On the other side, in the Golden Hall.
The emperor had not attended court for five days. All the ministers in the court were in a panic. They whispered constantly, speculating whether they could see the emperor today.
At first, Prime Minister Dongfang could calm the ministers down by explaining to them, but now everyone had their own thoughts.
Minister Dong, standing beside, couldn't help but let out a laugh when he saw the flustered man not far away. Then he walked over with another minister beside him and asked, "Prime Minister Dongfang, tell us. What on earth is wrong with the emperor? We can't enter the Qianqing Palace now, but you can come and go freely..."
He stopped there, his eyes shifting left and right as if hinting at something. Even Minister Wang, the father of Concubine Lian behind him, echoed, "Yes, Prime Minister Dongfang, you should explain it to us properly!"
Prime Minister Dongfang looked at their collusive and conniving appearance and couldn't help cursing them in his heart. Then he remembered when he went to the Qianqing Palace yesterday.
The emperor's condition was much more serious than a few days ago. Even his lips had turned purple, a sign of poisoning, and there was an abnormal blush on his face. But just like a few days ago, he was still unconscious, only struggling in the bed from time to time as if in a fit of hysteria.
Thinking of this, he felt even more uneasy. He thought of his own daughter, who had been trying hard to find a doctor for the emperor, but now she had been thrown into the Cold Palace, and her position as the queen was likely to be in jeopardy.
But seeing the worried look on the queen mother's face, who seemed to have aged a few years in these two days, he didn't dare to say more.
But now, in front of the ministers, he still had to act as if nothing had happened. Then he forced himself to laugh twice and said, "Hahaha! Minister Dong and Minister Wang really care about the emperor. The emperor will surely be very happy to know this. The emperor didn't attend court because he caught a cold and it got worse. Moreover, the imperial doctor said that this disease is contagious. The emperor did this for the sake of the ministers' health. After all, you are the pillars of the court."
After his speech, he not only explained but also flattered the ministers. Naturally, everyone was happy to hear it, so they said in unison, "The emperor is wise!"
Even though Minister Dong was reluctant, he didn't dare to confront the man in front of him. After all, a higher - ranked official could overpower a lower - ranked one, and he was just a small minister. So they could only echo and wish the emperor well.
Just when everyone thought that there would be no more business in the court today and were about to step out of the Golden Hall, a proclamation came from outside the hall.
"Prime Minister Nangong is here!"
Hearing this, everyone in the hall was shocked. They widened their eyes in disbelief. After all, he was supposed to be at the imperial mausoleum outside the capital. Why did he suddenly come back?
Minister Dong and his group welcomed him with joy on their faces. After all, he was their backer. With his return, they no longer had to look at the faces of the royalist faction.
When Prime Minister Dongfang saw him, his face turned ashen. He thought to himself that why did he come back at this time? So many unexpected things had happened in the palace, and the emperor was ill. His return would only make the situation worse.
But he didn't have time to worry. Then he pretended to be calm and said, "Prime Minister Nangong, you've come at a bad time. The emperor is ill now and is not suitable to attend court. Why did you come back? Doesn't the imperial mausoleum need your supervision?"
On the other side, Nangong ignored the ministers around him and walked straight up to him. His face full of flab was raised with his eyebrows high. Then he said, "Is what Prime Minister Dongfang said true?"
Although it was a question, the look on his face clearly showed disbelief.
Prime Minister Dongfang immediately replied, "What I said is naturally true. How dare I joke about the emperor's health? And the fact that the emperor doesn't attend the morning court is the best proof."
After saying that, he turned to Dr. Zhong beside him and said, "What do you think, Dr. Zhong?"
The man who was asked replied respectfully, "The prime minister is right. The emperor is of noble status. He will surely return to the court after he recovers. We just need to wait patiently."
"Silence!"
Prime Minister Nangong roared after hearing their words. Then he raised his eyebrows and shouted, "It's all a lie!"
As soon as he said this, the ministers began to whisper to each other, speculating what this "lie" meant. Was someone lying?
After hearing his words, Prime Minister Dongfang's face immediately darkened. He couldn't hold back his anger anymore. Then he angrily asked, "Prime Minister Nangong, what nonsense are you talking about! This is the Golden Hall!"
"Whether it's nonsense or not, the ministers will know soon." Prime Minister Nangong replied. Then he waved his hand, signaling the people outside to come in.
Then several soldiers came in. They were holding a black - clothed man, whose face was full of bloodstains. It seemed that he had been whipped.
Everyone couldn't help but frown and covered their noses when they saw him, because there was a stench coming from his body.
"Prime Minister Nangong, who is this?" one of the ministers asked.
"This is an assassin my men caught in the capital!" he shouted. After seeing the surprised expressions on everyone's faces, he felt a bit satisfied. Then he said, "This man is one of the assassins who tried to kill the emperor."
Sure enough, everyone let out an exclamation. Then they whispered, "What? The emperor was assassinated?"
"Nangong Liuyun, don't talk nonsense here! This is the Golden Hall!" Prime Minister Dongfang shouted.
He felt that the situation was getting out of control. If it went on like this, these people would soon know that the emperor was unconscious.
"I'm talking nonsense? It's you who are lying, Dongfang. You've been lying to everyone for so long. Aren't you going to tell the truth yet?" Nangong Liuyun looked just and honorable, making everyone think that he was really concerned about them.
"What on earth is going on?" Minister Dong pretended not to know anything and asked, with a flattering look on his face.
"Humph!" Nangong Liuyun snorted after hearing this. He turned to the black - clothed man kneeling on the ground and shouted, "Tell us what you've done!"
The black - clothed man was kicked by the guard beside him and fell to the ground. The blood on his body dripped onto the ground.
"We... our people tried to assassinate the emperor!" he said in a trembling voice, not daring to raise his head. After all, there were the most prestigious people in the country around him.