Chapter 35

Chapter 35 - The Crown Prince's Hidden Disease

Translator: Kitty G.

Editor: Loreli

T/N: Here's the long awaited chapter! I had to post it a little later because of site maintenance. Thanks for your patience!

If Gong Jue goes to Xi Zhou with the identity of a prince but then arrives with lower quality relief materials compared to the previous year, one can easily imagine the trouble that will await him.

And what Gong Yi Mo wanted was for Gong Jue to use this opportunity to achieve meritorious service! They must not allow any mishaps like this one to hedge up his way.

The princess calmly said, "Elder Brother Crown Prince knows that me and my younger brother have a very good relationship. He had lost his mother when he was a child, so there was no one to help him. Only I could look out for him. His journey to Xi Zhou was also my idea. I want him to become stronger, so even if this matter of substituting the goods is an unwritten tradition, I won't allow it to succeed this time."The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Gong Yi Mo spoke earnestly as she stared at Gong Che straight in the eye.

Seeing her expectant look, the crown prince knew that he could not bear to refuse any request from her.

Gong Che could not help but think of his mother, who had dedicated her time and efforts to put him in line for the throne. However, he still both pitied and envied the newly eleven-year-old Gong Jue.

"What does the Princess want me to do?"

Upon hearing his approval, Gong Yi Mo once again smiled happily. Gong Che felt the dissatisfaction within his heart vanish.

Gong Yi Mo explained, "In three days, Gong Jue will be leaving for Xi Zhou. Before his departure, the supplies will be checked, so no one will have the opportunity to tamper with it then.

"The only time someone could tamper with the supplies would have to be after they leave the city. Tomorrow, I will ask Father for permission to split up the parties delivering the supplies for departure. I will have them leave at the same time through the East, West, and South Gates using the excuse that there are too many supplies being sent to Xi Zhou."

Her eyes flashed as she looked at Gong Che. "I heard that the lieutenant overseeing the South Gate is a good friend of yours. I would like to borrow his men and horses to escort the materials safely to Shili Pavilion."**

(**ed: Shili Pavilion 十里亭 - ten li (approximately five km) pavilion. Probably refers to a pavilion five km away from the capital.)

Gong Che thoughtfully considered her request.

He knew that the other party's words were not necessarily trustworthy. Although she claimed that supplies would head out of the South Gate, it could be a diversion.

After pondering, Gong Che believed that his mother would not tamper with the relief materials for the sake of his reputation. Since she didn't participate, Gong Che didn't mind helping Gong Yi Mo.

​ Gong Che quickly hardened his resolve, and a small concealed weapon appeared in the palm of his hand. The boat swayed slightly as they brushed past the lotuses. He must use the window of time they were hidden by the leaves to initiate his attack and kill her!

First, kill her... then send a rescue signal to his confidants!

Must...

Kill her!

Large sweat drops trickled down his pale face. He forced himself to open his eyes, while his body tightened as it slowly began to numb.

And the moment the boat rowed into the flowers, Gong Yi Mo knew that she could hesitate no longer.

She nervously looked at Gong Che; one of his hands clung tightly to his chest. The other held a concealed weapon, ready at any time to go for the kill, and yet, the prince did not make his move.

Gong Che was hesitating!

This is a good sign! Gong Yi Mo's thoughts quickly calculated.

Meanwhile, Gong Che still held on tightly to the weapon. He was completely unable to bring himself to attack!

When he thought of killing her, the first thing that came to his mind was not how to explain her death to their father, nor was it how he would deal with anyone on the shore who may have seen his current appearance. Instead... he had no way to explain to himself: did he really have to kill her?

Gong Che was never a gentle person. He could easily shed blood without batting an eye for the sake of his position and for his mother.

But did he really have to kill her?

Seeing Gong Che's expression becoming increasingly ashen, Gong Yi Mo promptly made a decision and walked towards him. When she moved, Gong Che could not help but tense up his entire body. Even worse-he nearly pressed the concealedweapon in his hand!

"...Don't come over."

He could not bear for her to come any closer.

A bead of sweat dripped down Gong Yi Mo's forehead. She used the most gentle and least threatening tone she could muster to say,

"Elder Brother, please put down the Qi box in your hand."

Gong Che's eyes widened in surprise. The Qi box was precisely the item in his hand. As long as he pressed it, a poisonous gas will be released. Only those that took the antidote beforehand were saved from death. Others who suffered exposure had no chance of survival.

How did she know?

While Gong Che hesitated, Gong Yi Mo arrived by his side and said, "Because of my cultivation, I was long aware of the Crown Prince's secret..." She smiled as she clasped the prince's hand that tightly held the Qi box. Her clear eyes looked at him calmly as she said in an earnest voice, "But I had never disclosed this matter to anyone, not even to Gong Jue."