Emperor Jing You was still feigning weakness, speaking concisely, "You have come to see me, for what?"
The young Madame Xu straightened up, her words astonishing, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Ning and Prince Jing are unfit to be Crown Prince."
A clamor erupted in the hall at her pronouncement.
Duke Xu roared, "Wicked woman, what nonsense are you spouting?
The matter of establishing a heir is not for a mere woman like you to comment on. Get out!"
As he spoke, he lunged a kick towards the young Madame Xu.
Duke Xu, a man of military background, could have sent a grown man spitting blood with such a kick, let alone a frail woman like the young Madame Xu.
Lu Qing Wan indeed intervened, pulling the young Madame Xu aside. Duke Xu, surprised that anyone would defend her, missed his kick and nearly fell.
Upon recognizing Lu Qing Wan, he scowled, "Regent's Consort, what is the meaning of this?"
"I should be asking Duke Xu the same question?"
Lu Qing Wan shielded the young Madame Xu behind her, "His Majesty is not yet dead, and you dare to strike someone in his presence. Do you have any regard for His Majesty?"
"Regent's Consort, speaking of life and death, Duke Xu's actions in court are indeed wrong, but you should also speak with caution."
Consort Ye, skillfully deflecting the more serious accusation, chided Lu Qing Wan lightly before cutting off the young Madame Xu, "Madame Xu, do you know that women meddling in state affairs is a grave taboo for the imperial family?"
The young Madame Xu, for reasons unknown, was exceptionally bold today.
Upon hearing Consort Ye's words, she retorted, "This concubine is indeed taught a lesson by my Lady Consort. But are you not also a woman, appearing here at this time and place, perhaps to meddle in state affairs yourself?"
Consort Ye was momentarily speechless.
Emperor Jing You then spoke, "Madame Xu, we shall set aside your meddling in state affairs for now.
Tell us, why do you say Prince Ning and Prince Jing are unfit to be Crown Prince?"
In his haste, Emperor Jing You only remembered his frail persona after speaking and coughed twice as if to mend his image.
The young Madame Xu knelt with a thud, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Ning and Prince Jing are indeed unfit to be Crown Prince because they are incapable of bearing offspring!"
Boom!
Like a thunderclap from a clear sky, everyone's eyes turned to Prince Ning and Prince Jing.
Some ministers, whose minds wandered further afield, even surreptitiously glanced towards the princes' lower regions.
Prince Ning and Prince Jing's faces turned a deep crimson. Prince Ning, usually dignified and composed, was flushed, unable to conceal his fury, "Wicked woman, how dare you speak such falsehoods before my father, the Emperor?"
Prince Jing also glared venomously at Madame Xu, wishing he could silence her immediately.
Lu Qing Wan whistled internally, silently exclaiming, "Sister is mighty!"
She then judiciously added fuel to the fire, "Young Madame Xu, such words cannot be spoken lightly. Without proof, this statement alone could cost you your head!"
Normally, such a remark would be a charge of slandering the royal family, punishable by a beating. But at this moment, her words could sway the selection of the heir apparent.
A single sentence could alter the fate of the entire Da Qian dynasty, potentially implicating not just herself but her entire clan.
The young Madame Xu, hearing this, looked defiantly at Emperor Jing You.
"If Your Majesty were to sentence my entire family to death, I would be content!"
Lu Qing Wan was astonished. Were there truly lunatics in this era?
Emperor Jing You, seeing her merely watching the spectacle and not helping him question, had to rely on himself. "Madame Xu, if you have a grievance, you may seek judgment from the authorities.
Cough... cough... but when it involves two princes, you must explain yourself clearly. Otherwise, I shall never forgive you! Cough cough..."
Emperor Jing You coughed as if he were about to expire. Madame Xu knelt on the ground, pouring out her sorrow.
"This concubine is by no means speaking without basis. It is precisely because they are incapable of bearing offspring, and fearing the loss of their opportunity to inherit the throne, that they have been secretly seeking treatment for their hidden ailments.
I do not know who they sought out for treatment in their respective fiefdoms.
However, after Your Majesty's fiftieth birthday, they returned and soon learned of a divine doctor in Shangjing capable of curing all ailments, the Divine Doctor Lin.
Coincidentally, my son had been treated by Divine Doctor Lin. They wished for Divine Doctor Lin to treat them, yet did not trust his medical skills.
Therefore, they deliberately made my son eat a large quantity of peanuts. When my son was on the verge of death, they then had me beg for medical help with my child.
Fortunately, Divine Doctor Lin's skills were superb, and he saved my son's life. They then forced me to invite Divine Doctor Lin to our residence for a consultation, so they could secretly have him treat them."
Madame Xu wept uncontrollably as she spoke of her child's suffering.
"Divine Doctor Lin refused to visit, but his medical skill was proven. They then sought treatment from Divine Doctor Lin.
Later, when they finally stopped seeking treatment, they somehow contracted a strange poison. Ingesting it caused symptoms of delirium, and when combined with other methods, it could control one's consciousness.
They intended to poison Your Majesty and force you to write an edict of abdication. However, they could not control the dosage, so they used my son to test the medicine again.
That day, when news of Your Majesty's poisoning spread, I knew they had made their move. I was timid and dared not tell anyone.
But just yesterday, my son died. I have nothing left to lose!"
Halfway through her plea, Madame Xu suddenly scrambled to her feet and lunged at Duke Xu, attacking him.
"You old scoundrel, you used my son to test the medicine again, and you were planning to control His Majesty to abdicate to Prince Ning or Prince Jing, so you could gain the merit of supporting the dragon. But my son is dead!"
Madame Xu, like a madwoman, tugged and beat Duke Xu, knocking his official hat off.
The assembled officials were stunned. Even Prince Ning and Prince Jing stared at him in disbelief.
They had both believed themselves to be Duke Xu's sole masters, never expecting the old scoundrel to hedge his bets on both sides.
With a sharp crack, Duke Xu finally managed to break free from Madame Xu's grasp and knocked her to the ground with a slap.
"Madwoman, the doctor said Zhen'er was too weak to be nourished and that he died from being overfed. Now you come before His Majesty to slander me..."
As he spoke, Duke Xu moved to kick her again. Lu Qing Wan pulled Madame Xu over.
"Enough. As for the truth, why not have Director Chen examine the two princes?
At the very least, Doctor Meng Tang Meng from Bai Xing Lin and the King's personal physician, Doctor Shen, are both present.
With these three skilled individuals, they should be able to determine if the two princes are indeed incapable of bearing offspring, as Young Minister Xu claims.
Why is Duke Xu so enraged? It only makes you appear guilty!"
Duke Xu's face turned a furious red. If not for his status, he would have gladly struck Lu Qing Wan as well.
However, Lu Qing Wan's point was clearly valid this time. Chancellor Wen immediately declared, "Director Chen, examine the two princes now and ascertain if Madame Xu's claims are true."
Chancellor Wen dared to risk angering Emperor Jing You by pushing for the establishment of a heir, solely for the sake of the Da Qian dynasty. At this moment, he had no qualms about offending Prince Ning and Prince Jing.
At his words, the expressions of Prince Ning, Prince Jing, Duke Xu, Duke Pei, and their retinue all changed drastically.