Chapter 180: Decision.

Chapter 180: Decision.

The night was dark, and the rain poured relentlessly. Apart from a few distant palaces still lit by lanterns, casting pools of light, the surroundings were shrouded in darkness.

Ji Xianshan staggered on for what felt like ages, his robe, knees, and elbows streaked with mud—from tripping on the steps earlier and falling hard.

The palace attendants who had chased after him from Shouning Palace had initially intended to hold an umbrella for him, but after being shoved away, they didn’t dare insist. Instead, they followed at a distance, seeing him back.

By the time he returned to Taihe Palace, he was soaked through. It was as if he was completely drained in that moment, and even changing his clothes required the support of the attendants.

Xiao Fuzi immediately ordered someone to prepare ginger tea to fight off a chill. Though it was the transition between summer and autumn and not exactly cold, getting caught in such a downpour could easily lead to illness.

Xiao Fuzi’s concern proved justified. By dawn, Ji Xianshan had indeed broken into a high fever.

Xiao Fuzi hurriedly sent for the imperial physician and also dispatched someone to send for the empress, cautioning, "Mind your words when speaking to Her Majesty. Don’t frighten her, understand?"

Ji Xianshan felt as though he had been stuck in a long, feverish dream.

Dimly, he felt someone wiping his forehead and face with a warm cloth.

His lips parted slightly, trying to utter that short, familiar address, but no sound came out.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Someone kept calling in his ear.

The dream gradually faded, replaced by a blinding light. Ji Xianshan’s eyelashes fluttered violently before he finally opened his eyes.

He gazed silently at Lu Zuo, who sat by his bedside, for a long time.

Lu Zuo waved a hand in front of his eyes. "Your Majesty, why aren’t you speaking? Did you have a nightmare?"

Ji Xianshan felt clammy all over. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Almost a full day. You’re still feverish. Your Majesty should eat something first, take your medicine, and then rest some more."

After changing into clean undergarments and having some nourishing millet porridge, Ji Xianshan remained weak. The slightest exertion made his head spin.

Lu Zuo helped him lie back down. "Physician Chen said Your Majesty’s illness came on suddenly and will require careful recuperation to fully recover."

Ji Xianshan muttered faintly in reply, closed his eyes, and turned his head slightly as if falling back asleep.

Lu Zuo hesitated, unsure if she should speak.

After learning of Ji Xianshan’s illness, she had sent her chief maid to Shouning Palace, but no one had come from there. Instead, the maid had returned with a message:

—"Since the emperor is still unwell, there’s no need to force himself to attend morning and evening greetings at Shouning Palace. Staying put in Taihe Palace is the best way to show filial duty."

Lu Zuo knew at once that something was wrong. If the emperor was ill, the empress dowager should have either visited in person or at least sent someone to inquire after him.

She grilled Xiao Fuzi for details and only then learned of everything that had happened the day before.

Worried but uncertain how to proceed, Lu Zuo dared not burden Ji Xianshan with the matter now, lest it hinder his recovery.

Yet Ji Xianshan spoke up first. "How did Shouning Palace react when they learned of my illness?"

Lu Zuo quickly adjusted her expression, smoothing the blanket over him gently. "Your Majesty has just taken medicine. Rest first. Whatever matters there are can wait until you’ve recovered."

Ji Xianshan said, "Go ahead, speak plainly."

Lu Zuo hesitated for a moment but still told him everything truthfully.

Ji Xianshan remained with his eyes closed, his expression unchanged. "Don’t stay here to watch over me. I have a chill and fear I might infect you. There are so many palace servants in the *Hall of Supreme Harmony*—they can take good care of me."

...

Ji Xianshan was delirious for a day. By the next day, when he had regained some energy, he immediately ordered Xiao Fuzi to leave the palace and summon Song Xu to the palace.

However, Xiao Fuzi came back unsuccessful—Song Xu had already departed early that morning to assume his post in Qiangzhou.

"The people at the Song residence said that to prevent unrest in Qiangzhou, Lord Song needed to go there as soon as possible to oversee matters and couldn’t stay in the capital to celebrate Your Majesty’s *Emperor’s Birthday*.

"But Lord Song had already prepared the capping ceremony gifts for Your Majesty in advance. I’ve brought them back for you. And this letter—Lord Song wrote it the night before he left the capital."

Ji Xianshan took the letter and silently read through it.

The letter was extremely long, spanning five pages, with handwriting far messier than usual. It was clear that Song Xu had written it in great haste.

In the letter, Song Xu offered many words of comfort and counsel, urging him not to act rashly and to remain patient while observing the situation.

Ji Xianshan closed the letter: *"This advice comes too late now, Teacher Song."*

Seeing his low spirits, Xiao Fuzi smiled and said, "Would Your Majesty like to write a reply to Lord Song? This servant can write it for you. Lord Song has only just left the capital—if we send the letter by courier horse, it will reach him within a day at most."

Ji Xianshan lowered his eyes. "No need."

The capital’s a mess now. Teacher Song had already escaped—why trouble him further with a letter?

Xiao Fuzi scratched his head and suggested, "How about I bring Lord Song’s capping ceremony gifts for Your Majesty to see?"

Ji Xianshan nodded. "Alright."

Having slept for an entire day, though still lacking energy, he no longer wished to remain in bed.

