Xu Mi hurriedly entered the imperial palace and rushed to the Eastern Pavilion of the imperial bedchamber.

Upon entering, he saw that all court officials of the fourth rank and above had already arrived.

Not only officials, but the Empress was also seated.

Emperor Xingping was dressed in dragon robes, supported by several palace attendants, leaning askew against a couch padded with soft cushions, motionless.

The ministers knelt in dark masses across the floor, with Gao Qiao, Prince Xin’an, Lu Guang and others kneeling in the front row.

Xu Mi hurried to the front ranks and also knelt down, respectfully performing the full kowtow ceremony and apologizing for his tardiness.

After finishing his kowtows and apologies, his gaze quickly turned to the Empress, silently inquiring with his eyes.

Seeing her shake her head slightly, clearly just as bewildered and unknowing, he then glanced at Xiao Yongjia, who was dressed in the court attire of an Eldest Princess, kneeling properly beside the Emperor, and his confusion deepened.

Although Xiao Yongjia held a noble position, she had rarely interfered in court affairs over the years.

Today, in such circumstances, not only was the Empress summoned, but she was present as well.

What exactly were she and Gao Qiao trying to accomplish?

Having guilt in his heart after all, Xu Mi suddenly felt a trace of unease.

But looking again at the Emperor, he saw him collapsed above, except for still having his eyes open, like a dead man.

Even if his heart harbored the deepest hatred for himself, what could he possibly say or do?

Thinking thus, he steadied his mind again and turned toward Gao Qiao.

“Minister Gao, His Majesty is in such a condition that he should be resting. Yet you bring His Majesty here and summon the court officials, claiming His Majesty has an edict to proclaim. His Majesty cannot speak with his mouth nor write with his hands – where would such an edict come from? What is your intention with this action?”

Gao Qiao did not respond, only looking at the Eldest Princess.

Xiao Yongjia turned around, her gaze sweeping over the assembled ministers.

“I am His Majesty’s elder sister, our hearts connected as siblings. What His Majesty thinks, I can sense. These past few days while caring for His Majesty, I know he has words in his heart that he wishes to speak clearly to you ministers, so today I have summoned you all before His Majesty.”

She fixed her gaze on Xu Mi.

“Minister Xu’s words are not wrong. His Majesty cannot speak with his mouth nor write with his hands, yet His Majesty’s mind is clear, and his eyes can blink. Therefore, I will ask questions and request His Majesty to answer by blinking. If what is said accords with His Majesty’s intentions, His Majesty will blink once to affirm. If it does not accord, he will blink twice to negate.”

“Ministers, do you hear clearly?”

The ministers were greatly surprised, looking at the Emperor while discussing in low voices among themselves.

In the Eastern Pavilion, a buzzing cacophony of noise immediately arose.

Xu Mi had never imagined that despite considering everything, he had still made an oversight in his careful planning, allowing such an unexpected turn.

His heart pounded frantically as he immediately rose and declared loudly: “Eldest Princess! Your words are wrong! This so-called ‘connected hearts’ and ‘sensing thoughts’ is not only absurd but entirely your one-sided claim! His Majesty is so severely ill – how can we know if his mind is clear at this moment? And how do we know this isn’t your manipulation to achieve some unspeakable purpose?”

“Moreover, what qualification do you have to point fingers and give orders to us court ministers?”

Gao Qiao’s face showed anger as he rose abruptly, about to speak, but Xiao Yongjia waved him off.

“I naturally have no qualification to give orders to Minister Xu. But if I have His Majesty’s approval to say a few words here, no matter how far your authority extends, Xu Mi, it cannot reach me, Xiao Yongjia!”

She turned toward the Emperor, leaning closer: “Little brother, can you hear your sister speaking to you?”

The Eastern Pavilion suddenly became silent as death.

Everyone held their breath, all eyes fixed on the Emperor.

The Emperor’s eyes had originally been gazing upward, but when Xiao Yongjia asked her question, he struggled to turn his eyeballs and slowly looked at her.

The ministers saw clearly – the Emperor blinked once.

“Little brother, did you hear what your sister just said? I want to ask you several questions. If you approve, blink once. If you disapprove, blink twice. Is that acceptable?”

Slowly, the Emperor blinked once again.

The ministers immediately became excited, all craning their necks and widening their eyes, afraid that a single blink would cause them to miss something.

Xu Mi’s expression gradually changed.

Xiao Yongjia glanced at the Empress across from her, whose expression was also beginning to show nervousness and unease, then asked: “Your Majesty, this sudden onset of your illness – were you harmed by someone?”

The Emperor blinked once.

The ministers saw clearly and were shocked, with discussions rising and falling in waves.

