Ji Yinshu was held back by Jing Xian, watching helplessly as Jingrong was taken away.

Jing Xian’s face was pale as he coughed several times.

He pulled Ji Yinshu to the side and said weakly: “Just now when Jingrong rescued me, he told me to inform you not to get involved in this matter.”

Which meant that at the moment the fire broke out, Jingrong had already guessed his own fate.

But—

“I cannot just stand by and watch him come to harm.” Her voice choked with emotion.

“This matter hasn’t been thoroughly investigated yet. Master, don’t worry too much, lest your impulsiveness ruin things. Everything should wait until Father Emperor awakens. If I were you, I would definitely first investigate thoroughly—why did today’s incident actually happen?”

It must be said, Jing Xian was a rational person. Despite such a major incident occurring at this very moment, he could still analyze the situation so calmly.

Actually, Ji Yinshu knew it was Old General Li’s plan, but how could she say so?

There was no evidence at all!

Even that batch of problematic lanterns had already been destroyed by Jingrong. Moreover, with Zhang Bo testifying that Jingrong had switched that batch of lanterns, the iron wires containing gunpowder were naturally assumed to have been switched in by him as well.

There was no way to deflect or explain!

Looking in the direction the Imperial Guards had taken Jingrong, Ji Yinshu gradually calmed down as well.

Jing Xian said: “Master Ji, today’s incident involves grave matters. You should hurry and leave the palace.”

Having said this, Jing Xian covered his mouth and coughed again. He released her, turned around, and was supported by a eunuch as he headed toward Fuyang Hall.

Immediately after, Jing Yi also rushed to Fuyang Hall.

At this moment in Chengqing Hall, palace maids and eunuchs continuously splashed water to extinguish the flames. At the same time, charred corpses were being carried out from inside.

There were corpses of court officials, corpses of eunuchs and palace maids, and bodies of the ladies who were Crown Princess candidates…

Ji Yinshu stood there in a daze for a long time, unable to come to her senses until Lang Bo appeared at her side and led the dazed her out of the palace.

Fuyang Hall!

A group of court officials who had just barely escaped death stood outside the great hall. Already frightened out of their wits, now with the Emperor knocked unconscious by a wooden pillar, his life or death uncertain, these officials’ hearts were twisted even tighter into knots.

Inside the hall, Crown Prince Jinghua rubbed his hands together, pacing back and forth.

His face full of worry, he kept muttering: “Father Emperor absolutely cannot have anything happen to him, absolutely cannot have an accident…”

Actually, in his heart he wished that old fellow would hurry up and die!

Once he died, he as the heir apparent could become Emperor.

Jing Yi glared at him coldly, suppressing his anger, slightly narrowing his eyes as he said: “Crown Prince, at that time you were closest to Father Emperor. If something happens to Father Emperor, where were you then?”

Hearing this, Jinghua felt somewhat guilty, as if he’d been electrocuted, and immediately exploded.

“What do you mean? Are you saying that this Crown Prince, to save his own life, disregarded Father Emperor and fled on his own?”

That’s exactly what happened!

Jing Yi sneered coldly: “I merely asked the Crown Prince a question. Why are you so nervous?”

“Nervous? When was I nervous? Just now the fire was so massive, full of thick smoke—I didn’t notice Father Emperor.”

“Is that so?” He didn’t believe it at all.

Jinghua felt he was being falsely accused and was very angry. He glanced at the inner chamber, lowered his voice, stepped closer to Jing Yi, and demanded: “Make yourself clear. Are you suspecting that this Crown Prince deliberately didn’t save Father Emperor?”

Jing Yi’s face was cold and stern, just about to say something—

“Cough, cough!”

Jing Xian, who had been sitting quietly to the side, began coughing.

Interrupting their conversation.

The tightly closed door of the inner chamber suddenly opened, and two Imperial Physicians walked out sweating profusely, bowing.

The Crown Prince was first to ask: “Imperial Physician Li, how is my Father Emperor?”

