In an elegant and quiet room, a white-haired figure was lying on the bed. His face was pale, his eyes seemed to be closed, and his breathing was very weak, like a candle in the wind. He had reached the end of his life.
In front of the bed, a handsome young man crouched, his eyes red, and his expression extremely sad. Behind him stood a middle-aged man in black robes, with an upright body and a solemn face.
"Wen'er." At this moment, a subtle voice came out. Qi Yuan tried his best to open his eyes and looked at the young man in front of him, with a gentle look on his pale face.
Qi Wen's eyes suddenly brightened a little, and he quickly asked: "What do you want to say, father?"
"Before I leave, there are some things that must be dealt with. Help me up," Qi Yuan said in a weak voice.
"Whatever father wants to do, just tell the child to do it. You can rest peacefully in bed." Qi Wen said in a deep voice. He knew that father's time was running out and he must not be too tired, otherwise his life span would be even shorter.
.
"You can't do it." Qi Yuan shook his head gently.
"Father..." Qi Wen's eyes were filled with mist, and his voice seemed to be crying.
"A man won't shed tears easily. Please help your father up quickly." Qi Yuan said with a slightly majestic look on his face.
But even so, Qi Wen still didn't move.
"Grandson, please listen to the prince." Jing Xiu spoke from behind. He knew what the prince wanted to do. If he was not allowed to complete it, he would die with his eyes open.
Qi Wen sighed in his heart, and then helped Qi Yuan's body up from the bed. Qi Yuan said again: "Bring the Yuan Dan."
"I don't agree. Father, you can no longer take the Yuan Dan!" Qi Wen said firmly, as if there was no room for negotiation on this matter.
Qi Yuan looked at him calmly and said: "If you don't want your father to die regretfully, just listen to your father's arrangements and don't disobey."
Seeing the determination in Qi Yuan's eyes, Qi Wen finally relented. A jade bottle appeared in his hand, and he poured out a round, light yellow pill and handed it to Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan took the elixir, and after a while, his complexion became much rosier, his face was radiant, his dull eyes regained their energy, and the aura in his body became stronger. He did not look like a terminally ill person at all.
However, there was no joy at all on Qi Wen's face. Instead, he became even more sad. The Huan Yuan Dan could restore his vitality in a short time, but with Qi Yuan's current body, he simply could not withstand the power of the Huan Yuan Dan. This was tantamount to accelerating his own death.
.
"Let's go to the academy." After saying that, Qi Yuan raised his feet and walked outside, with Qi Wen and Jing Xiu following behind him.
...
In the academy, many figures gathered in the square, forming small circles in twos and threes, seeming to be discussing something.
"I heard that the prince is seriously ill and is in bed. He doesn't have much time left. We will soon be free again."
"The prince has passed away. I'm afraid several princes will compete for the crown prince's position. I don't know which prince can win the favor of the emperor." The fifth prince and the seventh prince are probably going to formally declare war. I don't know what the scene will be."
"The second prince has not returned from abroad, and his life or death is unknown. The third prince has entered the supreme realm, but his talent is not outstanding, so he is unlikely to be selected. The candidate for the prince will probably be chosen among the fifth and seventh princes."
"I think the fifth prince has the greatest possibility. Many members of the royal family are attracted to him and his talents are outstanding. If he sits on the throne, he can consolidate the imperial power. This should be what the emperor wants to see most."
"In terms of talent, the seventh prince is no weaker than the fifth prince, and he has a wide network of friends. He is equally qualified to sit in that position. Don't forget, neither the former emperor nor the emperor is the eldest prince, but in the end..."
Everyone was shocked when they heard this, but they did not continue. If they continued, they might get into trouble. After all, this is the palace, and there are too many informants hidden in the dark.
At this moment, a group of figures came to the square. When they arrived, the sounds in the space suddenly subsided.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the group of figures, headed by two young men, dressed in rich attire, elegant equipment, and exuding an incomparable noble temperament. They were Qi Xian and Qi Min.
"I have met the fifth prince and the seventh prince." Everyone bowed their hands and bowed, their faces very respectful.
"What are you talking about?" Qi Xian glanced at the crowd and asked with a smile.
"Nothing, just chat." One person replied, naturally he didn't dare to tell the truth.
"After a while, you will be able to leave the academy." Qi Xian said with a smile.
There was a strange light in the eyes of the crowd when they heard this. They only dared to say this kind of thing in private, but the fifth prince said it directly in public. It seemed that he didn't care about the prince at all.
"Brother Five Emperors, is it a little inappropriate to say this?" A calm voice came out, making the atmosphere suddenly condensed, and everyone's eyes fell on one person, none other than Qi Min.
Qi Xian also looked at Qi Min and said lightly: "What's inappropriate?"
"The Academy was established by His Highness the Crown Prince. If you want to leave the Academy, you need his permission. No one else has the right to decide. Could it be that the fifth prince has already obtained the Crown Prince's permission?" Qi Min responded with a calm tone.
Qi Xian's pupils shrank, and then he showed an easy-going smile and said: "Seventh brother really understands etiquette, but now that the prince is seriously ill and can no longer take care of the palace, why shouldn't I give orders on his behalf?"
Many people's eyes flickered. The fifth prince claimed to be giving orders on behalf of the prince, which meant that he already regarded himself as the prince.
Qi Min smiled and said: "If Brother Five Emperors thinks he has the right to give orders on behalf of the Crown Prince, I naturally have nothing to say."
"Since you have nothing to say, you don't have to speak. Just watch from the sidelines." Qi Xian's tone was a bit colder, and there was a strong tone in his words, as if he was ordering his subordinates.
Qi Min's face remained calm and he didn't say anything more.
Qi Xian was about to continue saying something when he suddenly sensed something and looked outside the academy. Then he saw a group of figures coming from the air, as fast as lightning, and they arrived above the academy in the blink of an eye.
At this moment, the crowd raised their heads in unison. When they saw the row of figures in the sky, their expressions froze and their hearts beat violently.
Prince, come!
At this time, Qi Xian's face became a little ugly. He stared at the figure wearing a dragon robe in the sky. There was a faint sense of fear in his heart. At the same time, he was a little confused. Isn't he about to die? How could he still come here?
?
"The Fifth Emperor's brother is quite courageous in giving orders on behalf of me." Qi Yuan looked at Qi Xian below and said, with no hint of joy or anger in his voice.
When Qi Yuan's voice fell, many people's expressions changed. Although Qi Yuan's voice was very calm, they felt an imperial majesty from it, and they could not help but feel fear in their hearts.
They had a vague feeling that the prince might punish the fifth prince!