Rebirth: I Became The Villain's Dark Moon Chapter 181: Grabbing the Chancellor's Authority - Novel Cool

Chapter 181: Grabbing the Chancellor's Authority

Chapter 181: Grabbing the Chancellor's Authority

Lu Yuan was not one to let his emotions cloud his judgment. He paused for only a moment before leaving the Zhuang He Pavilion with a cold expression.

At that moment, everyone was gathered outside the pavilion, discussing the Retired Emperor's illness with great concern.

The plague was highly contagious and incurable, causing panic among the crowd.

Zong Zhengxi was also flustered, but his worry was not for himself; it was for the Retired Emperor's safety.

Xun Prime Minister and Yan Niangzi were among the few who remained composed.

Lu Yuan approached Xun Prime Minister and spoke calmly, "Prime Minister, do you have any instructions?"

Before Xun Prime Minister could respond, Lu Yuan continued, "If not, I will take charge of handling the plague with the Emperor."

This was the first time Lu Yuan had openly challenged Xun Prime Minister's authority, both privately and publicly.

Everyone turned to look at Lu Yuan in unison.

Is he courting death?

He's challenging the Prime Minister!

You have less military power, less experience, and less prestige. Even the civil and military officials in the court overwhelmingly support the Prime Minister.

Yan Niangzi fanned herself with a handkerchief, "He's taking on the plague too? He's fearless. Go ahead and play, I'm leaving. I don't want to catch the plague!"

"You probably won't be able to leave."

Lu Yuan spoke sternly, "Everyone who has come into contact with the Retired Emperor must remain in the Zhuang He Pavilion."

Yan Niangzi was furious, "Why?"

"By the Emperor's decree."

Zong Zhengxi emerged with an air of authority.

Yan Niangzi rolled her eyes, "Hmph."

Lu Yuan turned to the princes, who quickly waved their hands.

The Fifth Prince spoke, "We haven't touched the Retired Emperor! Only Wanping Princess has!"

Wanping Princess, with a blank expression, walked towards the Zhuang He Pavilion, "I'll stay. I'll keep my father company."

Zong Zhengxi looked at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan said, "Prepare a room for Wanping Princess."

The Zhuang He Pavilion had a main hall and two side halls. The Retired Emperor's main hall was sealed off, so Wanping Princess and her attendants temporarily stayed in the east side hall, while the imperial physicians and eunuchs stayed in the west side hall.

Additionally, guards had to be arranged for multiple layers of protection.

But they had to be people he trusted, and who trusted him.

The Second Prince signaled to his attendant, who smiled and asked, "Grand Commander, can our prince leave now?"

Lu Yuan replied, "The Prime Minister and the princes may leave, and Your Majesty need not stay here either."

Zong Zhengxi sat on the doorstep, "I won't leave. I'll wait for my father to wake up."

The Second Prince hurriedly advised, "Your Highness, the country's stability is of utmost importance."

If you don't leave, how can we?

Zong Zhengxi turned to Xun Prime Minister, "Xun, I entrust the affairs of the state to you for these few days."

Lu Yuan had just taken the opportunity to handle the plague from Xun Prime Minister, and now he was making up for the Prime Minister's oversight in governing the country, saving face for both sides.

Zong Zhengxi was taken aback.

Wasn't this the very principle of governance Lu Yuan had taught him?

Xun Prime Minister bowed respectfully, "This subject shall obey Your Majesty's decree!"

After Xun Prime Minister left, Lu Yuan asked Zong Zhengxi to summon the Jinwu Guard.

"The Jinwu Guard?" Zong Zhengxi was perplexed, "Although the Jinwu Guard is also part of the Jinwei Army, after the Retired Emperor's ascension, they were gradually separated. The Jinwu Guard rarely enters the palace. Are you sure you want to summon them?"

"I am," Lu Yuan replied.

The Jinwei Army and the Jin Yi Wei were not on good terms, and when Lu Yuan was in charge of the Jin Yi Wei, he had clashed with the Jinwei Army many times.

There were reasons for separating the Jinwu Guard, and although they might not follow Lu Yuan's orders, they at least held no hostility towards him.

Zong Zhengxi thought it over and agreed that summoning the Jinwu Guard was the right decision.

