Chapter 77

After making up her mind, Consort De immediately instructed her trusted maid to send a message to Yan Ming. The palace was heavily guarded, with guards loyal to Yan Donghuang at every gate, making it extremely difficult to pass messages without leaving evidence. Thus, after making a round, Hua Ping returned empty-handed, unable to find any opportunity to get the message out of the palace.

Consort De was pacing anxiously, “We only have one day, but we can’t get the message out. What should we do?”

Noble Lady Wei, looking conflicted as if making a major decision, finally looked at Hua Ping and said, “Hua Ping, go to the Imperial Medical Office and fetch Doctor Feng, saying that Consort De has fainted again after waking up from a shock and cannot be roused.”

Hua Ping turned to Consort De.

“Doctor Feng from the Imperial Medical Office?” Consort De’s expression turned wary as she looked at Noble Lady Wei, “Who is he to you?”

“He is my distant cousin,” Noble Lady Wei replied urgently, “Your Highness, saving the Chu family is the priority now. Other matters can wait.”

Consort De regained her composure and instructed Hua Ping, “Go quickly.”

“Yes.”

Hua Ping hurried to the Imperial Medical Office.

Initially in despair, Consort De felt a glimmer of hope after Noble Lady Wei’s reassurance. She knew she was out of options and placed all her hopes on Noble Lady Wei.

To ensure Noble Lady Wei’s commitment, Consort De gratefully held her hand and promised, “As long as you can save the Chu family, I will never mistreat you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Noble Lady Wei bowed humbly, overwhelmed by the favor, “The Chu and Wei families are closely linked. This is my duty.”

Consort De nodded, suppressing her anxious hopes, and tried to calm herself by pacing slowly. She only hoped Doctor Feng would arrive quickly and come up with a solution.

Meanwhile, in Chongming Hall, Emperor Wu Lie, leaning against the bed, instructed sternly, “Donghuang, establishing the heir and ascending the throne are against the usual rules, so appropriate military suppression is necessary. Once everyone accepts this outcome and fears the ruthless methods, showing benevolence will not be too late.”

First force, then kindness. Showing a bit of mercy when people are fearful can have unexpected effects.

Yan Donghuang nodded, “I understand, Father.”

Emperor Wu Lie gave a few more instructions and ordered Rong Chun to summon several royal princes for a meeting.

At that moment, Imperial Physician Wen entered with ginseng soup.

Yan Donghuang asked, “How is Father’s health?”

“If His Majesty can rest peacefully, he can hold on for another half month,” Imperial Physician Wen replied cautiously, “But it is now mid-winter and the cold is severe. His Majesty’s health is weak, so he must keep warm and avoid extreme emotions to maintain stable health.”

Yan Donghuang looked outside; it was indeed mid-winter. But the Emperor’s chamber was heated, with no trace of cold. She remembered that in her previous life, after the heir was established, her father died the next day. With year-end approaching, it was a busy time, and after the funeral, Yan Ming hastily ascended the throne, simplifying the ceremony.
Soon after ascending the throne, the new Emperor sent her to the border under the pretext of a weak defense. Now, thinking back, did Yan Ming secretly harm her father, fearing she would notice something unusual and thus send her away early?

Yan Donghuang turned to the inner hall, deep in thought.

After drinking the ginseng soup brought by Imperial Physician Wen, Emperor Wu Lie ordered Rong Chun to grind ink. He wanted to write several secret decrees and later summon the royal princes for a meeting.

The hall was filled with eunuchs and maids.

Yan Donghuang instructed them to take good care of the place and then took Imperial Physician Wen to the side hall, “Imperial Physician Wen, are your wife and children in the capital?”

Imperial Physician Wen was surprised by the sudden question from the princess but nodded, “Yes.”

Yan Donghuang walked to the window, her voice indifferent, “I heard your eldest son got married a year ago and had a lovely son last month.”

Imperial Physician’s expression changed slightly, understanding Yan Donghuang’s implication, and respectfully replied, “Yes, my grandson just turned one month old.”

“I have a few questions for you,” Yan Donghuang turned to him, her probing gaze on his face, “Have you heard of the Seven-Day Intestinal Poison?”

