It seemed the heavens above Great Zhou were about to change.
Thinking about deposing a second Crown Prince, Pan Hai sighed inwardly as he went out.
As soon as Pan Hai emerged, everyone crowded around him asking, “How is Father Emperor?”
They all wondered: after seeing the Seventh Prince and his wife first, who would Father Emperor want to see next?
Pan Hai looked at the group and said, “His Majesty requests all the princes and their wives to enter.”
Everyone felt relief mixed with confusion.
First a private audience with the Seventh Prince’s couple, then seeing everyone together – Father Emperor’s actions were truly puzzling.
Regardless of their thoughts, everyone moved inside, leaving the Crown Prince standing alone.
Pan Hai bowed to the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence as well.”
The Crown Prince was startled, fear flashing briefly in his eyes as he blurted out, “Father Emperor wants to see me?”
Everyone turned to look.
They too hadn’t expected Father Emperor would be willing to see the Crown Prince again.
Under the many gazes, the Crown Prince forced himself to appear calm. “That’s wonderful, Father Emperor is finally willing to see me.”
Yet internally, his heart was racing, and he felt an urge to flee. After angering Father Emperor so severely, why would he suddenly want to see him? Could he have discovered what he’d done?
Impossible – only he and the young palace maid knew about that matter, no third person knew. Father Emperor couldn’t have found out.
Yes, he couldn’t have discovered it. He mustn’t panic!
After this self-reassurance, the Crown Prince followed the others inside.
His eyes first fell on Yu Jin and Jiang Si standing side by side, before noticing Emperor Jingming half-reclining against the bed’s headboard.
Everyone asked in succession, “Father Emperor, how are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.” Emperor Jingming looked at each prince in turn, starting with Prince Qin.
The eldest was steady and dutiful, but being adopted, he naturally had his interests at heart.
The Fourth Prince was next in age after the Crown Prince and Third Prince, with a good reputation, but for some inexplicable reason, the Emperor didn’t particularly like him.
If the Fifth Prince became Crown Prince, he’d probably spend every day kneeling on the stone steps outside the hall.
The Sixth Prince was clever but inexperienced, the Seventh Prince somewhat too bold, and the Eighth Prince far too young to consider…
Emperor Jingming quickly dismissed these thoughts and finally turned his gaze to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince’s breath caught, his heart racing rapidly as he forced himself to say, “Father Emperor, how are you? Your son has been so worried—”
Before he could finish, Emperor Jingming suddenly clutched his chest, his expression contorted in excruciating pain.
Everyone was startled: “Father Emperor, are you alright?”
Several Imperial Physicians rushed in, and after a flurry of activity, Emperor Jingming finally endured the episode, though his clothes were soaked with cold sweat.
The Empress erupted in anger: “Are you all useless? The medicine isn’t working at all – are we supposed to just watch His Majesty suffer through such pain repeatedly?”
The Imperial Physicians fell to their knees, repeatedly begging for forgiveness.
The Crown Prince stared at the scene in shock, and beneath his panic, a surge of wild joy: the figurine worked!
At that moment, Yu Jin suddenly glanced at the Crown Prince.