The Human Emperor Chapter 2462 - Side Story Chapter 35: Explosion!

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Previously on The Human Emperor...
Chen Yuan's case causes a stir in court, revealing the ongoing War of the Princes between Li Xuantu, Li Chengyi, and Li Taiyi. Li Xuantu consolidates his power, but faces resistance from generals loyal to Li Taiyi. Meanwhile, Li Taiyi's faction investigates the Emperor's illness, suspecting foul play. Li Xuantu orchestrates a series of events, exiling allies of Li Taiyi and framing advisor Wang Jiuling. After enduring torture, Wang Jiuling urges Li Taiyi to take decisive action against Li Xuantu.
Time proceeded swiftly, and a month elapsed in the blink of an eye. The grand Imperial Palace stood in stillness, its hundred thousand Imperial Army soldiers maintaining a quiet vigil. A palpable sense of oppression hung heavy in the air, even more suffocating than before. When a eunuch or maid dared to traverse a palace avenue, their eyes remained fixed downwards, their steps quickened. Occasionally, they might steal a nervous glance around, their faces etched with caution. The Imperial Palace had undergone a drastic transformation. Even the servants could sense the escalating conflict between the three Princes. Former officials had become entangled in this power struggle, many meeting their demise. For eunuchs and maids, whose lives were as fragile as a mayfly's, their fate was far more precarious. Assassinations within the palace grounds saw a marked increase, and the Imperial Army's deployment exceeded all usual measures. A junior eunuch, pointing towards a distant figure, exclaimed in surprise, "Look there. So many unfamiliar faces within the palace now..." Another junior eunuch's face turned ashen, and he harshly reprimanded his companion, "Silence! Is that your concern? Hurry along!" He then propelled his companion away as if fleeing a dreadful contagion. Though the two quickly departed, the atmosphere remained thick with tension. The Jade Dragon Palace's gates were sealed, and a protective domain enveloped the structure, muffling all external sounds. Within its confines, Li Taiyi, Wang Jiuling, Zhou Chaoxian, and their loyal subordinates were convened. Li Taiyi had orchestrated a vigorous counteroffensive throughout the past month. He had finally extricated himself from a severely disadvantageous position and managed to secure the release of Wang Haibin and the court officials. Nevertheless, Zhang Shougui and Zhangchou Jianqiong remained stationed at the border. Both generals were under the purview of the Bureau of Military Personnel, necessitating a court debate for any directives concerning them. Even should Li Taiyi wish for their return, he would first have to navigate the Bureau of Military Personnel. However, with the Bureau still firmly under the First Prince's influence, this objective remained unattainable. Amidst the somber atmosphere, Li Taiyi addressed Wang Haibin, who stood nearby, inquiring, "What is the current situation?" "Your Highness, the spirit pills from the various martial arts Sects have been dispatched to the Imperial Palace. Eunuch Li has already dissolved them in water and administered them to His Majesty, but..." Wang Haibin lowered his head, his expression clouded with gloom. "It proved futile. His Majesty remains unconscious." A wave of despair washed over everyone present upon hearing this news. Li Taiyi had poured all his efforts into healing the Tang Emperor, exploring every possible avenue, even seeking out the most potent elixirs from the martial arts world. For the sake of security, all medicinal substances underwent rigorous inspection before being confirmed safe and delivered to the palace. Alas, it now appeared that all their endeavors had been in vain. Li Taiyi let out an internal sigh. His time in this world had been relatively short. Despite the Tang Emperor's often stern demeanor towards him, familial affection was a rare commodity within the Imperial Palace's treacherous confines. Yet, deep down, Li Taiyi genuinely regarded the Tang Emperor as his true father. Li Taiyi also perceived that the Tang Emperor harbored a deep fondness for him. It was simply that affection within the Imperial Palace invariably differed from the genuine warmth ordinary people associated with it. "Lord Zhou, what do the celestial bodies foretell?" Li Taiyi turned his gaze towards another individual present in the hall. Zhou Chaoxian, an official who had served under the previous regime, had initially been an astrologer renowned for his skillful divination. Zhou Chaoxian had once declared that Li Taiyi bore the aura of a true dragon, a celestial resonance that heralded the appearance of the Ziwei star. This proclamation was a primary catalyst for Zhou Chaoxian's allegiance to Li Taiyi. "This... His Majesty has been in a state of unconsciousness for several months. Without Your Highness's continuous supply of pills, the situation might have deteriorated further. Furthermore, in the heavens, the Ziwei star appears dim, like a flickering candle on the verge of extinguishing. Beyond that, the surrounding stars are in complete disarray. It strongly suggests that His Majesty is nearing the end of his natural life." Zhou Chaoxian's pronouncement struck Li Taiyi as if he had been dealt a physical blow, sending shivers through him. The others, too, were visibly shaken, a crushing sense of pressure descending upon them. Though they had harbored a nascent suspicion of this grim reality, hearing it articulated by Zhou Chaoxian imparted a significantly different weight to the revelation. The Tang Emperor was a sagacious ruler, commanding profound respect not only within the court but also across the empire. His demise would undoubtedly inflict a devastating blow upon the Great Tang, reverberating throughout the entire realm. This dire consequence was the very reason for the celestial turmoil observed.

