Inky clouds surged like enraged beasts across the sky, while thunderclaps exploded with earth-shattering force, as if threatening to shatter the very vault of heaven. Torrential rain poured down, bean-sized droplets carried by howling winds smashing violently against the palace's glazed tiles with a deafening clatter, like a drumroll for the end of days.
Inside the Imperial Study, dim candlelight flickered wildly in the gale, as if on the verge of extinction at any moment. Li Yi, clad in a brilliant yellow dragon robe, could not hide his gauntness as he remained hunched over a mountain of memorials. The weight of state affairs, like an enormous burden on his shoulders, left him gasping for breath. For years, Li Yi had labored day and night for the prosperity of the Great Tang. Rising before dawn each day and reviewing memorials until late at night, he had exhausted himself, unaware that his body had long since reached its breaking point.
Suddenly, a violent cough erupted from deep within his chest, causing the ink and brushes on his desk to tremble slightly. Then, a mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips, the vivid red stain blooming starkly against the snow-white memorials. His body lurched forward uncontrollably, crashing heavily onto the desk as he lost consciousness.
"Your Majesty!" cried the imperial eunuch, Eunuch Wang, in a terrified shriek that pierced the silence of the rainy night like a wolf's howl in the cold. He stumbled forward, hands shaking uncontrollably as he tried to rouse Li Yi, shouting repeatedly, "Your Majesty, wake up! Your Majesty!" But Li Yi lay motionless, eyes closed, face as pale as paper. Panic erupted in the Imperial Study: palace maids turned pale with fright, some collapsing to the floor with weak knees, others dashing about in confusion, shouting, "Summon the imperial physicians! Hurry!" Their voices trembled with fear and despair.
The Imperial Medical Bureau was thrown into chaos by the sudden news. Chief Physician Liu was resting in his quarters when he heard the alarm, his face paling instantly. He hurriedly dressed, fumbling with his sash until it hung askew, then grabbed his medical kit and, escorted by guards, raced to the Imperial Study with his colleagues. Rain soaked their robes, but they ignored it, their minds focused on one thought: *Hurry, we must hurry!* Upon arriving, Physician Liu wasted no time in feeling Li Yi's pulse, his brow furrowing deeply, his expression graver than a thousand pounds of weight. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, instantly dampening his clothes despite the cold rain outside.
After his diagnosis, his face grew even more somber, his eyes filled with anxiety and helplessness. The other physicians crowded around, holding their breath, as the Imperial Study became thick with suffocating tension. News of the Emperor's collapse spread like wildfire through the palace and beyond. In the court hall, ministers erupted into chaos at the tidings. Prime Minister Lin Ruhai, dressed in a crimson court robe, stepped forward with a worried expression and bowed, saying, "With the Emperor suddenly fallen ill, the country cannot be without a leader for even a day. Our top priority must be to discuss measures to stabilize the government."
His words drew immediate agreement, and a chorus of voices rose in debate. However, General Zhao Shanhe stepped forward, fists clasped in respect, and offered a different view: "Our first task should be to focus all efforts on curing the Emperor. As for state affairs, they can be temporarily overseen by senior ministers. We must not let panic undermine the foundation of the court." The ministers argued fiercely, each side refusing to yield, until the hall resembled a boiling cauldron of conflicting voices.
Meanwhile, the imperial princes had also received the news. The eldest prince, Li Xuan, who had long harbored ambitions, paced restlessly in his residence, his steps hurried and chaotic. A barely concealed excitement shone in his eyes as he said to his advisors, "This may be our opportunity. If Father is no longer able to rule, we must seize the initiative in the struggle for the throne." A ruthless glint flickered across his face, as if he already saw himself ascending the throne.
The second prince, Li Rui, appeared far more composed. Seated calmly in his study, he summoned his trusted subordinates to quietly discuss how to maintain a low profile and secretly build strength amid the chaos. He knew all too well that acting rashly now would only make him a target. The youngest prince, Li Muyang, was consumed by worry for his father, rushing about in search of his mother, hoping she could help heal the Emperor.
Outside the palace, various forces began to stir. Upon hearing of the Emperor's illness, some frontier military governors—their intentions sinister—started secretly redeploying troops, seeking to expand their influence while the situation remained uncertain. In their tents, they plotted, moving military flags on maps as a silent war brewed. Mysterious martial arts organizations in the jianghu also began spying on palace news, hoping to profit from the chaos. They dispatched spies to weave through the capital's streets, gathering intelligence as they waited for the opportune moment to strike.
Outside the Imperial Study, Empress Lin Yue collapsed in a faint upon hearing of Li Yi's collapse. Her personal maid, Xiao Cui, quickly summoned an imperial physician, who examined the Empress and reassured the attendants, "Her Majesty is unharmed—she simply couldn't bear the shock and fell ill from worry. She needs only rest." Xiao Cui stayed by her side. When Lin Yue awoke, she said anxiously, "In this current state of affairs, if anything happens to the Emperor, the harem and court will descend into chaos. Those vultures will surely take advantage—what are we to do?" Her eyes were filled with worry and helplessness, as if she already saw the coming storm of bloodshed.
After tense efforts to stabilize him, Li Yi's condition was temporarily controlled, but he remained unconscious. Physician Liu emerged from the Imperial Study, shaking his head wearily at the expectant gazes around him. "His Majesty's body is too weak from overwork," he sighed. "This illness will not heal quickly; he needs careful nursing." The crowd's faces fell, their worries deepening. Prime Minister Lin Ruhai proposed again, "Since the Emperor cannot govern for now, we should establish a crown prince to settle the people's hearts." This sparked another heated debate in court.
Ministers supporting the eldest prince loudly agreed, arguing that his age and administrative talent made him the right choice to lead the Tang to prosperity. They spoke passionately, lobbying fiercely on his behalf. Those backing the second prince countered that his kindness and generosity made him more suited to rule with benevolence. The two factions argued heatedly, their faces flushed, as the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense.
Amid the chaos, the third prince, Li Lin, chose to stay out of the fray. He knew that engaging in the struggle with the situation still unclear would only invite disaster. Each day, he continued to visit the palace to pay his respects and inquire about the Emperor's condition, presenting himself as a filial prince in the eyes of others. Yet beneath his earnest words and concerned expression, no one knew that he was secretly observing all sides, biding his time for the perfect opportunity. His eyes held a depth and calm beyond his years, as if he were plotting a grand chess game.
As time passed, Li Yi showed no sign of improvement. Court intrigues grew more intense, with each faction fighting for its own interests. Rumors also began to spread among the people, creating panic. Some claimed the Emperor had already died; others predicted the Tang would soon collapse into chaos. The entire empire seemed plunged into darkness, its future uncertain.
In the midst of this turmoil, a mysterious jianghu physician heard of the Emperor's illness. Shouldering a medical kit, he set out for the capital, claiming he could cure the Emperor. Thin and stern-faced, his eyes shone with confidence. Would his arrival bring a turning point to the chaotic situation? What fate awaited the Great Tang? All remained uncertain, as the storm-battered empire awaited its judgment.