Not long after, the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau stood before Emperor Jingming.

“How is the Crown Prince?” Emperor Jingming asked impatiently.

His anxiety was understandable; the Crown Prince’s investiture was scheduled for tomorrow!

The elderly face of the bureau head wrinkled like a chrysanthemum as he cautiously replied, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s diarrhea has not yet subsided even after taking the medicinal decoction—”

“Will it affect tomorrow’s investiture?”

The bureau head mustered his courage to look up, giving Emperor Jingming a meaningful glance.

What do you think?

Emperor Jingming: “…” He understood.

Feeling dissatisfied, Emperor Jingming asked again, “Could it be that the medicine is not suitable?”

The bureau head resisted the urge to roll his eyes and responded, “We have held several consultations and tried most of the prescriptions. The Crown Prince’s diarrhea has improved somewhat, but it’s still not completely cured. The Crown Prince is now weak and bedridden. If we force the investiture tomorrow, I’m afraid it might lead to an embarrassing situation—”

Usually, he wouldn’t speak so plainly, but this was the Crown Prince’s investiture. Not only was it important for all of Da Zhou, but even neighboring countries would be paying attention. If the Crown Prince were to—just imagining the scene made the bureau head’s vision darken.

As a citizen of Da Zhou, he still had a basic sense of shame!

So these words had to be said, to dispel any unrealistic hopes the Emperor might have.

Emperor Jingming was quite discouraged and muttered, “So, tomorrow’s investiture ceremony must be postponed?”

The bureau head didn’t dare to respond.

“Is there no other way?”

To this, the bureau head could reply, “If it were any other symptom, His Highness the Crown Prince could take medicine to endure it, but this diarrhea—”

Who could hold back diarrhea? Your Majesty wasn’t usually so naive.

It was just unfortunate. Even if the Crown Prince had back pain or leg pain, there would be ways to manage it.

Emperor Jingming’s mood was quite low as he said resignedly, “Very well, cancel tomorrow’s investiture ceremony. Pan Hai, relay this edict.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Pan Hai acknowledged and hurried to spread this urgent news.

The investiture ceremony was to be held tomorrow. If they didn’t quickly spread the news of its cancellation, it would be a joke when all the civil and military officials showed up for the ceremony.

Thinking of this, Pan Hai sighed inwardly.

Come to think of it, the Prince of Yan—no, the new Crown Prince—seemed to have rather bad luck. Why did he have to get diarrhea at such a crucial time?

Once the news of the investiture ceremony being canceled due to the Crown Prince’s diarrhea spread, it would be utterly humiliating.

“Alright, you may withdraw,” Emperor Jingming said, having made his decision in utter helplessness. Seeing the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau only irritated him further, so he quickly dismissed him and sulked in his chamber.

Pan Hai approached quietly, “Your Majesty, the edict has been sent out.”

“Mm.” Emperor Jingming nodded dejectedly. Still feeling disgruntled, he said with a stern face, “Summon the Crown Princess to the palace.”

Jiang Si was somewhat prepared for the summons and gracefully paid her respects to Emperor Jingming: “Greetings, Father Emperor.”

Emperor Jingming stroked his beard and said, “Take a seat.”

Pan Hai quickly brought a small stool for Jiang Si.

Jiang Si sat down properly, waiting for Emperor Jingming to speak.

Emperor Jingming, holding a folding fan, asked, “Is Seventh Brother feeling better?”

“With the dedicated care of many imperial physicians, he has improved significantly,” Jiang Si pondered for a moment before earnestly adding, “Yesterday he had over ten bouts of diarrhea, but today so far, it’s only been seven or eight times.”

Emperor Jingming: “…” This is called a significant improvement.

“How did he suddenly develop this diarrhea?”

Jiang Si lowered her gaze, her expression calm: “Perhaps it’s due to the many recent banquets where he ate too much rich food, combined with the peak of the summer heat—”

Emperor Jingming said irritably, “What rich food could he have eaten in this hot weather?”

