Han Wenji felt troubled breathing in the late morning. Huan Tsu was also present in the chamber at that time with him. The Royal Physician came to examine him.

Han Wenji started to cough. Eunuch Jin handed him the handkerchief, and blood came out of his mouth. Huan Tsu was shocked to see that.

The Royal Physician instructed his assistant to prepare a herbal medicinal paste for Han Wenji. The Emperor was in a half-conscious state and his vision was a little blurry.

"Call my sons and wives. I-I think I do not have much time left," Han Wenji gave orders to Eunuch Jin. Huan Tsu came near the bed and told Han Wenji not to talk that way.

"Your Majesty, nothing will happen. Take some rest, and you will be fine," the Royal Physician said. Though, he knew that the Emperor indeed had less time left. However, he did not want the Emperor to lose hope.

After some time, the wives of the Emperor arrived at the chamber. They surrounded the bed while Huan Tsu stepped back. Even the Princes and their respective wives arrived at the chamber.

Jian Guozhi asked the Royal Physician about the health of the Emperor.

"It is weak, your highness," the Royal Physician answered. The Princes got worried upon hearing this.

"Where is the Crown Prince?" Jian Guozhi asked as he looked around.

"He is in the private residence with the Crown Princess," Rong Zemin replied in a low voice. Nianzu ordered Eunuch Chung to inform the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess regarding this.

Deng Hui held the hand of the Emperor and caressed it. "We all are here, Your Majesty," she said humbly.

Han Wenji gradually opened his eyes. He looked at her, and then gazed around. Everyone's eyes were misty.

He again coughed. Deng Hui quickly brought another clean handkerchief near Han Wenji's mouth. A stain of blood appeared on it, worrying all of them. Weng Yu started to cry seeing that. However, he suppressed his sobs and did not want his father to hear him.

The herbal medicine was prepared. "Your Majesty, please drink this medicine," the Royal Physician stated as he mixed the medicine with lukewarm water. Deng Hui grabbed the glass from him and brought it near the mouth of Han Wenji.

"Open your mouth, Your Majesty. It will relieve you," Deng Hui said with a worried expression. Han Wenji shook his head. He didn't want to intake any more medicine. He had a clear idea that now no medicine could save him.

"Jian, come forward," Han Wenji tilted his head and looked at him with half-closed eyes. Jian Guozhi quickly went near him. He got on his knees and grasped the hands of his father.

"You are the eldest son of this family. You will have many responsibilities after my demise. Take care of everyone and always support your brothers," Han Wenji pronounced.

"Father, you should not speak too much. Indeed, I will take care of everyone around me. I promise you. Please take your medicine," Jian Guozhi requested him and took the water glass mixed with medicine from the hands of Deng Hui. He put his arm under the head of Han Wenji and, with the other hand, brought the glass close to his father's mouth.

Han Wenji, using his remaining strength, grabbed the glass and pushed it away. "I do not want to take medicine," he stated.

"Father, take it," Nianzu and Rong Zemin said at the same time. Lei Wanxi noticed Weng Yu and went towards him. He put his arm around his shoulder, drawing him close to him.

"Nothing will happen to our father," Lei Wanxi assured Weng Yu and wiped the tears from his cheeks.

"I need to announce the next Emperor. Where is the Crown Prince?" Han Wenji with difficulty asked. He was experiencing difficulty in breathing for a long time and at the present moment, it had worsened.

"The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are having fun at such a time in their private residence," the Second Consort outrageously said. She did not like the behavior of the Crown Prince. He knew that this time, the Emperor's condition was not so good.

"Mother, don't say that," Rong Zemin urged her.

"The Crown Prince will soon be here. Father, you must take this medicine," Jian Guozhi again requested him.

"I do not want to," Han Wenji refused to take it. Huan Tsu came forward this time.

"Your Majesty, do not be stubborn. This medicine is important for you. You have enough time to live," Huan Tsu said politely. Seeing this condition of Han Wenji, his heart sank.

