Chapter 21: Lifting the Cold Wind Pavilion Ban

Inside the Crown Prince’s sleeping quarters.

Xiao Che was speaking with Ji Chen about the events during the royal hunt.

He told Ji Chen that he had encountered assassins at the hunting grounds and accidentally had his foot grazed by an arrow.
However, what puzzled him was that after the banquet, when he encountered another assassin and his injury tore open again, the imperial physician found no sign of poisoning during treatment.

Ji Chen explained that the secret poison from the Southern Isles was different from other toxins. Within the first hour of exposure, it couldn’t be detected. It would only show symptoms and become detectable after that hour.

That meant the poison Xiao Che encountered likely came from the arrow after the banquet.

Suddenly, Xiao Che remembered something.

Earlier that day at the hunting grounds, the arrow that struck his horse had a different pattern from the one the assassin used.
But the arrow from after the banquet resembled the one that hit his horse.

In other words, the arrow shot at his horse during the hunt may have been a warning about the danger nearby.
Then why did the same kind of arrow later try to poison him at the banquet?!

He fell into deep thought.

This matter, he definitely needed to investigate thoroughly.

As he was pondering, Zhong Zihan suddenly approached.

Zhong Zihan told him about how Side Consort Jing had tried to frame Qian Ning.

Xiao Che’s dark eyes narrowed. As expected.

Given the situation, he would need to go personally. Otherwise, Shu Ruohua would surely be implicated.

Fortunately, after drinking the porridge, he felt much stronger.

Ignoring Ji Chen’s objections, he forced himself to put on shoes and prepared to leave.

But the moment his injured foot touched the ground, the pain he used to feel every time it landed—was gone.

He didn’t think further. With Zhong Zihan supporting him, he walked out.

Eunuch Lin hurried to drape a cloak over him.

Back Garden.

Side Consort Jing was seated on a stone bench in the pavilion, with a maid gently fanning her beside her.

Qian Ning had been dragged by several guards onto a long wooden bench. Judging from the scene, she was about to be flogged.

“I must teach this shameless little wench a proper lesson today,” Side Consort Jing’s voice was sharp and domineering.

She had accused Qian Ning of seducing the Crown Prince.

Qian Ning was already pinned down on the bench, and two guards were preparing to strike.

Just then, Xiao Che’s voice sounded from behind, “Stop!”

Seeing the Crown Prince arrive, Side Consort Jing and all the maids and guards quickly bowed.

Xiao Che glanced at Zhong Zihan and gestured for him to help Qian Ning up.

Then, he frowned and looked at Side Consort Jing. “What are you doing, beloved consort?”

Panic flashed across Side Consort Jing’s heart—she hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to show up.

She quickly came up with an excuse.

“This concubine couldn’t sleep tonight, worried about Your Highness’s injury. I asked Qiu Yue to accompany me on a walk, and unexpectedly discovered a maid from Cold Wind Pavilion attempting to escape the cold palace. According to palace rules…”

She spoke in a pitiful tone, acting as though she truly couldn’t sleep out of concern for Xiao Che.

But just as she reached the last part of her sentence, Xiao Che interrupted coldly, “And then?”

He towered over her, exuding a commanding aura that made Side Consort Jing speechless.

Xiao Che said coldly, “I summoned her to deliver some instructions. Do you find that inappropriate, beloved consort?”

Side Consort Jing froze.

She hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to defend a mere maidservant like Qian Ning.

It must be that vixen Shu Ruohua again—seducing the Crown Prince. Otherwise, why would he stand up for her maid?!

Side Consort Jing dared not speak another word.

Xiao Che continued, “I am fine now. Since you have nothing more, you should return and rest early.”

He had seen enough of these palace power plays. He knew exactly what Side Consort Jing was thinking.

Side Consort Jing wanted to argue further, but the Crown Prince’s words were clearly dismissing her.

If she lingered, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t punish her for tonight’s events.

Swallowing her anger, her face flushed red, she could only bow and leave.

Just as she turned, Xiao Che’s voice rang out behind her again.

“Pass on my order: from this moment forward, the ban on Cold Wind Pavilion is lifted. Its residents are free to come and go.”

Although he said it to Eunuch Lin beside him, the words were clearly meant for Side Consort Jing to hear.

Eunuch Lin acknowledged the command and headed toward Cold Wind Pavilion to announce the decree.

Qian Ning quickly followed behind.

Her face, which had been pale with fright from Side Consort Jing, finally regained color.

What she never expected was that the porridge her mistress had cooked for the Crown Prince would be so effective.

He had only drunk a few spoonfuls, and now the Cold Wind Pavilion’s ban was lifted.

From now on, she definitely had to get her mistress to make more things to win favor from the Crown Prince—so they could restore her status as soon as possible.

Before leaving, she glanced once more at Side Consort Jing.

Though Side Consort Jing was cruel, she understood—if not for tonight’s drama, Cold Wind Pavilion likely wouldn’t have been unsealed so easily.

…

(End of Chapter)