Free Web NovelChapter 148: Chapter 148: She, Represents This Crown Prince
By the time Shen Ningning followed Mo Lingwei to the Emperor’s bedchamber, it was already full of people.
Besides several veteran Imperial Physicians, a few trusted ministers, and the State Preceptor, there was also the ceaselessly weeping Consort Li.
She was slumped by the bedside, her face streaked with tears as she watched the unconscious Emperor.
"Your Majesty... You mustn’t frighten me like this."
Mo Lingwei shot her a cold glance before turning to the Chief Eunuch beside him. "What exactly happened?"
The Chief Eunuch knelt, answering in a panic, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Emperor collapsed from exhaustion!"
"Recently, many counties in Cangyun Country have been suffering from a lack of water and rain. The people’s lives are miserable, and those folk legends that speak ill of you are being brought up again and again..."
The eunuch spoke with trepidation, occasionally glancing up to sneak a peek at Mo Lingwei’s expression.
But the Crown Prince’s face was impassive, as if he didn’t care at all.
He had grown up surrounded by these malicious rumors.
They said he was a child his mother, the late Empress, had obtained through Evil Magic to win the Emperor’s favor.
In the end, not only did the late Empress suffer the backlash of the Evil Magic, but she also stubbornly gave birth to the Crown Prince—this Evil God—bringing disaster upon Cangyun Country that incurred the wrath of both heaven and the people!
The drought grew more severe. Aside from the occasional rain in the Capital City, no crops could be harvested elsewhere due to the lack of rain, and the common people were displaced.
Consequently, the hatred for Mo Lingwei deepened.
Mo Lingwei’s tone was indifferent. "Continue."
Only then did the Chief Eunuch say tremblingly, "So, for your sake, His Majesty has been going to the Sunlight Tower every night to kneel and pray for rain. He has been sleepless for nearly four days. His imperial body naturally couldn’t take it."
Mo Lingwei’s brows furrowed. "Why is he pushing himself like this? If the gods were truly sentient, how could they stand by and watch the people of Cangyun suffer? Father is being foolish!"
Hearing this, the several high-ranking court ministers nearby exchanged glances, but they simply bowed their hands and said nothing.
Consort Li lifted her tear-filled eyes and looked at him resentfully. "Ling Wei, your words are truly heart-chilling. The Emperor is frantic with love for his son. He’s doing all of this for you!"
Suddenly, Shen Ningning pointed to the bed. "Uncle Emperor is awake."
Everyone quickly looked down and saw that the Emperor had, at some point, opened his eyes, his expression weak.
He had just raised a hand and had been trying to call for someone for a while, but his voice was so hoarse and low that no one but Shen Ningning had noticed.
Consort Li quickly grasped the Emperor’s hand. "Your Majesty, how are you feeling now? Imperial Physician, Imperial Physician, quickly!"
However, the Emperor didn’t look at her, his gaze fixed only on Mo Lingwei.
"Ling Wei, come to Father," he beckoned wearily.
Mo Lingwei stepped forward, his expression complicated.
Everyone thought the Emperor had something important to entrust to him, but unexpectedly, the Emperor simply took Mo Lingwei’s hand and asked, "Where are the Buddha Beads Father gave you? Go back and put them on. They’ll keep you safe."
Consort Li froze, her heart turning as cold as snow.
’Even at a time like this, the Emperor is still thinking about the Crown Prince.’
’Does he truly only have eyes for his son, Mo Lingwei?’
Mo Lingwei lowered his cold eyes. After a long moment, he said, "I heard you collapsed and left in a hurry. I didn’t wear them."
The Emperor gave a weak smile. "No matter. Help Father up. There are still state affairs that need to be handled."
He struggled to sit up, and the Imperial Physicians hurriedly knelt and pleaded, "Your Majesty! Your body cannot take any more strain. Please prioritize your well-being!"
Shen Ningning also said, "Uncle Emperor, you look so pale. You need to sleep a lot to get better quickly!"
The Emperor smiled at her. "I am fine."
However, when he tried to sit up again, Mo Lingwei pressed him back down with one hand.
"You rest," Mo Lingwei said. "I will handle the remaining state affairs."
