Feng Jin pushed open the door and saw Chu Chenyi sitting there leisurely, her mood instantly soured. She rolled her eyes, annoyed at encountering someone she disliked wherever she went.
"What's with that look? This prince hasn't provoked you today."
He had been well-behaved, not even saying a word, let alone provoking Feng Jin in any way.
"Seeing you makes me very upset,"
Feng Jin said indifferently, her gaze shifting to Ling Mohan. "The matter is settled. The rest is up to you."
"What matter are you talking about?"
Chu Chenyi asked, completely confused. Had these two done something behind his back again?
"Your Highness Prince Jing, Baili Xi is currently imprisoned in my humble abode. I would trouble Prince Jing to transfer him, pass judgment on his crimes, and then send him back to Xiliang."
"Are you out of your mind?"
Chu Chenyi felt that Ling Mohan was dreaming with his eyes open. He wasn't even awake yet.
Asking him to interrogate Baili Xi and pass judgment on him – did he forget that Baili Xi was a subject of Xiliang? If he were to interrogate him, wouldn't that be overstepping his bounds, giving Xiliang an excuse to cause trouble?
"Baili Xi kidnapped the princess of Xiliang, intending to disrupt diplomatic relations between the two countries. He committed atrocities and massacred innocent people within Dongchu's borders... all his crimes are listed here."
Ling Mohan produced a memorial and threw it in front of Gu Beichen. He had long since collected and organized Baili Xi's crimes, waiting for Chu Chenyi to take over.
Taking the memorial, Chu Chenyi scanned through it almost at lightning speed. Ling Mohan was indeed efficient, having meticulously analyzed Baili Xi's crimes.
"Even if he's convicted, will Xiliang accept it?"
"You don't need to worry about that. I will make the necessary arrangements. You just need to follow through."
With Ling Mohan's guarantee, Chu Chenyi felt much more at ease. "With your word, I have nothing to worry about. I will handle the rest."
"He is in the dungeon. Don't forget to take him with you when you leave, Your Highness Prince Jing."
Ling Mohan kindly reminded Chu Chenyi not to forget to take the main culprit with him. He didn't want to keep such a menace at his residence; the thought of him made him feel disgusted.
"Don't worry."
Having long disliked Baili Xi, Chu Chenyi would naturally not miss such a good opportunity.
Feng Jin watched Chu Chenyi leave, then swiftly and heavily closed the door. The eyesore was finally gone.
"What are you planning to do next?"
"I've already arranged for people in Xiliang to spread news and mobilize Xiliang officials to put pressure on them. Even if the Emperor of Xiliang wanted to protect Baili Xi, he wouldn't be able to."
Ling Mohan's lips curved into a slightly sinister smile, his beautiful peach blossom eyes filled with schemes.
Feng Jin immediately felt that Baili Xi was incredibly unlucky. Why would he provoke Ling Mohan of all people? It was as if he was asking for trouble, and his current predicament was well-deserved, with no one else to blame.
"Then you handle it yourself."
She had no intention of getting involved in such matters; it would only be asking for trouble.
"I'm going to sleep for a bit. You yourself..."
"Madam... Young General..."
The commotion outside the door interrupted their conversation. Feng Jin quickly opened the door to see what was happening.
"Madam, someone from the palace has arrived. We urgently summon Madam and the Young General to the palace."
Feng Jin looked at Ling Mohan behind her, seeking his decision.
The man's expression darkened, and a bad premonition spread through him. Being summoned to the palace at this hour certainly wouldn't be for something good.
"Do we have to go?"
"An imperial decree has been issued, so naturally, we must go."
Ling Mohan suppressed his urge and said calmly, "Let's go to the palace first."
Whatever the situation was, it was unknown. They would only find out by going.
As soon as they stepped through the palace gates, Feng Jin felt a tense atmosphere and instinctively moved closer to Ling Mohan, taking his hand and whispering, "I somehow feel... a little scared and worried..."
An unsettling emotion had been lingering in her heart, making her very uneasy.
"It's alright, I'm here."
He squeezed her hand back, his voice soft but reassuring. Feng Jin felt a little more at ease.
The eunuch led them directly to Emperor Xuanwen's sleeping quarters. Feng Jin caught sight of all the princes and princesses kneeling outside the palace gate, and an ominous feeling washed over her.
Could Emperor Xuanwen be at the end of his life? The events that followed seemed to confirm Feng Jin's suspicion.
"Feng Jin is here. Hurry inside and see how the Emperor is."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Before Feng Jin could even pay her respects, she was directed into the hall to examine Emperor Xuanwen.
"How is he?"
The Empress Dowager anxiously inquired. Emperor Xuanwen's illness had come on suddenly, and the symptoms were more severe than last time. All the imperial physicians were helpless.
Feng Jin's brows furrowed deeply. The pulse was intermittent, appearing and disappearing, a clear sign of exhaustion. It was no wonder the imperial physicians couldn't diagnose it. At this point, even an immortal might not be able to save him.
It seemed that the poisoning from last time had damaged his fundamental health. Even though the poison was neutralized in time, his recovery had left him weakened. Coupled with day and night toil, even a body of iron couldn't withstand it.
Emperor Xuanwen was now at the end of his strength, beyond saving. Feng Jin slowly withdrew her hand after feeling his pulse and knelt before the Empress Dowager.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please forgive my incompetence. His Majesty has exhausted his vitality and is beyond saving. I implore Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to take charge of the overall situation."
The Empress Dowager felt as if her head had been struck by thunder. Her vision darkened, and she slumped weakly onto the chair.
How could this be? He was fine just yesterday, and now, overnight, a healthy person had collapsed like this.
She had lost her husband at a young age, and now in her old age, she had to endure the grief of losing her son. A white-haired parent sending off a black-haired child – was Heaven truly so cruel?
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager..."
"Feng Jin, do you... do you have any way to wake His Majesty up again?"
Feng Jin's expression faltered. She did have a way, but it was too dangerous. Once used, His Majesty would only have a few days left.
"It's alright, just tell me."
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, once it's used, His Majesty will only have a few days. It is merely a technique to revive him before he passes."
"Then use it. His Majesty cannot pass away in a coma like this."
The late Emperor had passed away in a daze without leaving a single word, and it was precisely because of this that her journey thus far had been so difficult.
She absolutely could not let such a thing happen again. His Majesty must make all his arrangements. This was the final responsibility of an emperor.