An hour later, the Jinwu Guard, clad in armor, entered the palace with solemn expressions.

Han Ci knelt on one knee and saluted, "I, along with my brothers of the Jinwu Guard, pay our respects to Your Majesty and the Grand Commander!"

Lu Yuan smiled slightly, "Han Ci, you're here."

Zong Zhengxi suddenly realized, "So it's because of General Han."

Han Ci accompanied Lu Yuan on the northern expedition, and they shared a deep bond, making him more reliable than any Jinwei Army soldier.

Lu Yuan helped Han Ci up and patted his shoulder, "You're already the Shang Jiangjun of the Jinwu Guard. I knew I didn't misjudge you."

"Grand Commander, the battle is finally over."

"You're wrong. The real battle is just beginning. When we return to the capital, there will be a tough fight without the sight of beacon fires and gunpowder smoke. Han Ci, you must enter the Jinwu Guard and take control as quickly as possible."

"Can I... never return to the Grand Commander's side again?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"When I need you."

Han Ci asked, "Is it that time now?"

...

Inside the main hall, Meng Qianqian was deeply engaged in discussing the treatment of the plague with several imperial physicians.

There were five imperial physicians in the hall—Yang Yuan Shi, Zuo Yuan Pan, Hu Yuan Pan, and the two who had been rather rude to her earlier, Li Taishi and Liang Taishi.

Hu Yuan Pan suggested using Yuebi Decoction.

Meng Qianqian shook her head. "It's not the right prescription."

Li Taishi scoffed, "What do you know?"

Yang Yuan Shi asked Meng Qianqian, "What are the ingredients in Yuebi Decoction?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "Mahuang, licorice, fine stone, ginger, and jujube."

Yang Yuan Shi stroked his beard, "That's correct, but why is it not the right prescription?"

Meng Qianqian explained, "According to the symptoms, 'Wind and water, aversion to wind, swollen body, floating pulse without thirst, continuous sweating, no high fever,' Yuebi Decoction is the recommended treatment. However, the Retired Emperor's pulse and symptoms don't quite match. It can provide some relief, but the effect will be minimal."

Li Taishi glared at her, "You little girl, how dare you speak so arrogantly!"

Zuo Yuan Pan paused, "What about Mahuang Decoction?"

Meng Qianqian shook her head, "Mahuang, Guizhi, Apricot Kernel, and Licorice. It's still not enough."

Zuo Yuan Pan hesitated, "This..."

Meng Qianqian spoke up, "Actually, you all have a prescription in mind, but it's too aggressive, and you dare not use it."

Zuo Yuan Pan cleared his throat.

Yang Yuan Shi sighed and was about to speak when Meng Qianqian beat him to it, "Use Dalinglong Decoction."

Dalinglong Decoction is a combination of Mahuang Decoction and Yuebi Decoction, and due to the large dosage of Mahuang, its effects are extremely potent.

The Retired Emperor was old and couldn't withstand its potency.

Using Yuebi Decoction or Mahuang Decoction could sustain him for three to five days, but a single bowl of Dalinglong Decoction might send him to his grave by tonight.

Li Taishi's face turned pale with fear, "You... you want to kill the Retired Emperor?"

Liang Taishi also spoke up, "Do you realize that if you treat the Retired Emperor to his death, we might all be punished for it? I disagree!"

Li Taishi added, "I disagree too!"

The plague was incurable, and keeping the Retired Emperor alive for three to five days was already a great effort on their part. But if he were to pass away tonight, it would be as if they had killed him with their medicine.

Meng Qianqian stood up, "Your opinions differ from mine. Whether the Retired Emperor can hold on for three to five days is meaningless to me. If he passes away, my husband will have to pay with his life."

Li Taishi asked, "Can't he live a few more days?"

Meng Qianqian ignored him and turned to write the prescription.

Li Taishi panicked and said to Yang Yuan Shi, "Prefect Yang, stop her!"

Meng Qianqian wrote while speaking, "I've knocked out several of you. This prescription is my decision alone, and none of you will be implicated if something goes wrong. I'll take full responsibility."

The double votes have finally arrived, and everyone can clear their monthly votes. Don't waste them!

(End of Chapter)

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