My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 338 Huang Taiji vomited blood again!
Dorgon suddenly slammed his fist into a pillar beside him, roaring angrily:

"Emperor Chongzhen has gone too far! It's just his birthday, yet he's making things so difficult for our Great Qing, demanding tribute in such a forceful tone. It's simply outrageous!"

Haug was so enraged that he flew into a rage, gritting his teeth as he said:

"Hmph! What superior or inferior state? Our Great Qing is now strong and powerful, what do we have to fear from the Great Ming! These damned Han people dare to be so arrogant in front of us. I will definitely tear them to pieces in the future!"

As he spoke, he kicked over the chair beside him, which crashed to the ground with a loud thud, sounding particularly jarring in the silent palace.

Jirgalang had already been mistreated by Li Dingguo and then scolded by Huang Taiji, so he was already holding back his anger and couldn't help but chime in:
"That's right! When has our Great Qing Dynasty ever suffered such humiliation! Emperor Chongzhen is clearly deliberately trying to insult us. We absolutely cannot swallow this insult!"

His eyes were filled with resentment and unwillingness, as if he wanted to devour Emperor Chongzhen, who was thousands of miles away.

Huang Taiji sat on the dragon throne, his already pale face now even more gloomy, like the sky before a storm.

His hands gripped the armrests of the dragon throne tightly, and his body trembled slightly.

Although he knew that it was unwise to clash with the Ming Dynasty at this moment and that he should submit to the other side in everything, Chongzhen's edict was like a sharp thorn, deeply hurting his pride.

He was on his deathbed, while Chongzhen was preparing for his thirty-first birthday celebration. What an irony!

His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something to quell the crowd's anger.

However, before he could even speak, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if a sharp knife was violently twisting inside his heart.

His eyes widened instantly, his face contorted in extreme pain, and he unconsciously clutched his chest with both hands, his body beginning to shake violently.

The next second, he opened his mouth wide and spat out a mouthful of blood. The blood bloomed in the air like a bewitching flower before splashing onto his magnificent dragon robe and onto the ground, forming a shocking red stain.

Then, Huang Taiji's body went limp, and he fell straight backward, losing consciousness once again.

The people who were arguing were shocked by what they saw and immediately froze on the spot.

For a moment, the palace fell into a deathly silence.

But the silence was shattered the next second by a terrified scream.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! What's wrong?"

The eunuch serving nearby was so frightened that his face turned ashen, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

After realizing what was happening, he kept shouting:

"Quickly, quickly summon the imperial physician!"

Dorgon and the others then realized what was happening and rushed to the emperor's side, anxiously calling out:

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

"Father, Father, wake up!"

Then, despite the shouts of the others, Huang Taiji kept his eyes closed, as if he were really about to die.

Just then, a group of imperial physicians rushed over.

They all looked tense and walked hurriedly, some carrying medicine boxes on their backs, and others holding silver needles in their hands.

The elderly imperial physician at the head of the group was covered in sweat. He quickly walked up to Huang Taiji and carefully extended his hand to take Huang Taiji's pulse.

Upon seeing this, Dorgon and the others quickly made way for them.

Immediately afterwards, Huang Taiji was surrounded by a group of imperial physicians.

After a while, the old imperial physician who had taken Huang Taiji's pulse slowly lowered Huang Taiji's hand, stood up, shook his head at the crowd behind him, sighed, and said:

"His Majesty was already in poor health, and this time he was overcome with anger, causing his blood and qi to flow in reverse, and his condition is extremely critical! We can only do our best to save him, and whether he can wake up depends on His Majesty's fate."

Hearing the old doctor's words, everyone felt a heavy weight in their hearts, as if a large stone was pressing down on them.

But at this point, they couldn't say anything and could only watch helplessly as the imperial physicians continued to treat Huang Taiji.

The imperial physicians all looked tense, their foreheads covered in fine beads of sweat.

Their hands were busy working on Huang Taiji's body. Some held silver needles and accurately inserted them into Huang Taiji's various acupoints, each insertion filled with careful caution.

