Chapter 223: A Golden Opportunity 2
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The Imperial palace
Emperor Zhong left the examination office after giving His instructions. His entourage of guards and palace servants fell into step with him as he walked out of the pavilion through the compound to the gate. During Imperial Examination the scholars working at the examination office were housed at the palace till the end of the exams to prevent leaks. Guards were stationed at every corner of the compound to keep off intruders, security around the palace were tight.
The guards at the gate bowed as Emperor Zhong got closer, they opened the gate and stepped aside for him. Emperor Zhong stopped abruptly as he crossed one leg over the threshold, he suddenly felt light-headed and held the wooden frame of the gates tightly until the feeling subsided.
Meanwhile, Caihong rushed to his side, "any problem your Majesty." Caihong glanced discreetly at the servants standing a few steps away and stepped closer to whisper, "I have your medicine here, your Majesty. Would you like a pill or is it too bad? Should I send for the physician".
Emperor Zhong held the frame tightly, breathing deeply as he struggled to steady his heartbeat. He glanced at the eunuch and shook his head. Minutes later his vision was clearer and his breathing steady. Emperor Zhong stood carefully and continued walking but this time at a slower pace. Caihong walked closer to the Emperor, he was not as easy and kept a close eye on the Emperor.
He didn't relax but instead watched the Emperor like hawk, he more than most was aware of the Emperor's real health condition. There wasn't any incident so Caihong gradually relaxed, His heart can't as the Emperor paused suddenly but he relaxed when he noticed the direction of the Emperor's gaze was turned towards the Empress's compound.
It has been over two weeks since the Empress returned to the palace but apart from when the first day she visited the Emperor's study for her official greeting. The couple had never spoken since that day, this was the longest-lasting cold war between the Emperor and Empress in years. Which was worrying to the servants of both sides who were stuck in-between.
Emperor Zhong watched the light at the Empress palace blink and sighed. He contemplated visiting her but gave up as he remembered the result of their last conversation. She was too angry with him to have a conversation with him. He looked away continued walking towards his palace. He was a few steps away when the works around him rolled and he blacked out. Caihong rushed forward and held him up before his head made contact with the floor.
"Your Majesty!"
Two royal guards rushed forward and helped the Emperor up. Caihong immediately ordered two eunuchs to send for a litter to transport the Emperor to his palace. His assistant already ran to get the doctor, minutes later Emperor Zhong was carried into his bedroom and placed on a bed. The Imperial physician was checking his pulse when he regained consciousness.
"Your Majesty" Chief Eunuch Caihong and the Imperial Physician said as his eye opened.
Emperor Zhong felt a little disoriented but his head settled minutes later and he gazed at the doctor standing beside Eunuch Caihong. Eunuch Caihong rushed forward and helped him seat up before stepping back. Emperor Zhong glanced around in shock frowning slightly as he quickly recognised his bedroom. "Did I black out again?" He said asking no one in particular, Imperial Physician Jin didn't answer and instead waited for Eunuch Caihong to reply.
"Yes, Your Majesty", Eunuch Caihong replies calmly.
Emperor Zhong hissed and looked away, "news of that must gave spread by now, why did it have to happen this way".
"We were in a haste a failed to keep the news in check. For that I deserve to be punished, Your Majesty" Eunuch Caihong cried our head bowed.
"It is alright, you did your best." He gazed at the imperial physician, "I thought the drugs were working, how come I blacked out again?"
"The drugs are not a permanent solution, your majesty. During the check-up last time, I informed you that your condition has progressed too far. There is no permanent solution, all that can be done is to control the sickness for some time. The attack last time worsened your condition, your body has gotten weaker. Blacking out like this will become more frequent as time goes by, there is nothing I can do apart from trying to extend your life span" Imperial physician Jun said slowly.
Emperor Zhong grew stiff on hearing that, he watched at the painting opposite his bed silently for some minutes. The painting was one of the first gifts Empress Lu gifted him during the first year of their marriage. Like her, this was one of his most valued paintings out of all the paintings in his collection. He looked away when Lu Yaozhu and the Empress's face flashed quickly in his mind.
