Chapter 85: Before the new emperor’s wedding, military and state affairs…

Chapter 85 — Before the New Emperor’s Wedding, Military and State Affairs Were Handled by...

"His Majesty fell violently ill. By the time this old minister arrived, I could only temporarily stabilize His Majesty's pressure points with silver needles to protect his cardiac system. If Your Majesty is ready, I can remove the needles to revive His Majesty."

Imperial Physician Hu's words were deliberately vague, but Huo Ling understood his implication.

After a moment of silence, she asked, "How long can His Majesty remain awake?"

Imperial Physician Hu sighed, with a heavy heart: "Given His Majesty's condition, at most one hour. The later the needles are removed, the worse His Majesty's state will become. I implore Your Majesty to make preparations swiftly."

Huo Ling studied Imperial Physician Hu, still puzzled by one thing: "You have always conducted His Majesty's regular health examinations. No one understands his health better than you."

"His Majesty was in perfect health these past few days, at most suffering from headaches due to a slight chill. How could it suddenly come to this?"

Imperial Physician Hu replied, "His Majesty's pulse was very unusual, as if struck by an acute sudden illness that caused his cardiac system to fail."

Huo Ling frowned, considering a possibility: "Could it be poisoning?"

Imperial Physician Hu hesitated before answering cautiously, "That is indeed possible, but this old minister is not an expert in poisons and cannot confirm it."

"Cui Hongyi, take your men and seal everything His Majesty came into contact with today."

Huo Ling swiftly issued the order.

Holding onto her last hope, she had all the imperial physicians waiting outside examine Emperor Jingyuan. Even if... even if they couldn't save him, extending his conscious time would be something.

Soon after, Huo Ling did not remain there but took An'er to the outer hall—the cause of Emperor Jingyuan's sudden collapse would require investigation later, but that was not the most pressing matter now.

"Li Man, summon Wen Shengan, Lu Hang, and Zhan Ling."

While Li Man hurried to fetch them, Huo Ling had An'er sit in the seat Emperor Jingyuan usually occupied.

Out of her arms, An'er fidgeted, instinctively leaning back toward Huo Ling, wanting to return to her embrace, but she held him firmly in place.

Huo Ling sat beside An'er, just as she usually sat beside Emperor Jingyuan.

Holding An'er's face, she gently wiped away his tears with a handkerchief, then smoothed his hair and straightened his clothes.

"An'er, do you remember how your father usually sat here?"

Huo Ling spoke as calmly as she could.

"You must sit just like him, properly, without fidgeting or crying. You can do that, can't you?"

An'er sat perfectly still, only looking at Huo Ling with his eyes: "But Mother Empress, I don't want to sit here. I want to be with Father Emperor."

Huo Ling stroked his head: "Wait a little longer, alright? Stay here with me first, then we'll go to Father Emperor together."

An'er nodded with a sniffle.

Wen Shengan and the other two had been kneeling outside the hall. Upon hearing the Empress's summons, they rose immediately and entered.

Seeing the Crown Prince and Empress seated as they were, perceptive men like Wen Shengan and Lu Hang immediately understood the significance. Though they had harbored dreadful premonitions since Emperor Jingyuan collapsed vomiting blood, they couldn't help but feel sorrow now.

Wen Shengan had served by Emperor Jingyuan's side since his princely days.

Lu Hang joined later but had been deeply trusted and relied upon since Emperor Jingyuan's accession.

Having experienced the previous emperor’s erratic rule, everyone found serving under Emperor Jingyuan to be quite pleasant—there was no fear that their superior might suddenly act on a whim and throw the entire court into turmoil.

Moreover, Emperor Jingyuan was indeed a gracious and benevolent ruler.

He had reigned for twenty-six years, his power formidable and unshakable.

For someone like Lu Hang, who had always tried to ingratiate himself with the Empress, it was completely unexpected that Emperor Jingyuan would suddenly fall ill.

Compared to the grief on their faces, Huo Ling remained composed, her face a mask of composure.

"The three of you are the ministers His Majesty trusted most. I called you here to give you some orders."

Her gaze first settled on Zhan Ling.

With Emperor Jingyuan’s sudden collapse, palace security took precedence.

"What’s the status of the palace defenses?"

Though Zhan Ling’s personal abilities were not outstanding, his tenure as Commander of the Imperial Guard over the years was due not only to Emperor Jingyuan’s trust but also to his own meticulousness.

