The empress and the crown prince's scheme was overheard by rats sent by Zuo Ye. The rats only knew that they intended to poison the emperor before the Ten Thousand Dynasties Assembly, but they couldn't hear clearly about the specific poison or method, as the empress and the crown prince whispered it to each other.
Originally, even if the dog emperor died, Zuo Ye and Bai Sheng would not have felt the slightest bit of regret. However, he could not die at this time. Otherwise, after the crown prince ascended the throne, he would definitely not let them go.
Therefore, Zuo Ye informed Prince Yu and Consort Mei of this news. Consort Mei didn't care much, but Prince Yu immediately returned to the palace. No matter how much of a scoundrel the dog emperor was, he was still his father, and he couldn't ignore him.
Due to the lack of evidence, Prince Yu could not directly accuse the empress and the crown prince.
The only thing he could do was to implement strict security measures around the emperor, meticulously inspecting everything he ate, drank, wore, and used.
However, even with such precautions, the emperor suddenly fell "severely ill."
With only a few days left until the Ten Thousand Dynasties Assembly, the emperor absolutely could not have an accident. Prince Yu had the imperial physicians examine him many times, but they couldn't find any cause for his illness.
As the Ten Thousand Dynasties Assembly approached, the civil and military officials were in a state of great anxiety. Chancellor Dong convened several trusted ministers to discuss whether the crown prince should ascend the throne prematurely.
Undoubtedly, some agreed, and some opposed, each with their own reasons.
Upon hearing this, the Eldest Princess immediately entered the palace with the eldest prince to visit the emperor.
In the emperor's sleeping quarters, dozens of imperial physicians with excellent medical skills were busy grinding herbs, taking pulses, and discussing the symptoms, all with serious, busy, and tense expressions.
The Eldest Princess called several trusted imperial physicians and carefully inquired about the situation.
The imperial physicians unanimously replied that the emperor's organs were slowly deteriorating, but they had not identified the cause of the illness.
The Eldest Princess clutched her handkerchief and asked in a low voice, "Could it be poisoning?"
Imperial Physician Shen, the head physician, replied, "We investigated in this direction from the very beginning, but we couldn't find any toxins."
"That's strange," the Eldest Princess frowned. After thinking for a moment, she sternly said to the imperial physicians, "No matter what, you must ensure that my father emperor holds on to his last breath. I know a Gu doctor, and perhaps we can ask her to try. Also, maintain absolute secrecy until the witch doctor arrives."
"Yes," several imperial physicians replied respectfully.
After Prince Yu and Consort Mei returned to the palace, Lu Ye, Bai Sheng, Third Uncle, and Zuo Siming immediately held a secret meeting in the study.
Third Uncle said, "The dog emperor's sudden severe illness must be the empress's doing, especially since the Ten Thousand Dynasties Assembly is coming soon and the country cannot be without a ruler. This is a good opportunity for the crown prince to ascend the throne."
Zuo Siming nodded, "Brother Rong Mo is right. Given the current situation, they must have resorted to extraordinary measures, otherwise the imperial physicians in the palace wouldn't be unable to find out."
"If it is indeed the work of the empress and the crown prince, then all of us must be careful. Once the crown prince ascends the throne, we will have no way to survive. Consort Mei and Prince Yu will also not be spared by the empress," Lu Ye said gravely.
Bai Sheng rested her chin on her hand, her brows furrowed, "Actually, this day was bound to come, it's just that it's come earlier. We were psychologically prepared long ago. Since Prince Yu has no intention of competing for the throne, I wonder if anyone else will step forward to prevent the crown prince from ascending the throne?"
"The eldest prince's birth mother has a humble background and basically has no capital to contend for the throne. The second prince has physical defects and cannot contend for the throne. Currently, the crown prince has the highest chance of winning," Third Uncle said solemnly.
Zuo Ye tapped his fingers on the table, his expression distant, "I heard that Chancellor Dong has been leading the important ministers in discussing the matter of the crown prince's ascension to the throne these past few days. If no one opposes it, or if the opposing force is too weak, the crown prince may successfully ascend the throne."
Bai Sheng gave a charming smile, "If it really is him ascending the throne, then I won't be polite. The information Princess Xin Yao sold me can be put to good use. Moreover, I have a premonition that the crown prince might not ascend the throne so easily." Bai Sheng recalled the Eldest Princess asking her if the patient's face could recover before the Ten Thousand Dynasties Assembly, which seemed very urgent. Could the Eldest Princess be making a move?
Zuo Ye's brows slightly furrowed, "Regardless, we must make preparations on both fronts."
Everyone nodded.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Qiu'er announced respectfully from outside, "Madam, the Eldest Princess is here. She says she wants to see you personally, and the matter is very urgent."
Bai Sheng and Zuo Ye exchanged a look and smiled towards the door, "Ask her to wait; I'll be right there."
"Why has the Eldest Princess come so suddenly?" Third Uncle asked in surprise.
"Perhaps the Eldest Princess is the one trying every means to prevent the crown prince from ascending the throne," Bai Sheng said with a mysterious smile.
"The Eldest Princess? Is that… possible?" Zuo Siming looked incredulous.
Third Uncle nodded, "Yes, not only is the eldest prince's birth mother of humble status, but he is also timid and cowardly by nature, making him completely incapable of contending for the throne. Even if he were placed in that position, he would not be able to hold onto it."
Zuo Ye looked at the two and reminded them, "Although the eldest prince may not be able to contend for the throne, the eldest princess's eldest son is already fourteen years old after the New Year, and it is rumored that the Eldest Princess has been diligently cultivating him since he was three years old."
Zuo Siming and Third Uncle were both greatly surprised. They hadn't expected that the Eldest Princess, who had been low-key and humble for so many years, had actually planned to participate in the struggle for the throne long ago.
"But what capital does she have to be so confident in participating in the struggle for the throne? Her husband's family only holds the title of Marquis and has no real power," Zuo Siming asked, perplexed.
"The Eldest Princess is a person who hides her true abilities. She must have her own trump card. I'll go and meet her first," Bai Sheng said with a smile, "Let's go, husband. You must accompany me this time."
Zuo Ye stood up, took Bai Sheng's hand, and walked towards the reception hall in the front courtyard.
In the study, Zuo Siming was restless and anxious. If the crown prince ascended the throne, where would their entire family flee? His elderly father had only just begun to recover, and further travel would be unbearable.
Third Uncle patted his shoulder and said with a relaxed smile, "Brother Siming, there's no need to worry. Even if the empress and the crown prince play their trump cards, we can still escape. You have to believe in Xiao Ye and Xiao Sheng; they also have their trump cards."
Seeing that Bai Li Rong Mo was not worried at all, Zuo Siming found it a bit strange, but thinking that he was not someone who spoke carelessly, he was slightly relieved.
Perhaps Xiao Ye and the others indeed had their trump cards.
In the reception hall, the Eldest Princess seemed very anxious and couldn't sit still, pacing back and forth with a gloomy expression.
Upon seeing Bai Sheng and Zuo Ye enter, her face lit up with joy, and she immediately stepped forward and said gently, "Shopkeeper Bai, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you. Can we talk alone?"
Bai Sheng bowed to her and replied respectfully, "Eldest Princess, my husband is absolutely trustworthy. You can say whatever you need to say in front of him."
"Very well," the Eldest Princess sighed slightly, "What I have to say is of utmost importance. Can we find a private room?"