More urgently, if Zhou Chaoxian’s presentiments were accurate, their window of opportunity was rapidly closing.

“Your Highness, the Eastern Palace has intensified its activities,” Wang Jiuling suddenly reported. “It is evident the Crown Prince is also privy to this situation. The very moment His Majesty departs this world will herald the Crown Prince’s move to cause disruption. We must be prepared.”

He recognized the Third Prince’s underlying concerns: familial bonds, fraternal affection… However, this was hardly the juncture to dwell on such sentiments, especially when the Eastern Palace clearly held none.

“Mm, has every arrangement been finalized?” Li Taiyi inquired, swiftly pushing aside all other thoughts. An arrow once released could not be recalled. Having committed to his course, he would exhibit no faltering.

“All is set and awaiting Your Highness’s command,” Wang Jiuling promptly affirmed with a bow.

Li Taiyi offered a nod, his words ceasing. Turning, he gazed outward from the hall, his thoughts commencing their intricate dance.

The Imperial Palace maintained an outward calm, yet an unspoken understanding pervaded the air – a storm was gathering on the horizon.

Moments bled into days, and the atmosphere within the Imperial Palace grew increasingly charged with tension. An oppressive silence reigned, rendering even the softest whispers conspicuously audible, a state that unsettled everyone.

Several days elapsed. Deep within the Taiji Palace, the epicenter of the brewing tempest…

A figure, tall and slender, his complexion pale as ash, lay upon a gilded bed, his eyes closed, his lips sealed.

The prolonged ailment had ravaged his once majestic frame, leaving him a skeletal silhouette with eyes sunk deep into their sockets. Nevertheless, a palpable aura of supreme imperial authority still emanated from him, a presence that stood above all earthly concerns.

This individual was none other than the revered Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

Three months had passed since his malady first took hold, and despite the exhaustive efforts of the imperial physicians, no cure had been found. Countless souls held their breath, yearning for favorable tidings, yet the ailing sovereign on the bed showed no signs of recovery; rather, his condition steadily deteriorated.

“Raaagh!”

After a period of quiet, a raw yell of anguish pierced the stillness.

The form on the bed gave a minuscule tremor, so slight as to be imperceptible unless one was intently observing.

Yet, to all present, that subtle movement struck like a deafening thunderclap.

“Your Majesty.”

An elegant and beautiful consort, positioned beside the bed, erupted in tears of pure joy, her fingers tightly grasping the Tang Emperor’s wrist.

Eunuch Li too displayed a countenance alight with happiness.

