they would be reported to the authorities, facing at least thirty lashes as punishment, and potentially imprisonment in severe cases.And the Qin Empire's household registration system was extremely s...Chapter 27: Make Time

The Great Emperor glared at Zhao Xuanji, he gasped a few times before signaling for Zhao Xuanji and the others to leave.

After Zhao Xuanji withdrew, the great emperor turned to Li Chen and said with difficulty: “You, hurry up.”

After finishing his words, the Great Emperor coughed violently.

His lungs were like a bellows, wheezing with terrifying rasps. Li Chen immediately called for the imperial physician.

The imperial physician gave the emperor two acupuncture injections and then took a dose of medicine before bowing to Li Chen and saying, "Your Highness, the Emperor has fallen asleep again."

Li Chen looked at the emperor lying on the dragon bed, his face as pale as paper, and felt a chill in his heart. Remembering the last words the emperor had spoken to him, he whispered, "Father Emperor, how much time is left"

The imperial physician wore a grave expression and said, "Your Highness, allow me to speak bluntly. If this were someone else, with the Emperor's condition, he would have likely given up by now. He is currently clinging to life solely by his willpower. When that willpower fades, it will be beyond saving...at most, no more than three or five months."

A strong sense of urgency arose within Li Chen as he pressed, "Three to five months Can't even last half a year"

The imperial physician hurried forward and knelt down, saying: "Your humble servants will definitely do our utmost, but sometimes all we can do is our best and leave the rest to fate."

With a sigh, Li Chen said, "This palace understands. Everything is up to the imperial physicians now."

"We, your humble servants, dare not claim any credit for what we have done within our sphere of duty."

Stepping out of the Qianyuan Palace, Li Chen looked up and saw Zhao Xuanji standing motionless with his hands by his side outside the hall.

Others had already left, Zhao Xuanji was still here, naturally waiting for Li Chen.

"Prime Minister."

"Your Highness."

They looked at each other, each suppressing the murderous intent they felt toward the other.

Just now, how sincere was the chief minister's guarantee before the emperor Li Chen said calmly.

Zhao Xuanji said calmly, "Words from the heart are naturally very sincere."

Li Chen smiled and said, "Then I'll trouble the chief minister."

Zhao Xuanji bowed and said, “This old minister takes his leave.”

They exchanged a few pointless remarks that seemed utterly meaningless and failed to address the recent events at the Eastern Palace.

But Zhao Xuanji deliberately waited for Li Chen, and these two sentences between them were tacitly understood as ending the matter of the East Palace.

If Zhao Xuanji hadn't waited for Li Chen, or if Li Chen had ignored Zhao Xuanji, then it would prove that the East Palace affair was not over. Right now, the two of them would definitely have to continue their fight.

This is not a good outcome for either party.

The matter of forcing the palace can be put aside for now, and Li Chen doesn't have to go all out.

Each other, unspoken understanding.

Squinting at Zhao Xuanji's departing figure, Li Chen's sense of urgency did not ease with the formal end of this palace intrigue in the Eastern Palace, but rather intensified.

Zhao Xuanji, such an old fox, would inevitably have a second attempt after his first failure. And if he did make a second move, it would certainly be with more thorough preparation, leaving no room for him to recover.

Now the strength I have at my disposal is still too weak. The real reliance is the Great Emperor lying in the Qianqing Palace behind me. However, it's uncertain when the Great Emperor will pass away. Once that day comes and I haven't amassed enough power to overthrow Zhao Xuanji, then the one who dies will be me.

All the way back to the East Palace, in the Hall of Imperial Government, Li Chen was rubbing the jade pendant in his hand, lost in thought.

"Three Treasures," Li Chen suddenly said.

The Three Treasures appeared like ghosts, crouching before the Xizheng Hall and listening to Li Chen's orders.

"Go, and slaughter every man, woman, and child in Sun Boli's household!"

Li Chen narrowed his eyes and said, "Just right, the national treasury is still short of silver, so let's use Sun Beri's family fortune to make up for it."

"This palace knows you've longed to kill Sun Beri, so this palace will grant your wish. But this palace has a task for you as well. You must do it well."

The Three Treasures were overjoyed and hurriedly said, “I am willing to go through fire and water for the Prince. There is nothing I would not do.”

With a faint smile, Li Chen said: "Go, investigate the details of the General's Mansion thoroughly. This palace has a use for them."

"This servant obeys."

After the departure of San Bao, Eunuch Li Chen immediately received a report that Liu Sichun had arrived.

"Greetings, Your Highness, Prince. May the Prince live a thousand years, ten thousand years, forever and ever."

Li Chen looked at Liu Sichun in plain clothes with a calm expression. Although according to etiquette she couldn't wear silk and had to wear clothes made of hemp or cotton.

But her inherent grace shone through, and her simple clothes did not make her appear dowdy, instead lending her a unique charm. to have a place to live in the capital, under the emperor's feet. It was because of this old house that he, as a humble peddler, could boast of a decent marriage, and his wife even gave birth to two...