Chapter 095: The Road Winds and Turns, Turning Again and Again

  The marriages of princes have always been closely linked to politics and court relations, and alliances are not just a combination of one man and one woman, but rather an alliance. Therefore, the marriages arranged by Emperor Hongtai for his sons almost invariably took into account political factors.

  Cheng Guogong Yuan Hongchou is naturally a good candidate for marriage.

  Now that Cheng Guo Gong has personally asked for the imperial decree and obtained the approval of King Jin, "but follow the emperor's decision", it is naturally a happy event for both families.

  Thus, under the instruction of Emperor Hongtai, Master Daochang matched Zhao Zun and the "Yu Nu" of Chengguo Gongfu with eight characters, saying that the two were a match made in heaven. Emperor Hongtai was overjoyed and immediately issued an edict, conferring the title of "Jingyi Junzhu" on the daughter of Chengguo Gong and granting her to Zhao Zun as his official wife. Once Master Daochang chose a auspicious day, they could get married.

  The whole audience was filled with congratulatory voices for a time.

  Miss Yuan's appearance, temperament and character are all top-notch, and King Jin is also a husband with great reputation; it must be a good match between the talented young man and the beautiful lady. Before King Jin went to Beiping Prefecture, he had already held a grand wedding ceremony, and could take his beloved wife with him, so that Your Majesty and the Empress can rest assured... all these words were heard by Xia Chuyi one sentence after another.

  Everyone was laughing, and she couldn't help but laugh too.

  Yes, why not laugh?

  Today is a very happy day.

  The old emperor found his long-lost grandson, the Duke of Chengguo found his young daughter who had been separated from him since childhood, and the Duke's daughter was married to the old emperor's son as his official wife. Oh, and most importantly, Prince Jin got a good match, she should be happy for him.

  On the official boat back to Beijing, she had told him when they made that three-year promise that he was free to marry. Only if he married would the three-year promise be annulled. So look at this situation, he couldn't wait for those three years, could he?

  She didn't go see Zhao Zhuo's expression.

  However, she felt it was unnecessary to watch since she already knew too much about it.

  Because that man, no matter when and where, will always be the one who emits a cold and clear light like a solitary moon, never influenced by anything in the outside world. Since he has already agreed, it is natural that he had psychological preparation long ago, and he was never a person who would let others lead him by the nose.

  "Son-in-law, would you like a drink?"

  A large red sleeve reached out before his eyes, and a slender white hand like jade grasped a wine jug.

  She slightly raised her head, and what entered her eyes was the Eastern Blue Mystic's enchanting phoenix eyes that were filled with a hint of a smile.

  She suddenly came back to her senses and realized that the old emperor had changed his clothes at some point, and the ministers who were intentionally socializing with each other in the hall were walking around and offering each other wine. And Dongfang Qingxuan was also standing in front of her at this time...to see her joke?

  She curved her lips slightly, poured a full cup first, and then gently touched it with him.

  "Great Commander, yes."

  "Are you disappointed?" Dongfang Qingyun suddenly asked.

  If no one had exposed her, she could pretend that nothing was wrong and that no one knew about the pain in her heart. But Dongfang Qingxuan was not a good person. Look, he always liked to peel open other people's wounds and then sprinkle salt on them with the most beautiful smile.

  Her heart was stung badly in a certain place, but her smile became even more radiant.

  "I never lose hope for someone or something that is not worth it."

  Eastern Qingxuan smiled slightly, "The son-in-law is good, indeed did not disappoint this seat." With a flick of his sleeve, he tilted his head and drank the wine in his cup, then narrowed those sparkling eyes, slightly lowered his head, and stared straight at her.

  "A person who is too devoted to their emotions, yet likes to pretend to be heartless. Husband, the play hasn't ended yet, but I hope that after it's over, you can still smile as happily as you do at this moment."

  The play isn't over yet?

  Who is acting and who is singing?

  On the seventh day of summer, there was no one to ask, and Dongfang Qingxuan had already left. Soon, the old emperor also returned to his seat, with a warm smile still on his face. At first glance, apart from the dragon robe that symbolized imperial majesty, he looked like a kind old man. But it was this hand that killed and decided, turned clouds and rain upside down, without changing its expression.

  "Your Majesty, I also have an impertinent request."

  King Ning Zhao Xi had probably drunk a lot, his face was flushed with wine, one hand propped on the table, the other holding a wine cup, his body swaying slightly, clearly losing his composure, which made Emperor Hong Tai's brow furrow.

  It's clear that he didn't particularly welcome this son, especially since he had just "lost his composure" in front of the entire court, which made him even more displeased. However, fortunately today was a good day, so he didn't blame Ning Wang for making such a fuss over eating a meal, and merely raised his hand.

  Speak.

  Ning Wang put down his wine cup, shook his head slightly, and chuckled. His tone was very sincere.

