But none of that mattered anymore. Regardless of who it was, as these rumors were verified one by one, Prince Gong would ultimately be proven innocent. Not only innocent, but wronged as well.

Emperor Jianzhang was already dead. Whether Prince Lu or Prince Su took the throne, either one would lack proper legitimacy and justification. Moreover, neither could defeat Prince Gong and Han Zhengqing. What would happen then? What else could they do? Of course, they would have to hand over the throne to Prince Gong. Did they expect to wait for death instead? Xu Da felt somewhat triumphant as he stroked his beard and instructed Academician Chen’s family steward, “Quick, go gather more intelligence.”

After the steward left, Xu Da himself stood up and walked around the room. He hesitated for a while, seeming somewhat uncertain. Only after a moment did he speak. “You—go deliver a message for me personally.”

Academician Chen pointed at himself with his finger. “Me?” Have him personally deliver a letter? What letter?

Xu Da narrowed his eyes and looked at him, giving somewhat solemn instructions. “It’s an extremely important matter that cannot be delayed. I have other important things to do, so I’m entrusting this to you. Normally I should go myself.”

Indeed, the people around Zhou Weizhao and those around Zhang Tianshi—only he knew about them. No one else knew. Normally he should be the one making contact, but unfortunately, that wasn’t possible right now.

He needed to find a way to sneak into the palace to find Prince Dongping. His Highness the Prince was the Marquis’s precious treasure. If this Prince were implicated in the Eastern Palace’s chaos, he would truly be guilty beyond redemption.

The problem was that Prince Dongping was rebellious and unruly, extremely stubborn, completely unmoved by persuasion or force. He had no choice but to go in person to resolve this matter. Compared to the Marquis’s beloved treasure, all other matters were less important.

Seeing Academician Chen standing there stupidly like a goose, Xu Da irritably reached out and smacked his head, spinning him around in place. He said impatiently, “Did you hear me or not? Only you can handle this matter, and there can’t be the slightest mistake! Otherwise, you can forget about keeping your life!”

Academician Chen shuddered and instinctively touched his own neck, hastily nodding in agreement.

After finishing his instructions, Xu Da glued on a false beard, straightened his clothing, and tucked his hands into his sleeves, presenting a harmless and honest appearance. He wandered randomly around the city for a while until he reached an extremely inconspicuous residence and knocked on the door.

As he knocked on the door, the main doors of the Crown Prince’s sleeping chamber in the Eastern Palace also creaked open with a squeak. San Bao’s face was ashen as he rushed urgently into the hall. Seeing the Crown Prince move his fingers with difficulty, his lips trembling, San Bao knelt down. “Your Highness, disaster has struck.” With tears blurring his vision, he knelt before the Crown Prince, trembling all over. “Zhang Tianshi’s tribute elixir contained deadly poison. His Majesty is unconscious now from consuming this elixir. Celestial Master Taibai says… says there is no cure.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes flashed with disbelief. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

Zhang Tianshi would poison Emperor Jianzhang? What an absurd joke!

Prince Gong—Prince Gong! His gaze was full of venomous resentment, like a poisoned snake, yet also full of unwillingness. He had already sent Dongping to warn them, but these fools—these fools still let someone succeed!

It wasn’t that he was particularly filial, but Emperor Jianzhang was still his father. His mother had always been partial to others, but his father had never treated him poorly. His heart ached. Upon hearing the words “no cure,” his eyes immediately became bloodshot. With a pfft, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. His eyes grew hot, and he began dry heaving one breath after another.

How could this be? How could this happen?!

Wasn’t Song Chuyi supposedly so capable? Wasn’t Zhou Weizhao’s thinking always thorough? Even Zhang Tianshi was an old fox. They were all so capable—how could they still fall into someone else’s trap?!

Prince Dongping hurried in and quickly patted the Crown Prince’s back, finally getting him to stop dry heaving. He hastily ordered someone to bring hot water and personally fed it to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince pushed it away and looked at him deeply, moving his fingers with difficulty to point at the pillow on his bed.

“Here…” He closed his eyes and panted for a while. “Here… there’s something… you must leave quickly.”

His speech was still halting and unclear, but compared to before, it had improved immeasurably. After spending so much time together, Zhou Weiqi could already communicate well with him. At these words, Zhou Weiqi immediately understood his meaning. His face flushed red, and after a long moment, he resolutely shook his head. “No!” He looked at the Crown Prince and shook his head again. “Father, I won’t leave.”

His voice suddenly carried a hint of choking emotion. “I am your son. I am a legitimate imperial grandson. Why should I flee? I won’t leave. Even if I must die, I will die together with you, Father.”

He grasped the Crown Prince’s hand, trying hard to calm him down, saying softly, “Father, everyone says the Eastern Palace framed Prince Gong, that the Eastern Palace ignited warfare on all sides. I too am part of the Eastern Palace. I am your biological son. At this moment, I’m not going anywhere!”

Even if he died, he would die standing. He would never flee, and especially not toward Han Zhengqing and Prince Gong.

The Crown Prince’s fingers trembled. For a long time, he said nothing and ultimately didn’t speak further. After a while, he suddenly opened his eyes. “Good. Take me to Qingning Hall.”

Qingning Hall was now in complete chaos—truly terrible chaos. Empress Lu sat collapsed on the phoenix throne with a deathly pale face, covering her face with her hands, too exhausted to speak even half a sentence.

His Majesty had said that no matter what happened, they must hold on and believe that everything would get better.

But looking at the current situation, how could things possibly get better?

She truly couldn’t hold on anymore. She felt utterly exhausted. After a good while, when she heard from outside that Princess Rongcheng had arrived, she finally lowered her hands and looked up to see Princess Rongcheng rushing in.

“Mother Empress!” Princess Rongcheng cried out and hurried forward to support Empress Lu. Looking at Empress Lu’s hair that had turned almost snow-white overnight, her eyes filled with tears. “You…”

Empress Lu waved her hand. Having reached this point, she couldn’t say another word.

“You know everything?” After resting for a long time, Empress Lu finally had the strength to speak. “Why did you still enter the palace after knowing? Are you foolish? Right now, Weizhao and I are seen as the chief culprits in everyone’s eyes. You…”

Princess Rongcheng embraced her hand and rested her head on her shoulder. “Why shouldn’t I enter the palace? At a time like this, I should enter all the more. Mother Empress, don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

These words again. Under normal circumstances, Empress Lu might believe them, but now—how could she believe?

She tugged at the corner of her mouth self-mockingly and instructed the head steward beside her, “Go outside and ask what they plan to do.”