Chapter 1331: Chapter 1167: Entering the Cabinet

If the Emperor truly consumed his pill, at best it would prolong his life for another half a year. After one year, without the antidote, it is certain the Emperor will die. Moreover, this poison has already ravaged the Emperor’s body, and even if an antidote is found, it will be of no use.

Gu Chengyu retrieved a small Jade Bottle from his sleeve, "Only two pills left, this medicine can only temporarily halt the spread of poison in the Emperor’s body, but its effect is limited, at most it can prolong the life for half a year."

He handed the medicine to Director Zhang, "Please trouble Director Zhang to discern this carefully, have someone test the pill!"

Director Zhang was a bit excited, quickly took the bottle, and removed the stopper. As soon as the stopper was pulled out, he caught a faint scent of medicine. With just this one smell, he felt invigorated, his spirit lifted.

"No need to test the medicine, quickly administer it to the Emperor!" The Empress Dowager suddenly spoke.

Director Zhang hesitated slightly, although he did not notice any issues with this medicine, it does not mean there are none. Just by looking, one cannot discern if the medicine contains poison. If there were an unforeseen consequence from the Emperor taking this medicine, wouldn’t he also be implicated?

"Is there a worse situation than now? There are only two pills, testing one would leave one less pill, better to save it for the Emperor!"

The Empress Dowager felt there was no need for Gu Chengyu to act deceitfully; after all, the Emperor’s lifespan was short, and Gu Chengyu had no reason to act, so this concern was unnecessary.

"Yes!" Director Zhang stepped forward, opened the Emperor’s mouth, and inserted one pill.

"After taking this medicine, the Emperor will awaken within half an hour." Gu Chengyu was confident in this medicine, as it was refined from space’s low-level spiritual medicine.

Unfortunately, low-level is still low-level, not a panacea. Especially for someone like the Emperor, with poison deep in the bone marrow, invading the organs, it can only delay for a while!

"Does this pill have an effect on blindness?" The Empress Dowager suddenly recalled her grandson Changsun, who was blind. There was still one pill left, and if it could cure Ye’s blindness, she must choose to cure Ye.

After all, this pill can only extend Dundun’s life for half a year, but for the blind Dundun, it might be a glimmer of hope.

"The Eldest Prince’s blindness is caused by blood stasis in his brain; this medicine might be useful, but I cannot be certain. Furthermore, the Eldest Prince is very young, the medicine is quite potent, and I fear he cannot withstand it. Therefore, I suggest dividing the medicine into portions and gradually administering it to the Eldest Prince. In a subtle way, slowly dissolve the blood stasis in his brain."

"Of course! I cannot guarantee its efficacy, this medicine was obtained by chance. I believe the Empress Dowager also heard that the medicinal ingredients to refine this pill are extremely rare, and even with an elixir recipe, the required materials may be impossible to find. These two pills are truly rare. However, if the Eldest Prince takes the medicine, the Emperor will be left with one less."

Gu Chengyu could not take out all the pills from space, as it would attract trouble to himself.

"Cough! Cough! Give, give the medicine to Ye!" The Emperor slowly opened his eyes, and upon hearing this, made a choice without hesitation.

His body was already frail and clinging to life. What difference would it make if his life was extended for another year or half? If Ye could not recover, the Dynasty would truly face a crisis of succession. Weighing the importance, he could naturally discern.

"Dundun!" The Empress Dowager wept beside the Emperor’s couch; must she truly watch old age bury young?

"The Emperor’s mood should not be overly excited, nor should he overexert himself. I ask the Emperor to take care of your health!" Gu Chengyu took a few steps back and performed a deep bow.

The Emperor turned to look at Gu Chengyu, "I understand I should not overexert myself, but all matters of the court require my decision, how can I find peace?"

He briefly closed his eyes, sighed deeply, and after a moment said, "Gu Aiqing!"

"I am here!"

"I appoint you as the East Pavilion University Scholar, to participate in cabinet discussions. I will be recuperating in the coming days and will no longer attend to national affairs. The cabinet currently lacks a Grand Secretary, leaving it leaderless; you will temporarily manage the cabinet for a few days."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Gu Chengyu knelt down and bowed deeply to the ground, finally entering the cabinet.

"Mother, I am reassured with Gu Aiqing guarding the cabinet. But in the end, he is just a minister; I wish to ask Gu Aiqing to assist Mother, in streamlining national affairs."

The Emperor turned his gaze to the Empress Dowager before the couch; though the Empress could not interfere with governance, under special circumstances, he had no choice.

In reality, handing the memorials over to Gu Chengyu to review, he was naturally reassured; he believed Gu Chengyu could manage the national affairs well. However, Gu Chengyu was ultimately just a minister, if he were to handle all the memorials, he might not be able to command respect.

"Emperor, if I interfere in governance, the court will surely express dissatisfaction." The Empress Dowager was startled, she did not expect Dundun would indeed ask her to interfere in national affairs.

"It doesn’t matter! Why bother with these people? Besides shouting, using etiquette to press me, what else can they do? Rest assured, Mother, as long as I am here!" The Emperor patted the Empress Dowager’s hands gently to comfort her.

"Pang Chu, summon the Hanlin Academy officials to draft an edict! Announce publicly that the Emperor is unwell and will recuperate for a few days; national affairs will temporarily be managed by Mother and Gu Aiqing."

"Yes!"

The next day, all ministers waited in the cold wind for the Emperor’s early morning court.

"Esteemed colleagues, today the Emperor announces no early court session!" Pang Chu checked the hour, noticing most had arrived, and finally stepped forward to announce.

No court session? The crowd exchanged puzzled glances, the Emperor had not stated this earlier.

"But the Emperor has an edict to proclaim!" Pang Chu could already foresee that once this decree was announced, Taihe Palace must erupt.

Gu Chengyu lowered his gaze, already prepared, knowing these people would certainly target him first.

"What? The Emperor actually allows Gu Siqing and the Empress Dowager to manage national affairs? It’s simply absurd!" Compared to this major news, Gu Chengyu’s entry into the cabinet was largely overlooked.

"Indeed! How can the Harem interfere in governance? Moreover, Gu Siqing is only Standard Third Rank, just recently promoted to the cabinet, how can he act as Grand Secretary? I find it very inappropriate."

The crowd was filled with righteous indignation, each voiced their opinion, all glaring at Gu Chengyu as if ready to devour him. Why should Gu Chengyu, someone who entered the officialdom only two years ago, be granted the power of Grand Secretary?

Elders with more experience and higher rank still have to obey him?

The cabinet held great power; all their memorials had to pass through the cabinet. If Gu Chengyu managed cabinet affairs, where would be their voice in the future?

With Xia Qing and Shen Shikang, who could restrain Gu Chengyu now gone, who could stop Gu Chengyu? This court would entirely fall under Gu Chengyu’s control.

"Gu Siqing, I ask you, do you believe you can fulfill this role?" Left Imperial Censor Deng Chenghong frowned at Gu Chengyu, who sat calmly and unfazed, ignoring their furious attitude as if in deep meditation, arousing his frustration.

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