frightfiction Chapter 219 The Goddess Reincarnates, May She Prosper Forever
Chapter 219 The Goddess Reincarnates, May She Prosper Forever
Empress Cui Jichu was only stunned for a moment, her face showing no joy or sorrow. She quickly ordered everyone to block the news and rushed to the emperor's bedside to oversee the imperial physician's treatment.
The former emperor now lies on his bed, unable to move, yet his mind remains clear.
As the imperial physicians knelt trembling on the ground, he could no longer maintain his imperial dignity and angrily denounced them for being useless.
Cui Jichu promptly spoke up to reassure the emperor. Once the bedchamber quieted down, she asked the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, "Head Physician Xin, His Majesty is in the prime of his life, how could this be..."
Xin Yuanzheng stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, His Majesty’s sudden illness is suspicious and is not due to… matters of the bedroom.”
Upon hearing this, Wen Du, whose eyes were tightly closed, suddenly opened them. A fleeting look of regret crossed Cui Jichu's eyes, but after hearing what Xin Yuanzheng said next, her eyes gradually brightened.
"His Majesty's back bone is damaged, which must have been caused by pricking it with an extremely fine silver needle, something that only a close relative could do."
"Does the Imperial Physician have a way to restore His Majesty to his former state?" Cui Jichu asked.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xin Yuanzheng's forehead. "Your Majesty, I have no confidence. I can only try my best."
Cui Jichu nodded in satisfaction. After everyone had left, she went to the emperor's bedside and carefully tucked the blanket around him. She said softly, "Your Majesty, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and will not let Your Majesty suffer in vain."
"This matter has nothing to do with Consort Chen, Your Majesty..."
Cui Jichu's eyes flickered. "Your Majesty, what are you saying? Consort Chen has just experienced the massacre of her entire family. She only has Your Majesty to rely on. How could she possibly harm Your Majesty?"
Wen Du was moved, “A Chu…”
"Your Majesty, please rest assured and get some rest. Imperial Physician Xin is sure to be able to cure Your Majesty."
As soon as Cui Jichu left the palace, the smile on her face vanished without a trace.
The last time I heard the name 'Achu' was when her child died.
That was her only child. She had cared for him for over six months, but due to an "accident," he fell into the water in winter. She knew it wasn't an accident, and she even knew who had done it. The only person who could stand up for her pretended not to know.
The emperor is both passionate and heartless. It all depends on whom he is being treated.
"His Majesty is unable to move around easily, so send some reliable servants to attend to him. Before the incident, only Consort Chen served His Majesty closely. Until the matter is investigated, he is to remain at home and reflect on his actions, and is not allowed to leave without an imperial edict."
However, at this moment, the commander of the Imperial Guards, Xiao Linyuan, brought devastating news—the already empty national treasury had been completely looted.
Cui Jichu opened his eyes wide in disbelief, "Commander Xiao is joking?"
What happened today feels unreal.
"This humble general has failed in his duty; please punish me, Your Majesty."
"Did the thief leave any clues? Is His Majesty's misfortune today related to this person?"
"This man killed several imperial guards and went straight from the Cold Palace to the national treasury. No one was found to have approached His Majesty's bedroom."
After staring at him blankly for a long time, Cui Jichu suddenly remembered something and tentatively asked, "I remember that Brother Linyuan once promised me that he would take me away from this deep palace."
After a century of accumulation, even if the Great Yan Kingdom's treasury was empty, it shouldn't have been completely looted without any warning. She suspected that Xiao Linyuan had embezzled the funds and had ulterior motives.
Although there was no possibility for them to be together, she couldn't bear to watch him walk down a path of no return.
Xiao Linyuan's chiseled face appeared somewhat cold and hard. He said in a stiff tone, "This humble general was young and impetuous, please punish me, Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Cui Jichu remained completely unmoved. "Brother Linyuan, the Xiao family has been loyal to the royal family for generations. Has their loyalty changed?"
He bowed deeply, saying, "The Xiao family's loyalty to the Wen family and to the Great Yan is as clear as day."
Cui Jichu smiled and said, "I understand. I hope Commander Xiao will capture the thief as soon as possible and punish him severely."
