Granting the tiger tally.
Establishing the Crown Prince.
Issuing a decree of self-reproach.
The war drums thundered outside, and in Zichen Hall, Emperor An’s hand trembled as he wrote the decree.
As the decree establishing the Crown Prince was completed and the words “decree of self-reproach” were penned, sweat from Emperor An’s forehead dripped onto the wound on his face, causing him to wince in pain.
“Your Majesty, please wipe your sweat.”
Eunuch Feng, attending with ink and brush, hurried forward with a silk handkerchief. He himself was injured from being kicked earlier, his torn sleeve revealing bloodstains.
As he leaned close, Emperor An caught a thick scent of blood. His already trembling hand could barely hold the brush, his vision blurring. It felt as though someone was chiseling his mind with an axe, and the suppressed agitation within him surged like blood-hungry leeches, racing through his limbs and organs.
Cold sweat poured from his forehead, dripping onto the paper and smudging the ink.
Clenching his teeth, a metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. As he stared at the paper, the words became unreadable.
Plop.
More sweat fell, and blood appeared at the corner of his lips.
“Your Majesty… Your Majesty?”
Seeing something was wrong, Eunuch Feng reached out to steady him: “What’s-”
Before he could finish, Emperor An collapsed to the side with a thud.
“Your Majesty!”
In a panic, Eunuch Feng barely caught him, cushioning his upper body by pulling him onto himself.
Yu Yanfeng, alarmed, rushed forward in two strides. He saw Emperor An lying in Feng Lai’s arms, limbs twitching, face contorted in agony. His lips moved as if trying to speak, but only pained groans escaped. His wide eyes seemed threaded with blood, and an alarming flush spread across his previously pale face.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” Yu Yanfeng pressed down on Emperor An’s flailing limbs.
Liu Tong’en, equally shocked, darted forward. Emperor An’s entire body trembled, blood-tinged froth seeping from his mouth and nose as his hands and feet spasmed.
He turned and shouted: “Are the imperial physicians dead? Come treat His Majesty!”
The others in the hall were stunned by the sudden turn. Seeing Emperor An’s pained expression, an imperial physician started forward in alarm but was stopped by Physician Wang.
“Physician Wang?” the man asked in confusion.
Physician Wang’s voice was low: “His Majesty has always been in good health. Before tonight’s banquet, Physician Jiang and I checked his pulse, and it was fine…”
The other physician’s face changed instantly, and the others who had intended to approach halted.
Physician Wang and Physician Jiang were the chief and deputy heads of the Imperial Medical Bureau, their skills beyond question. A clear pulse earlier, yet now a sudden acute illness…
The memory of Emperor An feigning a headache to avoid questioning about the southern case flashed through everyone’s minds.
Young Physician Ling, recalling how he had nearly been deceived, sneered: “His Majesty must be suffering another headache. This illness is remarkably obedient, my family has practiced medicine for three generations, yet I’ve never seen such a compliant ailment.”
The hall’s occupants exchanged strange looks. Wasn’t it too convenient?
It didn’t flare up earlier or later but struck just as he wrote the decree of self-reproach.
Leaning against Eunuch Feng, Emperor An convulsed uncontrollably. Hearing Physician Ling’s words, he opened his mouth to speak, but his throat felt blocked, his tongue swollen, producing only anguished moans.
His chest heaved, his breathing ragged.
Every fiber of his being screamed with gnawing pain, his organs crying out for the golden elixir.
Clutching Eunuch Feng’s hand, Emperor An could barely see his face.
“Gold… gold…”
“Give me…”
He struggled to speak, his voice barely audible.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me…”
Eunuch Feng, holding Emperor An’s upper body, was pale with panic. As the emperor’s convulsions worsened, his flush turned ashen, his eyes rigid, his breathing faltering.
Tears in his eyes, Feng Lai pinched Emperor An’s philtrum. As his wide sleeve fell over the emperor’s face, the thick scent of blood mixed with a faint fragrance worsened Emperor An’s condition. The searing pain in his head felt like it was tearing him apart, shredding the last of his rationality.
Emperor An’s eyes closed, his twisted screams echoing. Eunuch Feng sobbed: “Lord Xiao, His Majesty is truly unwell. Please, summon a physician to check on him… I beg you!”
Liu Tong’en, seeing Emperor An’s state, grew anxious: “Xiao Yan, His Majesty has given you everything you wanted. Do you truly intend to regicide? If anything happens to His Majesty, you won’t escape unscathed!”
Though Yu Yanfeng despised Liu Tong’en, he didn’t want Emperor An harmed. He looked at Xiao Yan pleadingly, softly calling, “Lord Xiao.”
Xiao Yan frowned: “Since His Majesty’s headache has flared up, let Commander Liu carry him back to the Imperial Dragon Terrace to rest. Commander Yu, stay behind and join me to lead the imperial guards out of the palace.”
He pointed casually: “Physician Wang, you and Physician Jiang tend to His Majesty carefully. Don’t delay his treatment.”
Liu Tong’en’s face changed: “I’ll stay and lead the imperial guards out…”
“No need. I don’t trust you.”
Xiao Yan was blunt: “Besides, you’re His Majesty’s confidant. If you’re not by his side and something happens to him, he’ll accuse me of regicide. As for the imperial guards, Commander Liu rarely involves himself in palace affairs, while Commander Yu has always handled their defenses. No need for you to step up now.”
“You!”
Liu Tong’en glared, but he indeed dared not entrust Emperor An’s life to others, not even the physicians.
Ignoring Liu Tong’en’s internal struggle, Xiao Yan turned to Prince Zeng: “Prince Zeng, the decree establishing you as Crown Prince has been issued. You are now Wei’s Crown Prince. Since His Majesty is too ill to write, you will draft his decree of self-reproach.”
“Me?” Prince Zeng was stunned.
“What, is Your Highness unwilling?” Xiao Yan raised his eyes.
The title “Your Highness” settled Prince Zeng’s turbulent, fear-filled heart.
“Of course not!”
Suppressing his joy, Prince Zeng spoke with urgency: “Father Emperor was negligent in the old case, and tonight, his repeated betrayals are unworthy of a wise ruler.”
“He has failed the He family, the people, and the soldiers and citizens of Rongjiang who died in battle. I am willing to draft the decree of self-reproach on Father Emperor’s behalf to console those wronged souls.”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s expression soften with a hint of satisfaction, Prince Zeng knew he had made the right choice.
“Lord Xiao, I’ll draft the decree for Father Emperor now.”
Prince Zeng eagerly stepped toward the high platform. Xiao Yan and his men parted to make way. As he ascended the steps, passing the dragon table and gazing at the dragon throne so close, his hands trembled with excitement.
It was done.
Finally done.
After today, he was the Crown Prince, the heir to the Eastern Palace, the future Emperor of Wei.
No one could humiliate him anymore. He would be the master of Wei, above all others!
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T/N: My jaw on the floor
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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