CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 41: PRINCE YAN AND HIS SON

"This year, take a few imperial physicians back with you for proper treatment," Zhao Junyao said.

Prince Yan smiled and waved his hand. "I appreciate your concern, Your Majesty, but this old ailment of mine is incurable. Why bother having them travel such a long distance for me!"

Crown Prince Yan, Zhao Junqi, who was sitting to the side, also smiled. "You need not worry, Imperial Brother. There are several renowned doctors in our residence! Father hasn’t suffered much."

"That’s good." Zhao Junyao was reassured. He was very fond of this paternal uncle who strongly resembled his late father. Amidst the laughter and after a few more cups of wine, the three of them changed the subject.

Prince Yan, now over forty, was somewhat portly, though his facial features strongly resembled those of the late Emperor. However, having spent many years in his fief and grown accustomed to a life of abundance, he lacked the commanding presence of a ruler. The man appeared to be an ordinary, wealthy patriarch enjoying his riches and station. Compared to the late Emperor, who had sat on the throne for nearly two decades, their temperaments were entirely different.

Zhao Junqi had inherited the Royal Family’s excellent genes and was exceptionally handsome, yet his actions carried a hint of a wastrel’s decadence. He had long since lost the ambitious drive he possessed when he studied in the Study Room.

Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but tease him. "When I was young and frail, I always lost to you in Horseback Archery. If we were to compete now, you definitely wouldn’t win!"

Zhao Junqi helplessly spread his hands. "Although I’m not as diligent, I do make an effort! At the very least, I can still draw a bow," he added, looking quite serious.

Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

After the meal, they sipped tea for a while before Prince Yan and his son took their leave from the palace.

On the grand, imposing stone steps of Zhaochen Palace, Zhao Junyao stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching the father and son gradually walk away. He watched Prince Yan limping with his cane, and Zhao Junqi slowly helping his father down the steps. A complex emotion flickered in Zhao Junyao’s eyes. Only when their figures had shrunk into blurry silhouettes in the distance did Zhao Junyao turn and go back inside.

Indeed, Prince Yan was lame. As a teenager, he had broken his leg in a horse-riding accident, leaving him with a permanent limp.

Years ago, when Prince Yan was still in the Capital and Zhao Junyao was not yet the Crown Prince, Prince Yan, despite his leg, still possessed a vigorous spirit, even practicing his saber skills while seated. He was diligent in his studies and, though he rarely went out, he kept himself well informed about worldly affairs. He was particularly demanding of his legitimate son, Zhao Junqi. During their time in the Study Room, Junqi had been the most rebellious yet also the most hardworking; Zhao Junyao could never best him in Horseback Archery.

Later, when their father ascended the throne, Prince Yan went to his fief in Guangnan.

Now... the father was an old Prince living a life of comfort and wealth, and the son had become a somewhat reckless Master Prince. Zhao Junyao sighed softly to himself.

Just as he was lost in thought, reflecting on the relentless passage of time, Honored Lady Hu had been poisoned!

Zhao Junyao’s expression changed. "Poisoned?"

He had grown up in the palace and was accustomed to the harem consorts vying for favor, usually turning a blind eye. But now... they had resorted to such a vicious method as attempting murder. If he didn’t intervene, might they not target an imperial heir next!

「Lijing Pavilion」

When Zhao Junyao arrived, the Empress was already present. The Imperial Physicians were diagnosing Honored Lady Hu, while several palace attendants knelt on the ground, trembling in fear. If anything happened to Honored Lady Hu, they too would not survive.

The Empress stepped forward to greet the Emperor upon his arrival. "I pay my respects, Your Majesty!"

"Rise."

Zhao Junyao waved his hand and sat on a chair in the outer room.

While personally serving him tea, the Empress said guiltily, "For such a thing to happen in the harem is truly my oversight. I am to blame. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao glanced at the Empress, took a sip of tea, and said slowly, "The end of the year is busy, and you cannot be everywhere at once. You can’t be fully blamed. Have a seat."

