How could there possibly still be a way to detoxify? Old Kong sneered inwardly, his disdainful cold smile already hanging on his face. He naturally knew Zhang Tianshi’s capabilities and naturally knew that Zhang Tianshi was incredibly formidable, but given how long they had been planning this, the poison they had fed Emperor Jianzhang had long been refined through countless trials. They had tested it on who knows how many people and animals, and it was practically lethal upon contact, without a doubt.
Even if Emperor Jianzhang hadn’t immediately expired, that was only because Imperial Physician Yan had immediately administered bloodletting and acupuncture that day. This time, they had repeatedly confirmed with Taibai Zhenren that the Emperor truly could not be saved.
To resort to even this method—it seems they truly have no other options. Old Kong thought this, then saw the civil and military officials seemingly snapping out of their shock, turning one after another toward that young eunuch.
“What did you say?!” Liang Tong, who moments ago had been excitedly demanding that Empress Dowager Lu immediately lock the Grand Prince into the Imperial Clan Court without further discussion, ran the fastest, his eyes gleaming: “What did you just say Zhang Tianshi said?”
Aside from Cen Biliang and Grand Secretary Chang, the other officials also exchanged glances, extremely agitated.
The young eunuch had never dealt with so many high ministers before. His legs were weak, and he answered their questions tremblingly: “Zhang Tianshi said… he can detoxify His Majesty’s poison…”
Just in this brief exchange of questions and answers, Old Kong discovered something wrong—Zhang Tianshi must truly be able to detoxify, otherwise why would he go to such unnecessary lengths to say this?
But why could Zhang Tianshi detoxify?! This was impossible. The poison they used had been refined through countless trials before being produced. Moreover, Emperor Jianzhang had been delayed for so long, exactly as Taibai Zhenren said—probably only immortals could save him. How could Zhang Tianshi now say he could save him?
His heart pounded rapidly, and he felt his mind was terribly muddled.
After a moment, he propped up his splitting headache and snorted coldly: “Could the Celestial Master be trying to do something wicked?” He said, then lowered his head slightly: “I have followed the Celestial Master for many years and know his capabilities well. He can burn memorial prayers to Heaven for His Majesty, he can refine elixir pills for His Majesty, and besides that, he can also commune with ghosts and spirits…”
Unfortunately, no one had the time to pay attention to what he was saying. The current predicament and chaos in the court fundamentally stemmed from Emperor Jianzhang’s unconscious state, from the question of whose hands this realm should fall into if Emperor Jianzhang never woke. But what if Emperor Jianzhang was all right?
As long as Emperor Jianzhang could truly be all right, then all of this—all these “what ifs”—would cease to exist. Liang Tong was the first to react, raising his voice with burning eyes fixed on Grand Secretary Chang: “Elder, right now, His Majesty’s health is of utmost importance!”
As for who administered the poison, as long as Emperor Jianzhang could wake, wouldn’t everything become clear? And as for how to deal with the Grand Prince and others, that would naturally be a trivial matter. Compared to matters of state, these things were truly too insignificant.
Grand Secretary Chang also nodded his agreement very quickly, though his heart was still somewhat surprised. Could it be that they now felt everyone who needed to be baited out had been baited out sufficiently? Otherwise, why would Zhang Tianshi say right now that Emperor Jianzhang could be awakened?
He nodded toward the civil and military officials and said: “Regardless of anything else, we must try. Invite the Celestial Master to Xuanzheng Hall!”
No one had any more time or inclination to pay attention to Old Kong kneeling on the ground. The heart strings that Empress Dowager Lu had kept taut for so long finally relaxed abruptly. She had never believed the nonsense about Zhang Tianshi and Zhou Weizhao jointly poisoning Emperor Jianzhang, but it was true that Zhang Tianshi had been helpless about Emperor Jianzhang’s unconsciousness, and with Taibai Zhenren’s firm pronouncement, she hadn’t dared harbor any hope for Emperor Jianzhang’s recovery. Now suddenly hearing that Zhang Tianshi could detoxify Emperor Jianzhang, the joy in her heart was simply beyond words. She urged repeatedly: “Quickly! Quickly invite the Celestial Master to Xuanzheng Hall!”
Zhou Weizhao, who had remained silent without speaking, finally showed some expression. His pitch-black pupils like the finest ink fixed on Old Kong for a glance before he strode forward beside Empress Dowager Lu.
When Old Kong was looked at by those eyes, he inexplicably felt chilled all over. He knew Zhou Weizhao’s formidability too well—he had watched Zhou Weizhao grow up since childhood and deeply knew his temperament and character. Though magnanimous and benevolent, he had never been a fool. The plan had been proceeding too smoothly; he had always felt something seemed off somewhere, but because everything was moving according to their plan, he couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Now thinking about it… now thinking about it, why was it that although Qingbai’s death was somewhat suspicious, and they had indeed found Zheng Baihu and brought him to the capital, yet after this witness Zheng Baihu died, Zhou Weizhao had shown no reaction all along?
No, there had been a reaction, but that reaction came from the Grand Princess Consort. It seemed only the Grand Princess Consort didn’t believe Qingbai and Zheng Baihu’s deaths were accidental, and had people investigating. On Zhou Weizhao’s side, however, things had remained quiet as if nothing had happened at all.
Previously he had always thought it was because Zhou Weizhao trusted those around him too much, but now thinking about it, this was too bizarre—this wasn’t Zhou Weizhao’s style. He had never been someone who would believe people unconditionally just because he trusted them.
Then, if Zhou Weizhao was deliberately lulling them into complacency, then… then, all of this was naturally just a net.
Academician Chen waited until the moon rose above the willow tops, until the lamps before and behind the house were all lit brightly, but still Old Xu didn’t return. The steward who had gone out for a long while also had no news, and he couldn’t help but stand up, extremely anxious.
What made matters worse was that at this moment when his heart was about to leap out of his chest from anxiety, Madam Chen, who never had an eye for timing, sent someone to call him to dinner. How could he still have any appetite for food? He had already instructed them not to wait for him, and couldn’t help but fly into a rage.
By rights, there should have been some news from the palace by now—today saw the incident of Old Kong turning himself in. With this alone, shouldn’t it be enough to establish the fact and crime of the Grand Prince’s poisoning? How could there be no news transmitted?
He clutched his head, his eyes both sore and painful from not having closed them for too long, yet he didn’t dare feel the slightest bit sleepy. He just stared at the door, hoping the steward or Old Xu would suddenly enter and alleviate some of his worry, bringing him some good news.
Old Xu too—what important business could be delaying him until now?
Just as he was full of complaints, a commotion suddenly arose outside. He breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was Old Xu or the steward returning, and hurriedly straightened himself to go out to greet them. But when he walked out the door, what he saw was not Old Xu, nor the steward who had gone out to gather information, but Imperial Guards with embroidered spring sabers at their waists. He was instantly completely dumbfounded.
He remembered that among the crimes Old Xu had fabricated for the Grand Prince was one about colluding with the Imperial Guard—so how could the Commander of the Imperial Guard now brazenly lead people charging into his home?