Chapter 940: More Misfortune Than Blessing

Tuan Tuan, looking confused, asked, "Who are you talking about?"

The others all glanced at each other.

Chu Yuan said, "I don't know yet; there's a big villain hiding deep, constantly causing trouble for your Imperial Uncle."

"Oh—" Tuan Tuan nodded seriously, "Hidden? Then let's find them!"

Chu Yuan shook his head gently, "If we could find them, we wouldn't have let them cause so many troubles."

"Oh."

Cheng Ru'an stood up, walked to Tuan Tuan, took her small hand and said, "Be good; your Imperial Uncle is discussing serious matters, mother will take you out to play for a while."

Tuan Tuan stood up, "Alright."

Cheng Ru'an turned and performed a bow, "His Majesty, Empress, this humble wife will escort Tuan Tuan and take our leave."

Xiao Jieyun nodded slightly, "Go ahead."

As they reached the doorway, Tuan Tuan turned around, speaking earnestly, "Imperial Uncle, if we can't find him, just scare him!"

"Just like when I play hide‑and‑seek with Xiao Yueyue; if I can't find her, I sit on the ground, cover my bottom and cry 'Ouch,' and she comes out herself!"

Cheng Ru'an laughed and shook his head, "You really are mischievous."

Tuan Tuan giggled, "But he falls for it every time!"

"Xiao Yueyue is just worried about you; next time don't …"

Their voices gradually faded away.

"His Majesty!" Xiao Ningxun looked at his sister's retreating figure, his expression changing.

He turned his head toward Xiao Jieyun, eyes shining astonishingly, "Tuan Tuan is absolutely right!"

Xiao Jieyun raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

A few days later, the morning court.

In the main hall, a hundred officials lined up in order.

The Minister of Works was reporting to the Emperor about river‑channel repairs.

Xiao Jieyun sat upright on the Dragon Throne, and after listening, was about to speak.

Suddenly, a heavy, hurried footstep echoed from outside the hall.

Xiao Jieyun lifted his eyes toward the hall entrance.

Immediately, a nervous eunuch's messenger called out, "His Majesty! General Xiao requests an audience!"

Xiao Jieyun nodded.

Eunuch Cheng shouted, "Xuan!"

Xiao Ningchen staggered in from the doorway.

All the civil and military officials in the hall inhaled a cold gasp upon seeing him.

Xiao Ningchen was dust‑covered and ragged, his garments tattered, his left arm crudely bound with a torn cloak hanging over his chest.

Mud and dried blood stained his body, his face bore several thin, blood‑streaked cuts from shattered stones, and something was clenched tightly under his right arm.

Xiao Yuanhang's complexion changed.

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ningyuan both exclaimed, "Second brother!"

Xiao Ningchen gave no reply, walked to the center of the hall, his footing gave way, and he fell heavily to his knees.

"His Majesty," he lowered his head, his shoulders heaving, "the Crown Prince…"

The hall fell into sudden, dead silence.

The ministers stared wide‑eyed, their faces horrified as they fixed their gaze on him.

Xiao Jieyun's face turned ashen, "Speak!"

Xiao Ningchen lifted his head, two streams of clear tears flowing down.

His voice trembled, "Because of continuous heavy rain, the mountain flood surged; I was escorting the Crown Prince to the eighteenth bend when a thunderous crash rang overhead, like heaven splitting and earth cracking."

"Half of the mountain wall, mud and stones, cascaded down, striking the mountain path directly."

He cleared his throat, swallowed, "The Prince was riding the mountain carriage along the cliff, with no escape."

"The torrent of mud and stone came so fast it snapped the carriage pole; the whole carriage flew off the trail and fell into a ten‑thousand‑foot abyss…"

"I am incompetent!" He struck the ground heavily, his forehead pressed against a golden brick, "I also tried desperately to rescue him, but the carriage pole cut off one of my arms, and I still could not save the Crown Prince…"

He choked, "I sent men into the deep valley to search, but the water at the bottom was raging; after three days and three nights we only found a half‑broken carriage pole and…"

"This," he said, releasing his right arm, and Xiao Ze's Crown Prince coronet fell to the ground.

Xiao Ningchen straightened, grabbed the coronet with his right hand and lifted it slowly, "I fear his prospects are now grim."