"Father!" A voice echoed in the chamber and everyone looked towards the door. Sheng Li dashed towards the bed and got on his knees. "Why did you suddenly turn pale?" He queried and glanced at the Royal Physician, who had stood near the bedpost pillar.

"Did Father take his medicine?" He asked him.

"Father is refusing to take it," Jian Guozhi answered and showed the glass to Sheng Li. He took it and brought it near Han Wenji's mouth.

"Drink it, Father," Sheng Li requested, but Han Wenji did not agree. Court Lady Ki brought Ying Lili there, who turned anxious to see the face of the Emperor. It had turned white and pale.

"My time is near. No medicine can stop my illness nor can it stop me from leaving this body," Han Wenji stated. "I have an important announcement to make regarding the position of the Emperor," he asserted.

"Father can make an announcement later. First, he needs to take this medicine. Hu Jingguo had assured me that Father would get fine after consuming this medicine daily," Sheng Li affirmed. His eyes turned watery as he recalled the time when his mother died.

"Sheng Li, no medicine can save me," Han Wenji replied.

The wives of the Emperor could not hold their tears back. Weng Yu hid his face away as more tears rolled over his cheeks.

"Don't talk this way, Father. Medicines are there to save a person. Just listen to me and drink this," Sheng Li again pushed the glass closer to Han Wenji's mouth. "Also, there is some good news that I need to tell you. The Royal Physician checked the pulse of the Crown Princess in the morning. She will have twins. Father, you need to stay healthy to see them and play with them," Sheng Li stated and forced a smile on his lips.

"Please, drink this medicine," Sheng Li said while he was on the verge of crying.

When Sheng Li told the news in which Ying Lili was supposed to have twins, everyone got happy but at this moment, seeing the Emperor's state no one could even express that happiness fully.

Ying Lili came forward and said, "Father, please drink it. Everyone wants you to be in good health. Also, do not give up on your life this easily. We all need you." Everyone agreed with Ying Lili's statements.

Jian Guozhi again lifted the head of Han Wenji a little and told Sheng Li to make him drink the medicine. He did so and everyone was relieved to see that. Sheng Li wiped the mouth of his father with his thumb.

"Father, we will not let you go. See your all sons are here. We all are united as you always wanted. So, for us, please don't give up on your life," Sheng Li stated.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We all are for you," Ju Fen stated. Han Wenji's breathings had turned stable. He gradually closed his eyes. Sheng Li ordered the Royal Physician to check the Emperor, who quickly stepped forward. Jian Guozhi stood up and stepped back, giving the space to the Royal Physician.

He checked the pulse of the Emperor and informed them, "It is getting weaker. The Emperor's condition is not showing improvement from the past few days. I will not give false hopes to the Royal Family. We all shall prepare for the worse," the Royal Physician warned them.

The Emperor's wives started to cry again. They had a little hope in them that the Emperor would make it and live longer than expected.

"Isn't there any medicine which can work on the Emperor?" Jinlong asked the Royal Physician.

"I am afraid, Third Consort, but I have used most of the herbs on the Emperor," the Royal Physician stated and lowered his head.

Sheng Li was again devastated to hear that. "Let the Emperor take some rest," Deng Hui stated. "He is in a deep slumber. We shall not disturb him," she suggested. Nianzu did not like the way his mother was acting. She was the one who wanted to kill him and now she was faking her concern in front of everyone.

"Brother Sheng, take the Crown Princess to her chamber. She needs rest at this time," Deng Hui stated.

"I will stay here with the Crown Prince," Ying Lili asserted.

"Lili, go back. I will see you later. You shall not neglect your health at this time. Court Lady Ki, keep a close check on the Crown Princess," Sheng Li ordered.

"Sister Lili, I will come with you," Xue Yu-Yan offered to which Ying Lili nodded.. She left the chamber first with Xue Yu-Yan and Court Lady Ki.

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