Feng Jin was still trapped within the imperial palace. He could not wait another moment. He had to charge into the palace immediately, kill Chu Yanxi on the spot, and rescue Feng Jin.
"The entire palace is now filled with Chu Yanxi's men. Moreover, His Majesty, the Empress Dowager, Prince Jing, and Feng Jin are all within the palace. They must have been controlled by Chu Yanxi. If you rush in like this, you will corner Chu Yanxi. When a cornered dog jumps over a wall, he will naturally use Feng Jin as a hostage to threaten you…"
Gu Beichen hurriedly walked in front of Ling Mohan and advised him kindly. He was not trying to stop Ling Mohan from going, but the current situation was too tricky and required careful planning.
Rushing in so recklessly would surely force Chu Yanxi into a corner. If he acted like a cornered dog jumping over a wall, Feng Jin and the others would only fall into danger. It would be counterproductive.
"Feng Jin is trapped in the palace, in danger every second. I can't wait another moment. Lu Shi, lead your men to charge in. Anyone who dares to block us will be killed without mercy."
Ling Mohan ignored Gu Beichen's words. He had to see Feng Jin as soon as possible. Every second he delayed, Feng Jin would remain in danger for another second.
"Understood!" Lu Shi received the order and stepped out without the slightest hesitation.
"No, you... why aren't you listening to any advice now…"
Before Gu Beichen could finish speaking, Ling Mohan was already gone. He sighed helplessly, then quickly followed.
After all, he had no real power and had to follow Ling Mohan's orders.
…
"Madam, you've also been busy all day. Why don't you go rest for a while?" Granny Qin came to find Feng Jin after serving the Empress Dowager to sleep, draping a cloak over Feng Jin's shoulders.
So many things had happened today, it was enough to make Feng Jin tired, having to test medicine for His Majesty. It was truly difficult for her.
"Thank you, Granny. I'm fine. How is the Empress Dowager? Has she gone to sleep?"
"The Empress Dowager took calming tea and has already gone to sleep. Madam need not worry."
Hearing that the Empress Dowager had fallen asleep peacefully, Feng Jin slowly let out a breath of relief. "It's good that she's asleep. It must have been difficult for the Empress Dowager with His Majesty's grave illness. She is already in her sixties and still has to toil like this."
"Granny, you've also worked hard for so long. Take this time to go and sleep. I'll watch over here, and nothing will happen."
Granny Qin shook her head and sighed slightly. "No... the Third Prince's temperament is exactly like the Empress. I'm worried he might do something. I can only feel at ease if I stay here."
For many years, the Empress Dowager had disliked the Empress and always said that the Third Prince's disposition was the same as the Empress. He had been raised by the Empress to be undisciplined over the years.
Unexpectedly, after His Majesty fell ill, this mother and son duo could not wait any longer and committed the treasonous act of forcing the emperor to abdicate. Their ambitious nature could not be hidden so quickly.
"Fortunately, the Empress Dowager had long seen through the character of the Empress and her son. For years, His Majesty had intended to make the Third Prince the crown prince, but the Empress Dowager strongly opposed it. The Empress Dowager has also been cultivating Prince Jing in secret. It seems that the Empress Dowager's worries were all justified."
Granny Qin felt even more that the Empress Dowager's actions were very far-sighted. If the Empress Dowager had not intervened all these years, the Third Prince would have already been made the crown prince.
If such a treasonous person were to become the crown prince and future emperor, the entire Eastern Chu would be destroyed. The Empress Dowager's hard work over the years would have been in vain.
"The Empress Dowager's foresight is truly admirable," Feng Jin said sincerely. The Empress Dowager was indeed someone to be admired, a true heroine. Eastern Chu could do without Emperor Xuanwen, but it could not do without the Empress Dowager.
"The hardships the Empress Dowager has endured all this way... it's truly difficult! Such a matter of forcing the emperor to abdicate, the Empress Dowager had already experienced it once thirty years ago. It was not long after the former emperor passed away, and His Majesty was still young. All matters of the court fell upon the Empress Dowager's shoulders alone, and naturally, there were those who were dissatisfied with the court…"
"The most powerful figure back then was the former emperor's younger brother, Prince Qi. Prince Qi had always enjoyed a reputation for virtue outside the court. When the former emperor passed away, some people used His Majesty's youth as an excuse, claiming that a woman could not preside over court affairs and that Prince Qi should be made the new emperor. If not for the protection of a group of old officials who risked their lives, Prince Qi would have succeeded."
"Prince Qi missed the throne by a narrow margin, how could he be at peace? Before long, Prince Qi raised an army and rebelled, directly forcing the emperor to abdicate, pointing his sword at the Empress Dowager's neck, demanding that she abdicate the throne to him. In the end, it was General Ling who led his troops into the palace and killed Prince Qi, thus quelling this turmoil."
The matter of Chu Yanxi forcing the emperor to abdicate reminded her of this long-forgotten past. Thinking back, she felt a chill down her spine. The situation back then was tens of times more dangerous than today.
Prince Qi at that time had already gone mad with killing. If it weren't for his desire to have the Empress Dowager write an edict of abdication, making his position more legitimate, he would have already killed the Empress Dowager.
"The Empress Dowager is a heroic woman. She must not have shown any fear when facing Prince Qi back then. Today, she will surely overcome misfortune when facing Chu Yanxi again. The Empress Dowager has worked hard her entire life, and it is time for her to enjoy her old age. Heaven will not bear to make the Empress Dowager suffer anymore."
Feng Jin had a faint smile on her lips, her gaze turning to the window. She believed that Ling Mohan would come to save her, he definitely would.
They would surely get through this safely. After this matter, the issue of who would be made crown prince would be peacefully resolved. It was likely that no one would be able to stop Chu Chenyi anymore.
"Let's hope so, let's hope we can get through this safely."
After the previous turmoil, Granny Qin was not as flustered as before, but she was still worried about the Empress Dowager's safety. As long as the Empress Dowager was safe, she would be happy even if she lost her life.
"Fortune is intertwined with misfortune. Although the Third Prince's rebellion is a disaster, who knows if there might also be some fortune in it."
As Feng Jin said this, her gaze fell on Chu Chenyi. For him, this matter was a great opportunity. She hoped that Chu Chenyi, this brainless fellow, could be smart now.
Granny Qin also followed Feng Jin's gaze and instantly understood what Feng Jin meant. "You mean... Prince Jing…"
"Granny is a wise person. Since you understand some things in your heart, there is no need to say them aloud. Keep them to yourself."