Chapter 1437: Chapter 1437: Time to Pick a Side

Song Zhiyuan entered the house amidst everyone’s anxious wait. After taking a bath and changing into clean clothes, he went to pay respects to Song Ci.

"You’ve lost weight." Noticing his now thinner face, Song Ci remarked, "You’ve surely endured hardships in the palace these past days, yet upon returning home, you need not rush to see me. Have your wife prepare some supplements to nourish your body; that’s what’s right."

Song Zhiyuan replied with a smile, "Having been away for days, the palace’s strict vigilance meant no news was sent home. I feared mother may worry, so I had to come and reassure you before I could be at peace."

"You are thoughtful. The Emperor’s illness struck fiercely this time. I always believed you could withstand it, and it seems I was right." Song Ci, with gentle eyes, asked, "Now that you are able to return home, does this mean that the Emperor is recovering?"

"The illness struck like a mountain crumbling, yet it’s leaving like silk unraveling. Full recovery can’t happen instantly. At his mature age, he must be carefully nursed, but his life is not under threat. There’s also a remedy to cure this epidemic, coming just in time—today, Master Buhui sent an urgent message from 800 miles away." Song Zhiyuan recounted the swift news.

Upon hearing, Song Ci clasped his hands together and softly uttered "Amitabha," saying, "Master Buhui’s message came at a most opportune moment, solving the immediate crisis. It shows that the Emperor, as the true dragon son of heaven, is divinely protected, with enormous fortune."

The fact that he was stricken by the epidemic—which might have easily claimed his life—yet managed to survive and wait for the cure speaks of great fate.

"Exactly right, I copied the remedy down and will have Cixi Hall prepare the medicine to distribute to the people. It mustn’t be lacking in our household either; the remedy is said to heal the sick and strengthen the healthy. Mother should drink a bowl too, as a precaution."

Song Ci nodded, "Decide as you see fit." After a pause, he continued, "By rights, having endured days in the palace and just returned, I should let you rest well, but with recent news sealed there, the number seeking news from our household cannot be few. Honestly, tell me, was this wave perilous for the Emperor?"

Song Zhiyuan gave a wry smile, "High fever and coma, naturally extremely dangerous."

In lowered tones, he briefly recounted the secretive and perilous events within the palace, still feeling unnerved.

Should Emperor Chu truly never awaken, chaos would have already descended upon the realm.

Song Ci, damp with cold sweat, sighed, "In truth, when it comes to these acute attacks, it’s about divine will. Your dread stems from the Emperor’s acute illness coinciding with the lack of an established Crown Prince, fearing the ensuing chaos."

Song Zhiyuan’s voice became even softer, "Indeed, that’s the case, and the Emperor himself sensed it too. From what I see, during the Longevity Festival, the decree for the Crown Prince will be enacted."

Song Ci exclaimed, "The Longevity Festival is but a month away; from your view, who is he considering?"

"Without this episode, the Emperor might have delayed further. Now, frightened by this acute illness, he dares not delay anymore. Although in his mature years yet robust, his dragon body remains healthy, he dislikes appointing the elder Prince." Song Zhiyuan, slightly turning his body, softly said, "In my view, his thoughts have always been inclined towards the legitimate Prince. The Empress’s family isn’t notably prominent, with few members, so even if they become relatives in power, they won’t pose significant threats."

After a moment of silence, Song Ci said, "Appointing a successor is of grave importance and must be approached cautiously. The Emperor trusts you enough to share some of his thoughts. Whether you choose to disclose this to others must be done with prudence."

Song Zhiyuan nodded; it had come to the time for choosing a side with whom to stand, requiring careful deliberation.

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