Gu Changqing and several of the Emperor’s trusted ministers exchanged glances before speaking: "Your Highness, these words are mistaken. If His Majesty is indeed poisoned and unconscious, and the situation is dire, it is all the more necessary for us ministers to keep vigil day and night at his side, so that when His Majesty awakens, there are people around. If there are matters to be entrusted, there could also be witnesses, no?"

"If we proceed according to Your Highness’s words, leaving only the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau and a few servants, Her Majesty the Empress, and several Princes and ministers not by his side, this would not be according to protocols. Should His Majesty wake up with instructions, we would not be able to afford any delay!"

"If Your Highness thinks there are too many people, fearing disruption to His Majesty’s treatment and rest, this can be resolved. We can schedule shifts! Twelve hours a day, divided into three shifts, for each shift one from the Imperial Court, one concubine from the palace, and one of the princes. Thus, if something happens, it won’t be delayed, nor will it disturb His Majesty. What does everyone think?"

As soon as these words were spoken, most present agreed.

At this moment, everyone wanted to see the Emperor with their own eyes to understand the situation!

If the Emperor was truly close to his end, they could make further plans.

If the Emperor was not severely ill, they needed to show loyalty, right? Otherwise, when the Emperor wakes up and finds everyone idle during his unconsciousness, waiting for him to pass away?

Then they shouldn’t expect to live, because before the Emperor passes, they might be the ones to die first.

The Crown Prince hadn’t anticipated that Gu Changqing’s words would garner such support, showing a hint of panic on his face.

But the officials from his faction weren’t idle, immediately stepping forward to defend the Crown Prince, accusing Gu Changqing and others of having ulterior motives.

However, these accusations didn’t hold up, and before Gu Changqing could respond, other officials dismissed them with a few words.

Both sides stood firm, and no matter how Gu Changqing and others spoke, the Crown Prince wouldn’t relent; eventually, he insists he was instructed by the Emperor not to disturb the Father Emperor and the like.

Upon hearing this, Gu Changqing and others immediately said it also made no sense since the Crown Prince was present before the Emperor fell unconscious.

Generally speaking, when the Emperor is unwell, minor matters are temporarily handled by the Cabinet, while urgent ones must be directly reported to the Emperor for the final decision.

For serious matters, it must be pre-ordained, designating who shall assist one of the princes or which trusted officials will act on behalf.

These must be clear and transparent! Even if situations arise unexpectedly, when the Emperor falls into a coma, there’s a set protocol, not allowing the slightest negligence. Unlike the Crown Prince who just talks and waits around.

The officials, bolstered by the words of Gu Changqing and other leading ministers, stood increasingly firm.

Demanding the Crown Prince to lead them to see the Emperor with their own eyes.

The officials in the Crown Prince’s faction, seeing this, feared that if Gu Changqing continues, the Crown Prince might not hold out and relent.

They got anxious, knowing if these people see the Emperor, everything meticulously plotted would go to waste.

At that time, even if something goes wrong, as the Emperor’s son, the Crown Prince would at most lose his position and be detained, and later find a chance to be released.

But for those who follow the Crown Prince, their fate could be tragic. At best losing their positions, at worst having their entire clan exterminated.

They had no other path but to keep moving forward.

Especially hearing Gu Changqing say, if the Emperor has any mishap, the Crown Prince as the eldest son has an unquestionable right to inherit, just needs to play it safe to succeed.

Why ruin things with illicit salt dealings and make matters unclear and unjust? If the Emperor genuinely wants to appoint the Crown Prince as successor, even through verbal orders, it must be witnessed by ministers, right?

Otherwise, even if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, there would be doubts about his legitimacy.

Looking at the Crown Prince’s expression, it seemed he was becoming convinced, showing hesitation.

Immediately, they grew anxious, worried that if the Crown Prince was convinced, what would happen to them?

Thus, they strongly obstructed, signaling the Crown Prince while others went outside to mobilize guards.

The Crown Prince had some cunning after all, although tempted, retaining a bit of rationality, realizing the ministers seemed sincere but were actually deceiving him just to see the Father Emperor.

His eyes showed a struggle, but after a long moment, he bitterly smiled and waved his hand, summoning the waiting guards and Imperial Forest Army from outside to swarm in and surround everyone. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The timid women screamed, covering their heads, shrinking under tables.

Impulsive officials who stepped forward to question were directly killed by the guards, blood spilling on the scene.

The room instantly filled with the smell of blood, not only frightening the women but causing many officials to collapse, shaking in fear.

Gu Changqing and a few others remained calm, looking at the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, what is this? Why murder Imperial Court Officials without cause?"

The Crown Prince sneered: "No need for flattery, gentlemen. Say all you want, but there’s no use. What legitimacy? What succession? If it were before, perhaps I might have believed a bit. But now, Father Emperor dotes only on his new favorite, cherishing Ninth Brother, a mere one-year-old child, always talking about legitimacy, frequently saying Ninth Brother resembles him most, the future of Great Chu is entrusted to Ninth Brother!"

"Ridiculous! Ninth Brother is no more than a breastfeeding child, yet almost appointed Crown Prince, and to be Great Chu’s next ruler. Why? He is Father Emperor’s blood, but isn’t this hall also? Ninth Brother’s mother was merely a daughter of a fifth-rank official, yet she ascends as Empress! My mother was also a daughter of a fifth-rank official, only ennobled as a concubine after giving birth to me, posthumously titled a consort after death!"

"The same birth! Why can Ninth Brother be Crown Prince? He is merely a fledgling, knows nothing! Someday, must we elder brothers bow before him? We too are sons of The Emperor, equally noble! He can, why can’t we?"

The Crown Prince’s face showed a peculiar smile: "Clearly, Father entrusted earlier affairs of the Imperial Court to us brothers while indulging his new favorite in the palace. Everything was well; I never said I couldn’t tolerate others. Poor Ninth Brother was safely grown, could be appointed as a Duke in the future!"

"But Father, though entrapped by new love, forgetting to court, still worries about Ninth Brother! Before all Imperial Court Officials and Grants, proclaiming Ninth Brother as the legitimate son, rewarding more than us elder brothers! Ensuring to personally host the one-year-old feast! Especially, he intends to place the Nine Dragon Pendant among the items for choose by Ninth Brother!"

"This indicates that, no matter how much we brothers do well, it means nothing! He only remembers Ninth Brother as his legitimate son! To place such a symbol of imperial authority carelessly before Ninth Brother, allowing him to take it freely! This makes us, other sons, insignificant!"

The other princes hearing this showed indignation.