"My beloved daughter has married far, Yaozhu us the only one of our offspring that remains. I missed out all these years, can't fate spear me some time with him", he glanced at the Imperial doctor and said, "keep the full details of my health condition to yourself or risk getting arrested for treason. I don't want to destabilise Northern Wei, you had better buy me a few years or it is over for you"
"Your Majesty_ I don't_ it might not work out"
"Why? Are you not the best doctor in northern Wei, find a way!"
The Imperial physician fell on his knees immediately, "forgive me, your Majesty, I tried but your condition has gotten worse. I have done my best, it is now left to the heavens".
Emperor Zhong leaned his head backwards on the bed, " how long do I have?"
"At most, a year and a half. If you are very careful, maybe 2 years" Imperial physician Jin bowed his head to the ground crying softly.
Emperor Zhong glared down at the man, "Get out of my sight" he spat out.
"Your majesty, I was wrong", Imperial Physician Jin cried out.
"GET OUT!!!!"
"Y-yes your Majesty!" the physician crude out and rushed out of the room.
Eunuch Caihong poured the Emperor a cup of warm water and handed it over to him. After drinking Emperor Zhong passed the cup back to him.
"Your Majesty shouldn't give up just yet. You are the son of heaven, the gods will heal you"
"Not this time Caihong, I fear that u am nearing the end of the line. Keep this from her highness, I cannot have her tied down again. They don't deserve it after what I put them through. Call Yaozhu and his into the palace tomorrow morning, it is time for a family breakfast ".
"Your Majesty, won't it be suspicious if his Highness is called in after news if your condition has spread".
"Your right, I should make it a full family event. Inform everyone. Instead of breakfast, let us make it a dinner.. We should eat as a family at least once."
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The Imperial palace
Emperor Zhong left the examination office after giving His instructions. His entourage of guards and palace servants fell into step with him as he walked out of the pavilion through the compound to the gate. During Imperial Examination the scholars working at the examination office were housed at the palace till the end of the exams to prevent leaks. Guards were stationed at every corner of the compound to keep off intruders, security around the palace were tight.
The guards at the gate bowed as Emperor Zhong got closer, they opened the gate and stepped aside for him. Emperor Zhong stopped abruptly as he crossed one leg over the threshold, he suddenly felt light-headed and held the wooden frame of the gates tightly until the feeling subsided.
Meanwhile, Caihong rushed to his side, "any problem your Majesty." Caihong glanced discreetly at the servants standing a few steps away and stepped closer to whisper, "I have your medicine here, your Majesty. Would you like a pill or is it too bad? Should I send for the physician".
Emperor Zhong held the frame tightly, breathing deeply as he struggled to steady his heartbeat. He glanced at the eunuch and shook his head. Minutes later his vision was clearer and his breathing steady. Emperor Zhong stood carefully and continued walking but this time at a slower pace. Caihong walked closer to the Emperor, he was not as easy and kept a close eye on the Emperor.
He didn't relax but instead watched the Emperor like hawk, he more than most was aware of the Emperor's real health condition. There wasn't any incident so Caihong gradually relaxed, His heart can't as the Emperor paused suddenly but he relaxed when he noticed the direction of the Emperor's gaze was turned towards the Empress's compound.
It has been over two weeks since the Empress returned to the palace but apart from when the first day she visited the Emperor's study for her official greeting. The couple had never spoken since that day, this was the longest-lasting cold war between the Emperor and Empress in years. Which was worrying to the servants of both sides who were stuck in-between.
Emperor Zhong watched the light at the Empress palace blink and sighed. He contemplated visiting her but gave up as he remembered the result of their last conversation. She was too angry with him to have a conversation with him. He looked away continued walking towards his palace. He was a few steps away when the works around him rolled and he blacked out. Caihong rushed forward and held him up before his head made contact with the floor.
"Your Majesty!"
Two royal guards rushed forward and helped the Emperor up. Caihong immediately ordered two eunuchs to send for a litter to transport the Emperor to his palace. His assistant already ran to get the doctor, minutes later Emperor Zhong was carried into his bedroom and placed on a bed. The Imperial physician was checking his pulse when he regained consciousness.
"Your Majesty" Chief Eunuch Caihong and the Imperial Physician said as his eye opened.
Emperor Zhong felt a little disoriented but his head settled minutes later and he gazed at the doctor standing beside Eunuch Caihong. Eunuch Caihong rushed forward and helped him seat up before stepping back. Emperor Zhong glanced around in shock frowning slightly as he quickly recognised his bedroom. "Did I black out again?" He said asking no one in particular, Imperial Physician Jin didn't answer and instead waited for Eunuch Caihong to reply.