When Huo Ling inquired about the palace’s defenses, he answered without hesitation: "The moment His Majesty fell ill, I put the guards on high alert."

"That's not enough," Huo Ling said. "From now on, no one enters or leaves without my written permission. Additional guards must be stationed at every gate. You will oversee this personally."

Recognizing the urgency, Zhan Ling bowed deeply, took his orders, and left.

Watching him leave, Huo Ling breathed a little easier before turning to Wen Shengan and Lu Hang. "You know how grave His Majesty’s condition is. I won’t hide anything from you."

"Your Majesty," Lu Hang said, his voice choked with emotion but his response swift, "His Majesty’s foremost worry was the realm’s stability. We urge you to act swiftly."

Wen Shengan nodded in agreement.

Yet, as they looked upon the young, confused Crown Prince, both sighed inwardly.

At least… at least the Empress remained steady.

With that thought, they discreetly studied Huo Ling’s face, only to find a calm so chilling it felt like the lull before a storm.

"Bring in the other Ministers, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and the Head of the Hanlin Academy."

Wen Shengan reminded her, "The imperial family must also be included."

"Have Prince Duan and Prince Cheng join them as well. Wait here."

Huo Ling carried An Er back inside.

The imperial physicians were huddled in hushed discussion. When Imperial Physician Hu saw Huo Ling enter, he shook his head slightly.

Her last hope gone, Huo Ling ordered, "Wake His Majesty."

When Emperor Jingyuan opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was An Er’s tear-streaked face, flushed from crying, before his gaze shifted to Huo Ling.

He could discern nothing from her expression.

Perhaps there was no need to infer from others’ reactions.

No one knew better than he how weak he was now.

"What did the physicians say?"

Huo Ling's lips quivered.

What Imperial Physician Hu had told her, she could repeat to Wen Shengan and Lu Hang. But facing Emperor Jingyuan, she could not remain indifferent.

Yet in the end, Huo Ling spoke: "The imperial physician said Your Majesty has only an hour to put your affairs in order."

Emperor Jingyuan closed his eyes wearily: "...Did the physician find anything yet?"

"Nothing yet."

"Is the entire court kneeling outside?"

"They are."

"Then the news of my death cannot be concealed." Emperor Jingyuan reopened his eyes. "Have Wen Shengan and the others come in."

Almost the moment Emperor Jingyuan summoned them, Wen Shengan and the others entered.

Seeing them arrive so swiftly, Emperor Jingyuan's eyes showed a flicker of relief.

This was surely the Empress's doing.

He had thought he would have enough time to watch his child grow and smooth his path to the throne, but the unexpected had come too quickly, too suddenly.

A child ruler breeds doubt.

With the Crown Prince still so young, what he needed—what Great Yan needed—was not an Empress who would sob helplessly at his bedside, but one who could swiftly compose herself and seize control, assisting the Crown Prince in stabilizing the court.

Emperor Jingyuan looked at An Er beside him and sighed to himself before instructing Lu Hang to prepare the decrees.

There were two decrees in total.

The first transferred the commanding general of Xingtang Pass, Zhou Jiamu, to Yanbei, with Deputy Commander Huo Shiming replacing him as commander.

The second declared that after his passing, the Crown Prince would ascend the throne before the imperial coffin; the Minister of Personnel Wen Shengan, the Minister of Rites Lu Hang, and the Left Censor-in-Chief Chen Haoyan would serve as regents; the Empress would be honored as Empress Dowager, and until the new Emperor's marriage, all military and state affairs would fall to her judgment.

Once everyone had confirmed the contents, Lu Hang brought forth the decree for Emperor Jingyuan to affix with the imperial seal.

Emperor Jingyuan said to Huo Ling, "Empress, seal it for me."

Huo Ling took up the imperial seal and pressed it at the lower right corner of the decree.

With the final decree settled, Emperor Jingyuan seemed relieved of his heaviest duty, but his already pallid complexion grew even more ashen. He struggled for breath a few times before speaking again: "All of you, leave us. There are still matters I must discuss privately with the Empress and the Crown Prince."

In an instant, only Emperor Jingyuan, Huo Ling, and An Er remained in the room.

Huo Ling bent closer, making it easier for Emperor Jingyuan to speak to her.

