Chapter 824
The Awakening of Emperor Changning!
King's capital.
Imperial Prefecture.
Ji Mingyu spoke with absolute certainty, making no attempt to conceal his attitude towards coming here.
Jiang Ning glanced at Ji Mingyu, then at Ji Mingyue beside him, whose expression was unreadable.
"This is a family matter!" Jiang Ning said calmly.
Upon hearing these words, Ji Mingyu's expression hardened, and then he spoke seriously.
"Your Excellency is mistaken."
"The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of each and every one of us."
"If the crown prince is left undecided, and this drags on for too long, chaos will ensue, and the entire Kyushu and Thirty-Six Prefectures may fall apart."
"Moreover, the Yellow Heaven Sect now occupies three prefectures and one county, and its followers are countless. It has the potential to sweep across the world."
"No matter what, a country cannot be without a ruler for a single day."
"I am extending this invitation frankly."
"If Your Excellency is willing to help me, I will treat you as a national hero and do everything in my power to resolve the curse that has befallen you."
Jiang Ning shook his head: "I am aware of the Third Prince's sincerity. However, I am currently under a curse, and all I ask for is a peaceful life in my remaining years, and to protect those around me. The struggle for the throne is turbulent and unpredictable, and I have no intention of getting too involved."
“I understand your concerns, Lord Marquis.” Ji Mingyu leaned forward, his voice lowering slightly. “But it is precisely because you bear the curse that you need someone to rely on. If something were to happen to Father Emperor, the first thing the new emperor would do upon ascending the throne would be to purge the old guard and appease the important officials. If you have no one to rely on, your situation would be even more difficult. And I…” He paused, his eyes gleaming. “I swear that after I ascend the throne, I will dedicate the entire nation’s resources to finding a way to lift the curse for you!”
Jiang Ning smiled.
"Third Prince, there's no need for you to worry. I have no interest in this matter."
Beside her, Ji Mingyue suddenly raised her head, a ripple in her eyes, but she bit her lip and remained silent.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
A man dressed as a bodyguard strode in and whispered a few words in Ji Mingyu's ear.
Ji Mingyu's expression changed slightly. He stood up and cupped his hands to Jiang Ning: "There is an urgent matter in the palace, and I need to return immediately. What I have said today comes from the bottom of my heart. I hope that Your Excellency will consider it carefully."
He then looked at Ji Mingyue and said in a gentle tone, "Little Seventeen, if you have any free time, you are welcome to visit my residence at any time."
After saying that, Ji Mingyu hurriedly left, his figure quickly disappearing from their sight.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Ji Mingyue walked to Jiang Ning's side and asked softly, "Brother Jiang Ning, are you really unwilling to help Third Brother?"
Jiang Ning turned to look at her, his gaze deep: "You want me to help him?"
Ji Mingyue shook her head: "I don't know."
Then she added, "But what Third Brother said is true. Eighth Brother has no powerful backing. If he forcibly participates in the struggle for the crown prince position, he will only end up dead. I know all of this. Before leaving the capital, I knew about the current situation. I also advised Eighth Brother to give up everything, leave the capital, and roam the world freely to find peace! But Eighth Brother was unwilling. Eighth Brother has his own principles."
"You wouldn't want to see brothers killing each other, would you?" Jiang Ning said.
Ji Mingyue nodded: "These are all my brothers. Although there are differences in their relationship, the kinship remains. I still remember my childhood memories clearly."
At this moment, the morning sunlight streamed through the lattice window, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Jiang Ning looked at Ji Mingyue beside him: "Your third brother is right about one thing: a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. But since your father is still alive, we cannot draw any conclusions yet."
Ji Mingyue's eyelashes trembled slightly: "What does Brother Jiang Ning mean?"
“What I mean is, the most important thing right now is for you to go to the palace and see your father,” Jiang Ning said. “No matter what rumors are circulating outside, you can only feel at ease if you see and hear it with your own eyes and ears. Besides, the reason I came back this time is to accompany you to see your father.”
He paused, then continued, "The struggle for the crown prince position is like a whirlpool. Those caught in it can only advance, not retreat; there is only one path: success. I promised your brother I would protect you, so I won't let you take any risks. But I also said that if you want to go back to see your father, I will accompany you."
Ji Mingyue's eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded vigorously: "Then when shall we set off?"
"The sooner the better," Jiang Ning said. "Make your preparations quickly, and we'll head to the palace immediately."
"Do you need me to come to the palace with you?" After a long silence, Su Qingying suddenly looked up at Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue.
Jiang Ning glanced at her and then nodded.
"That would be perfect."
He understood that if Su Qingying went along, her attitude would be different.
If anyone in the capital wants to make a move against Ji Mingyue in the future, they will need to consider the Grand Preceptor.
He also understood that Su Qingying preferred peace and quiet and liked living alone.
The reason she was willing to go to the palace with me at this time was because of him.
He looked at Su Qingying, and Su Qingying's gaze immediately met his.
Their eyes met, and Su Qingying suddenly smiled faintly.
9:00 AM (巳时).
