Compared to Chu Mingyuan, who was seated in the imperial study, Noble Consort Xiao found Chu Yihan's ability to make a grand entrance without causing chaos in the palace more reassuring.
Granny Song was genuinely startled by Noble Consort Xiao's demeanor. While she admired her positive attitude, she had to consider her welfare. "If the emperor dies, Your Majesty's position as Imperial Consort will be at risk. And the Ninth Prince... he'll inevitably be affected."
"Don't worry!" Noble Consort Xiao reassured Granny Song, patting her hand with the book. "Why do you think I allowed Ling'er to get close to his Ninth Imperial Uncle? Ling'er doesn't have the ability or desire to vie for the throne. As long as he enjoys this honor and lives happily, the Ninth Prince won't harm him because of their familial bond. As for certain individuals..."
When Noble Consort Xiao thought of the Empress, she couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude. "Doesn't she see whether her son has what it takes? She's so eager for her son to ascend the throne, and now... all her sons will be affected!"
She would wait and see while reading her book. The fate of the empress's sons would undoubtedly be more thrilling than the book's ending!
Outside the imperial study, the only place in the palace emitting a strong scent of blood.
Chu Yihan had personally dispatched all of Chu Mingyuan's guards. Anyone who tried to stop him from entering the imperial study now lay dead outside.
Chu Mingyuan, dressed in a dragon robe, looked less imposing compared to Chu Yihan, whose body was drenched in blood. The latter seemed more like the emperor of the Great Cheng Dynasty.
"Traitor! Chu Yihan, you traitor! Aren't you afraid of being condemned by the people for usurping the throne unjustly?" Chu Mingyuan shouted, his face livid with anger.
Chu Yihan's bloodbath in the imperial study had severed the last string in his mind!
He had entrusted his military power to Chu Chengye, but Chu Chengye had not returned!
All his guards, even those from the Lan family, had perished before him!
Beside him... no one!
Chu Yihan looked up, his ink-like eyes dark and deep. "Imperial Brother, do you still have soldiers with you?"
Standing in front of the imperial study, Chu Mingyuan knew very well that he was all alone!
Chu Yihan could end his life at any moment and usurp his position as emperor!
Suddenly, a woman's urgent scream pierced the air.
When Chu Mingyuan saw the empress rushing over, he felt a sense of relief. "Empress! You've come!"
Fortunately, there was still someone willing to stand by his side when he was in danger!
The empress failed to notice the tenderness in Chu Mingyuan's eyes. This was what she had hoped for in the past!
Now, her heart was filled with Chu Chengye. She grabbed Chu Mingyuan's sleeve and questioned, "Emperor, where's Ye'er? Where's my Ye'er? Chu Yihan barged in. Where's Ye'er?"
Chu Mingyuan's heart sank. His face darkened. "You're only concerned about Ye'er now that you're here? You don't care about me?"
How could the empress still be expected to care about him?
She turned around and saw a mass of soldiers behind Chu Yihan, all of them exuding a powerful aura as they pointed accusingly at him. "Chu Yihan, where's my Ye'er? What have you done to him? He's a prince! And he's your nephew by blood. What have you done to him?"
The empress trembled. She feared that Chu Yihan would cruelly tell her that Chu Chengye had been killed by him.
He was the apple of her eye, her hope for the future!
Chu Yihan looked at the empress disdainfully. "Poisoned," he replied indifferently. "Near death."
"Poisoned, near death..."
The empress's eyes rolled back, and she fainted.