Qin Zhi found it increasingly difficult to communicate with him. Ruan Ning’s ascension seemed to have eroded his rationality. Wei Shu was irritable and impatient, fixated solely on the throne while ignoring the complexities of the situation.
Realizing further discussion would be futile, Qin Zhi decided to use her seal to mobilize troops as a precaution. A flash of murderous intent crossed her eyes regarding the new Empress—she considered direct action instead of waiting for slow-acting poison.
Gu Lianzhuang was furious, believing his harem impenetrable until this slip-up occurred. The Eastern Factory was instructed to find the mastermind within three days.
“Was it you?” Wei Shu confronted Qin Zhi in the Eastern Palace.
Qin Zhi asked in confusion, “What was me?”
“Assassinating Ruan Ning, was it you?” Wei Shu stared at her.
She had mentioned killing Ruan Ning a few days ago, which made him suspect her.
“What is Your Highness thinking?” Qin Zhi asked with a slight smile. “Even if I wanted to act, I would need the ability. I’m not as brilliant as Your Highness.”
Wei Shu was torn between belief and doubt. It was hard to believe his wife could orchestrate such an act right under Gu Lianzhuang’s nose, yet he couldn’t think of anyone else responsible. He studied her and said, “You’d better not have touched her, or I won’t spare you.”
Qin Zhi lowered her eyelids, hiding her disdain, and nodded. “I understand. I will not disobey Your Highness’s wishes.”
As they spoke, a eunuch urgently reported, “Your Highness, something’s wrong! His Majesty is coughing up blood again!”
Wei Shu glanced at Qin Zhi, who said softly, “If something happens to the Emperor, Your Highness’s first task will be to expose the evil deeds of the Prince of Jin and his mother.”
Gu Lianzhuang was stopped by the Prince of Jin. The prince anxiously said, “Chief Gu, if something happens to my father, I plan to make his will public. Can you release my mother?”
The only witness who heard the Emperor say he would make him crown prince was the Virtuous Consort. Despite the suspicion, she was the only witness, and he couldn’t miss any opportunity.
“Zhang Jing, go wait at the Xiushou Palace. If there’s news from the Qingqing Palace, immediately bring the Virtuous Consort to testify,” Gu Lianzhuang said calmly.
“Thank you, Chief Gu!” The Prince of Jin looked towards the crowd heading to the Qingqing Palace, where the former Imperial Consort, now Empress Ruan Ning, was bringing the Fifth Prince, Wei Ying, to visit.
“The eunuch Liu Yi, who was serving outside the study when the Emperor gave his order, will testify if necessary,” Gu Lianzhuang said, inwardly sneering at the sight of Ruan Ning.
With the Prince of Jin’s capabilities, even with witnesses and evidence, he could hardly turn the situation around. But let him try to create some momentum and dampen Wei Shu’s spirit.
The Prince of Jin was overjoyed, repeatedly saying, “This prince will definitely repay Chief Gu in the future!”
“No need to mind,” Gu Lianzhuang said casually, walking past him and catching up with Ruan Ning.
The Prince of Jin felt the Emperor seemed unlikely to survive. This was a critical moment; if heaven granted his wish, either Ruan Ning or the woman hidden by Gu Lianzhuang would become his playthings.
“Let’s go to the Qingqing Palace!” He took a deep breath, suppressing his chaotic thoughts, and followed Ruan Ning.
Those imperial physicians had surrounded the emperor, examining him and taking his pulse while checking the vomited blood. Their expressions grew increasingly grave.
Prince Jin stood anxiously by the hall’s entrance, fisting his sleeve. Consort De and the eunuch Liu Yi had yet to arrive. He glanced at Gu Lianchang and noticed an unexpected tenderness in his gaze directed toward Ruan Ning.
Suddenly, Prince Jin realized that the woman Gu Lianchang had secretly kept was the Ruan Ning he had long been thinking about. This eunuch had beaten him to it!
Prince Jin stood momentarily at a loss when he heard Qin Zhi coldly ask, “Prince Jin, what did you mean earlier about the Emperor’s dying wish?”
Snapping to attention, Prince Jin stammered, “The Emperor’s dying wish was that he loved me the most and wanted to establish me as the Crown Prince!”
The Clan Affairs Minister and other royal family members who had just entered the hall drew a sharp breath. Wei Shu’s face tightened, and he coldly asked, “Has Prince Jin gone mad, daring to speak such treasonous words?”
“The Emperor’s intentions were exactly this.”
Going against his wishes would be true treason,” Prince Jin said boldly. “Seventeen days ago, on Bingchen day, I went to the Imperial Study to speak with the Emperor. He said the Crown Prince was narrow-minded, short-sighted, and unable to bear the great responsibility of the state. The Emperor wanted to depose Wei Shu and establish me as the Crown Prince.”
The hall fell silent, with only the Emperor’s heavy breathing audible.
Wei Shu was the first to speak, maintaining his gentle demeanor: “Second Brother, the Emperor is gravely ill, yet you speak such nonsense. What are your intentions?”
“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.
The Forbidden City quickly turned into a sea of mourning. Mourning clothes had been prepared, and all close relatives wore coarse linen, kneeling before the spirit, wailing. Ruan Ning knelt at the front, crying and feeling panicked about what to do next. Gu Lianchang approached on his knees and whispered, “Later, when the Crown Prince and Prince Jin start arguing, just pretend to faint.”
