Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Having finally cleared up that massive mess, I finally found a moment of peace.

At the very least, I’ve managed to secure the throne for the Crown Prince.

In truth, there shouldn’t have been anything to worry about. I had arranged everything for the boy long ago-the succession edict, the regents, military control, and the national treasury. I’d laid it all out clearly for him.

Even without me, he should have been able to handle it. After all, I raised and taught him personally.

Who would have thought that at the final moment, I wouldn’t be able to lay down my burdens?

I ascended the throne at fourteen and reigned for thirty years. While I might not be called a brilliant or legendary ruler, I was certainly diligent.

But upon reaching the age of forty-five, I suddenly felt my vitality waning. In the past, I could stay up half the night reviewing memorials and recover after a single sleep. Now, I felt a constant, heavy fatigue that no amount of rest could cure.

I didn’t take it seriously at first, but it grew worse until I couldn’t even get out of bed.

The imperial physicians said I had overtaxed myself to the point of organ failure.

They sought out the finest elixirs for me, but the effects were negligible.

I knew then that my time was up.

Fortunately, everything was prepared for the Crown Prince. He only needed to ascend the throne smoothly and enjoy the life of a leisurely emperor.

During the time I was bedridden, I mentally reviewed every official in the court and nagged the Crown Prince about them over and over again.

Did I annoy the brat so much that he didn’t want this troublesome job?

Is that why… he fled at the last second?

That doesn’t sound like a child of our Zong family!

You little rascal, just wait until I find you. I’m going to give you a sound thrashing.

The moment I realized I had woken up in the Crown Prince’s body, I immediately went to the Imperial Academy of Medicine and dragged out a string of physicians.

“Check the pulse.”

I pointed at the coffin and commanded them.

The entire group instantly dropped to their knees.

“Your Majesty, please restrain your grief! Please take care of your health!”

I grabbed one of the physicians by the collar. “I told you to check it, so check it! One more word and I’ll have your head!”

Trembling, they took turns checking the pulse, each shaking their head in succession.

“Are you certain there is no pulse?”

“No heartbeat?”

“Nothing at all?”

I fell silent for a moment before continuing.

“I have heard of a Turtle Breathing Technique that makes one appear as if they have stopped breathing, while they are actually still alive?”

The physicians looked at me as if I were a madman. They knelt in unison, knocking their heads against the floor. “Your Majesty, please restrain your grief.”

I kept watch by the coffin for an entire night.

Later, I had the body secretly swapped.

The one buried in the Imperial Tombs was merely a set of my ceremonial robes. My actual body currently lies upon a Ten-thousand-year Ice Crystal bed in a secret chamber within my bedchamber.

The Ten-thousand-year Ice Crystal can preserve the features of the deceased.

Aside from the greyish pallor of the skin, my appearance remains exactly as it was when I passed away.

I come here every night to take a look.

“Che’er, are you in there?”

I thought that since my soul had entered Che’er’s body, perhaps Che’er’s soul had entered mine. Therefore, I couldn’t let this body be buried. What if Che’er suddenly woke up?

But after so much time, despite searching for every famous doctor in the land, no miracle has occurred.

The body remains cold to the touch, a chill that seeps into the bone.

“Che’er, where exactly did you go?”

After closing the door to the secret chamber, I pondered for a long time and let out a heavy sigh.

“Someone, summon the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.”