Chapter Seven Before You

  Looking at the exquisite wooden bed in front of him, Ye Xiang felt a little strange because Li Jinzhong said it was made by Ye Xiang. It seems that Emperor Tianqi is indeed a great carpenter. As for this thing, Ye Xiang himself had no interest at all, and now his mind was not on this but thinking about another matter. Today is August 23rd, Ye Xiang will go to the Qianqing Palace today.

  Although he knew it was very dangerous, Ye Xiang knew he had to go, because this represented Ye Xiang's position afterwards. Ye Xiang couldn't change the course of history, which might make himself irretrievable before becoming emperor.

  With Li Jinzhong's support, Ye Xiang walked to the delicate wooden bed and let the eunuchs lift him up. Following closely behind was Li Lan, the woman most favored by the Crown Prince recently, who was smiling like a flower at this time.

  Qianqing Palace was the most important place in Ming and Qing dynasties, where emperors lived and worked. Countless people wanted to come here and sit on that position, now Ye Xiang also had this opportunity, his excitement can be imagined.

  Ye Xiang slowly knelt down, looking at the pale-faced man on the bed. Ye Xiang knew that all his wealth and glory in this life were due to this person, but he had to watch him die. It wasn't because of this weak-willed man, perhaps it was his weakness that harmed himself. Behind him was Li Xuan's servant who wanted to become Empress, and Zheng Guifei who wanted to push her own son onto the throne. At this time, Ye Xiang was just an unstable crown prince, with even his own father not standing on his side. The Taichang Emperor had perhaps already forgotten his own circumstances back then, people are indeed forgetful creatures.

  It can be said that it is one of the rare chaotic eras in history, and Ye Xiang is also at a loss amidst countless whirlpools. Although he knows the general direction of history, his heart still has no solution. At this time, all Ye Xiang can do is to live on well and plan slowly.

  The first thing to do now is to ensure that the man in front of him will definitely die, otherwise Ye Xiang will really have no chance to turn over. If he doesn't die, it's equivalent to giving those two ambitious women a chance, and being deposed as the crown prince won't be that simple, probably it would be an inexplicable death. At this moment of life and death, Ye Xiang knows he can't show any mercy, can't have a single hesitation, or else it will be irreparable.

  Looking at the pale-faced man on the bed, Ye Xiang felt a sense of melancholy. After enduring for so many years, he finally got what he wanted. But with success came death. It can be said that his death was largely due to his own excessive lust, or as later generations would say, "he brought it upon himself".

  As the emperor's woman, she can choose whoever she wants, but she cannot die under a woman's skirt! Although it is said that dying under the peony flower is romantic, who would actually do such a thing? Probably only the person in front of her.

  He tidied up his clothes, bowed respectfully to the bed and said with some guilt: "Your Majesty, has your body recovered a bit? I am really unfilial, Your Majesty is ill like this, and I couldn't even attend to you by your window, I'm ashamed to be a son!"

  Looking at his son kneeling on the ground in pain and tears, Emperor Taichang's face revealed a satisfied smile. Although he didn't have an empress, he had such an obedient crown prince, which was also considered his own good fortune.

  He glanced at the eunuchs beside him and waved his hand, saying: "Don't hurry to lift up the crown prince, it's cold on the ground." He also said to his son kneeling on the ground: "The crown prince should not be too self-reproachful. On that day when you fainted, your father did not even get to see you, it was your father who wronged you." At this time, Emperor Taichang was very weak and spoke in short gasps, breaking up simple sentences into several parts before finishing them.

  One of the eunuchs walked to Ye Xiang's side, and with their support, Ye Xiang slowly stood up. He bowed deeply to Li Xuan Shi, who was sitting beside Emperor Tai Chang, and said in a respectful tone: "Father is ill, and this prince has not been able to fulfill his filial duties. These past few days have troubled Li Xuan Shi, thank you for your trouble."

  Looking at his filial and courteous son, Taichang Emperor's mood improved even more. In a burst of excitement, he suddenly coughed, and the people around him were shocked. The imperial physician's shouting voice immediately echoed through the palace. He waved his hand to stop the people around him, and Taichang Emperor smiled and said: "I'm fine, just a little excited for a moment. Seeing my son's appearance makes me feel very relieved."

  "Your Majesty, please take good care of your body for the sake of your son and to hold up the sky for the great Ming dynasty. The fate of our country rests on Your Majesty's shoulders alone! Please be extremely careful!" Ye Xiang quickly walked to Tai Chang Emperor's side, grasping his hand, and said with a trembling voice.

  Everyone present was moved by this scene of filial piety, and some people were still wiping away tears. But one person's eyes kept flashing with a thoughtful expression. This person was Li Xuanzi.

  The mother of the Tianqi Emperor was killed by her, and this Taizi of the Great Ming Dynasty grew up under her care since childhood. As they grew older, although they rarely met, there were always ears and eyes around Zhu Youjian that never stopped, so why did he feel something was wrong today?

  She subconsciously glanced at Li Jinzhong not far away, and Li Xuancai threw a questioning gaze, but the answer was intermittent sobbing. This made him very annoyed, and he hummed coldly, about to get up.

  "Dear concubine, what's wrong? Who made you angry?" Taichang Emperor was very fond of Li Xuan, not only because she was beautiful, but also because she was his confidante. All these years, Taichang Emperor had always lived in the shadow of Zheng Guifei and Fu Wang, and the only one who accompanied him was Li Xuan by his side.

  It was this woman who always protected him, it was this woman who comforted him when he was helpless. Now he himself can't remember how many times he cried in this woman's arms. At this time, having become rich and noble, Emperor Taichang felt that he should properly compensate this woman, the one who had devoted her life to him.

  Jian Tai Chang Di gazed at Li Xuan's servant with a tense expression, but in his heart, he felt a slight warmth. Although he had to become a powerful woman, he couldn't bear to part with the love of his husband, and their marital feelings were still very deep after all these years.

  She smiled lightly and suppressed the anger in her heart, and Li Xuan said: "I don't have anything, I just feel a bit tired. Your Majesty and the Crown Prince can chat more, I'll take my leave first."

  "These days, my beloved concubine has been taking care of me and is exhausted. Let people prepare some nourishing food to help her recover." Gently stroking Li Xuan's face, Emperor Taichang felt a warmth in his heart and his eyes were filled with reluctance. It seemed as if he wanted to remember the most important woman in his life, perhaps now was not the time to take a good look, or else there would be no more opportunities later on.