Emperor Taixiang’s illness had thrown the court’s high officials into panic.

His Majesty currently only has one Grand Princess. If something unfortunate were to happen to him, who would inherit the throne?

While the ministers worried themselves sick, the previously well-behaved imperial clan members began stirring to life, each one as if injected with energy, actively making their rounds. The households that had married into the imperial clan also found their thoughts in turmoil.

Within just a few days, stories spread of certain imperial clan members treating scholars with courtesy and respect, or strange tales of auspicious omens descending upon certain imperial clan members’ residences.

“Chief Minister, the matter of establishing an heir cannot be delayed any longer, or Great Liang will be in danger!”

“Yes, Chief Minister, you must decide on this matter.”

Xu Mingda sighed: “His Majesty is in his prime years. Though he currently has no male heir, that doesn’t mean he won’t have one in the future. If we adopt an imperial clan member as crown prince now, what if His Majesty later has a biological son?”

“Chief Minister, His Majesty is gravely ill now. We cannot fail to prepare for what’s coming!”

“Exactly. Future matters can be dealt with later, but we cannot hesitate any longer about the present situation.”

Xu Mingda remained silent for a long while before finally nodding.

“Your Majesty, Chief Minister Xu, Second Minister Su, and several other ministers request an audience.” Wei Wuxie whispered in Emperor Taixiang’s ear.

After lying bedridden for over ten days, Emperor Taixiang had become gaunt and haggard, his temples streaked with white. He no longer looked like a man in his thirties in his prime, but rather resembled someone in his forties or fifties.

Hearing Wei Wuxie’s words, Emperor Taixiang struggled to open his eyes and asked hoarsely: “The chief ministers and ministers have all come?”

“Yes, they’ve all come.”

Emperor Taixiang fell silent.

He wasn’t a fool—at this time, how could he not know the purpose of these court officials’ request for an audience?

Ever since he had fallen ill, the matter of imperial succession had weighed heavily on his mind. He was unwilling to adopt an imperial clan member, but if he didn’t adopt one and suddenly died, the unclear succession would inevitably cause turmoil. How could he face his ancestors then?

Thinking of these things, Emperor Taixiang felt as if his heart were being fried in a pan of oil.

After being a useless prince for so long, he had finally ascended to the throne with great difficulty. This was only his third year since becoming emperor, and his actual reign had been less than two years.

He was unwilling to accept this!

“Tell them to go back. Say that I’m sleeping.” Emperor Taixiang closed his eyes.

“Yes.” Wei Wuxie quietly sighed in his heart before going out to relay the message.

Hearing Wei Wuxie’s message, the several ministers looked at each other.

His Majesty wasn’t sleeping at all—he didn’t want to see them.

Since His Majesty didn’t want to see them, they couldn’t very well force their way in.

Xu Mingda couldn’t tell if he felt disappointed or relieved, and said: “Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Wei. Since that’s the case, we’ll take our leave first.”

The weather gradually warmed, but the Imperial Medical Bureau was shrouded in gloom, with everyone from top to bottom busy with Emperor Taixiang’s illness.

What left the imperial physicians helpless was that His Majesty wasn’t suffering from some acute disease, but was more like an oil lamp nearly out of fuel. Apart from trying to delay the moment when the flame would be extinguished, they were at their wits’ end.

Emperor Taixiang’s body grew weaker day by day, and unease spread throughout the court.

After the third unsuccessful attempt by Xu Mingda and other high court officials to see Emperor Taixiang, they were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

At this time, the atmosphere in the imperial palace was as oppressive as the calm before a storm, with palace servants walking carefully, not daring to make a sound.

Wei Wuxie, as usual, took the medicine the imperial physicians had prepared and attended to Emperor Taixiang.

“Your Majesty, it’s time to take your medicine.” When there was no response to his call, Wei Wuxie’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly set the medicine bowl aside and rushed forward, calling loudly: “Your Majesty, Your Majesty—”

Just as Wei Wuxie’s heart was about to leap from his chest, Emperor Taixiang suddenly opened his eyes, his forehead covered in sweat.

