Beneath that formidable authority, every head in the room bowed. Even those who had not heard what the chief physician said could tell from the Empress Dowager’s reaction that the Emperor’s situation was truly grave.

Yet not many were surprised.

From the founding Emperor to the present day, any Emperor of Daqing who lived past the age of fifty-five had already received heaven’s favor. Most passed away at around fifty; by that reckoning, the current Emperor could not be counted among the worst off. Moreover, the Emperor’s health had been visibly declining since the beginning of the previous year. Though no one dared say it aloud, a good number of people had some sense of what was coming.

The court officials stole quiet glances at the princes present. In terms of age, the Sixth Prince was clearly the youngest, yet curiously, the most gazes settled on him.

For the military officers, there was a personal dimension: the Sixth Prince’s maternal uncle, General Sun, was one of their own. Even if there had been some unsavory dealings between them in private, they kept their heads clear at a moment like this. And from a public standpoint, the bearing and responsibility the Sixth Prince had shown left them deeply impressed. Military officers were often posted away from the capital, and their greatest fear was that the Emperor would be manipulated by the civil officials — as General Sun himself, who had effectively ended his family line, had suffered bitterly under for all these years. Whatever had passed, the Sixth Prince at least knew the broad strokes of it. If he ascended to that seat, it would be better than the current occupant. Setting all that aside, having someone with genuine responsibility in that seat would also be good for Daqing.

As for the civil officials, the Sixth Prince was equally one of their own — had they not all seen with their own eyes that the imperial tutor he acknowledged was the eldest daughter of the Hua Family, who stood at the head of the civil officials!

Not that their day-to-day factional strife was anything gentle — they were more ruthless than the military officers, whose fights one could at least see coming. Yet they had all grown up reading the sages’ texts, and in their hearts they still held a genuine regard for princes of courage and responsibility. From today’s performance alone, the Sixth Prince had shown remarkable quality.

Naturally, not everyone thought along these lines. Some had never had a choice to begin with; their position meant they could only support the Third Prince or the Fourth Prince.

Hua Zhi narrowed her eyes and leaned against the wall. From this position she could see a portion of those kneeling in the outer hall. Watching where their gazes fell, she let out a long, slow breath. Things were already half accomplished.

In the heavy, oppressive stillness, Hao Yue suddenly clutched her belly and sank to her knees, weeping in a soft and plaintive voice: “Empress Dowager, please allow this concubine to take the Emperor back to the imperial bedchamber. We cannot allow the Emperor’s illness to worsen.”

Hua Zhi sat up straight, her mind turning rapidly. She absolutely could not let Hao Yue succeed.

Before she could think of a plan, a commotion arose from outside the main hall. In moments, the divine physician lifted his hem and strode quickly inside. Paying no attention to the hall full of dignitaries, he crouched to the floor and took the Emperor’s wrist to feel his pulse. After his examination — inspection, scent, inquiry, and listening — he fell silent and made no further move.

The Empress Dowager, watching from the side for some time, grew anxious: “Divine Physician, have you found something? What is the Emperor’s condition?”

The divine physician stood and offered a long bow. He let out a sigh and said: “Aijia, this old man will not conceal the truth — the Emperor’s signs are those of a lamp running out of oil.”

“How can this be…”

“Based on this old man and Shao Yao’s assessment, if the Emperor had been properly nursed and rested, he should still have had about half a year.”

The Empress Dowager’s heart seized. “Your meaning is… someone tampered with the Emperor?”

As she said it, her gaze fell upon Hao Yue. That cold, piercing stare was like a blade of ice scraping at flesh. Hao Yue could not help but shudder.

The divine physician acted as though he knew nothing. He simply made a request: “Might this old man be permitted to see the Emperor’s dietary records?”

“Of course.” The Empress Dowager looked toward Yuxiang. “Bring me both the people and the food records.”

“Yes.”

A palace attendant brought a chair over. The Empress Dowager settled into it at the Emperor’s side. This was the son she had carried for ten months and brought into the world, and now she was to watch him leave before her. Swallowing back all the bitterness in her heart, the Empress Dowager raised her head: “The princes may remain. Everyone else is to wait in the side hall. Until Aijia gives the word, no one is to speak to another or to leave. Fu Gang — keep watch.”

