Xie Changshen stood in front of the Emperor's bed for a long time. The Emperor lay there with his eyes tightly closed, breathing faint and rapid, showing no signs of waking no matter how he spoke.
Since entering officialdom, Xie Changshen felt this moment was infinitely long.
He saw Empress Xu in the side hall. Empress Xu sat there with the Heir of Prince Qi curled up in her arms, like an orphan and widow suffering from oppression.
Xie Changshen saluted the Emperor and Empress before exiting the main hall.
"Prime Minister Xie."
The officials followed all the way, eager to ask Xie Changshen what to do next.
"I'm old," said Xie Changshen, "these matters should be discussed by everyone!"
Empress Xu's intentions were very clear. After being exposed by Li You, she outright stopped concealing, gripping the Heir of Prince Qi firmly and refusing to let them speak.
A posture of 'those who comply prosper, those who resist perish.'