The Empress thanked him, composed herself, and then sat on the other side of the tea table. What a relief. The Emperor knew she was busy and hadn’t blamed her too much!

The Imperial Physician emerged. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Honored Lady Hu first vomited and then lost consciousness. We found oleander pollen in the vomit. This substance is highly toxic; a small amount can be fatal. Fortunately, Honored Lady Hu’s poisoning wasn’t severe, and timely treatment saved her life."

"Oleander?"

"How could such a thing appear in the palace!" the Empress exclaimed in shock.

Zhao Junyao’s expression was grim. Human lives were not to be trifled with. He stared at the palace attendants and asked sternly, "Explain in detail what happened!"

Xiao Zhaozi, who served Honored Lady Hu, crawled over, weeping. "Reporting to Your Majesty, my Honored Lady loves cheese. At noon today, when I went to fetch her meal, I saw that other masters had received cheese. So I asked the Imperial Kitchen staff to prepare a bowl for her as well, but they said there was none left! It would take half a Shi Chen to make a new batch. At that moment, Xiao Xizi from Zhaohua Pavilion also came to fetch a meal, and there was a bowl of cheese in his food box. Afraid of returning and being scolded by my Honored Lady, I pleaded with Xiao Xizi to exchange with me! He readily agreed, saying his Honored Lady never liked it, and I thanked him profusely. Who would have known... after my Honored Lady had her noon meal, she..."

Upon hearing this, the Empress’s expression changed. "Is this servant implying...?"

Was the cheese Xiao Xizi gave to Honored Lady Hu poisoned?

Zhao Junyao was silent for a moment, then commanded, "Imperial Physician."

Li Shengan presented the remaining half-bowl of cheese. After examining it, the Imperial Physician reported, "Your Majesty, this bowl of cheese indeed contains poison!"

「Zhaohua Pavilion」

After returning from fetching the noon meal, Xiao Xizi mentioned that Xiao Zhaozi had approached him and exchanged the cheese. Xiao Xizi was still young. It wasn’t until he returned that he realized something was amiss. It’s just a bowl of cheese, not some rare delicacy. Why would he go to such lengths to ask someone for it?!

Xia Ruqing considered it. It was indeed strange. In the palace, if masters wanted something specific to eat, they would usually notify the Imperial Kitchen in advance. As an Honored Lady of the Sixth Rank, the Imperial Kitchen shouldn’t have made things difficult for Honored Lady Hu. So then...

"Zi Yue, just to be safe, you two search Zhaohua Pavilion thoroughly. Make sure nothing unexpected turns up," Xia Ruqing instructed. Accompanying the Emperor in the Imperial Study Room these past few days might have attracted someone’s envy.

They immediately agreed. They searched thoroughly, both inside and out, but found nothing amiss.

Xia Ruqing wondered, Am I overthinking this?

"Never mind. Just stay alert. Don’t let something like this happen again."

"Yes, my Lady."

"I’m tired. I’ll take a nap."

Zi Yue helped her mistress prepare for her noon rest.

Before Xia Ruqing could even lie down, Little Zhuzi arrived. He usually arrived smiling, but this time, his face was rather pale.

"Lady Xia, the Emperor and Empress are at Lijing Pavilion. I’ve been sent to summon you!"

Xia Ruqing was puzzled, a sense of foreboding stirring within her. She didn’t dare ask further, so she quickly dressed and left with Zi Yue.

Little Zhuzi added, "Eunuch Xiao Xizi as well! Please both go!"

Xiao Xizi also realized something was amiss; his face was pale, but he remained composed.

Along the way, Xia Ruqing asked what the matter was.

Grateful to Lady Xia for her past kindness, Little Zhuzi chose his words carefully and then recounted the entire incident.

Xia Ruqing’s heart sank. She had indeed been set up!