Chu Chenyi paused slightly, then reacted and stepped forward to kneel and bow, "Your humble son thanks the Emperor for his immense grace."
"Rise. From today, you are the Crown Prince of Eastern Chu. The imperial court, the ancestral temples, and the state are all entrusted to your hands alone. You must heed the Empress Dowager's admonishments and the counsel of the court officials; do not act wilfully."
"Your humble son obeys the imperial decree."
"All of you may leave. This Emperor is not yet close to death, so do not linger here weeping and wailing. It is disheartening just to hear it. All of you may leave."
"This consort and your humble son take our leave."
"Leave the Crown Prince behind."
Chu Chenyi halted his steps towards the exit and stood respectfully to the side.
After everyone had departed, Emperor Xuanwen felt an immense fatigue and leaned back against the cushions with a slight lack of strength.
"Father, you should still take care of your health and reduce your workload."
Emperor Xuanwen waved his hand, a hint of a mocking smile seeming to play on his lips, "With this body, what is there left to take care of?"
"Emperor, do not speak such disheartening words."
Emperor Xuanwen coughed a few times and beckoned Chu Chenyi to sit down.
"After I pass on, you will be the Emperor of Eastern Chu. Once you ascend the throne, you must never lay a hand on your siblings. Grant them a lifetime of peace and prosperity."
Ultimately, they were his own flesh and blood. The last thing he wished to see was infighting among his kin. Chu Yanxi's death was already the greatest pain of his life.
"Your humble son obeys the imperial decree."
Emperor Xuanwen's gaze fell upon his mother, who had supported him his entire life. He took the Empress Dowager's hand and said, almost pleadingly, "Mother, regarding state affairs, the Crown Prince is still somewhat lacking. This unfilial son can only trouble Mother to provide more assistance. Then, this son can rest easy in the netherworld."
"You may rest assured... this dowager will help the Crown Prince..."
The Empress Dowager suppressed the tears in her eyes, preventing them from falling. Her heart felt as if it were being cut, bleeding profusely.
"Father!"
Chu Chenyi also realized what was happening and immediately knelt down, "Your Father's body is healthy and strong. Please do not speak such disheartening words."
"I... I am fine. Regarding the marriage alliance with Xiliang, let the wedding date be moved forward. It can also serve as a form of blessing. Tomorrow is an auspicious day, so let it be set for tomorrow. Crown Prince, you make the arrangements."
"Your humble son... obeys the imperial decree..."
Chu Chenyi was surprised, yet he seemed to guess his father's intentions with this method.
"Go and make the arrangements."
"Your humble son takes his leave."
After leaving the imperial palace, Chu Chenyi immediately rode his horse towards the Ling manor. He needed to find Feng Jin and get a clear explanation of what was happening.
"Stop talking. I know what you want to ask."
Seeing Chu Chenyi storm in in a hurry, Feng Jin immediately understood the reason for his visit and told Chu Chenyi to hold his tongue.
"Follow me. This is not a place to talk."
Feng Jin led Chu Chenyi towards the inner chambers. As expected, Ling Mohan was also inside, and it was as if he had already anticipated Chu Chenyi's arrival.
"Congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince, on becoming the Crown Prince. Your congratulatory gift will be sent tomorrow."
"How did you know!"
The Emperor's imperial edict would not be promulgated to the three provinces and six ministries until tomorrow. How could Ling Mohan know so quickly?
"A wise man has his own clever methods. Your Highness the Prince of Jing need not guess further. Has His Highness the Prince of Jing come regarding His Majesty's illness?"
"How is Father's health now?"
From the moment his father suddenly appointed him Crown Prince today, he had sensed that something was amiss.
Ling Mohan glanced at Feng Jin, signalling for her to speak about the matter.
"His Majesty's illness is already at the point of the lamp running dry. It is a matter of the next few days."
Although he had been mentally prepared, upon hearing these words, he still found it difficult to accept, and a wave of sadness washed over him. He suppressed his emotions.
"Now is not the time for sorrow. With the change in the imperial court, various countries will surely be coveting us. I have already increased the troop deployments at the borders. However, for Xiliang, we must quicken our pace."
"Father has already issued an imperial decree to have Murong Jinyun and Gu Beichen marry tomorrow."
"Then we only have today left. Have Baili Xi sent to Xiliang."
Ling Mohan said calmly. Now, they had to catch Xiliang off guard and make them too preoccupied to attend to external matters, thus ensuring the stability of Eastern Chu.
"I will arrange it immediately. With day and night acceleration, Baili Xi can be sent back by tomorrow morning. The remaining matters will be left to you."
"I will arrange it."
Ling Mohan's expression gradually turned grim, a heaviness Feng Jin had never seen before. She worriedly took Ling Mohan's hand, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Keep Murong Jinyun appeased."
"I understand."
As long as Murong Jinyun was stabilized, they could proceed with the remaining matters with peace of mind.
"You take good care of yourself, I... I have to..."
"I know everything. You go ahead and focus on your own matters. I will absolutely be alright."
Knowing the heavy burden on Ling Mohan's shoulders, what she could do was protect herself and her child, ensuring Ling Mohan had no worries on her mind.
"Be very careful..."
After a few words of caution to Feng Jin, Ling Mohan finally left, still somewhat uneasy.
After Ling Mohan left, Feng Jin remained faintly worried. After a moment's pause, she immediately went to find Murong Jinyun.
She still had to stabilize Murong Jinyun first; that was the most important thing. She absolutely could not let any mishap occur with Murong Jinyun, otherwise, things would truly be dire.
Feng Jin arrived at Murong Jinyun's room with great speed. Her expression was very calm, doing her best to not reveal any panic.
"Young Madam..."
"Princess, are there any inconveniences during your stay at the manor?"
"Everything is fine. Thank you, Young Madam, for your care."
It seemed Murong Jinyun did not yet know about the change in the wedding date. Feng Jin was quite conflicted about whether she should proactively tell Murong Jinyun about it.
"Young Madam, if you have something to say, please just say it directly. There's no need to be so hesitant."
"You've seen through me, Princess. Then I shall not be polite."
Since it had to be said sooner or later, it was better to be direct now, to avoid further distress.
"Princess, your marriage to Gu Beichen..."
"The wedding is to be moved forward to tomorrow, isn't that right, Young Madam?"
"You already knew?"
Feng Jin said with some surprise, not knowing who had told Murong Jinyun.
"Yes, Beichen told me long ago. He said he couldn't wait and begged His Majesty to move the wedding date forward..."
As Murong Jinyun said this, she was slightly shy, her face filled with happiness.
"Then my efforts were in vain."
Gu Beichen had indeed done well this time. He truly deserved some praise.
"By the way, Young Madam, I was just deliberating which hairpin to wear for the wedding. Since Young Madam is here, could you help me choose?"
With so many hairpins, her eyes were beginning to blur, and she didn't know which one to pick.