Many court officials had already arrived, including the Three Dukes. Among the imperial princes, all were present save for Prince Su, Li Long, who remained under house arrest, and Li Chen and Li Jing, who were both injured. They knelt in the main hall, whispering among themselves, occasionally rising to inquire with the physicians and eunuchs hurrying to and fro.
Gao Fu emerged, carefully carrying a basin of steaming water. Within it floated a white towel stained with fresh blood. The Imperial Guards stood vigil outside the inner chamber, swords at their sides, their expressions grim and vigilant. Tension clouded the air; it was as though at any moment, the news of the Emperor's demise would descend upon them like thunder.
This was no conspiracy conjured by Li Jing's suspicions. The Emperor was truly ill.
Father… Li Ce murmured inwardly, his heart churning with conflicting emotions. Perhaps, once, he had hated the Emperor—during those lonely years growing up in the imperial tomb, when he had fallen into the crypt, when he returned to the capital only to discover that the Emperor showed concern for the studies of his other sons.
While he was just beginning to understand The Four Books, his brothers were already reading The Imperial Precepts, personally authored by Emperor Taizong. He had felt bewildered, wronged, and deeply ashamed.
But as Li Ce gradually grasped the essence of The Imperial Precepts, comprehended the art of governance, and came to understand the burden of kingship, a sense of empathy took root within him. In time, that empathy blossomed into admiration. As for the fatherly love he had missed in childhood, he thought, so long as he could remain in the capital and serve at the Emperor's side, it was not too late to mend what was lost.
But now… judging by the officials' expressions… could it be the Emperor…
Li Ce stepped forward, his heart clenched tight. His once steady gait turned stiff and faltering. Please, no. Heaven, please no. Be it as a son or as a loyal subject, he prayed for his father's long life.
Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, Yan Congzheng, blocked his path.
"Your Highness, Prince of Chu, please halt."
"I must see my father," Li Ce declared.
"I'm afraid that's not possible," Yan replied brusquely. "By order of Her Majesty the Empress, His Majesty is gravely ill. Princes, officials, and members of the royal clan are to await news in the Hall of Purple Radiance. No one may enter and cause disturbance."
"Then…" Li Ce glanced around. "Where is Prince Jin?"
"Prince Jin is inside," Yan said meaningfully. "Only he and the Prime Minister are permitted entry."
"Why?"
But there was no need to ask. As the crown prince designate, Prince Jin would need to be present if the Emperor were to pass on the mantle. Yan offered no reply, merely gestured toward the prayer mat.
"Your Highness, please wait here."
Li Ce did not leave immediately.
"May the Deputy Commander enter?" he asked directly, locking eyes with Yan.
Their brief exchange drew the attention of several princes. Between the curtain separating the inner chambers and the main hall, the two men stood face to face—one in military attire, brows furrowed in solemnity; the other, Prince of Chu, with lips pressed tight and eyes deep and forceful, emanating an inexplicable sense of pressure as he stared down Yan, awaiting a response.
They exchanged few words, yet it felt as though they had spoken volumes.
Was Li Ce planning to force his way in?
The other princes were just about to rise and urge him back when Yan finally spoke.
"I may enter."
"Then I ask that you go in," Li Ce said.
Yan hesitated. The Empress had ordered him to guard the doors—would entering count as defiance?
"Just tell them His Majesty instructed you to remain by his side without leaving," Li Ce added.
Yan glanced once at the heavy curtain, a trace of defiance flashing in his eyes before he turned and slipped inside.
Li Ce, too, turned away and knelt silently upon the prayer mat.
Time passed like a hyena gnawing at the corpse of an elephant—agonizingly slow, yet laced with an impending frenzy.
Li Ce kept his eyes fixed on the doorway. At long last, a familiar face emerged—it was the Chief Imperial Physician, Lin Fengyu.
"How is His Majesty?"
"Has Father improved?"
The crowd surged forward, only for Lin Fengyu to bow and motion for silence. He took a breath and said:
"His Majesty suffered a sudden fainting spell due to acute emotional distress. He is now out of danger after emergency treatment. I must prepare the medicine and cannot elaborate further."
