If I were born again, I would marry a strong but short-lived husband.

The second prince was confused and uncertain, and he even considered whether he should ask Concubine Yao to come over.

He was worried that his father would issue an edict while he was not in his right mind, and then even though his father had taught him carefully for so many years, all his efforts would be in vain.

"The emperor has no intention of meeting Concubine Yao." Empress Dowager Qu glanced at the second prince.

The second prince's heart skipped a beat and he looked up in surprise.

I don't know when the emperor woke up. He was leaning on the big pillow, looking at me calmly.

"Father..." The second prince took a few steps forward, his face full of joy.

"I'm fine." The emperor nodded gently, "Let the queen and the fifth prince come in."

Eunuch Fu also walked in with his head lowered, "Your Majesty, all the cabinet ministers are here."

Why summon cabinet ministers?

The second prince's heart was beating like a drum and his expression changed again and again.

The emperor saw the expression on his son's face and felt as if the heavy rock pressing on his heart had become even heavier.

In the past, he taught the Second Prince personally, and he didn't think that he was so unable to restrain his thoughts.

After all, the second prince lived too smoothly. He protected his son too well and he never suffered any setbacks.

It is actually a mistake.

It seems that he is not as responsible as the eldest prince.

Queen Qu arrived very quickly, holding the Fifth Prince's hand. She had been under house arrest for a long time, so long that she thought she would never be able to see the Emperor for the last time in this life.

When she walked into the Yangxin Palace, she saw that the emperor had lost a lot of weight and looked haggard, and she couldn't help sobbing.

"Your Majesty..." Queen Qu was about to pounce on the Emperor.

Queen Mother Qu frowned: "Be careful not to hurt the emperor."

"..." Queen Qu hurriedly stopped and wiped the tears from her eyes, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

The fifth prince also prostrated himself on the ground: "Greetings, father. May your majesty be blessed with good health."

The emperor slowly turned his head to look at the mother and son, then he raised his eyes to look at the five cabinet ministers.

"After my death, the Queen will be named Empress Dowager Shoukang, the Fifth Prince will be named Prince Chengxuan, and Jiangnan will be granted as his fiefdom."

The tears on Queen Qu's face could no longer flow.

Although she knew that the emperor would not let the fifth prince inherit the throne, when Queen Qu heard the decree, she still felt a chill in her heart.

"The Queen Mother is the Grand Empress Dowager Yide."

The second prince's agitated heart finally calmed down gradually.

Queen Mother Qu patted the back of the emperor's hand and said, "Your Majesty, you just took the medicine, you should rest well first."

Now he was afraid that Queen Qu and the Fifth Prince would not have a good end after his death, so he issued an edict in front of the cabinet ministers. What did he do before?

If the Emperor could show half the favor he showed to the Second Prince to the Fifth Prince, the Fifth Prince's temperament would not have become so stubborn and jealous.

Empress Dowager Qu was not interested in future titles.

Anyway, now that she is in this position, no matter which new emperor comes, no one will dare to disrespect her.

"Your Majesty, since we are husband and wife, I dare to ask for your order." Queen Qu knelt down and saluted, her red eyes revealing the sadness in her heart.

"You say." The emperor nodded.

Queen Qu lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, please agree that I will follow the Fifth Prince to his fiefdom in the future. I will never return to the capital until I die."

"..."

The hall suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

How could an empress dowager leave the palace to go to her fiefdom? Queen Qu's request is unprecedented.

How will people in the world talk about the new emperor then?

The second prince's expression was also very ugly.

"Your Majesty, you know me well. I have a bad temper. When Concubine Yao and I become the two Empress Dowagers, there will definitely be constant conflicts. Wouldn't it be very difficult for the new emperor?"

"..."

Several ministers lowered their heads. What the queen said made sense.

The Queen and Imperial Concubine Yao are now enemies, not to mention that they will both be Queen Mothers in the future.

Queen Mother Qu shook her head and chuckled, "Your Majesty, just agree to her request, for the sake of peace in the harem."

"Father..." The second prince stepped forward, trying to stop the emperor from agreeing.

But as soon as he took a step forward, Lord Lin immediately gave him a look.

The second prince stopped suddenly and remembered that the emperor had not yet appointed him as the crown prince, nor had he said that the throne would be passed on to him in the future.

What is he opposing at this time?

The emperor turned to look at Queen Qu, then looked at the Fifth Prince who was still kneeling on the ground.

This child came beyond his expectations, so he did not pay much attention to his youngest son. Now, looking at his still young face, the emperor finally felt a little guilty.

"Okay, I allow you to go to the fiefdom with Xiaowu in the future."

Queen Qu gave a bitter smile and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

When she first entered the palace, she was young and naive, and she admired the majestic and handsome emperor. However, life after entering the palace was not what she had imagined.

The emperor was not close to her. He favored one concubine after another, and except on the first and fifteenth days of the month, he would basically never set foot in her bedroom.

Her gentleness and innocence were gradually worn away.

"I'll take my leave." Queen Qu took the Fifth Prince by the hand. As eagerly as she had been when he came, she was now as cold and heartless.

The emperor was drowsy, and his cloudy eyes met with those of Empress Dowager Qu.

"Mother, are you satisfied with this?" asked the emperor.

Queen Mother Qu said, "I am grateful to the Emperor."

The emperor had no energy to continue speaking, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

"Second Prince, the last time Doctor Zhou treated the emperor, he was obviously getting better. Why has his condition worsened recently?" Empress Dowager Qu asked with a frown.

“Grandmother, your grandson has sent someone to bring back Doctor Zhou. The imperial physician said that the emperor is...is..." The second prince was unable to express how seriously ill he was.

Queen Mother Qu sighed, "Take good care of the emperor and don't be careless."

"Let Concubine Yao take care of the emperor." Empress Dowager Qu said suddenly.

She knew that the Emperor did not ask to release Concubine Yao from her house arrest because he wanted the Queen Mother to make the decision.

What's the point of suppressing Concubine Yao now?

The Second Prince will definitely be the next new emperor. Any attempt to make things difficult for Concubine Yao will only make the Second Prince hate her in the future.

"Thank you, Grandmother." The Second Prince was delighted.

"Go, go and invite Concubine Yao to the Yangxin Palace." The second prince immediately ordered the palace servants.

The second prince stood outside the Yangxin Palace and let out a long breath.

Jiangnan is a wealthy place...just give it to Xiaowu. He is still young anyway and can never achieve anything.

"Second Prince, the envoy from the Southern Dynasty has arrived..."

"Invite them to the Honglu Temple and let the Minister of Rites talk to them." The second prince disagreed.

“Replying to the Second Prince, there are not only envoys, but also...a group of elite female soldiers from the Southern Dynasty, there are...hundreds of people.” The visitor hesitated.

"How can a woman enter the military camp? Ridiculous!" The second prince frowned.

Xie Changyu frowned and said, "Your Highness, the women's army under the command of the Queen of the Southern Dynasty is not inferior to our Thirteen Guards."

The second prince's face finally darkened, "What does Nanchao mean?"

"Their envoy said that this is the standard for welcoming their princess."