“Who harmed His Majesty!”

Someone immediately shouted loudly, with echoing voices everywhere.

Xiao Yongjia remained calm, raising her hand to signal the ministers to be quiet, then continued questioning: “Your Majesty, previously I heard you mention to me that the Crown Prince has a cruel nature and would be unfit as an enlightened ruler, and you intended to depose the Crown Prince and establish a new heir. Am I correct?”

The Empress’s face went white as she suddenly stood up, shouting sternly: “Xiao Yongjia, you speak nonsense, seeking only to create chaos in the realm – what crime should you bear! His Majesty is so ill, how can he have the energy to listen to your pressing questions? Naturally whatever you say, he responds to – how can this count!”

Xiao Yongjia paid no attention, only looking at the Emperor: “Your Majesty, the Empress says your mind is unclear at this moment. Do you agree?”

The Emperor struggled slowly to turn both eyeballs toward the Empress’s direction, staring at her and shooting two rays of resentful, venomous light. He blinked once, then blinked a second time.

The ministers were in an uproar.

Even those who had harbored doubts now had all their suspicions dissolved.

Xiao Yongjia stared at Empress Xu: “Empress, His Majesty is extremely dissatisfied with you, as all the ministers have witnessed. If you dare to rage again, I will have you expelled on His Majesty’s behalf!”

The Empress stood rigidly, her panicked gaze unconsciously looking toward Xu Mi.

Xu Mi’s expression was grim as he stood motionless without speaking.

The Eastern Pavilion became quiet again.

Xiao Yongjia repeated her earlier question.

The Emperor was seen to blink heavily once, then slowly open his eyes.

All the ministers held their breath in silence, quietly looking toward Gao Qiao, then at Xu Mi. The atmosphere immediately became extremely tense.

Xiao Yongjia glanced at Prince Xin’an Xiao Daocheng, who knelt on the ground with his head lowered and motionless, then withdrew her gaze and looked at the Emperor again.

“Your Majesty, regarding the candidate for the new heir, designated as Prince Xin’an Xiao Daocheng – does Your Majesty approve?”

As her words fell, the surroundings plunged into deathly silence.

With a whoosh, everyone’s gaze turned to Xiao Daocheng, who was bowing with his forehead touching the ground, then looked at Gao Qiao.

Undoubtedly, the Eldest Princess’s intention was also Gao Qiao’s intention.

He had actually bypassed Prince Dongyang, who was closer both in imperial bloodline and in relationship with the Gao family, and wanted to establish Prince Xin’an instead – this was truly unexpected.

Everyone showed expressions of surprise.

Xiao Yongjia looked at her younger brother and saw that his eyes were no longer looking at her, but staring upward at something unknown, and for a long time, there was no reaction.

Before summoning the ministers here, she had already communicated with the Emperor using the same method.

Her younger brother had also understood her and Gao Qiao’s intention to establish Prince Xin’an as the imperial heir.

Although the Crown Prince was young and innocent, after Empress Xu and the Xu clan had done such things to him, making his life worse than death, how much imperial family affection could remain?

How could he be willing to let the Crown Prince succeed and allow the Xu clan to triumph?

At that time, he had agreed.

Because the matter was of great importance, Xiao Yongjia had asked three times. He had responded with blinks each time, indicating approval.

But for some unknown reason, at this moment, there was no reaction.

A trace of unease suddenly flashed through Xiao Yongjia’s heart.

She steadied herself and asked again in a clear voice.

Under the gaze of the ministers, the Emperor finally blinked once.

Just as Xiao Yongjia’s breath was about to be released in relief, she saw the Emperor blink once more.

He blinked twice in succession.

Then his gaze fell upon Gao Qiao’s face, looking at him with an unmoving stare.

Xiao Yongjia was stunned and unconsciously looked toward her husband.

Gao Qiao’s expression was grave, frowning slightly as he also stared at the Emperor.

The ministers were extremely surprised, looking at each other in bewilderment, appearing somewhat at a loss regarding this obviously unexpected development.

“Your Majesty! Little brother!”

Xiao Yongjia’s heartbeat quickened slightly.

Looking at the Emperor’s eyes, his consciousness should be clear.

For a moment she couldn’t understand why he had suddenly changed his mind. Just as she was trying to question again, Xiao Daocheng, who had been kneeling motionless, suddenly kowtowed and declared loudly: “Your Majesty, Prince Dongyang is intelligent and has a good reputation – he can be established as heir! Does Your Majesty approve?”

The Emperor’s gaze had been fixed deadly on Gao Qiao.

When Xiao Daocheng’s words fell, he blinked once.

