Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife

Chapter 913: Chapter 913: The Emperor Gravely Ill!

"Your Highness, Crown Prince!"

Qi Jingyu dashed inside, eager to see his father, the Emperor.

Li Qingmu followed closely behind but sensed something was amiss, so he quickened his pace slightly. After him came Empress Dowager Li and Princess Consort Qin.

The group rushed into Qianlong Palace, but they were stopped by the Imperial Physician outside.

"Imperial Concubine, Crown Prince, His Majesty is unwell and may not be fit to see visitors..."

"Insolence! Since His Majesty is unwell, it is all the more necessary for us to see him!"

Princess Consort Qin shouted sharply. The Imperial Physician glanced at Empress Dowager Li and, seeing her displeased expression, realized he had made a mistake and hurriedly knelt down.

"Father!"

"Your Majesty!"

"..."

As soon as the Imperial Physician stepped aside, everyone rushed in, hurrying to the Emperor’s sickbed.

"Your Majesty!"

Princess Consort Qin was the first to dash over, tearfully gazing at the bedridden Qi Junlian. Then came Qi Jinglin, while Qi Jingyu tried to get closer, only to be inadvertently blocked by Princess Consort Qin and her son.

Li Qingmu watched from the side, observing everyone’s behavior closely, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. He approached Qi Junlian’s side, staring at him intently.

Qi Junlian’s health was indeed poor, but his sudden illness seemed abrupt. Yet, with this illness, who stood to gain the most?

Li Qingmu looked toward Qi Jingyu, who, unable to push through, was becoming increasingly anxious. Noticing Li Qingmu’s gaze, he quickly turned and said, "Imperial Uncle..."

"Don’t be in a rush just yet."

As soon as Li Qingmu spoke, someone announced the arrival of the Empress. Qi Jingyu’s mother, Zitong, hurried in.

"Empress, you arrived quite early, didn’t you?"

Empress Dowager Li, seeing the Empress and remembering she was with Qi Jingyu, grew displeased with her. Where she once showed a kind face, today it had changed.

Her quick change in attitude took even the Empress by surprise, leaving her momentarily stunned before she quickly apologized.

"Daughter-in-law arrived late, please forgive me, Mother Consort."

"Enough!"

Empress Dowager Li responded indifferently, showing great disdain toward the Empress.

The Empress could only bow lightly, not daring to speak louder.

The surroundings were quiet when Qi Junlian coughed lightly, slowly opening his eyes. Empress Dowager Li stepped forward, gently holding her son’s hand, her eyes showing a hint of sorrow.

"My son, what’s happened to you? How did you fall seriously ill out of the blue?"

As Empress Dowager Li spoke, she couldn’t help but wipe away her tears.

"Imperial Concubine, although His Majesty isn’t in strong health, he’s at least mindful of his well-being. How could he fall ill like this? I believe there’s a villain at work!"

As she spoke, Princess Consort Qin suddenly pointed at the Empress, angrily accusing, "It’s you, it must be you! His Majesty had thoughts of changing the crown prince, and so you became impatient, didn’t you, didn’t you?"

She spoke harshly, her expression one of gritted determination.

The Empress was taken aback, unsure of how she became accused of such intentions. However, not being ordinary herself, she quickly replied, "Princess Consort Qin, mind your words! His Majesty’s grave illness worries us all, but it doesn’t give you the right to make reckless accusations!"

"Accusations? How can you call them accusations? Everyone knows that with the Crown Prince missing for over a month, rumors have spread both inside and outside the court. His Majesty had intentions of changing the crown prince, and you, to avoid chaos, just..."

Princess Consort Qin trailed off but covered her face, showing her pain.

Her demeanor made her words seem even truer.

Empress Dowager Li, intent on deposing the Crown Prince, couldn’t bother with appearances, coldly asked, "Empress, what do you have to say about this?"

Empress Zitong felt as though the sky was collapsing, wrongly accused of harming the Emperor. Even the Imperial Concubine doubted her and questioned her?

The Empress felt wronged, her voice trembling, "Empress Dowager Li, I never intended to harm His Majesty. It’s slander!"

"Slander? Who would slander? Who dares to slander? Empress, I previously saw you frequently entering and leaving His Majesty’s chambers, even while he was resting! Dare you say you had no ulterior motives?"

"Ridiculous, I only went to check on His Majesty’s health..."

"That’s proof something’s amiss!"

Before the Empress could finish, Princess Consort Qin interjected.

The Empress wasn’t adept at arguing and didn’t expect Princess Consort Qin to be so sharp-tongued, leaving her stunned and unsure how to respond.

Li Qingmu watched them exchange verbal blows, slightly frowning, "Rather than quarreling here, why not ask His Majesty if he has anything to say?"

Li Qingmu’s words left them momentarily stunned. Then, Princess Consort Qin cried out, rushing to Qi Junlian.

Li Qingmu, uninterested in dealing with Princess Consort Qin, turned and left.

Outside, a Yulong Pavilion member arrived, whispering, "Go to the Prince Mansion and bring the Princess Consort."

"Yes!"

The Yulong Pavilion’s secret agent immediately disappeared, and Li Qingmu returned inside.

Princess Consort Qin continued to cry, the Empress stood bewildered, Empress Dowager Li remained cold, and Qi Jingyu stood obediently to the side, seemingly resigned.

Yet, seeing Li Qingmu enter, Qi Jingyu quickly approached him, "Imperial Uncle?"

"Rest assured, there’s something strange, let Yue’er take a look."

Li Qingmu was determined to find out what was truly wrong with Qi Junlian. Though most could not discern, Yue’er might, given her now impressive medical skills.

"Empress Dowager Li, important ministers have arrived."

At this moment, an eunuch announced from outside.

Empress Dowager Li slightly frowned, instructing, "Let the Prime Ministers enter."

The Prime Minister was a collective term for the high-ranking officials: the Prime Minister, Vice Prime Minister, and Junior Prime Minister. Letting them in was entirely appropriate.

Soon, the ministers entered. Seeing the bedridden Qi Junlian, they knelt down in respect.

"Greetings to the Regent King, Imperial Concubine, Empress, Princess Consort Qin..."

With so many dignitaries present, the ministers paid their respects one by one, and Empress Dowager Li waved her hand, "No need for formalities, quickly see to His Majesty."

"Cough, cough..."

Qi Junlian seemed pained, attempting to sit up, but his weakness prevented him from doing so.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, what has happened to you?"

Seeing Qi Junlian’s distress, the Prime Ministers showed fear. This Emperor’s gentle nature marked a promising era for them as ministers. If he were to pass...

Instantly, the ministers felt a shared sorrow for his potential loss.

Li Qingmu remained silent, keenly observing. Meanwhile, more ministers arrived outside, but Empress Dowager Li didn’t let them in.

"Let this Princess Consort through!"

Suddenly, an enchanting voice was heard from outside. Li Qingmu knew it was his wife who had arrived.

His expression turned serious, worried Long Yue might not handle the situation well, so he turned to head out.

Then, he saw two people fly inside.

"Bang! Bang!"

They landed heavily on the ground.