HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 594: His Majesty Has Been Poisoned

Chapter 594: His Majesty Has Been Poisoned

When His Majesty was assassinated, what a momentous event! Almost instantly, everyone rushed toward His Majesty’s sleeping palace, fearing both arriving late and arousing the Emperor’s suspicion while missing the opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty.

At this crucial moment, except for Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong who already knew that His Majesty had arranged this assassination attempt today, everyone was genuinely concerned about His Majesty, regardless of their motives. Even those as clever as Xiao Changqin and Xiao Changyan didn’t suspect the assassination attempt was staged.

The consequence of this mass exodus was that their residences were left empty—a significant vulnerability.

Shen Xihe and her group arrived first due to their proximity. When they arrived, the Imperial Physician was already treating Emperor Youning’s wound, and a palace maid was walking out with a basin of bloodied water.

Xiao Huayong hurried inside, with Shen Xihe beside him, supporting her pale-faced husband. After entering the room, he couldn’t help but cough softly several times. The couple approached Emperor Youning, and after paying their respects, Xiao Huayong asked the Imperial Physician with concern, “How severe are His Majesty’s injuries?”

The fact that bloodied water could be carried out and that Emperor Youning could sit up to receive people indicated the injury wasn’t serious. With truly severe injuries, an emperor would necessarily be kept heavily covered, otherwise those with ulterior motives might seize the opportunity to act.

The Imperial Physician glanced at Emperor Youning, and only after receiving permission did he reply, “His Majesty’s wound isn’t deep, however, the blade was coated with poison. This poison is rare and unusual—while not instantly fatal upon contact with blood, its effects are extremely rapid. Fortunately, this humble servant has encountered this poison before and happened to have the antidote.”

Poison was involved as well?

Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows and casually said, “Your Majesty, the medical woman, and subordinate at my side have some expertise in detoxification. While I wouldn’t dare question the Imperial Physician’s abilities, both the Crown Prince and I are worried about Your Majesty. If Your Majesty doesn’t object, would you allow me to summon them to check your pulse again?”

Whether Emperor Youning was poisoned or not depended entirely on the Imperial Physician’s word. Shen Xihe didn’t believe Emperor Youning would be so willing to risk poisoning himself. Even an omnipotent assassin couldn’t have silently infiltrated His Majesty’s resting chambers—this was an “assassin” arranged by Emperor Youning himself. If Emperor Youning were twenty years younger, Shen Xihe might have believed he would take such a risk, but now…

“We are fine. We appreciate your and the Seventh Prince’s concern,” Emperor Youning predictably refused.

Shen Xihe didn’t insist. She thought that if it weren’t for the two well-known medical experts at her side, Emperor Youning would probably have conspired with the physician to feign being critically ill.

Because of Zhenzhu and Axi’s presence, Emperor Youning couldn’t implement this plan. If the physician proved “unable” to neutralize the poison, she would naturally send her people to help—could His Majesty take real poison then?

Of course not. Moreover, after the Northwestern incident, Emperor Youning’s wariness of her stemmed from the “divine doctor” hidden in the shadows beside her, who could evade detection by all the physicians in the city.

If the Emperor’s feigned poisoning were exposed, it would be quite embarrassing.

When Shen Xihe was seeking His Majesty’s opinion, the Fifth Prince (Prince Xin) Xiao Changqin, Eighth Prince (Prince Jing) Xiao Changyan, and several other princes arrived successively. They heard Shen Xihe’s words from outside the room, each with their thoughts.

The Second Prince (Prince Zhao) Xiao Changmin, Third Prince (Prince Dai) Xiao Changzhen, and Ninth Prince Xiao Changying all felt this showed His Majesty’s distrust of the Crown Princess.

Xiao Changqin didn’t think it was distrust. His Majesty was certainly not a foolish person and must surely know that the Crown Princess wouldn’t send someone to assassinate him at Xianguo Temple. If Shen Xihe truly wanted to make a move, she wouldn’t send just one person—it would be a series of coordinated attacks.

