Wenn Shu must not die, if he holds on, he still has a chance.

"Your Majesty, as long as I’m alive, I will never let them near you."

The Emperor was moved. At such a moment of life and death, having such a loyal minister, how could he not be touched? He never expected that the usually sly Prime Minister would have such an honorable son.

"Father, your son arrived late to save you."

Just as Wenn Shu was barely holding on, and the Emperor was in despair, the voice of Jing Xiyu sounded from outside. Many people quickly rushed in, promptly clearing out the traitors inside, and Jing Yunzhou was captured alive.

Jing Xiyu, looking pale, was supported in, shaking as if he might collapse at any moment. The Emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at the blood-covered Wenn Shu and shouted, "Quickly summon the Imperial Physician to treat Minister Wenn."

He decided that from now on, Wenn Shu would guard outside his bedchamber so he could sleep peacefully without fear of such an incident occurring again; this young man was trustworthy.

Jing Xiyu gave a deep look at Wenn Shu, with a fleeting smile on his face that went unnoticed by everyone. Smart people make things easier; he wasn’t a fan of unnecessary bloodshed.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Jing Xiyu walked up to the Emperor. "Father, I had a dream where assassins intruded into the palace, I couldn’t shake off the worry. Remembering your serious illness, I felt guilty for not visiting due to poor health. My unsettled mind led me to come overnight to visit, but I was stopped at the palace gate. Sensing something wrong, I contacted the General of Cavalry to borrow men and stormed in. Please forgive me, Father..."

The Emperor was digesting his words, yet before he could react, Jing Xiyu suddenly collapsed, leaving him little time for other thoughts.

This son had been ill for so long; if not for genuine concern, he wouldn’t have dragged his sick body in here, even risking storming the palace gate.

Such a trivial matter was nothing to hold against him.

If he hadn’t come, things might have ended here.

"Summon the Imperial Physician, hurry and call the Imperial Physician!"

After the Imperial Physician’s diagnosis, it was discovered that Jing Xiyu hadn’t slept well, his nerves were taut and he was exhausted. Regardless, he advised the Emperor not to let him continue like this.

The Emperor had no doubts about Jing Xiyu, feeling regret that such an outstanding son was frail; otherwise, he’d immediately appoint him as the Crown Prince.

Jing Yunzhou was ordered by the Emperor to be imprisoned for life in the Imperial Mausoleum. Wenn Shu made great contributions, and since Wenn Qiuyu was of the Wenn Family, the Emperor regarded her kindly. Upon learning she was unaware of the situation and barely interacted with Jing Yunzhou in the past two years, he felt no estrangement.

Now, Wenn Qiuyu lived alone in the spacious mansion, her life vastly improved. She had already planned to adopt a child from her family when the time was right without Jing Yunzhou’s interference.

This time, she had bet correctly.

After the Emperor sorted out everything, he received news from the newly arrived Imperial Physician that Jing Xiyu had been poisoned.

"It must be that treacherous son!" The Emperor didn’t even consider investigating, the situation was obvious, "I’ve praised the seventh son several times, and he’s held a grudge."

Jing Xiyu’s poison was cured, and his health gradually improved.

In just a few days, the Emperor discovered that his health was worsening. Knowing he didn’t have much time left, he asked the new Imperial Physician to examine him, which confirmed he was poisoned too.

He arranged for people to severely punish Jing Yunzhou, observed Jing Xiyu, and found the child hadn’t harbored such thoughts, thus formally appointed Jing Xiyu as the Crown Prince.