Imperial Physician Wen was puzzled, “Why does the Grand Princess ask this?”

Yan Donghuang coldly replied, “Just answer my question.”

“The Imperial Medical Office’s duty is to treat illnesses and serve the Emperor and Consorts. The Seven-Day Intestinal Poison is a poison. If someone is researching this poison, they must have malicious intentions,” Imperial Physician Wen frowned, speaking respectfully and calmly, “As far as I know, no one in the Imperial Medical Office is secretly researching this poison.”

Yan Donghuang asked again, “Have you heard of ‘Silk Binding’?”

“I have,” Imperial Physician Wen nodded, “Silk Binding is usually used with poison to make an otherwise curable poison incurable.”

Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “If the poisoner wants the victim to have no cure, why not use a lethal poison directly?”

“There might be some concerns,” Imperial Physician Wen pondered, “Maybe to threaten the victim or to buy some time.”

Yan Donghuang nodded, “Is there any doctor in the Imperial Medical Office who is particularly close to any consort or prince?”

Imperial Physician Wen thought carefully and shook his head slowly, “I haven’t noticed, but when I brought medicine from the Imperial Medical Office earlier, a maid from Ganquan Palace came to fetch Imperial Physician Feng, saying Consort De had fainted from grief.”

Yan Donghuang squinted, “Ganquan Palace specifically asked for Imperial Physician Feng?”

“Yes.”

“Does Imperial Physician Feng often attend to Consort De?”

“Not often,” Imperial Physician Wen answered truthfully, “The consorts usually see doctors for pregnancy or women’s illnesses, and each palace has its designated doctor. Imperial Physician Feng is skilled in various fields but not specialized in any particular illness.”

Yan Donghuang stared thoughtfully out the window and said, “I hope you keep our conversation confidential.”

“Yes.”

“Also, please stay in Chongming Hall tonight and carefully inspect all food and medicine for my father,” Yan Donghuang’s voice was calm but carried an imperceptible chill, “Ensure my father’s health.”

Imperial Physician Wen bowed, “Yes, I will follow the Grand Princess’s orders.”

Chapter 78

After finishing her conversation with Imperial Physician Wen, Yan Donghuang didn’t disturb her father and the princes discussing state affairs. Instead, she left Chongming Hall to inspect the palace guards. Standing on the high steps, she gazed coldly at the rows of palaces, her expression as frosty as the winter air.

“Rong Ying,” Yan Donghuang’s voice was icy, “You and Si Ying will investigate tonight. Find out who has the ‘Silk Binding’ poison and who has the Seven-Day Intestinal Poison.”

“Yes.”

Yan Donghuang descended the steps, and the Qingluan soldiers on duty saluted her respectfully.

Mu Yunfan had already arranged the troops at the south gate. The Tianheng soldiers, dressed in black, were stationed every few steps, tightly controlling the palace entrance.

Mu Yunfan, in his black military robe, stood out with his imposing presence.

Yan Donghuang silently approached the gate.

Mu Yunfan turned and saluted, “Your Highness.”

Yan Donghuang nodded, about to speak, when the sound of horse hooves approached. Both turned to see Feng Yaoguang dismounting swiftly outside the gate, dressed in deep red armor.

Seeing Yan Donghuang, Feng Yaoguang paused, then saluted, “Your Highness.”

Yan Donghuang asked calmly, “How is the inventory?”

“The Chu family had over 460,000 taels of gold and 1.2 million taels of silver. Other valuables are estimated to be worth over a million taels.”

Adding the gold, silver, and the previous treasures, the total was more than 6 million taels.

Yan Donghuang’s expression was indifferent, “Minister Chu had quite an appetite.”

In her previous life, they found 900,000 taels of gold and over 5 million taels of silver, totaling over 10 million taels. Subtracting today’s 6 million, it meant Yan Ming had embezzled at least 4 million taels in two and a half years after ascending the throne. The total corruption over the years equaled the annual tax revenue of the Yong Dynasty.

“Your Highness,” Feng Yaoguang looked surprised, “Why did the Emperor suddenly make you the Crown Princess?”

Yan Donghuang remained calm, “Isn’t it good to be the Crown Princess?”

