Shen Qing didn't even dare to think about it.
They had just gotten married. How could things turn out like this?
Ji Junye was moved to the back hall, and everyone gathered there, waiting.
All the imperial physicians had come. After feeling the emperor's pulse, their faces turned ashen, and they trembled on the ground, prostrating themselves.
"Your Majesty has been poisoned too deeply. The toxins have eroded his internal organs. Moreover, he was stimulated, and the originally suppressed toxins have rebounded. We are incompetent. If we can't find the antidote..."
Shen Qing took a deep breath. "How much time does he have left?"
The head of the imperial physicians closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and said tremulously, "If there is no antidote, he will last no more than three days at most..."
Three days...
Shen Qing's heart sank. If it weren't for Liyue supporting her, she would have collapsed on the ground.
Three days.
They had been searching for the antidote to the bone - eating poison for so long. It was simply impossible to find the antidote within three days.
Moreover, Qin Ye was not around. Even if he found the antidote, he couldn't possibly return within three days.
"Your Majesty!"
An official let out a mournful cry and knelt on the ground in despair, on the verge of tears.
"Shut up!" Shen Qing cast a cold glance. "Your Majesty is not dead yet. Whose funeral are you wailing for?!"
Those familiar with Shen Qing could tell that her state was extremely abnormal.
"Drag him out!"
Zhuoyun didn't notice anything amiss. He also thought this official was inauspicious and was about to drag him away.
"Wait."
Someone stepped forward. "Although Her Majesty the Queen has married into our Jing Kingdom, she is a princess of the Jiang Kingdom. Moreover, this matter involves the court affairs. Historically, the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. Both emotionally and rationally, Her Majesty has no right to punish officials..."
That person rambled on, which really annoyed people.
"Lord Zhu!"
A loud voice interrupted him. It was the King of Rong who had just rushed over.
"His Majesty left an imperial edict long ago. If anything should happen to him, Her Majesty the Queen shall handle all court affairs on his behalf."
"Absurd!" Lord Zhu's face flushed red. "How could His Majesty leave such an imperial edict?!"
It was already absurd to let a woman interfere in court affairs, not to mention that this woman was a princess from another country!
However, the King of Rong was unhurried. "So, Lord Zhu means that I'm falsely transmitting the imperial edict?"
"Well then, Eunuch Li, since this is the case, read out the imperial edict."
"Yes."
Saying so, Li Quan took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his sleeve.
Seeing this, everyone had no choice but to kneel on the ground to receive the edict.
"By the decree of the emperor: When you gentlemen see this edict, I am on the verge of my end. The princess Ji Lexi is extremely intelligent and has been personally taught by me. She can succeed me as the new monarch. I order the King of Rong and the Hanlin Academy to assist her whole - heartedly. The Queen shall hold my seal and has the power to assist in government affairs. Do not make any mistakes. Announce this to the world so that everyone may know."
"This is simply absurd! How can a woman inherit the throne?!"
Lord Zhu was the first to object. He almost roared out, and his voice cracked because he was too forceful.
The King of Rong snorted. "The imperial edict was written by His Majesty himself. If you gentlemen don't believe it, you can verify it."
Everyone didn't believe it at first. After seeing the familiar handwriting on the imperial edict, they started to whisper among themselves.
"There has never been a precedent in our dynasty for a princess to succeed to the throne, nor for a queen to assist in government affairs!"
"How can a woman stand in the court?"
"The little princess was born outside. Whether she has royal blood has not been verified. We have never heard that His Majesty favored anyone when he was in Tanzhou. Instead, we find that Her Majesty the Queen looks very similar to the former Lady Lingzhang. May I boldly ask, what is the relationship between Her Majesty the Queen and Lady Lingzhang?"
Amidst the voices of opposition, this question hit the nail on the head.
If Shen Qing was the former Lady Lingzhang, the identity of the little princess would be even more sensitive. By then, even the Duke Protector's Mansion and the Shen Family Army would be implicated.
Fortunately, Shen Qing and Ji Junye had discussed this matter long ago.
