The Regent's first day in power saw him collapse, a piece of news that undoubtedly shook the imperial court.
Upon hearing the news, Ye Tingyun rushed to Jiuzhou Xiangxie. Jiang Rumò was by Ye Tinglan's bedside, attending to him. Seeing Ye Tingyun, she rose and bowed, "Your Highness."
Without allowing him to return the courtesy, Ye Tingyun strode forward. "How is Third Brother?"
He had been in council with the ministers when the palace guards' report reached him, prompting his immediate departure. He had hurried all the way, his court robes somewhat disheveled.
Jiang Rumò paused momentarily at the sight, then replied truthfully, "It is not optimistic."
Ye Tingyun's brow furrowed. Before he could utter "What exactly happened?", a soft cough emanated from the bed, and Ye Tinglan's eyes fluttered open.
He stopped, then quickly gathered around him.
"Third Brother."
Ye Tinglan's gaze slowly focused. After a moment, he seemed to regain consciousness and spoke, "Where is Song Qing'an? Have him see me."
As he finished speaking, another series of weak coughs wracked him. Ye Tingyun's brow furrowed again, and he hurried to fetch some tea.
"He is not in the palace today. What do you need him for, Third Brother?"
Ye Tinglan froze at the question, his dark eyes lifting once more. "He is not in the palace?"
Ye Tingyun nodded. "Yes, I needed him for something just now. I sent someone to inquire, and they said he was not on duty today and not in the palace. I don't know where he has gone."
He assumed Ye Tinglan had some instructions for Song Qing'an. He paused, then added with concern, "Third Brother, you are weak now. Do not trouble yourself further. State affairs can wait."
He raised his hand to offer the teacup. Ye Tinglan gazed down, lost in thought for a moment, then spoke again.
"Summon Qi Xuan."
He had only just woken, his complexion pale. Ye Tingyun was reluctant to have him expend more energy. However, seeing the extreme gravity on his face, he hesitated before nodding his assent.
Qi Xuan had been guarding the door and entered quickly upon hearing the summons.
Ye Tinglan, seeing him, pushed himself up slightly and instructed him, "You are to depart for Yue country immediately."
The order came abruptly. Ye Tingyun was taken aback, but Qi Xuan spoke first.
"But Your Highness..."
"This is an order," Ye Tinglan interrupted in a deep voice. His gaze lingered on Qi Xuan for a moment, then he continued, "And it is also this King's plea."
These words carried immense weight, silencing Qi Xuan's unspoken resistance.
He pursed his lips, his hands that were in a saluting gesture clenching for a moment before he finally spoke with a strained voice, "Yes."
The heavy atmosphere in the hall was broken in that instant. Ye Tinglan exhaled almost imperceptibly and closed his eyes. "You may go and prepare."
Across half the hall, Qi Xuan bowed to him silently and solemnly, then turned and retreated.
Ye Tingyun did not understand the meaning of their exchange. His gaze fell upon Ye Tinglan's slightly closed eyes, and an inexplicable sense of dread began to rise within him.
His grip tightened on the teacup. He spoke almost pleadingly, "Third Brother, would you allow Imperial Physician Jiang to examine you again?"
The figure in the dark robes on the bed remained silent. Ye Tingyun's heart sank with each passing moment.
After a pause, it seemed as if a very soft sigh was heard.
"There is no need."
Ye Tingyun was still urgently urging him on, but Ye Tinglan closed his eyes, unwilling to respond further.
He knew his own body best. Old injuries had accumulated, and his heart meridians were damaged. It had long been beyond saving.
Before the struggle for succession erupted, he had sent Qi Xuan to Luoyuan to retrieve an item. That item could help him hold on for a while longer, but it would only be for "a while longer."
On the day he led his troops out of the capital, he had already foreseen today's outcome.
To have reached this point was already the best possible scenario.