Chapter 475 304: Emperor Qin's Poison Reaches the Bone, All Factions Covet the Throne (Part 4)

"Outside the Imperial City, it must be lively."

"..."

...

The next day.

Qin Capital, outside the Imperial City.

Under the high walls, the snow lay thick.

Before the palace gates, someone knelt with both knees on the ground, the wind and snow fluttering, resembling a snowman.

"Left Minister, you should go back. Master Tang has ordered that no one is allowed to enter the palace."

Zuo Yuan remained motionless, his lowered eyes gleaming with a strange light.

Beside him, several others knelt, including Minister of the Ministry of Rites Qi Nankai, Minister of the Ministry of Industry Shangguan Kang, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Liao Yuan...

Behind them stood numerous civil and military officials.

"General Tian, how is His Majesty? Is there no court session today?" Zuo Yuan asked with deep concern.

Tian Yaansen looked at Zuo Yuan, then at the crowd of officials casting their gazes eagerly, and sighed softly, "Left Minister, it's best to leave early. His Majesty will not hold court for a while."

"General Tian, what do you mean by this? How is His Majesty after all? Why don't you let us into the palace to see him?!" Minister Qi Nankai was both worried and anxious.

"Minister Qi, this is His Majesty's command."

His Majesty's command?

To Zuo Yuan, it was piercing to the ear, and a strange color passed in the depths of his eyes.

His Majesty isn't injured?

Otherwise, how can he give orders?

"Gentlemen, please return. If His Majesty wishes to see you, I will inform you at the first possible moment."

"..."

At the gates of the Imperial City, the officials sought to discover if Emperor Qin was injured. Within the city, outside Jinluan Hall, many people were also kneeling.

Lead-gray clouds blocked the sun, and the long wind swept large snowflakes that swirled and fell.

The flying eaves and corners of Jinluan Hall were covered in pure snow, resembling a jade palace, exuding a cold and imposing dignity between heaven and earth.

Beneath the jade steps, Princess Zhenyang knelt silently in the white snow.

She wore a splendid palace gown, her outer fox-fur cloak already soaked with snowmelt, the chill piercing to the bone.

Her black hair spread disarrayed on her shoulders, a few strands stuck to her cheeks by the snow, her delicate face full of exhaustion, with fine ice crystals clinging to her long lashes.

Beside her were the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, followed by numerous other princes, including the Third Prince, Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince.

Below the jade steps, virtually all the princes and princesses had arrived.

In front of the hall stood Tang Guang of the Astronomical Bureau, who blocked everyone with his Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm strength.

"Master Tang, how is Father Emperor?" This was already an unknown number of times Princess Zhenyang had asked.

"Yes, Master Tang, how is Father Emperor?" The Crown Prince, Second Prince, and others all looked with concern.

Tang Guang looked at the many princes, his expression calm, "Crown Prince, Second Prince, Third Prince, and all the princes and princess, His Majesty is fine but needs rest."

"The snow is heavy today, it would be better for the princes and princesses to return early to avoid catching ill."

"Master Tang, since Father Emperor is well, why was there no morning court today?" the Second Prince asked again.

"Second Prince, this is His Majesty's wish, and I dare not speculate." Tang Guang still showed little emotion.

"..."

Thus, inside and outside the Imperial City, all parties were anxious to know what was happening inside Jinluan Hall.

...

Qin Capital, Pei Family.

Grand Commandant Pei Qing and Left Imperial Guard Pei Fu bowed low, while above them sat a man, a strong practitioner of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm sent from North Snow County by order of King of North Snow, Yien Chong.

"How is the situation?" Yien Chong asked coldly as he stared at the two.

"General Yien, the palace gates are hard to enter, and even the Crown Prince and princes could not go into Jinluan Hall. What exactly is going on with Emperor Qin is unknown to all but the Astronomical Bureau."

"Is that so? Since the Astronomical Bureau is aware, why not ask Pei Changkong?"

Pei Changkong is one of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm in the Astronomical Bureau, the true pillar of the Pei Family.

"General Yien..." Pei Qing looked troubled, "My father is not currently in Qin Capital."

"Oh? Pei Changkong is not in Qin Capital?" Yien Chong seemed somewhat surprised, "Do you know where he went?"

"I don't know."

A brief silence fell within the hall.

"General Yien, my father should still be unaware of my second uncle..." Pei Qing began to ask.

"Pei Yan indeed has not informed Pei Changkong, yet considering your current situation, cooperating with King Shuo might be your only path; if you persist down the wrong path..."

"..."

...

Another day.

Qin Capital, a certain place.

Evil Moon of the Blood Evil Sect wore a blood-red robe, standing before two Lower Meridian Unlocking Realm strongmen.

"What have you found?" Evil Moon asked with a sinister tone.

"Reporting to Blood Servant Lord, the palace gates are tightly shut, and Jinluan Hall is barred to all except the Astronomical Bureau."

"Moreover, there has been no morning court these past days."

"Additionally, there are rumors within the Imperial City that the poison in Emperor Qin has penetrated his bones, and he does not have much time left."

"Is that so..." Evil Moon sneered coldly, "Continue to investigate."

"Yes."

"..."