  "I, your son, am delighted today and had a few more cups of wine. Please don't be angry, Your Majesty. I wanted to say that Mian Huan has returned now, and you must be happy, Your Majesty. But Mian Huan's mind is not well, so you will surely worry again. So, I was just thinking about how to share your worries... As I ate and drank, I suddenly had an idea..."

  The drunken King Ning spoke incoherently, but the filial piety was still touching and moving. The people present nodded one after another, but Emperor Hongtai's eyebrows furrowed more and more as he spoke.

  "What exactly do you want to say?"

  The King of Ning let out a belch, walked out of his seat, and said with a swagger, "I've heard that the medical skills of the Marquis of Chu are unmatched, and in the way of medicine, he can rival Hua Tuo and Bian Que. Therefore, I want to ask Your Majesty for an edict, to let the Marquis of Chu diagnose the pulse of Mianhuan, to see what kind of poisonous drug made Mianhuan suffer so much, and also to give Mianhuan justice."

  What a filial son.

  A caring uncle for his nephew.

  That "past secret" which was obviously suppressed by the old emperor, was once again brought up by Ning Wang Zhao Xian, taking advantage of his intoxication. Moreover, he clearly came prepared and after speaking, stumbled towards Xia Chuqi's table in a drunken state.

  "It's better to seize the day than wait for a good one, Chu Su Ma...please!"

  What a great plan!

  Not only did he get Hong Tai Emperor to investigate the "matter of that year", but also exposed Xia Chuqi in front of everyone, making it impossible for her to hide, and naturally, she would be seen through by fools.

  Looking at Ning Wang's gloomy eyes, Xia Chuqi's palms were clenched tightly.

  The table was silent once again.

  After a moment of silence, Emperor Hong Tai finally spoke up.

  "Son-in-law, after the banquet is over, you can have a consultation with Mian Huan."

  The old emperor spoke, and Xia Qi couldn't help but stiffly get up, forcing a smile on her face as she slightly bowed, looking very uncomfortable.

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  "Grass..." Before she had even finished speaking, the idiot sitting next to Hong Tai Emperor, who had been quietly eating with his head down and hadn't made a sound, suddenly looked up with a confused gaze that brightened in an instant. He sprang to his feet, staring at her with wide eyes full of surprise.

  "Grass... is it you?"

  Looking at his puppy-like eyes staring over, Xia Chuqi's hair stood on end, her slightly clenched hands were sweaty, but her expression didn't change. She stared into the fool's eyes and quickly got up from her seat, then immediately kowtowed.

  "Your Highness has mistaken me for someone else, I am terrified..."

  Her denial made the fool slightly stunned.

  As he looked at her raised eyes, he furrowed his brow with a hint of grievance.

  He doesn't understand why his grass doesn't recognize him.

  But he also saw the tension in her eyes...

  The scene was momentarily stiff, and Ning Wang walked over in time, smiling at the fool and saying, "Mianhuan, do you know her?"

  The fool pouted and stared pitifully at Xia Chuqi. After some consideration, he scratched his crotch in a very uncouth manner, then shook his head with a huff and sat back down.

  "I don't understand."

  His sulky tone was somewhat amusing, but he didn't admit to recognizing him, which made Ning Wang pause for a moment.

  "Can you see clearly now?"

  "I can see it clearly, but I don't recognize it, and never have."

  A fool is a fool, no matter how well he disguises himself. He hasn't seen Qīqī for too long and has thought about her for too long, so although his mouth doesn't admit it, his eyes can't help but sneak glances at her. The way he looks at her, the way he moves, clearly shows that "he's guilty as charged", how could he escape the discerning eyes of these people in the room?

  For a moment, everyone in the room had different expressions.

  The king of Ning's eyes, which were watching the play, shone with an increasingly sinister light.

  The Eastern Blue Mystic's slender phoenix eyes narrowed, his red robes fluttering slightly as he downed another cup of wine.

  Zhao Mianze furrowed his brow, and like everyone else, his eyes were fixed on Xia Chuqi's face.

  Only Zhao Zun had his eyelids slightly lowered, and he calmly picked up a chopstick of vegetables, as if he didn't worry that once his daughter's affair was exposed, it would cause a huge stir.

  Xia Chuyi let out a soft sigh.

  Others have already set up a situation for her, how could she possibly be allowed to escape easily?

  It seems that her disguise as a woman is going to be exposed today.

  As expected, Ning Wang smiled and gently patted the fool's shoulder, saying "Mian Huan, you must be careful, if there's anything in your heart, just say it, the emperor will take care of it for you. If not, today is the last chance." His words suddenly reminded the fool of what he had told him before: "If you see your wife and don't recognize her, she won't belong to you anymore."

  He carefully glanced at Xia Chuyi, hesitated, considered it, and finally muttered a sentence in a low voice.

  "She is my wife, my sole wife."

  His voice was very small, but every word entered the ears of the people present.

  A loud "whoosh" sound was heard, and the whole audience was shocked.

