The Emperor suddenly opened his eyes.

One reason he had become suspicious of Yi’er was that Yi’er was unwilling to move into the Eastern Palace.

The Yulin Guards in the palace were under his command. The entire imperial palace was the Son of Heaven’s sphere of influence.

Yet Yi’er refused to enter his sphere of influence.

It was hard not to arouse suspicion.

But at this moment, the Crown Princess was actively proposing to move in.

The Emperor’s voice was cold and deep. “Are you moving into the Eastern Palace alone, or together with the children?”

“Of course together with the children.” Yun Chu replied with lowered head. “Hongyu and Changsheng always miss Imperial Grandfather. After little Jue was born, he’s hardly seen Imperial Father a few times. After moving into the palace, the children can frequently come to Yangxin Hall to keep Imperial Father company and talk with him. Imperial Father’s illness will also recover faster.”

The Emperor rubbed his fingers together.

Yi’er had led troops to war. If he dared to do anything, then Yun Chu and these three children would be the best hostages.

He had no reason to refuse.

He said indifferently, “Then move into the Eastern Palace immediately. We shall order the Imperial Household Department to make proper arrangements.”

“Yes, Imperial Father.”

Yun Chu withdrew from Yangxin Hall.

Returning to the prince’s manor, she immediately had people pack everything. If there were no accidents, she would spend the rest of her life in the imperial palace.

All dowry and luggage were loaded onto carts. She held little Jue with one hand and held Changsheng’s hand with the other, with Hongyu following behind. Together they boarded the foremost carriage.

At dusk, the carriage arrived at the palace gates.

People from the Imperial Household Department were there to receive them, respectfully welcoming the Crown Princess and imperial grandchildren into the Eastern Palace.

The Eastern Palace had newly arranged servants. Each master had at least sixteen palace attendants, plus many lower-ranking palace maids and nannies. Adding Yun Chu’s own trusted confidants brought into the palace, the cold and quiet Eastern Palace suddenly became lively.

Chu Hongyu looked at a pavilion. “That’s the star-picking flower pavilion Chu Lan once bragged to me about. Ah, I wonder how Chu Lan is doing now.”

Chu Changsheng picked up the conversation. “She’s together with her own parents and siblings. That’s the best thing in the world.”

Just after settling in, Consort Yun arrived, smiling. “After Chu’er entered the palace, I’ll have someone to talk to from now on.”

After exchanging pleasantries with Consort Yun for a while, Yun Chu retrieved a box from the side and said softly, “Aunt, next Chu Rui will definitely find a way to move into Yangxin Hall. There’s a parasitic worm in his body. If he accompanies Imperial Father, Imperial Father will certainly lose his wits and do many outrageous things…”

Consort Yun glanced at the box. Inside was incense that smelled like ambergris, but seemed to contain other scents mixed in.

“Let Imperial Father sleep well for nine days.” Yun Chu continued. “After nine days, when the parasitic worm in Imperial Father’s body dies, everything will be easier to handle.”

Consort Yun’s expression showed great alarm. “Yangxin Hall is guarded by Yulin Guards, and over a dozen imperial physicians come to examine his pulse daily. This matter is somewhat difficult… Moreover, His Majesty’s body has been nearly hollowed out. I fear once he sleeps, it will be hard for him to wake again…”

“This is incense specially prepared by Physician Wu. Ambergris mixed with another type of incense—it causes no harm to the body.” Yun Chu said slowly. “Now that Chu Yi isn’t in the capital, if something happens to His Majesty, the court will descend into chaos… The person most unwilling to see this situation is me, so please rest assured, Aunt. I won’t let anything happen to His Majesty.”

Consort Yun took the incense, her hands trembling slightly.

But she understood clearly in her heart that if Chu Rui gained the advantage, whether His Majesty could wake up would be secondary.

To make his own succession legitimate and proper, Chu Rui would certainly use His Majesty’s hand to kill all legitimate heirs. All the princes would likely be unable to escape death…

“Alright!”

Consort Yun agreed emphatically.

