"How is it? Did she say anything?"

"No."

"Then why have you been gone for so long?"

"Grinding ink for her!"

Mrs. Jing was stunned for a moment, glanced at Mrs. Xi , smiled, and said to Shen Nianshu, "Sister, are you angry with your sisters?"

"I don't dare, my sister is going back first."

It's not that Shen Nianshu is too lazy to argue with them and deal with them. At this moment, Shen Nianshu is really sleepy. How can she get better after not sleeping all night?

——

The night was deep, and the palace corridor lights swayed in the night wind, emitting a weak and dim light. The emperor was lying on the imperial couch, his face pale and his breath weak. He held the hand of the sixth prince Bai Nanyu tightly , and the fingers were cold, as if they had lost the warmth of life.

"Nan Yu..." The emperor's voice was low and weak, like the wind passing through the long years, "I don't have many days left, only a year and a half."

Bai Nanyu's heart tightened, but he tried to stay calm and gently held the emperor's hand. A trace of determination flashed in his eyes, "Father, you will be fine."

The emperor shook his head and smiled slightly, that smile was full of bitterness and helplessness, "I know my own body very well. Nan Yu, you are my most beloved son, I hope you can assist Yi'er well."

"Why?"

Obviously, I am the crown prince in everyone's heart, and I am number one in everything!

"You are indeed excellent, but the throne is not only a contest of talent, but also a responsibility to the country and the people. You are impatient and lack calmness, which is a taboo for an emperor."

The emperor's words hit Bai Nanyu 's heart like a heavy hammer, and his face turned pale instantly. The palace servants around him dared not breathe, as if even the air had frozen. Bai Nanyu clenched his fists, his nails deeply embedded in his palms.

"Eunuch De!" Bai Nanyu gave a look.

"If you dare to talk nonsense , I will kill all your clans." He whispered, and his voice was particularly clear in the night.

Suddenly, a sharp bell rang from deep within the palace, breaking the silence of the night.

"The emperor has passed away..." This voice seemed to have magical power, instantly penetrating the entire capital, making everyone feel its heaviness. Then, a long black smoke rose from the highest point of the palace, covering the entire sky. Everyone knew that this was a signal that the emperor had passed away.

The palace was in chaos. The maids and eunuchs were running around in panic, their faces full of fear and anxiety. In the deepest bedroom, the queen was beside the bed, and the concubines were kneeling in front of the bed, their eyes full of grief and helplessness. Those above the rank of concubine stayed in the harem, and were given titles such as queen mother and concubine dowager, and were also trapped in this cage for the rest of their lives. Those below the rank of concubine had to be buried with the queen.

There were cries and wails one after another.

The palace was filled with solemnity. The sudden bad news hit every corner like a heavy hammer, and the atmosphere was so heavy that it seemed to squeeze out water. Although the news of the emperor's serious illness had spread long ago, no one expected that he would die so suddenly and decisively.

The queen covered her face and cried , her figure behind the pearl curtain trembled constantly, her shoulders shrugged, and her silent grief echoed in the empty hall. The palace maids knelt beside her, some lowered their heads and sobbed, and some clenched their teeth, trying their best not to let the tears fall.

After receiving the express message of 800 miles, the second prince and the third prince immediately whipped their horses and rushed back to the capital.

In front of the Qiankun Palace, on the bluestone-paved square, a crowd of ministers were kneeling.

Eunuch De said, "The Emperor has issued an edict in accordance with the will of Heaven. I have inherited the great foundation with my virtue and have worked hard day and night. I am afraid that I cannot bear the burden. Now I am suffering from illness and have abandoned my subjects. I am concerned that the nation and the people must have a monarch to carry on the great cause. The Sixth Prince [Bai Nanyu] is kind, filial, intelligent, and talented, and is worthy of the divine weapon. I hereby order him to take the throne, inherit the throne , and pacify the people. All civil and military officials at home and abroad should assist me with one heart to ensure the prosperity of our country for hundreds of millions of years. This announcement shall be made to the world so that everyone knows it."

"I obey your order."

"Your son obeys your order."

"I obey your order."

" Wait , the imperial edict is fake!" Suddenly the queen's voice was heard.

Eunuch De, who was holding the imperial edict, trembled. The edict swayed slightly in his hand, and the golden words on it flickered under the light, as if mocking his panic. A trace of fear flashed in his eyes, but he immediately recovered and said, "This... This is an imperial edict directly sent from the palace, how can it be fake?"

The queen's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, scanning the ministers below. At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was tense, as if even the air had frozen. (The queen's biological son was Bai Nanyi.)

As her voice fell, there was an uproar in the hall. Everyone was talking and discussing. This news was undoubtedly a storm in the palace, which would cause countless waves.

After all, in this dynasty , those who support the two princes each account for half of the country, and the forces are balanced, like two surging torrents, ready to break through the dam and decide the winner at any time.

"Mother, what do you mean by this? Before my father's coffin has cooled down, have you already started plotting his empire ? " Bai Nanyu said .

Then he leaned into the queen's ear and said, "If you want your Yi'er to live, shut up." His voice was low and powerful.

"The emperor's handwriting, every word is precious, how can there be any doubt?" Although his voice was calm, it revealed an unquestionable majesty.

"Eunuch De." Liang Shangshu spoke in a deep voice, his voice being particularly clear in the tense atmosphere, "It's not that we don't believe in the emperor, it's just that this imperial edict is related to national affairs, so we have to act with caution. I dare to ask your father-in-law, this imperial edict But what the emperor wrote when he was awake?"

…

The news of the emperor's death spread quickly to everyone, and Shen Nianshu felt something was wrong. After his rebirth, things had progressed so quickly.