Feng Xiwu had said he was returning to the capital at full speed, and his subordinates truly hadn't cut any corners.
The journey there had been leisurely, with several days spent in Ye Yu City. It had taken them twenty-two days to travel from Shangjing City to Cangwu City.
On the way back, to maximize their travel time, the guards took turns entering towns to procure food, while the rest of the party endured the elements, never entering a settlement.
What was originally a twenty-day journey was compressed into fourteen days, arriving at Shangjing City on the evening of the fourteenth day.
Although the city gates were already closed, Feng Xiwu's special status ensured his entry was not a problem.
Before entering the capital, Li Jin had received word and prepared Feng Xiwu's carriage and wheelchair. As they neared Shangjing City, Feng Xiwu transformed back into the crippled prince, unable to walk.
Everything proceeded as planned, but an accident occurred after entering the city.
Naturally, the group intended to return to the prince's manor after entering the city. However, on the way, their carriage collided with that of the prime minister's manor.
Prime Minister Wen was Feng Xiwu's maternal grandfather. Li Yang instinctively wanted to yield way to the elder prime minister.
However, Prime Minister Wen had likely heard the report from the coachman. He directly lifted the curtain and said, "The Prince is back?
It's good that you've come now, not too late. Word has just arrived from the palace; His Majesty seems unwell. This old subject was just preparing to enter the palace. Would you like to accompany me?"
It was already close to the hour of xu (9-11 PM), and the winter days grew dark early.
There were few pedestrians on the street, so Feng Xiwu had few reservations. "What is wrong with my imperial brother? Did the eunuch mention the ailment?"
Prime Minister Wen shook his head urgently. "They only said the ailment was peculiar, not the specific details.
However, His Majesty, while still conscious, sent for us old subjects to enter the palace. Several princes have also been summoned. The situation is likely grim!"
If the illness were not severe, the emperor would not typically summon people to the palace late at night.
The immediate summoning of Prime Minister Wen, other important ministers, and the princes made it clear to anyone that this matter was far from simple.
Feng Xiwu decisively said to Lu Qingwan, "You will accompany me to the palace."
At such a critical moment, Lu Qingwan would not refuse. She only made one request, "Have someone send for Meng Tang to bring my medicine chest. It might be useful."
While she had medicine in her spatial laboratory, without a medicine chest as a cover, she feared that even if she saved Emperor Jingyou, she might be captured and dissected as a monster.
The carriage turned around and sped towards the imperial palace. Feng Xiwu's voice echoed from within the carriage, "Ying Yi, go to Bai Xing Lin to have Meng Tang retrieve the medicine chest.
Li Su, relay an order to Lian Yu, to have the Tianzi Camp move closer to Shangjing and guard the nine gates.
Keep a close watch on all approaching parties. If any vassal kings or military officials attempt to enter the capital without authorization, apprehend them immediately."
One by one, the commands tightened everyone's hearts, and the air itself was thick with the tension of impending storm.
Lu Qingwan involuntarily held her breath, afraid of making any sound that might disturb Feng Xiwu as he handled official matters.
What she found strange was that despite Feng Xiwu issuing several commands with a cold expression, his face showed no signs of worry.
He merely asked Lu Qingwan calmly, "You have met my imperial brother several times. Observing his appearance and conduct, do you see any signs of serious illness?"
"No."
Lu Qingwan shook her head decisively. "Absolutely not.
If it were some minor ailment or illness, I might not be able to tell.
But if it were so serious that His Majesty would summon his ministers and make arrangements for his succession, then I would definitely be able to detect it."
She had absolute confidence in her medical skills. After speaking, she realized and added, "You are going to the palace without verifying the news?"
Although Prime Minister Wen was Feng Xiwu's maternal grandfather and should be trusted, who could guarantee that Prime Minister Wen's words were not false, given that Consort Dowager Wen, Feng Xiwu's own mother, harbored such hatred for him?
Feng Xiwu clasped her hand, his gaze unwavering. "Whether it is true or false, now that I have returned, I must go.
Do not be afraid. If anything happens, I can protect you."
Lu Qingwan had absolute confidence in her medical skills, and the forty thousand Xuanjia Army under Feng Xiwu's command gave him the same level of confidence.
Feng Xiwu's carriage proceeded unimpeded, directly entering the imperial palace, and stopped outside Wei Yang Palace.
Many ministers had already arrived. Seeing Feng Xiwu, they seemed to find their anchor and swarmed towards him.
"Your Highness, you have returned. We don't know what has happened to His Majesty. Tang Xiao has led the Shence Camp to surround Wei Yang Palace, stating that His Majesty will see no one except Prime Minister Wen, the Prince of Nan, Marquis Lu, and Grand Scholar Chi..."
Few among the court officials knew that Tang Xiao was also Feng Xiwu's man. They immediately complained to Feng Xiwu.
With the help of Lu Qingwan and Li Yang, Feng Xiwu alighted from the carriage and, in his wheelchair, coldly eyed the officials. "The Shence Camp are the Emperor's personal guards. Since Tang Xiao stated that the Emperor will only see Prime Minister Wen, the Prince of Nan, and Grand Scholar Chi, you should wait.
What? Does His Majesty's choice of who to see and who not to see need to be reported to all of you?"
This weighty accusation silenced the officials. They repeatedly shook their heads. "Your Highness, please forgive us!
We are only worried about His Majesty!
Your subject heard that His Majesty has lost consciousness. What if..."
"What if what?"
Feng Xiwu's cold gaze swept over the man, who immediately fell silent.
Feng Xiwu, however, did not let it go. "To rashly speculate on imperial will and curse the current emperor, Xie Cixiu, I see you have no desire to live!
Guards, drag him away and give him thirty strokes of the cane. Send him to the Imperial Prison to await further judgment!"
The soldiers of the Shence Camp blocking Wei Yang Palace immediately stepped forward, lifted the minister, and dragged him away.
The man, punished so unexpectedly, only began to beg for mercy after being dragged away by the Shence Camp soldiers.
"Your subject did not mean that. Your Highness, spare my life, Your Highness, spare me!"
Everyone knew that of the people who entered the Imperial Prison, nine out of ten came out dead.
Furthermore, Xie Cixiu held the prestigious position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a second-rank official of the court.
After enduring the caning and being sent to the Imperial Prison, even if he miraculously kept his life and position, what face would he have to stand in court in the future?
Therefore, after regaining his senses, Xie Cixiu desperately pleaded for mercy, and his colleagues also wanted to intercede for him.
However, Feng Xiwu silenced them with a single sentence, "Those who wish to plead for him, first consider if you are so certain that His Majesty will not survive this night!
No matter whose feet you are kissing, as long as His Majesty is alive for one more day, this Great Qian still belongs to him!"
The officials then fell silent as if struck by frost. Feng Xiwu wasted no more time and prepared to enter Wei Yang Palace with Prime Minister Wen.
Who would have thought that even now, someone would foolishly step forward to stop them? "Your Highness, His Majesty specifically requested to see only Prime Minister Wen, the Prince of Nan, Marquis Lu, and Grand Scholar Chi.
It is acceptable for you to enter, but is it appropriate for the Princess Consort to go as well?"
Feng Xiwu turned his head to see that the speaker was none other than the Duke of Xu. His eyes were fixed on Lu Qingwan, looking as if her entry into Wei Yang Palace would make him more nervous than Feng Xiwu's own entry.
A thought flashed through his mind, and Feng Xiwu said coldly, "Does the Duke of Xu wish to accompany Xie Cixiu in the Imperial Prison?"