TPITWOHEF 2

Chapter 202

The palace of the Crown Prince of Chu.

"Father is entering the palace by carriage?"

"And he's bringing the imperial seal to the city gate before entering? Could it be that Father's condition is critical, and he's hurrying to write a decree of succession outside?"

The Crown Prince of Chu paced anxiously in the hall, his face occasionally revealing a hint of reluctance, followed by flashes of excitement and malice.

"Your Highness, the King is not dead yet. Fortunately, we have a backup plan. Imperial Physician Chen has been bought off. Once you become Emperor, you can have as many beautiful men as you desire."

The Crown Prince, initially hesitant, quickly gritted his teeth upon hearing this. "Tell Chen to be ready!"

...

At dawn, the King of Chu was carried back, his eyes tightly shut and his face ashen.

Soon after, the Empress of Chu, the Crown Prince, and Princess Yunwu hurriedly arrived one after another.

"Father!" The Crown Prince cried, tears streaming down his face and soaking the King's collar.

The King's eyebrows twitched.

If he hadn't been forewarned by the sage from Jing Country, he might never have imagined that the Crown Prince, who appeared so grief-stricken and panicked, could be the mastermind behind the assassination attempt.

"Your son will surely punish the assassin severely! Father!" The Crown Prince continued to pledge his loyalty.

The King's temple throbbed. Severe punishment, or silencing the perpetrator?

"Father, the imperial physician has arrived," the Crown Prince announced, maintaining his position closest to the King's bedside, holding his hand.

The Empress followed closely, with Princess Yunwu anxiously standing at the foot of the bed, unable to move any closer to the King.

For the Crown Prince outranked the Princess!

Once the Emperor passed away and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, the Princess would become merely a subject.

The King glanced at his children's positions, his heart a tumult of emotions.

The prince who sought to harm him, lacking in virtue and wisdom, had been elevated to a position second only to the Emperor himself.

Meanwhile, his daughter, the princess who truly cared for him, perfect in virtue and surpassing in wisdom, could barely stand in the corner, without even a chance to speak at this moment.

The King sighed inwardly.

At this moment, he inexplicably recalled Xiao Yunzhou's advice.

'Old Chu, that poisoned pig needs to be dealt with early, lest it affect the others...'

The King wasn't injured; he felt no pain anywhere. Yet he lay in bed, surrounded by the children of his middle age and the Empress who had shared his joys and sorrows throughout the years.

Before him, several imperial physicians hurriedly discussed treatment options.

This scene of tension and familial weeping gave the King the illusion that he truly was on his deathbed.

If not today, then perhaps some day in the future.

The King, a formidable ruler in his own right, couldn't help but think of his legacy amidst the Crown Prince's mournful wailing.

In life, he believed he had not failed the Chu royal ancestors or his subjects. He could lead troops into battle and manage state affairs with equal diligence.