The court cleared a path as Lin departed, medicine case on his back. As he passed Li Ce, he gave a slight nod.
It felt as though a great boulder had been lifted from Li Ce's chest. He exhaled deeply, the stiffness in his shoulders finally easing.
The curtain parted. Gao Fu, Chief Steward of the Inner Court, stepped out.
"His Majesty commands: all ministers and princes, save for the Prince of Chu, are to leave the palace."
No further details were offered, but the fact that His Majesty had issued an edict suggested his condition had stabilized. Relieved, the courtiers bowed and withdrew with the attendants.
From the Hall of Purple Radiance to the Imperial Avenue, red lanterns lit the way once more. Weary but comforted, the officials exchanged knowing glances and whispered.
"Who angered His Majesty into illness?"
"Word is it was Prince Zhao, Li Jing—he took twenty strokes of the rod."
"Prince Zhao again? Still such a disgrace…"
Li Ce stepped forward, following Gao Fu into the inner chamber.
On the dragon bed, the Emperor lay with eyes closed, resting. Silver needles pierced his forehead. Blood seeped from his fingertips—no doubt the physicians had performed bloodletting at the twelve jing-well points during his fainting spell, which explained the bloody towel.
Prince Jin, Li Zhang, knelt by the bed, personally lighting medicinal herbs one by one to gently scent the air. His cheeks were streaked with tears; he kept glancing toward the Emperor, face filled with concern.
"Your son humbly wishes His Majesty peace and health."
Li Ce knelt and kowtowed. When he raised his head, the Emperor had yet to open his eyes. Quietly, he waited—posture straight and unwavering, no longer anxious.
As long as he could see his father well, he would wait an eternity.
At last, a long sigh escaped the Emperor's lips. He did not turn his head but lifted a hand toward Li Ce.
"Come. Hear my command."
Li Ce stood. The Empress, seated at the foot of the bed, turned to him.
"His Majesty's breath is shallow. Prince of Chu, come closer."
Li Ce hurried forward.
After his grave illness, the Emperor's voice was weak and broken.
"I have fallen ill," he said, opening his eyes, "and to prevent the affairs of state from stagnating or betraying the late Emperor's trust, I have resolved to appoint Prince Jin as Crown Prince. He shall govern in my stead, assisted by the Prime Minister and yourself. What say you?"
Before Li Ce could answer, Li Zhang had already cast away the herbs and fell to the ground in a fit of sobs.
"Father, you are in the prime of life, wise and enlightened like Yao and Shun. Your son is ignorant and unworthy. Please, rescind your decree!"
He kowtowed fiercely, his forehead quickly bloodied. The Emperor did not stop him. When he had finished, the Emperor spoke lightly:
"I have no foolish sons. You are wise, filial, and well-mannered—the rightful heir of the royal house. This is Heaven's will. Henceforth, you must guard against arrogance and impetuousness. Govern for the sake of the realm, cherish your brothers, and care for the people. Ruling is both trial and tempering. Remember this: a Crown Prince may be appointed, but he may also be deposed. Do not stray from righteousness."
Li Zhang refused several more times, until the Empress and Prime Minister both urged him. At last, he accepted through tears.
By now, the needles had been gently removed from the Emperor's forehead. He turned to look at Li Ce.
"I obey Your Majesty's will," Li Ce answered promptly.
A trace of warmth emerged in the Emperor's expression.
"You may all go and rest," he said kindly. "Xiao Jiu, stay. I have something to say."
The chamber emptied swiftly.
Gao Fu remained, adding a cushion behind the Emperor so he could sit more comfortably.
"Are you feeling unwell?" the Emperor asked.
"Upon hearing of Your Majesty's illness, I was overwhelmed with grief," Li Ce answered truthfully.
"I ask not about my illness," the Emperor's eyes scrutinized him, "but whether you were grieved to hear that I appointed Li Zhang as Crown Prince."
Li Ce responded without hesitation: "Your son shall obey Your Majesty's decree. No matter whom Father appoints, I shall serve with utmost loyalty and support the realm."
The Emperor smiled.
It was a clever answer—no emotion toward Li Zhang, only loyalty toward the Emperor.
"I hear you and Li Jing had a...