Chapter 78: The Truth Behind the Poisoning

The chattering sounds grew louder, but no monkeys appeared.

If this group of monkeys fed on the Long Yinghua, that could be troublesome.

Yan Ziqi asked, “Is there any other way to ascend?”

Brother Niu thought carefully, “We could take a detour, but it would take at least three days. If they feed on this, I fear…”

There might not be many left.

“However, we don’t particularly like that, and we certainly wouldn’t take such risks; maybe there’s plenty of it.”

They all assumed it was just wild grass and had no idea it was called Long Yinghua.

Seeing how valuable this item seemed to Li Ning’an, they figured they could take some back to sell for a good profit.

Brother Niu was quite willing to lead them on a trial.

“Let’s take the detour,” Li Ning’an quickly decided.

She couldn’t let these people risk themselves for her father.

Especially since climbing up would require fighting the monkeys, leaving little energy left afterward.

Seeing her determination, Yan Ziqi agreed and let Brother Niu continue leading the way.

Fortunately, their efforts paid off. On the third morning, they finally reached the top.

After observing, Yan Ziqi realized that the monkeys did not only eat the Long Yinghua.

While they searched for other food, he led the others to harvest a good amount of Long Yinghua.

When they returned to the foot of the mountain, Li Ning’an was eager to head back, but Yan Ziqi insisted she rest for a night before they set off.

On the way back, they did not encounter any assassins sent by Tong Linian.

They returned to the capital in mid-March.

Li Ning’an sought out the old Taoist, asking him if he could concoct a remedy to cure her father’s poison.

“I can find whatever is needed,” the Taoist replied, surprised by the amount of Long Yinghua she brought back. “If His Majesty is willing to try it, I can save him.”

Li Ning’an inquired, “Will it endanger his life?”

“It won’t, but it will be very painful. If His Majesty is willing, I can definitely extract the poison.”

During Princess Ning’an’s absence, he had been conducting research.

Once again, Li Ning’an brought the Taoist into the palace to consult her father, urging him to heed the Taoist’s advice.

“Father, I am willing to serve as regent,” she said, kneeling down. She knew that this treatment might leave her father unable to handle court matters for a time.

Ning Zhao was still young, and her fourth brother and she were not in agreement; it would be better for her to help alleviate her father’s burdens.

Emperor Mingde waved for Yan Su to take the Taoist away, signaling for Li Ning’an to come closer.

She approached her father, saying, “Father, you will surely be fine. I am not afraid of hardship or fatigue.”

“Minister Wen is most concerned about his youngest son. I’ve captured Wen Di to serve as a soldier; Minister Wen won’t object to my regency.”

Though Yan Ziqi didn’t completely control the hundred thousand troops at the border, many generals there would still follow his orders.

The Emperor was only being treated; he could still come out later. With the Emperor backing her, she had little to fear.

Emperor Mingde sighed, realizing Ning’an had truly grown up. “You don’t want to ask how this poison came about?”

Yan Su instructed Fu Xi to take the Taoist to a secret location to settle him in before returning to the Emperor’s side.

He brought a chair for Princess Ning’an, positioning it close to the Emperor, and she sat down.

“Your Majesty, it’s better for the old servant to explain this to the Princess,” Yan Su suggested.

Emperor Mingde pondered for a moment and nodded. “You tell her.”

Yan Su began recounting events from the day the First Prince and Second Prince passed away.

At that time, it was autumn hunting season, and the First Prince was about to become the heir, accompanying the Emperor to hunt in the mountains to establish his authority.

The Second Prince, who was less steady than the First Prince, quietly followed behind and hunted some small rabbits.

At that time, the leader of the imperial guards accompanying the Emperor was Yuan Ze’s master, the same one who taught Princess Ning’an.

He brought ten men with him, following closely beside the Emperor, along with the attendant Yan Su.

When the Emperor or the First Prince successfully caught game, Yan Su would praise them first.

Some officials and young lords initially accompanied them, but when the Emperor spotted a rare wolf, he pursued it relentlessly.

