"Grandfather Emperor, let tell you sothing..."
Daomang ran into the main hall, deftly climbed onto the dragon throne, leaned against the Emperor, covered his little mouth with his hand, and whispered into the Emperor’s ear, recounting what Xiao Mokuan and the palace maid had said.
At first, the Emperor still smiled, but as he continued listening, his expression gradually turned cold.
Daomiao, always attuned to people’s emotions, noticed the shift in the Emperor’s mood and instinctively hid behind Eunuch An.
Fortunately, the Emperor quickly composed himself, his face returning to a smile. He first helped Daomang sit properly, then cheerfully beckoned Daomiao to co closer.
"Grandfather Emperor will play a ga with both of you, alright?"
Daomang blinked wide-eyed. "Grandfather Emperor, you want us to help you catch a bad person, which is Sixth Brother, right?"
Staring at the excited twins, their eyes brimming with eagerness, the Emperor said: "..."
Daomiao prompted him impatiently, "Grandfather Emperor, just tell us. We’ll help."
After a mont’s pause, the Emperor said, "When your Sixth Brother arrives later, he’ll give you scent pouches. Just take them without saying anything..."
Before the Emperor could finish his words, Daomang cut in, "Grandfather Emperor, we know already—pretend like we didn’t overhear him conspiring with the palace maid to do bad things, right?"
Looking at Daomang’s wide earnest eyes, seeking approval so obviously, the Emperor’s lips twitched. It seed that a child being too smart had its downsides, as it made him feel sowhat inadequate.
Daomang tugged on the Emperor’s sleeve. "Grandfather Emperor, how are we going to catch Sixth Brother?"
Seeing the twins’ impatience, the Emperor chuckled and curiously asked, "Your Sixth Brother has been playing with you lots lately. Why are you so happy at the prospect of catching him?"
Daomang replied righteously, "Because Sixth Brother is doing bad things. Catching him ans we can help him correct his mistakes."
Daomiao nodded in agreent.
Looking into the twins’ pure and transparent eyes, the Emperor reached out to tousle their hair. These little ones were still too young to grasp the gravity of the situation.
Daomiao, noticing the Emperor’s silence, patted his hand and assured him, "Grandfather Emperor, don’t worry. My sister and I are really good at playing gas. Sixth Brother won’t suspect that we know he’s done sothing wrong, and we’ll definitely catch him."
After speaking, he even balled his fists, cheering himself up.
The Emperor smiled and encouragingly nodded.
This only made the twins more enthusiastic.
...
After lessons ended at the Southern Study, Xiao Mokuan followed Daozi and Xiao Moreng to Qianqing Palace once again.
Xiao Mokuan touched the scent pouch hidden in his sleeve before resolutely walking toward the back hall.
From the mont Xiao Mokuan entered to when he approached the back hall, the Emperor had been silently watching from the shadows. Seeing Xiao Mokuan’s complete lack of hesitation, the Emperor let out a cold snort.
When Mokuan went to Xiliang, Xiao Yeyang and his wife had treated him kindly.
Yet now, in his pursuit of power, he had utterly discarded past kindness and showed no rcy, even towards his younger siblings.
The lineage of Consort Shu really comprised nothing but ruthless individuals!
Soon, the twins happily appeared in front of the Emperor, proudly wearing their new scent pouches.
Watching the twins, adorned with the pouches, being hugged by the Emperor, Xiao Mokuan’s gaze flickered montarily before regaining his composure.
The Emperor kept Xiao Moreng and Xiao Mokuan for the al, and after the two left following dinner, Eunuch An brought forth the two scent pouches and handed them to the waiting director of the Imperial dical Bureau for inspection.
After examining the scent pouches, the director took a look at the incense burning in the hall and imdiately turned pale.
Seeing this, the Emperor said coldly, "Speak—what filthy substances have been mixed in?"
Steadying himself, the director replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the pouches contain several dicinal ingredients. Used alone, they can refresh the mind, but when combined with ambergris, they cause mory loss and lethargy, ultimately leading to dentia."
Though the Emperor was ntally prepared, he was still astonished by Consort Shu’s audacity.
Using the twins to poison him—Consort Shu truly had nerve and cunning. Among all within Qianqing Palace, the twins were the ones he trusted most without suspicion.
The Emperor directed his gaze at Eunuch An. "Imdiately craft two identical scent pouches. Tomorrow, Daomang and Daomiao must wear them again." He wanted to see just how far Consort Shu was willing to go.
The next day, when Xiao Mokuan arrived at Qianqing Palace to pay his respects and saw the twins still wearing the scent pouches, his expression relaxed slightly.
Having failed his grandmother’s previous order, he could not afford another mistake this ti.
...
