Chu Heng knew that Emperor Xuanming had genuinely considered establishing the Eldest Imperial Son as the Crown Prince, but... the latter's lack of scholarship deeply disappointed the Emperor, and thus, in the end, he permanently lost the throne.
As King Qi and the Fifth Imperial Son struggled against each other, both families suffered a tragic defeat, annoying Emperor Xuanming to the point where Duke Zheng's property was confiscated, the Noble Consort was left in the Cold Palace, and the Qi family was demoted. Ultimately, it enabled the young Fourth Prince to seize the throne.
In hindsight, it had all just happened within a span of ten years.
Emperor Xuanming, originally in excellent health, had his health ruined by poison amidst the struggle between the Qi family and the Liu family, causing him to pass away in the prime of his life.
