The Empress Dowager shouted in anger, rising to her feet and walking directly to Emperor Xuanwen. Suppressing her fury, she said, "If it weren't for your indulgence of Concubine Liu and Chu Yanxi, they would not have dared to commit such treasonous acts. Even now, you refuse to believe it. Do you want your own son to storm the palace and kill me with his sword before you will believe what I tell you!"
"Mother, please calm your anger. Your son has no such intentions. It is just that this incident happened so suddenly, and I find it difficult to believe for a moment. Mother, rest assured, if the Empress and this rebellious son have truly committed such treasonous acts, I will personally deal with them and give you an explanation."
Even though Emperor Xuanwen had been in charge of state affairs for many years, he still felt a degree of trepidation towards the Empress Dowager, and even more so, respect.
He had personally witnessed the Empress Dowager support him onto the throne many years ago. He was still young then, and his father, the Emperor, had died prematurely. Numerous imperial clan uncles and brothers were all coveting his throne.
His position on the throne was precarious. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's all-out efforts to protect him, the throne would no longer be his. He held immense respect for the Empress Dowager and was extremely obedient to her.
If the Empress and Chu Yanxi were truly plotting rebellion and forcing the Empress Dowager, he would never forgive them.
"Your Majesty, if you wish to know whether Chu Yanxi has truly rebelled, you need only open the doors and windows to see if the palace outside is filled with the figures of the rebel army."
Chu Chenyi's tone was distant, addressing him as "Your Majesty" rather than "Father Emperor."
Emperor Xuanwen's old face flushed with embarrassment. He finally realized how excessive he had been. Avoiding eye contact, he bent down and helped Chu Chenyi, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet.
His hand inadvertently brushed against the wound on Chu Chenyi's arm, and the bloodstain on the bandage instantly deepened.
Emperor Xuanwen's guilt towards Chu Chenyi intensified. He began to examine this son he had neglected for so long. The debt he owed Chu Chenyi was difficult to repay, and it seemed too late to compensate now.
After a moment's hesitation, Emperor Xuanwen still took Chu Chenyi's hand and pulled him to sit beside him. "You have worked hard these past few days. I understand everything you have done. It is I who have failed you all these years..."
"Your Majesty is too kind."
The Empress Dowager sighed softly, looking at the father and son sitting together. She said with a hint of helplessness, "The bond between father and son is hard-won. In a past life, they were enemies, and this life is to resolve that animosity..."
"Empress Dowager... Empress Dowager, something is wrong... Empress Dowager!"
Granny Qin rushed in, her face filled with panic.
"What is it that makes you so flustered?"
Granny Qin was always steady and composed. Her current panic sent a tremor through the Empress Dowager's heart. Her intuition told her that something major had happened.
"Empress Dowager, it is the Third Prince and the Empress; they are about to arrive at the palace."
Everyone present was startled by this news. Emperor Xuanwen finally understood that what the Empress Dowager had said was true... His heart sank, his expression grew increasingly grim, and a surge of anger caused him to cough violently.
"Your Majesty, the residual poison in your body has not yet been cleared. Do not get angry; you must calm your emotions."
Feng Jin noticed Emperor Xuanwen's distress and quickly took out a pill for him to swallow, helping him lie down on the bed.
"This rebellious son, this rebellious son... he has actually committed such treasonous acts. I must... I must... cough... cough..."
Feng Jin was also worried that Emperor Xuanwen might not be able to catch his breath and would be angered to death. If he died of anger before being poisoned to death, then her efforts to save him would have been in vain. She directly used a silver needle to prick a pressure point on Emperor Xuanwen.
Instantly, Emperor Xuanwen, who had been shouting about getting up to confront Chu Yanxi, became still, lying on the bed with his eyes open but unmoving.
"Father Emperor... what is this?"
Chu Chenyi looked at Emperor Xuanwen's current state, his heart filled with concern. He asked Feng Jin what was happening, why the Emperor had suddenly become motionless.
"I used a silver needle to stimulate the Emperor's acupoints. We cannot yet determine Chu Yanxi's intentions. Furthermore, we do not know where Ling Mohan's troops are. It is best not to let Chu Yanxi know that the Emperor has woken up yet. I worry that if he learns of this, he might become desperate and do something excessive."
If Chu Yanxi were to find out that Emperor Xuanwen had awakened, and felt it was detrimental to him, and acted impulsively, then Emperor Xuanwen's life could truly be in danger.
It was best for Emperor Xuanwen to lie quietly on the bed for a while. At least his life would be guaranteed.
"Your Majesty, this is a necessary measure. Please forgive me. It is all for your safety. Your Majesty, please close your eyes and do not move erratically."
Just as Feng Jin finished speaking, the palace doors were forcefully pushed open from the outside, the loud noise echoing throughout the room.
Everyone's gazes snapped outwards. Only Emperor Xuanwen, whose acupoints had been stimulated by Feng Jin and who was lying on the bed unable to move, immediately closed his eyes, appearing exactly as he had when he was unconscious, unmoving.
In just a moment, the Empress and the Third Prince appeared before them, surrounded by a throng of soldiers.
The Empress's gaze immediately locked onto Emperor Xuanwen lying on the bed. She took a step forward, intending to check on his condition. As she approached the bed, the Empress Dowager stepped forward and blocked her path.
"Mother!" Fear of the Empress Dowager caused the Empress to cry out instinctively. Her heart jolted, and her legs suddenly felt weak, nearly causing her to collapse.
"Do not address me like that. I cannot accept such a title from you. You poisonous woman, get out of my sight and stop causing trouble!"
The Empress's face turned ashen at the Empress Dowager's rebuke. For years, she had meticulously tried to please the Empress Dowager, only to be met with cold glares and harsh words, never receiving even a single kind glance.
With things having reached this point, the Empress was no longer willing to endure. The accumulated anger of many years erupted at this moment. "Things have come to this. What right do you have to command me anymore? If you know your place now and obediently listen, then once Xi'er ascends the throne, you will still have a place in this palace!"
"Your smug face of a minor official who has achieved success!"