After this blink, as if all his strength had been exhausted, his neck tilted to one side, yet he still looked at Gao Qiao, his eyes never blinking again.

Xiao Daocheng rose from the ground, turned to face the ministers, and declared loudly: “Everyone has seen – for the new heir candidate, His Majesty favors Prince Dongyang!”

The ministers had indeed seen clearly and continued discussing incessantly.

Xiao Daocheng walked before Gao Qiao.

“Minister Gao, this prince lacks virtue and talent – how could I be worthy of the heir’s position? Prince Dongyang is rightfully legitimate and is His Majesty’s favored choice – he should be established. From now on, this prince will respectfully honor His Majesty’s wishes, follow you, Minister, and assist the heir apparent, working for the welfare and benefit of all the people of our great Dayu!”

Among the ministers, those who already followed the Gao clan saw things developing as they wished and were extremely excited, each voicing their agreement.

The rest, Xu Mi’s people, looked at each other anxiously and looked toward Xu Mi with worry.

“Complete nonsense! The Crown Prince is rightfully legitimate! He is already the heir! How can this be treated as child’s play, deposing him at will!”

The Empress suddenly looked toward Xu Mi.

“Minister Xu! These treasonous ministers are manipulating His Majesty and acting against the Crown Prince and myself – why don’t you protect the throne?”

“Come! Arrest all these treasonous ministers!”

She looked around frantically and shouted.

Gao Qiao’s gaze slowly moved from the Emperor’s face to Xiao Yongjia.

The two looked into each other’s eyes.

In his wife’s eyes, he saw a trace of guilt and hidden anger.

He knew she must have guessed the Emperor’s thoughts.

Just moments ago, when looking into the Emperor’s eyes, he too had understood.

But at this moment, he had no choice.

The Crown Prince absolutely could not ascend the throne.

His originally favored Xiao Daocheng had publicly declined the heir position and strongly recommended Prince Dongyang with a determination that somewhat surprised Gao Qiao.

He could only acknowledge the Emperor’s choice.

If he didn’t recognize Prince Dongyang’s status as heir chosen by the Emperor, it would indirectly give the Xu clan an excuse to continue rallying and defying orders.

After weighing the options, Gao Qiao immediately made his decision, looking toward Chen Tuan.

Chen Tuan understood and immediately led the Feathered Forest Guards charging in, with killing intent, surrounding the Eastern Pavilion.

Gao Qiao surveyed the ministers who had turned pale with shock: “His Majesty’s edict just now was witnessed by all. Deposing the Crown Prince and establishing Prince Dongyang as heir is His Majesty’s will. I, Gao Qiao, follow the imperial command!”

He looked at Xu Mi.

“Minister Xu, will you obey the imperial command?”

At this moment, Xu Mi was filled with infinite regret.

The plan had proceeded too smoothly. In his momentary overconfidence, he had underestimated his enemy to such an extent.

He never dreamed that Gao Qiao, who had been forced into a position where he seemingly had no power to fight back, had prepared such a devastating counterattack!

The Emperor, who in his eyes was no different from a dead man, had inflicted such tremendous revenge upon him!

From the moment he entered, he had noticed that the Eastern Pavilion, which had no guards before, now had Feathered Forest Guard figures appearing in all four corners, near doors and windows.

Although he had brought some attendants when he came, they were all left outside the Eastern Pavilion.

In this round, despite having every advantage and being on the verge of reaching the summit, he had lost.

Lost badly.

But he hadn’t lost completely.

He, Xu Mi, still held gambling chips in his hand that could turn the tables.

When Xiao Yongjia was questioning the Emperor earlier, she hadn’t directly exposed him, which told him that the military power and troops the Xu clan had cultivated in Jingzhou for decades had saved his life at this crucial moment.

Gao Qiao feared the Xu clan’s military strength. Although he blocked the Crown Prince’s succession, he still didn’t dare to completely break with him publicly.

Xu Mi’s gaze was grim as he stared at Gao Qiao for a long time. Finally, gritting his teeth, he slowly turned and knelt toward the Emperor, saying: “Your subject Xu Mi respectfully follows His Majesty’s will and supports Prince Dongyang as heir.”

Silence fell all around.

The Empress’s eyes rolled back, her legs went weak, and with a thud she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

…

The tremendous upheaval that occurred in the imperial palace at Tai City did not affect the daily lives of ordinary citizens in Jiankang City. When news gradually spread outside the palace, it merely provided a few more topics for after-meal conversation.

If even the imperial city was like this, in Yi Cheng, a thousand li away, no one could even imagine such events.

On this day, as usual, on the training grounds outside the city, the shouting voices of drilling soldiers shook the eardrums.

