Chapter 251

C251 – You’re Here to Catch a Traitor Aren’t You?

Tang Yue’s anxiety heightened with each passing moment. He instructed the butler to ready the carriage, returned to his chamber to change attire, and then proceeded to the palace by carriage.

“Forgive me, Crown Princess. The king has decreed that you are not to be disturbed. Shall I convey your presence later?” Outside the Imperial Reading Room, the eunuch smirked at Tang Yue.

Tang Yue understood he lacked the authority to act independently. The decree must have come from the King of South Jin himself, so he inquired, “Is the king attending to the envoy from Chu State?”

“Yes, he discerned the purpose.”

“How much time has elapsed?”

“Less than half an hour.”

“Do you know the contents of the message?”

Once again, the eunuch grinned, “I’m a mere servant, how would I be privy to such information as this?”

Tang Yue opted not to press the matter. He lingered outside the door, even pressing his ear against it, yet discerned no sound from within.

“Crown Princess, this conduct is unbecoming. Should you be seen, the repercussions... Why not retire to the side hall for a time?”

Tang Yue declined, shaking his head. “It’s unnecessary. I’ll remain here.”

“Fear not. Should any activity occur within, I shall promptly inform the king.”

Eventually, Tang Yue retreated to the side hall. Many court officials lingered near the Imperial Reading Room, eager to engage him in conversation. However, he lacked the inclination to engage, preferring seclusion in the side hall.

A palace maid entered, presenting a teapot and assorted pastries. Tang Yue hadn’t consumed much throughout the day. Upon sight of the refreshments, he sampled a few pastries and took a sip of tea.

However, whether due to dehydration or some other cause, he soon found his mouth parched and his throat scorched. “Someone, attend to me!” he called out.

A palace maid entered with bowed head. Tang Yue, without a close inspection, instructed, “Fetch me another cup of water.”

“Yes.”

A palace maid approached Tang Yue slowly, carrying a cup of steaming tea.

Tang Yue extended his hand to grasp the cup, but the maid had already let go, causing the hot tea to spill onto his thigh.

“Hiss...” Tang Yue leaped up in pain from the scalding heat, shaking off the water droplets from his outer robe.

“Your Highness, please forgive me. This servant didn’t intend for this.” The palace maid hurriedly approached, kneeling before him and bowing her head in admission of her mistake.

Under normal circumstances, Tang Yue might have offered her reassurance. However, today, he was in no mood to do so. He gestured for her to leave without expressing any desire to punish her.

The eunuch, shaken by the preceding events, stammered, “N-no, it was Eunuch Zhang who sent me. The Great King is likely unavailable to see you today.”

“Why?”

“This servant doesn’t know.”

“Then did the soldier who was in the Imperial Reading Room come out?”

“This servant doesn’t know.”

Tang Yue’s lips twitched. “I’ll remain here. When will the king return?”

One of the two royal censors offered gently, “Your Highness, perhaps you should return first. The king has convened a meeting with several State Dukes and the prime minister; it’s unlikely he’ll be available for some time.”

Tang Yue smirked coldly. “Then why are you here? Are you here to apprehend traitors?”

“Well...” The two royal censors realized something was amiss. They had sought an audience with the king at the palace to lodge a complaint against a duke for mistreating a couple. They were informed that the king had yielded after conferring with the lords.

However, a eunuch had mentioned the possibility of the king summoning them upon his return. Hence, they were escorted to the side hall to await his audience. That was when they witnessed the scene unfold.

Reflecting on it now, it seemed the king’s concerns about the internal conflict made summoning them improbable. They had inadvertently walked into someone’s scheme.

“Regardless of His Highness’s belief, this official was unaware beforehand.”

“Ignorance is forgivable, but with just four of us here and one overlooked, how do you both intend to handle this situation?”

The two censors trembled. “Your Highness, please forgive us. Since we’ve been ensnared, the mastermind behind this likely anticipates we won’t conceal it.”

“Even knowing they’ve fallen into a trap, they still intend to relay false information? Deceiving the king?” Tang Yue understood the imperial censors’ character. They were willing to risk everything for their integrity.

Today’s incident seemed minor, brushed aside by all. But it was evident the schemer wouldn’t let it slide. There might be more tricks in store.

As he muttered, a blur passed before him, followed by a thud. Turning, he saw the woman who had wailed earlier had smashed her head into a pillar, blood spurting as she collapsed.

No need to silence her; she’d done it herself.

Tang Yue rubbed his forehead, foreseeing what would follow.

He’d been careless, perhaps from avoiding harem dramas.

Approaching the maid, he noticed she still breathed. He smiled coldly. “You seek death. Logically, while breath lingers, I could save you. But why bother? Since you desire death, I shall grant it.”

A chill pervaded. The censors dared not look up, pondering their next steps.

Tang Yue watched the maid’s life ebb, sighing despondently.

As a doctor for two lifetimes, this futile death wounded him more than any plot.