Wei Wuxie breathed a huge sigh of relief, his eyes already moist: “Your Majesty, it’s time… time to take your medicine.”

Emperor Taixiang looked at Wei Wuxie with eyes clouded and aged like those of an old man, shaking his head: “I won’t take medicine anymore.”

“Your Majesty—” Wei Wuxie suddenly felt an ominous premonition.

Emperor Taixiang looked at Wei Wuxie and smiled: “Wei Wuxie, summon Xu Mingda and the others to the palace. I have something to tell them.”

Wei Wuxie bowed his head deeply, his voice trembling: “Yes…”

Receiving the news of His Majesty’s summons, Xu Mingda and the others almost flew to the palace. Walking into the inner chamber heavy with medicinal scents, they knelt before the gauze curtains: “Your subjects pay respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live!”

Emperor Taixiang, lying behind the curtains, heard his subjects calling out “long live” and found it only ironic.

Where in this world was there truly “ten thousand years”? There were only unfortunate souls who lost what they had just gained.

“Wei Wuxie, lift the gauze curtains.”

Wei Wuxie quickly lifted the curtains. Seeing Emperor Taixiang trying to move slightly, he went forward to help him.

Emperor Taixiang leaned against the pillow, half-reclining, his gaze falling on the several ministers kneeling below, and said hoarsely: “All of you, rise.”

Xu Mingda and the others stood up.

“So, for the candidates for crown prince, how many have you selected?”

As soon as Emperor Taixiang said this, embarrassment appeared on all the ministers’ faces.

Emperor Taixiang smiled: “Haven’t all of you repeatedly requested audiences with me precisely for this matter?”

Xu Mingda and the others immediately knelt again: “Your subjects are guilty!”

Emperor Taixiang coughed once. Wei Wuxie quickly brought over a golden spittoon and gently patted his back with one hand.

That coughing sound filled the ministers with sorrow.

His Majesty truly seemed to be failing.

Emperor Taixiang recovered after a moment and said, “I don’t have the energy to exchange pleasantries with you. Tell me about the candidates you’ve selected.”

All the ministers looked toward Xu Mingda.

Xu Mingda cleared his throat and said, “Your subjects have selected six candidates in total. First is Prince Gong’s legitimate eldest grandson, aged twenty…”

Emperor Taixiang closed his eyes and listened as Xu Mingda finished describing all six crown prince candidates, then shook his head.

Xu Mingda and the others couldn’t help but feel confused.

Although these six candidates were the result of power struggles among meritorious officials, they had indeed been comprehensively considered based on bloodline, age, legitimate versus concubine-born status, and other factors to select the most suitable ones. Was His Majesty shaking his head because he found none of them suitable?

The ministers quietly exchanged glances with Xu Mingda, signaling him to inquire.

Xu Mingda steadied himself and respectfully asked: “What dissatisfaction do you have with these candidates? Please instruct your subjects.”

Emperor Taixiang opened his eyes to look at Xu Mingda, remained quiet for a moment, then said: “Only consider those three years old and under.”

At these words, all the ministers couldn’t help but be shocked.

They had recommended adult imperial clan members, considering that once His Majesty passed away, they could smoothly ascend to the throne and stabilize the situation.

His Majesty only wanted to consider imperial clan members three years old and under. Setting aside the fact that such young children would inevitably need regent ministers if they ascended the throne, the mortality rate for children this age was truly too high…

“Your Majesty—” The ministers all spoke up, wanting to persuade him further.

Though Emperor Taixiang’s voice was weak, his expression was resolute as he repeated: “Only consider those three years old and under.”

No matter how ill Emperor Taixiang was, he was still the sovereign of the nation. Faced with such determination, the ministers could only comply.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your subjects will immediately re-select suitable candidates.”

“They must be handsome. Don’t want any ugly ones.” Emperor Taixiang added another instruction.

The ministers: “…”