Before he could see the gifts, however, the two elder sisters, Leping and Yang'an, arrived together to visit him.

"Eldest Sister, Second Sister, to what do I owe this visit?"

Princess Leping smiled gently. "We heard you were ill, so Second Sister and I came to see you. Why are you out of bed? Are you feeling better?"

Ji Xianshan replied, "I’ve been lying in bed all day and was going stir-crazy, so I got up to move around a bit."

Princess Yang'an set down the lunchbox she was carrying. "See what I’ve brought for you."

Not wanting to dampen the mood, Ji Xianshan obligingly opened the box. Seeing the lotus flower pastries inside, he smiled. "*Dowager Consort Shu* still remembers this is my favorite."

Princess Yang'an said, "Indeed. Her Highness originally wished to come visit you in person, but I told her you were still unwell—crowds might hinder your recovery."

Ji Xianshan invited his two sisters to sit.

Shortly after, Lu Zuo also arrived upon hearing the news.

Princess Yang'an remarked, "It reeks of medicine in here—A Zuo must find it unpleasant. Eldest Sister, since A Zuo is over five months pregnant, and you have experience, you should share more about what women with child at this stage need to pay attention to."

Princess Leping immediately stood up with a smile and took Lu Zuo’s arm, speaking warmly, "Indeed, the room is stifling. Even I feel uncomfortable staying too long, let alone A Zuo. If you don’t mind, A Zuo, why not join me outside? I’ll share some advice—all gathered from decades of experience by the elderly nursemaids. It’s extremely useful."

Dismissed Princess Leping and Lu Zuo, Princess Yang'an helped Ji Xianshan inside to rest.

She glanced around, confirming no one was nearby, then lowered her voice: "Aside from visiting you, the main reason I came to the palace this time is to ask where you stand."

Ji Xianshan's expression remained unchanged.

Princess Yang'an said, "You are my own brother. Between you and the Empress Dowager, my loyalty is with you."

Ji Xianshan remained silent for a beat. Instead, he asked, "Are you asking this on your own behalf, Elder Sister, or on behalf of others as well?"

Princess Yang'an replied, "Indeed, there are others—Prince Cheng, Prince Su, and more. If you give the word, I can also reach out to Auntie Ning Xin on your behalf. She would surely support you too."

The Mandate of Heaven Prophecy was like a boulder hurled into an abyss, instantly stirring a tidal wave.

Those who had initially sought to avoid confrontation, unwilling to oppose the Empress Dowager while her authority was at its peak, were forced to act.

Everyone caught the scent of change in the air.

"Sun and moon conjoined, the Nine Cauldrons return to the Phoenix"—such a prophecy, what became of the dignity of the Son of Heaven?

The Empress Dowager had repeatedly usurped imperial prerogatives, not only putting herself on par with the emperor in every aspect but even surpassing him.

If they did not speak up now, the next step after "sharing the throne" would surely be "the Nine Cauldrons return to the Phoenix."

For many court officials, it might make little difference whether the one seated above was the Empress Dowager or the emperor. After all, for years, it had always been the Empress Dowager holding court.

But for the imperial clan, the difference between the Empress Dowager and the emperor on the throne was immense.

The power of the imperial clan flowed from shared blood—from sharing the same ancestors as the emperor, all bearing the surname "Ji."

They could tolerate the Empress Dowager wielding power, but if she harbored ambitions of "a hen crowing at dawn"—seeking to replace the emperor—then for the imperial clan, it would mean ruin.

Especially in recent years, the Empress Dowager had systematically weakened the influence of the imperial clan.

Many who had once held key positions were gradually sidelined, fomenting the clan's discontent toward her.

It was easy to imagine that if the Empress Dowager truly ascended to that position, the first to feel her blade would be the Ji imperial clan.

Princess Yang'an also addressed Huo Ling as "Mother Empress," and her relationship with Huo Ling was closer than that of Princess Leping.

Yet no matter how close, it could never compare to the bond between Princess Yang'an and Ji Xianshan.

Moreover, which scenario granted her greater power—a mother in name with no blood ties holding authority, or supporting her own brother in reclaiming governance and becoming a Princess of the State herself?

The answer required no deliberation.

After a moment of silence, Ji Xianshan asked quietly, "What do you intend to do?"

"Storm the palace. An armed protest."

Ji Xianshan's gaze sharpened. "The palace is filled with the Empress Dowager's people. Success would be extremely difficult."

Princess Yang'an said, "Among the four Imperial Guard divisions, many mid-to-high-ranking officers take orders directly from the Empress Dowager, but not all are loyal to her. A few can be swayed to our side.

"A palace coup doesn’t require vast numbers. With some guards coordinating from within, helping us open the gates, surrounding Shouning Palace, seizing the Empress Dowager, and cutting off all her communication with the outside—once we deal with her loyal officials, the rest will follow naturally.

"After all, you are the rightful heir, the legitimate emperor."

Princess Yang'an gripped her brother’s shoulders, gazing deeply at his pallid, sickly face.

"I know what weighs on Your Majesty’s mind. The Empress Dowager is my mother in name, and she has been kind to me over the years. Would I ever harm her? We merely wish for her to retire from Shouning Palace to Cining Palace and live out her days in retirement."