son, don't mess around

On the dragon bed, Li Cining's voice was extremely weak.

He spoke with great difficulty, his slightly trembling voice carrying a hint of composure, as if he had long been prepared to accept it.

Hearing this, Lin Jiangnian's heart sank.

Anyone with eyes can see that this emperor's time is coming to an end.

His body had reached its limit, and he had only managed to hold on until now thanks to the medicine Li Piaomiao brought from Ruyi Tower. But the effects of medicine are ultimately limited, and when the medicine stops working, it means the end of his life.

This is precisely the situation facing the emperor right now.

However, Lin Jiangnian still didn't quite understand.

"Your Majesty, what exactly is wrong with your health?"

Li Cining, who was radiant just two days ago, has deteriorated to this state in just a few days.

This is very unusual!
Even a last gasp of life wouldn't end like this.

What exactly went wrong?

"I should have died long ago!"

Li Cining lay on the dragon bed, his voice weak: "If it weren't for the medicine that Piaomiao brought from Ruyi Tower, I'm afraid I would have already..."

"Even so, I can't hold on much longer. I have a premonition that my days are numbered, but..."

At this point, Li Cining's voice became more somber: "They must not know about my health condition. Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Lin Jiangnian didn't speak, but he naturally knew who Li Cining was referring to when he said "they".

"However, I cannot hide my condition for long; they will find out sooner or later. Once they realize that my days are numbered, they will surely harbor rebellious thoughts. At that time, the court will surely fall into chaos. My Great Ning Dynasty will probably be plunged into an even greater disaster... cough cough cough..."

At this point, Li Cining coughed violently again. He covered his mouth with a silk cloth, and when he removed it, the cloth was covered in bright red blood.

Li Cining's face turned even paler. "Rather than waiting to die, I shall strike first!"

"Now, they all believe that I am in good health. As long as I am alive, they dare not make any rash moves."

"And this is also our best opportunity..."

At this point, Li Cining suddenly looked at Lin Jiangnian: "Brother-in-law, our...time is running out!"

Lin Jiangnian's heart skipped a beat.

At that moment, he seemed to understand something from Li Cining's eyes.

"His Majesty……"

Lin Jiangnian opened his mouth as if to say something, but then he heard Li Cining's weak voice again.

"Ahem... I already knew about your plan with Piaomiao..."

Lin Jiangnian's pupils contracted, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Then, things returned to calm.

"What does Your Majesty know?"

“She is ethereal…”

Li Cining looked enlightened and said in a hoarse voice, "He is my best choice."

"She was the heir chosen by Father Emperor back then. Her elusive personality, abilities, and methods all matched Father Emperor's ideal candidate..."

"Unfortunately, Father Emperor ultimately did not set a precedent!"

A bitter smile appeared on Li Cining's face, tinged with regret. He slowly looked at Lin Jiangnian: "My days are numbered, but I have no sons. Once I pass away, I don't know who will inherit the throne."

"My several good brothers are all eyeing my throne. However, none of them can hold onto it securely, especially my third brother..."

Li Cining's eyes held a deep sense of dread: "My third brother has sided with Xu Hong for personal gain, hoping to use Xu Hong's troops to usurp the throne of Da Ning. But he has forgotten that Xu Hong has long coveted the throne of Da Ning..." "My third brother is nothing but a tool used by Xu Hong, a puppet bound by his will. Xu Hong is ambitious, and he will surely try to steal the throne of Da Ning."

"I cannot be a ruler who brings about the downfall of his country!"

Li Cining's voice grew increasingly hoarse, yet remained extremely firm.

"Therefore, for the sake of the Great Ning Kingdom, for the foundation laid by our ancestors, and for the peace and prosperity of all the people under heaven..."

"Piaomiao is the best choice!"

"My father dared not set this precedent before, so now, I will be the one to set it!"

Li Cining spoke with a firm voice, looking at Lin Jiangnian with a glint of light in his eyes: "Brother-in-law, I know that you and Piaomiao had this plan all along, right?"

Lin Jiangnian remained silent. Facing Li Cining's sharp gaze, he paused for a moment, then nodded.

Li Cining seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on her pale face.

"I knew it! My brother-in-law wouldn't let me down!"

As she laughed, Li Cining suddenly coughed violently again.

After his cough subsided, he clutched his chest and said, "A few months ago, Piaomiao went to the front lines. Now, Piaomiao has established a firm foothold in the army and is gradually gaining control of the imperial military."

"On the court's side, I specifically persuaded Chancellor Zhao, but that's far from enough..."

Li Cining looked at Lin Jiangnian, her voice filled with deep worry: "It is already difficult for a woman to become emperor. My time is limited, so I can only help Piaomiao clear away the obstacles in front of her."

"The obstacles ahead are still numerous. The power of officials in the court, the various noble families across the land, and even the common people... Every step you take will be extremely dangerous."

“Brother-in-law, from now on, I entrust Piaomiao to you… and I also entrust the empire of the Great Ning Dynasty to you…”

silence.

When the current emperor entrusted the throne of the Great Ning Dynasty to him, Lin Jiangnian was somewhat dazed.

He certainly understood the weight of those words!
what does this mean?
This signifies trust, and also means that if Lin Jiangnian were to rebel in the future, he could be replaced at any time.

Now, no one in the world can stop the Prince Lin's mansion.

What kind of trust is this?
Lin Jiangnian remained silent, gazing at Li Cining on the dragon bed: "Your Majesty, do you trust me that much?"

A smile appeared on Li Cining's face: "Why wouldn't I believe you?"

"When I first met my brother-in-law, I was extremely impressed with him. It's a pity I didn't meet him earlier..."

"I wanted to enjoy a drink with my brother-in-law... but alas, it's all too late..."

The lighthearted tone only made the atmosphere heavier.

After a long silence, Lin Jiang shook his head: "Everyone in this world changes. So, I can't guarantee you anything."

As if he had anticipated this situation, Li Cining gave a bitter smile: "I naturally knew, but I had no choice... Therefore, I trust my brother-in-law and I also trust Piaomiao. After all, Piaomiao's judgment of people has always been very accurate."

"Since she chose you, you certainly won't let her down..."

Lin Jiangnian remained silent.

"Furthermore..."

At this moment, Li Cining spoke again in a weak voice.

"If, if... in the future, brother-in-law, you really do have the idea of ​​replacing me..."

Li Cining looked at Lin Jiangnian. Her eyes were smiling, and her expression was calm, as if she were recounting an ordinary matter.

"I believe that my brother-in-law will also be a good emperor!"

"..." (End of this chapter)