Chapter 39: A Secret Imperial Edict

Chapter 39: A Secret Imperial Decree

Since November, the snow had not ceased, and the days grew colder. Zhu Yunxuan caught a cold that lingered on, causing him to miss court sessions, leaving all state affairs to be handled by the cabinet. His interest in governing the country waned significantly.

Under layers of heavy clothing, his seven-month pregnancy was barely noticeable. Zhu Yunxuan ate little, and the child in his womb was pitifully small. Doctor Fang often looked at his belly with concern but dared not voice his worries.

Zhu Yunxuan cared little for the child. No amount of talk would change his disdain.

Ganlin Palace had been locked down for days, turning away all officials seeking an audience. Rumors swirled outside the palace walls. Eventually, Princess Shu He, deeply concerned, entered the palace herself to see Zhu Yunxuan.

Zhu Yunxuan dismissed all attendants from the grand hall. Upon seeing the princess, a rare, relieved smile lit up his pale face. "Aunt, don't worry. I'm fine."

"But Your Majesty, you're..."

How could Princess Shu He not be worried? Before she could express her concerns, Zhu Yunxuan shook his head, interrupting her. "It's really nothing. The cold is long gone."

"You haven't attended court or met with officials these past days. All sorts of rumors are spreading outside..."

"I'm aware."

Rumors had spread that he was critically ill, or even that he was being held captive by Liang Zhen. This was not the first time such whispers had circulated, but given that he had just punished Liang Zhen's two closest confidants before suddenly falling ill and isolating himself in the palace, it fueled even more speculation. Now, the rumors had reached every corner of the city, leaving the people in a state of panic. Even if Zhu Yunxuan didn't step out of the palace gates, he could imagine the chaos outside.

"Yet you remain so calm. Aren't you afraid of stirring up trouble?"

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze darkened slightly, but a subtle curve formed at the corners of his lips. "I am doing this deliberately..."

Faking illness, abstaining from court, sealing off the palace, and even encouraging the circulation of these rumors – all to convince the officials that Liang Zhen had indeed confined him, the emperor.

The Grand Princess grew increasingly worried. "What exactly are you planning?"

Zhu Yunxuan lifted his gaze to the snowy mist beyond the window. A momentary flicker of confusion passed through his deep black eyes, followed by an impenetrable darkness. "Aunt, in a few days, my brother and Duke Ding will arrive in the capital."

Despite being a woman, the Grand Princess was born into royal lineage and quickly grasped his intentions. "Are you sure about this?"

"Of course... Aunt, I need your help with this matter. I cannot trust anyone else; only you have my full confidence."

Without hesitation, the Grand Princess nodded. "For you, I would give my life without a second thought."

Zhu Yunxuan chuckled softly. "Your life won't be needed, Aunt. I only ask that you assist me in sending a secret edict. It must reach Duke Ding's hands before my brother arrives in the capital."

"This is simple. I'll send my most trusted aide to deliver it immediately. He'll set off today and ensure the matter is taken care of."

"Very well."

Zhu Yunxuan appeared even more at ease. He retrieved the secret imperial edict hidden in a concealed compartment by the bed and handed it to the Grand Princess. She unfolded it, read its contents carefully, and her expression grew increasingly grave. "Will this work?"

Zhu Yunxuan replied, "It's all up to human effort. We have to give it a try no matter what."

The Grand Princess didn't ask further. She rolled up the imperial edict and hid it in her sleeve. "Relax, Your Majesty. Since I've promised you, I will surely deliver this secret edict safely into Duke Ding's hands."

Zhu Yunxuan nodded. "I trust in my aunt. I'm looking forward to your good news, Aunt."

After the Grand Princess left, Gao An brought over the pregnancy tonic. Zhu Yunxuan glanced at it and his gaze turned cold. "Summon Doctor Fang."

The old physician arrived promptly. Kneeling on the ground, he could feel the chill descending from above without even raising his head. "This old servant..."

"How long has it been? Where's the abortifacient I requested? Are you planning to drag this out with me until that cursed child is born?"

"Your Majesty... Terminating a pregnancy at seven months would make little difference to you; it would be as if the child had never been born. Why must you..."

With a crash, Zhu Yunxuan slammed the teacup at hand. "Do you mean I should let this thing be born only to strangle it? What use is there for an incompetent, good-for-nothing physician like you?!"

"Your Majesty! It... It's still a living life!"

Suppressing the rage surging in his chest, Zhu Yunxuan issued a stern command. "I'll give you another half a month. If you can't find a solution, consider your own head on your neck. Begone!"

After dismissing Doctor Fang, Gao An had no choice but to instruct someone to take the medicine bowl away. Moments later, Liang Zhen, who hadn't been seen in the Ganlin Palace for a while, entered and asked Zhu Yunxuan, "Why won't Your Majesty take the medicine?"

Zhu Yunxuan replied coldly, "Is it related to Prince Zhao?"

"How is Your Majesty's health? Why haven't you attended court for so many days?"

"Hmph. With Prince Zhao as a pillar of the nation, isn't that enough for the court? What difference does it make if I, the emperor, am present or not?"