Since His Majesty was poisoned, and knew it wasn’t the Crown Princess’s doing, even if just for the sake of caution, he should have made use of the Crown Princess’s people. How could His Majesty be so careless with his life?

Unless… His Majesty wasn’t actually poisoned at all, and thus had no concerns, and therefore wouldn’t allow others to check his pulse.

His Majesty wasn’t poisoned yet instructed the physician to claim he was—someone was going to be in trouble. His gaze swept across His Majesty and Shen Xihe before he lowered his eyes and said nothing more.

“Your Majesty, I request permission to search for the assassin,” Prince Jing stepped forward to request.

“Eighth Brother, His Majesty’s assassination attempt is no trivial matter. As his sons, we should stay by His Majesty’s side to show our filial piety,” Prince Zhao Xiao Changmin spoke up. “Your Majesty has the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Imperial Guards, Eighth Brother can rest assured.”

With the assassination attempt on His Majesty at this time, every prince was suspect. Xiao Changmin hadn’t done such a thing himself, but he couldn’t guess who was responsible—who knew if it might have been Xiao Changyan? Assassinate His Majesty and then use the pretense of searching to frame others?

They needed to avoid suspicion.

“We have already commanded the Marquis of Zhenbei to lead the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Censors in a joint search,” Emperor Youning didn’t grant Xiao Changyan’s request.

Xiao Changyan silently retreated to the side, happening to stand opposite Xiao Huayong and his wife, his deep gaze looking over.

Xiao Huayong couldn’t help but cough lightly several times again, and Emperor Youning instructed Liu Sanzhi, “Get a seat for Seventh Prince.”

Liu Sanzhi personally brought over a stool, and Xiao Huayong sat down after expressing his thanks.

“Imperial Physician, may I ask what poison His Majesty has been afflicted with?” Shen Xihe inquired with concern again.

With no Empress in the palace, as Crown Princess, her careful inquiry about her father-in-law’s health condition demonstrated filial piety that was beyond reproach. The Imperial Physician already knew what poison it was and naturally answered truthfully: “Qianji poison.”

Shen Xihe nodded in understanding.

Everyone accompanied Emperor Youning, while other ministers and imperial consorts waited outside.

Shortly after, Abbot Xujing arrived. He had been the first to come, but happened to spot the assassin and gave chase. To his surprise, it led to Xianguo Temple, where he lost the assassin’s trail.

“This humble monk arrives late, causing Your Majesty distress. Please punish me,” Xujing performed a grand Buddhist gesture of respect.

Today, he had first been investigating the incense matter, which hadn’t yet been resolved, and then His Majesty was assassinated at Xianguo Temple. Although he was a member of the clergy, he understood that this Buddhist site had now become a symbol of power.

“Master, please rise,” Emperor Youning lifted his uninjured arm slightly. “Master need not blame himself. Our enemies are all people with far-reaching influence, this has nothing to do with Xianguo Temple.”

“Your Majesty, this humble monk just pursued the assassin and engaged in combat—their skills were truly remarkable,” Xujing added.

“Master chased the assassin? Where is the assassin now?” Asked Xiao Changmin, as the eldest son.

Not just him, all the princes turned to look at Xujing in unison.

Xujing lowered his voice somewhat shamefully, “This humble monk failed to capture them.”

The princes all showed slight surprise. Xujing’s martial arts were exceptional, no less skilled than the Imperial Censors at His Majesty’s side, yet even on Xujing’s territory, the person had escaped—this person was indeed not to be underestimated.

“Your Majesty, your subject has matters to report,” the Marquis of Pingyao’s voice sounded from outside.

The Marquis of Pingyao had also been searching for the assassin with the Marquis of Zhenbei. The Marquis of Pingyao had caught two people engaging in improper conduct on temple grounds—one was a monk from Xianguo Temple, and one was Noble Consort Rong’s lady-in-waiting. When discovered, these two were entwined together, clearly meeting consensually in secret.

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