Chapter 351

Emperor Yong buried his head in the brocade quilt, trembling all over.

He clutched the quilt tightly, but whether it was his body being too weak or his heart being too cold, his hands and feet remained icy, unable to generate any warmth.

He was terrified, unable to distinguish whether this was reality or still a dream.

“Father?”

At this moment, a gentle voice came from afar, and then a pair of warm hands rested on his shoulders.

Emperor Yong looked up dazedly, meeting the slightly startled face of the crown prince.

The crown prince had been handling state affairs in the imperial study when he was informed that the empress had been summoned to the Yangxin Palace.

He could no longer bear to see his mother suffer any grievance, so he hurriedly left his work and rushed to the Yangxin Palace.

Upon arrival, he found that his mother was no longer there, but his father’s condition seemed very off.

Seeing Emperor Yong’s reddened eyes, the crown prince was deeply shocked, as he had never seen the emperor in such a state—vulnerable, confused, and filled with fear.

“Zhan’er…”

Seeing the crown prince, Emperor Yong was reminded of how he had forced him to drink poison, causing his heart to feel as if it were being torn apart.

He opened his mouth to speak but suddenly noticed the young eunuch following the crown prince.

The young eunuch looked very young, with a scar on his left cheek that hadn’t healed yet. He stood there respectfully, his figure thin but remarkably composed.

This was Liu Fuzi, the one who had exposed the second prince’s origins.

Although Emperor Yong had long known that the crown prince was involved in all these matters, seeing him bring Liu Fuzi without any hesitation made him realize that the crown prince had grown fully capable and no longer feared him.

“When did it start?”

Emperor Yong coughed lightly and suddenly fixed his gaze on the crown prince.

The crown prince was initially stunned, but when he noticed Emperor Yong’s gaze on Liu Fuzi, he understood immediately.

His father was asking when he began to harbor rebellious thoughts.

The crown prince did not hide the truth. He looked at Emperor Yong with an unwavering gaze and said in a steady voice, “Father, it started two years ago, on Xiao Xi’s birthday.”

Emperor Yong shuddered involuntarily at this answer.

That moment was extremely sensitive; it was where the dream and reality began to diverge.

“Father, I have always wanted to ask you. If Xiao Xi had indeed drowned that day, would you have sought justice for him?”

“And on that day, if the matter of the painting hadn’t been clarified, would you, in a fit of rage, have poisoned me?”

Hearing this, Emperor Yong’s eyes widened in horror!

He pointed at the crown prince, his fingertips trembling, “Zhan’er, you… you also…”

Although the crown prince did not understand why Emperor Yong was reacting so strongly, he recalled his father’s irrational behavior that day and had already figured out the answer.

Forget it. The fact that his father had left an edict to pass on the throne was their final act of fatherly love.

He would serve his father well until the end of his days—no more, no less.

“Father, the Grand Secretariat is preparing for the coronation ceremony.”

“I have been learning the way of a ruler by your side since I was three years old. I will not forget your teachings. Please take care of yourself and recover. The future peace and prosperity of the realm will be as you wished.”

The crown prince knelt solemnly before the bed, then turned and left.

At this moment, the dream and reality overlapped for Emperor Yong. After the crown prince drank the poison, he had also bowed solemnly before him, then died.

Overcome with fear, Emperor Yong hurriedly threw off the quilt and tried to chase after him, but his legs gave out as soon as he got out of bed.

Huang Pei rushed forward to support him, and as Emperor Yong looked up, he saw that the crown prince was no longer in the Yangxin Palace.

Seeing Emperor Yong in such a wretched state, Huang Pei felt an intense pang of sorrow. Just as he was about to offer some comforting words, Emperor Yong’s desolate voice reached his ears.

“I was wrong, it was my fault, Chan’er, Zhan’er, it was my fault…”

Tears fell onto Huang Pei’s neck, burning with intensity.

This was the first time Emperor Yong admitted his mistakes, but neither the empress nor the crown prince heard it, and they no longer cared about this admission.

Huang Pei’s eyes suddenly stung with tears.

Your Majesty, a single misstep has led to a series of wrong turns. There is no turning back in this world…

Since that day, after seeing the empress and the crown prince, Emperor Yong’s spirits had waned further. He often spoke nonsense in his dreams and woke up looking pale and drenched in sweat.

Zou Qi checked his pulse daily but would always shake his head silently afterward.

Not even a deity could save him; truly, not even a deity could save him…

———

Five days later, Qiao Diyi finally returned home from Baopiling. After taking a bath, he collapsed into bed and slept for an entire day and night.

Qiao Jiaojiao sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her second brother’s sunburned face, feeling terribly sorry for him.

**”Look at how tanned my second brother is. Second Sister Xiao might not even recognize him!”**

**”Last time, when Eldest Sister Xiao got married, Second Sister Xiao asked about Second Brother.”**

**”Second Brother is such a blockhead. It’s been so long, and he hasn’t even written a letter to Uncle Xiao to inquire about Second Sister Xiao.”**

Outside, it was already dark. Knowing that Qiao Diyi was returning home today, Qiao Tianjing had set aside his work and came home early.

Mrs. Qiao prepared a lavish meal, and the whole family was waiting. But the “guest of honor” was still fast asleep with no sign of waking up.

Qiao Zhongguo and Mrs. Qiao entered the room, discussing whether to wake Qiao Diyi. Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes rolled, and she suddenly shouted:

“Oh! Second Sister Xiao, you’re here!”

“Second Miss! Second Young Master greets you!”

Qiao Diyi jumped up from the bed, properly bowed, and his eyes were still closed.

“Hahaha!”

Qiao Zhongguo burst out laughing, and Mrs. Qiao shook her head, smiling.

Qiao Diyi opened his eyes, realizing there was no Second Miss; he had been sleeping at home!

“Hahaha, hahaha! Look how startled Second Brother is!”

Qiao Jiaojiao clutched her belly, rolling on the bed with laughter.

Qiao Diyi finally understood; his little sister had tricked him!

“Little Sister, now you’re making fun of Second Brother!”

Qiao Diyi lunged at her, tickling her ribs until she cried out.

“Ouch! I surrender, I surrender! Second Sister Xiao, save me!”

Mrs. Qiao watched them with a smile for a while before finally “rescuing” Qiao Jiaojiao.

Qiao Diyi freshened up and then, hugging Qiao Jiaojiao warmly, went to the main hall.

Qiao Tianjing and Han Yaxian were already waiting there. When they saw Qiao Diyi, Qiao Tianjing quickly pulled him to sit down.

Qiao Diyi felt both honored and a bit anxious.

“What’s going on? Big Brother, did I do something wrong?”

Qiao Zhongguo sat at the head of the table, laughing, “Everyone, take a seat!”

He raised his wine cup, smiling with deep emotion, “It’s been a long time since our family sat together. Come, let’s have a drink!”