Chapter 518 - The Emperor Has Fainted
Jian Guozhi was trying to focus on the work, but after meeting Yongzheng, it was difficult for him. He put the brush down when Eunuch Long came forward.
"What happened, your highness?" He humbly asked.
Jian Guozhi did not reply to him and brought both his hands under his chin, after joining them. He did not want to tell Ying Lili about Yongzheng's true face because he did not want her to stress over it. Also, he was sure that Sheng Li would soon find out about this.
Jian Guozhi had spent a lot of his childhood and teenage time with Yongzheng, so he knew him better than anyone. 'He does not like women to rule. His hatred towards Sheng Li has not lessened a bit. He wants to harm the Crown Princess. I warned him but I wonder if he would listen to me or not.' Jian Guozhi contemplated and heaved a sigh.
Eunuch Long was getting worried upon seeing the First Prince. However, he did not dare to disturb him.
"Princess Xue is here." They both heard it. Jian Guozhi came out of his thoughts and looked towards the door. Xue Yu-Yan bowed in front of her husband and raised her head.
"Jian Ge, I did not disturb you, right?" Xue Yu-Yan asked as her gaze fell on the table on which a few sheets were spread.
"No. Have a seat." Jian Guozhi looked at Eunuch Long and told him to bring tea for them. He bowed and left the chamber. At that time, a maidservant came inside and cleaned the table.
"You seem happy," Jian Guozhi said as he put his hands on the table.
"Jian Ge, tomorrow I have to go to the Buddhist Shrine to pray for Sister Qi Jing's health and safety. I am excited about that. It is my first time praying with my heart," Xue Yu-Yan rested her hand on her chest and passed a smile to Jian Guozhi. "Will Jian Ge accompany me?" Xue Yu-Yan asked.
"I will," Jian Guozhi replied and it delighted Xue Yu-Yan. Eunuch Long and a maidservant entered the chamber. She made the tea for them and served it to them.
After Jian Guozhi picked the cup, Xue Yu-Yan picked it and sipped the tea. Jian Guozhi had already gestured to Eunuch Long to leave, so he left the chamber again with the maidservant.
"Jian Ge, did you hear about Brother Wanxi?" Xue Yu-Yan asked him, who shook his head in refusal.
"How could you not?" She mumbled and sipped the tea again.
"Why? What happened?" Jian Guozhi concernedly queried.
"Brother Wanxi loves Princess Zhu Lin. They both confessed their feelings to each other. Sister Lili told me," Xue Yu-Yan answered and smiled.
"Wanxi loves Princess Zhu Lin!" It was unbelievable for Jian Guozhi. "He has finally grown up. He is a good player. There are a few Court Ministers whose daughters showed interest in him. However, he never showed any interest in them. He flutters the heart of the women around him without knowing what he is doing," Jian Guozhi stated and started to laugh.
"Brother Wanxi has a cheerful personality. Maybe that's one reason that women get attracted to him, and also he has gotten good looks," Xue Yu-Yan concluded. Jian Guozhi agreed with her and sipped the remaining tea from the cup. He picked the teapot and poured the tea into the cups.
Xue Yu-Yan noticed the frowns on Jian Guozhi's forehead. "Is everything alright, Jian Ge?"
He lifted his eyes and nodded. Putting the teapot at the table, he handed the teacup to Xue Yu-Yan. "You seem in trouble," Xue Yu-Yan asserted.
"No. Xue might have noticed something wrong," Jian Guozhi affirmed.
"Is it the work stress?" She asked another question.
"No. You know that the Princes have limited works to do except the Crown Prince," Jian Guozhi answered and passed a faint smile to her. It relieved Xue Yu-Yan, and the two continued to converse. When she stood up to leave, Jian Guozhi stopped her.
"Stay here tonight," Jian Guozhi requested.
Xue Yu-Yan nodded her head and sat down.
Eunuch Long rushed inside the chamber. "Your Highness, the Emperor has fainted suddenly," He informed Jian Guozhi, who immediately stood up, and so did Xue Yu-Yan.
"What happened?" Jian Guozhi asked with a panicked expression.
"It is not known, Your Highness," Eunuch Long said worriedly. Both Jian Guozhi and Xue Yu-Yan dashed out of the chamber, followed by Eunuch Long.
In the Emperor's manor, everyone from the Royal Family had gathered. The Royal Physician was examining the Emperor and it worried him if the prolonged illness had not stopped. According to Hu Jingguo, the Emperor at most could live for a year.
"Did His Majesty take his doses regularly?" The Royal Physician questioned Eunuch Jin.
"Yes. His Majesty daily took his medicines," Eunuch Jin replied.
"Don't tell me that you are again not able to do anything," Sheng Li shouted at the Royal Physician. "I told you many times to leave--"
"Calm down. Let the Royal Physician do his job. Forgive my husband for his insolent behavior, Royal Physician," Ying Lili pacified the situation. She intertwined Sheng Li's fingers with hers. "Father will be alright," she whispered. Sheng Li was a little calm upon hearing Ying Lili's words.
"Royal Physician, what is the reason that Father fainted?" Jian Guozhi asked.
The Royal Physician glanced at Eunuch Jin, who understood it. The Emperor had told the Royal Physician not to reveal about his illness as an internal fight could break among the family members.
"It is because of weakness," the Royal Physician lied in front of everyone. "The Emperor needs to take care of his diet," he stated.
Deng Hui and the other consorts looked at each other. "We will take care of His Majesty's meals," Deng Hui affirmed.
"There is no need for that. I will take care of that," Sheng Li sternly said.
"The Crown Prince shall not stop the Empress and the Consorts from serving His Majesty," Consort Ju Fen pronounced.
"I can stop them because it is about the safety of the Emperor," Sheng Li reasoned.
"Does the Crown Prince mean that we, the wives of the Emperor, can harm His Majesty?" This time Consort Jinlong raised her voice. Lei Wanxi looked at his mother and then at Sheng Li.
"I do not want any kind of argument over this," Sheng Li proclaimed, ending the argument.
"The Crown Prince is abusing his powers. Why does it seem that something suspicious is going on?" The Second Consort raised the doubt. "The Emperor fainted suddenly, and the Crown Prince is preventing us from taking care of our own husband," She furiously said.
"Calm down, everyone. The Crown Prince is only performing his duty. If any of us would be at his place, then we would have done the same. The Crown Prince has not stopped anyone from meeting the Emperor, instead, he is being cautious for the Emperor's meals. These past few days, so many schemings happened in the Palace. The Crown Prince, after looking at those factors decided that," Jian Guozhi explained to everyone.. The Consorts understood the point of Jian Guozhi and apologized to the Crown Prince for initiating the arguments.