  This news came more suddenly than the previous one, when the Emperor ordered his daughter to marry the King of Jin. It naturally ignited a crowd's desire to watch the drama unfold. The "male concubine" of the King of Jin, the royal physician of the Jin Palace, and the husband of Princess Ziyue, turned out to be a woman, who was also said to be Zhao Mianhuan's wife. What does that represent?

  Not to mention the crime of deceiving you, just this relationship is worth savoring carefully.

  "Absurd!"

  Hong Tai's face changed, he slammed his hand on the table, and his expression turned cold and stern.

  "Choi Yeong-da, take Hwai with you and go rest."

  Hong Tai's fierce and stern stop was inexplicable, but in an instant, everyone understood. No emperor wants to admit his "stupidity" in front of his ministers. Now, letting a woman mix with the prince and even personally appointing her as a princess is not just a matter of whether Xia Chuyi should be killed or not, it also slapped him in the face as an emperor, damaging his dignity.

  However, Ning Wang is clearly here to pick a fight today.

  Before Cui Ying could drag the fool away, he had already knelt down on the ground.

  "Your Majesty, these days, Meng Zhen has been suffering. He constantly mentions his wife in front of me, the woman he got to know in Jin Cheng Fu. Meng Zhen is an honest man and won't lie. Since he says she's his wife, why doesn't Your Majesty give him a chance to prove it and investigate carefully?"

  Hong Taiji looked coldly at his third son.

  "Old Three, you..."

  He only said that, and then he let out a cold snort, his eyes turning gloomy as he waved his hand at Cui Yingda, indicating for him to take the fool away from the table first, lest he didn't understand and caused more trouble. Only then did he compose himself and look towards Xia Chuqi.

  "Husband of a princess, what do you have to say? Should I send someone to investigate or will you confess yourself?"

  What else can be said?

  In today's Spring Garden, there is obviously a trick.

  As an insider, what else can she do besides getting caught?

  It must be said that Ning Wang's move was also quite good, pushing the fool out in front of all the officials, establishing his identity as the emperor's grandson and suppressing Zhao Mianze. Next, he used the fool to expose her daughter's body, and thus could punish her and Zhao Zun for deceiving the ruler.

  He immediately knocked down two strong enemies, which can be called a high-level move.

  She fell silent for a moment, her eyes swept over Zhao Zhu's cold and expressionless face, unable to discern any emotions or thoughts. She felt a lump in her throat, and couldn't help but let out a sigh. Then, she slowly knelt down on both knees before the Emperor Hong Tai.

  "I have nothing to say, I am indeed a woman."

  Another burst of "hubbub" arose, with someone quietly drawing a breath.

  Hong Taiji's expression remained unchanged, "Do you know this is a crime of deceiving the emperor?"

  "With a stiff back, Xia Qiuzi looked at him and said faintly, 'I beg to report to Your Majesty, I have been devoted to medicine since childhood and do not understand the laws of the court. My only wish is to serve the country with my medical skills, but unfortunately, I was born as a woman. In Jin Chengfu, I heard that King Jin would be passing through Qinggang on his way back to the capital, so I disguised myself as a man, tidied up my appearance, and deceived King Jin, as well as Your Majesty. Therefore, this matter is entirely Xia Qiuzi's fault and has nothing to do with anyone else. Please, Your Majesty, forgive me.'"

  As soon as her loud voice fell, the expressions of the people in the room were different.

  Everyone knows that her remarks seem to be confessing, but they can also save the face of Emperor Hongtai's "use of people without investigation". On the other hand, it is actually removing Zhao Zun's crime of deceiving the emperor, and it is clear that she wants to take on all the responsibility.

  It is obvious that this result is what Hong Taiji likes.

  The gloom in his eyes dissipated, and he let out a sigh of relief.

  "Chu Qi, it's good that you have a heart of loyalty to the country..."

  Looking at Hong Tai's emperor borrowing a donkey to go downhill, Ning Wang didn't wait for him to finish speaking and "plop" knelt on the ground. "Father Emperor, the crime of deceiving the monarch cannot be lightly forgiven. If everyone imitates her, where is the dignity of our great Yan country? Where are the laws? Especially this matter, in my humble opinion as a son and minister, it's absolutely not that simple. A small woman, if no one instructed her, how dare she take such a huge risk to deceive the monarch and even disguise herself as a man to become a prince consort? Please, Father Emperor, be wise."

  He spoke sharply and directly pointed at Zhao Zhuo, Xia Qi naturally heard it very clearly.

  It was clear that Ning Wang had misjudged the old emperor's intentions.

  He didn't want to move Zhao Zhu.

  His eyes turned cold and he glared at Ning Wang, slapping his hand on the table again.

  "How dare you! Zhao Xi, I'm speaking, when is it your turn to point fingers and draw pictures?"

  Calling him by his full name, Hong Taiji was clearly furious, and Ning Wang was so frightened that he knocked his head to the ground.

