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Chapter 199.1
Dai Wang died.
When Jin Wang led his men to charge in, Dai Wang burst into laughter, pointed at Jin Wang, and said I havent lost to you. Then he drew his sword and committed suicide by cutting his own throat.
Blood spurted out immediately, staining the bright yellow dragon robe and flowing onto the golden dragon throne.
Dai Wang was so unwilling to leave the dragon throne that he would rather die on it.
Witnessing this scene, Jin Wang suddenly felt an indescribable sense of dullness in his chest.
Your Highness, should we remove the traitors body from there?
Jin Wang remained silent, still standing there, until someone reported that the imprisoned court officials had all been rescued, except for the Minister of War who died a tragic death. The others only suffered minor injuries. They were fortunate, as Dai Wang had long wanted to take revenge on these old fellows, but Chang Jianan had always stopped him. Apparently, Chang Jianan had prepared a way out for himself.
This person was deep and calculating, disregarding minor details, and can be considered a formidable enemy. He was also the one Emperor Hongjing explicitly ordered to be captured. Currently, Jin Wangs men were searching the entire palace from top to bottom for Chang Jianan and the remaining traitors, but they have not been caught yet.
Your Highness, His Majesty has returned to Qianqing Palace, and Doctor Liu has already entered the palace to examine His Majestys pulse.
Upon hearing this, Jin Wang finally breathed out slowly and said, Benwang will go to see Father Emperor now.
He turned around and walked toward the exit of the hall.
Behind him, on the lofty dragon throne, Dai Wang slumped, with eyes wide-open that seemed unable to close even in death.
Emperor Hongjings current condition was very poor.
His chronic dizziness was already severe, and just when it had improved slightly, he was given this strange and peculiar medicine. Doctor Liu couldnt determine the exact nature of the medicine, but he deduced that it had a time-limited effect. Once the remaining toxins were cleared in a few days, Emperor Hongjing wouldnt be so lethargic anymore.
After all, he was getting older, and his body was severely weakened. Coupled with some complications during this period, Emperor Hongjing had a minor stroke and couldnt move half of his body. Neither he nor Li Dequan noticed it, thinking it was just poisoning. Little did they know that Emperor Hongjings fear had caused his spirit to be injured, resulting in this pitiful state.
Before they could continue the conversation, someone came to report that the empress had arrived.
Doctor Liu stepped out, but Jin Wang remained by the emperors side.
Empress Wei had originally fainted, but she was forcefully awakened. Upon waking up, she seemed to have gone mad. She kept uttering treasonous words, refusing to believe that Emperor Hongjing had not died. But now, seeing that person on the dragon bed with her own eyes, she couldnt help but believe it.
Your Majesty, all of this has nothing to do with me. It was Dai Wang who secretly ordered the assassination. I didnt even know about it in the beginning and when I found out, it was already too late. He showed me a posthumous edict claiming it was personally written by Your Majesty, and though I knew he might be lying, as his mother, I could only cover up for him. I should have done the righteous thing and exposed him, but as a mother, how could I bear to do it?
Empress Wei tearfully pleaded, while Emperor Hongjing, reclining on the dragon bed, remained motionless as if he were asleep.
I also know that my crimes are unforgivable, but I beg Your Majesty to consider the relationship between us as husband and wife of these many years and spare the Wei Family. If it werent for me, if I hadnt become the empress, the Wei Family might not have achieved its current wealth and prosperity, but the entire clan, young and old, would have lived in peace
Have you finished speaking?
Emperor Hongjing on the bed suddenly opened his eyes. At this moment, his face was emaciated, but his expression was cold and stern. After coming out of the secret chamber, he had been attended to, cleaned, and dressed, restoring his former dignity. Little did people know that during these days hidden in the secret chamber, Emperor Hongjing had endured much hardship and suffering.
Although he slept more and was unconscious most of the time, his bodily functions were still normal. Li Dequan couldnt be constantly present to attend to him, and he could only come in discreetly, two or three times a day at most. Therefore, if he needed to relieve himself, he had to do so on the bed. Especially with the overpowering nature of the medicine, Emperor Hongjings body felt weak and numb, and sometimes he didnt even realize he had soiled himself.
As the exalted ruler, this was an immense humiliation. On top of that, he also suffered from the lack of proper clothing and food and had to constantly worry about his own safety.
And all of this was caused by the venomous woman before him, as well as the son she bore.
Arent you curious as to why I didnt die? Clearly, that scoundrel had ordered someone to suffocate me on the dragon bed.
Upon hearing this, Empress Wei looked at Emperor Hongjing in shock, never expecting him to be so aware of the details in between.
Emperor Hongjing did not explain it to her and continued, You truly deserve to be the Wei Familys daughter and my good empress. Your words are cunning and your expression betrays no guilt. Zhen had always thought of you as gentle and virtuous, treating you generously. You have always put on a good act, so this time Zhen fell into the hands of you and your good son. Zhen doesnt blame others, only myself for being blind and mistaking a venomous woman for a good one.
As he spoke, he sneered, his thin lips forming a cruel arc.
Not only are you as venomous as a snake, but you also uphold the shamelessness and selfishness that the Wei Family has always possessed. When the crown prince committed a crime, you voluntarily asked me to depose him in order to secure your position and protect the Wei Family. Now that something happened to this wicked son, you put on a face of being deceived and grieved. How did Zhen not notice it before? It turns out my good empress has so many skills, flipping her face like turning a page, lying without batting an eye.
The emperors words were cutting, and even if Empress Wei was shameless, she couldnt maintain the expression on her face. She also knew that she couldnt escape this calamity. Emperor Hongjing had always been ruthless and would not spare her or the Wei Family.
This thought made Empress Wei completely let go and vented without restraint: You talk about my skills, but all of my skills were forced by you and the harem. I am the empress, representing the motherly virtue of the world, but I have to be magnanimous and watch you favour one concubine after another. I have to smile and handle the affairs caused by their jealousy with tolerance and fairness