Chapter 348: Chapter 347: Sudden Illness
Central Palace.
Empress Wei appeared haggard, upon closer inspection her eyes were so red they seemed about to bleed, and somewhat swollen, clearly she had just had a big cry.
Her hair was slightly disheveled, with two strands of stray hair hanging by her cheeks, very unlike her usual meticulous appearance.
Seeing this, Wei Chi grew anxious.
Thinking of a certain possibility, he asked, "Sister, has those wretched women been troubling you again?"
In recent years, the number of concubines in the harem had increased, and the family of the Imperial Concubine was at odds with the Wei Family.
Using the Emperor’s favor as leverage, they frequently aggravated his sister.
If not for his remaining rationality, Wei Chi would have thought of taking a blade to cut down those people.
Mrs. Wei hurriedly glanced around, seeing only their family of three and the Empress’s trusted palace maid.
Disaster comes from the mouth, her son’s impulsiveness left Mrs. Wei helpless.
She reminded, "This is the Empress, stop addressing her incorrectly, and the concubines in the palace are all part of the Imperial Family, do not use those two words to describe them, it is highly disrespectful."
Entering the palace, one becomes part of the Imperial Family.
All other relations must take a back seat.
The Emperor’s concubines are different from those of other families, not to be humiliated, if word spreads, both the Wei Family and Ah Chi will face big trouble.
Wei Chi had no patience for such thoughts, he only wanted to know who bullied his sister, leaving her so heartbroken and distraught.
"Whatever it is, take your time to speak, don’t worry, the Wei Family stands behind you."
Unable to hold back, her tears burst forth again.
Empress Wei grasped Wei Chi’s hand, as if clinging to a lifeline.
"The Crown Prince has fallen severely ill, his fever won’t subside, the Imperial Physician couldn’t diagnose the cause, only said it’s contagious, the Emperor ordered the Crown Prince to be sent to the Royal Villa to recuperate, and forbade us from approaching him, I want to see the child, but the Emperor disagrees..."
The more she spoke, the more Empress Wei broke down.
Her mind was flooded with images of the child, sickly and helpless.
The Emperor’s solemn face reminding her she is the Empress, urging her to prioritize the bigger picture and avoid creating further disruptions.
That too was the Emperor’s child, Empress Wei couldn’t understand why he was so indifferent?
Is it because men naturally have hard hearts, or because there are many children in the palace, he no longer cherishes his only legitimate son?
Or is it because Ji Mingzhu returned to the capital, and he harbors unspeakable intentions, hoping the Crown Prince would perish, paving the way for Ji Mingzhu’s child?
The pain in Empress Wei’s head was like needles, her heart filled with unbearable suffocation, she felt as if she was about to faint.
But she couldn’t.
There were still many matters left for her to handle.
She needed to find someone who wholeheartedly protected the child, and to discover who harmed her child.
She did not believe that without a sinister plot behind it, her perfectly healthy child would suddenly catch such a disease.
Until the matter is resolved, she absolutely cannot fall!
The palace is full of spies, even the guards at the villa could have been bribed.
She could only trust her maternal family.
She could only seek help from her maternal family!
"If the Crown Prince goes to the villa, will he have a chance to return alive? Brother, you must help me."
With her tightly gripping his hand, Wei Chi did not hesitate to say, "I’ll go plead with the Emperor, and gain permission to take people to the villa to protect the Crown Prince."
Mrs. Wei did not approve.
For families like theirs, when a child is sent to oversee a villa, it’s no different from being exiled.
Moreover, that disease is contagious, if Ah Chi suffers too, wouldn’t it mean losing another person?
Instinctively moving two steps towards her son, she intended to reject his proposal.
But seeing her daughter’s fragile face, Mrs. Wei hesitated once more.
Feeling torn, she murmured to herself, "Ah Chi is reckless, perhaps he’s not fit to protect the Crown Prince, we should go back and discuss with your father, let him send a capable subordinate, it’s bound to be more thorough."
"Mother!"
Wei Chi’s forehead veins bulged.
The Crown Prince will be sent to the villa, it’s the Emperor’s decision, his sister is already deeply hurt.
If their maternal family also hesitates to personally protect the Crown Prince, isn’t it like piercing her heart with a dagger?
Empress Wei indeed felt very sad.
She knew marrying off a daughter was like spilling water.
Even though she married the Emperor, the most distinguished woman in the world.
In the eyes of her maternal family, she wasn’t as important as the Wei Family’s male descendants.
Now that her brother wants to go to the villa to guard the Crown Prince, her mother’s objection was expected.
The clearer she thought, the more pale Empress Wei became.
A sense of powerlessness enveloped her whole body.
Even if she sat on the throne that every woman dreams of, of what use was it?
At her side, there’s not even a sincere person to share the burdens...
Mrs. Wei realized she misspoke, hurriedly trying to make amends, "Mother meant to find the most capable person, and must ensure the Crown Prince’s safety."
Empress Wei’s tears fell silently, "People have secrets, apart from family, who would wholeheartedly protect him?"
Mrs. Wei was caught in a dilemma.
On one side was her daughter and grandson, on the other was her own son.
She wished neither harm.
If truly forced to choose, she could only choose her son.
Ah Chi was meant to carry on the Wei Family’s legacy!
Before her mother could speak, Wei Chi assured Empress Wei.
"Sister, don’t worry, as long as I’m alive, I won’t let anything happen to nephew."
"I’ll go ask Xie Yunzhen to invite Divine Doctor Xi Yu to treat the Crown Prince, I’ll protect him and ensure his safe return to you."
Divine Doctor Xi Yu...
Empress Wei’s despair deepened.
If only he could cure the Crown Prince, by the time they found Xi Yu and he arrived in the capital, several months would have passed.
Could the Crown Prince hold on?
Realizing he had said something foolish, causing his sister more worry, Wei Chi quickly changed his words.
"The palace has the best Imperial Physicians, surely they’ll find a way to cure the Crown Prince, just give them a little more time."
Currently, aside from waiting, they had no other options.
Empress Wei fought back her tears, beseechingly, "Brother, you must help me protect the child."
Wei Chi agreed without hesitation, "Sister, rest assured, as long as I live, I won’t give those people the chance to harm him!"
With a heavy burden on his shoulders, Wei Chi suddenly matured a great deal, no longer as reckless as before.
The matter was serious, if word got out the Crown Prince was gravely ill, surely many would take advantage of the situation.
He had to remain vigilant!
"Sister, you must stay strong, and be on guard, don’t let the harem’s wretched women harm you, the current predicament is only temporary, when the Crown Prince’s condition improves, the Wei Family will settle scores with them."
Empress Wei felt touched.
From childhood to adulthood, her brother had always unconditionally protected her.
Yet she... in order to solidify her family’s prestige, had paired her brother with a woman neither helpful nor likable to him.
If back then she had helped him compete for Xie Yun Ling, would the past three years have been happier for him?
Instead of lingering outside, unwilling to return home to face Zhao Yuqing...
With someone to rely on behind her, Empress Wei regained much composure.
Wiping away her tears, "Once this matter is settled, whatever you want to do, Sister will support you."
Even if he defied the imperial command, wanting to divorce Zhao Yuqing, she would make it happen!
