Super-Fertile Darling: Forced to Marry the Heirless Tyrant

Chapter 279: Chapter 279: I Cannot Let Go, Bring Her to the Palace for Us

Emperor Wu Su did not hold court today, nor did he allow news of his awakening to be released.

He returned to Zhaoyang Hall and sat meditating on the daybed, his face grim.

Li Yuzong dared not utter a single word, standing by like a wooden statue and doing his utmost to fade into the background.

Zhao Mingyan regulated his breathing for a long while.

He could not truly quiet his mind because of what Ji Qingwu had said.

Her attempts to mask her true feelings were riddled with flaws. She feigned indifference, speaking words meant to wound, yet he could see it plainly: her clear eyes were filled with unspeakable hurt.

He still couldn’t bear it...

Zhao Mingyan’s body tensed, unable to quell the heat rising within him.

To be stopped at the very threshold... In exchange, he felt an agonizing, clawing itch in his heart, the sensation of being consumed by fire. He now understood it all too well.

The more he tried to suppress it with his Inner Strength, the more it would rebound moments later, twice as strong.

He said in a low, hoarse voice, "Li Yuzong."

Li Yuzong stepped forward at the command. After just two steps, he nearly stumbled; he had been standing for so long that his feet had gone completely numb.

Zhao Mingyan opened his eyes. They were burning crimson.

His face was a mask of fury as he said hatefully, "Go and bring Le Xi into the palace for me!"

Terrified by this undisguised rage, Li Yuzong’s legs grew even more unsteady.

He walked out on trembling legs, stealing a few glances at the Emperor on his way.

He immediately noticed that the hem of the Holy Emperor’s robe was tented high. Li Yuzong’s old eyes darted about wildly.

’The Holy Emperor had gone to the Wei Family overnight right after waking. It was understandable that he was in a foul mood. After all, the woman he loved had married another. Any man would find that unacceptable.’

’But now, he was so terrifying it seemed a single spark could make him explode on the spot.’

’Did Miss Ji start this fire too? But why won’t it go out this time?’

Li Yuzong clicked his tongue in thought. ’Emperor Wu Su doesn’t have many heirs to begin with. If this goes on for too long, it could become a serious problem.’

Li Yuzong hurried out of the hall and arranged for a trusted subordinate to ride a fast horse out of the city and summon Le Xi.

*

The entire capital now believed the Emperor was still unconscious, and a sense of panic filled the air.

The officials at court were like ants on a hot griddle.

In the vast Golden Throne Hall, the court was a body without a head.

The Dragon Chair was empty. In the past, as long as Emperor Wu Su sat there, no matter what happened, the worst they had to fear was the Emperor’s icy expression.

But they had never felt a sense of panic as intense as this.

With Emperor Wu Su lying in Zhaoyang Hall, his fate unknown, a few ministers had already begun to shed silent tears, wiping them away with the sleeves of their official robes.

The court officials already knew that the Xijin Faction had launched a surprise attack with a large army, and that Wei Ting had been summoned from his wedding chamber directly to the front lines.

An official from the Imperial Clan Court was the first to step forward.

"My lords, if I may have a word. It was previously agreed that General Wei and Prime Minister Su would serve as joint regents. However, General Zhenbei has already departed for the Northern Border, and the little prince is still young. We can only ask the esteemed Prime Minister Su to preside over this situation."

Su Fengyue stood at the forefront, clad in a crimson-purple official robe—a color only the highest-ranking ministers of the court were permitted to wear.

All eyes turned to him.

Su Fengyue’s temples were white with age, and though his face was old, his spirit was hale and hearty.

He sighed. "This old minister is advanced in years, but I bear the title of Prime Minister of the Imperial Grace Department. With His Majesty in such grave condition, I feel utterly powerless. I can only do my humble best to stabilize the court for His Majesty, in hopes of ensuring the peace and stability of Beili."

Prime Minister Su’s faction voiced their support.

"Prime Minister Su is loyal to the throne and devoted to the people. Even in his coma, the Emperor will surely feel your loyalty."

According to the original arrangement, Wei Ting and Prime Minister Su were to rule as joint regents. With one of them absent, the implications were profound.

