Chapter 95 Acting

In just one day’s work.

Hong Gong Gong had already thoroughly investigated everything the Emperor ate, used, and wore.

The Emperor’s face darkened, “What’s the matter?”

Hong Gong Gong, nervous, lowered his voice, “The supplements sent by Shu Yan, sometimes the Emperor doesn’t use them, and sometimes he doesn’t finish them, so he rewards the leftovers to the servants below. Among them, Xiaolu, Xiaoli, and Xiaxia they use to eat the food that Shu Yan gave to the emperor. These few servants have mentioned feeling drowsy recently.”

This statement essentially condemned Shu Yan!

Anger surged in the Emperor’s heart!

After a cold laugh, he said, “Good, good, good!”

“I want to see what the Li family plans to do!”

Hong Gong Gong stood by like a statue, not uttering a word.

When Shu Yan came to deliver supplements again, the Emperor showed no difference in his demeanor. He smiled at Shu Yan, “Beloved Consort, you’ve worked hard!”

Shu Yan gently replied, “In the past, it was me being ignorant, not understanding to consider Your Majesty. Now I understand your hardships. In the future, I will personally wash Your Majesty’s hands and make soup every day.”

A glint of coldness flashed in the Emperor’s eyes, then he smiled, “Lately, I’ve been feeling drowsy. It seems I’m tired and need to nourish my body. Thank you for your hard work, Beloved Consort.”

Shu Yan smiled even more happily, “Your Majesty appreciates my skills. It’s my fortune!”

“Let it be, I’ll come to drink after I finish reading these memorials.”

“Remember to drink,” Shu Yan reminded before taking her leave.

Once she left Chengqian Palace, the smile on Shu Yan’s face grew even wider! Finally, the plan was working!

When Jin Er arrived in the capital, she used the remaining medicine!

After Shu Yan left, the smile disappeared from the Emperor’s face. He and Hong Gong Gong looked at the bowl of soup, and the Emperor spoke.

“Summon Chen Qing to check my pulse.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Chen Qing hurriedly arrived, “Your Majesty.”

Clearing the people from the hall, Hong Gong Gong placed the ginseng soup brought by Shu Yan in front of Chen Qing, “Doctor Chen, take a look at this bowl of soup. Is there anything wrong with it?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing’s expression turned serious. He took out a silver needle from the medicine box and tested it, but the needle didn’t change color.

He then brought it close to his nose, carefully sniffed, and tasted a bit.

Finally, he said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong with this ginseng soup.”

The Emperor, displeased, said, “I’ve raised a bunch of useless people! What’s the use of your medical clinic? You couldn’t find the cause when the Crown Prince was unconscious, and now, a bowl of poisonous ginseng soup is placed in front of you, and you tell me there’s no problem!”

Chen Qing quickly knelt down, “I’m sorry, Your Majesty!”

“Hmph!”

Chen Qing pleaded, “Could you give me some time to study it carefully?”

The Emperor waved his hand in agreement and added, “Don’t let others find out. Drinking too much of this soup will make one feel mentally fatigued, drowsy, just like I am now.”

Chen Qing’s eyes widened, and even his gray beard trembled. Someone had poisoned the Emperor!

He checked the Emperor’s pulse daily and hadn’t noticed. The old man was drenched in cold sweat.

Bowing his head, he said, “I deserve death!”

After some thought, Chen Qing said, “May I carefully check the Emperor’s pulse again.”

Chen Qing, is likely similar to Hong Gong Gong, they were both a trusted aide of the Emperor, so the Emperor didn’t actually blame Chen Qing. He extended his hand for Chen Qing to check his pulse.

After examining for a while, Chen Qing couldn’t see any signs of poisoning, but it was evident that the Emperor’s body was significantly weakened, with spleen deficiency and liver heat.

Previously, he had thought that the Emperor’s recent fatigue and drowsiness were due to the busy state affairs and the Emperor’s anger. However, he never expected that the Emperor was actually poisoned.

After checking the pulse, Chen Qing knelt down and said, “Your Majesty, this poison has caused spleen deficiency and liver heat, leading to drowsiness. You need to rest well in the coming days. Once I determine the type of poison, we can consider how to treat it.”

The Emperor handed the ginseng soup from Shu Yan to Chen Qing, hoping he could research an antidote soon.

After a nervous departure by Chen Qing, the Emperor instructed Hong Gong Gong, “Go to the Ministry of Justice and bring back a death row convict around my age and give him all the supplements sent by Shu Yan, let him drink them all.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hong Gong Gong immediately took action.

Thinking about the Li family now in charge of the camp outside the capital, the Emperor pressed his brow.

The Crown Prince reminded the Emperor that Hong Gong Gong was already investigating, so he didn’t inquire further.

The Emperor was not a fool; once he had suspicions, any real issues wouldn’t escape his notice. It was now up to the Emperor to handle the situation!

If he directly removed General Wei and, punished Shu Yan, it would indicate that the Emperor still intended to spare the lives of his third son and the Li family.

If the Emperor remained silent, there might be a bloody storm ahead!

The Emperor refrained from mentioning it further, as he shouldn’t interfere too much to avoid misunderstandings.

—

The death row convict brought out by Hong Gong Gong began to feel drowsy for most of the day after drinking the ginseng soup sent by Shu Yan in full quantities. After just over half a month, he began to spend most of his days in a state of drowsiness.

The Emperor also pretended to be drowsy most days, even nodding off during court sessions.

The Grand General was secretly pleased, while the courtiers were abuzz with discussions, trying to gather information.

On this day, Shu Attendant couldn’t help but approach the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, how is the Emperor’s health?”

After some hesitation, the Crown Prince replied, “I’m not sure.”

“The physicians say there’s no problem; it’s just fatigue recently. Don’t worry; the Emperor knows what’s going on.”

Hearing this, Shu Attendant felt a bit relieved.

The maternal family of Shu Yan, is in charge of the camp outside the capital, meant that the Emperor, in his prime, was unlikely to have any issues. However, if the Emperor suddenly made a mistake, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, there could be problems.

“That’s good; I’ll take my leave.” Shu Attendant bowed and left.

The Crown Prince bid farewell and then he went to Chengqian Palace.

—

“Your Highness.” Hong Gong Gong informed the Crown Prince and respectfully led him inside.

“How is the Emperor?”

“The Emperor is well.”

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief. As he had expected, it seemed the Emperor was preparing to clear out the forces in the court!

He wasn’t planning to spare his third brother anymore!

“Father.”

“I’m here.” The Emperor saw the Crown Prince, softened his expression, and stopped pretending to sleep, “Rest assured, the Emperor is fine.”

The Crown Prince nodded, “It’s good that the Emperor is fine. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Good, be careful in your Palace, especially now that the Crown Princess is pregnant. Be cautious with the people around her.”

The Emperor, accustomed to the Crown Prince acting as a mother, worried about the colorless and tasteless poison that even Chen Qing couldn’t detect. His son was finally going to have a child and he don’t want his grandchild to put in a danger sitiuation.

The Emperor no longer visited the harem. Shu Yan and the other palace concubines came to see the Emperor, but each time, Hong Gong Gong would say that the Emperor was asleep.

Shu Yan felt a mix of happiness and sadness. He was the only man she had ever loved in her life! Now, she had to poison him with her own hands, taking his life! It was because the Emperor had decided to send Cheng away. She couldn’t be the Empress, but his Son shouldn’t be wronged.

With these thoughts, Shu Yan no longer felt sad. Regardless of her love for the Emperor, he didn’t love her back.