Chapter 980: Returning to the Country

Xie Tianyao.

Finally returned to Jinghua.

On this day, almost everyone in all of Jinghua turned out, kneeling one after another by the roadside to welcome the Emperor's return.

Of course.

That tightly shut imperial carriage did not let this crowd see the condition of Xie Tianyao.

However.

From the faces of Grand Eunuch Zhou and those Imperial Physicians, everyone could sense that this time, Xie Tianyao was truly in danger.

"The Emperor."

"May the Emperor's fortune be as vast as the heavens, and his longevity equal to the sky!"

Many people were holding back tears.

But more people stood up one after another and left in different directions. Some continued toward Yangxin Hall to probe for news from Grand Eunuch Zhou or those eunuchs, while others returned to their own residences to begin plotting the matters of the next stage.

:

At the same time.

Empress Zheng Fu had already brought Xie Chan to Yangxin Hall.

Everyone.

Became nervous.

Grand Eunuch Zhou sighed.

Zheng Fu knew what he wanted to say; the Emperor was suffering from an ailment and in all likelihood was not going to make it. In such a situation, he absolutely would not let anyone approach his Yangxin Hall. But she gave a cold laugh: "What is it, Grand Eunuch Zhou? In any case, this palace is the Empress; can I not inquire about the Emperor's safety?"

Grand Eunuch Zhou's expression changed instantly upon seeing these two.

"Empress, the Emperor's intent—"

From the side, a shrill, mocking voice rang out, followed by a series of footsteps.

"Sister Empress, isn't this a bit too urgent?"

"This—"

Grand Eunuch Zhou had not finished speaking.

This Dong Guifei, now in the inner palace, could stand on equal footing with Zheng Fu by relying on the backing of Xie Ming and Zhu Zhen. This time, as soon as Xie Tianyao returned, she was naturally impatient to come over. The reason was none other than Xie Tianyao's physical condition; thus, his imperial edict would become the most important thing of all!

The imperial edict!

Dong Guifei!

Zheng Fu and Xie Chan's expressions changed slightly at once.

Therefore, neither Zheng Fu nor Dong Shuyu would give an inch.

"Your Majesties, Your Majesties—"

That's right.

The imperial edict would determine who would inherit the throne after Xie Tianyao passed away; this was the question people cared about most.

"Grand Eunuch Zhou, do not take offense; this palace is merely worried about the Emperor's condition."

Zheng Fu changed her expression in an instant.

Grand Eunuch Zhou was drenched in sweat: "For the time being, for the time being, the Emperor has not prepared an imperial edict. You, you—"

This sentence carried a clear tone of reproach. The Emperor is still alive, he hasn't died yet, and you are all coming here asking for an imperial edict? Isn't this cursing the Emperor?

Who would have thought.

Once these two ladies left, Zhu Zhen came; once Zhu Zhen left, Xie Zhao came.

Dong Guifei used the same rhetoric.

After hearing from the Imperial Physicians that the Emperor had just returned to Jinghua and should rest quietly without being disturbed, the two glared at each other and left unwillingly.

Not until he had blocked everyone away did Grand Eunuch Zhou sigh and, step by step, walk back into Yangxin Hall.

An emperor.

In short, they were all there to probe for information.

It was fortunate that Grand Eunuch Zhou had followed the Emperor for so many years and still held some status, otherwise he truly could not have blocked so many people.

Looking at the desolate Yangxin Hall, Grand Eunuch Zhou felt even more sorrowful and, with trembling hands, lit a candle.

"Have they all left?"

What is an emperor?

Usually, one looks upon the world as a sovereign, possessing Heaven-Given Imperial Power. But what happens after one grows old? After one falls ill? Who will still care if you are an emperor? Who will still care if you are a sovereign over the world? In their eyes, only power remains, only the struggle for power and profit remains.

Grand Eunuch Zhou shuddered, but he did not feel surprised at all; he bowed his head and nodded: "Emperor, they have all left."

Xie Tianyao gave a cold laugh: "It seems there are quite a few people who want to see the imperial edict. Hahahaha, interesting, interesting."

