"Heh, Third Prince, why so fierce?" Leng Ruo Li poked half her head out the window, smiling.
"Sister-in-law, Brother-in-law, you're here."
Seeing Leng Ruo Li and Jun Mo Han, Murong Li Chen's furrowed brows instantly smoothed. He was thrilled. With the help of his brother and sister-in-law, he believed all problems would be resolved swiftly.
"I saw your forehead was so creased it could hold a chopstick. What happened this time?" Leng Ruo Li teased.
"Brother-in-law, Sister-in-law, I beg you, please help me save my Father Emperor!" Murong Li Chen pleaded humbly.
He was in great distress. His own Father Emperor was gravely ill, and he, as his son, couldn't even enter the palace to visit him.
"Third Prince, what exactly happened?" Leng Ruo Li frowned slightly upon seeing his expression.
"The palace of Beichen Kingdom is completely controlled by Murong Qian Song. Even though my Father Emperor is gravely ill, Murong Qian Song won't allow any other princes to visit him. He's also won over court officials to suppress other princes and neutral officials. I'm currently worried sick about my Father Emperor's condition," Murong Li Chen sighed.
"Don't be afraid. Your brother-in-law and I came to Haojing precisely to help you. What else is there to worry about?"
Leng Ruo Li's beautiful almond eyes flicked towards Jun Mo Han, and she smiled gently.
"That's right! With my capable brother and sister-in-law assisting me, Murong Li Chen has nothing to fear," Murong Li Chen also smiled.
"Then shouldn't you invite us inside now?" Leng Ruo Li reminded him.
"Oh, oh, haha, Brother-in-law, Sister-in-law, I'm so sorry."
Upon hearing this, Murong Li Chen laughed heartily.
Immediately, he opened the study door and invited Leng Ruo Li, Jun Mo Han, and the others inside.
"Brother-in-law, Sister-in-law, have you had dinner yet?" Murong Li Chen asked with concern.
"No, we deliberately starved ourselves to come to your Third Prince's manor for a feast," Leng Ruo Li joked.
"Exactly. To reach Haojing and find you sooner, we only had dry rations and water to sustain us along the way. It's already past midnight, and we're still starving," Chu Ming Xuan added pitifully.
Everyone: "..."
Anyone who didn't know would think Leng Ruo Li mistreated him. Every time she took roasted chicken or meat from her spatial dimension, Chu Ming Xuan ate the most.
"Alright, I'll have someone prepare food for you right away," Murong Li Chen nodded and smiled.
An incense stick later, Murong Li Chen invited Leng Ruo Li, Jun Mo Han, and the others to the inner hall for dinner. As they ate, they discussed strategies, ultimately deciding that the Cold King couple and Murong Li Chen would enter the palace tonight to assess the Emperor's condition before making further plans.
After their late-night meal, Murong Li Chen led the Cold King couple away from the Third Prince's manor and headed for the palace.
The three found a section of the cold palace with lax guards and sneaked in quietly. Then, they cautiously avoided the patrols of the Imperial Guards and arrived outside the Emperor's sleeping quarters. Just as Leng Ruo Li was about to drug the four Imperial Guards stationed at the entrance, footsteps were heard from the other end of the corridor.
As the footsteps grew closer, the three of them quickly found a hidden spot to conceal themselves.
"First Prince, with the Emperor's current condition, he will perish within two days. By then, that position of the Son of Heaven will be yours," flattered a minister beside Murong Qian Song.
"Hahaha, when this prince ascends the throne, I will definitely not forget your contributions," Murong Qian Song said happily upon hearing the minister's words, raising his hand to stroke his braided hair.
The two spoke as they entered the Emperor's sleeping quarters.
At that moment, the Beichen Emperor, lying on the dragon bed, looked pale and emaciated, on the verge of death.
"Father Emperor, your son is here for you. Alas, you are so ill, and my siblings don't even come to see you," Murong Qian Song feigned complaint.
Hearing someone speak near his ear, the Beichen Emperor groggily opened his eyes. Seeing Murong Qian Song by his side, he immediately closed them again, unwilling to engage with him.
"Father Emperor, you don't even want to see your son?" Murong Qian Song sneered.
The Beichen Emperor still didn't respond.
"Father Emperor, are you in great pain? If you give me the Imperial Seal, I'll immediately have the imperial physicians treat you, alright?" Murong Qian Song tempted.
This time, the Beichen Emperor arduously uttered a few words. Murong Qian Song didn't hear clearly and leaned his ear closer. He heard the Beichen Emperor tell him to "Get out!"
Enraged, Murong Qian Song immediately stood up, grabbed the Beichen Emperor by the collar, and lifted him.
"You old fool, you refuse a toast and insist on a retort. My patience is limited."
With that, Murong Qian Song slapped the Beichen Emperor twice across the face before roughly dropping him. He didn't care that several ministers, palace maids, and eunuchs were present in the Emperor's chambers as he proceeded to assault the old emperor.
Seeing Murong Qian Song strike the old emperor, everyone present trembled and lowered their heads to look at their shoes, too scared to intervene.
Since the Emperor fell gravely ill these past two days, Murong Qian Song had been staying in the palace day and night, especially worried that other princes might seize the opportunity to sneak into the palace to see the Emperor and obtain the Imperial Seal.
This time, Murong Qian Song had people thoroughly search the Emperor's sleeping quarters again. Only after confirming that no one had sneaked in to see the Emperor did he leave with his entourage.
Tonight, Murong Qian Song had his sights set on another beauty: Consort Xiao, whom the old Emperor had only married for a little over a year. That woman was truly beautiful; a single glance from afar made him restless. Tonight, he had to sleep with Consort Xiao.
Hiding in a corner, the Cold King couple and Murong Li Chen emerged only after Murong Qian Song and his entourage had left the Emperor's sleeping quarters. They crept to the entrance of the Emperor's chambers.
Leng Ruo Li casually sprinkled a handful of powder, drugging the four guards at the entrance. However, they didn't fall to the ground. Their eyes remained wide open, standing at the door as they drifted into sweet dreams.
Subsequently, the Cold King couple and Murong Li Chen successfully entered the Beichen Emperor's sleeping quarters.
Upon entering, Murong Li Chen rushed to the Emperor's bedside, reaching out to touch the old Emperor's skeletal face, his heart filled with both heartache and sorrow.
The once mighty emperor now looked half-dead. He could never have dreamed that his beloved son would treat him like this, not only intending to usurp the throne but also to defile his women.
"Father Emperor, your son is late, sob..." Murong Li Chen choked out, grabbing the old Emperor's hand.
Feeling someone holding his hand, the old Emperor thought it was Murong Qian Song returning and disgustedly began to pull his hand away.