Taking the restorative tonic from the side, Jiang Chen fed it to the Consort Shu, comforting her:

"Yun'er, don't speak yet. Drink the medicine to preserve your strength."

"My dark guards have already gone to find famous doctors. In a few days, you will recover, so you must hold on!"

Consort Shu didn't care about any of that, only gazing at Jiang Chen with heartache in her eyes.

She laboriously raised her hand, gently stroking Jiang Chen's weathered face, and asked with concern:

"Your Majesty, you've lost weight and look haggard. Are the people below not taking good care of you? Or is there something troubling you in the court again?"

Jiang Chen was deeply moved.

Yun'er's feelings for him were so profound that she had forgotten herself. After being unconscious for two days, her first reaction upon waking was to worry about him. How could he not cherish her?

Bringing the porcelain bowl to Consort Shu's lips, Jiang Chen fed her the medicine while instructing:

"Don't worry about me. Your most important task now is to take care of your health and wait for the divine doctor to enter the palace. All other trivial matters are not worth your concern!"

Hearing this, Consort Shu's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her voice trembled as she said, "Your Majesty, during the days I was unconscious, I often heard a voice in my ear, constantly encouraging and comforting me… Was that you?"

Jiang Chen's expression did not change as he nodded gently.

It was as if what he had done was just a trivial matter.

But the moment he nodded, the tears that Consort Shu had just stopped welled up again, and she choked up, "You, you stayed up all night for two days, taking care of me?"

Jiang Chen revealed a wry smile. He didn't really want to mention this, not wanting Consort Shu to feel burdened.

Changing the subject, he said, "Yun'er, let's talk about these things later. Drink your medicine first, or it will affect its effectiveness if it gets cold."

As he spoke, he carefully embraced Consort Shu in his arms.

"Alright, alright, don't cry, your face is all messed up!"

"I am a martial artist, light and healthy. Staying up for a day or two is nothing."

Being coaxed by Jiang Chen, Consort Shu barely managed to stop crying.

But she felt self-reproach and guilt in her heart.

Jiang Chen's gaunt cheeks, the bloodshot in his eyes, and the dragon robe on his body, wrinkled like cabbage leaves, all showed that things were not as easy as he had said.

But she could see that Jiang Chen intended to gloss over the matter, so she composed herself, not revealing it, so as not to worry him.

A moment later.

After confirming that Consort Shu was temporarily out of danger and handing her over to the imperial physician, Jiang Chen simply washed up and returned to the main hall.

"Zhao Cheng, what is the situation in the palace? Are there any abnormalities?" Jiang Chen asked coldly, sitting at the head of the table.

As the leader of the Imperial Guards, Zhao Cheng had been ordered to monitor the Forbidden City these past few days, but he had gained nothing.

He knelt on the ground and said shamefully, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have not found anything unusual."

"However, early this morning, because you had not appeared for two days, Grand Censor Zhang Kang and others came, saying they wanted to visit Your Majesty."

Jiang Chen played with the cup in his hand, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

Visit?

They were probably here to inquire about the news, to see if he was about to die, so they could take the opportunity to seize power!

"What about Commander Jing? Has he sent back any news?"

Jiang Chen had been asking this question frequently these past few days. Zhao Cheng was used to it and shook his head decisively, "Not yet."

A hint of disappointment flashed across Jiang Chen's face.

Although he trusted Jing Yue's ability, time was running out. If Consort Shu suddenly couldn't hold on, it would really be irreversible.

The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. Jiang Chen glared coldly at the memorials on the table requesting an audience, a hint of ferocity flashing across his face.

Want to see him?

Fine, he would satisfy these 'loyal subjects' now!

With a flick of his sleeve, Jiang Chen suddenly stood up and said,

"Feng Jin, draft an edict to summon all the ministers who have submitted memorials to the palace!"

"I want to have a good meeting with them!"

"Your Majesty, you haven't slept for two days, you can't overwork yourself anymore!" Feng Jin didn't quite agree and advised in a low voice.

Zhao Cheng also said nervously, "Yes, Your Majesty, your health is important. When Commander Jing left, he also told this humble servant to take good care of you!"

Jiang Chen denied, "Listen to me, if I don't show up again, the court will be in great trouble."

"Don't worry, I know my own body and won't push myself too hard. Moreover, I plan to use a counter-strategy to confuse those old foxes and make them make wrong judgments. This current state is more believable."

Feng Jin and Zhao Cheng exchanged a look, knowing that they couldn't sway Jiang Chen's decision, and reluctantly compromised.

Finally, seeing that Jiang Chen was about to leave, Feng Jin was really worried and pleaded, "Your Majesty, this old servant dares to ask you, after meeting those ministers, can you come back to rest?"

Jiang Chen felt a warmth in his heart and didn't refuse, "Alright, go prepare first."

Getting a definite answer, Feng Jin immediately beamed and scurried off to draft the edict.

Half an hour later.

The Hall of Diligent Governance was filled with important ministers.

The hall was filled with high-ranking officials, which was extremely eye-catching.

There were Grand Academics of the Inner Cabinet, the leader of the Censorate, the Six Ministers, and military representatives such as Wang Zijin, all of whom were powerful figures who stirred up the court.

Jiang Chen sat at the head of everyone, looking down on the ministers with an extremely astonishing aura.

But upon closer inspection, one could see that his face was pale with fatigue, and his eyes also had faint bloodshot, indicating that his condition was not very good.

This contradictory scene made Mei Wenshi and the others reveal a hint of inquiry in their eyes...

Was there really something wrong with His Majesty's health?

Not attending court for two days was no small matter!

Just as everyone was filled with thoughts, Jiang Chen spoke.

His words were bland, but revealed a formless killing intent.

"I heard that many rumors have suddenly arisen in the imperial capital these past few days, some even saying that I am about to die. Do you, my beloved ministers, know where these rumors came from?"

Upon hearing this, the ministers looked at each other, but none of them spoke.

Spreading rumors about the emperor was a crime punishable by extermination of the family. Who would be willing to take on such a hot potato?

In the silence, the atmosphere gradually became heavy.

Jiang Chen's expression didn't change, but his gaze gradually became cold, and he singled out Zhang Kang, saying:

"Minister Zhang, you are the leader of the Censorate, in charge of hearing and reporting matters. What do you think of this matter?"

Cold sweat broke out on Zhang Kang's forehead as he stood up and cupped his hands, saying, "His Majesty is in good health, and cannot be defeated by minor illnesses. Those rumors are really absurd!"

"I second that. What Minister Zhang said makes sense. They are just rumors, and they will naturally dissipate in a few days. They are not worth paying attention to."

Jiang Chen said with a mocking smile, "Is that so? But why did I hear that many nobles in the imperial capital are running around because of this rumor, thinking that I am going to die and waiting to reap the benefits?!"

Hearing the emperor's anger, all the ministers immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty, we would not dare to do such a rebellious thing!"

Jiang Chen tapped lightly on the table and said, "You better not dare!"

"I was just feeling unwell and took two days of rest, and such a big mess broke out in the imperial capital. It can be seen that you have been negligent!"

"However, considering that you are first-time offenders, I will not punish you for now. But if such mistakes occur again in the future, don't blame me for not considering the relationship between ruler and subject!"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and shouted in unison, "We thank Your Majesty for your great grace!"

"Well, if there are important political affairs, write a memorial and present it to me. Other small matters should be handled by the Inner Cabinet. Withdraw!"

After saying that, Jiang Chen stood up, looking as if he couldn't wait to leave.

This scene made Mei Wenshi, who had been secretly watching for a long time, narrow his eyes...