“Tonight then.” Yun Chu stood up. “I’ll go with Aunt.”

The aunt and niece left the Eastern Palace and walked toward Yangxin Hall.

The sky was very dark, with palace lanterns lit everywhere. Yangxin Hall was brightly lit, with many guards outside the hall, palace maids and eunuchs standing at the entrance, and Consort Shu attending inside the hall.

“Consort Yun, Crown Princess, please halt.” Fan Ming blocked them with his sword. “It’s already late. His Majesty has retired. If you two have matters, please return tomorrow.”

“Commander Fan, why don’t we speak privately?” Yun Chu smiled. “This way please.”

Fan Ming frowned. “This subordinate has nothing to discuss with the Crown Princess.”

“Commander Fan is the person Imperial Father trusts most. Don’t you consider Imperial Father’s life?” Yun Chu’s smile gradually disappeared. “Now Imperial Father’s illness is becoming more serious. Besides the influence of Eunuch Gao borrowing the Dragon Vein’s vital energy, I believe there must be other reasons. Doesn’t Commander Fan want to hear about it?”

Fan Ming considered for a moment or two, then finally followed Yun Chu to a bamboo grove beside Yangxin Hall.

At this time, Consort Yun gave a look to the palace maid guarding the hall entrance. That palace maid looked left and right. Seeing no one paying attention, she immediately walked toward Consort Yun’s direction. When she brushed past Consort Yun, an incense box appeared in her hand.

The palace maid turned and walked into the great hall, casually poured out some incense ash, then switched the incense.

Yun Chu looked at Fan Ming standing before her and spoke in a low voice. “Those imperial physicians come daily to examine His Majesty’s pulse, yet His Majesty’s illness shows no improvement whatsoever. Has Commander Fan ever been suspicious?”

Fan Ming said coldly, “What exactly is the Crown Princess trying to say?”

“His Majesty trusts Commander Fan so much. Why doesn’t Commander Fan have the Fan Family find physicians from among the common people to enter the palace and treat His Majesty?” Yun Chu noticed that Consort Yun had already succeeded. She lowered her eyes. “Whether to believe it is entirely up to Commander Fan. I’ve said all I can say.”

Having finished speaking, she and Consort Yun together turned and left.

Fan Ming stood in the courtyard of Yangxin Hall, frowning in thought for a long time.

He was just a rough man who didn’t understand these intricate schemes, but he could very clearly sense that His Majesty’s body was indeed deteriorating.

Just as the third watch bell finished sounding, Fan Ming was preparing to return to rest for a bit.

He saw Consort Shu rush out from the hall, her face ashen. “This is terrible, Commander Fan! Quickly, summon the imperial physicians, hurry!”

Fan Ming’s expression turned grave. “What happened to His Majesty?”

“His Majesty needs to take medicine every two hours. I was just keeping track of the time to wake His Majesty, but after calling for a long time, I couldn’t wake him.” Consort Shu was so frightened her face turned white. “If Commander Fan doesn’t believe me, you can enter the hall and see for yourself.”

Fan Ming immediately strode into the hall.

He stepped forward and called out twice. The Emperor had no reaction. He bent down, pinched the Emperor’s philtrum, and pressed hard several times. The Emperor’s eyelids didn’t even move.

He suddenly thought of the Crown Princess’s words.

Could it be that those imperial physicians really had problems?

If he summoned imperial physicians to examine the illness at this time, wouldn’t those physicians be able to administer another strong dose to His Majesty?

“Please, Consort Shu, attend well to His Majesty. I’ll return shortly!”

Fan Ming walked outside the hall, looking coldly at all the Yulin Guards.

“From this moment on, no one may leave Yangxin Hall. If anyone trespasses into Yangxin Hall, execute them without mercy!”

“Yes!”

Dozens of Yulin Guards knelt to receive the order.

Fan Ming went directly to the Eastern Palace.

After Yun Chu had coaxed little Jue to sleep, she took a book herself and sat in the flower pavilion of the Eastern Palace reading.

As expected, a servant came to report that Commander Fan requested an audience.