On an open area of the training ground, Gao Huan and a squad of new recruits who had enlisted not long ago stood motionless under the scorching sun for nearly two hours.

With the blazing sun overhead and heat waves rising from the yellow earth beneath their feet.

As if placed in a steamer, starting an hour ago, people around him had been continuously fainting and collapsing to the ground.

Gao Huan felt his vision darkening, his legs trembling, his feet burning as if on fire. Several times he was about to succumb to the heat waves’ assault and collapse like the previous times, but he persevered to this moment through sheer determination.

He had to stand for the full two hours to qualify for entry into Li Wu.

That Sun Fangzhi had said that because he could speak several barbarian languages, which would be very useful in future battles, he was considered rare talent and would be allowed exceptional entry.

But there was a condition – he had to be able to stand under the blazing sun for two full hours.

If he couldn’t even do this, everything was off the table.

This was already his sixth attempt.

After collapsing five times, fortunately, the time he could persist seemed to be getting longer each time.

A wave of dizziness slowly approached, his body swaying.

He immediately bit his tongue tip.

The sharp pain finally restored some of his strength.

He knew many eyes were watching him, so he gritted his teeth, stared straight ahead, motionless, enduring minute by minute.

Finally, just when he felt he truly couldn’t hold on and would collapse, Sun Fangzhi blew a whistle and walked over from the shade of the trees, extending a fan-like hand to pat his shoulder with a grin.

“Not bad, not bad, you passed!”

Gao Huan was knocked sideways by his slap and tumbled to the ground.

In the evening, he returned to the city with his brother-in-law in high spirits.

Heaven finally opened its eyes – he had gained qualification to join the Li Wu battle team. This made all his previous efforts worthwhile, including hiding from his elder brother by crouching in ditches and wild places for two days and nights, eating grass roots and drinking rainwater, until his brother-in-law finally found him.

From now on, he could follow his brother-in-law, achieve merit and establish his career, fulfilling his manly dreams – he was truly excited beyond measure.

“Sister! I’m back!”

Returning to the governor’s residence, he ran in with one breath, shouting loudly.

Luoshen had been worrying about him, afraid that like the previous times, he would faint midway from the sun and be carried back unconscious.

She blamed Li Mu for being heartless, yet knew he had actually shown Gao Huan exceptional care.

At this moment, finally hearing her younger brother’s voice, her heart rejoiced as she hurried out to greet him and ask for details.

Learning he had successfully passed, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

A’Ju had also ordered someone to bring water, telling Gao Huan to sit while she personally wiped his face and body, then washed his feet. After washing, she used a needle to remove the new blisters burned on his soles and applied medicinal ointment.

Gao Huan cried out in pain. A’Ju laughed and complained about his delayed reactions, wondering why he didn’t know it hurt earlier. Qiongshu and the serving girls also chimed in with comments.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was relaxed and pleasant.

Luoshen asked about Li Mu and, learning he had also returned, went to find him.

Indeed, she saw him by the newly built well platform, having removed his upper garment with his back to her, drawing water.

In the hot weather, knowing she loved cleanliness, the first thing he did upon returning from outside each day was to bathe.

Luoshen tiptoed behind him, picked up a ladle, scooped a ladleful of water, and unexpectedly poured it on his back.

The cool water splashed down from his broad, lean, bronze-colored back with a whoosh, also wetting the hem of Luoshen’s skirt and her wooden clogs.

But she didn’t care. Behind him, she giggled, delighted by the success of this small prank once again.

Actually, she knew he had already sensed her arrival earlier but pretended not to notice, waiting for her to splash that ladleful of water on his back.

Just like the previous days. He tacitly accompanied her in playing this childish little game, which just made her feel happy.

He turned around, smiled at her, and pointed to a clothes-drying stone nearby.

Luoshen shuffled over in her wooden clogs with a clip-clop sound, removed them, and climbed up, standing barefoot on top.

Li Mu brought over a bucket of water and placed it at her feet, standing before her.

Luoshen stood high up, even taller than him.

She picked up the ladle, scooped water, and poured it over his head.

Water flowed down as she rolled up her sleeves to help him bathe.

A’Ju and the serving girls all knew that at times like this, no one would come to disturb them.

When the sun was setting in the west, Luoshen finally finished helping Li Mu bathe.

She sat on the stone while the evening breeze stirred her dampened hair. Li Mu crouched at her feet, helping her put on both wooden clogs, carefully tying the straps, then lifted her down, took her hand, and the two returned to the courtyard together.

Gao Huan had already left.

Footsteps approached. A’Ju hurried in from behind, handing over a letter in her hands.

She said a messenger from Jiankang had just arrived and delivered this letter.