CH 115.1

The Forbidden City that evening was extremely lively. Not long after the imperial physicians came out of Kunning Palace. But before they even stepped past the gates, they were called to Qianqing Palace.

The imperial physicians in the palace had some of the best medical skills. After they arrived at Qianqing Palace, many of them took turns to take the emperor’s pulse. After consulting with each other, they decided to use the bloodletting method on Emperor Hongjing, who woke up soon after. 

“Your Majesty must take good care of your dragon body and remember to rest. This bloodletting method can only treat the symptoms and not the root. If it is done too often, it can  even harm you instead.”

Emperor Hongjing had been suffering from dizziness for quite a long while. This could be both serious and not so serious. If it was serious, it could lead to stroke, paralyzation and even death. If it was not as serious, at most, there would be some dizziness, ringing in the ears, or irritation during the day.

It was only in recent years that Emperor Hongjing’s illness became more and more serious due to the affairs of the court and the crown prince. This bloodletting method was quite useful, but the imperial physicians’ warning also could not be ignored.

Emperor Hongjing waved his hand, and the eunuchs were led down.

The bedroom was completely silent. Li Dequan leaned forward and whispered, “Your Majesty, that Meng Huoxian committed suicide.”

“Dead? By suicide?”

Li Dequan nodded. “This old servant ordered people to take a look. At least from the surface, it is apparent that he committed suicide. In addition, His Highness Yong Wang has been begging for an audience outside, claiming that he was wronged. “

Wronged?

Emperor Hongjing mulled over this word and felt a burst of exhaustion in his heart.

There were too many things that happened today. First, something happened to the crown prince, then the crown princess. Then that old case from many years ago was also brought out. That Meng Huoxian was actually able to lie in ambush in the Imperial Guard for so many years to take vengeance on Yong Wang. He must be a cunning man.

Emperor Hongjing knew that none of his sons were simple, but this was the first time for their brotherly confrontations to happen on the surface.

Actually, no. Last time, it was Jin Wang.

But with what happened today, everything about that incident from back then was overturned. Heh, all his good sons must have played a role in this. Harming the crown prince then digging a hole for Jin Wang, whom he valued at the time.

Therefore, even Emperor Hongjing couldn’t be sure whether anyone else had a role in what happened today. After all, if they succeeded, three people would’ve been knocked down in a single move.

People’s hearts were too hard to predict. Especially those in the imperial family, their hearts were even more difficult to trust.

“Have him go back. Zhen doesn’t want to see him.”

Li Dequan nodded then ordered someone to pass down the word.

Once the sun fell, the Forbidden City became very dark, especially once it reached midnight.

Jin Wang and others were unable to leave the palace because the gates were locked. They could only stay in the palace for now, but it was likely that no one would be able to fall asleep that night.

Yaoniang had already put Xiaobao to bed, but she didn’t feel sleepy at all.

It wasn’t only her. Xiaobao was the same. It seemed that sleeping in a new place, both mother and son were a little uneasy. Especially after hearing Yu Chan and An Shiyi’s warnings, it was even harder for Yaoniang to sit still.

She thought of Jin Wang who had yet to return, the banquet that ended with the empress falling ill, the imperial guards who came here just now, and the officials who were sent out of the palace. Yaoniang knew something must’ve happened.

Someone delivered some evening snacks, but Yu Chan said that Yaoniang had already fallen asleep and refused it.

When Yu Chan walked in, Yaoniang couldn’t help but look up at her.

“Niangniang is hungry?” Yu Chan obviously misunderstood Yaoniang’s meaning.

Yaoniang shook her head, and hesitated, “That person…”

Yu Chan understood, and explained, “The situation in the palace is currently unknown. His Highness asked this servant and An Shiyi to be on guard. The things sent by outsiders would be best left untouched. This way, we can also avoid unnecessary trouble. Despite the things happening in the palace, there are still people sending supper. This servant feels that this is a bit unusual.”

Yaoniang nodded. “You did the right thing. But Xiaobao——” She looked at her son. Xiaobao didn’t have anything to eat for two meals in a row. The banquet in the palace was beautiful but the food wasn’t tasty, and many dishes were delivered cold. Xiaobao had only eaten a few bites with Yaoniang and planned to go back home at night to eat a full meal, but now that was out of the question.

She was an adult, so she could endure. But what about Xiaobao?

Xiaobao rubbed his belly and wanted to tell his mother that he could endure. But there were some things he couldn’t control. His stomach suddenly growled and the sound was especially clear in the quiet room.

“Xiaobao’s hungry!”

Mother, could you not have said that so loud?! Xiaobao’s eyes were a bit sad.

Seeing Xiaobao hungry, Yu Chan was also a little anxious, and couldn’t help but look at An Shiyi, who was dressed as a eunuch next to them.

An Shiyi, who had always been dressed in black from head to toe, finally showed his face. He looked exactly the same as how Yu Chan imagined the typical young man to be: fair-faced and shy. But An Shiyi was even more delicate in appearance than Yu Chan imagined. This kind of appearance made Yu Chan look down on An Shiyi. In her mind, the strong should be tall and steady, giving people a sense of security like a mountain, not so weak-looking.

Indeed, An Shiyi’s appearance gave Yu Chan feelings that could only be described with the following words: to enjoy a reputation unwarranted by any real learning.

An Shiyi, noticing Yu Chan looking at himself, felt a little flustered. “Then I’ll go find something to eat?”

“Don’t go. Look at the time. Plus, we’re still in the palace…” 

As she spoke, another knock sounded on the door.