"Yes, Your Majesty", Eunuch Caihong replies calmly.
Emperor Zhong hissed and looked away, "news of that must gave spread by now, why did it have to happen this way".
"We were in a haste a failed to keep the news in check. For that I deserve to be punished, Your Majesty" Eunuch Caihong cried our head bowed.
"It is alright, you did your best." He gazed at the imperial physician, "I thought the drugs were working, how come I blacked out again?"
"The drugs are not a permanent solution, your majesty. During the check-up last time, I informed you that your condition has progressed too far. There is no permanent solution, all that can be done is to control the sickness for some time. The attack last time worsened your condition, your body has gotten weaker. Blacking out like this will become more frequent as time goes by, there is nothing I can do apart from trying to extend your life span" Imperial physician Jun said slowly.
Emperor Zhong grew stiff on hearing that, he watched at the painting opposite his bed silently for some minutes. The painting was one of the first gifts Empress Lu gifted him during the first year of their marriage. Like her, this was one of his most valued paintings out of all the paintings in his collection. He looked away when Lu Yaozhu and the Empress's face flashed quickly in his mind.
"My beloved daughter has married far, Yaozhu us the only one of our offspring that remains. I missed out all these years, can't fate spear me some time with him", he glanced at the Imperial doctor and said, "keep the full details of my health condition to yourself or risk getting arrested for treason. I don't want to destabilise Northern Wei, you had better buy me a few years or it is over for you"
"Your Majesty_ I don't_ it might not work out"
"Why? Are you not the best doctor in northern Wei, find a way!"
The Imperial physician fell on his knees immediately, "forgive me, your Majesty, I tried but your condition has gotten worse. I have done my best, it is now left to the heavens".
Emperor Zhong leaned his head backwards on the bed, " how long do I have?"
"At most, a year and a half. If you are very careful, maybe 2 years" Imperial physician Jin bowed his head to the ground crying softly.
Emperor Zhong glared down at the man, "Get out of my sight" he spat out.
"Your majesty, I was wrong", Imperial Physician Jin cried out.
"GET OUT!!!!"
"Y-yes your Majesty!" the physician crude out and rushed out of the room.
Eunuch Caihong poured the Emperor a cup of warm water and handed it over to him. After drinking Emperor Zhong passed the cup back to him.
"Your Majesty shouldn't give up just yet. You are the son of heaven, the gods will heal you"
"Not this time Caihong, I fear that u am nearing the end of the line. Keep this from her highness, I cannot have her tied down again. They don't deserve it after what I put them through. Call Yaozhu and his into the palace tomorrow morning, it is time for a family breakfast ".
"Your Majesty, won't it be suspicious if his Highness is called in after news if your condition has spread".
"Your right, I should make it a full family event. Inform everyone. Instead of breakfast, let us make it a dinner.. We should eat as a family at least once."
The Imperial palaceEmperor Zhong left the examination office after giving His instructions. His entourage of guards and palace servants fell into step with him as he walked out of the pavilion through the compound to the gate. During Imperial Examination the scholars working at the examination office were housed at the palace till the end of the exams to prevent leaks. Guards were stationed at every corner of the compound to keep off intruders, security around the palace were tight.The guards at the gate bowed as Emperor Zhong got closer, they opened the gate and stepped aside for him. Emperor Zhong stopped abruptly as he crossed one leg over the threshold, he suddenly felt light-headed and held the wooden frame of the gates tightly until the feeling subsided.Meanwhile, Caihong rushed to his side, "any problem your Majesty." Caihong glanced discreetly at the servants standing a few steps away and stepped closer to whisper, "I have your medicine here, your Majesty. Would you like a pill or is it too bad? Should I send for the physician".Emperor Zhong held the frame tightly, breathing deeply as he struggled to steady his heartbeat. He glanced at the eunuch and shook his head. Minutes later his vision was clearer and his breathing steady. Emperor Zhong stood carefully and continued walking but this time at a slower pace. Caihong walked closer to the Emperor, he was not as easy and kept a close eye on the Emperor.He didn't relax but instead watched the Emperor like hawk, he more than most was aware of the Emperor's real health condition. There wasn't any incident so Caihong gradually relaxed, His heart can't as the Emperor paused suddenly but he relaxed when he noticed the direction of the Emperor's gaze