  "Father Emperor, calm your anger, I know I was wrong. But I assure you, I had not a single selfish thought, my heart was only for Your Majesty, for the prosperity of our great dynasty..."

  Duke Ning said with a tone and expression that moved, every sentence was reasonable. Therefore, Emperor Hong Tai, although he took the opportunity to scold him severely, had to make a show of it in front of all the officials, to give everyone an explanation of the situation, otherwise, how could he convince the crowd?

  Hong Taiyi furrowed his brow and slowly looked at Zhao Zhu.

  "Old nineteen!"

  Zhao Zun, who had been sitting carelessly in his seat as if he were above the situation, finally spoke up upon hearing this.

  "I am your child."

  Hong Tai's eyes deepened, and he said with a hint of meaning, "Chu Qi's deception and offense against the monarch, were you unaware of it beforehand?"

  This question is...

  The intention of protection between the lines is really too obvious.

  On the seventh day of summer, her heart felt cool and refreshing. She followed the gaze of the crowd and looked at that handsome man who seemed like a god. However, she saw him lazily put down the wine cup in his hand, without even giving her a glance, and only said faintly.

  "I really didn't know."

  It was as if he had been punched in the chest, and Xia Chuqi felt a dull ache in his heart.

  It felt like being cut to the heart, unbearable and sour. She had previously said those words to protect him, thinking it was great, bravely sacrificing for love. But the same words coming from Zhao Zhuo's mouth were no different from the sharpest knife, instantly piercing her body without leaving any intact skin.

  As expected, all emotions are fake.

  Men are so selfish! Once it involves their own interests, aren't they all thinking of themselves?

  Her heart was heavy with emotion, suppressing the urge to burst out of her chest, she withdrew her gaze and looked at Zhao Zhu again.

  "Your Majesty, I had never had the intention of deceiving you beforehand. It was truly just because of my ignorance that I committed an error. After Your Majesty granted me marriage, I did not dare to speak clearly about it. This matter has nothing to do with Prince Jin or anyone else. Please punish only me according to the law."

  She spoke very slowly and her voice was somewhat hoarse.

  The most impressive speech, passionate and stirring, yet sincere and heartfelt, leaving people in awe.

  Of course, her words are actually unbelievable to anyone. The "ambiguous relationship" between her and Zhao Zhuo is well-known to everyone, and it's not a secret at all. Even if others didn't know she was his daughter, how could Zhao Zhuo possibly not know?!

  "Good."

  Hong Taiji seemed somewhat satisfied.

  He nodded slightly and looked around in a circle, suddenly letting out a sigh.

  "You, though a daughter, have the desire to serve the country, which is very good. Moreover, I and Lao Jin Jiu were deceived by you and appointed you as the imperial son-in-law, which was not your wish. In fact, you saved Lao Jin Jiu's life and also saved the crown prince's life, which are both great merits."

  As soon as they heard there was a reward, many people's hearts lifted.

  Hong Taiyi stroked his beard and smiled.

  "It's settled then, today I get to see my grandson and I'm overjoyed. So, I'll spare you this once, consider it a wash for your merits and demerits, and I won't punish you. However, the law is clear: as a woman, you cannot hold office. From now on, strip you of your position as Royal Physician of the Jin Wang Fu and your title as Imperial Son-in-law. Once the Crown Prince's illness is cured, ask to leave."

  The pros and cons offset each other, which is indeed convincing.

  After all, when the crown prince was seriously ill, her magical hands brought him back to life, which was witnessed by everyone.

  However, after asking to leave, there was no punishment at all, which was indeed too easy. The people in the room looked at each other, but no one dared to discuss it further. Zhao Zun's lips slightly curled up, glanced at his father, and then picked up the wine cup in front of him, without saying another word.

  That such a result could occur was naturally also something that Xia Zhi didn't anticipate beforehand.

  After curing the crown prince, he left on his own?

  It's fine this way. Anyway, she has always been alone, and wherever she goes, it's all the same. She curved her lips and revealed a brilliant smile, ignoring the heavy stone in her heart, and sincerely bowed down.

  "Chu Qi thanked Your Majesty for sparing his life and promised to wholeheartedly treat the Crown Prince..."

  If things went on like this, they might have walked towards a "perfect" situation. Chu Su's silent departure would be followed by the appearance of Cheng Guo Gong's daughter, "Jing Yi Jun Zhu", at the Cheng Guo Gong Fu, and then she would properly marry into the Jin Wang Fu, becoming the Jin Wang Fei. From then on, the two people would go far away, to the north, to the Bei Ping Fu, where they would have good land, without any obstacles from Xia Chu or any other identity.

  But often the development of things is just a step away...

  Just after the summer seventh bowing head to thank, the head has not been lifted yet, but heard outside a hurried footsteps. Then that person hastily stepped into the temple, what to say hasn't come out yet, the person already burst into tears.

  "Your Majesty, something's gone wrong...... an incident has occurred......"

  That voice was none other than Huang Mingzhi, the trusted eunuch of the Crown Prince.

