Testing the Waters
He had spies planted within the Imperial Guards of the palace, so why wouldn't he plant spies within the Palace Guards outside the city to seize military power?
Rather than simply imprisoning and beheading the Prince of Ming, allowing his followers to escape punishment and become a threat at any time, it would be better to destroy the old order and completely eliminate these cancerous growths.
Zhao Ruxi had already received the news from the system's broadcast. Whether it was the Prince of Ming's prison break or the ministers who echoed him, or the fact that the minor leader of his Imperial Palace Guards led several hundred soldiers into the city to force the emperor to abdicate, it was all under the emperor's deliberate indulgence and surveillance.
There's absolutely no chance of any trouble in the capital.
So she remained completely calm and continued feeding Xiao Lingyan the medicine without her hands trembling.
She stayed by Xiao Lingyan every day, also supervising the imperial physicians to prevent them from prescribing medicine indiscriminately.
Although she knew nothing about medicine, she would inquire about every prescription the imperial physicians used, and she would refuse any prescriptions with significant side effects or unknown consequences.
She also reported this situation to Noble Consort Cen, saying that they should not be too hasty, lest the illness not be cured and their health deteriorate instead.
Noble Consort Cen's only hope now Xiao Lingyan.
Although the Emperor's other adult princes are either dead or imprisoned, there is still the young Sixth Prince, isn't there? Seeing that the Emperor is willing to favor other concubines, some of them will soon become pregnant, so the Emperor will not lack sons to inherit the throne.
She has two sons, both of whom are alive and well and have done nothing wrong. In the end, the young prince was chosen to succeed to the throne. She must be feeling incredibly resentful.
Therefore, she agreed with Zhao Ruxi's words and reported it to the Emperor, gaining his support.
Because of this, the imperial physicians also calmed their impatience and became much more cautious in prescribing medicine, no longer seeking quick results.
"Check where the Emperor is and whether he has enough Imperial Guards. If you can't find out, that's alright. Just run back to the palace and have everyone here come and keep watch." Outside, Noble Consort Cen instructed the young eunuch.
The young eunuch obeyed and left.
Seeing the imperial physicians' anxiety, Noble Consort Cen said, "Even if I let you leave the palace now, you won't be safe. You might be killed by stray arrows as soon as you go out. It's better to stay here. Of course, you can go wherever you want to hide; I won't force you to stay."
The imperial physicians exchanged glances.
One of them said, "This humble official... this humble official would rather go out and find another place to hide, and not disturb Her Highness the Imperial Concubine, His Highness, and Miss Zhao any longer."
They were just imperial physicians. Regardless of whether the emperor ultimately won the rebellion or the Prince of Ming succeeded in seizing the throne, as long as they were still needed in the future, they would not be made to suffer.
But if they stay with Noble Consort Cen and Prince of Qi, and the rebels come in and kill them along with Prince of Qi, they will surely die.
At this point, they no longer cared about offending Noble Consort Cen; saving their lives was the most important thing.
Noble Consort Cen nodded. "Alright, take care."
Several imperial physicians packed their things and left.
Noble Consort Cen glanced around at everyone again and said, "If there are any like Imperial Physician Wen who want to leave here to hide, I will not stop them."
Xiao Lingyan was recuperating here, and Xiao Ge and Noble Consort Cen had assigned about ten eunuchs and palace maids to serve him. Upon hearing Noble Consort Cen's words, everyone looked at each other, and finally a few timid ones excused themselves and ran out.
However, none of the eunuchs and palace maids who followed Noble Consort Cen left.
They knew that Prince of Qi still needed the imperial physicians' treatment. As long as their medical skills were good, even if they acted cowardly now, the Emperor and Noble Consort Cen wouldn't do anything to them after this incident; at most, their path to promotion would be blocked.
If they run away now, their good days will be over once the Emperor and Noble Consort Cen are safe. The most arduous and exhausting place in the palace will be their final resting place.
Rather than doing that, we might as well take a gamble.
Several eunuchs and palace maids went out. A little while later, the young eunuch who had come to report led a group of eunuchs and palace maids in.
Noble Consort Cen glanced around and noticed that a few people were missing, but she didn't mind. She gave some instructions, telling several eunuchs to stand guard outside and notify them immediately if they heard any commotion.
After thinking for a moment, Noble Consort Cen entered the room and said to Zhao Ruxi, "Zhiwei, do you want to go back first? If you are worried about your grandmother and mother at home, I can send someone to escort you to the back gate of the palace, and you can leave quietly from there."
Zhao Ruxi Noble Consort Cen was sharp-eared and sharp-eyed; she heard all the commotion Consort Cen made outside and knew her intentions.
Having already tested the imperial physician and palace maids, was it not enough for them to test her?
"No. The rebels are only attacking the palace to seize power; they won't divert their forces to attack other civilians. My grandmother and mother should be safe; there's no need to worry. Now that you and Prince of Qi are in danger, naturally I must stay with you. I'm not going anywhere!"
Zhao Ruxi spoke these words, she felt like a blooming white lotus, so pure, righteous, and moving.
Whether Noble Consort Cen was genuinely moved or feigning it, she stepped forward and grasped Zhao Ruxi's hand, saying with a face full of emotion, "Good child, good child, Little Five and I were right about you."
Zhao Ruxi withdrew her hand from hers and smiled apologetically, "Your Highness hasn't finished your medicine yet."
As she spoke, she picked up the spoon and continued to feed Xiao Lingyan his medicine.
But what was with that hint of mockery in the eyes of the man lying in bed, unable to move?
Zhao Ruxi poured the last spoonful of medicine into Xiao Lingyan's mouth, then gently brushed his eyes aside, saying, "Your Highness, now that you've finished your medicine, get some sleep. By the time you wake up, things should have calmed down outside."
Taking care of a patient requires physical contact. She usually helps Xiao Lingyan up, wipes his face, mouth, and hands—she does everything. Her actions now don't seem out of line.
Xiao Lingyan closed his eyes helplessly for a moment, then opened them again.
Noble Consort Cen, hearing Zhao Ruxi's words, leaned closer and, seeing his expression, quickly comforted him, saying, "Yes, Little Five Prince, don't worry. Your father isn't naive; he wouldn't let anyone easily break into the palace. Just get some rest. When you wake up, everything will be over."
Xiao Lingyan had no choice but to close his eyes.
The medicine he drank had a calming effect, and his breathing soon became even.
Noble Consort Cen pulled Zhao Ruxi to the outer room and whispered, "I'll have someone change your and Little Five's clothes and send you to hide."
She knew Xiao Ge was no incompetent man. Even if he couldn't bear to do it, he would definitely be wary of Prince of Ming after Prince of Ming drugged the Crown Prince and left him in that state.
She trusted the Emperor and knew that no matter how powerful the rebels were, they wouldn't be able to break through in a short time. That's why she seemed calm and composed just now.
But deep down, she still wasn't sure.
She herself had lived to this point, and she didn't care anymore, but she didn't want her son to be in danger.