“This minister receives the order.”

Hua Zhi was just about to push herself up and leave with the others when Zhu Bowen was already standing by, ready to help support her. Then she heard the Empress Dowager say further: “Hua Zhi, remain. Xiao Liu, go and bring a chair for her to sit down.”

Xiao Liu had been wanting to do exactly this. He strode over immediately and moved to take Hua Zhi by the arm to lead her toward the front — but Hua Zhi tightened her grip on his hand and gave him a look.

Xiao Liu paused, understanding. He signaled to a palace attendant to bring a chair over. His mentor clearly had a reason for choosing to stay in this corner. There was no need to ask too many questions. This was the palace, and a little extra caution never hurt.

Once she was seated, Hua Zhi gave Xiao Liu a small push in the Emperor’s direction. Xiao Liu pressed his lips together and walked over, arriving just in time to hear the Empress Dowager say: “Divine Physician — is there truly no way?”

The divine physician shook his head. “From the outside the Emperor may appear vigorous and spirited, but inside he has deteriorated completely. He could collapse at any moment. This old man must beg Aijia’s pardon — this old man’s skills are insufficient, and he cannot save him.”

The Empress Dowager pressed a hand to her chest and drew several labored breaths. Though she had seen this coming, each word still landed like a heavy blow against her heart. Even though in these past years they had grown estranged, this was still the firstborn son she had brought into the world through hardship — that counted for something!

And with the imperial succession still unestablished, for him to collapse so suddenly…

She dug her long fingernails into her palm and forced herself to stay composed. Her voice trembled as she asked: “Is there a way to rouse the Emperor?”

“That is the one thing this old man can do.”

“The divine physician has already helped enormously.” The Empress Dowager closed her eyes briefly. “Can the Emperor wait?”

The divine physician looked down at the Emperor. “We must be quick.”

“Aijia understands. People have gathered today in full — there is no need to keep the Emperor waiting long. Yet Aijia will have him wait just a while, because even as a ghost, Aijia will see to it that her son departs knowing the full truth!”

The divine physician clasped his hands in a bow and said no more.

He cast a glance at Hua Zhi and reached into his medicine case, drawing out a small vial of medicine, which he passed to Xiao Liu: “Have someone help her apply this.”

As though only now noticing Hua Zhi’s sorry state, the divine physician frowned and turned to address the Empress Dowager: “This old man has a prior acquaintance with the young lady of the Hua Family. He cannot bear to see her like this. Might Aijia allow someone to bring her a change of outer clothing, if only to avoid presenting a disheveled appearance before the court?”

Was it not the Emperor himself who had brought about that disheveled appearance? The Empress Dowager, weary, waved for someone to fetch the garment. Things had come to this point — when Yanxi returned, there was no telling how heartbroken he would be. His own great-uncle, yet always choosing to target Hua Zhi in those moments when Yanxi was away. When it came down to it, it was nothing more than the Emperor believing that Yanxi had stopped listening because of a woman, and always wanting Yanxi to obey him as before, to revolve around him — yet where had he ever placed Yanxi’s own wellbeing?

Hua Zhi bowed gratefully toward where the two of them stood. Supported by a palace attendant, she went to another area to change. Only she knew why the divine physician had gone to such lengths to arrange for this change of clothing. She was grateful — and yet, for that very reason, she felt too ashamed to look him in the eye.

Whatever her reasons, a wrong done was a wrong done. There was no explaining it away.

But she was willing to bear this guilt. She could not allow that person to ruin Xiao Liu, to ruin Yanxi, to ruin all of it. Her younger siblings, her family — they all lived in this country. There was nowhere for any of them to flee.

Gripping her trembling hands tightly together, Hua Zhi folded the clothing she had changed out of and handed it to a palace attendant. “Please trouble yourself to dispose of this for me.”

Palace attendants in the imperial court were all astute individuals. At this moment, of course, they agreed to everything without question.