Zhu Yunxuan's tone was laced with undisguised sarcasm, but Liang Zhen pretended not to notice. He softened his voice and tried to persuade him. "Regardless, you have to take the medicine..."

"Enough," Zhu Yunxuan interrupted him. "If Prince Zhao came here to spout such nonsense, there's no need. You may withdraw; I wish to rest."

Liang Zhen didn't comply as requested. Instead, he stepped closer, stopping just one pace away from Zhu Yunxuan. Squinting slightly, he examined the emperor's expression carefully.

Zhu Yunxuan frowned slightly, about to speak, when Liang Zhen suddenly caught his wrist, placing a finger on his pulse.

"What are you doing?!"

Zhu Yunxuan instinctively tried to pull away, but Liang Zhen didn't release him. His gaze grew even more profound as he looked at the emperor. "Your Majesty is not ill."

"I...I had no idea that Prince Zhao was also skilled in diagnosing illnesses."

"I only know a little, Your Majesty. Although your pulse seems weak, there are no signs of illness. The child in your womb is still safe and sound..."

Since Zhu Yunxuan had become pregnant, he had been weak and often ill. In the past few months, Liang Zhen and the imperial physicians had learned much about medicine. When they went to Yu State to combat the plague, Liang Zhen had learned even more, including the basics of observing, listening, asking, and palpating. Despite Zhu Yunxuan's frailty, it was clear to Liang Zhen that the rumors of the emperor being critically ill were false. He didn't even need to consult the imperial physicians to be certain. "Why, Your Majesty, do you claim to be ill and lock yourself in the palace? Is it not convenient for Prince Zhao?"

Zhu Yunxuan sneered. "Am I not fulfilling your wishes, Prince Zhao? Now you can control the court as you please without an ineffective emperor like me getting in your way, right?"

Liang Zhen tightened his grip on Zhu Yunxuan's wrist. Intense emotions swirled in his dark eyes as he met Zhu Yunxuan's unwavering gaze. Zhu Yunxuan remained calm, enduring the pain in his wrist without a sound.

After a moment of tension, the turmoil in Liang Zhen's eyes subsided, and he released Zhu Yunxuan's hand. "Rest if Your Majesty wishes. With your condition, you should indeed take more time to rest. We can discuss other matters after the child is born in a few months."

Zhu Yunxuan ignored him and rose to return to the inner chambers.

Liang Zhen went to the side palace where Doctor Fang had been residing since Zhu Yunxuan's condition worsened, always ready for summons. The table was cluttered with mixed medicinal herbs. When Liang Zhen entered, the elderly doctor was in the midst of writing a prescription. Upon hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Liang Zhen. A fleeting panic flashed across his eyes before he hastily gathered the papers under his hand and flipped them over. Only then did he rise to greet Liang Zhen.

Liang Zhen's gaze swept over the disarray of herbs on the table before landing on those papers. He paused, then reached out to pick them up.

"Your Highness..."

Doctor Fang blurted out, attempting to stop him. Liang Zhen's gaze turned cold. "What? Can't this prince read?"

He carefully flipped through each sheet, knowing only a little about medicine. Most of it was incomprehensible to him, but he still detected something amiss. "Is this the prescription for His Majesty? Why are there ingredients here that should not be used by pregnant individuals?"

Cold sweat trickled down the old doctor's forehead as he met Liang Zhen's probing stare. After a struggle, he knelt on the ground with reddened eyes. "Your Highness... please persuade His Majesty! He insists on terminating the pregnancy. This official truly... has no way out! These are formulas for women's abortions, but using them on a man would result in two deaths. This official would never dare to give such a thing to His Majesty, even if it meant death!"

Liang Zhen's grip on the papers tightened gradually. After a long silence, he asked in a hoarse voice, "When did His Majesty ask you to do this?"

"Two months ago, this official researched the formula for fertility drugs, but found no leads. That drug is both a medicine and a poison, extremely potent. Once the child is conceived, it cannot simply be discarded. In over two hundred years, there has never been an exception. I'm incompetent and could not concoct the abortion drug His Majesty wanted. I dared not deceive His Majesty with other deadly substances..."

Two months ago... So Zhu Yunxuan had truly decided from then on to sever all ties between them.

Liang Zhen didn't ask further. Instead, he turned and returned to the main palace.

Zhu Yunxuan was already asleep, with Gao An standing guard beside him. Upon seeing Liang Zhen enter, he instantly became vigilant and refused to leave.

"Go down, Your Highness isn't up to anything. I'm just watching over His Majesty here. Do you really think I would dare to attempt His Majesty's life? How could I bear to..."

He spoke these words while gazing at Zhu Yunxuan's sleeping form, his voice soft and low, almost like a whisper to himself. The emotion in his eyes seemed to overflow like water.

Gao An hesitated for a moment before finally stepping back.

Liang Zhen sat down by the bed, silently observing Zhu Yunxuan's restless slumber. He gently stroked the slight frown between his brows, sighing inwardly.

If this is what you desire... then I shall fulfill your wish.