As he left, Xiao Linyuan couldn't help but glance at the Empress, paused slightly, and then hurried away.
That night, following the emperor's misfortune and the theft of the national treasury, the once-favored Consort Chen hanged herself out of fear of punishment.
Shengjing is in chaos.
For several days in a row, the emperor showed no sign of holding court. The princes were still young, and imperial power had fallen into the hands of the Cui family, the maternal relatives.
However, given the current situation, the imperial power they hold is undoubtedly putting the Cui family in a very precarious position.
The cold wave that lasted for several days caused many refugees to freeze to death in the wilderness, and the people were full of complaints; even though the news of the emperor's misfortune was promptly blocked, those who wanted to find out could still find out.
Immediately, those who coveted the throne began to stir.
Meanwhile, rumors spread among the people that "the emperor was not murdered, but was punished by heaven" and "Meng Fuqing is a goddess reincarnated to save the world" intensified.
This added fuel to the fire of an already precarious situation.
The refugees who had been suppressed around the capital city, like withered grass that could be ignited by fire, gathered together again, intending to occupy the imperial city.
Just then, the Imperial Advisor requested an audience with the Empress.
In just a few days, Cui Jichu was exhausted. Upon hearing that the Imperial Advisor was coming, he had no choice but to pull himself together again.
As the person entered the main hall, her gaze fell on the black-robed figure behind the Grand Preceptor.
After exchanging pleasantries, she asked, "What brings you here, Imperial Preceptor?"
"This humble monk wishes to recommend someone to Your Majesty, who may be able to resolve the predicament of the capital."
Meng Fuqing, who was wrapped in a black robe and wore a voice-changing mask, stepped forward and spoke in a deep male voice.
"The refugees intend to revolt, General Wu in the north is fully prepared for battle, and Xie Jin in the south has already captured three cities, including Zhan Nan. A great war is imminent. Does Your Majesty have any countermeasures?"
Since becoming empress, Cui Jichu had never seen such a reckless and treasonous person, who neither bowed nor revealed his true face.
She was filled with doubt and looked at the Imperial Preceptor, but he seemed not to see her at all, and was only focused on chanting scriptures.
But after listening to what the other person said, she only felt that her palms were damp.
News from the south is now very difficult to get to the capital. She only knows that Xie Jin has captured Zhan Nan, but she doesn't know that he has captured two more cities in just a few days...
Trying her best to remain calm, she asked in a deep voice, "Since the Imperial Advisor says you can solve the capital's predicament, why don't you tell me?"
When he spoke again, his deep voice carried a hint of amusement, "To resolve the predicament in the capital, I must assume the regency. Otherwise, I cannot comply."
Cui Jichu was furious when he heard this. He hadn't shown any ability yet, but he wanted to seize power. He was clearly trying to get something for nothing. It was utterly despicable!
"Come……"
She uttered just one word, then suddenly stopped, her face gradually turning red.
She struggled to raise her hand to cover her neck, feeling as if she were about to suffocate. Her eyes slowly moved, landing on the eunuchs and palace maids in the hall, who, like her, wore expressions of pain.
"Your Majesty, I do not wish to be enemies with the Cui family." Meng Fuqing slowly removed the mask from her face, her voice carrying a seductive meaning, "Can't Your Majesty see that natural disasters and man-made calamities are constant, the emperor has suffered divine retribution, and this world should change hands."
After speaking, the military tally hidden on Cui Jichu's body suddenly flew into the air and landed directly in Meng Fuqing's palm.
She stroked the cold military tally, smiling as she looked at the Grand Preceptor, "Grand Preceptor, what do you think?"
Kumarajiva felt his mind go blank. This was... this was a miracle!
Why should he seek immortality by using the filthy blood of young boys and girls if he follows this master? He will get what he wants sooner or later!
If he was reluctant to do things for Meng Fuqing, a woman, before, he was now willing to grovel on the ground.
"Fu Qing is the reincarnation of a goddess, who came to save the people of the world! May the goddess live on for a thousand generations, and may her glory last forever!"
Meng Fuqing's lips twitched. Was this Imperial Advisor involved in a cult before?
He turned to look at the Empress, "Your Majesty, have you thought this through?"