He and the Virtuous Empress Dou had been constants at the Emperor’s side for many months, and this was the most profoundly uplifting news they had received throughout that trying period.

“His Majesty lives! His Majesty is awake!” Eunuch Li exclaimed with unrestrained delight, preparing to relay this momentous announcement to the court and imperial consorts. It was widely known that every soul within the palace eagerly awaited confirmation of the Emperor’s awakening.

“Hold a moment.”

To his astonishment, as Eunuch Li took but a few steps, a voice halted his progress. From the golden bed, the Tang Emperor slowly opened his eyes. Though his body was frail, his gaze was sharp and resolute.

“Your Majesty!”

Eunuch Li swiftly ceased his movement and knelt by the bedside alongside Empress Dou.

“Who stands guard beyond these chambers?” the Tang Emperor rasped, his voice strained but his mind utterly lucid.

“The Imperial Army,” the Virtuous Empress Dou replied.

The Tang Emperor remained silent, turning his gaze towards Eunuch Li.

“This…”

Eunuch Li hesitated, but meeting the Emperor’s dignified and piercing stare, he steeled himself and finally broke his silence.

“The Imperial Army has been actively deployed with unusual frequency of late, to the point that even this humble servant is unaware of precisely which contingent is currently on duty.”

“It is the Xuantu division!” the Emperor stated, his tone chillingly firm.

“Yes!”

Following a brief, heavy silence, Eunuch Li lowered his head and confessed.

“During Your Majesty’s period of unconsciousness, the Crown Prince has been managing the affairs of the empire. Although not all powers have been formally transferred, he effectively wields complete command over the Imperial Army.”

“Ha, just as I expected from his character.”

The Tang Emperor closed his eyes, a sigh escaping his lips.

No one understood a son better than his own father. From his earliest years, Li Xuantu had displayed prodigious talent in martial pursuits and possessed an intellect far beyond his peers. Both the imperial harem and the court were filled with his praises, all proclaiming him the most fitting candidate for the throne—a successor seemingly without fault.

Yet, an insidious flaw lay concealed beneath Li Xuantu’s polished exterior, a secret known only to the Tang Emperor, a flaw that would undeniably surface under specific circumstances.

This hidden imperfection was the very reason for his persistent indecision regarding the succession.

While the Tang Emperor still drew breath, Li Xuantu had already grown impatient, boldly seizing control of the Imperial Army, simultaneously installing his loyalists in vital posts and surrounding the Taiji Palace with his troops. From one standpoint, this constituted treason, yet remarkably, no one within the confines of the Imperial Palace seemed inclined to challenge this audacious move.

“Eunuch Li, summon the Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, and the Ministers of the Six Bureaus using Our token. Inform them that We intend to delegate state affairs to them. Furthermore, Virtuous Dou, your presence is no longer required within the palace walls. You shall depart with Eunuch Li shortly.”

These directives were initially addressed to Eunuch Li, but the concluding remarks were directed towards Virtuous Empress Dou.

“I shall not depart,” Virtuous Empress Dou declared.

Possessing a keen intellect, Virtuous Empress Dou sensed an impending unease as she overheard the Emperor’s commands to Eunuch Li. She clutched the Tang Emperor’s hand tightly, her resolve unyielding.

Her deep affection for the Tang Emperor compelled her to stay, especially as he had only just regained consciousness. Leaving now was out of the question.

“Empress, His Majesty’s words should be heeded,” Eunuch Li stated firmly, gently helping Virtuous Empress Dou to her feet.

The atmosphere within the Imperial Palace had shifted dramatically. Beyond the Taiji Palace, a palpable tension and anxiety permeated the air. This was, moreover, the pivotal juncture of the War of the Princes.

“Hmph, there is no need for any of you to leave,” a gruff and impolite voice interjected from outside. “Without My command, none of you will be permitted to depart from this location.”

Shortly thereafter, the door creaked open, and a tall, striking figure entered the chamber with purposeful strides.