Chapter 1963: Chapter 1901: Imperial Edict, Regent

On the twenty-sixth day of the year, with only a few days left until the New Year, Emperor Yan woke up, but his condition was extremely poor and he was very weak, his stomach twisting in pain as if a hand inside was mercilessly tearing at his internal organs.

With no other choice, Bai Xiaobai and Imperial Physician Gong administered acupuncture together, temporarily blocking his sensation of pain, and he was given pain-relieving medicine to drink.

After much ado, Emperor Yan leaned against the bed, his face ashen, listening to Commander Zhao and other ministers report on matters, finally learning the tragic outcome of the sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Jue Temple and the results of the investigation.

Even amidst his serious illness, when he heard that three princes had died and that he himself had been afflicted with a Gu poison, the aura around Emperor Yan was as cold as a millennium-old iceberg, causing everyone kneeling on the ground to tremble.

Emperor Yan, served by Eunuch Lu, took a sip of hot water and began issuing orders repeatedly, comforting the afflicted people, granting pensions, posthumously ennobling and burying the deceased princes in the Imperial Mausoleum, and similarly ennobling officials who died in the accident, allowing their descendants to inherit ranks, and so on.

After issuing these decrees, Emperor Yan took a few rapid breaths, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead like pearls.

He paused, glanced at Ah Jiu standing far away, with a complex look in his eyes, and then said, "Prince Jin, step forward to receive the decree."

Ah Jiu hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and knelt: "This official receives the decree."

"Beiyan must not fall into chaos. I am unwell, Beiyan has not yet appointed a Crown Prince, temporarily Prince Jin will govern, with the General Secretary assisting, to manage state affairs." Emperor Yan looked at him and said.

Ah Jiu hesitated for a while, and then said: "This official accepts the decree!"

All the ministers exchanged glances and also knelt down: "This official accepts the decree."

After having the ministers retreat, Emperor Yan then looked at Commander Zhao and Ah Jiu: "This Lu Shenxing, who is he to the Empress?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Lu Shenxing is an orphan, originally named Lu Shaoning. In his youth, he was taken in by the former Duke Chengen who saw potential in him, cultivated him personally, and treated him as a godson. With the Empress, they were childhood playmates and sworn siblings. At fourteen, Lu Shaoning was framed for theft by the current Duke Chengen, Song Chengmeng, and left the Song residence in anger..."

Commander Zhao explained the relationship between Empress Song and Lu Shenxing.

After leaving the Song residence, Lu Shenxing found his way, inadvertently joining a bandit fortress called Eight Directions Fortress, where he was adopted by the then-chief Mrs. Ma and mentored by a renowned teacher in martial arts. After Mrs. Ma passed away, Lu Shenxing became the rightful young leader. He was ruthless, killing all those who defied him at the time, firmly establishing his leadership role, and expanded Eight Directions Fortress significantly.

Unwilling to remain a bandit leader, Lu Shenxing transformed Eight Directions Fortress over several years into an organization dealing in assassination and intelligence, training many dead soldiers and Hidden Guards.

As for how he became the head of the third-class guards in the palace, it was by taking the name and place of an orphan who resembled him, named Lu Shenxing, and through the subtle support of the Empress, he rose to the position.

Needless to say, this was a long-planned scheme by Empress Song.

Sworn siblings from childhood, willing to enter the palace as a guard for her, willing to serve her loyally, scheming and plotting to harm the Royal Family — could such a treasonous act be motivated solely by their childhood bond?

Who would believe such a thing!

Did they, while in the palace, secretly meet?

No one knew, and even if they did, they wouldn’t dare speak!

Emperor Yan thought the same, with not a trace of warmth in his eyes, his fingers on the bedclothes slightly curled.

He was kept in the dark, first with Xiao Si’s matter, and now this one, which might still affect the crown on his head.

"Bring Empress Song here," Emperor Yan ordered coldly, closing his eyes.

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