Couldn’t this troublemaker behave for once?

Jiang Si answered honestly, “The Crown Prince enjoys braised pork hock, steamed meat, stewed pig’s trotters…”

Emperor Jingming rolled his eyes as he listened and couldn’t help but say, “Summer diet should be light. How could he eat like this?”

Jiang Si glanced up at Emperor Jingming, saying discreetly, “I thought the same, Your Majesty. I had advised the Crown Prince to eat more lightly.”

“He didn’t listen?”

That doesn’t seem right.

Jiang Si sighed, with a hint of concern, “The Crown Prince said that during those years living in the south, he often shared meals with the soldiers and rarely had the chance to eat such rich foods, so he particularly enjoys them now.”

Emperor Jingming fell silent.

Suddenly, he wasn’t so angry anymore and even felt a bit sorry for Seventh Brother—

Emperor Jingming’s tone unconsciously softened, “Go back and tell Seventh Brother that he won’t lack these foods in the future, but he can’t eat like this anymore.”

Jiang Si stood up and curtseyed to Emperor Jingming, “Yes, Your Majesty. The Crown Prince knows he has caused you to worry and is already blaming himself.”

Emperor Jingming frowned, “Self-blame is useless. Recovering his health is the most important thing now. Alright, you may go back and take care of Seventh Brother.”

After Jiang Si left, Emperor Jingming waved his fan and sighed, “Come to think of it, I have neglected Seventh Brother.”

Pan Hai, standing in the corner, wanted to laugh.

My foolish Emperor, what happened to scolding the Crown Prince?

No wonder the Prince of Yan could become Crown Prince. He gorged himself sick and caused the investiture ceremony to be postponed—unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated—yet he still managed to gain the Emperor’s sympathy.

Thinking of how the former Crown Prince would be scolded harshly by the Emperor for the slightest mistake, Pan Hai became even more determined to curry favor with the new Crown Prince.

As soon as the news of the postponed investiture ceremony spread, the entire court was in an uproar.

For the Crown Prince to fall ill on the eve of his investiture was not a good omen.

Could it be that Heaven deemed the new Crown Prince unsuitable? They had said the Emperor was too hasty!

Many thought this way, and some bolder officials who were dissatisfied with Emperor Jingming’s decision had already begun writing memorials.

Those who had been waiting for others to take the lead last time and ended up disappointed were not going to wait this time. They would advise the Emperor to reconsider the matter of establishing the Crown Prince at the next court session.

Compared to the restlessness among the court officials, the Empress Dowager felt a chill run through her body upon receiving the news, leaning against the screen for a long time without speaking.

Yu Jin couldn’t attend the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony due to diarrhea.

Was this the will of Heaven, or had he somehow become aware?

He couldn’t be aware. The secret piece in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had been placed years ago when Yu Jin was still a child.

After a long while, the Empress Dowager slowly rose and walked to the window.

Outside, the sun was shining brightly. No one would imagine that a terrifying event would occur tomorrow.

The Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony would not proceed as scheduled, but the solar eclipse would arrive on time.

After tomorrow, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau would face a thorough investigation and purge. The secret piece that had been used would be wasted without having served its purpose.

Could this be the mandate of Heaven?

The Empress Dowager gazed out the window, lost in thought and momentarily bewildered.

The next day, due to the cancellation of the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony, civil and military officials all came to court carrying memorials and rolling up their sleeves.

Today would be a tough battle; they couldn’t let the Emperor escape again!

Amidst the eager anticipation of the court officials, Emperor Jingming arrived fashionably late.

Pan Hai cleared his throat and announced loudly: “Those with matters may speak up, those without may withdraw—”

Immediately, a group of officials stepped forward and said in unison, “Your subject has a matter to report.”

Emperor Jingming looked around at everyone, warily asking the Minister of Personnel who was at the forefront, “What does Minister Gu wish to report?”

“Your subject—” Just as the Minister of Personnel opened his mouth, the great hall suddenly darkened.