  On the seventh day of summer, a bad premonition flashed through his mind. He raised his head to see Emperor Hong Tai staring at him with displeasure.

  "There's no need to rush, what's the hurry?!"

  Huang Mingzhi fell to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived..."

  He had just let out a sigh of relief when he heard him sobbing, "The Crown Prince is at the gate of Spring Garden... He, he suddenly passed away..."

  "What did you say? Say it again!"

  Hong Tai's gaze shot over like a sharp needle, and he suddenly stood up, his whole body swaying twice, almost unable to stand upright. The officials in the hall also rose one after another, looking at Huang Mingzhi with fear and unease. Even Zhao Zun, who had been calm and composed, clenched the hand holding his wine cup tightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

  It was clearly beyond his expectations ——

  Huang Mingzhi said something else, but Xia Chuyi didn't quite catch it.

  When the four words "The Crown Prince is dead" entered her ears, her heart had already begun to sink with a "thud", and in front of her eyes were Zhao Zhe's warm and loving eyes. Countless scenes from their time together also appeared one by one in her mind.

  In a daze, she suddenly felt as if she had fallen off a precipice of ten thousand feet.

  The cold wind beside her "swooshed" by, blowing her all over with chill.

  The Crown Prince has passed away.

  So the "merit and demerit offset" that the old emperor mentioned earlier naturally disappeared. Moreover, Huang Mingzhi also reported back that the crown prince was fine in the morning, with a good spirit. Before leaving, he only ate a bowl of medicine newly prepared by Dr. Chu, so she has become the biggest suspect, how could those people let her go?

  Hong Taiji closed his eyes, propped up his forehead, and left the main hall. He coldly stared over here.

  "Someone's here! Take Chu Qi and throw him into the great prison, await further instructions."

  The words of the Son of Heaven, once spoken, become an order.

  Zhao Zhu's eyes suddenly turned cold, and with a "whoosh" sound, he stood up.

  But looking at her, he clenched his fists and sat back down.

  Xia Chuqi forced a smile, but her heart kept sinking.

  The halberd-wielding Imperial Guards rushed over, pinning her hands behind her back and shoving her out. She couldn't hear what the people around her were saying, but she vaguely saw Dongfang Qingyun's smiling gaze and Zhao Mianze's deeply furrowed brow.

  She didn't resist, but quietly took a step back, looking at Zhao Zhu's expressionless cold face, and said nothing more.

  But in her heart, many scenes were linked together one by one...

  That day he went to the Qixia Temple and spoke those inexplicable words with Master Daochang, was it just for the Zhonghe Festival? Could that Chengguo Princess really exist? She didn't believe it. If Yuanshu's father could have had a daughter, how could his sons all be adopted?

  There is also the dialogue between the woman and him in Merlin's chamber.

  Is that woman Dongfang Amu'er?

  What's the plan in her mouth? Is there a link to kill the prince and frame her? Now that the fool is back, the fool is the eldest grandson. If the prince dies, Zhao Mianze will become the crown prince, but it will not be legitimate. Next, with the nature of Ning Wang, how can he compete with Zhao Zun who holds military power?

  No wonder Dongfang Qingxuan and Zhao Zun kept coming and going, handing over that one book "Fengyue Xinge". It turns out that Dongfang Qingxuan was for his sister, it turns out that they have always been in cahoots? Apparently, the non-existent "daughter of Chengguo Gong" will soon be stolen dragon and phoenix, turning into Dongfang Amu'er.

  No wonder he didn't refuse the marriage...

  No wonder all the princesses who were bestowed by the emperor in the past would die miserably before they could even get married.

  No wonder...

  Originally, the position next to him was always reserved for Dongfang Amu.

  What a load of crap this "rivers clear and oceans calm, times harmonious and years abundant" nonsense is.

  She thought carefully, the most pitiful person was actually Crown Prince Zhao Ye. Had he invited a wolf into his home? By marrying Amur back to the manor, he had also brought back a time bomb. If her guess was correct, the "梅毒" (a chronic illness) that had been plaguing him for so long, including today's sudden death, should all be related to Dongfang Amur... By infecting Crown Prince Zhao Ye with the disease, Dongfang Amur could rightfully refuse to serve him in bed and keep her body intact for Zhao Zun... Heh, in her plan, what she wanted was not just the position of Crown Prince Zhao Ye's consort, but had always been to be Empress to Zhao Zun.

  It's been brewing for so long, and today it finally erupted.

  Only Ning Wang was foolish and made wedding clothes for others without knowing it.

  As she stepped over the high threshold, she almost tripped and fell.

  Suddenly, she felt like laughing.

  The Crown Prince is dead.

  Death must be unjustified, so there will always be someone to take the blame.

  Unfortunately, she will become the scapegoat.

  ……

  ……

  The Crown Prince died suddenly, and the "Banquet of a Hundred Officials" prepared for the Mid-Autumn Festival was naturally unnecessary. The Taichang Temple will soon start preparing for the funeral rites of the Crown Prince. The body of the Crown Prince has been returned to the East Palace, which means "dying of old age".