The First Prince followed closely to protect the Emperor.

The ministers dared not overshadow the Emperor, gradually falling behind.

Yan Su remembered that day, when the weather was perfect, with clear blue skies.

“The Second Prince was following closely behind. The forces of Beiyue somehow broke through the patrol guards of the Imperial Army and fought fiercely with His Majesty.”

The First Prince, the Second Prince, and the imperial guards rushed in to protect the Emperor. Yan Su knew he couldn’t help, so he intended to ride back for reinforcements.

Before he could leave, a skilled warrior from Beiyue shot the First Prince off his horse.

“The two princes died protecting their father and the throne. The Emperor was seriously injured, and I was shot in the shoulder and fell from my horse. Yuan Ze’s master fought valiantly to protect us.”

“Fortunately, all the enemies were killed.”

Li Ning’an only knew that she had been in the tent with her mother, whining to go out and play with her brothers.

Her mother, irritated by her persistent nagging, called for Yan Ziqi to accompany her outside.

Before Li Ning’an even entered the forest, she saw Yan Su riding out, saying, “The Emperor is injured, and both princes… died protecting him.”

Then, Li Ning’an saw her father covered in blood, carrying her two brothers out with an imperial guard.

“Brother!”

She tried to rush over, but Yan Ziqi stopped her just in time; she nearly got trampled by the Emperor’s horse.

“And then?” Yan Su’s account was similar to what he had told before.

“The Emperor was poisoned by them and was not supposed to survive. But for the sake of the princess and the empress, he took a different poison.”

The two poisons only temporarily preserved his life.

“I secretly searched for many doctors, but no one could do anything.”

Emperor Mingde nodded. “I know my days are numbered. I hoped to see you grow up, afraid you would be bullied.”

He discussed with the empress that no matter what, they needed to have a brother for Ning’an.

After a few princesses were born, seeing that they were all healthy, he and the empress had one more child.

Fortunately, it was a son.

“Ning Zhao, Father, was Ning Zhao born for my sake?”

Li Ning’an had never thought her father was worried about her being bullied.

But in her past life, what had she done?

She had trusted Fu Minglang and loved him deeply.

“Yuan Ze’s master should have been punished, but after saving the Emperor several times, he was assigned to protect you and brought out a disciple.”

It was also to protect Ning’an.

Emperor Mingde had not expected that the legendary Long Yinghua would really be found by Ning’an, and that old Taoist truly had some skills.

Li Ning’an could not imagine the feelings her father must have had when he took the poison.

His two sons died protecting him; his only choice was to die now or die in a few years.

Amidst such profound sorrow, he also had to endure the pain brought by the two poisons.

Suddenly, Li Ning’an no longer wanted her father to collaborate with Chijin.

They truly deserved to die.

Emperor Mingde seemed to sense her intentions. “With Chijin instigating internal conflict in Beiyue, Da Qi can recuperate.”

He stroked Ning’an’s head. “I will listen to Ning’an’s words and let the old Taoist treat me.”

Li Ning’an wanted to see her mother. After leaving Qian Kun Palace, she went to the empress’s quarters and saw Ning Zhao.

He was sitting in the study writing, while the empress watched him gently.

The robe he wore had been sewn by the empress herself.

The empress seemed to sense something and looked up, seeing Ning’an. “Ning’an, you’re back.”

Li Ning’an walked in and, before she could greet her, she hugged her mother tightly.

Feeling her daughter’s emotions were a bit low, Yan Su followed behind and nodded slightly; the empress understood.

“Silly child, I genuinely wanted to have another baby.”

“Having Ning Zhao is a blessing for me and your father.”

“He was not born just for you.”

Ning Zhao stepped forward, unable to reach his sister’s shoulders yet, but he said:

“Ning Zhao willingly wants to protect his sister; sister is the best sister in the world.”

Tears streamed down Li Ning’an’s face. “I haven’t, I need to treat you even better.”

She had been given a second chance and needed to cherish it.