Eunuch Cheng hurried down the imperial steps, took the coronet, then rushed back to the Dragon Desk and gently placed it on the desk.

Xiao Jieyun stared blankly at the coronet.

The coronet was smeared with dark brown mud, its bright yellow lacquered gold largely peeled off, the edges bore several deep cracks, and the remaining jade beads were riddled with scratches.

The Emperor rose slowly, glanced at the kneeling Xiao Ningchen below.

He opened his mouth but no word came out; his complexion turned paler by the inch.

"His Majesty!" Eunuch Cheng rushed forward and grasped his arm.

Xiao Jieyun's body swayed, then he fell backward abruptly.

"His Majesty—!"

"Quickly summon the imperial physician!"

"His Majesty!"

The hall instantly descended into chaos.

The Emperor was carried back to Zichen Hall.

The physicians knelt on the ground.

Guo Taiyi's finger rested on the Emperor's wrist, and fine beads of sweat seeped from the corners of his forehead.

Xiao Jieyun lay on the imperial couch, his face as pale as gilt paper, breathing shallowly.

Murong Jin sat at the edge of the couch, tears streaming down his face.

The Crown Princess sat at the lower seat, continuously wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

Outside the hall, a sea of people stood densely.

Xiao Yuanhang stood at the front with his arms crossed, his expression as still as water; Song Jingxian stood beside him, eyes closed and silent.

The Ministers of the Six Ministries, the Censorate… none of them were without a look of anxiety, pacing back and forth.

Some kept rubbing their hands, others tiptoed, peering into the hall.

After a while, the hall doors finally opened.

Guo Taiyi stepped out, his robe's hem catching on the threshold, nearly causing him to fall.

Prince Ning reached out to steady him: "Guo Taiyi, how is His Majesty?"

Guo Taiyi lifted his head, his voice hoarse: "His Majesty suffers from sudden fire attacking the heart, phlegm and blood stasis intertwined. Now—" He shook his head, "the meridians are blocked, Qi stagnates."

He paused, then with difficulty uttered eight words: "The spirit is dim, speech fails; the limbs are unresponsive."

After speaking, he let out a light sigh, turned and walked back.

The ministers exchanged glances, all shocked by this sudden turn of events.

Xiao Yuanhang and Song Jingxian locked eyes.

Song Jingxian slowly nodded.

Xiao Yuanhang turned to the crowd: "State affairs cannot be left unattended for even a day."

"These few days, you will have to labor, and before His Majesty awakens, the Six Ministries shall discuss matters together with the military bureau."

He paused, then asked: "Do any of you have objections?"

The corridor fell silent for a moment.

Song Jingxian slowly spoke: "Prince Ning's words are indeed correct."

Everyone bowed repeatedly: "As you command."

The ministers dispersed, leaving most of the corridor empty.

Xiao Yuanhang and Song Jingxian stood side by side at the steps, about to speak.

"Father Emperor!" a shout came from the main gate.

Xiao Ran ran, his cap askew and collar crooked, lunging in front of Xiao Yuanhang, panting heavily, and seized his arm: "Is it true? Where is Seventh Brother?"

Xiao Yuanhang said nothing, only silently watching him.

Xiao Ran's lips began to tremble, his hand slowly slipping down from Xiao Yuanhang's arm.

"Seventh Brother…" he staggered, rushing into the hall, "Father Emperor! Father Emperor!"

Inside the hall came a muffled sound of someone kneeling, followed immediately by a low whimper.

Song Jingxian's face turned grim, and Xiao Yuanhang closed his eyes.

Soon after, footsteps sounded again in the corridor.

Xiao Yuanhang opened his eyes and saw Noble Consort De and Consort Rong walking over, one after the other.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Lin's eyes were red, following beside their Mother Consort.

"Prince Ning," Xiao Lin said, stepping before Prince Ning, looking up and asking, "Is Father Emperor ill? Is Seventh Brother truly unable to return?"

Xiao Yuanhang sighed: "Go in and see His Majesty."

Xiao Jin tugged at Xiao Lin's sleeve, and Consort Rong and Noble Consort De led the two into the hall.

Soon, the hall echoed with the cries of two children: "Father Emperor! Father Emperor, what's wrong with you?"

Xiao Yuanhang and Song Jingxian exchanged another glance, both unable to suppress a deep sigh.