C267

The three of them never found out the exact condition of the emperor and were worried.

But that Shen Youhuang was Prince Cheng now, who could contend against all beneath her and above everyone else?

Shen Yu Su had intended to announce Shen You Huang's actions in the imperial court, but there was a sudden rumor in the palace that the emperor was sick, but the imperial concubine, Xuan Yu, and the imperial concubine ignored the emperor. They hadn't even had a chance to visit him in the past few days.

As for the overseer, Shen Yu Su, he seized the opportunity to dictate everything. Not a single imperial report was sent to the Qianyuan Palace, and he had hidden all the important matters of the country and emptied out the emperor.

This rumor had been spread quite vividly. Even the eunuchs and maids within the palace would occasionally hide in the corners and whisper about the chillingly cold actions of the imperial concubine and King Xuan.

Amongst the ministers, there were many who criticized him silently. There were even officials who praised him publicly in front of Shen Yushi, saying that he was filial and kind to her and mocked her for being unfaithful and unfilial.

Yu Su was young and innocent, so how could she know how to handle such rumors? These words reached the empress dowager's ears very quickly.

Hearing the palace maid's report, the empress dowager couldn't help but furrow her brows and place the teacup on a nearby table.

"So you're saying, only Prince Cheng, Venerable Su, and Li Wan'er can enter and leave the Palace? This Prince Cheng is truly filial! "

said the Empress, rising from her throne, and the maid at her side hastily handed her her crutches.

The old man gripped his golden phoenix cane tightly and ordered, "Men, go to the Palace."

She wanted to see if Shen Youhuang would even dare to stop her!

Moments later, the empress dowager rode on a phoenix chariot and brought the palace maids to the Qianyuan Palace, where she saw many soldiers standing guard.

Her Majesty alighted from the carriage and, holding the hand of the palace maid, walked directly to the palace gates.

Unexpectedly, when the guards saw the empress dowager, they didn't stop her. Instead, they hastily opened the gates and welcomed her respectfully.

The Empress Mother did not look at these people and walked quickly to the main hall, the emperor's chamber.

At this moment, Shen Youhuang was in the palace, next to the emperor's bed.

He carried the medicine bowl to the bed and stirred it with his spoon. He called to the emperor, "Father, it's time to use the medicine."

His expression was very respectful, and when the palace maid had helped the sickly Emperor to his feet and half reclined on the pillow, he sat down on the edge of the bed.

The emperor smelled the bitterness in that bowl of medicine and couldn't help but frown. "What kind of medicine is this? It's been so many days since we last met …" "Tell the imperial physician to change the prescription …"

Shen Youhuang smiled and advised patiently, "The imperial physician has changed prescriptions. Today's medicine is not as bitter as yesterday's. Furthermore, the imperial physician came today to check his pulse, saying that father only needs to drink a few more days of medicine before he can recover. When that time comes, this son will accompany father to take a walk in the imperial garden.

The emperor only nodded when he saw Shen Youhuang's docile and filial appearance.

Seeing that the emperor was willing to take the medicine, Shen You picked up the spoon and fed the medicine to the emperor, spoonful by spoonful.

He had only taken a few bites when the emperor suddenly touched his chest and began to cough, followed by a violent cough. The bitter liquid he'd just swallowed immediately spat all over Shen Youhuang's body.

Shen Youhuang didn't even bat an eyelid as she called her young eunuch to bring her another bowl of medicine and once again patiently fed it to the emperor …

The empress dowager stood silently outside the bead curtain, staring at Shen Youhuang's actions.

Everything seemed to come from the bottom of her heart, but how could the Empress Dowager not know that someone had purposely let her see the scene before her?

This Fourth Prince had been raised in front of the empress ever since he was a child. He thought that he was a weak and incompetent person, but who would have thought that he would actually be such a shrewd wolf.

Now that the southern border troops had retreated, of course it was due to the Feng family and Shen Lingjue. However, the meritorious officials had become traitors, and they had been ambushed by assassins on their way back to the capital.

It wasn't until the emperor finished his medicine and fell back to sleep that Shen Youhuang seemed to notice the empress dowager's arrival and hastily bowed in greeting.

"Your grandson didn't know that the empress dowager had arrived and didn't come to the palace to welcome you. I beg your forgiveness …"

The empress dowager stared at him for a moment before smiling faintly. She lovingly helped Shen Youhuang up. "There's no need to be so courteous. The emperor has been ill for the past few days, and Prince Cheng's illness has caused him great suffering."

"This is all your grandson's doing," Shen Youhuang looked at the emperor and said sorrowfully. "But Imperial Father's illness was due to the loss of his beloved son, first the crown prince rebelling, then King Yu and his wife became enemies. Imperial Father has high hopes for them, so how could they bear such a blow? The imperial physicians used all sorts of methods, and Imperial Father still looks like this …"

The empress dowager patted the back of his hand. "Prince Cheng has such a filial piety. He'll definitely be able to move the heavens and earth."

"Empress Dowager …" Shen Youhuang was moved to tears when she heard this.

Although the empress dowager knew that Shen Youhuang's tears were an act, she remained calm and said with a sigh, "It's a good thing the emperor has you by his side …" You are a filial man who takes good care of the Emperor. When he recovers from his illness, you will be the first to be rewarded.

Shen Youhuang was overjoyed in her heart. He was already Prince Cheng, how could he be given the title?

Could it be that the empress dowager was hinting at him to be the crown prince?

It was definitely right. Who could contend against him now?

Shen Yu Su Kong had the title of Supervisor, but in reality, he did not know how to win over the ministers.

Many courtiers and officials had recently thrown their weight behind Shen You and Huang Xiaolong, who could stop him from claiming the title of emperor?

Shen Youhuang was excited, but her expression was one of unease. She hastily bowed and said, "Thank you, esteemed empress dowager, for your love. This is only a matter of duty. How could this grandson dare to take credit for it? Now that both brother and second brother are gone, this son has a long journey ahead of me. I will definitely take good care of royal father and have him recover as soon as possible.

As he spoke, his eyes turned red, as if he was truly grieving for the crown prince and King Yu.

The empress dowager nodded. "Mm, don't worry. Since the emperor is asleep, you should hurry up and rest for a bit. "

"Grandson respectfully sends the empress dowager off." Shen Youhuang hastily supported the empress dowager out of the main hall.

With the support of a palace maid, the empress dowager walked down the steps, her brows slowly relaxing.

With the temptation of the position of "Crown Prince", it was likely that Shen Youhuang wouldn't be willing to take the risk of usurping the position for the time being. At least, the emperor's life would be at ease.

However, when she thought of the uncertain life and death of Shen Lingjue and his wife, the empress dowager could only hold onto her chest in pain. She stood at the foot of the steps, unable to take a single step forward.

When she looked back at the main palace hall, she saw that the building before her was tall and grand, but the darkness inside the door was like a monster's mouth that was about to swallow people whole.

Suddenly, the sound of armor sounded behind him. The imperial guard Sikong Jing had finished his inspection. He walked over and knelt on one knee to pay his respects. "This lowly general, Sikong Jing, pays his respects to the empress dowager."

When the empress dowager saw Sikong Qing, the oppressive feeling in her heart dissipated. She stood up and told him to rise.

Sikong Qing came from a martial general's family. He had always been a righteous and astute person, deeply trusted by the Emperor. It looks like Shen You Huang wouldn't be able to find a reason to drive Sikong Jing away for a while.

With Sikong Jing here, the empress dowager felt more at ease.

She looked at Qian Yuan Palace as if she was unintentionally saying, "Today is a gloomy day. I'm afraid the next snowfall will be great."