“Not a single word I’ve said is false,” Prince Jin said through gritted teeth. “My mother was there and can testify.”
“Yes, His Majesty personally said he would establish Prince Jin as the Crown Prince!” Consort De exclaimed, arriving with two little eunuchs.
“You are mother and son. Consort De would not hesitate to lie to aid you,” Wei Shu said calmly.
Prince Jin hesitated, looking at Gu Lianchang. Gu Lianchang nodded slightly, and Prince Jin’s heart relaxed. “The little eunuch Liu Yi was outside the door and also heard it.”
“Summon Liu Yi,” Gu Lianchang commanded.
Liu Yi quickly arrived, kneeling and stating: “I was serving outside the door and heard something about establishing the Crown Prince. I heard His Majesty call Prince Jin’s name, saying, ‘Among these sons, I favor you the most,’ and Prince Jin thanked him. I didn’t hear anything else.”
Prince Jin felt disappointed; such ambiguity would hardly count as solid evidence.
Wei Shu commented: “So you didn’t hear the Emperor say he would change the Crown Prince?”
Liu Yi cautiously replied, “I have told everything I heard.”
Wei Shu laughed coldly, addressing Prince Jin: “Second Brother, can you produce any convincing evidence? Liu Yi’s words can be interpreted in any way.”
Several imperial physicians checked the spoon again and confirmed: “Indeed, the spoon is poisoned.”
“Impossible, I didn’t do it; you’re framing me!” Consort De screamed, glaring at the Crown Prince. “This morning, the Emperor said he would change the heir, and in the afternoon he fell ill. He has always been healthy; how could he become so sick? You must have poisoned the Emperor out of fear of not becoming the Crown Prince!”
“Your Majesty!” Qin Zhi, who stood by the bedside, called softly, “Your Majesty is in critical condition!”
Author’s note: Please call me the hardworking little bee, haha, love you all~
Chapter 93: The Chamberlain and the Empress Dowager
The Emperor took his last breath in the late evening, escaping the messy affairs behind him.
