noffsinger Chapter 264 True and False
Chapter 264 True and False
"Where are you gentlemen headed?" Chen Xianlin asked knowingly as Zheng Yuxiang led a group of officials into the inner courtyard of the palace.
"Your Majesty, we have heard that His Majesty is unwell, so we have come to visit him. The court is in a state of panic, and we cannot feel at ease without confirming His Majesty's safety with our own eyes," Zheng Yuxiang replied.
Chen Xianlin smiled slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes, "I understand the Prime Minister's loyalty."
"It's just that His Majesty has just taken his medicine and is resting, so it's not appropriate to disturb him. Besides, the imperial physician has already examined him and found that it's just a cold and nothing serious."
Zheng Yuxiang did not back down: "Your Majesty, this concerns the safety of the nation. How can we be careless? Even if His Majesty needs to rest, we only need to take a look from afar to confirm that His Majesty is alright, and then we will leave immediately."
Chen Xianlin's eyes darkened, and her smile faded slightly. "Is Your Excellency questioning my words?"
"Your Majesty's safety is of utmost importance to all the people, and as the Prime Minister, I must act with utmost caution."
The atmosphere suddenly froze. The two sides clashed in the air, sparks flying. The officials following Zheng Yuxiang felt the tense atmosphere and couldn't help but hold their breath.
Chen Xianlin's face froze instantly, and she said in a cold tone, "His Majesty said that no one is allowed to disturb his rest. Why is the Prime Minister so stubborn? Why not meet with the Emperor another day?"
Zheng Yuxiang remained unmoved and said calmly, "Today, I must confirm whether His Majesty is unharmed!"
"Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being ruthless." Chen Xianlin waved her hand, and the Imperial Guards immediately surrounded her, the sound of swords being drawn echoing in the corridor.
The officials behind Zheng Yuxiang involuntarily took a step back, their faces showing panic. Only Zheng Yuxiang and Zheng Luoqi remained calm and stood quietly.
"Is Your Majesty plotting a rebellion?" Zheng Yuxiang's gaze was sharp as he stared directly at Chen Xianlin.
"Rebellion?" Chen Xianlin chuckled lightly. "I am merely carrying out the Emperor's decree!"
"But it is you, Prime Minister, who have trespassed into the inner palace! Your intentions are malicious! Guards, seize him!"
At Chen Xianlin's command, the Imperial Guards slowly stepped forward.
Seeing the Imperial Guards about to step forward, Zheng Yuxiang immediately shouted angrily, "Insolence!"
"In terms of official rank, I am the Prime Minister of the country. In terms of seniority, I have watched the Emperor grow up, and I have assisted him for many years. I have earned the Emperor's deep trust, and even the Emperor usually respectfully calls me 'Teacher'!"
"What right do you have to lay a hand on me?"
The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and even breathing became heavy.
The Imperial Guards' blades gleamed coldly, and their spears were pointed at Zheng Yuxiang and his group, but none of them dared to actually step forward.
A hint of hesitation flashed in their eyes, clearly due to their fear of Zheng Yuxiang's status and prestige.
Chen Xianlin raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of impatience flashing in her eyes: "Prime Minister, this is the Imperial Palace, not your Prime Minister's Residence where you can order people around. Who dares to disobey the Emperor's decree?"
Zheng Yuxiang remained composed, his gaze fixed intently on her: "Your Majesty, I only came to check on His Majesty because I was worried about his safety. Does Your Majesty not wish for His Majesty's well-being?"
Chen Xianlin's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She raised her chin, her tone laced with sarcasm: "Prime Minister, do you perhaps believe that I would harm the Emperor? That would be a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!"
"Your Majesty, I dare not make any presumptions." Zheng Yuxiang's tone remained calm, but every word was firm and resounding. "However, as the Prime Minister, it is my duty to investigate thoroughly."
Their eyes met again, and the tension in the air was almost suffocating. Chen Xianlin's fingers curled slightly, her fingertips digging deeply into her palms, clearly trying her best to suppress her inner anger.
"Your Majesty! Please!" Zheng Luoqi raised the corners of her mouth slightly, looking at Chen Xianlin with a half-smile, while also making a "please" gesture. Her appearance was so irritating that it made people want to punch her.
Upon seeing this, Chen Xianlin's anger flared up instantly. She stared intently at Zheng Luoqi, wishing she could rush up and punch him right then and there.
Chen Xianlin took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She glared at Zheng Luoqi, then turned and led the way, secretly cursing in her heart, "Hmph, you two dogs, you won't be so arrogant for long!"
Silent journey
Soon the group arrived outside Xue Huaiyu's palace. Upon seeing them, the eunuch at the door immediately went inside to announce their arrival. A moment later, the eunuch came out and said, "Your Majesty, Your Excellencies, His Majesty requests your presence!"
Following behind Zheng Yuxiang, Zheng Luoqi was greeted by a strong scent of incense as she stepped into the palace. The aroma, mixed with the bitterness of medicinal herbs, lingered in her nostrils.
Zheng Luoqi's gaze quickly swept over everything in the palace, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
The palace was dimly lit, with a few candles flickering, casting the golden dragon patterns on the walls on and off.
Xue Huaiyu lay on a dragon-carved couch, the curtains hanging low, obscuring most of his figure, only his pale face could be vaguely seen.
Zheng Luoqi's gaze lingered on that face, his brows furrowing slightly as he drifted into a memory. He remembered that the Chen family had apparently hired a master of disguise to disguise Consort Shu, meaning that the Xue Huaiyu before him was likely an imposter.
If that's the case, then it makes sense. Why did the Chen family obstruct us in every way, yet still let us see the Emperor? It turns out they weren't afraid we would force our way in. Even if the imperial edict was fake, so what if we saw through it?
Therefore, Chen Xianlin had already drafted the imperial edict when she went to Xue Huaiyu's palace last night, and the box she took away last night contained the imperial edict.
That explains why no one notified me when the imperial edict arrived today. It turns out that Chen Xianlin avoided the spies I had planted. Zheng Luoqi never expected to be outmaneuvered by the female lead today.
As the saying goes, "He who walks by the river will eventually get his shoes wet." He was too careless, but fortunately, Zheng Luoqi had a backup plan.
“Your Majesty…” Zheng Yuxiang slowly approached the bed and bowed, “We have heard that Your Majesty is unwell, so we have come to visit you.”
Xue Huaiyu, behind the curtain, stirred slightly, as if trying to sit up, but was stopped by a palace maid beside him. His voice was hoarse and weak: "Prime Minister... I am fine. I'm sorry to trouble you with your concern."
Zheng Luoqi stood to the side, staring intently at Xue Huaiyu's every move, seemingly deep in thought.
Suddenly, his gaze fell on the medicine bowl on the bedside table, where a little brownish medicine juice remained.
"What medicine has His Majesty been taking lately? When the imperial physicians came to examine him, did they say what his illness was? Why is his condition not improving?" Zheng Luoqi suddenly asked.
Upon hearing this, Chen Xianlin raised an eyebrow and looked coldly at Zheng Luoqi: "What does Lord Zheng mean by this?"