Chapter 247: Chapter 246 Grand FuneralHe Hongzhao naturally did everything for him.


    She studied vocal techniques overnight and by early morning, she had successfully changed Han Chen’s voice.


    Han Chen, disguised as Zhang Tai, moved among the Imperial Army.


    Qi Wuya tidied himself up and went to attend court.


    In the court,


    The civil and military officials were arguing.


    One side advocated for Qi Wuya to ascend the throne as Emperor.


    The other side argued to wait until the Crown Prince regained consciousness.


    "The nation cannot go a day without a sovereign, especially as Beiqi is currently facing both internal and external troubles. We hope Ninth Prince will shoulder this great responsibility of Beiqi!"


    "Yu Shenzi, the Crown Prince was appointed by the late Emperor. It’s only been a few days since the late Emperor passed, and you are already clamoring for changing the succession, which is highly disrespectful."


    "Imperial Censor Ma, your words are misplaced. Rules are dead, but people are alive. If the Crown Prince remains unconscious for a year or half, are we to wait for him that long? We can afford to wait, but Beiqi cannot!"


    "Mr. Liu, be careful with your words! You are cursing the Crown Prince!"


    "By your argument, if Ninth Prince ascends the throne, then what should be done when the Crown Prince wakes up tomorrow? A nation indeed cannot go a day without a sovereign, but a nation also cannot have two sovereigns."


    ...


    The arguing voices continued incessantly.


    Qi Wuya sat in the seat to the left of the dragon chair, silent.


    He drank tea and watched them quarrel.


    Of course, his gaze occasionally turned to the palace doors: Why hadn’t the Eldest Princess arrived yet? Why hadn’t General Huo come either?


    "How does Prime Minister Xue see this?"


    "Why does Grand Tutor not say a word?"


    "Where is Governor Zhang?"


    "Why hasn’t General Huo come?"


    ...


    The Four Great Families held the greatest power of speech.


    Their silence left the civil and military officials puzzled: What did this mean? Were they supporting the Crown Prince or Ninth Prince?


    The discussion gradually subsided.


    They couldn’t make heads nor tails of the argument in the end.


    Great General Huo Dingyuan did not attend.


    The other three of the Four Great Families remained silent.


    The court meeting disbanded quickly.


    The anticipated coup did not occur.


    Qi Wuya returned to Taian Palace, and only upon asking Han Mo did he find out that General Huo had gone to Man Mountain that morning to exhume and examine a body.


    "Oh, that is good news."


    He smiled and sat on the couch, anticipating what would follow.


    "Cough, cough, cough—"


    A severe coughing sound came from the side hall.


    Qi Wuya heard the sound and frowned slightly but said nothing.


    He knew he should go see her and say something caring.


    He also knew that He Hongzhao was eagerly waiting to hear him say something caring.


    He Hongzhao had only been there a day and had completed many tasks for him, which justified a few caring words from him.


    But he did not want to see her.


    Perhaps he did not like her; when it wasn’t about interests, he did not even want to feign politeness.


    He really was a cold-hearted person.


    Seeing him motionless, Han Mo almost felt sorry for him: "Mr. Jiu, Miss He had a hard night and collapsed after you went to court. She has just woken up."


    Qi Wuya coldly uttered one word: "Oh."


    He still showed no intention of visiting her.


    He merely instructed a palace attendant, "Cook some egg custard, um, and warm a cup of milk to take to her."


    The palace attendant bowed and complied, "Yes, Ninth Prince."


    They all knew the sickly person in the side hall was a valued guest of Ninth Prince; they took great care of her.


    Knowing she feared the cold, the floor heating in Taian Palace was kept at its highest.


    Qi Wuya felt hot.


    He reviewed petitions, tearing open his robe, feeling the palace overheated.


    "Cough, cough, cough—"


    The coughing from the side hall persisted.


    Palace attendants intermittently carried hot water in and out.


    The water that went in clean came out as bloody.


    Her symptoms of coughing up blood were worsening.


    The blood-stained handkerchiefs and clothing faintly emitted a putrid smell.


    Much like the life of He Hongzhao.


    Merely enduring, continually decaying.


    From the inside out.


    Qi Wuya had them burn more incense.


