The Empress is Dead

In the wee hours of the morning even before a speck of light of the sun can be seen in the horizon, the capital's market of Gonglu country is already bustling with activities as vendors started setting up their stalls. Unlike store owners, they don't have designated area so they have to come early to be able to occupy the most advantageous spots.

On this rowdy atmosphere, one topic is being discussed. Apparently one vendor who has a relative who work at the Right Prime Minister's residence shared to him that the Right Prime Minister Han was attacked last night. When the servants woke him up, they discovered that he was unresponsive. But they confirmed that he is still alive because of the rise and fall of his ċhėst as proof of him breathing. They tried to shake him awake thinking that with his age, it won't be a surprise that he would be more tired compared to when he was still young.

Unfortunately it was not effective. Realizing that the matter is not as simple as they thought to be, they finally called the Resident Physician. To their dread, the physician wasn't able to diagnose the Right Prime MInister's condition. To add more to their misery, the physician even added his own theory that he may be poisoned with the same poison used on his majesty the emperor. Stating that they have the same symptoms.

This news caused a huge commotion in the residence that even the servants and guards learned about it. One of the servant then shared it to his vendor relative who coincidentally dilivered some of his goods, mainly grains and beans to the kitchen. This then lead to the current situation in the market.

Some were sceptical but majority believed the news to be true. Especially the part stating that it was the same poison as the emperor's. Wave of discussion then ensue until they open the topic of the sixth prince's 

imprisonment. Some questioned if he was behind this as well. But a stronger argument arose, saying that it was impossible since the sixth prince doesn't have any influence in the court. Thus he has no ability to extend his hand outside the imperial prison. Even before the emperor was poisoned, he had no support. Even the emperor's faction didn't support him seeing that they quickly took him off the throne just because the citizen wanted them to. Even choosing the emperor's previous enemy instead.

This argument caused a stir on the citizen's heart. Previously they felt like they were on the side of justice when they criticized the sixth prince thinking that he had a clear motive. But now, as if their clouded mind finally saw the light, they realized how he is uncapable to do such act against the emperor who is not only smarter but also way stronger both physically and in infuence.

As the crowd decended in self reproach, someone fearlessly voiced out, "Don't you all think that everything that happened is too convinient for the fifth prince? Not only the emperor's poisoning, even the sixth prince's imprisonment, they are too coincidental. He was able to take hold of the throne like he was walking on a paved path." Like a splash of cold water on a boiling oil, these words cause a huge explosion on the listener's mind and heart. Some of them even loudly reproarch themselves for not realizing such obvious clue.

Lin Xulian could only look coldly as the crowd started criticising Feng Jun Yun as if he was not the beloved gentlemanly prince in their hearts. He had a good image in front of the citizen because he put a lot of effort in emphasizing that he was the complete opposite of his good for nothing full blood brother, the second prince. Thus amplifying his charm points causing him to be excluded in the emperor's poisoning culprit. But her suggestive words completely washed those decades of efforts to drain. She could only smirk in disdain both towards the fifth prince and these people. They were quick to sing a different tune making her feel worse for the sixth prince's sake.

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Back in the Right Prime Minister's residence, both of the Right Prime Minister Han's two sons along with their families arrived at his courtyard as soon as they heard the news of their father's incident. The eldest and also Han Yimei's father brought both his first and second wife. The first looked wan and sallow but not because she was worried about her father-in-law. She is already at this state ever since her only daughter was sent to the nunnery. To make things worse, her husband who never had a concubine for two decades suddenly brought home a pregnant woman from who knows where who is even younger that their child. All the heartbreak caused her health and beauty to deteriorate. Even if someone dies, she could no longer look any sadder not because she is already numb, but because she is already at her limit.

The second wife however looked sad and worried while rubbing her husband's arm soothingly. She isn't faking it truthfully. She really is worried that something might happen to the patriarch. Unlike the first wife, she understood her husband more. Her child is still on her wȯmb. If the patriarch dies right now it is obvious that the position of the heir will go to the second master's son which would make them the branch family. Her unborn child won't get a chance to compete. Then all her dreams in raising to nobility will disappear.

The second master only brought his sixteen year old son. His wife just gave birth to their daughter days ago so he didn't let her come.

The two masters, attention is on the physician. They listened attentively and pale at the same time hearing that their father might have been poisoned with the same thing that was used on the emperor. The gear on the eldest master rapidly turned. It is known that the emperor remained unconscious and the chance of waking up is slim, almost none. If his father suffer this fate at such critical time, he can only say goodbye to his position in the family.

It is known that he was only regarded as the next patriarch because his daughter was believed to be the next empress and his future grandson may become the next emperor. Unfortunately that didn't happen. On top of it, he is also mediocre. He is only a minor official despite his father's high position. His brother on the other hand, although also a mediocre minor official, has a promising son who is able to enter the top five in the imperial exams. His wife, despite not being a noble, is from a wealthy merchant family with a good head in business. She brought substantial amout of dowry consisting of ten large shops, several ċhėst of gold and jewelries and precious art pieces. Making them overpower the main residence financially.

Despite also dabbling in business, eldest master Han's ability just isn't there. Even the elders of the family couldn't understand how underachieving he is despite having the same blood as the Right Prime Minister. He also unlucky in terms of his offsprings.

Eldest master Han looked at his second wife's bulging belly deep in thought. Although she is just a concubine born from an even lower official than himself, at least she is able to concieve a son for him. This child is his only hope. His first wife on the other hand was even abandoned by her family after their daughter lost her reputation. They were afraid that they might get implicated. But he knew they only wanted to distance themselves because they moved to the fifth prince faction. He honestly also want to defect but he doesn't have anything on his name to prove his worth. He plans to wait until he take over the Han family's power first.. He won't let this slip off his fingers no matter what.