If the Emperor remained in a long-term coma, all the memorials submitted from across Beili would be reviewed and handled by Su Fengyue.

The court would effectively become his personal domain.

Lu Juan’s gaze swept across the hall, taking in the expressions of the civil and military officials, before finally meeting Duan Mingfeng’s eyes. The two exchanged a look but said nothing.

But at that moment, someone stepped forward.

He declared in a loud voice, "Is it not too rash to have Prime Minister Su serve as the sole regent?"

Su Fengyue turned to look at the strikingly handsome young official from the Imperial Supervision Office.

With an amiable expression, he said, "Lord Li, what are your thoughts? Please, speak your mind."

Undaunted by the many eyes upon him, Li Chengxun’s words were clear and methodical.

"The Emperor is gravely injured. Matters of state should, by rights, be handled by the Crown Prince, but the Young Master is too young to govern. With General Wei now at the Northern Border resisting foreign enemies, and Prime Minister Su serving alone, this humble official believes that given the Prime Minister’s advanced age, another should be found to share the burden."

The official from the Imperial Clan Court who had spoken earlier turned and sneered, "Lord Li, who do you think could possibly be compared to Prime Minister Su?"

Li Chengxun cupped his hands. "This humble official believes Prince Yong is the ideal candidate. He is of imperial blood, the Emperor’s own brother, and the Young Master’s imperial uncle."

Prince Yong was physically present at the morning court, but his spirit was not.

It was only when an official beside him gave him a nudge and whispered a few words in his ear that Zhao Minghong snapped out of his daze.

He looked toward the men standing in the center of the hall.

His voice was hoarse as he said, "I have no interest in the politics of the court. I only wish for my Imperial Brother to awaken soon."

This was no lie. Prince Yong’s face had been haggard for days, with dark circles under his eyes and prominent red veins within them. He looked to have lost a considerable amount of weight.

For days on end, he had been so worried about Emperor Wu Su’s injuries that he had lost all appetite.

Prince Yong had no desire to act as regent whatsoever, and even less desire to get involved in their dispute.

The official from the Imperial Clan Court said, "Lord Li, you nominate Prince Yong. But who here doesn’t know that you are the Prince’s brother-in-law? Is this not a self-serving proposition?"

Li Chengxun replied, "This humble official acts out of utmost sincerity. If my lords find Prince Yong unsuitable, I have another candidate in mind."

The man scoffed, "And who might that be? Surely not yourself, Lord Li?"

Li Chengxun’s gaze fell on a man who had kept his head lowered and was inching toward a window.

He called out, "Mr. Lu."

Lu Juan was a second-rank official who held a key post at court. Though his rank was not as high as the Prime Minister’s, he was a Favored Minister of the Emperor. Furthermore, in terms of family ties, he was Emperor Wu Su’s maternal cousin.

He was, indeed, a suitable candidate.

Before Lu Juan could voice his refusal, Duan Mingfeng suddenly chimed in.

"This humble official also believes Mr. Lu is an excellent choice."

This was his revenge for Lu Juan throwing him under the bus in front of the Emperor the day before.

Lu Juan emerged from the crowd, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes on his face. "Mr. Duan," he said, "I really must thank you."

And just like that, Lu Juan was pushed into the role. He would now join Su Fengyue at the Central Secretariat to review memorials, not free to return home until after midnight.

*

「The Wei Estate.」

Despite being in a strange new place, Jiu Jiu didn’t cry or fuss, sleeping soundly through the night.

This was all thanks to the fact that the little girl had spent many turbulent days with Ji Qingwu on the borderlands, ever since she was still in swaddling clothes.

Even after they settled in at the clinic in Nanchu, Jiu Jiu often spent her days with the old woman who fostered her.

Neither mother nor daughter was picky about their living conditions. Give them a bed and a bowl, and they could get by.

Lan Zhi brought Jiu Jiu over.

The moment the little girl entered the room, her face lit up with a smile and she ran toward Ji Qingwu.

She first threw herself against her mother’s legs, then nimbly clambered into her lap, wrapping her arms tightly around her neck and refusing to let go.