Some massaged acupoints for Huang Taiji, while others held steaming bowls of medicine and spooned the bitter liquid into Huang Taiji's mouth. As the liquid dripped down his chin, they quickly wiped it away with handkerchiefs.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly at that moment, each second feeling like torture.

Fortunately, after the imperial physicians worked for more than an hour, Huang Taiji's originally weak and rapid breathing finally gradually stabilized.

Upon seeing this, the imperial physicians finally relaxed, letting out a long sigh of relief, and collapsed to the ground as if they had used up all their strength.

Although Huang Taiji did not wake up in time, they had managed to save his life.

They knew very well that if Huang Taiji died now, they, the imperial physicians, would be held responsible. Not only would they lose their own lives, but they might also implicate their families.

Fortunately, Huang Taiji survived.

Immediately following the instructions of the imperial physician, the guards carefully lifted Huang Taiji from the dragon bed and carried him toward the imperial bedchamber.

At this moment, Huang Taiji needed a quiet environment to recuperate, and the palace was the most suitable place.

Logically speaking, Dorgon, Hauge, and the other princes should have tactfully withdrawn at this point.

After all, Huang Taiji was already so ill that he was in no condition to discuss any important matters.

Moreover, the matters that needed to be discussed had already been discussed in the Chongde Hall, and Huang Taiji had agreed to them. They only needed to follow orders.

However, these princes showed no intention of leaving. They followed closely behind Huang Taiji until they arrived outside the palace.

As for why they are so determined not to leave, the reason is actually quite simple.

In this era of absolute imperial power, the question of who would inherit the throne acted like a giant magnet, attracting every ambitious person.

They were genuinely afraid that Huang Taiji might suddenly disappear, especially since he had not designated a successor. In that case, the question of who would inherit the throne would become a huge problem, triggering countless disputes and upheavals.

At this moment, Dorgon was undoubtedly the most fortunate person in his heart.

Because he and Dayuer had secretly discussed this matter as early as last night.

Furthermore, they had devised a meticulous plan.

That is, the next time Huang Taiji falls into a coma, Dayuer will secretly open the hidden compartment to see who is on the edict of succession.

Although they had already guessed that it wasn't Fu Lin, they still needed to see it for themselves.

If it were indeed Fulin, then they wouldn't need to go through all this trouble. But if it really wasn't Fulin, then they would need to proceed with their next plan. The next plan was quite simple: find someone to forge an identical edict of accession, only changing the name on it to Fulin.

Then, when Huang Taiji was about to die, they secretly replaced him.

In this way, when Huang Taiji died, once this edict was brought out, everyone would see that it was Fulin and would not dare to say anything more, thus allowing Fulin to smoothly ascend the throne.

Dorgon and Dayuer's plan can be considered a success.

However, of course, implementing this plan was not as simple as they had imagined.

After all, no one knew when Huang Taiji would die.

Maybe tomorrow?

Maybe next month?
Maybe in six months?

It's unknown whether Huang Taiji would take out the edict every day to check it before he died.

Therefore, the key issue is when to replace the imperial edict!
However, it's too early to think about these things now. The most important thing now is to see if Huang Taiji can survive today.

If Huang Taiji were to die today, then all their plans would be in vain, and everything they had plotted would vanish.

Haug was extremely worried at this moment; his brows were furrowed tightly, and he was filled with deep sorrow.

Although, in theory, he was Huang Taiji's eldest son and had a high reputation in the army, making him undoubtedly the most suitable candidate to succeed to the throne.

However, his uncles were no pushovers. Dorgon was cunning and ambitious, and the other princes each had their own agendas and power. They wouldn't just stand by and watch him ascend the throne.

If Huang Taiji were to pass away without leaving any edict of succession, it wouldn't be so easy for him to smoothly ascend the throne.

This might trigger a fierce battle for the throne, and it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Dayuer had already learned of Huang Taiji's critical illness.

Logically speaking, Dayuer should have rushed to Chongde Hall to visit Huang Taiji immediately, but she did not do so.

She wanted to see the name on the edict while Huang Taiji was away from his palace; this was the first step in their plan.

