Chapter 1290: Poison Neutralization (5)
Chapter 1290: Poison Neutralization (5)
Editor: Atlas Studios
Tiger Head shouted indignantly, "Are we the kind of people who can’t keep secrets?"
Little Bear smiled and said, "Then do you think I’m the kind of person who can’t keep secrets? I promised everyone not to tell anyone, including my parents and brothers."
Tiger Head and Little Lion paused. Little An went forward and said, "Don’t blame Brother Little Bear. Didn’t my daddy not tell me either?"
Little An bowed to Fourth Uncle and said with a smile, "But I think Fourth Uncle must be different from my father, Brother Little Bear, and the others. He will definitely tell us, right?"
Smiling, Qi Haoran said, "Yes, since you’re already adults, I’ll naturally tell you."
The three children’s eyes lit up. Qi Haoran continued, "Since you’re adults, you have to bear the responsibility of an adult. Can you do that too?"
The three children had long thought that they were adults. Besides, how could they not know the news that even Qi Wensu, who was about the same age, knew?
Hence, they nodded repeatedly.
Qi Haoran held their hands and returned to their residence. Then, he briefly explained what had happened during this period of time.
"In other words, the most important thing now is to save Royal Uncle." Little Lion rolled up his sleeves and said, "Since Wensu’s blood has been drawn, let’s have ours drawn too."
Qi Haoran slapped his little hand away and said, "You’re too young for that. Besides, even your Brother Crown Prince only has a 70% match."
"Then what should we do?" Tiger Head asked anxiously.
"Tomorrow, I’ll order the Crown Prince to supervise the country. Your big brother will head to the West Mountain camp, and I’ll deploy some manpower in the palace. In order to prevent anyone from plotting against you, stay in the palace for the time being. If you have nothing to do, walk around and help us investigate if there are any suspicious people or places." Qi Haoran said gently, "I’ll leave your Royal Uncle and our safety to you."
Tiger Head and Little Lion agreed heroically while Little An looked at Fourth Uncle suspiciously. Qi Haoran looked straight into his eyes and nodded at him with a smile.
Little An lowered his head and thought for a moment, then nodded and agreed in a low voice.
Qi Haoran had slept for less than six hours in three days. After seeing the children, he went to look for Yuan Hui to draw his blood. After stuffing some food into his mouth, he lay on the couch beside Qi Xiuyuan and fell asleep.
But the next day, he woke up on time before the court meeting.
After wiping his face, Qi Haoran brought Little Treasure and Little Bear to court.
The courtiers were still determined to wait outside the Hall of Diligent Governance. Because the news of Qi Haoran’s return to the capital had spread throughout the capital yesterday, everyone showed up today. Even the imperial clan, which had always been dispensable, came to court.
Obviously, everyone was here to wait for the results.
Seeing Qi Haoran, who was leading the Crown Prince to stand on the half step, all the officials bowed to him.
Qi Haoran said with a dark expression, "Everyone, dispense with the formalities. Since His Majesty hasn’t attended court for four days, I believe you have some speculation."
The courtiers lowered their heads and did not dare to speak.
Qi Haoran continued, "His Majesty has been poisoned. The State Preceptor has already found a way to neutralize the poison. Now, we’re only waiting for the herbs. While the poison in His Majesty’s body is being neutralized, the Crown Prince will temporarily supervise the country. Prime Minister Rong and the Minister of Revenue will assist him together. Anything that the Crown Prince and the two assisting ministers can’t decide will be sent to the harem. Prince An and I will then discuss it and make the decision."
Before the courtiers could consume the news that the Emperor had been poisoned, they were stunned by this arrangement. Everyone unanimously looked at Yan Du.
To think it was the Minister of Revenue and the Left Prime Minister assisting the Crown Prince together. What about the Right Prime Minister?
Although Yan Du’s expression did not change, his body froze and his heart kept sinking.
No one dared to provoke Qi Haoran at this time. This was not like when they were opposing the reform of the official system in the past. King Rong and the Emperor would not do anything overboard for the sake of Great Qi and the reputation of their future generations. However, if anyone dared to cause trouble now, King Rong would probably immediately draw his saber and slay them.
This was the disadvantage of chaotic times. When there was no order, there was no law to speak of. Even if they were powerful ministers, human lives were worthless.
Seeing that they were sensible and did not nag, Qi Haoran turned around and left in satisfaction, leaving the Imperial Court to the Crown Prince and Rong Xuan.
The courtiers were not sure if King Rong was hiding in the dark and observing them. Hence, when they saw the Crown Prince sitting below the dragon throne, they tactfully did not make things difficult for him.
Little Treasure also humbly resolved the issues that they had raised.
When the officials saw this, their hearts gradually calmed down and they regained the feeling of attending court with the Emperor presiding over things.
Qi Haoran left Eunuch Wan to keep an eye on the Imperial Court while he turned around to look for Yuan Hui.
Yuan Hui was examining Qi Xiuyuan’s body. When he saw him, he said, "Congratulations. Your compatibility with His Majesty is as high as 93%."
Li Jinghua looked at Qi Haoran in surprise. Qi Haoran asked calmly, "Then when is the right time to do the blood exchange?"
"His Majesty’s condition cannot wait any longer. Let’s do it tonight." Yuan Hui looked at the sky outside and said, "Otherwise, I’m afraid there will be trouble if we delay."
"What do I need to do?"
"King Rong has been traveling day and night, which has damaged your health a little. Thus, what you need to do the most now is to rest and recuperate. Originally, in the best interest of both parties, you should recuperate your body to the highest peak before the surgery. However, His Majesty can’t afford to wait anymore."
What Yuan Hui didn’t say was that it was fortunate that Qi Haoran had returned at this moment and the compatibility was very high. Otherwise, he could only watch helplessly as the Emperor passed away. After all, the compatibility of 70% with the Crown Prince was still too low. Should it fail, both people would die.
For the sake of Great Qi, they could only let Qi Xiuyuan die from the poison and let Little Treasure succeed the throne.
Yuan Hui did not tell Qi Haoran that Mu Yangling might be in danger either. Now, Qi Haoran was here, and Mu Yangling was still nowhere to be found. If Yuan Hui told him about this, it would only make him anxious. In the end, three people might die.
Yuan Hui looked at the gloomy sky outside and spun the prayer beads in his hand. He thought to himself, "Now, we can only rely on Mu Yangling’s own ability. If she can survive, Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran might pass this calamity safely. If something happens to her..."
Yuan Hui closed his eyes and did not look at Qi Haoran, who was wiping Qi Xiuyuan’s hands.