Half a month elapsed in the blink of an eye. During the morning court session, the officials keenly noticed that the Emperor seed unwell, even dozing off several tis while they presented their petitions.
Watching the Emperor yawn as he left court, the Sixth Prince’s eyes revealed a trace of complexity, but soon his gaze grew resolute.
His mother had told him: the purpose of becoming Crown Prince was to ascend the throne. If the throne could be attained directly, then the Crown Prince title could be skipped altogether.
Ping Prince Residence.
The Ping Prince sat with a grave expression, speaking with Xiao Yeyang and Daohua.
"Sothing seems wrong with the Emperor lately—not only is he lethargic, but he keeps forgetting things. One mont he’s discussing sothing, and the next he’s completely forgotten it."
Unmoved, Xiao Yeyang responded, "The Emperor is getting older, after all. Perhaps he hasn’t been resting well recently?"
The Ping Prince appeared uncertain. "Maybe? But I can’t shake this feeling of unease..."
Xiao Yeyang cast a glance at the Ping Prince, internally acknowledging that his father wasn’t entirely without rit. His sensitivity to changes in the situation was indeed noteworthy.
Daohua returned with Xiao Yeyang to Pingxi Hall. After dismissing the maidservants, she asked directly, "Is the Emperor plotting sothing?"
Xiao Yeyang looked at Daohua and nodded.
Upon seeing this, Daohua refrained from inquiring further and only said, "The three children are all in the palace. Will they be alright?"
Worries plagued Xiao Yeyang as well. After a pause, he said, "I’ll find an opportunity to speak with the Emperor and see if he’ll allow the children to return to the residence."
Just then, Defu entered the room. "Master, news just arrived—the Emperor has summoned the Sixth Prince to the palace to assist with reviewing petitions."
Xiao Yeyang frowned, "So impatient?"
Defu added, "This morning, Grand Secretary Yang and Commander Wu jointly petitioned, urging the Emperor to appoint a Crown Prince as soon as possible. The Emperor reportedly ntioned that the Eighth Prince seed promising."
Xiao Yeyang nodded. "Understood."
After Defu left, Daohua remarked, "The Emperor must be deceiving them, right?"
Xiao Yeyang: "Hmm?"
Daohua: "The Emperor dislikes the number ’eight.’ I’ve t the Eighth Prince—he doesn’t seem particularly gifted. If I were the Emperor, I’d choose the Ninth Prince over the Eighth."
Xiao Yeyang chuckled, "You’re an outsider. That’s why you see things clearly. But those caught in the situation can’t see it at all."
...
Imperial Palace.
The Emperor looked expressionlessly at the kneeling Sixth Prince. "Sixth, why have you co to the palace?"
Nervously, though with resolve, the Sixth Prince replied, "Father, it was Your Majesty who summoned ."
The Emperor feigned surprise. Inwardly, he sneered. He had rely hinted at appointing another prince as Crown Prince, and already Consort Shu and the Sixth Prince had grown restless, sending this child to lie to his face.
"I summoned you? Why don’t I rember?"
Confidently, the Sixth Prince said, "Father, have you forgotten again?"
The Emperor waved dismissively. "Fine, since you’re here, help review these petitions."
From that day on, the Sixth Prince ca to the Qianqing Palace daily to assist the Emperor with state docunts and joined him for als.
The twins, being so young, were at risk of revealing the secret. Thus, the Emperor instructed the Ping Prince to take the three children back to the Prince Residence. "Lately, my energy has been waning. Take the children with you for now."
Reluctantly, the twins asked, "Grandfather Emperor, what’s wrong? Are you sick? Should we call a doctor?"
Smiling, the Emperor patted their heads. "I’m fine. When I’m free, I’ll summon you to the palace again."
The Ping Prince noticed the Sixth Prince staying behind with the Emperor and seed to realize sothing. His expression turned anxious. "Elder Brother, I’ve recently found so fun places to visit. Why don’t I accompany you outside the palace for a while?"
Smiling faintly, the Emperor replied, "Alright, maybe in a while." Seeing the Ping Prince still eager to speak, the Emperor waved his hand, signaling him to leave.
Watching the Ping Prince and the three children leave the palace, a glint of smugness flashed in the Sixth Prince’s eyes.
Without the Emperor’s explicit summons, not even the Ping Prince could freely enter the palace anymore.
anwhile, Lady An, Virtuous Consort, and Consort De had long ceased interfering in palace affairs due to connections with the late First Prince and others. Now, in the entire palace, his mother reigned supre.
The Emperor, too, was now largely under his control. Once the Emperor beca completely incapacitated, he would have the justification to rightfully claim the Crown Prince title.
His mother assured him that the poison she was using, an heirloom of the Jiang Family, was incredibly potent. In less than a year, he would ascend to the dragon throne.
Reviews
All reviews (0)