With that, he turned and called to the little one, "Shen Ningning, let’s go."
Shen Ningning quickly scurried after him, her little feet going PITTER-PATTER.
The Emperor was surprised. "Ling Wei, can you really handle it?"
Having reached the doorway, Mo Lingwei glanced back, one eyebrow raised in supreme confidence. "I am the Crown Prince. I have been learning the art of governance since I was a child. Why wouldn’t I be able to?"
"I will not be visiting you for the next few days. Transfer the power of the court to me. We can make other plans after you have recovered."
The Emperor’s eyes welled up with gratified tears. He said repeatedly, "Good, good... The six elders of the cabinet, hear my command! While I am recuperating, you will obey the Crown Prince’s orders in all matters. There shall be no defiance!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Imperial Physicians stayed behind to check the Emperor’s pulse and prescribe medicine.
Mo Lingwei walked to a side hall, and all the high-ranking ministers followed.
Consort Li also walked to the doorway. She wanted to see what capabilities Mo Lingwei had to shoulder such a thorny situation.
In the side hall, Mo Lingwei sat ramrod straight, radiating an imposing aura. He had Shen Ningning sit beside him.
Seeing Consort Li peeking in, Mo Lingwei said coldly, "You may come in as well. There are some matters I need to arrange for you to handle."
Consort Li was taken aback, but then she stepped into the hall and found a seat.
A short while later, Chen Shaobei and the head of the Imperial Guards, Lord Lu, also arrived.
Once everyone was present, Mo Lingwei began to speak. "My father has ordered you to obey my commands. The first order of business is this: I will enter the Sunlight Tower to pray for rain for five days. You elders of the cabinet will deliver the memorials to the outside of the tower. After I have attended to them, a designated person will deliver them to the cabinet."
The moment he said this, everyone present was shocked.
The Imperial Tutor was the first to stand and object. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you absolutely must not! The conditions inside the Sunlight Tower are harsh, and it’s brutally hot in the summer. Furthermore, you are the Crown Prince. How can you be locked in such a place for five days?"
Mo Lingwei’s tone was light. "My father can pray to the gods at night and kneel for long hours for rain. Since I am the Crown Prince, why can’t I? The lives of the people of Shu State, and indeed all of Cangyun Country, are something I, the Crown Prince, should carry in my heart."
Consort Li feigned disapproval, saying, "That doesn’t seem right. You must know, the Sunlight Tower houses shrines to various gods. When the Emperor goes inside, he fasts to show his respect. If you are in there for five days, how can food be sent in? Wouldn’t that be blasphemy?"
"For five days, there is no need to send me food. Water will be enough," Mo Lingwei said faintly.
As soon as he finished, the crowd turned pale with shock. Consort Li, who had intended to find fault, was rendered speechless.
’Mo Lingwei is too ruthless, even with himself!’
Shen Ningning’s small eyebrows furrowed with worry.
’If he doesn’t eat, how hungry will he get?’
One of the elders still wanted to object. "But, Your Highness..."
Mo Lingwei raised a hand to stop him. "My mind is made up. You need not try to persuade me further. Moreover, do not tell my father of my decision. By the time he has recovered, I will already be out of the Sunlight Tower."
With that, he looked toward Chen Shaobei and the head of the Imperial Guards, Lord Lu.
"For the five days that I am not in the palace, Lord Lu will be responsible for strengthening patrols to prevent anyone from taking the opportunity to stir up trouble. Understood?" His icy gaze swept meaningfully over Consort Li, who was still seated.
Commander Lu cupped his hands, his voice resounding. "Rest assured, Your Highness the Crown Prince. If there is any unrest in the palace, I am willing to present my head to you."
Mo Lingwei nodded.
He then turned to Chen Shaobei. "While I am in the Sunlight Tower, no matter what happens, you are not to let me out until the five days are up and the rain-praying ceremony is officially over. During this time, Chen Shaobei, you will take care of Shen Ningning for me."
"She may enter and leave the court at will. She... represents me, the Crown Prince. Understood?"
The ministers present were in an uproar, their gazes all turning to Shen Ningning.