    Finally, the scent of incense suppressed the putrid smell.


    This allowed him to maintain an elegant smile and show concern in her presence.


    "Hongzhao, you look spirited today."


    He lifted her into a wheelchair, pushing her outside to bask in the sun.


    He Hongzhao was very happy.


    Even though the sun shined on her, it was still very cold.


    She shivered uncontrollably.


    He saw this, pulled off his snow-white cloak, and draped it over her.


    "Are you still cold?"


    "Much better."


    She tightened his cloak around her and inhaled his scent—the strong sun, the spring breeze, warm yet refreshing, which intoxicated her.


    She closed her eyes, wanting to savor it, but she began to cough violently, "Cough cough cough..."


    She grabbed her handkerchief and covered her mouth tightly, fearing that the blood she might cough up would stain his cloak.


    He was so pure; she couldn’t bear to see him dirtied.


    Qi Wuya didn’t mind her small gesture and continued to gaze at the sunlight, murmuring softly, "Hongzhao, your timing is unfortunate. When spring arrives, I’ll take you to enjoy it. Spring in Man Mountain is particularly beautiful—endless flowers and grass, swathes of black horses and white sheep, a scene brimming with vitality. You’ll definitely like it."


    Just the thought made He Hongzhao like it already.


    How could she not, when she was with him?


    But could she even make it to spring?


    Every organ in her body hurt.


    It hurt like being set on fire.


    She agonized in the fierce fire, tears streaming down, wanting to reach out her hand and say, "Wuya, hold me. I’m in so much pain."


    But she was coughing too hard to speak.


    Qi Wuya had no choice but to help her back to her room and brought her a cup of ginseng tea, feeding her a few sips.


    "Thank... thank you."


    She collapsed back onto the bed, listless and barely alive.


    He sat by the bedside, holding her hand, coaxing her like a child, "Hongzhao, bear with it a little longer. It’ll be over soon."


    He Hongzhao didn’t respond; her hand dropped.


    He was startled and instinctively checked her breathing—it was almost imperceptible.


    This person was indeed close to death.


    Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow.


    He thought coldly.


    Of course, a fleeting sense of pity crossed his mind, but that was all.


    Everyone must die.


    With her frail body, death would be a release.


    As long as she held on until he ascended the throne, he would ensure she had a grand burial.


    "Wuya—"


    She suddenly called his name.


    Suddenly, she wanted to call out to him.


    "Wuya, cough cough cough, Wuya—"


    She wanted to call out a few more times.


    No hierarchy.


    No entangled interests.


    Could they just be ordinary friends or lovers in this moment?


    That name hadn’t been called for a long time.


    Qi Wuya’s response was slow, and after catching his bearings, he grunted, "Hmm?"


    "Cough cough cough—" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He Hongzhao reined in her overflowing emotions and asked, gasping, "Why... why haven’t I seen Qing Wu?"


    Qi Wuya, reminded by her inquiry, recalled her little maid, "Isn’t she by your side?"


    He Hongzhao said, "She should have been back by now."


    During her time in Quanzhou, when she was discovered medicating He Ying, she sent Qing Wu ahead to seek help.


    By rights, she should have been by his side by now.


    "I haven’t seen her."


    Qi Wuya, not particularly interested in this person, replied noncommittally, "If you like her, I’ll have someone look for her later."


    He Hongzhao agreed, "Better have a look for her. She’s been by my side for many years and has learned half of my medical skills. That should be sufficient for you."


    Qi Wuya, "..."


    So she was her half successor.


    That might be of some value.


    He signaled Han Mo with his eyes to look for the person.


    Han Mo took the command and left.


    The side hall quieted down.


    He Hongzhao, feeling drowsy, soon jerked awake, her mouth unexpectedly shouting another name.


    "Sang Yan!"


    This name made Qi Wuya’s heart race.


    He suddenly realized that He Hongzhao had just returned from Quanzhou and had seen Sang Yan.


    How was Sang Yan now?


    Had she gained or lost weight?


    What was she busy with?


    Had she mentioned him?


    So many curiosities.


    He clenched his fist, striving to appear calm, and probed, "Hongzhao, you haven’t told me about your time in Quanzhou. How was your stay? What happened there?"