Chapter 1974: Chapter 1912: The Final Hour Approaches

The bell of the New Year rings, a new Chapter begins, but no one in the imperial city dares to celebrate wildly, because the Emperor suddenly fell into a coma during the family banquet on New Year’s Eve; it’s said that the imperial physicians watched over him all night.

Although the Emperor is in a coma, on the first day of the New Year, as per tradition, all officials still entered the palace to pay their respects and offer their New Year’s greetings to the Emperor. Given the Emperor was still in a coma, they simply performed three prostrations and nine kowtows outside the hall to consider their respects paid.

Throughout the year, Emperor Yan alternates between comatose and alert states. Although the condition of the imperial body was not publicly disclosed, the uncertainty grew in the hearts of everyone, spending their days in fear.

Wufu, honored as the Princess Consort of Jin, with Prince Jin appointed as the regent, the future is obvious. Many ladies took the occasion of paying their New Year’s respects to probe for information and familiarize themselves, troubling Wufu with headaches. She ultimately refused all visits by cloistering herself in the prayer hall for the Imperial Family, claiming not to see visitors.

And she herself had few acquaintances in Beiyan, knowing only one Yan Er, who was said to have headed to the Western Regions, thus she did not socialize outside, quietly staying indoors instructing Jhin Mingdong.

Nevertheless, Wufu knew more than others, that Emperor Yan’s condition was dire.

Witch doctors and Gu doctors from Southern Border Miaojiang entered the palace; after a diagnosis, they used specially prepared Gu medicine to lure out one or two Gu insects, both suggesting the situation was pessimistic.

These thread-like worms are small and dense; they can move everywhere, not only gnawing on the internal organs but also burrowing into the blood vessels. Even if medicine is used now, it must be the most potent, yet given Emperor Yan’s debilitated comatose state, he might not be able to endure it.

Furthermore, even with treatment, it may not eradicate all thread-like worms, plus those entrenched inside him for a long time, damaging Emperor Yan’s vitality, making recovery difficult.

No one dares to make decisions on Emperor Yan’s behalf, they can only awaken him with the Golden Needle and let him choose himself.

To live, who would choose death? No matter how forceful, Emperor Yan must use the medicine.

Since Emperor Yan said he would take medicine, the two witch doctors, Gu doctors, Bai Xiaobai, and Imperial Physician Gong repeatedly refined the prescription, and Emperor Yan, seizing his remaining clarity, issued several imperial edicts in succession.

Thus, as the festivities ended and the court assembly proceeded, the first royal edict promulgated across the land was to appoint Jhin Mingdong as the Crown Prince, with Ah Jiu as the regent. The Crown Prince is not entrusted to any imperial consort within the harem for nurturing; instead, he remains under the care of the Princess Consort of Jin.

The couple, Ah Jiu and his wife, are in the spotlight, unparalleled.

After Lantern Festival, Emperor Yan took the fierce and wild medicine, fell into a coma, and only awoke three days later. It was then publicly announced that his health had improved, relocating to another palace with hot springs for recuperation.

As January ended, the Song family was exterminated; the so-called Eight Directions Fortress was entirely obliterated. Lu Shenxing, long imprisoned, faced severe punishment, his head even brought to the Cold Palace for Empress Song to view.

"Is the Emperor beyond recovery?" Wufu asked Ah Jiu. So many exterminations in succession... besides needing an outlet for his despair, she couldn’t think of any other reason.

Ah Jiu rubbed his brow, saying, "After all, it’s fierce and wild medicine; he was already weak, now weaker, though he hasn’t mentioned abdominal pain, he remains very frail. I think, it’s a matter of this year!"

Wufu remained silent.

"Royal Mother said she wishes to stay in another palace for some time," Ah Jiu continued.

Wufu’s eyes widened, "Is this the Emperor’s edict?"

Ah Jiu shook his head, "It’s Royal Mother’s own wish; she said she hopes he departs without regrets."

Wufu didn’t know what to say. Should she comment on Empress Dowager Mo’s broad-mindedness or soft heart? Or was there something slightly beyond mother and son affection?

Whatever it was, it was beyond their interference.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.