Chapter 1306: Chapter 1142: Blindness

"You mean the people from the Commander’s Office have arrived?" Gu Chengyu pondered.

"Yes, they’ve already faced off with Prince Gong’s garrison!" Ming Yan nodded.

"The Commander’s Office is quite far from Fengqing Prefecture! Prince Jing sought distant aid instead of nearby help, it seems he reached out early for reinforcements. But who is this Commander near the border? Why would they agree to support?"

For the Commander’s Office to deploy troops, they must report to the court and get the Emperor’s approval before doing so. Could it be that Prince Jing and the Commander already have the Emperor’s blessing? Gu Chengyu did not believe it.

"He must have known that you would not lend him troops, so he sought distant help. The forces of Yumen Pass are now deployed to Yuhe Pass, guarding the border is naturally more important than just a Prefecture. Moreover, others may not know his ambitions, but such intentions are clear as day to you. Thus, seeking aid from the Commander’s Office was indeed a clever move!"

Ming Mo nodded with admiration, thinking Prince Jing was indeed scheming.

"But how did he ensure that the Commander’s Office would lend him troops? This Commander named Jing Hui is the brother-in-law of the Duke of Qin. Sir, logically speaking, he should be on the Emperor’s side; why would he assist Prince Jing?"

Ming Yan felt puzzled at this thought. Since he is the brother-in-law of the Duke of Qin, he should automatically be considered an official aligned with the Emperor’s faction. After all, the Duke of Qin is the Emperor’s brother-in-law! Who else would he support if not the Emperor?

"Perhaps the two have some dealings, matters not for outsiders to know. Or, perhaps, Jing Hui knows that the Emperor is critically poisoned, and this is his chance to change allegiances. If it’s the latter, then it indicates that the Emperor’s condition is worse than we imagined. Doctor Li’s search for the antidote is not going smoothly; perhaps the antidote of Ruo Yin can never be found again."

Gu Chengyu sighed. Honestly, the Emperor is quite unfortunate, having only just ascended the throne. The Dragon Throne hasn’t even warmed beneath him, yet he’s already having to make way for others. If he were in that position, he, too, might feel unwilling.

Yet, if the Emperor doesn’t last long, what path does he take? Does he need to choose another master?

"Prince Jing must have calculated all of this long ago. He initially feigned weakness; after being severely injured, naturally, Prince Gong would not want to give up this fat piece of meat that’s almost within reach. So, Prince Gong stationed forces outside Fengqing Prefecture. Meanwhile, Prince Jing requested reinforcements from the Commander’s Office. Once their troops arrive, he can encircle from both sides and catch Prince Gong’s army off guard."

Gu Chengyu, thinking it over carefully, still felt that the severe injury was likely part of Prince Jing’s ruse. Luring the enemy into thinking victory is at hand, only to surprise them: this has always been Prince Jing’s way!

By comparison, although Prince Gong is ruthless, his nature is still somewhat more straightforward than Prince Jing’s.

"Hearing it like this, I think Prince Jing is truly terrifying. It’s possible he really might..." Ming Yan half-finished his sentence, suddenly remembering something. He stopped talking abruptly and looked at his master.

Noticing Ming Yan’s cautious gaze, Gu Chengyu was not bothered.

"Might he really ascend the throne? Until the final step, who can say for certain? But I haven’t chosen Prince Jing because his mind is too dark; his eyes no longer hold any light. What drives him is not ambition for the throne but a deep belief, a need to prove himself. This is a grudge; he cares nothing for himself or the world."

Why have the Imperial Physicians not detected Prince Jing’s recovery all these years? Gu Chengyu suspected that Prince Jing might be taking some medication to feign his unrecovered state.

Such medications are often toxic. Long-term use may lead to another form of poisoning, which might explain Prince Jing’s persistent pallor and frail health.

This kind of person, who doesn’t even love themselves, is too harsh on themselves. Recklessly harming their own body, are they not afraid of the poison invading again?

Gu Chengyu suspected that Prince Jing had already been poisoned; even if he ascends the throne, he won’t live long. Who, after becoming Emperor, would want to die?

Prince Jing is excessive in his means without regard for anything, leaving Gu Chengyu to think him overly obstinate.

Gu Chengyu shook his head and continued, "How can one expect a person who does not love themselves to love the world? But perhaps this is linked to his upbringing. Since childhood, he felt that no one truly cared for him, and there wasn’t warmth from anyone toward him."

Living long in darkness, harboring negative emotions, he never felt the world was kind. With no proper guidance, it’s normal for him to turn toward the dark.

"So in this sense, Prince Jing is quite pitiable!" Ming Yan genuinely sighed.

"It’s just his perceived darkness! In reality, the Emperor treated him fairly, but it’s the things the Emperor could not give that he harps on. Frequently comparing himself with Prince Gong, which only made his nature more distorted. Hence, it is opening one’s mind that he needs, as he too often splits hairs."

Gu Chengyu paced into the study and suddenly turned to Ming Mo and the others, asking, "How has senior brother been lately?"

The Emperor had yet to give a response, and it was unknown what would become of senior brother.

"Recently, Lord Yin’s mood has been much calmer; he seems to have good spirits!" Ming Mo stepped forward to report.

...

The Emperor watched the chaos in the Imperial Study Room as the fight had already spilled outside.

"Capture Duke of Qin and the others!" Seeing Qin Baolin trying to escape, the Emperor shouted anxiously.

Qin Baolin and his group desperately fought back; Qin Min grew more anxious upon seeing the Emperor’s strong guards, realizing the Emperor had a hidden strategy, having cast a long net for this big catch.

"Your Majesty, the Eldest Prince has awoken!" A eunuch came to report. Despite the chaos, Pang Chu had no choice but to step forward with the message.

"Awoken? Is there anything wrong with his body?" Upon hearing that the Eldest Prince had awoken, the Emperor was naturally pleased. But remembering Director Zhang’s words made him tense again.

Pang Chu stammered, avoiding the Emperor’s gaze, "He is, for now, temporarily blind."

"Temporarily blind?" The Emperor, startled, took several steps back.

He took a deep breath and continued, "What does Director Zhang say?"

"Director Zhang says it may be temporary and could recover shortly. Or it might be permanent, depending on the Eldest Prince’s recovery!"

Pang Chu sighed deeply; if the Eldest Prince couldn’t recover soon, the Crown Prince’s position might be at risk.

"Your Majesty! Mrs. Qin has a substantial force; you should relocate to another place!" He Chaoguang was somewhat overwhelmed and advised the Emperor to leave.

With the Emperor there, they had to divide their focus to protect him, which was distracting.

"Very well! Let’s go! Head to Cian Palace!"

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