was turned towards the Empress's compound.It has been over two weeks since the Empress returned to the palace but apart from when the first day she visited the Emperor's study for her official greeting. The couple had never spoken since that day, this was the longest-lasting cold war between the Emperor and Empress in years. Which was worrying to the servants of both sides who were stuck in-between.Emperor Zhong watched the light at the Empress palace blink and sighed. He contemplated visiting her but gave up as he remembered the result of their last conversation. She was too angry with him to have a conversation with him. He looked away continued walking towards his palace. He was a few steps away when the works around him rolled and he blacked out. Caihong rushed forward and held him up before his head made contact with the floor."Your Majesty!"Two royal guards rushed forward and helped the Emperor up. Caihong immediately ordered two eunuchs to send for a litter to transport the Emperor to his palace. His assistant already ran to get the doctor, minutes later Emperor Zhong was carried into his bedroom and placed on a bed. The Imperial physician was checking his pulse when he regained consciousness."Your Majesty" Chief Eunuch Caihong and the Imperial Physician said as his eye opened.Emperor Zhong felt a little disoriented but his head settled minutes later and he gazed at the doctor standing beside Eunuch Caihong. Eunuch Caihong rushed forward and helped him seat up before stepping back. Emperor Zhong glanced around in shock frowning slightly as he quickly recognised his bedroom. "Did I black out again?" He said asking no one in particular, Imperial Physician Jin didn't answer and instead waited for Eunuch Caihong to reply."Yes, Your Majesty", Eunuch Caihong replies calmly.Emperor Zhong hissed and looked away, "news of that must gave spread by now, why did it have to happen this way"."We were in a haste a failed to keep the news in check. For that I deserve to be punished, Your Majesty" Eunuch Caihong cried our head bowed."It is alright, you did your best." He gazed at the imperial physician, "I thought the drugs were working, how come I blacked out again?""The drugs are not a permanent solution, your majesty. During the check-up last time, I informed you that your condition has progressed too far. There is no permanent solution, all that can be done is to control the sickness for some time. The attack last time worsened your condition, your body has gotten weaker. Blacking out like this will become more frequent as time goes by, there is nothing I can do apart from trying to extend your life span" Imperial physician Jun said slowly.Emperor Zhong grew stiff on hearing that, he watched at the painting opposite his bed silently for some minutes. The painting was one of the first gifts Empress Lu gifted him during the first year of their marriage. Like her, this was one of his most valued paintings out of all the paintings in his collection. He looked away when Lu Yaozhu and the Empress's face flashed quickly in his mind."My beloved daughter has married far, Yaozhu us the only one of our offspring that remains. I missed out all these years, can't fate spear me some time with him", he glanced at the Imperial doctor and said, "keep the full details of my health condition to yourself or risk getting arrested for treason. I don't want to destabilise Northern Wei, you had better buy me a few years or it is over for you""Your Majesty_ I don't_ it might not work out""Why? Are you not the best doctor in northern Wei, find a way!"The Imperial physician fell on his knees immediately, "forgive me, your Majesty, I tried but your condition has gotten worse. I have done my best, it is now left to the heavens".Emperor Zhong leaned his head backwards on the bed, " how long do I have?""At most, a year and a half. If you are very careful, maybe 2 years" Imperial physician Jin bowed his head to the ground crying softly.Emperor Zhong glared down at the man, "Get out of my sight" he spat out."Your majesty, I was wrong", Imperial Physician Jin cried out."GET OUT!!!!""Y-yes your Majesty!" the physician crude out and rushed out of the room.Eunuch Caihong poured the Emperor a cup of warm water and handed it over to him. After drinking Emperor Zhong passed the cup back to him."Your Majesty shouldn't give up just yet. You are the son of heaven, the gods will heal you""Not this time Caihong, I fear that u am nearing the end of the line. Keep this from her highness, I cannot have her tied down again. They don't deserve it after what I put them through. Call Yaozhu and his into the palace tomorrow morning, it is time for a family breakfast "."Your Majesty, won't it be suspicious if his Highness is called in after news if your condition has spread"."Your right, I should make it a full family event. Inform everyone. Instead of breakfast, let us make it a dinner.. We should eat as a family at least once."
