantage of your illness and claim your life," also felt a sinking feeling in his heart and watched Pei Qin with sharp, eagle-like eyes.

Pei Qin met his gaze unflinchingly.

"Go," Emperor Chu Wen said after a moment, instructing Shi Rui.

Shi Rui responded and quickly left with others.

Emperor Chu Wen also had some elixirs left, which were meant to be taken before sleep. He took them out and summoned the Imperial Physician.

Imperial Doctor Zhang, who was always on duty for the Emperor, had, upon being summoned, unfortunately drowned while drunk.

With his death, Emperor Chu Wen immediately suspected the elixirs in his hand and called for all the Imperial Physicians to come.

It was finally determined that the elixirs contained trace amounts of arsenic.

Upon hearing it was arsenic, Emperor Chu Wen instantly erupted in rage, his complexion turning from a ghastly pale to a purplish hue, furiously spitting out a mouthful of blood and collapsing.

"Emperor——"

Shi Rui and others rushed to support him, "Emperor! Emperor!"

Emperor Chu Wen had already lost consciousness.

The Imperial Physicians hurried to administer treatment.

But within half an hour, Emperor Chu Wen, who had earlier appeared ruddy and healthy, was now in critical condition.

"Rebel... Rebel..." Emperor Chu Wen himself had secured his throne through a bloody struggle, so he understood the use of schemes for the sake of power, without which one could not firmly hold the kingdom. However, as he advanced in years, he could not accept that his beloved son had poisoned him, seeking to hasten his death. Though his days were already numbered, it seemed his son thought him too slow to die and was eager to send him more quickly down the road to the underworld.

With Daoist Xu’s body lying across the hall, killed by General Pei’s handgun, and the fact that Daoist Xu had been brought into the palace by Prince He Qing, everyone knew that Emperor Chu Wen despised Prince He Qing, who was now also out of the succession.