Hou Ye's palm heart is a black lotus

Chapter 772 A Tremendous Change (First Update)
"Have you found out where the rumors started?"

Yun Cheng shook his head, "It's not confirmed yet. But this rumor is coming on strong, so it must be manipulated by someone behind it. Prince Jing has been imprisoned, but there are still people working for him, and they have considerable influence. They are indeed not simple."

Everyone says that the fourth prince, Xiao Chenglin, has a leg disability. Not to mention vying for the throne, his life is worse than that of many noble young masters. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he is struggling to make ends meet and living a miserable life.

But when the time actually came, suddenly so many people spoke up for him.

It is clear that he is not as indifferent as he appears on the surface.

"It takes skill to be able to deceive Xiao Chengxuan and live peacefully in the capital for so long," Shen Yanchuan said.

How glorious Xiao Chengxuan used to be!

If Xiao Chengqi hadn't fought his way out on the battlefield, he probably wouldn't have been qualified to compete with him.

No one took Xiao Chenglin seriously, including Xiao Chengxuan.

Xiao Chengxuan probably didn't even know that the person who had harmed him to this extent was none other than Xiao Chenglin, whom he had never cared about before.

"I heard that after Xiao Chengxuan learned of the late emperor's death and the new emperor's ascension to the throne in Yizhou, he even tried to hang himself to be buried with the deceased emperor. Fortunately, he was discovered in time by his guards and was saved. However... after waking up, he seems to have become mentally unstable. He often smashes things in the house and bangs his head against the wall. The day before yesterday, he even took off his clothes and ran around in the rainy courtyard. After being forcibly taken back, he developed a high fever and has been talking nonsense all day long."

Shen Yanchuan lowered his eyelids slightly, gently stroking the teacup with his fingertips, his tone calm and undisturbed.

"It seems he still wants to live."

Yun Cheng nodded. "Whether he's truly insane or feigning madness, his life or death hangs in the balance, depending on the Emperor's decision. Besides this method, he probably has no other options. In comparison, Prince Jing has far more methods."

"Ignore him," Shen Yanchuan said calmly. "At this point, he can't cause any trouble. Send more people to investigate how these rumors started. We can't miss a single one."

Yun Chengyi shuddered, “Yes!”

……

Early that morning, the Princess's residence sent a message requesting Ye Chutang to examine the Princess.

Ye Chutang took Xiao Wu into the carriage, and they soon arrived at their destination.

After walking through the corridor and entering the room, Ye Chutang saw the eldest princess lying on the bed with a haggard face and realized that her health had really deteriorated a lot.

Ye Chutang frowned slightly, turned her head and asked Zhu Xin, "Why didn't you inform me of the Princess's condition earlier?"

Zhu Xin seemed to want to speak but hesitated.

Upon hearing the commotion, the eldest princess slowly opened her eyes and looked over.

Upon seeing Ye Chutang, she gave a pale and weak smile, but the smile quickly faded.

"Chu Tang, you've arrived. Don't blame them; it was I who told them not to bother you."

Ye Chutang came to the bedside, examined the princess's complexion, and then took out a pulse pillow to take her pulse.

The eldest princess shook her head and said softly, "I know my own body, and I really don't want to trouble you in vain."

She sighed softly.

"No matter how good the medical skills are, they can heal the body, but they can't heal the heart, can they?"

Ye Chutang withdrew her hand and looked at her quietly.

Emperor Muwu's death dealt a severe blow to the eldest princess.

Once a person's spirit collapses, their body will soon be unable to withstand it.

"Let me prescribe a medicine for you," Ye Chutang said softly.

The eldest princess smiled and patted her hand, "Okay."

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside.

Along with that came Princess Qinyang's anxious voice.

"Princess!"

She walked briskly all the way and was taken aback when she saw Ye Chutang there. Then she saw the haggard-looking princess.

The eldest princess struggled to sit up, her voice as kind and gentle as ever, "What's wrong? What happened?"

Princess Qinyang's eyes instantly reddened.

"Your Highness, Consort Rong has passed away!"

The eldest princess immediately became anxious, "How could this happen?" Princess Qinyang quickly wiped away her tears, her voice choked with sobs.

"I heard from people in the palace that after the late emperor passed away, Consort Rong was heartbroken and ate very little each day. This morning... she followed the late emperor!"

The eldest princess fell into a long silence, and after a long while, she let out a long sigh.

"Never mind... never mind! Let her be!"

Consort Rong was already in poor health and could not withstand any more stress. When she suddenly heard that Emperor Muwu had passed away, how could she possibly bear it?

Even with the best care from the imperial physicians, it wouldn't last long.

"Poor her, her heart was so devoted, but in the end—"

As the princess spoke, she turned her head and coughed violently again.

Ye Chutang stepped forward and gently patted her back, and it took a while to help her catch her breath.

Princess Qinyang rushed over anxiously, "How are you? Are you feeling unwell?"

The eldest princess waved her hand, "I want to be alone for a while."

Princess Qinyang wanted to say something, but out of the corner of her eye she saw Ye Chutang gently shake her head at her.

Princess Qinyang had no choice but to suppress her inner turmoil and reluctantly retreat.

"Then I won't bother you any longer. Please get some rest."

The princess smiled and touched her cheek. "Good child, go on."

Ye Chutang gave Zhu Xin a few more instructions, and then left with Princess Qinyang.

Princess Qinyang looked back, her eyes filled with worry. After walking a short distance, she couldn't help but ask in a low voice,
"Chu Tang, the Princess's health..."

"She's alright for now." Ye Chutang shook her head. "However, the passing of His Majesty and Consort Rong must have saddened her. She'll need to recuperate properly at home afterward."

Princess Qinyang knew that she was trying to comfort her.

She had seen the princess's expression just now; it was truly unpleasant. Given her advanced age, even the slightest accident could have...

But what's done is done, and there's nothing the others can do.

The only thing I can do is try my best to take good care of her.

Princess Qinyang, filled with melancholy, murmured, "So much has happened these past few days..."

It seems that overnight, everything has changed.

Ye Chutang did not speak, but listened quietly.

The transition between the old and the new is inevitable, and everything was predictable long ago.

But when the moment actually arrives, it's never so easy to accept.

Princess Qinyang lowered her head and gently kicked a small stone away.

"Chu Tang, do you know? I have never met my mother since I was a child. It was the Eldest Princess and Consort Rong who took care of me and doted on me."

In her heart, they were all very, very important people.

Ye Chutang paused for a moment, then said softly, "They must all know the princess's intentions."

Princess Qinyang seemed to be lost in thought.

After a long while, she turned around, her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness.

"Chu Tang, do you know? I knew this day would come, but... I never expected it to be like this."

Ye Chutang looked at her.

"Has the princess heard something again?"

Princess Qinyang's gaze was complicated.

"...Rumors are spreading throughout the capital that Prince Lie is plotting a rebellion, forcing the late emperor to pass the throne to him, and that his ascension to the throne is illegitimate. It is said that the officials are outraged and determined to demand an explanation."

"Are you aware of this matter?"