Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1081 - 917: Suddenly Missing Third Brother

"Father! Is your health better now? You really worried me this time."The Crown Prince saw the Emperor looking very fatigued, his face more aged than before, and felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. In just these past two days, he noticed a significant decline in his father’s spirit and complexion.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor shifted his gaze to the Crown Prince. He looked at the Crown Prince with a complicated expression, his old eyes filled with countless inexplicable emotions that made the Crown Prince subconsciously loosen his grip on the Emperor’s hand.

"Dundun! Your father has grown old." The Emperor’s frail voice slowly emerged, his breath was somewhat labored as he spoke, compared to the robust appearance he had before, he now seemed weak, helpless, and pitiful.

The Crown Prince couldn’t help but feel saddened; his father indeed had aged. Previously, he only thought his father handled state affairs with swift and decisive actions, leading him to believe his father could protect Da Yan’s territory for many years.

Now, with his father’s sudden collapse, it struck him instantly that his father’s health had already declined.

Compared to previous instances of minor ailments, this time seemed much more severe.

"Father, don’t worry too much, you aren’t old at all in my eyes! The Imperial Physician said you’re just overthinking things, and as long as you lighten your mind, your health will surely improve."

How could the Crown Prince dare to say the Emperor’s condition was due to age? What can these physicians discern? They only declared his father’s age was showing, his spirit waned, and his health somewhat depleted.

He knew these physicians feared responsibility and only used such words to evade him.

He stood outside the hall for two hours, during which Director Zhang reported to him that the Emperor fainted due to excessive worry.

However, he later hesitated as if he had something unsaid.

The Crown Prince thought of the Tianji Taoist, knowing Director Zhang and Tianji Taoist always had their disagreements. With the current situation of the Emperor fainting, he could guess what Director Zhang had to say.

He also believed there was no real elixir of immortality, but his father fell deeply into such beliefs.

The National Treasury was not abundant, and the Emperor’s private funds were quite tight, every year suffering from losses due to the Tianji Taoist’s attempts to create elixirs.

Can these elixirs truly achieve the effects claimed by the Tianji Taoist? He admitted that some prior Small Rejuvenation Pills indeed had some efficacy, but given the numerous rare ingredients, if they didn’t work, that would be surprising.

Moreover, he felt there seemed to be some unspeakable ingredient in the Small Rejuvenation Pills; otherwise, why would his father’s health decline in these past two years?

You can’t just blame it on aging; there are countless people older than his father, yet why do others remain vigorous?

Sadly, he tried everything to obtain the remnants of the Tianji Taoist’s concoctions, but Gu Chengyu had already gone to Jiangnan.

He could only hand over the remnants to Director Zhang and a famous civilian doctor, and much time has passed without any conclusive findings from either.

If Gu Chengyu were here, he might truly find something amiss in those remnants.

"Dundun, your father knows his own health. In these recent days, I don’t have the energy to manage state affairs; just now, I have considered, it’s best for you to temporarily govern on my behalf."

The Emperor directed his gaze toward the Crown Prince kneeling in front of him, his previously unfocused eyes now gleaming.

He stared intently at the Crown Prince’s face, not missing any subtle expression.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince didn’t feel particularly joyous. His father’s health has not yet improved; he is merely filling in temporarily.

However, this temporary role can easily stir up controversy; he is still only the Crown Prince, lacking authority for the courtiers to heed.

Moreover, the court is currently rife with issues, whether it’s the disaster relief in Jiangnan, the depleted National Treasury, or Da Xing’s border disputes, all are troublesome matters.

While he is the Crown Prince, destined to eventually deal with state affairs, now he attempts to make decisions independently, considering it early practice.

Yet he has the duty to resolve matters but lacks the authority to do so, making it incredibly frustrating.

He hardly believes his father would now entrust him with full power; how could his father be at ease with that?

In the future, when dealing with matters, he will still need to consult his father, making him little more than a puppet.

An arduous and thankless task, leaving an impression on the courtiers that he is quite incapable.

"Father, I’m uneasy! I’ve never handled state affairs alone, somewhat worried, still needing your guidance."

The Emperor raised his eyebrows, feeling some relief; he was very pleased with the Crown Prince’s humble attitude.

No matter what the Crown Prince truly felt, at least outwardly he didn’t appear excessively eager.

"Dundun, you have long passed the age of establishment. As Crown Prince, governing on behalf of the nation is inevitable. I am already aged, and how long can I accompany you? While I am still lucid, capable of guiding you, seize this opportunity to gain experience. Who knows when I might suddenly depart, if you haven’t learned to manage state affairs independently, the court will surely fall into chaos."

The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince with softened expressions, patting his hand with gentle affection.

"Your Majesty! Please don’t think too much, the Imperial Physician already mentioned, you are merely worried excessively. Take a good rest these days, lighten your worries, and soon your health will recover."

De’an couldn’t stand seeing the Emperor in such a diminished state, he wiped his eyes with a handkerchief, filled with concern.

"Chief Chen is right! Father, you will definitely live a long and healthy life! Don’t overthink, prioritizing your health is the utmost importance now."

The Crown Prince’s eyes gradually moistened, he held the Emperor’s hand tightly, his voice tinged with emotion.

Seeing the Crown Prince filled with devoted love, the Emperor felt deeply comforted.

This Crown Prince, perhaps he hadn’t made the wrong choice. The Crown Prince, benevolent and kind-hearted, although lacking decisiveness, wasn’t as capable as the eldest, but at least he was reliable.

"Dundun, regarding your third brother... him, don’t blame him. He has already renounced the world for monastery life, no longer concerning himself with worldly matters. In the future, look after him and his descendants, so he hasn’t lived in the Royal Family in vain."

This fainting spell made the Emperor feel as though his physical condition was reaching the end, yet there remained many things he couldn’t let go of.

His third son didn’t go to his fief but became a monk, which always left a knot in his heart.

Though the third son didn’t have his favor, he was, after all, his child. Aging softened his heart, suddenly missing the third son.

"Father, although the third brother lives quite austerely in Bao En Temple, his temperament has greatly improved. I often visit him at the temple, he now adeptly preaches and teaches, no longer as rebellious as before. Rest assured, as a member of the Imperial Family, also my sibling, I would never neglect him?"