"Your Highness, have you finally given in to your ambition?" Eunuch Wan asked in a somber tone. "Have you finally decided to shed your disguise and become a traitor and rebel?"
"What do you mean by traitor and rebel?" Prince Chu said coldly. "A household cannot be without a master, and a nation cannot be without a ruler. His Majesty has been in a coma for half a month. During this time, I have been the one handling matters of the court. If it weren't for me, everything would have descended into chaos."
Eunuch Wan chuckled. "Your Highness, have you truly sent people to find the imperial physician?"
"Of course, I have sent people to search. However, such a divine physician is elusive, like a dragon that shows its head but not its tail; they are not easily found," Prince Chu said, speaking persuasively. "I am merely acting as regent. Once the divine physician is found and His Majesty is cured, I will return everything to him."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wan couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. The throne was such a desirable prize; who would willingly give it up once obtained? Once Prince Chu seized the Imperial Seal, it would be the end for both him and His Majesty. He had already made a mistake once, and he would not make another.
"Your Highness Prince Chu, this servant has lived in the palace for over forty years. I have seen too much deception and the terrifying nature of human hearts. I understand how alluring imperial power is. And I am merely a servant. Even after serving my master for over forty years, I am still just a servant. Therefore, this servant does not know where Your Highness's desired object is."
Prince Chu heard this and glanced at the guards. In a moment, the guards brought in a man, who turned out to be Fu An. Eunuch Wan struggled briefly and then gave up. A guard's saber was held to Fu An's neck. Fu An's face turned pale, and he trembled, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to say a word.
Seeing this, Prince Chu's lips curved into a cold smile. "Eunuch Wan, you are old, and perhaps you cannot recall it immediately. However, you still have time to think carefully about where the Imperial Seal is. Otherwise, whether your little disciple's head remains on his neck is another matter entirely."
As Prince Chu spoke, the guard pressed down on the saber, immediately drawing a line of blood on Fu An's neck. Eunuch Wan's heart tightened. He then closed his eyes and turned his head away. It wasn't that he didn't want to save Fu An, but that he couldn't.
In this palace, their lives were not their own. Any master in this palace could take their lives. The lives of servants like them were as worthless as weeds. But even though their lives were like weeds, he wanted to let certain people know that the lives of weeds also possessed dignity!
The forged imperial edict of abdication had already been written, only needing the imprint of the Imperial Seal to become real!
However, the Imperial Seal of Transmission was still not found. Without the Seal, this was merely a blank piece of paper, utterly useless!
"Did he confess?" Prince Chu asked the person who entered, his voice laced with anxiety.
The guard shook his head. They had tried every method available, but Eunuch Wan only said he didn't know. This old slave, who was clearly a coward afraid of death, had suddenly seemed to awaken. On the verge of death, he had unexpectedly found a backbone.
"Find a way, no matter what, to pry open his mouth!"
"Your Highness, what if we can't pry it open?" Fu Yao asked with some concern.
Nangong Yan's brow furrowed. The coronation was imminent, and only about half of the court supported him. If there was no imperial edict of abdication, the other half would surely object, and that would be troublesome. He couldn't possibly kill all those who opposed him. If he killed all the dissenting ministers, it might incite the wrath of heaven and the people!
"Where is Master?"
"I heard that Eunuch Wan refused to reveal the whereabouts of the Imperial Seal, so Master has been staying in his chambers, busy with something unknown," Fu Yao said, now deeply admiring Xiao Qin. He hadn't been convinced before, but now he was truly impressed by Xiao Qin.
"I will go and see."
As Nangong Yan walked out, he saw the Princess of Chu approaching. Her face was like a blooming hibiscus. As she neared, she curtsied gracefully, a faint scent of fragrance accompanying her.
Nangong Yan reached out to steady her. "Why have you come at this hour?"
"Naturally, I have good news to tell Your Highness." The current Princess of Chu was Princess He'an, Nangong Xue. Nangong Xue took Nangong Yan's hand and placed it on her abdomen. "Your Highness, you are to be a father."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Yan's face lit up with joy. "This is indeed good news."
"Congratulations, Your Highness, on this double happiness," Fu Yao quickly offered his congratulations.
Nangong Yan's smile was somewhat forced. As long as the Imperial Seal wasn't found, he wouldn't be able to ascend the throne legitimately. Even with his consort's pregnancy, it didn't bring him as much joy as finding the Seal.
"Your Highness, have I disturbed you?" Princess He'an, who was always adept at reading people's expressions, immediately noticed Nangong Yan's less-than-happy demeanor and asked cautiously.
"No. Since you are pregnant, take good care of yourself. Tonight, I will come and spend it with you."
"Yes, Your Highness." Princess He'an respectfully made way and watched as Prince Chu departed.
Only after Prince Chu had walked away and was out of sight did the maid beside her speak. "Your Highness, Your Highness doesn't seem very happy."
"He is just too tired," Princess He'an said softly, her hand stroking her still-flat abdomen. This child had come at the perfect time. Once she successfully gave birth to an imperial prince, her position would be secure. However, that little one was ultimately a hidden danger, but Nangong Yan kept a close eye on the child, and she hadn't found an opportunity to act.
"Your Highness, don't you think His Highness has been acting a bit strange lately?"
"You silly girl, His Highness is simply busy handling court affairs. His Majesty's prolonged illness has placed a heavy burden on Your Highness's shoulders," Princess He'an said gently. "Don't worry too much. Come, help me back."
"Yes, Your Highness. Please go slowly," the maid said, supporting Princess He'an as they returned. Princess He'an knew what Prince Chu was planning. After all, the Prince Zhao's residence was also involved in this matter. However, she was happy to see it happen, as Nangong Yan's ascension to the throne would also benefit her.
Nangong Yan headed straight for Xiao Qin's courtyard. Xiao Qin's courtyard was as quiet as ever. Nangong Yan always felt a sense of unease. A person with no desires was difficult to control, yet he couldn't do without Xiao Qin's help at this moment.
"Master, are you there?" Fu Yao stepped forward and knocked on the door, but there was no response from within. Fu Yao turned to look at Nangong Yan, who gestured for him to continue knocking.
Fu Yao raised his hand and knocked harder. "Master, are you there?"
Still, there was no reply from inside. Nangong Yan's brow furrowed. He stepped forward, ready to kick the door open, when it swung open. Xiao Qin appeared at the entrance, his eyes bloodshot, a triumphant smile on his face. "Your Highness, I have a gift for you."
"A gift?" Nangong Yan asked, confused. "What gift?"
Xiao Qin handed a box to Nangong Yan. "Your Highness will know once you see it."