At the entrance of the palace.
A two-wheeled carriage drawn by two horses slowly approached.
The majestic outline of the imperial city gradually became clear. The guards in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate were several times more formidable than usual. The imperial guards, clad in armor and wielding halberds, scanned everyone who approached with lightning-fast eyes.
"Greetings, Imperial Preceptor!" As the carriage stopped at the palace gate, the captain of the Imperial Guard immediately stepped forward, took the initiative to bow and greet him.
As they were responsible for guarding the palace gates, the Imperial Preceptor's carriage was naturally recognized.
"Please, Imperial Preceptor, dismount and enter the city!" the Imperial Guard captain said again.
Foreign carriages and horses must dismount before entering the imperial city, a rule that has been followed by the Great Xia royal family for many years.
There are very few exceptions.
Just then.
The carriage curtain was swept open, and Ji Mingyue took the initiative to show her face.
"Greetings, Seventeenth Princess!" The Imperial Guard captain immediately bowed upon seeing Ji Mingyue.
"I want to enter the city to see my father, the Emperor. The Marquis of Dongling and the Imperial Preceptor are in the carriage!" Ji Mingyue said.
Upon hearing this, the captain of the Imperial Guard felt a chill run down his spine.
Few people are allowed to enter the city by carriage, but Ji Mingyue is one of them.
This is also proof that she is deeply loved.
"Please forgive me, Seventeenth Princess, but I need to take a look at the carriage," said the Imperial Guard Captain.
After obtaining Ji Mingyue's permission, he stepped forward, swept aside the carriage curtain, and took a look.
Then he quickly lowered his head.
"My lord, Imperial Advisor, I have offended you greatly, please forgive me!"
After he finished apologizing, he quickly waved to the imperial guards watching the city gate behind him.
"Let them through!"
Then, the carriage carrying Jiang Ning and the other two slowly drove into the imperial city.
The carriage passed through numerous palace gates and traveled along the long imperial road.
Along the way, Jiang Ning felt the atmosphere outside was extremely oppressive, and he could feel the unusual sense of oppression within the palace even inside the carriage.
A moment later, the carriage arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The three men from Jiangning dismounted.
The palace doors were tightly shut, and several guards with solemn expressions and piercing eyes stood like statues, while an old steward in a purple robe stood guard in front of the steps.
When the head steward saw Ji Mingyue, he raised his eyelids slightly, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Your Highness the Seventeenth Princess."
Then, his gaze fell on the two people behind Ji Mingyue, specifically Jiang Ning and Su Qingying.
"Chief Steward Fu, I want to see my father!" Ji Mingyue said.
Fu Zongguan said, "His Majesty is resting quietly. The imperial physician has advised against disturbing him too much."
Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyue's gaze sharpened.
"I said I want to see my father!" His tone became serious.
Steward Fu glanced at Ji Mingyue, then his gaze fell on Jiang Ning and Su Qingying behind Ji Mingyue, his expression hesitant.
"Get out of the way!" Su Qingying suddenly spoke.
As soon as he finished speaking, the air turned as cold as a knife.
Under the warm sunshine, Steward Fu shivered.
He sensed Su Qingying's murderous intent.
He had no doubt that if he tried to stop Ji Mingyue again, the incredibly mysterious Grand Preceptor of the Great Xia Dynasty would take action on the spot.
Thinking of his past understanding, he immediately lowered his head.
"Please come in, Princess. The Fifth Prince is inside."
Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyue's gaze sharpened, and she immediately understood the meaning behind Steward Fu's words.
At this moment, Steward Fu no longer tried to stop him, nor did he dare to. He stepped aside and gently pushed open the heavy palace door.
A strong medicinal smell mixed with the scent of sandalwood wafted towards me.
The hall was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the strong scent of sandalwood.
The group then passed through the hall and entered the interior at the back.
Inside, bright yellow curtains hung low, and on the dragon bed, a slender figure lay—it was Emperor Changning, the Emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty.
"Little Seventeen, when did you come back?" The Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan was somewhat surprised to see Ji Mingyue.
Then he saw Jiang Ning and Su Qingying, and his expression became even more surprised.
"What is Fifth Brother's intention in having Steward Fu prevent me from visiting Father Emperor?" Ji Mingyue asked bluntly.
Faced with Ji Mingyue's questioning, the Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan's expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and lowered his voice, saying, "Seventeenth Prince, Father's health is extremely weak right now. The imperial physicians have advised that he needs to rest and not be visited frequently, which is why Chief Steward Fu was there to stop people from entering. Moreover, Father's health is very serious right now. If word of Father's condition were to get out, it would surely cause chaos in the court."
"Fifth Brother, you're certainly putting on airs!" Ji Mingyue's eyes turned cold. "Where are the other brothers?"
The atmosphere inside was tense. The maid waiting to the side had her eyes downcast, like a wooden figure, and didn't listen to the conversation.
At this moment, Jiang Ning's gaze passed over the two of them and landed on the dragon bed.
Although they were several steps apart, his senses were very sharp, and he could feel the intense death aura emanating from Emperor Changning's body on the dragon bed.
