Chapter 59 Zhang Guifei

The Emperor immediately put down the chess piece and quickly walked to the bedside.

Seeing the Crown Prince really awake, with eyes sore, he turned to the imperial physician on the side and said, “What are you still standing there for? Come and check on the Crown Prince.”

The attending imperial physician checked the Crown Prince’s pulse and reported, “Your Highness is fine, just prolonged unconsciousness, physical weakness, a period of rest will suffice.”

The Emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“My son, how do you feel?”

“I’m thirsty~”

Ah Qing quickly fetched water and fed it to the Crown Prince.

“Amitabha, Your Majesty, I have been out for a long time, it’s time for me to return to the temple,” Master Liao Kong said with a smile.

The Emperor turned and saluted, “Many thanks to Master Liao Kong.” Master Liao Kong, a truly enlightened monk, gained even more of the Emperor’s trust.

Ah Qing briefly explained the situation to the Crown Prince on the side.

The Crown Prince also said, “Thank you, Master Liao Kong.”

Master Liao Kong said, “Your Highness, there’s no need to be polite. It’s due to Your Highness’s deep blessings that this calamity was averted. I hope you will repay the world in the future~”

“I will remember the Master’s teachings~”

After the Emperor sent Master Liao Kong away, he returned to the Crown Prince’s bedside, “My son, you really scared your father this time!”

Seeing the Emperor’s visibly tired and aged face, the Crown Prince couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“It’s my fault.”

The Emperor patted the Crown Prince’s hand, his eyes showing a hint of coldness, “It’s not your fault, it’s because I am too kind.”

…

The Palace has always been the center of attention, and the news of the Crown Prince waking up quickly spread.

People couldn’t help but sigh. Master Liao Kong truly lived up to his reputation as the only enlightened monk in the world, truly extraordinary!

At the same time, they couldn’t help but marvel. That legitimate young lady from the Shu family, who was pitied and mocked when she left the Marquis’s residence, unexpectedly had such good fortune!

With the imperial decree of marriage from the Emperor, the Crown Prince woke up the next day!

It truly left people speechless.

The people of the Shu family also breathed a sigh of relief.

If the imperial decree of marriage had been issued by the Emperor, but the Crown Prince had not woken up, the days ahead for Shu Yuwan would probably be even more difficult.

Moreover, the Crown Prince has always been the next emperor supported by the Shu family, the rightful heir. If something were to happen, the court would likely fall into chaos.

In the Ning’s Mansion, the mood of the Ning Shinzin was complex and indescribable. The Crown Prince’s status as his cousin was much higher than his, so why could he marry Shu Yuwan?

On the other hand, Shu Yuwan’s feelings were not much simpler than those feeling of Prince Shinzi, feeling a heavy mist in her heart.

She once thought that being reborn, she had already foreseen the future events, just needed to avoid the tragic events of the Shu family in the previous life, live a simple and happy life with Wenyue.

But now, it seemed like a small action could lead to major changes, catching her off guard!

Although she had met the Crown Prince a few times, she didn’t really know him.

She was still a bit worried.

At the same time, she was also puzzled. Was she really destined to be the Crown Prince’s wife? If not, why did Master Liao Kong say so? Why did the Crown Prince wake up right after the Emperor’s decree of marriage?

Lack of joy in becoming the Crown Prince’s consort, Shu Yuwan felt a cloud of confusion in her heart.

If she were to enter the palace, she didn’t know if she could survive in the even more complex imperial court…

After the Crown Prince woke up, the Emperor returned to Chengqian Hall.

“Has Zhao Haiquan confessed yet?” Now, the Emperor finally had the mind to investigate the mastermind behind the scenes.

Hong Gonggong  bowed and replied, “Reporting to the Emperor, the Ministry of Justice has exhausted all methods, but Zhao Haiquan still insists on his innocence, claiming that he only had a connection with the eunuch Chen Jin as fellow villagers, and the Empress was unaware of their relationship, let alone instructing Chen Jin to poison Prince Jin’er.”

The Emperor snorted, “This Zhao Haiquan is truly loyal.”

He then stood up and said, “Go to Palace.”

When the Emperor arrived, Chonghua Palace was still orderly, unaffected by the Empress’s confinement, but there was an air of unease.

Although Empress Zhang Guifei appeared slightly weary, she was dressed appropriately, composed and restrained.

“Welcome, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor, observing Empress Zhang Guifei’s meticulous etiquette without a single mistake, asked her to rise and calmly said, “Zhao Haiquan has been summoned. Empress, I have been generous to you for many years, and I have long told you that I will grant Ming Ge a prosperous fiefdom, ensuring his worry-free life. Why are you not satisfied?”

Empress Zhang Guifei’s voice remained calm, “If you want to find a fault, you will always find one. I do not believe it. I have not done such a thing.”

The Emperor coldly said, “There is ample evidence, yet you refuse to admit it?”

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhang Guifei couldn’t help but feel sad, “Your Majesty, I have been with you for many years. You should know my character. How could I possibly poison the Crown Prince? If I poisoned the Crown Prince, could it guarantee Ming Ge becoming the Crown Prince in the future? Princess Shu’s sister has the support of the mighty General, even if something were to happen to the Crown Prince, Ming Ge wouldn’t stand a chance against the Crown Prince!”

Empress Zhang Guifei, though not of high birth, had been highly trusted by the Emperor over the years, managing the harem for many years. Despite not having a position in the line of succession, she held real power. Even while under house arrest, she still had many useful people.

She knew that Zhao Haiquan had not confessed at all~

Moreover, although Chen Jin was someone she had carefully arranged to be by the Crown Prince’s side, he had never been used. This time, it was indeed not at her instruction that Chen Jin acted.

During these days, she had been thinking, who was it really?

To investigate a matter, one must look at who ultimately benefits from it!

If the Crown Prince were to die, Ming Ge and she would be accused of plotting against the Crown Prince. In the end, the ones who would benefit the most would be Miss Shu and the Crown Prince!

Empress Zhang Guifei mobilized people buried around Miss Shu and indeed found out that people around Miss Shu had been in contact with Chen Jin!

Empress Zhang Guifei continued to lament, “Moreover, over these many years, when have I ever fought for anything? Why won’t you Majesty believe me?”

Empress Zhang Guifei cried sorrowfully, her usual calm and composed demeanor suddenly turning pitiful, leaving the Emperor somewhat at a loss.

Zhao Haiquan had indeed not confessed at all!

Empress Zhang Guifei had indeed always been accommodating and considerate!

But Chen Jin was indeed her person!

Thinking about what Empress Zhang Guifei had said.

Miss Shu?

Empress Zhang Guifei was not wrong in saying that if Ming Ge had truly not woken up this time, he would never let Empress Zhang Guifei and the Second Prince off the hook. At that time, indeed only Jin’er would have the highest chance of being named the Crown Prince.

Looking back at Empress Zhang Guifei, the Emperor said, “Beloved Consort, you have managed the harem for these many years, truly a hard task. Rest well in Chonghua Palace for a few days.”

Empress Zhang Guifei suppressed her sorrowful expression and forced herself to appear as composed as usual, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor nodded, no longer looking at Empress Zhang Guifei, and left Chonghua Palace with Hong Gonggong .

After the Emperor left, Empress Zhang Guifei’s expression turned cold.

“Even if I have been with you for so long, you only remember your legal wife. Why Ming Ge can’t be the Crwon Prince?”