Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 780 Entrustment
The Empress suddenly arrived, and the ministers who were discussing matters with the Emperor in the inner hall were about to get up and leave when they heard the Emperor cough.

"go out……"

The Emperor failed to push the Empress away. His eyes were red as he roared, but before he could utter a sound, he was immediately drowned out by a more violent cough.

The Empress pretended not to understand the Emperor's meaning, staggered a few steps, and then rushed forward again: "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Receiving no response from the Emperor, the Empress angrily turned to the eunuch beside her: "Jiang, how have you been taking care of the Emperor? How could you let him become so ill? Where are the people from the Imperial Hospital? Why aren't they here waiting?"

Jiang, the eunuch, remained silent, but Huang, the eunuch beside him, whispered a reminder: "Your Majesty... the Emperor is discussing matters with the ministers..."

These words were like a spark that ignited the Empress's anger. She looked at Wang Bingchen in the hall and said, "What time is it? Why are you still making His Majesty work so hard?"

"Gentlemen, why don't you advise His Majesty to prioritize his health?" The Empress said this to everyone, but she looked specifically at Wang Bingchen.

"Prime Minister Wang, you are a pillar of the Liang Dynasty. Do you have so many important official matters that must be reported to the Emperor at his bedside?"

This is an extremely serious statement, as if the Emperor's current predicament is entirely Wang Bingchen's fault.

The Emperor wanted to reprimand him, but his face turned red and he couldn't breathe for a long time. This gave the Empress an opportunity. While crying, she patted the Emperor's back and ordered the palace servants to bring the imperial physician over immediately. This time, she wanted to watch the imperial physician take her pulse.

Wang Bingchen wanted to step forward, but the Empress frowned and stopped him: "Gentlemen, please wait outside. Even if there is something important, we must wait until His Majesty is feeling better before discussing it."

The Empress's desperate gamble seemed to stem from her deep concern for the Emperor, leaving the courtiers with no room for argument.

After the Empress finished speaking, she waited for the ministers' reactions. An ordinary minister might have taken his leave, but unfortunately, it was Prime Minister Wang standing there.

As expected, Wang Bingchen showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he instructed Jiang, the eunuch, "We will wait outside the palace and be ready to be summoned by the Emperor at any time."

The Queen clenched her fists. The King of Qin's earlier worries were correct. When it really came to the final moment, Wang Bingchen was the biggest obstacle.

The imperial physician was brought into the inner palace and immediately went to treat the emperor. The empress watched this scene nervously. When the late emperor passed away, his headache suddenly worsened, and he became unable to speak. The empress, who is now the empress dowager, then handled the affairs of state. This is why the emperor's subsequent regency and succession to the throne went so smoothly.

She wished the emperor would feel the same way, so that she could rightfully take over power.

If Wang Bingchen objects, she can use ancestral rules to pressure him.

Time passed slowly, and suddenly the sound of vomiting came from the bed. The palace servants rushed forward to serve him, and the Empress, disregarding everything else, also squeezed forward. She saw a puddle of filth by the bedside, and the Emperor was leaning against the pillow.

The Empress stared intently at the Emperor's face, preparing to carefully check his breathing. Before her hand could even fall, the Emperor on the bed suddenly opened his eyes and looked straight at her. The Empress was startled and almost cried out, but she managed to compose herself in time, and a look of joy appeared on her face: "Your Majesty, you have finally woken up."

The Emperor's face was grim, his gaze sharp and intimidating, and his voice hoarse as he said, "You suddenly... barged into the inner palace... disturbing the court. Is this... something the Empress should do?"

The Empress felt a sudden panic, but she still forced herself to say, "I heard that His Majesty has not left the Funing Palace for several days, and I was worried, so I came looking for him."

The Emperor was clearly still weak and unwilling to speak further. His gaze, which had been fixed on the Empress, shifted several times before finally settling on Eunuch Jiang: "Please... Your Majesty..."

Jiang, the eunuch, immediately said, "This servant will go and fetch Minister Wang right away."

The official nodded.

The Empress was resentful, and with the Emperor seriously ill, he still trusted Wang Bingchen. Especially after her outburst today, she probably had even less standing with the Emperor. Fortunately, at least she knew the truth about what happened in the Funing Palace.

Wang Bingchen entered the inner hall and stepped forward to greet him: "Is Your Majesty feeling any better?" The Emperor nodded slightly and then said: "During my illness... I have entrusted affairs to the Prime Minister... Every day... I leave two people... on duty in the Funing Hall... The selection of these people... Minister Wang... you may decide for yourself."

Wang Bingchen responded.

The Emperor then turned his gaze to the Empress, took a deep breath, and uttered two words with difficulty: "Confined to the palace."

The Empress's expression changed drastically: "Your Majesty... I was just worried and confused... Please allow me to stay and attend to you while you are ill."

The emperor stopped speaking and closed his eyes.

The Empress knew she couldn't leave like this, so she stood there pondering what to do. But then she heard Wang Bingchen say, "His Majesty needs to rest. Jiang, the magistrate, should do as His Majesty wishes and send the Emperor back!"

The Emperor has said that the matter is to be handled by the Prime Minister, so it is only right for Prime Minister Wang to speak at this time.

Jiang Nei responded and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, please!"

The Empress glanced at Wang Bingchen, but he seemed not to notice and remained standing there calmly. The Empress then looked at the other officials, and at this moment, not a single one was willing to stand up for her. She gritted her teeth and had no choice but to walk out of the hall.

The official is still sober; making a scene now will do her no good.

As soon as the Empress left the Funing Palace, she saw Prince Qin standing in the courtyard. Prince Qin had his head down, looking honest and obedient. But just as the Empress was leaving, he slightly raised his eyes, and their eyes met.

The Empress frowned and looked gloomy. Although she didn't say anything, the Prince of Qin already knew that the Empress must have suffered a setback.

After the people from the Imperial Medical Academy left, Wang Bingchen and several officials came out, but instead of leaving, they went to the side hall.

When the King of Qin saw Jiang, he stepped forward and asked, "What is the current situation, Your Majesty?"

Jiang, the eunuch, did not hide anything: "I feel better after taking the medicine. His Majesty summoned the prince to speak with him."

The King of Qin was secretly delighted, but he did not show it and quickly walked into the inner palace.

The Emperor was resting with his eyes closed, and the King of Qin did not go forward to call him. He simply stood aside and waited. After about two quarters of an hour, the Emperor saw the King of Qin and waved to him.

The King of Qin immediately stepped forward.

The Emperor gestured to the memorial beside him and said in a low voice, "Listen more to...Prime Minister Wang..." He did not mention that the Emperor was in charge of the country, nor did he entrust him with any state affairs.

The King of Qin waited for a while before stepping forward to retrieve the memorial. His gaze fell upon an open memorial, upon which lay the petition sent by Srivijaya.

The King of Qin glanced at it quickly and immediately noticed a few important words.

"Many evil spirits have been robbing merchant ships... Now we wish to rely on the great power of the Emperor... We beg the Great Liang to send a naval force to join us in a pincer attack, so that we can capture them in one battle and the seas can be peaceful forever."

The general idea is that Srivijaya wants to join forces with Daliang to fight against pirates at sea.

Just now, the Emperor was clearly discussing this matter with Minister Wang and others.

The King of Qin thought of the maritime merchants behind Xia Mengxian. Clearly, the Emperor had not given up the investigation. So, did the Emperor know that Xia Mengxian was involved with him?