When Imperial Physician Wei entered the hall again and saw Emperor Xingwu’s appeareance while lying on the dragon couch, he was almost frightened to death.
“My father is ill,” Long Xuan said coldly to Imperial Physician Wei, “You must do your best to treat him. During this time, stay in Changming Hall and don’t worry about anything outside.”
Imperial Physician Wei looked at Long Xuan in astonishment. He even forgot that he was checking Emperor Xingwu’s pulse. Was Long Xuan planning to confine him to Changming Hall and keep Emperor Xingwu’s condition secret from the outside world?
“Master Wei, did you hear what I said?” Long Xuan asked.
“I obey your command,” Imperial Physician Wei hurriedly replied. At this moment, with Emperor Xingwu unconscious, if he didn’t obey Long Xuan’s orders, he would be seeking death.
Long Xuan walked out of the hall and announced to the people outside, “My father is saddened by the matter of Prince Jin and will not see anyone for the time being. Princes and ministers can all retire.”
Among the crowd, those loyal to Long Xuan quickly complied, while those who were not part of Long Xuan’s faction looked at each other in dismay before reluctantly bowing to Long Xuan. Those of them staying in Changming Hall had all seen Emperor Xingwu’s condition. How much longer could Emperor Xingwu hold on in his grief after Luo Wei’s death?
After Long Xuan had people surround Changming Hall, he left and headed for Qingwen Hall.
“Your Highness,” Fuyun greeted Long Xuan as he emerged from Qingwen Hall.
“Leave the palace and go to Duwei Camp,” Long Xuan commanded Fuyun. “Have the Third Prince come to the palace immediately.”
“Yes,” Fuyun hurriedly ran out of the palace.
After returning from his mission to Northern Yan, Luo Ze, the former chief general of the Duwei Army, had been transferred out of the capital by Long Xuan and sent to Shangnan, far away from the capital. Now, the Duwei Army camp was under the control of the Third Prince, Long Xiang. It was the largest of the six military camps in the capital and the most well-equipped in terms of weapons and horses. Fuyun knew that his master was about to make a big move by using this army commanded by his younger brother.
Long Xuan sat in the study, leaning on the desk for a while. He couldn’t calm down now. He told himself that he must not lose control at this time. He should focus on what needed to be done and not think about anything else. Only by doing so could he continue to survive.
“Your Highness?” Consort Chang rushed in and said, “I heard that His Majesty is unwell. Prince Jin has died?”
“Get out!” Long Xuan angrily shouted.
Consort Chang stood still.
“Get out!” Long Xuan looked up, his face livid as he glared at Consort Chang.
Consort Chang was so frightened that she hurriedly turned around and walked out. In her fright, she had forgotten that she, as the legitimate wife of the prince, was not allowed to enter Long Xuan’s study.
Long Xuan took out a decree from the compartment of the desk. It was one he had written and secretly stamped with the imperial seal while Emperor Xingwu was asleep in Changming Hall.
Outside the study, no one dared to stand casually. When their master returned, his face looked as if he was going to kill someone. Everyone feared accidentally being in his line of fire. They knew that following their master could lead to prosperity, but if they died now, it would truly not be worth it.
“Come with me to the East Palace,” Long Xuan said as he emerged from the study after some time, addressing those around him.
“Yes,” they all replied together.
“This decree is to be sent to the Ministry of Justice,” Long Xuan handed a decree to a eunuch beside him. “Tell them that no one from the Zhou family can be spared.”
“I will obey,” the eunuch took the decree and hurried off.
“Also, summon Luo Xiang into the palace,” Long Xuan ordered another eunuch.
This eunuch also took the order and hurried away.
Long Xuan himself walked out of the study. He was going to the East Palace to see his eldest brother.
Prince Long Yu had been under house arrest in the East Palace. With Long Xuan going there, people in Qingwen Hall seemed to smell a hint of blood in the air.
Long Xuan walked to the East Palace alone. He didn’t let anyone follow him as he entered the palace, which was now no different from the cold palace.
Long Yu was talking with the Crown Princess Zhou when Long Xuan pushed open the door and walked in. The Crown Princess was so startled that she spilled her tea all over herself.
“Elder brother,” Long Xuan called out as he stood there.
“Second brother,” Long Yu stood up.
The Crown Princess hurriedly retreated to the inner room.
“Why are you here?” Long Yu asked Long Xuan.
Long Xuan casually sat down on an empty chair and said, “Looks like elder brother has some free time.”
Long Yu stood there and asked Long Xuan, “Has Father issued a decree?”
“Do you really wish for Father to issue a decree?” Long Xuan asked.
“I’ve been waiting anxiously. I don’t want to wait any longer,” Long Yu replied.
Long Xuan said, “Father has just issued a decree. The entire Zhou family will be executed.”
The sound of several women’s voices came from the inner room. Obviously, the Crown Princess was eavesdropping on the conversation between the brothers. Upon hearing that her maternal relatives would not be spared, she fainted.
Long Yu’s face turned pale as he said, “Zhou Ningwen has committed suicide in prison to plead for forgiveness. Why hasn’t Father spared the Zhou family?”
“Because these people are unrepentant,” Long Xuan replied. “They still cling to the dream of your ascension to the throne, thinking they can overturn fate in one fell swoop. How could Father let them go?”
“Is Father planning to depose me?” Long Yu asked.
Long Xuan raised an eyebrow at Long Yu’s calm demeanor and said, “Brother, you’ve been waiting for this day, haven’t you?”
“I want to see Father,” Long Yu said.
“Since Father sent me, it means he doesn’t want to see you yet,” Long Xuan replied.
“Xuan, how do I know if what you’re saying is Father’s intention?” Long Yu questioned.
Long Xuan smirked and said, “Brother, are you doubting my words now?”
“I want to see Father,” Long Yu insisted.
“This is a decree from Father,” Long Xuan handed over the decree he had held all along to Long Yu.
“Since it’s Father’s decree, shouldn’t I kneel to receive it?” Long Yu asked.
“No need,” Long Xuan replied. “There are only the two of us brothers here. Elder Brother, take a look at Father’s decree.” Seeing Long Yu not taking the decree, Long Xuan placed it on the nearby coffee table. “Elder Brother, I also have something to tell you. Luo Wei died in Northern Yan.”
“What?” Long Yu exclaimed, finally showing some emotion. “Did Sima Qingsha really kill Xiao Wei?”
“It was a big fire,” Long Xuan explained. “There was nothing left of Luo Wei’s body.”
Long Yu kept stepped back and fell down on the armchair.
“Wouldn’t it have been better if you had not gone to Xiaoxiang Bamboo Grove?” Long Xuan said to Long Yu. “Perhaps Luo Wei would still be alive today.”
Long Yu sat there, completely stunned.
“You also know how much Father loved Luo Wei. Now that Luo Wei has died in a foreign land, do you know how much Father hates you?” Long Xuan asked Long Yu. “Elder Brother, do you regret stopping Luo Wei back then?”
Long Yu couldn’t even speak.
“I have other matters to attend to. I won’t stay any longer,” Long Xuan said, looking satisfied as he got up to leave.
“Are you leaving now?” Long Yu asked hurriedly as he saw Long Xuan about to leave.
“Luo Wei was a fool,” Long Xuan stood at the door, saying to Long Yu. “He only wanted to ensure your ascension to the throne. Why couldn’t he see that Eldest Brother has no destiny to become Emperor?”
Boundless Dao 
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