The capital. The imperial palace.

The Xuan Emperor's condition was worse with every day that passed.

He had been a big, tall man once. Now he was worn down to skin and bone.

Zisu used great quantities of rare medicines every day to keep the Xuan Emperor alive, and still the Xuan Emperor went on getting worse. He coughed blood every day and could not eat at all.

Yesterday he had forced down half a bowl of congee.

Today he had eaten nothing.

If it were not for the medicine he drank every day, he would very likely have given out already.

He drifted now between unconsciousness and lucidity.

Eunuch Quan kept watch at the bedside, looking at the Xuan Emperor's wasted face and wiping his eyes over and over.

Zisu had stayed in the palace all these days... and had grown a lot thinner herself.

Just then a young man came in from outside, slender, with clear pale skin.

Zisu and Eunuch Quan bowed.

"We greet Your Highness the crown prince!"

A month ago the Xuan Emperor had appointed a new Left and Right Chancellor.

Li Hanru was appointed Left Chancellor.

For Right Chancellor he brought back Zong Sibo, formerly the Grand Commandant.

Zong Sibo was a figure in his own right, accomplished in letters and arms both, and had risen in office as far as Grand Commandant... but some years ago he had been demoted in a political fight with the Left Chancellor, and had been out of sight for several years.

Now the Xuan Emperor had brought him back.

The two of them were appointed ministers of the regency at the same time.

And the Xuan Emperor had named an heir apparent as well.

Nobody had expected that in this war over the succession the biggest winner of all would turn out to be the Sixth Prince.

But the Xuan Emperor had no other choice.

The deposed crown prince had been demoted and set to guard the imperial tombs.

The Second Prince had died long ago.

The Third Prince had plotted treason and been beheaded.

The Fourth…