The scumbag was secretly having an affair, while I was openly having an affair with the prince.

Chapter 252 Forcing Him to Abdicate

“Young Master, Miss Li’s idea is good, but even if those people are stung by wasps, they may not run away. Even if they do run away, we still can’t lift those weapons.” Yang Qi expressed his concerns.

After a moment's thought, Ye Shiting said, "We sent a signal earlier, so the Crown Prince won't ignore us. We're less than forty li from here to the capital. Yang Qi, take one of your brothers to the city gate and see if anyone is there to meet us outside. These people from Beilin are transporting weapons, so their journey won't be fast. We can wait until you arrive with your help before we make our move."

Upon hearing this, Yang Qi immediately perked up and replied, "Yes! I'll go find the person to meet me right away!"

He then quickly left with another subordinate.

After watching them disappear, Li Yao looked at the beehive above her head and asked Ye Shiting, "Do we still need this?"

Ye Shiting chuckled, "Of course! But we have to wait for reinforcements to arrive before we can take action."

"Then I'll find a few more and raise them for now." After saying that, Li Yao skipped away towards the distance.

"..." Ye Shiting and his three other subordinates looked at her in confusion.

What does "take care of them first" mean?

Are wasps something you can just keep as pets?

And they need to find several more beehives; the one on their heads alone isn't enough to sting all of them!

……

Qianning Palace.

Yu Chisheng's syncope not only did not improve, but it even became more severe, and he was awake for less than two hours each day.

For two or three days in a row, Yu Chi Rui would come to see Yu Chi Sheng.

Moreover, he always brought two imperial physicians with him when he came.

One of the imperial physicians told him, "Your Highness, we in the Imperial Hospital have tried everything, but the Emperor's fainting spells have not improved. We've heard that the disciples of Huaxiang Pavilion are highly skilled in medicine. If we want the Emperor to recover, we may have no choice but to rely on Huaxiang Pavilion."

Yu Chi Rui sighed, "I know that Hua Xiang Pavilion has the ability. His Highness the Crown Prince's leg ailment and appearance were cured by Hua Xin, a disciple of Hua Xiang Pavilion. Previously, Father Emperor arranged a marriage between Doctor Hua and the second young master of the Ye family, but after the Crown Princess's accident, not only did Doctor Hua disappear without a trace, but the two young masters of the Ye family also disappeared with the Crown Prince. Hua Xiang Pavilion is in a hidden place, unknown to anyone, and I am at a loss."

Qi Sui stood to the side, wiping away tears and sobbing, "What should we do if things continue like this?"

Looking at the unconscious Yuchi Sheng, Yuchi Rui frowned sadly, but his eyes were unusually smug.

After leaving Qianning Palace, he went straight to the post station.

Upon seeing Mo Qianxiao, he asked impatiently, "When exactly will your men arrive? With Yuchi Ling nowhere to be found, this is the perfect opportunity for me to seize power! If Yuchi Ling appears, what are my chances of winning?"

Mo Qianxiao had been waiting anxiously for the past two days.

Just a few days ago, he received definite news that his troops were approaching the capital.

But for the past two days, there has been no news at all.

However, he couldn't tell Yuchi Rui the truth about this, so he said, "My men are already on their way and should enter the city in the next two days."

Yu Chi Rui glanced at him sideways, and although he was somewhat dissatisfied with him, he held back.

After leaving the post station, he went to the Prime Minister's residence.

Upon hearing his purpose, Zhu Zhishun was overjoyed. "Your Highness, I've said it before: if you're going to do something, you should do it sooner rather than later. Mo Qianxiao has been of no use other than helping you devise a plan to capture Ye Shishu. He's been insisting on waiting for his men to arrive, and we don't know what he's up to. You can't listen to him anymore!"

Yu Chi Rui's face was grim as he gritted his teeth and said, "Then let's move tonight!"

……

These past few days, Yu Chisheng has been 'waking up' at night.

He thought that since Yuchi Rui had visited him during the day, he wouldn't come again in the evening. Unexpectedly, Qi Sui rushed over to report that Yuchi Rui had arrived as soon as he woke up tonight.

Zhu Zhishun and two other officials also accompanied him.

"Father, I'm so glad to see you awake." Yu Chi Rui knelt excitedly beside the dragon bed, holding his hand, his eyes filled with tears, and choked out, "Father, there's news that I don't know how to tell you..."

"What news?" Yu Chisheng asked, puzzled.

"My brother... he's in trouble... I heard he died at the hands of bandits while trying to save my sister-in-law..." Yu Chi Rui said in grief.

"What?!" Yu Chisheng's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences and do not harm your health," Zhu Zhishun comforted him.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the dead cannot be brought back to life. You must take care of your health," the other two officials added, offering words of comfort.

"No...I don't believe it..." Yu Chi Sheng's body swayed.

Seeing this, Yuchi Rui immediately reached out and pinched his philtrum, shouting, "Father, you must hold on! You can't afford to have any more accidents!"

Yu Chisheng rolled his eyes.

This eye roll wasn't a pretense of fainting; it was because his philtrum was pinched so hard it almost made him pass out.

Zhu Zhishun stepped forward to support his swaying body and said, "Your Majesty, now that the Crown Prince has passed away and you are unwell, these important matters of state still need someone to make decisions. In my opinion, why don't you abdicate in favor of the Prince of Liang and let him officially take charge of the court? Then you can focus on recuperating. What do you think?"

Yu Chi Sheng glared at him suddenly, "What did you say? You want me to abdicate?"

Before Zhu Zhishun could speak again, two other officials also spoke up to offer their advice.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is absolutely right. A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and the court cannot be without a leader for a day. Now that the Crown Prince is gone, it is only right that Prince Liang should take over the great responsibility. Isn't this also a sign of his filial piety?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, you should take good care of your health! Prince Liang is intelligent and capable, and has the talent to govern the country. Under his leadership, the Great Ye Kingdom will surely enjoy peace, prosperity, and lasting peace!"

Yu Chi Sheng squinted at his son before him, "Prince Liang, do you want my throne?"

Now that things have come to this point, what else is there for Yu Chi Rui to say?

"Father, I am willing to share your burdens."

Yu Chi Sheng glanced at the four of them and said in a deep voice, "What if I am unwilling to abdicate?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Chi Rui's expression changed instantly.

"Father, do you still hope that my elder brother can return? Do you think I am so incapable of shouldering this responsibility?"

"Do you think you're up to the task?" Yu Chisheng asked coldly.