When Jiang Ning saw Emperor Changning's purplish-black face, his heart sank.
Even with only a preliminary investigation, Emperor Changning's condition was worse than he had imagined.
next moment.
He stepped forward.
"My lord, please do not approach!" Ji Mingyuan saw Jiang Ning's actions and immediately stepped forward to stop him.
Just as he took his first step, he suddenly stopped.
He then looked at the quiet Su Qingying in horror.
"What does the Imperial Preceptor mean?"
at this time.
Jiang Ning also came to the dragon bed and placed his hand on Emperor Changning's withered arm, which was placed outside the quilt.
As his Qi flowed, he immediately sensed that the aura within Emperor Changning's body was as weak as a candle flickering in the wind, and that his life force was being constantly devoured by a cold and decaying power.
It was not an ordinary illness, but a kind of erosion that penetrated deep into the internal organs and entangled the soul. It was eight parts similar to the power that was entangled in his body, but it was even more profound and vicious.
Emperor Changning's face was purplish-black and ashen, and his brows were shrouded in an aura of death. Even with precious medicinal herbs keeping him alive, he was already on the verge of death.
"Indeed, my days are numbered." Jiang Ning thought to himself.
Given Emperor Changning's current condition, let alone governing, he would likely find it difficult to even have a moment of lucidity.
No wonder the Third Prince Ji Mingyu was so eager to win him over.
The struggle for the throne has reached a critical moment. If the emperor passes away without a clear will, the princes will inevitably be plunged into a bloody struggle.
Although Ji Mingyu has powerful backers, he may not be able to suppress his other brothers.
He desperately needs the powerful assistance of someone like Jiang Ning to increase his chances of winning the throne and even to intimidate his opponents.
Jiang Ning also knew that his actions in Guangning Prefecture had probably already been reported back to the capital.
Therefore, Ji Mingyu must be aware of the strength he displayed in Guangning Prefecture.
At this moment, the Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan saw Jiang Ning's investigation and couldn't help but show a concerned expression.
"Lord Dongling, is there any way to deal with my father's current condition? You have a better understanding of this because you have experienced it firsthand."
"The power of the curse has seeped into my bones and penetrated my internal organs, becoming entangled with my soul. It cannot be resolved by ordinary external forces," Jiang Ning said, withdrawing his hand and shaking his head.
"In the opinion of the Marquis of Dongling, how many more days can my father hold out?" Ji Mingyuan asked again.
At that moment, Jiang Ning stopped answering.
He held Emperor Changning's arm, his mind focused and at ease.
Subsequently, the power of decay and prosperity erupted within Emperor Changning's body.
Emperor Changning has reached this point, his body decaying like a withered tree, with little vitality left.
But there was still a breath left in him, and life still lingered within him.
In an instant, an aura containing both new life and decay permeated the area around the dragon bed, and the medicinal and sandalwood scents in the room seemed to be stirred up by this force.
Emperor Changning's purplish-black face twitched slightly. His once lifeless body rippled like a stone thrown into an ancient well.
Wherever the power of decay and prosperity passed, the cold and decaying curse power was suppressed briefly, like ice and snow meeting the sun.
Then life began to emerge; though it seemed to be running out of fuel, a small flame slowly began to ignite.
"Cough...cough..."
A faint but clear cough came from the dragon bed.
Upon hearing this voice, Ji Mingyuan looked at the dragon bed in shock.
Ji Mingyue's eyes immediately lit up with a mixture of surprise and delight.
Emperor Changning's tightly closed eyelids trembled a few times before he slowly opened his eyes.
Those eyes, which once looked down upon the world, were now murky and bloodshot, but deep within them, a glimmer of life appeared, bringing a moment of clarity.
His gaze first swept blankly across the dim tent ceiling, then turned with difficulty to Jiang Ning's face by the bedside, before slowly moving to Ji Mingyue, who was standing there with tears in her eyes and covered her mouth in excitement, as well as Su Qingying, who stood still like a statue, and the Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan, whose expression was complicated.
"Mingyue." Emperor Changning's lips moved slightly, his voice so hoarse it was almost unrecognizable, yet he accurately called out his beloved daughter's name.
"Father!" Ji Mingyue could no longer hold back. She rushed to the bedside, grasped her father's other cold hand, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Emperor Changning's gaze lingered on his daughter's face for a moment, a trace of indescribable tenderness and guilt flashing across his eyes. Then, he gathered all his strength and locked his gaze back on Jiang Ning, his turbid eyes suddenly bursting with astonishing sharpness and insight.
"I never expected that even after all this, the Marquis of Dongling would still have such means to bring me a brief moment of clarity. No wonder the Marquis of Dongling, despite being cursed, was still able to accomplish such a world-shaking feat in Guangning Prefecture."
"His Majesty is currently unable to speak much, and his life force is exhausted. He needs precious medicine to sustain his life," Jiang Ning said.
"Father, this is a thousand-year-old Shouyang ginseng!" Ji Mingyuan immediately took a palm-sized ginseng from the table beside him. (End of Chapter)