“Of course,” Feng Yaoguang replied without hesitation, “But there’s no precedent for a female emperor. The Emperor must be under great pressure. We are all impressed.”

Yan Donghuang was silent for a moment, “Pressure is nothing. As long as one is alive, any difficulty can be overcome.”

Feng Yaoguang didn’t understand but didn’t ask further.

Yan Donghuang’s gaze swept over him, a hint of melancholy in her eyes, “Walk with me.”

Feng Yaoguang was surprised but then nodded. They walked out of the palace in silence.

Busy with the inventory, Feng Yaoguang hadn’t thought much. Now, in the quiet, he wondered what was troubling the Crown Princess.

The Emperor’s decision to make her Crown Princess was bold, and she was capable of ruling. But she had always supported the Second Prince, Yan Ming. Today, she was made the heir and personally led the raid on Minister Chu’s mansion.

How would she deal with Consort De and the Second Prince in the future?
How did she know about Minister Chu’s corruption?

Feng Yaoguang was puzzled and looked at Yan Donghuang, “Have you fallen out with the Second Prince?”

Yan Donghuang didn’t answer but asked, “What do you think of Prince Jing?”

Feng Yaoguang was taken aback, then frowned, “I haven’t interacted much with him. I’ve heard he’s kind and approachable, but it seems too good to be true.”

A prince vying for the throne, known only for his kindness, seemed too shallow. Could he secure the throne with just a reputation for being approachable?

Yan Donghuang nodded slowly, “Indeed, too good to be true.”

Feng Yaoguang was moved, almost guessing, “Do you suspect Prince Jing has been pretending?”

Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “Not suspect, certain.”

Feng Yaoguang’s eyes narrowed. If she was confident, it meant she had evidence. He was about to speak when a carriage approached quickly, breaking the rules.

The carriage stopped, and a tall, handsome man, Sheng Jing’an, whom Yan Donghuang knew well, stepped out.

Feng Yaoguang’s face turned cold, clearly displeased.

“Yan Donghuang,” Sheng Jing’an, dressed in white mourning clothes, looked at her with a hint of displeasure, “I heard you’re vying for the throne?”

Yan Donghuang suppressed her coldness, looking at him calmly, “Not vying, inheriting.”

“Inheriting?” Sheng Jing’an’s face changed, “Is this the Emperor’s will?”

Yan Donghuang was indifferent, “And my own.”

Sheng Jing’an frowned, “You’re a woman. Why would you want the throne? Don’t you love the battlefield?”

“Who says women can’t vie for the throne?” Feng Yaoguang frowned, his eyes filled with anger, “Are you questioning the Emperor or the Crown Princess?”

“General Feng, I’m speaking to the Crown Princess. It’s not your place to interrupt,” Sheng Jing’an looked at him displeased, “I’m her fiancé, and you’re just a general. Know your place.”

“Sheng Jing’an, you’re the one who should know your place,” Yan Donghuang’s gaze was sharp, “You haven’t saluted me.”

Sheng Jing’an looked at her in disbelief, “Yan Donghuang?”

“Kneel.”

Sheng Jing’an stiffened, his face pale, “Yan Donghuang, I’m a Duke and your fiancé. Why humiliate me?”

“Yaoguang,” Yan Donghuang ordered, “Make him kneel.”

As soon as she spoke, Feng Yaoguang kicked Sheng Jing’an to his knees.

The sound of his knees hitting the ground was painful. Sheng Jing’an’s face turned white, sweating profusely.

Yan Donghuang looked down at him, “First, we’re not married yet. You’re not my husband.”

“Second, you haven’t inherited the Duke title. You should salute me.”

“Third, you have no right to interfere with whom the Emperor passes the throne to. If you do it again, I’ll charge you with insubordination.”

“Yan Donghuang,” Sheng Jing’an endured the pain, “I just think being an emperor is too tiring. Dealing with officials every day is exhausting. You’re a woman. How can you handle it?”

“Enough,” Yan Donghuang’s voice was cold, “Shouting at me is disrespectful. Kneel here for half an hour and reflect.”

Leaving him, Yan Donghuang walked away, “Yaoguang, let’s go.”