Chapter 458: Together
"Three days?"
The Eldest Princess was somewhat puzzled, but a sliver of hope sparked within her.
"You really have a way?"
’If she could truly cure Emperor Muwu, then forget three days—thirty days, or even three years, would be no issue at all!’
Sensing her train of thought, Ye Chutang shook her head and poured a bucket of cold water on her hopes.
"Your Majesty’s illness is irreversible. Even I can only do my best to help manage his condition."
The light in the Eldest Princess’s eyes slowly faded.
She sighed. "Just as I thought..."
’In truth, she had expected as much. If the illness were so easy to treat, Chu Qiyuan wouldn’t have been struggling with it for so many years.’
’It was just that, in her heart, she had started to see Ye Chutang as all-powerful, which was why she had felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in a long while.’
’If even she was powerless... then all they could do was their best and leave the rest to fate.’
The Eldest Princess, ever a woman of strong will who had weathered many storms, quickly accepted this reality and pulled herself together. "It’s alright. If you’re willing to lend a hand and ease his suffering even a little, that would be for the best."
Ye Chutang looked at her and gave a slight nod.
"I will do everything in my power."
’It is said that the imperial family is the most ruthless, but the bond between the Eldest Princess and Emperor Muwu was clearly exceptional.’
’She could tell the Eldest Princess was genuinely worried about Emperor Muwu.’
’That was likely why so many court officials held the Eldest Princess in such high regard.’
’Remembering the particularly foul look on Jiang Zhao Yuan’s face earlier today, Ye Chutang’s eyes shifted as countless thoughts raced through her mind.’
She said, "Although His Majesty is conscious now, he still needs plenty of quiet rest. I’m afraid this will place a heavy burden on you for the time being."
The Eldest Princess waved it off. "That’s nothing to worry about. Rest assured, I have already given the order today. From now on, all daily memorials are to be sent to the Cabinet, where I will review and approve them in consultation with the Cabinet."
’At a time of such turmoil, she was likely the only one with the authority to step up and stabilize the situation.’
"By the way," the Eldest Princess said, suddenly recalling something, "I plan on sending Yanchuan to investigate the matter in Qingzhou. What do you think?"
Ye Chutang paused. "The Princely Heir?"
"That’s right!" The Eldest Princess scrutinized her expression, afraid to miss the slightest flicker of emotion. "He did an excellent job with Xu Jie’s case, didn’t he? I’m sure he’ll have no problem in Qingzhou!"
’That wasn’t what Ye Chutang was concerned about.’
’In fact...’
"Wouldn’t that be a waste of his talents?" Ye Chutang asked, hesitating.
’The capital is in turmoil. Sending Shen Yanchuan to a small place like Qingzhou right now seems...’
Hearing this, however, the Eldest Princess was secretly delighted. She quickly asked, "You really think so?"
Ye Chutang nodded frankly. "Qingzhou isn’t like Changzhou. For the Princely Heir to go there... never mind the arduous journey, it’s mainly just a waste of—"
"No, no! It’s not a waste at all!"
The Eldest Princess cut Ye Chutang off with a smile.
"Qingzhou is your—your father’s hometown, and you were almost assassinated there. Of course we can’t be careless about it."
’Ye Chutang felt there was something strange about her words.’
But before she could dwell on it, she heard the Eldest Princess continue, "Besides, there’s something you may not be aware of: the county magistrate of Qingzhou is a protégé of Jiang Zhao Yuan. Don’t be fooled by his low rank; he’s spent years swaggering about and leveraging that connection."
’How would an outsider know the true nature of his relationship with the Jiang family?’
’But to be on the safe side, most people would still treat him with a measure of respect.’
’If they sent someone without status or backing to investigate, that person would certainly face immense obstruction.’
’That’s why Shen Yanchuan was the most suitable candidate.’
Ye Chutang naturally understood the intricacies involved, so she didn’t press the matter further.
The Eldest Princess, however, wasn’t finished with the subject.
She cleared her throat.
"Would you be interested in going along?"