Emperor Jingyuan began with official matters.

Summoning his remaining strength, he gave her several locations and names.

Without questioning their significance, Huo Ling nodded. "Your Majesty can rest assured. I have memorized them all."

"And from my private treasury... allocate twenty percent to be divided among the Eldest Princess, the Second Princess, and Ning Xin... The rest is for you and An Er... You'll face many expenses..."

"A child ruler breeds doubt. While I live, the courtiers wouldn't dare make moves, but once I am gone, no one can predict what may happen."

"Zhan Ling is trustworthy, but his abilities are lacking. Zhou Jiamu is Prince Duan's man—leaving him as the commanding general of Xingtang Pass would never set my mind at ease. In haste, I could only promote your father..."

"In the capital, the Imperial Guard can protect you and An Er. In case of any unforeseen events, there is also an army in Yanxi that can act as your safeguard, serving as your contingency plan. Only this way can I ensure your safety and that of our child..."

Huo Ling listened as he went over every detail of his final arrangements, but in the end, she couldn’t hold back and buried her face against his chest.

Emperor Jingyuan had said almost everything he needed to. He could feel his life slipping away. The last remaining moments, he finally kept for his own heart's desires.

"There are some words I’ve never said to you..."

"Sometimes I think, what a blessing it would’ve been if I had met you at sixteen or seventeen. We would have had endless years together. But other times, I think that even if I had met you at that age, I still would have fallen in love with you—yet over those long years, I couldn’t swear I’d never doubt you."

Huo Ling was stunned.

Emperor Jingyuan smiled wryly. "Yet fate had me meet you at forty."

She was so young, full of life, and ambitious.

In her first two years in the palace, he recognized her capabilities and needed her to balance the court, so he smoothly guided her from the inner palace to the imperial court.

Later, she carried their child for ten months and gave birth to a strong, intelligent, and sharp-minded heir.

In the six years they spent together, she accompanied him through the final stretch of his life, while he laid the path for her rise.

Now, he was about to leave her. She would have to protect their just-turned-two child alone, facing a court of circling wolves.

At this moment, all he feared now was her lacking strength—that she might fail to protect herself, their child, and their dynasty. As for the rest, he no longer had the strength to consider.

An Er was their child, the crown prince he had chosen, the future ruler. But compared to An Er, she was more like the heir he had personally nurtured. In handling court affairs, in their daily conversations, he had imprinted his governance upon her.

She was his empress, his wife, the love of his life, and also his student.

"There are no outsiders now. If it hurts, let it out. After I’m gone, you’ll have to endure much hardship."

"Your Majesty."

Huo Ling lifted her head, her face wet with tears.

Seeing his mother cry, An Er, who had been quietly sniffling, suddenly wailed openly.

Emperor Jingyuan lifted his right hand with effort, but it fell limply halfway. Huo Ling caught it and held his hand to her face.

He moved his fingers slightly, brushing away her tears.

"Your Majesty, I don’t want you to go."

Huo Ling had thought she could stay strong, not showing a trace of weakness before him, letting him depart in peace. But... but... in her life, Emperor Jingyuan had been the one who treated her the best.

Even if she had many long years ahead, she was already certain—no one in this world would ever be as forgiving or as generous toward her as he had been.

He had defied the courtiers’ opposition, named her empress, and held lavish enthronement rites for her.

After she entered the central palace, he had favored her exclusively, adopted her suggestions, allowed her to step into the imperial court, and laid the path for her rise.

He had given her everything she’d ever craved: power and rank. He was her husband, her family, her teacher, her confidant, her friend, her unshakable pillar. And now, she was about to lose him forever.

She was about to lose the most important person in her life.

"My foolish girl."

Emperor Jingyuan sighed, "I was always meant to go before you and An Er."

Huo Ling kept shaking her head. "But I never thought it would be so soon."

"Huo Ling, do you still remember my name?"

Huo Ling felt Emperor Jingyuan's breath growing weaker, his hand losing strength as it slid from her cheek. She clutched his hand desperately, her voice urgent. "Ji Hehuai. Your name is Ji Hehuai."

Emperor Jingyuan's gaze shifted to An Er, then back to Huo Ling. In his eyes flickered a complexity even she couldn't quite figure out.

Yet, in the end, his eyes gradually softened.

"A Ling, from now on, I entrust the realm and its governance entirely to you."