Chapter 548: Father and Son Reunited

Chapter 548: Father and Son Reunited

Empress Dowager Yuan narrowed her eyes, her gaze at Yuan Jiuan turning sharp.

No matter how hard she tried to guard against it, she still couldn't stop Yuan Jiuan from making trouble at the coronation ceremony.

She had thought about issuing an abdication edict, but figured it wasn't necessary.

After all, Emperor Chu had no heirs left, and the power in his hands had already been hollowed out by her.

He was as good as dead.

Shaking off her thoughts, Empress Dowager Yuan spoke indifferently: "Emperor Chu is gravely ill and cannot leave his bed. I'm afraid he won't make it to the coronation ceremony today."

"However, Prince Chengxuan need not worry. As for the matter of appointing the heir in Western Shu, I went to inform him myself a few days ago, and he's already agreed to it."

Yuan Jiuan sneered to himself. He knew full well that Emperor Chu was locked in a secret chamber by Empress Dowager Yuan, his tendons cut and his limbs chained up with iron.

Of course she wouldn't dare let Emperor Chu out—she wanted him dead.

Yuan Jiuan said: "When the Emperor is this sick, he should get out and walk around more. A little sunlight might help him recover faster."

"Funny enough, I just so happened to bring a rare Thousand Mountain Snow Lotus with me this time, planning to present it to Emperor Chu. Maybe this medicine will do him some good."

"Now that I think about it, it's been years since I last saw Emperor Chu. If the Empress Dowager doesn't mind, please let me see him. I'd like to pass on the best wishes of the people of Jizhou to him."

A flicker of anger rose in Empress Dowager Yuan's heart. Don't think she didn't see right through Yuan Jiuan's intentions.

He just wanted an excuse to see Emperor Chu so he could stop Yuanchao from taking the throne.

But two nights ago, she'd already ordered Emperor Chu's food and medicine cut off, and even went to his face to humiliate him.

He was probably already dead by now—how could he possibly show up here?

If Yuan Jiuan found out she'd been abusing Emperor Chu, he'd definitely turn on her in public.

If it turned into a scene, it would only get uglier.

With that in mind, Empress Dowager Yuan softened her tone and said: "The Thousand Mountain Snow Lotus is so precious, Your Highness should keep it for yourself to use."

"As for Emperor Chu, you need not worry. I've already sent people to give him the best medicine to help him recover. No need for Your Highness to go to all that trouble!"

While Yuan Jiuan was going back and forth with Empress Dowager Yuan, trading words, Ji Yuntang and Hua Feixue had already snuck out without anyone noticing.

The two of them hid in the spatial realm and made a beeline for where Emperor Chu was being held.

Ji Yuntang noticed that the hidden guards outside the palace had thinned out by more than half today—only about ten or fewer were left.

They pushed the door open and slipped in without a sound.

The two of them came out of the spatial realm. Ji Yuntang found the candlestick, gave it a gentle twist, and the secret door swung open.

Hua Feixue went in first, his steps fast and his heart racing with excitement, desperate to see Emperor Chu.

When he reached the underground chamber and saw the old man lying on the bed, Hua Feixue rushed over.

"Father, I've come to save you."

He pulled out the key Ji Yuntang had stolen and quickly started unlocking Emperor Chu's chains.

Half-conscious, Emperor Chu heard someone calling his name. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a familiar figure hovering in front of him.

So close, and so familiar.

Emperor Chu recognized him at once—this was his most beloved son, Chu Yi.

Remembering what Empress Dowager Yuan had said about the Crown Prince dying, his eyes instantly filled with tears.

"Am I already dead? I can actually see Yi'er."

"Yi'er, seeing you down here means I can die with no regrets."

He figured he'd made it to the underworld, which was why he could see Chu Yi.

The next second, a face in a black mask suddenly appeared in front of him. Chu Yi grabbed his hand tightly.

"Father, you're not dead. It's me, Yi'er. I've come to save you."

He undid the iron chains, pulled off his mask, and without caring how dirty Emperor Chu was, lifted him into a sitting position.

Only then did Emperor Chu clearly see Chu Yi's face. His eyes lit up with excitement, his hands shaking, his face full of disbelief.

"Yi'er, it's really you. You're still alive."

Father and son reunited, and Hua Feixue was just as moved. In that moment, his eyes went red too.

"Father, I'm not dead. All of this was Empress Dowager Yuan's scheme. She deliberately spread the news that I was dead so she could seize the Chu clan's imperial power."

"But don't worry, your son's all grown up now. I won't let her get away with it. I'm getting you out of here right now."

Emperor Chu looked at Hua Feixue, his heart surging like a raging flood.

At this moment, he truly felt that the boy he once held and comforted had grown into a towering man of integrity, someone who could stand on his own.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't proud of him.

Hua Feixue picked Emperor Chu up with ease. The old man was far lighter in his arms than he'd imagined.

Since his tendons had been cut, Emperor Chu's hands and feet just hung limp, and even the slightest movement sent pain shooting through him.

Hua Feixue cursed Empress Dowager Yuan under his breath for being so vicious, for torturing a perfectly healthy man into this state.

He'd make her taste the same pain.

Ji Yuntang stood off to the side, not wanting to interrupt their father-son reunion.

She noticed that the water and food she'd left for Emperor Chu before were all gone.

She pulled out some soft food and a calming pill and handed them to Hua Feixue.

"Feed your father something first, then give him this pill. Once he's asleep, I'll move him into the spatial realm."

Hua Feixue nodded and started carefully feeding Emperor Chu.

Emperor Chu cooperated, opening his mouth and swallowing the food bite by bite.

After taking the calming pill, he soon dozed off in Hua Feixue's arms.

Ji Yuntang focused her mind and moved them into a ward in the spatial hospital.

She took out a hospital gown and handed it to Hua Feixue, then pointed to the bathroom, showing him how to use the water heater.

"Your father has taken my medicine and is now asleep. He's out of danger for now. Once we finish dealing with these matters, I'll perform surgery to reconnect his tendons."

"There are towels and hot water in the bathroom. Wipe him down and change him into clean clothes."

Hua Feixue nodded and agreed one by one, "Alright, I understand."

Ji Yuntang added, "You stay here in the space and take care of your father for now. You probably won't be needed outside."

"I can't be away for long. I'll head out first, and when there's a need later, I'll let you out."

Hua Feixue agreed and said, "Thank you."

Ji Yuntang smiled and slipped out of the space.

She silently made her way back to Chengqian Hall, without being noticed by anyone.

At that very moment, because they couldn't see eye to eye, the conflict between Empress Dowager Yuan and Yuan Jiuan had completely erupted.

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