"They got away again, they sure were quick to slip away," the Emperor snorted coldly.
"Aren't they here?"
"Who? Who's speaking?" The Emperor stood there without changing his expression, his eyes darting around, trying to find the person behind him.
Ouyang Chenxi slowly walked out from behind the grand hall. The moment the Emperor saw him, his pupils involuntarily dilated. When did he arrive? He hadn't even noticed.
The Emperor unconsciously stepped back, slowly shuffling towards the door. The head eunuch blocked in front of him. The Emperor, seizing the opportunity when he wasn't paying attention, shoved him forward forcefully. The head eunuch, losing his balance, collided with Ouyang Chenxi. Meanwhile, the Emperor turned and fled outwards, shouting as he ran, "Guards, there's an assassin, quickly, guards..."
Ouyang Chenxi stepped forward a few paces and grabbed the Emperor's shoulder. The Emperor instinctively resisted, opening his mouth to scold, when he felt something enter his stomach.
"What did you make me eat?" The Emperor felt a moment of panic, but quickly regained his composure and asked loudly.
"Nothing, just something that will cost you your life," Ouyang Chenxi said with a look of disdain on his face. He originally didn't want to make trouble for the Emperor, but the latter had been relentless.
"Do you want to rebel?" The Emperor tried to exude his authority, though he was actually terrified.
"If a man doesn't look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him. If I don't rebel, is there a way to survive? Haven't you forced me into this?" Ouyang Chenxi was almost amused by the Emperor's words. Did he really think he could do whatever he pleased just because he was the Emperor? And he wouldn't even allow the meat on the chopping block to resist?
"If you truly do this, your entire Ouyang family will be cursed by the world, and history will record your misdeed. Furthermore, my brothers and my sons will not give up the chance to contend for the throne, the world will be plunged into misery, and your reign will not last long," the Emperor knew General Ouyang was an intelligent man. He quickly explained what would happen after Ouyang seized the throne, attempting to dissuade him.
"You worry too much. Since I am here, I am fully prepared. The common people are the easiest to placate. As long as they have a prosperous life, they will listen to whoever provides it. History is written by the victors, and in the end, I can change it however I wish. As for your brothers and your sons, that will depend on you," Ouyang Chenxi said meaningfully, looking at him.
"How could I possibly help you? You're too naive." While they were talking, the Imperial Guards had already arrived, drawing their swords and standing ready.
"Is that so? At this time two days from now, I will appear again. I hope His Majesty can still bravely say these words," Ouyang Chenxi glanced at the Imperial Guards stationed outside, blew a whistle, and immediately dozens of uniformly dressed men appeared, engaging them. These men were all highly skilled in martial arts and quickly carved a path for him.
Ouyang Chenxi walked unhurriedly to the center of the courtyard. The men in white exchanged glances, picked him up, and with a few leaps, they were gone.
"Chase them, chase them quickly..." The Emperor watched the direction they disappeared with a grim expression.
The head eunuch stood behind the Emperor, speechless. The Emperor's actions had truly hurt him. For so many years, he had considered the Emperor's well-being and safety paramount. He never expected that at the moment of crisis, the Emperor would push him out. Fortunately, General Ouyang didn't have a blade. If he had, he could have pierced his heart with a single strike and he would have been long dead. Although the Emperor was his master and he had no right to resist, a rift had formed in his heart.
The Emperor dispatched a large number of men to capture them, but they had made thorough preparations and quickly fled the capital, hiding in the deep mountains and old forests.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor slammed his table several times, angrily exclaiming, "Useless, all of you are useless..."
As he was speaking, he suddenly felt unbearable pain in his chest, as if he were being stabbed by knives. Soon, beads of sweat dripped down his forehead, and his face turned pale.
"Your Majesty, how are you? Quickly summon the Imperial Physicians." Despite his grievances, the head eunuch knew he wouldn't fare well if the Emperor met with misfortune. He quickly helped the Emperor lie down.
The Imperial Physicians arrived quickly. Each of them stepped forward and carefully took the Emperor's pulse. However, after doing so, they were even more bewildered. The pulse indicated that everything was normal, yet the Emperor's pained expression was clearly genuine. They gathered to discuss the matter but could not come to a conclusion.
The head of the Imperial Academy hesitated for a long time and said with a guilty expression, "Your subjects are incompetent."
The Emperor felt as though he were dying. Seeing the Imperial Physicians, he felt like he was seeing saviors. He never expected to hear such words after waiting. A sense of frustration washed over him, and he couldn't help but recall the thing Ouyang Chenxi had made him swallow during the day. Could it all be his doing?
"Someone poisoned me today. Do you know any skilled antidotes? You can recommend them to me. Once I recover, I will grant them one wish," the Emperor weakly looked at them. Although his voice was low, the room was silent, and everyone heard him clearly.
The physicians requested to take the Emperor's pulse again, and the Emperor readily agreed. Unfortunately, they still could not discern anything.
Soon, public notices were posted throughout the streets and alleys. In the past, the Emperor would never have disclosed his poisoning. He knew there would be those who were eager for his downfall, but at this moment, he couldn't afford to care. Ouyang Chenxi desired his throne. He refused to believe there was no contingency plan. As long as he lived, Ouyang would never succeed in changing dynasties.
A stream of physicians came and went from the palace, but none could identify the poison the Emperor had contracted, nor could they alleviate his pain.
Princes and the Emperor's sons stood outside the Emperor's sleeping chambers, unwilling to leave. They were blocked by the head eunuch. When the Emperor learned of this, he felt an increased pain in his chest.
That night, the pain kept him awake. He thought his situation was unbearable enough, but the next day, the pain intensified. He had no doubt that if this continued, he would die from the agony.
No wonder Ouyang Chenxi was so confident that he would abdicate. Yes, at this moment, the Emperor began to falter. What was the point of enduring it all? Should he leave the throne to those people outside? They were just wishing for his early demise.
When Ouyang Chenxi reappeared, the Emperor impatiently asked, "Did you bring the antidote?"
"I did. As long as you obediently hand over the throne to me, I guarantee to cure you and grant you the title of a leisurely prince, ensuring your lifelong sustenance and comfort," Ouyang Chenxi said calmly, having anticipated this outcome.
The Emperor did not believe his words. How could two tigers coexist in one mountain? If he put himself in Ouyang's shoes, if there was a former emperor living in the world, would he not constantly worry about that person making a comeback and try to eliminate him?
Ouyang Chenxi took a step forward and gave him a pill. After taking it, the Emperor felt his pain lessen considerably. He looked at Ouyang Chenxi with a deep gaze and asked, "You're holding something back?"