Just at this moment.

Suddenly, Xie Tianyao's faint voice rang out.

That's right.

No one was thinking about whether the Emperor could be cured this time; what they cared about was only who would inherit the throne.

Within this laughter was nothing but desolation.

Grand Eunuch Zhou did not know how to offer comfort.

Yangxin Hall was eerily silent.

Xie Tianyao sat bolt upright.

In other words.

They now wished the Emperor would die sooner.

"The Crown Prince, there is still no news, is there?"

Xie Tianyao suddenly sighed.

It seemed he was not as terminally ill as others thought.

But in reality, Grand Eunuch Lao Zhou knew that this was the brief moment of clarity that only appeared every time the Emperor increased his "dosage." Moreover, his dosage had been getting larger recently, and the side effects were becoming increasingly severe.

"Ah?"

Grand Eunuch Lao Zhou was so frightened that he instantly knelt down.

Grand Eunuch Lao Zhou nodded without a word.

"Then, Lao Zhou, how do you think I should draft this last will and testament?"

At this moment.

A long-absent black shadow appeared in the Yangxin Hall.

"Hahahaha, hahahaha."

Xie Tianyao threw his head back and laughed.

These.

These were all the activities of almost every influential force in the country that Shadow had collected recently!

Xie Tianyao's laughter gradually ceased: "Shadow, I trust you have been well."

Shadow did not speak, but handed some dossiers in his hand to Grand Eunuch Lao Zhou.

"Nanyang Army."

Suddenly, a flash of sharp light appeared in his eyes.

Including the Old Aristocrats, the New Aristocracy, the Scholar-officials, and those Feudatory Kings.

Xie Tianyao held them in his hands and slowly flipped through them.

"Constitutional Monarchy."

"This Vice Minister Liu has been getting a bit carried away lately."

Following that.

His tone was icy and piercing.

Leaving the Li Dynasty this time, he did not return to Hancheng, the reason being that he did not want to see Li Xuanya's tearful appearance again.

He simply left, brushing off his clothes, hiding his achievements and fame.

Liu Zheng was, of course, not getting carried away.

The trio set off on their journey once again.

This time, Liu Zheng intended to take the Waterway, departing from Baoning Port directly to Qingzhou.

As for Hancheng, he left it to Xiao Qian and the remaining Longyan Dynasty soldiers to handle on his behalf.

At this time, Liu Zheng was already on the road with two or three people; by his side, Pei Qianyun had returned, and Lu Yao had also agreed to safely escort Liu Zheng out of the Li Dynasty.

At the port, Liu Zheng cupped his hands from afar and smiled.

The usually cold and elegant Lu Yao also cupped her hands and smiled, which instantly made one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

A Merchant Ship of the Liangzhou Chamber of Commerce had long been waiting for him at the port.

"Miss Lu, we shall meet again!"

"Young Master, I've finally waited for you!"

What Liu Zheng did not expect was that the ones who came with the Merchant Ship this time were actually Qin Zhangfeng and Pei Yanran!

Liu Zheng had gained a lot from his trip to the Li Dynasty.

At the very least, he had truly succeeded in establishing the Li Dynasty as a pilot unit for a constitutional monarchy. As for whether it could influence the Longyan Dynasty, that would depend on heaven's will.

"Hahahaha, it's been so long, and the Young Master has actually grown sturdier!"

Qin Zhangfeng gave Liu Zheng a fierce hug, then laughed heartily.

He was immediately overjoyed: "Qin Dage, Sister-in-law!"

The three of them gathered together once more, naturally in a harmonious atmosphere, exchanging pleasantries.

"That's for sure, at least this time, I also took up a sword to fight the enemy, didn't I!"

The two looked at each other and laughed.

Liu Zheng was also moved; after all, the two really hadn't seen each other for a long time. Their brotherly bond was not fake.

Pei Yanran also sensed the deep affection between the two and smiled as she prepared wine for them.

Following that.

Qin Zhangfeng suddenly straightened his expression: "Young Master, I came this time because the Master asked me to bring you two routes to see how you intend to choose."

"What?"

Liu Zheng raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.