The second prince was in unspeakable pain, and it was difficult to have an attack, so he could only cover himself while retreating, and only stopped when Yun Yao retreated to the bedside.

At that time, the second prince already had a bruised nose and a swollen face. He had no intention of worrying about Yun Yao saying that he was a wild boar, and quietly went out to treat his wounds.

Of course, after he went out, he never left. Instead, he asked his servants to prepare another side room.

After all, he hasn't lived enough yet.

The next morning, Yun Yao looked at the empty bed as he wished, frowned in disgust, and prepared to find an excuse to change all the quilts.

In the palace, Yu Anzheng and several other princes were kneeling beside the dragon bed, and behind them were the queen and a group of concubines.

The Queen Xie Wan said: "Your Majesty, the imperial doctor has said that you have been overworking on state affairs recently and your vitality has been weakened. You should take a good rest for a while."

"Yes, Father." The third prince, Chen Xianzhong, looked worried and earnestly advised: "No matter what happens, your dragon body is the most important. Only if you are healthy can Xigan prosper."

On the bed, the old emperor with cloudy eyes did not look happy because of his son's concern. He touched his dry and gray hair and said in a deep voice: "The country cannot live without a king for a day, and I cannot rest. Otherwise, who will maintain the government?"

As soon as he said these words, the people kneeling below suddenly fell silent. After a while, the queen came forward, gently held the emperor's hand and said: "Your Majesty, you have so many outstanding princes who can share the political affairs for you. Perhaps You can appoint a prince who will be in charge of the affairs of the court for the time being, and there will be many ministers in the court to assist you."

The old emperor rubbed his temples, and the age spots on his face swayed slightly with his movements. He said in a cold and weathered voice: "No one is allowed to mention the matter of establishing a prince in the future. Anyone who mentions this matter, I will not be lenient."

Her smile was sincere, and although the traces of time could be seen on her face, she was still more than ten years younger than the old emperor.

When Chen Xianzhong heard this, he blessed his body more respectfully, but he was secretly nervous in his heart.

"Although Concubine Jing died young and the Third Prince was adopted into the Queen's name, an adopted son is also a son. The Queen is so anxious to push him to a high position. She is afraid that she doesn't take the Third Prince's safety to heart and will chill him. heart."

Yu An looked at the old emperor frankly and said: "I know it well, but there will be opportunities for experience in the future. I am worried about my father's health. I am afraid that I will be absent-minded in doing things. If I make a mistake in the sacrifice, what will happen? It’s irreversible.”

The emperor asked the eunuch to help him down, and sat at the table, writing something in his strokes. After a while, he said: "Let the second prince take care of the sacrifices. The Hu people will come over and surrender in a while, and it is inconvenient for me to move. I will receive them." Their affairs will be left to the third prince, and "

The third prince and others were all fooled by what he did. They didn't understand when the second prince could be so good at pretending.

The old emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, and his expression when looking at the queen became unkind. His eyes went back and forth between the queen and the third prince for a moment, and then he suddenly asked: "Do other people think so too?"

"Father." Yu An said in the tone of the second prince: "I don't want to manage the sacrifices. I just want to stay with my father and take care of him until my father is fully recovered."

The queen pursed her lips and clenched her fists under her sleeves, feeling extremely complicated.

The old emperor talked about everything, but most of them were rights that he had to give out. Several people listened carefully. After a while, the old emperor asked: "Do you have any objections?"

Concubine Duan said, ignoring the queen's gloomy expression, bowing slightly and bowing, then turned and left.

The old emperor looked at Yu An carefully and said: "Sacrifice is a national matter. This is a good opportunity to practice. If you are so evasive, aren't you afraid that I will punish you?"

After hearing what he said, everyone did not dare to say anything more. After a while, they were kicked out by the old emperor, leaving only a few princes to listen to his orders.

After all, the queen did not hold back her expression. After leaving the emperor's palace, she approached Concubine Duan and said in a very low voice: "Do you want to put me to death?"

This question stunned the queen. She didn't expect that the emperor would suddenly throw the question to her. She paused for two seconds and then said: "I cannot make the decision on such important matters, but in my opinion, the third prince

He is very knowledgeable at a young age, and he has completed all the tasks entrusted to him by His Majesty very well, so he is a good candidate."

Of course she knew the emperor's fears. The older the emperor got, the more he feared death and that others would snatch his things. But his body was getting weaker and weaker. If he didn't establish a prince, once he died, the imperial capital would inevitably be in chaos.

How could the prince not fight to the death?

What was the result? Wasn't the former prince pushed to the battlefield and eventually died at the border?

Everyone agreed, and the queen lowered her head, feeling the special attention on her head, and her whole body trembled.

"How could it be?" Concubine Duan's eyebrows were curved, and she didn't have much fear of the queen. She said, "I am helping the queen. Don't you want the third prince to follow the same path as the prince?"

In the emperor's chamber, several princes were still kneeling on the ground, waiting for the emperor's order.

"Your Majesty." Concubine Duan bravely said, "Your Majesty is just in a slight state of health and will be well after a while. I think I am not in a hurry to establish a crown prince at this time."

The Xie family has always been like this, each acting in his own way. Prime Minister Xie in the court is like this, and the Queen is also like this. She knows that His Majesty is suspicious, but she is sure that he cannot touch the Xie family, and has no intention of bowing her head.

The old emperor looked at his first wife, with no emotion or anger on her face, and asked: "Which prince do you think is suitable for the crown prince?"

The old emperor continued: "I can still handle part of the government affairs, and I plan to distribute the remaining part to the four princes, which can be regarded as a guarantee for the government affairs."

She sighed softly, with a frown on her face. She recalled her youthful and vigorous self, and left with a pale face.

As soon as these words came out, the queen was shocked. She scolded Concubine Duan a thousand times in her heart and said, "I don't mean that. I am just worried that the prince who acts as an agent of the government will not be able to convince the public."

The old emperor said: "In that case, the second prince will stay in the palace, and the matters of sacrifice will be left to the third prince."

"Yes, Father." The third prince bowed his head in response, his appearance still calm and composed.

The old emperor was still looking at the second prince, but no matter how he looked at him, there was really no regret in him. He was as calm as water, and his eyes were calm, and he didn't look like he was lying.

The old emperor knew that all these sons had evil intentions, but now he really couldn't see what the second prince was planning.
Chapter completed!