The physician bowed and said: “His Majesty has awakened.”

“Awakened?” Jinghua’s pupils dilated, his heart sinking with disappointment.

Damn it, why did he have to wake up?

But he still had to put on a very happy appearance, preparing to step inside to be the first to see his undying old Father Emperor and salvage his image in his father’s heart.

But—

The Imperial Physician stopped him.

“What are you doing?” Jinghua demanded.

Imperial Physician Li looked instead at Jing Yi and said: “Prince Yi, His Majesty said he will only see you alone.”

Jing Yi nodded without saying anything and went in. The eunuch also closed the door.

Jinghua was completely stunned. He grabbed Imperial Physician Li and demanded: “What does this mean? Why won’t Father Emperor see me but wants to see Prince Yi instead? Why? Imperial Physician Li, tell this Crown Prince honestly—is Father Emperor’s condition very serious?”

Actually, what he wanted to ask was whether the Emperor planned to change the designated heir.

If so, what would he do?

Imperial Physician Li kept his head down: “This humble official doesn’t know. When His Majesty awoke, he only said he would see Prince Yi.”

“Impossible!” Jinghua said as he prepared to push open the door, but was still blocked.

Inner Chamber!

Jing Yi entered and sat down by the bed.

Emperor Qizhen lay in bed, his eyes slightly open, his face haggard and extremely weak, looking as if he were on the verge of death.

Seeing Jing Yi approach, his trembling hand lifted and was grasped by Jing Yi.

“Father Emperor!”

He called out.

Then said: “Father Emperor, rest assured. With Imperial Physicians Li and Luo here, nothing will happen to you.”

Emperor Qizhen breathed lightly and asked: “Who did this?”

Though like a dying man, his tone still carried an emperor’s intimidating power.

Jing Yi lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

“Speak!” Emperor Qizhen gripped his hand more forcefully.

Jing Yi had no choice but to say: “The lanterns transported into the capital this time came from Fangshui City, as did the iron wires for hanging the lanterns. If there were problems with them, they should have been stopped at the city gates during transport, but they weren’t. Therefore, the lanterns from Fangshui City had no problems. However, Jingrong secretly made a trip to the Palace Service Department and switched out that batch of lanterns. The iron wires with gunpowder should also have been switched by him. Your son doesn’t know why Jingrong would do this, but has already ordered him imprisoned, awaiting Father Emperor’s decree.”

He explained everything clearly!

Emperor Qizhen closed his eyes and let out a light, heavy sigh.

After a long while—

“Go investigate. Investigate thoroughly and clearly.”

“Father Emperor’s meaning?”

“Investigate!” One word, forcefully pronounced when it left his mouth.

“Yes, your son obeys the command.”

Jing Yi rose and withdrew to the side, his face showing no ripples, but as he lowered his head and cupped his hands, the corners of his lips revealed a chilling smile.

After withdrawing, the door to the inner chamber was closed again.

Jing Yi barely even glanced at Jinghua before leaving the inner hall.

So Jinghua chased after him, intercepting him outside and nervously demanding: “What exactly did Father Emperor say to you?”

Jing Yi gave him a cold glance: “Father Emperor said nothing.”

“Impossible. Father Emperor called you in alone—how could he say nothing?”

“Then what does the Crown Prince think Father Emperor would say to me?”

Of course it was about changing the designated heir!

Jinghua was very nervous. He hadn’t saved Father Emperor—perhaps in a fit of anger, Father Emperor would depose him and make Jing Yi the Crown Prince instead. If that were true, and if Emperor Qizhen couldn’t survive and died, then… wouldn’t Jing Yi become Emperor?

If Jing Yi became Emperor, he would certainly die!

“Did Father Emperor really say nothing to you?” Jinghua continued probing.

“He said nothing.”

“Then…”

Before he could finish, Jing Yi shook him off.

Jinghua chased after him for two steps and asked: “Where are you going?”

“The prison!”

Off to conduct a harsh interrogation!