However, to her utter surprise, even though Huang Taiji was not in his palace, he had still arranged for people to be there.

Moreover, these people were all Huang Taiji's absolute confidants, obeying only Huang Taiji's orders and ignoring any instructions from Dayuer.

As a result, Da Yu'er's plan was delayed.

But soon, Dayuer adjusted her mindset, because she knew that although she hadn't succeeded this time, there would be a next time.

If she waits patiently, opportunities will always come!
Just then, a noise came from outside the door. Dayuer knew without a doubt that Huang Taiji had returned.

So she hurriedly went outside the palace.

Seeing the crowd carrying Huang Taiji back, Dayuer immediately ran up to him crying, her tears falling like a broken string of pearls.

While crying, he shouted:
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, how are you? Don't frighten me! What will I do if you leave me?"

Her voice was mournful and sorrowful, as if Huang Taiji were truly about to die.

Upon seeing this, the imperial physicians nearby quickly whispered words of comfort:

"Your Majesty, please don't be sad. His Majesty's condition has just stabilized, and his life should be out of danger."

Upon hearing this, Da Yu'er couldn't tell whether she was happy or unhappy; she felt a mix of emotions.

But she continued crying as she spoke:

"Your Majesty, you must get well soon. I cannot live without you."

When Dorgon saw this scene from a short distance away, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

Suddenly, Dorgon keenly noticed that Hauge, who was standing to the side, actually wanted to follow the others into the palace, which startled him greatly.

The next second, Dorgon swiftly grabbed Hauge and asked:

"Hauge, what are you doing? Is His Majesty's palace a place for you to go?"

Upon hearing this, Haug could only stop in his tracks and then said indignantly:
"Dorgon, what do you mean by that? Father is seriously ill, isn't it only right that I, as the eldest son, should be by his side to take care of him?"

Those around him sneered inwardly upon hearing this.

They knew, of course, what Hauge was thinking. He was simply afraid that Huang Taiji would suddenly die and he would be all alone, and then things would become unclear.

As long as he stays by Huang Taiji's side, his chances of succeeding to the throne will increase.

If Huang Taiji really dies, he can say that Huang Taiji passed the throne to him before he died, and then everyone will have to accept it whether they want to or not.

But how could Dorgon not have thought of such a thing?
Then Dorgon sneered:

"Even if you are His Majesty's son, you cannot just barge into His Majesty's bedchamber. His Majesty needs a quiet environment to recuperate. If you barge in like this and disturb His Majesty, can you bear the consequences?"

"Or are you doing this on purpose, trying to prevent His Majesty from recovering quickly?"

Hauge was speechless for a moment, choked by Dorgon's words. His chest heaved violently, his eyes filled with anger and resentment, but he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

From a certain perspective, Dorgon's words did indeed strike a chord with his inner thoughts.

Da Yu'er noticed the argument behind her and stayed behind.

Seeing that the atmosphere was getting a little awkward, she quickly pretended to wipe away tears from the corners of her eyes, then looked at the group and said:
"Your Highnesses, please return first. His Majesty can be well taken care of by me."

"If His Majesty awakens, I will definitely send someone to inform you first."

"Your presence here will only prevent His Majesty from resting in peace."

Upon hearing this, Hauge ignored Dorgon beside him and instead sneered:
"What? Are you trying to kick us out? There must be something shady going on here, right?"

"Are you planning to do something detrimental to His Majesty while he is unconscious?"

Seeing that her thoughts had been exposed by Hauge, Dayuer's heart skipped a beat and her heartbeat quickened involuntarily.

But she quickly realized what was happening, and then, with tears in her eyes, she said:
"What do you mean by that, Your Highness? I am only concerned for His Majesty's safety. His Majesty needs to rest and should not be disturbed. This is what the imperial physician said."

"If Your Highness is truly worried, then please wait here, but please do not enter the palace so as not to disturb His Majesty's rest."

Seeing that Hauge was not so easily fooled, Dayuer's tone softened.

She didn't want to completely break ties with Hauge before she achieved her goal!
(End of this chapter)