"What does this lord mean? I came to Tanzhou from the Jiang Kingdom. I grew up in Tanzhou since I was a child. By accident, I met His Majesty. Then, due to the war, I went back to my hometown, Yuezhou. The little princess was also born in Yuezhou."
"As for the Lady Lingzhang you mentioned, I don't know her. There are many people who look alike in the world. I heard that she is not the biological daughter of the Duke Protector. My mother's family is very prosperous. The biological mother of the current King of Beirong is the daughter of my mother's younger cousin. Since this lord is so familiar with Lady Lingzhang, why don't you bring her here for me to have a look? Maybe she is my sister."
"I can understand your suspicion of me. But don't you know that the little princess has been staying by His Majesty's side for the past two years? Or do you think His Majesty would bring an unknown child by his side, teaching her personally in everything?"
Shen Qing's words left everyone speechless.
Lady Lingzhang had gone traveling with her child two years ago. They couldn't possibly bring her back to confront the queen.
"But..."
"Since you have already suspected me, do you want to suspect the imperial edict as well?"
Now Shen Qing understood why Ji Junye had insisted on finishing the wedding ceremony just now. It was not only to fulfill his obsession but also because he knew that he might not be able to protect her in the future. He wanted her to be able to protect herself justifiably with this imperial edict.
With a husband like this, what more could a wife ask for?
"I refuse to accept this! How can a woman be the monarch? Wouldn't it make all the countries laugh at us?"
It was again Lord Zhu.
Lord Zhu was another tough - nut to crack in the Censorate after the former Censor Xin.
"Presumptuous!"
"The imperial edict is very clear. So what if you don't accept it? I didn't know that when the monarch of a country issues an imperial edict, he still needs to ask for your opinion, Lord Zhu?"
Shen Qing was extremely upset and didn't want to listen to this kind of person's nonsense. "His Majesty is still in a coma, but Censor Zhu is trying to disrupt the court order and show disrespect to His Majesty. I reasonably suspect that you have the intention of rebellion. Drag him out and interrogate him carefully!"
"All those who suspected the imperial edict just now are suspended from their posts. Go home and reflect on your mistakes carefully!"
"Jinwu Guards, why aren't you dragging them out!"
Seeing that the Jinwu Guards really obeyed her, the officials' faces turned ashen.
Censor Zhu even wanted to hit the pillar. "The evil queen is ruining the country! I would rather die than serve the evil queen!"
But he couldn't struggle against the Jinwu Guards and was dragged away.
At this time, Yan Peiyu lifted his robe and knelt down.
"I obey His Majesty's imperial edict and am willing to be at Her Majesty the Queen's disposal."
Once he knelt down, the officials in the Hanlin Academy also knelt down one after another.
"I obey His Majesty's imperial edict and am willing to be at Her Majesty the Queen's disposal."
The officials from the faction of Old Chen and Han Yuanjing also stepped forward one after another.
"We second the motion."
In the past three years, the Hanlin Academy had expanded from the original eleven people to nineteen people. It had also occupied an important position in the court.
Coupled with Old Chen and the Han family, even if others were dissatisfied, they didn't have the ability to resist. They just looked at the King of Rong in disappointment. If His Majesty really passed away, the King of Rong would be the person closest to the throne. With his prestige in the court over the past few years, he could ascend the throne effortlessly. Why did he take out this imperial edict?
Shen Qing said tiredly, "The court should operate as it did before. King of Rong, during His Majesty's coma, I'll leave the court affairs to you."
The King of Rong bowed and answered yes. Then he led the others out, leaving the place for the two of them.
For these three days, he wouldn't let anyone disturb his elder brother and sister - in - law.
As soon as everyone left, Shen Qing tremblingly held Ji Junye's hand. His hand was cold, so she used her hands and face to warm it for him.
"Aye, do you see? They are all bullying me and Sibao. Your imperial edict is useless at all. Only when you wake up can you suppress them..."
"You must hold on. Qin Ye is on his way. I've also sent someone to inform the Miaojiang area. You must hold on..."
Suddenly, Shen Qing seemed to think of something. She quickly called the secret guard and asked him to take Liyue to find her dowry.