  The crown prince died at the gate of the Spring Garden.

  According to Huang Mingzhi's account, the Crown Prince was overjoyed when he learned that the Emperor's grandson had been found. He immediately ordered his carriage to be prepared and asked Huang Mingzhi to help him get dressed in new clothes. He insisted on going to the Spring Garden personally. On the way, the Crown Prince said he felt a bit suffocated in the chest, but when Huang Mingzhi suggested calling for the imperial physician, the Crown Prince said it was not necessary as Dr. Chu was already at the Spring Garden.

  Just as the carriage reached the entrance of Yichun Garden, Huang Mingzhi released the horse's reins and lifted the curtain to help the prince down from the carriage. It was then that he discovered the prince had somehow fallen softly inside the carriage and was no longer breathing.

  Until his death, Zhao Zhen never saw his eldest son again.

  But the silly fool didn't even know his father had died on the way to see him.

  February 2nd, at the hour of Wei (13:00-15:00).

  Under Choi Yeong-dal's arrangement, the fool went to the East Palace in disarray and saw his father's body.

  It's a pity that, looking at the intricately carved and painted Eastern Palace, looking at the place where he had lived for eight years, the fool didn't have any memories. He obediently knelt in front of the Taizi's coffin, and also stupidly looked at the thin corpse, but didn't shed a single tear, except for fear and tension, there were no other emotions.

  He had long forgotten the person lying in the coffin, and also forgot that person's pair of dry and withered hands, which were once slender and white, and had once warmly stroked his head, warmly lifted up his small body to face the sunlight, and warmly called out his name - Meng Wan.

  "Your Highness, this was originally meant for you by the Crown Prince..."

  Huang Mingzhi knelt down on the side, weeping and sniffling, and handed a embroidered sachet with flowers to the fool.

  "Oh."

  The fool glanced at him and stuffed the sachet into his bosom in a muddle.

  He thought for a moment, then rubbed his hands together and looked down, embarrassed, saying something.

  "Thank you."

  Huang Mingzhi listened to his foolish words, his lips trembling and shaking a few times, "Wow" burst into tears. Suddenly getting up, he bumped his head on the prince's coffin.

  "Master... I'll be right there to attend to you..."

  "Ah——"

  Watching him with his brains splattered out, the fool was so scared that he hugged his head and burst into tears.

  It was also on February 2nd at an unknown time——

  Xia Zhiqiu leaned against the cold stone wall of the heavenly prison, her hands clasped around her knees, motionless.

  This prison cell has been around for a long time, I don't know what kind of people have lived here, it looks very old. Three sides are stone walls, one side is a circular wooden fence. The fence is very thick, the outer paint has faded, looking like an old man who silently tells the history of the prison.

  There was no bed in the cell, but a thick layer of straw was spread out.

  She is now sitting on the straw.

  Since she was put in prison, no one came to interrogate her. The surroundings were very quiet with almost no human voice. She couldn't see the "fellow prisoner" next door and couldn't smell the imagined stench and sour smell. Overall, this cell was quite clean and there were no other prisoners detained.

  In the silence, she suddenly smiled - could it be a VIP prison cell?

  What would be the outcome of being imprisoned, she didn't know and didn't have the mind to think about it. At the bottom of her heart, there wasn't much fear either. As a transmigrated woman, if she hadn't been imprisoned before, in the future when she returned, she wouldn't even dare tell others that she had transmigrated.

  "The Crown Prince has passed away."

  She has been thinking about these few sentences all along.

  Always thinking of these few sentences, so as not to think of that man, lest it be heart-wrenching.

  She needs some quiet time.

  It's good to think quietly about it, where is the significance of her crossing after all.

  It was just yesterday that she still thought her transmigration was for meeting him.

  It's simply laughable now.

  She bowed her head, holding her head in both hands, and rubbed it again and again. Then she looked up at the corridor outside, where the oil lamps were dimly lit. Suddenly, she felt that the biggest flaw of this prison was probably that the light was too dark.

  "Have you eaten?"

  At the bottom of the wooden fence, there was a small window, just about the size of a bowl mouth, which was used exclusively for serving meals. At this moment, that small window was opened, and a young prison guard in his teens squatted outside, pushing the meal inside.

  Xia Chui's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

  Having a royal meal at noon and then eating at the hotel in the evening, this rhythm is too damaging.

  However, she had eaten a bit too much at noon, and now her stomach wasn't very hungry. She just walked over to take a look, but was somewhat surprised. The meal brought by the prison guard didn't seem as coarse as she had imagined. A bowl of white rice, one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and a bowl of thick soup with floating pieces of meat.

  "Hey, today is indeed a good day, how come you're treating me to such a feast? Is it because the Emperor is keeping up with the times and creating a new trend for prisons in harmony with the world, or are you afraid that I'll be reborn and come back to haunt you after I die?"

