Chapter 1416: Chapter 1416: Stricken by Plague

Song Ci couldn’t comprehend, neither could Song Zhiyuan. How could it be that a perfectly healthy person suddenly falls gravely ill? Just during the day, he was discussing state affairs with Emperor Chu, and by midnight, news came that he had unexpectedly fallen into a high fever and coma. It was truly shocking.

On his way from home to the palace, Song Zhiyuan had already issued several directives to prepare for whatever might happen next. The first was to send people to leave the city overnight and head to Jiangnan to protect Song Lingsu and Song Lingjie, who were taking their exams back home.

If something truly uncontrollable happened, these two being outside would at least serve as two roots for the Song family.

Fortunately, there was also Song Lingzhao in the Northwest, another root system.

Song Zhiyuan shook his head, pinching hard at the web of his hand, forcing himself to remain calm and start thinking about the state affairs.

If something happened to Emperor Chu, someone would have to be selected to ascend to the throne. But who to support was a big issue. Several princes were already secretly fighting to the death. Apart from Prince Wu lacking strong backing, Prince Xiao and Prince Zhou, even Prince Yan, all had powerful familial ties through marriage.

Prince Zhou, more so, now had the Governor of Jiangnan as his father-in-law. If something happened to the Emperor, at this moment, Governor Wen would surely do everything to put Prince Zhou on the throne.

For no other reason but interests.

Only if Prince Zhou ascended the throne, would the Wen family have the chance to fight for the next position of power, like becoming the Crown Prince’s maternal family, which would make them extremely noble!

Thinking of the nature of those adult princes, Song Zhiyuan couldn’t help but rub the large ring on his thumb, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

No matter who ascends, there will be fierce fighting. Over the past two years, reports of external border incursions have been delivered to the Emperor from time to time. Once this news is spread, the adversary would certainly take advantage of it, and by then, Great Qing would be in chaos.

Song Zhiyuan felt somewhat of a headache.

This is the downside of not having a Crown Prince.

Now all they could hope for was that Emperor Chu’s condition was merely a high fever caused by a common cold, and that he could recover soon. Otherwise, the ministers would certainly have other thoughts.

The carriage sped along swiftly, entering the palace unimpeded. By the time Song Zhiyuan stood before Yangxin Hall, his expression was cold and solemn, exuding an aura that warned strangers to keep away.

Guarding the hall in person was the head of the Imperial Guards, Wang Yang. He stepped forward, saw Song Zhiyuan, and greeted him with a cupped fist: "Prime Minister."

Song Zhiyuan asked, "Have all the palaces and places been secured?"

Wang Yang nodded.

"Pass down the order, no one on duty is allowed to leave the palace, and assign more personnel to patrol and guard all palaces, especially Yangxin Hall. If anyone breaks into the palace, arrest them on the spot, and if anything happens, I will take responsibility," Song Zhiyuan said coldly. "Strictly guard all palace gates."

"Understood."

Song Zhiyuan entered the hall, where eunuchs and palace maids cowered on the ground, not daring to make a sound.

Arriving at the sleeping quarters, Eunuch Zhou, sharp-eyed, noticed him and his eyes lit up slightly, but he dared not leave the Emperor’s side even half a step.

Song Zhiyuan saw Lu Yizheng and several other Imperial Physicians surrounding the imperial bed diagnosing, approached to take a look, and saw Emperor Chu with eyes tightly shut, cheeks flushed, involuntarily furrowing his brows.

He went up to Eunuch Zhou and asked, "Which Lady accompanied His Majesty to bed tonight?"

"It was the Honored Lady, and people have been assigned to guard her. Her sleeping quarters have also been searched," Eunuch Zhou responded in a deep voice. "The other Ladies haven’t been disturbed, nor the Empress Dowager."

Song Zhiyuan nodded and said, "It’s almost time for the morning court session. Prepare, as the Emperor has decreed, there will be no morning court today."

"Understood."

By this time, Lu Yizheng and the others had reached a conclusion, their faces ashen. Song Zhiyuan took a step forward, asking, "What’s the matter with the Emperor? Is it poisoning or something else?"

Lu Yizheng, looking terrified, quivered his lips and said, "Prime Minister, the Emperor has a high fever and is unconscious. It appears to be caused by an epidemic fever."

Song Zhiyuan’s face changed dramatically.

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