Chapter 55 Poisoning

Time flew by, another half month had passed.

Shu Yuwan was playing with her daughter when her eldest brother, Shu Yuyang, hurried over, looking anxious and pale.

Surprised, she asked, “Big Brother? What’s wrong?”

“Yuwan, the Crown Prince has been poisoned and is unconscious,” Shu Yuyang said as calmly as possible.

Shu Yuwan’s grip on the tiger-patterned cloth in her hand loosened, almost dropping it to the ground, then she tightened her hold again, “When did this happen?”

“Just today. I haven’t come to see you these past few days. Make sure to have guards watch the gates.”

“I’ll go back to the mansion first.”

WenWenyue do not understand what her uncle said and saw that her uncle didn’t carry her today, so she pulled Shu Yuyang, not letting him go, “Uncle, Uncle~”

Shu Yuyang forced a smile, picked up the child, and said, “WenWenyue, be good. Uncle has important matters today. I’ll bring you some delicious treats in my next visit.” Yuyang genuinely smiled at her.

Shu Yuwan took the child from Shu Yuyang’s arms and said, “Big Brother, you should go back quickly.”

Shu Yuyang nodded and quickly left.

WenWenyue tugged at Shu Yuwan, bringing her back from her daze.

What’s going on?

It had only been a year, and this was something that shouldn’t have happened until six years later. Why did it happen so early?

Had she changed something that caused such a significant change in the future?

Or was the Crown Prince’s poisoning this time not the major event that would happen six years later?

Shu Yuwan couldn’t figure it out and was very worried.

But she couldn’t do anything now, she could only wait…

In the palace.

The oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe. Even Hong Gonggong , the eunuch by the Emperor’s side, stood stiffly on the side, not daring to speak. The other eunuchs in the Chengqian Hall even slowed down their breathing to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

The head of the Imperial Hospital and a group of doctors knelt below.

“When will the Crown Prince wake up?” the Emperor asked in a deep voice.

The head of the hospital stepped forward and replied, “Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will wake up tomorrow.”

The Emperor’s expression relaxed a bit, nodding, “Good, all of you go to the Palace and ensure the Crown Prince’s safety.”

“Yes you Majesty!”

After the doctors all responded in unison, they left the Chengqian Hall.

The Emperor then turned to Hong Gonggong and asked, “Have you found out?”

Hong Gonggong quickly stepped forward from his previously tense position and replied, “It was a eunuch named Chen Jin from the Imperial Kitchen in the Palace. He poisoned the Crown Prince’s food when no one was looking.”

The Emperor asked coldly, “Who ordered this?”

Hong Gonggong knelt down and whispered, “This eunuch seems to have some connection with Concubine Zhang Guifei. It’s not confirmed yet if she ordered it this time.”

Zhang Guifei had been by the Emperor’s side for many years and was always gentle and virtuous. She had been managing the harem since the Emperor ascended the throne, as he hadn’t named a Empress.

The Emperor’s expression became difficult to read upon hearing Zhang Guifei’s name, “Continue the investigation.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hong Gonggong didn’t dare say anything more. Whether it was the Crown Prince or Concubine Zhang Guifei, their relationship with the Emperor was not something he could intervene in.

After Hong Gonggong left to arrange tasks, the Emperor sat on the dragon throne, sighing deeply.

In the end, there would be a struggle…

The next day.

A group of doctors knelt not far from the Crown Prince’s bed in the Palace.

The Emperor sat by the Crown Prince’s bedside, angrily asking, “Why hasn’t the Crown Prince woken up yet?”

Ah Qing was sweating profusely, not knowing why, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s pulse is stabilizing, the poison has been mostly cleared, his body should be fine, but he needs time to recover from the internal damage.”

Upon hearing that the poison had been cleared, the Emperor felt somewhat relieved and asked, “When will the Crown Prince wake up?”

“Later today, or at the latest tomorrow, he should wake up.”

However, by the third day, the Crown Prince still hadn’t woken up and had to rely on forced feeding of some soup to sustain his life.

