Chapter 531: Prince Chengxuan

Just like a moment ago, when Ji Yuntang pulled down the collar of Empress Dowager Yuan's robe slightly, nothing was actually exposed, but the National Preceptor was the first to step forward, taking off his own clothes to cover the Empress Dowager.

This behavior, at first glance, seemed to be protecting the Empress Dowager's reputation.

In reality, however, it had already crossed the boundaries of his own status.

If there was nothing suspicious going on, many ministers would not believe it.

Ji Yuntang exchanged words with Nanny An while observing the ministers' expressions with her eyes.

When she saw some people lowering their heads and whispering, she knew her goal had been achieved!

Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words.

Honestly, how many people present would actually buy Nanny An's story?

Ji Yuntang coughed lightly and said to Nanny An, "In that case, since you say it's an allergy, I'll treat the Empress Dowager for an allergic reaction then!"

"It's quite simple—a quick acupuncture session should do the trick. But if anything goes wrong, Nanny An, you will have to bear the responsibility."

After saying this, Ji Yuntang took out her silver needles and prepared to perform acupuncture on the Empress Dowager.

The National Preceptor's expression turned icy. He wanted to intervene but thought better of it.

With so many ministers watching, it would really be hard to explain if he stepped in!

Ji Yuntang walked up to the Empress Dowager and waved the silver needle in front of her eyes.

Before she could even prepare to insert the needle, the next second, she saw the Empress Dowager's eyelashes flutter twice, and she slowly opened her eyes.

She frowned slightly and looked at everyone in confusion. "Why are you all gathered around me?"

"Doctor Yun, what just happened to me? I felt terribly dizzy and suddenly lost consciousness."

Ji Yuntang found it amusing inwardly. All the scenes just now and the content of their conversation—that old hag must have heard everything.

Fearing a wrong needle placement, she miraculously woke up on her own.

Ji Yuntang said, "Just now, Your Highness, you fainted, and Nanny An invited me to treat you."

"Since the Empress Dowager is awake, acupuncture won't be necessary."

A look of relief washed over the National Preceptor's face, and he stepped forward to retrieve his clothes.

He spoke with deference, "Your Highness, I'm glad you're awake. The ministers are all very worried about your health."

The Empress Dowager glanced at him and said seriously, "I'm fine. What matters most now is seeing the Crown Prince to his final rest. Has the funeral procession been fully carried out?"

A responsible official stepped forward to reply, "Reporting to Your Highness, all the rites have been completed. We are now just waiting to escort the Crown Prince's remains to the imperial mausoleum for burial!"

The Empress Dowager sighed and said faintly, "Then what are we waiting for? Since all of you are here, I'll ask you all to take my place and escort the Crown Prince on his final journey!"

"I am not feeling well, so I will not make this trip, to avoid being overwhelmed by memories and grief."

All present chorused in unison, "Yes, Your Highness. As you command."

Just as they formed ranks and escorted the hearse bearing the False Crown Prince to the palace gate, an all-black carriage cut off their path.

The National Preceptor immediately stepped forward and demanded, "Who dares to block the Crown Prince's funeral carriage? Do you not know that stopping at the palace gate is forbidden?"

"Guards! Get rid of him now!"

"Prince Chengxuan is present—who dares to act rashly!" A cold, piercing voice cut through the air. Everyone turned to see a black-robed guard emerge from behind the carriage.

He was tall and imposing, with piercing eyes and a gait that was both light and firm, clutching a black longsword to his chest, radiating an air that warned others to stay away.

The ministers jumped at the mention of "Prince Chengxuan."

As was well known, Prince Chengxuan, Yuan Jiuan, was the most powerful feudal lord in the Xishu Kingdom.

When the Chu clan first conquered the realm and founded the Xishu dynasty, they owed much to the Yuan family's unwavering support.

The Yuan family was affluent, having been merchants for generations with immense wealth. During the founding emperor's campaigns, the Yuan family raised troops, acquired horses, amassed provisions, and supplied military equipment.

Moreover, the Yuan family forged a hundred thousand weapons for the Chu clan, weapons still in use by soldiers today.

Upon ascending the throne, the founding emperor's first act was to reward his meritorious officials. The Yuan family, unsurprisingly, had the greatest military achievements, thereby winning the founding emperor's trust and esteem.

To ensure the people of Xishu never forgot the Yuan family's contributions, the founding emperor even swore brotherhood with the Yuan family head and personally conferred on him the title of Prince Chengxuan, granting him a fief in the Jizhou area of the northwest, with the title hereditary for generations and the authority to purge the court of corrupt officials.

At the time, the founding emperor dispatched the Yuan family to Jizhou to manage the flood crisis there.

Many claimed the founding emperor feared the Yuan family's immense military glory might spark rebellion, so he sent them to the desolate, freezing northwest, far from the capital.

In truth, that wasn't so. In the kingdom's early years, the northwest was plagued by frequent floods and earthquakes, leaving the people in abject misery, struggling to survive.

Choosing who to send to govern Jizhou weighed heavily on the founding emperor's mind.

Though remote, Jizhou was a strategic military point and a border junction between two nations.

Sending an incompetent person as feudal lord would risk losing this vital stronghold and make life even harder for the local people.

Eventually, the Yuan family head learned of the founding emperor's troubles and volunteered to become the feudal lord of Jizhou to help govern the northwest.

The founding emperor repeatedly sought the Yuan family head's opinion, and only when he saw that his resolve was firm did he agree!

Over the years, the Yuan family governed Jizhou in perfect order, transforming it from a place everyone initially resisted as bitter and cold into the prosperous "Little Northwest" that people now yearn for.

The people lived in abundance and peace, laying a solid foundation for the stability of the Xishu court.

The title of Prince Chengxuan was passed down from generation to generation, until now, to Yuan Jiuan.

Although the ministers had never met Yuan Jiuan, they had heard rumors about him.

It was said that he was decisive and ruthless, sinister and bloodthirsty, with harsh methods, commanding three hundred thousand cavalry spread across the entire northwest—a figure not to be trifled with.

But what the ministers did not expect was that the Prince Chengxuan, who had lived in his fief for generations, would now return to the capital and block the Crown Prince's funeral hearse.

They were all baffled, but none dared to step forward.

Seeing this, the National Preceptor frowned and stepped forward to say, "Your Highness, we are following the Empress Dowager's orders to escort the Crown Prince to his burial."

"The deceased comes first. Please have your men move the carriage and make way, so as not to delay the burial time."

No one responded to the National Preceptor. After a long while, a warm and magnetic voice came from inside the carriage.

"The Crown Prince has passed away—such a major event, and yet no one thought to inform me."

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