  She lazily glanced at the little jailer and teased him lightly.

  Those "high-end" words of hers had clearly dazzled Kanata's jailer.

  He stared at her in astonishment, and it wasn't until after a while that he understood what she meant.

  "These dishes were brought in by someone..."

  She let out a soft "oh" and Xia Chuqi slightly narrowed her eyes, looking at her sideways. "Oh right, I almost forgot that I'm a prisoner with connections upstairs. You guys better not bully me casually, who knows when I'll be released and come back to cause trouble for you."

  The little jailer was amused by her easy manner and chuckled.

  "I don't know..."

  He is too kind, so kind that it doesn't seem like a prisoner's treatment.

  "Speak up, who told you to?" Xia Chuqi slightly raised an eyebrow and asked.

  The little jailer hastily shook his head, "The warden won't let me speak."

  On the seventh day of summer, however, he came with enthusiasm, and whispered to him in a low voice, "Tell me secretly, I'll give you silver."

  Xiao Yu's eyes lit up, "How much?"

  Summer Seventh compared a palm, squeezed his eyes, "Five mace."

  The five taels of silver were not in vain. The small jailer seemed somewhat pleased, "Alright, I'll tell you. It's... the King of Jin."

  Her heart sank suddenly, Xia Chuyi pushed away those dishes and sat back down dejectedly.

  "You, you haven't paid yet?"

  She batted her eyelashes at him, and Xia Chuqi's eyes reddened as she rummaged through her chest, then spread out her hands in a gesture.

  "I owe you money! I'm broke, go ask Duke Jin for it!"

  February 2nd, 3 o'clock in the afternoon

  Someone secretly reported to Emperor Hongtai, saying that the Jin Wangfu had a "penicillin research room" that was never shown to outsiders, which was where Chu Qi researched medicine. Those medicines were said to be for the Crown Prince's use. Sending someone to investigate that place might just find evidence of the Crown Prince's sudden death.

  Upon receiving the news, Emperor Hongtai immediately instructed Old Six Zhao Kai to dispatch a group of Imperial City Guards to surround the Jinwang Mansion. With confidence, Zhao Kai loudly declared "By imperial decree, search the Jinwang Mansion!" and brazenly entered the mansion's pharmacy, where he found the "moldy food" used by Xia Chuzi to extract Qingmei.

  When those things were presented to the Emperor, from the old emperor to the various imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital, they were all shocked. They thought that Chu Qi was simply crazy, daring to use such things for the Crown Prince?

  "These foods are poisonous, Your Majesty..."

  "Your Majesty, this matter must be thoroughly investigated!"

  "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has passed away in vain, and until his death, he was unable to see the eldest grandson of the Emperor, it's really heartbreaking..."

  All kinds of advice poured in, but no matter what was said, it was all good. However, as soon as the words "moldy food" were mentioned, it became a foregone conclusion that "Chu Qi's medicine caused Crown Prince Zhao Ke to die".

  In the quiet palace, Emperor Hong Tai fell silent...

  After a long time, he did not directly order what to do with Chu Qi, but gave serious instructions.

  "Summon Old Nineteen to see me!"

  On February 2nd at around 5 pm

  Zhao You sat coldly in the study, also motionless.

  "Has she eaten?"

  "Yes." The person answering him was Chen Jing.

  Zhao Zun furrowed his brow tightly, his eyes colder than ice.

  "Get her to take it again! Make sure she swallows it."

  Chen Jing lowered his eyes, clasped his fists respectfully and knelt on one knee.

  "Your Highness, Chu physician is a stubborn person."

  He rubbed his temples in frustration, the word "stubborn" causing Zhao Zun's slightly furrowed eyebrows to wrinkle even deeper. After a moment of consideration, he gazed at Chen Jing with a cold expression, suddenly clenching his fists and standing up.

  "This king is going, it's also pouring, and she has to pour it down too."

  Chen Jing fell silent.

  Two people came out of the study room, one after another. Before Zhao Zun had time to take the food to the heavenly prison, another imperial edict arrived from the palace.

  "Your Highness, the Emperor summons you to enter the palace immediately."

  Zhao Zun's throat knot slid heavily, and he swung his sleeve to order Chen Jing.

  "You took Mei Zi away, you must let her eat."

  February 2nd, at the hour of Xu (7-9 pm), one quarter.

  The body leaning against the stone wall on the seventh day of summer was getting colder and colder.

  She found that spring had arrived, but it was not a bit warmer than winter. The chill crept up her spine like a snake, spreading to every part of her body, making her numb all over. Yet even though she was chilled to the bone, she didn't feel like moving at all.

  She is a lazy person, she thought.

  Especially at this time, it's as if someone has sucked out all his strength, and he's lost all spirit.

  They say love is a poison, but when you're heartbroken, does it really feel that way? She thinks this theory is too high-end or maybe she's just stupid and can't understand it. They say there's a bellyful of sorrow, but not necessarily.