The doctors from the Imperial Hospital couldn’t make sense of the situation either.

Within the Palace, the atmosphere became increasingly oppressive.

“You said the Crown Prince would wake up at the latest today. Why hasn’t he woken up yet? If you can’t find the reason, you, as the head of the hospital, might as well resign!”

Ah Qing could only bow his head in apology.

He couldn’t figure out why the Crown Prince still hadn’t woken up.

The Emperor waved his hand impatiently and then coldly said, “Go, you don’t need to apologize to me. If anything happens to the Crown Prince, the Imperial Hospital will be buried with him!”

Trembling, Ah Qing and the doctors discussed strategies.

Meanwhile, Hong Gonggong, who was still at the Judicial Office, asked, “Have you found out yet?”

The head eunuch of the Judicial Office lowered his head and said, “During the interrogation just now, Chen Jin couldn’t handle it and died…”

Hong Gonggong stood up with a smirk, pointing at the head eunuch, “Do you want to die? Do you know how crucial this testimony is? After so many years of experience, you actually managed to interrogate someone to death! It seems like you don’t want your head anymore!”

The head eunuch of the Judicial Office was at a loss, quickly kneeling down and pleading, “Hong Gonggong, I really didn’t do anything! I didn’t know this little eunuch was so weak!” He didn’t understand why this little eunuch couldn’t handle the punishment; normally, he would have been able to withstand it.

“I can only report the truth to the Emperor. Whether the Emperor believes you or not is up to him!”

Realizing the trouble he was in, the head eunuch of the Judicial Office had a sudden inspiration and shouted, “Hong Gonggong, why not have the doctors check if this little eunuch had pre-existing health issues!”

Frowning, Hong Gonggong nodded and sent a disciple to call for doctors from the hospital.

Shortly after, a doctor arrived, and given the seriousness of the Crown Prince’s poisoning, the hospital had sent a seasoned and cautious senior doctor.

The head eunuch of the Judicial Office looked at the senior doctor expectantly. After a while, the senior doctor put away his needles and bottles, then turned back, “This eunuch has been slowly poisoned. Even without severe torture, he probably wouldn’t have lived much longer.”

The head eunuch of the Judicial Office was overjoyed at the unexpected news!

Hong Gonggong’s expression turned serious as he immediately arranged for further investigation.

…

When Hong Gonggong returned to the Chengqian Hall, he had composed himself.

“How is it?” the Emperor asked, looking at his weary face.

“Your Majesty, the eunuch who poisoned the Crown Prince was poisoned prematurely and just died in the Judicial Office.”

The Emperor sneered upon hearing this, “It was indeed a well-orchestrated plan.”

Hong Gonggong didn’t dare to respond.

At this point, it was difficult to make further progress. All the current clues pointed to Zhang Guifei. Chen Jin was a hidden pawn arranged by Zhang Guifei in the Palace, even placed in the Imperial Kitchen. Evidence was found in Chen Jin’s quarters connecting him to Zhao Haiquan, a close attendant of Zhang Guifei. The next steps would have to be decided by the Emperor.

The Emperor’s gaze darkened, “Arrest Zhao Haiquan and bring him to the Judicial Office. Get results at all costs.”

“As you command.”

“Strip Zhang Guifei of her authority over the six palaces. Let the Shu temporarily manage them. Zhang Guifei is confined to the Palace, and the Second Prince Ming Ge is confined to his residence, not to be summoned.”

Hong Gonggong was taken aback. It seemed that even with Zhang Guifei and the Second Prince, they were not as important as the Crown Prince. “Yes.”

As the news spread, the courtiers were filled with worry, especially the maternal family of the Second Prince and the ministers who secretly supported him.

Not only Zhang Guifei, but even the Second Prince was confined!

Could it be that the Second Prince was truly behind this?

Other courtiers were on edge during court sessions, fearing the Emperor’s wrath.

The Emperor brought the memorials to the Palace, guarding by the Crown Prince’s side, watching him sleep deeply, feeling anxious, “My son, please don’t have any mishaps.”