flstandardbreds Chapter 335 The 3rd Prince Kneeling on the Ground
Chapter 335 The 3rd Prince Kneeling on the Ground
"Imperial Physician, how is His Majesty's body?"
The Queen asked nervously, and looking at Emperor Meiji's dark face, her heart jumped into her throat.
The poisoning of the emperor was such a major event that it happened in full view of the public. Now, people in the court and the country are in panic and the whole city is on alert, but there is more of an undercurrent of struggle.
"Her Majesty, the poison has been contained and His Majesty is safe for the time being."
Several imperial physicians replied with sweat on their foreheads, and when they met the sharp gazes of the crowd, they broke out in cold sweat.
The Queen frowned and asked solemnly, "What do you mean by temporarily suppressing it?"
"The poison came from a strange source. We haven't found an antidote yet. We can only temporarily suppress the spread of the poison."
"What do you eat? Why can't you detoxify?"
The Queen angrily scolded everyone, "Imperial Hospital, listen to my orders, immediately detoxify His Majesty, otherwise I will execute all nine generations of your clan."
"Please forgive your sins, Your Majesty. We will do our utmost to help His Majesty detoxify."
"Go quickly!"
"Yes."
Outside the palace, the concubines and princes knelt and watched all night. No one dared to think or do it.
While the ministers in the court were worried about the emperor's health, they were also discussing privately that the court could not be without an emperor for a day, and how to handle political affairs was also a huge challenge.
"Your Highnesses, we now need to select a suitable person to handle state affairs."
Emperor Meiji had six sons. The eldest prince was the son of Concubine Shu, whose mother's family was not prominent and he had little say in the court. The second prince was born to the empress, but he was weak and sickly since childhood. He lived in the inner court all year round and had never been involved in state affairs. It was rumored that he would not live beyond the age of 25. The third prince was the son of Concubine Jing. His uncle was a general at the border and his family was prominent. He was the emperor's favorite child. The fourth prince loved to play and was known as the two great dandies of Jingzhao together with Marquis Xuanping. He was Lu Qingchen's mortal enemy. The fifth prince was born to a palace maid. He had a low status and was not liked by the emperor. He was exiled and named Prince She.
"My Lord, be careful with your words. The Emperor is currently unconscious. As his children, we must serve him by his side and pray that he will wake up soon."
"Third brother is absolutely right. We must stay here to protect our father."
The minister suddenly became embarrassed. The latest urgent news was about the enemy country. If it were an ordinary state affair, it would be fine, but such matters must be steered by someone in power.
"what are you guys saying?"
The door opened, and the Queen came out exhausted. "Everyone, please step back with me. His Majesty is resting, so why would you make any more noise?"
Everyone retreated immediately, and only then did the enemy army push back the border, putting the border in danger.
When the queen saw the urgent message, she suddenly felt a splitting headache.
"Why now? Do you know the reason?"
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, then tremblingly reported, "To answer your Majesty, the enemy's newly planted crops were completely burned overnight, leaving several fields with nothing to harvest. Rumor has it that it was our spies who did this, and that's why..."
The Queen's pupils suddenly shrank, and her voice became hoarse as she whispered, "Did His Majesty really send someone to do this?"
"Do not……"
The Queen breathed a sigh of relief. "If that's not the case, send an envoy immediately to explain clearly. Don't ruin the diplomatic relations between the two countries."
The minister pursed his lips, unable to put it into words. "I don't know."
"Don't know? Go check!"
The Queen was so angry that she fell backwards. Are they a bunch of losers? They dare to bring up things that they haven't even investigated clearly. No wonder His Majesty works so hard every day and suffers from the damage to his body.
"Yes, yes, your Majesty, calm down. I'll go check it out right away."
The ministers fled in panic, and the princes and concubines looked at each other and came forward to ask about Emperor Meiji's health.
The Queen rubbed her tense brows and said, "Your Majesty's body is fine. He just needs more time to recuperate. Now our main concern is the border troops."
It takes time to investigate the cause. If there is no result, there is no guarantee that there will be no accidents at the border. Now that the Holy Body of the Emperor is in this state, what should she do?
The concubines all breathed a sigh of relief when they heard this. As long as the emperor was in good health, their noble status could be preserved. However, those concubines who gave birth to princes had other thoughts.
Concubine Jing was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, forgive me for being too talkative. There is no one in the court who can handle state affairs. Why not let the princes help His Majesty share the burden?"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu immediately agreed, "Yes! If the princes work together, they will surely be able to resolve the issues at court and allow His Majesty to recover peacefully."
The queen listened to their words and sneered in her heart.
The third prince is now one of the two most popular people in the court and is the one with the greatest hope of becoming the crown prince. There is nothing wrong with Concubine Jing's proposal, but she is afraid that it would be inappropriate to mention the third prince alone, so she brought other princes along to show her magnanimity and do Concubine Shu a favor.
Of course, Concubine Shu understood the situation and immediately responded, hoping that her son could gain more power, and now was a legitimate opportunity.
The Fourth Prince never participated in court affairs. He spent his days in debauchery and had no need for such an opportunity.
The fifth prince has been exiled to the frontier, so naturally he has no chance.
Concubine Jing nodded in satisfaction, met the Empress's eyes, and asked with a provocative smile, "Doesn't the Empress agree that the princes should handle state affairs?"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu immediately grumbled in dissatisfaction, "Empress, you can't stop the other princes from helping His Majesty with his worries just because the Second Prince is frail and unable to handle government affairs!"
The queen's face became more and more ugly. This stupid woman didn't even know that she was being used as a gun.
"Well, since all the princes wish to share His Majesty's worries, I will trouble you with the affairs of the court. Please make sure to investigate the enemy's border troops and avoid this war."
Upon hearing this, the eldest prince and the third prince immediately bowed in gratitude.
Only the Fourth Prince had a bitter look on his face. "Mother, you know I don't like these complicated and tedious government affairs, so why did you include me in it?"
The queen was amused by his bitter face. She nodded his head in annoyance and scolded him with a smile: "You are a naughty monkey. You have been idle all day and made your father so angry that he has a stomachache. This time you should show your filial piety to your father."
The Fourth Prince sighed, "Yes, my life is one of hard work. When will I be able to enjoy my life in leisure?"
Everyone laughed at his words. The princes went back to prepare for court tomorrow, while the concubines waited outside the store until Emperor Meiji woke up.
But before the party was over, a loud voice blocked everyone's way.
"Where are you going, princes?"
A general in armor strode forward with his head held high, followed by guards in dark uniforms.
The Queen's pupils suddenly shrank, "It's Lord Qinglong."
Azure Dragon?
Fu Yifan walked straight up to the Third Prince and stared down at him.
"The Third Prince, huh?"
His eyes were as sharp as a beast ready to pounce, and no conspiracy could escape his gaze.
The Third Prince bowed to him and said with a calm smile, "Your Majesty, there's urgent news coming from the border. My elder brother and I are just about to discuss how to respond."
boom!
The third prince's knees were broken and he fell to his knees on the ground.