  Not even a single tear was shed, what kind of heartbreak is this?

  After a long time, my heart was filled with all sorts of annoying emotions, but I couldn't think of that one sentence - "Under the night pearl, take the hair from the 'hundred will hole' on the man and woman's heads, braid it into a plait, and these two people can be together forever, no matter how heaven's way turns, no matter if they are separated by thousands or tens of thousands of years, they will never be apart again..."

  She really wants to laugh...

  Only fools would believe it?

  After all, stories are just stories.

  With a "bang", the small window was opened again.

  That little jailer who was deceived has come again.

  "Have you eaten?"

  He seemed to only know how to say this one opening line, Xia Qiuli lazily lifted her head to look over, separated by a wooden fence, she saw Mei Zi's eyes red from crying, and in her hand was a food box. "Chu Qi, Master told me to come deliver lunch to you."

  February 2nd, 11:45

  In the Jing Shen Hall, the lights are still shining brightly.

  Apart from the old emperor who had not yet been settled, apart from a few senior officials in the court, his sons and grandsons were also gathered together. After discussing how to hold a grand funeral for the crown prince, Dongfang Qingxuan suggested that Chu Qi be taken to the imperial prison and tried by the Embroidered Uniform Guard for "the case of Chu Qi's assassination of the crown prince". His proposal was supported by several old ministers and several princes, but only Zhao Zun refused to give in.

  "Your Majesty——" Zhao You's gaze was very deep, "If Chu Qi intentionally wanted to harm the Crown Prince, she could have simply not treated him and that would have been it. Why go through so much trouble? This doesn't make any sense."

  His words were reasonable, but King Ning pressed him step by step.

  "Your Majesty, can't you say that? At first, she might have been sincere in her desire to save him, but who knows if later on she was influenced by someone and harbored evil intentions? Moreover, although she is just a small woman, she dared to disguise herself as a man and deceive the emperor. How can we treat her with ordinary thinking? It's not impossible that she suddenly had an ulterior motive." After saying this, he turned his face sideways and looked at Zhao Zhu.

  "Nineteenth brother, if it's not a guilty conscience, what else would you be afraid of people bringing up for scrutiny?"

  Zhao Kai immediately agreed, "Your Majesty, Third Brother is right. What's wrong with a retrial?"

  Several princes each held a word, the ministers looked at each other in dismay, Dongfang Qingxuan just smiled faintly, while Emperor Hongtai's mood today was obviously somewhat unstable. Within one day, he gained a grandson and lost a son, this child suddenly became furious with the blue veins on his forehead jumping, after thinking for a moment, he looked towards Zhao Mianze again.

  "Mian Ze, what's your take on this matter?"

  Zhao Mianze didn't speak from the start and was called upon, taking a step forward.

  "Sun Er thought that Chu Qi's previous treatment of my father, the king, was indeed sincere. Now that this has happened, it is still unclear what poison my father took, and to condemn her based solely on some moldy food found in the search is too hasty a judgment, and..."

  "Your Imperial Highness——"

  Ning Wang interrupted him with a sentence, and the voice of "Imperial Grandson" was so sarcastic. Immediately, he took advantage of the situation to fan the flames.

  "As a son, one should have filial piety. Now that my elder brother has died tragically, we uncles are all heartbroken. And you, as his son, can still be so calm and composed? Are you going to speak up for the enemy?"

  Zhao Mianze was slightly taken aback, and before he could even open his mouth, Hong Tai Emperor's pupils suddenly constricted as he stared at Ning Wang.

  "Don't stir up trouble and stop talking nonsense."

  Prince Ning bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I'm just stating the facts. Now that my elder brother is gone, who wouldn't feel sad? But look at Mianze, is this how a son should behave? It's just a small matter of Jin Yiwei interrogating Chu Qi, why would someone with a clear conscience try to stop it?"

  Zhao Mianze's Adam's apple moved, but he didn't say anything else.

  Seeing Emperor Hongtai's silence, Prince Ning advised again, "Your Majesty, it is common knowledge that eating moldy food can be poisonous. Chu Qi's intentions are suspicious and obvious to everyone. I implore Your Majesty to issue an edict, allowing the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate this case. Once they apply those torture methods in the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison, she will surely reveal who is behind her."

  Zhao Zun hummed coldly and fiercely glared at Dongfang Qingxuan.

  "The imprisonment of Jin Yiwei can make a person confess the color of his daughter's underwear, what crime cannot be determined?"

  Hong Taiji rubbed his temples and looked at him with narrowed eyes, no one expected that he would suddenly issue an edict.

  "The imperial edict is hereby issued, the crime of Chu Qi is severe, deceiving the ruler and fooling those above, misleading the King of Jin, secretly manufacturing poisonous medicine, plotting to harm the Crown Prince. It is decreed that on the third day of the second month of the 25th year of the Hongtai era, at noon, execute immediately——"

  Digression

  First spread then correct mistake, very good...