The Emperor was meeting with the Crown Prince, and Situ Yan knew exactly what they would discuss without needing to guess.
However, given the Crown Prince's recent actions, it was impossible for him to simply remain a wealthy prince and live a life of leisure. The Emperor's arrangements were destined to be in vain, and Situ Yan wondered if the old man could withstand it. With this thought, his legs, which had intended to leave the palace, turned and headed towards the Imperial Study.
Li Wang hurried over, "Your Highness, Imperial Physician Ji is waiting for you ahead."
Ahead was the Imperial Garden. It was a shame that due to the continuous heavy rain, the delicate and rare flowers had already been moved into the greenhouse. Those that couldn't be moved were battered and scattered by the rain, offering little beauty. Ji Jin stood by the roadside, holding an umbrella, his expression a mix of anxiety and excitement. Seeing Situ Yan, he hurried forward, "A'Yan, are you leaving the palace?"
"The memorials haven't been reviewed yet."
"His Majesty is having a private discussion with the Crown Prince in the Imperial Study. It's not appropriate to go in now. Why don't you leave the palace first, see to your business, and then come back?"
Situ Yan felt like laughing, "Old Ji, calm down. Qing Hua has personally agreed to your marriage. Your betrothal is just a formality. You're sure to win the heart of the beauty."
"But I haven't asked Shengge's opinion yet. If she doesn't like it..."
"You're going about this the wrong way, brother." Situ Yan interrupted him, ducking under his umbrella and putting an arm around his shoulder, "I ask you, if Shengge says she doesn't like it, will you still marry her?"
Ji Jin's eyes were full of confusion, "If she doesn't like it, how can I marry her?"
Situ Yan didn't mind and continued, "You haven't understood the essence of marrying a wife. Being too principled won't work. Back then, to marry your sister-in-law, I resorted to all sorts of tricks, deception, and manipulation."
Ji Jin's eyes widened in shock.
"Why the long face? Tsk, your head must be so full of those medical books that you lack basic common sense for men. Do you understand the concept of forced marriage? Once she's home, who's afraid she won't warm up to you? Of course, I've always felt that Shengge has feelings for you. Otherwise, why would she return to the capital?"
Situ Yan's words left Ji Jin completely bewildered, "Let me process this."
"If you need to process, don't do it in the rain! Li Wang, find a room and have some good tea brought up."
Despite being stunned, Ji Jin was still determined to leave the palace first to hear the outcome. Situ Yan couldn't stop him and, worried about Emperor Changwu, patted his shoulder, "How about I ask Ouyang to accompany you?"
Ji Jin suddenly reacted and said in a low voice, "Something has happened in the palace?"
"What are you thinking? I'm just a bit worried His Majesty might be angered."
"Isn't it only you who can anger him?"
Situ Yan: ...
He spoke the truth so bluntly. Ji Jin was mercilessly driven out of the palace by Situ Yan.
The two brothers' delay meant that Emperor Changwu and the Crown Prince had already finished their conversation. Seeing the departing figure on another path, Situ Yan quickened his pace towards the Imperial Study.
Inside the Imperial Study, Emperor Changwu clutched his chest and took a breath.
Li Furui brought him the prepared ginseng tea, "Your Majesty, your health is paramount. Please do not argue with the Crown Prince."
"You tell me, why doesn't he understand?" He had arranged every fallback for him, yet he insisted on contending for the throne. "Is that position so important?"
Li Furui thought for a moment, "Your Majesty, it is a vast empire. It is understandable that the Crown Prince is unwilling to let go. Who wouldn't want a position second only to the Emperor? Moreover, the Crown Prince has been in the position of heir apparent for decades."
Emperor Changwu sighed, "But I have also told him many times that he is not suitable, that he cannot hold onto it. Forget it, let him stir up trouble."
Just then, a young eunuch knocked on the door, "Your Majesty, Prince Rui has arrived. May he enter?"
Li Furui said, "Your Majesty, it is likely Prince Rui has come to review memorials."
"He's sensible. Announce him." Emperor Changwu drank some ginseng tea to compose himself, so as not to show a displeased expression to his younger son. Why did that brat come so quickly? If he had been a little later, he would have already returned to his chambers to rest.
Situ Yan respectfully paid his respects to Emperor Changwu, but his first words were not pleasant, "Look at your ashen face, you've been angered again, haven't you?"
That flippant tone instantly made Emperor Changwu's hand itch. He picked up a memorial and threw it at him, but due to his lack of strength, it fell to the ground two meters away from him. Situ Yan's brow furrowed, "Quickly send for an imperial physician."
"I am fine."
"You don't even have the strength to hit your son, and you say you're fine?"
Emperor Changwu, unconvinced, threw another book, but it landed even further from Situ Yan.
Seeing this, Eunuch Li dared not delay any longer and hurried to issue an imperial decree. Thus, Ji Jin, who had not yet left the palace, was called back.
Ji Jin was furious. Disregarding Emperor Changwu's presence, he glared at Eunuch Li several times.