Zhang Shi nodded: “I understand. Thank you, Imperial Physician Li. Xiaolian, you go with Imperial Physician Li to get the prescription and medicine.” After Xiaolian left with Imperial Physician Li, Yin Shi’s expression suddenly turned cold as she stared at Xia Houduan and the other: “Speak! What exactly did you do to make His Majesty so angry?!”

Xia Houduan didn’t answer her question, only lowering his head: “This subject deserves death!”

Seeing him evade her question, Zhang Shi became even more annoyed: “I’m asking you a question – hurry up and speak!”

Wan Shi said coldly: “Sister, making such a commotion – are you finding this place too quiet and won’t be happy unless you wake His Majesty?”

“This subject-consort has no such thoughts, only concern for why His Majesty would be so angry as to faint.” In the rear palace, Zhang Shi most detested none other than Wan Shi. Though she and her sister enjoyed Li Yuan’s complete favor, they could never do anything about Wan Shi, who remained steadily seated in the Noble Consort position. And Li Yuan, though he rarely went to Shangyang Palace, always maintained a measure of respect for Wan Shi. It was precisely this respect that maintained a delicate balance between them – neither could do anything about the other.

Wan Shi glanced at Xia Houduan and said coolly: “Since His Majesty summoned Lord Xia Hou, it must be about court matters – not something we rear palace people can interfere with.” Before Zhang Shi could speak, she continued: “If Consort Zhao has nothing else, please return. His Majesty will be cared for by me.”

Seeing her trying to drive people away as soon as she arrived, Zhang Shi wouldn’t agree. Just as she was about to argue with Wan Shi, Yin Shi secretly gave her a look and took over: “How can we bear to have sister care for His Majesty alone? We sisters should naturally stay and care for him together.”

Wan Shi glanced at her without speaking. This Yin Shi was far more clever than Zhang Shi in both thought and speech. Otherwise, with Zhang Shi alone, even with her devastating beauty, she wouldn’t be Wan Shi’s match.

This wait lasted the entire night. Everyone was extremely tired, yet none would leave. The heavy rain stopped at the third watch. Wan Shi had someone open the windows, and immediately the fresh air after rain swept in, lifting the spirits of everyone who had been awake all night. Birds chirped noisily in the trees, quite lively.

A palace person entered and whispered something in Wan Shi’s ear. She nodded: “I understand. Let her wait.”

Hearing her words, Yin Shi smiled: “Does sister have some matter?”

Wan Shi touched her cheek, saying indifferently: “Nothing much. Young Madam Du has obtained a batch of superior rouge and powder and specially brought some for me. Actually, the palace has everything, but it’s still her kind intention.”

“Since someone is waiting, sister should go back first. His Majesty will be sufficiently cared for by us sisters.”

“No matter, let her wait a while.” Saying this, Wan Shi added: “His Majesty has slept through the night – he should wake soon.” Just as she finished speaking, a soft groan came from the bed. Everyone immediately focused their attention on the bed and indeed saw Li Yuan slowly open his eyes after moving his eyelids several times.

Zhang Shi said joyfully: “Your Majesty, you’re awake?”

Li Yuan rubbed his still somewhat foggy forehead: “Why are you all here?”

Zhang Shi helped him sit up while saying: “You ask that! Last night you suddenly fainted, frightening this subject-consort and sister terribly. We’ve been watching over you all night, and now seeing you wake up, our hearts can finally settle.”

“All night?” Li Yuan looked at the sky outside and frowned: “I was unconscious for so long?”

Wan Shi came forward and placed two soft pillows behind Li Yuan’s back: “You were truly unconscious the entire night. Imperial Physician Li said you absolutely cannot get so agitated anymore – after all, you’re at an advanced age and accidents could happen.”

With her words, Li Yuan gradually remembered what happened before he fainted. His face immediately darkened: “Where are those two, Xia Houduan and Wang Yuanzhi?”

Wan Shi’s eyes flickered as she rubbed his back: “Look, you’re getting angry again as soon as you wake up. Don’t be anxious – they’re both here, having knelt all night without daring to move.”

Li Yuan stared darkly at the two dispirited men, Xia Houduan and Wang Yuanzhi. Zhang Shi, who had been holding back all night, couldn’t help asking: “Your Majesty, what exactly did these two do to make you so angry?”

Li Yuan said in a deep voice: “I’m fine now. You all withdraw.” This clearly showed he didn’t want them to know what Xia Houduan and the other had done. Zhang Shi’s heart felt like a cat was scratching it – she was intensely curious. She wanted to ask more, but Yin Shi beside her tugged at her sleeve, so she had to swallow her words and reluctantly withdraw from the imperial study with Yin Shi and the others.

On the way back, Zhang Shi said: “Sister, why didn’t you let me ask earlier? Don’t you want to know what Xia Houduan did?”

Yin Shi glanced at her and said lightly: “You still dare to say that! If I hadn’t stopped you just now, you would have already received His Majesty’s scolding, and then you’d have something to cry about.”

Zhang Shi twisted her handkerchief: “I was just curious. Sister, aren’t you curious too?”

Yin Shi laughed coldly: “What’s there to be curious about? Xia Houduan… heh, he’ll soon become a dead man!”

Hearing this, Zhang Shi’s spirits lifted as she hurried to ask: “Does sister know something?”

Yin Shi walked to an exquisite pavilion and gestured for Zhang Shi to come closer, whispering a few words. After listening, Zhang Shi’s expression changed dramatically as she exclaimed: “They actually deceived His Majesty?”

Yin Shi raised her eyebrows and smiled: “Otherwise, why would His Majesty be so furious?”

After her surprise, Zhang Shi continued: “No wonder! Xia Houduan and that Daoist surnamed Wang are truly bold and reckless, doing such things to deceive superiors and hide from subordinates. They deserve to be executed!”

Yin Shi gazed at the leaves outside the pavilion, made especially green and attractive by last night’s rain washing, and said leisurely: “Those who deserve death – it’s not just those two.”

“There’s also…” After just two words, Zhang Shi’s expression suddenly changed as she stared at Yin Shi and lowered her voice: “Sister, are you talking about the Prince of Qin?”

“Who else but him? Xia Houduan and the other must have been instructed by him to dare such things. Now that His Majesty has seen through everything and knows the Prince of Qin threatens the Crown Prince’s imperial position, how could he allow him to live? Even if His Majesty remembers their father-son relationship and reluctantly spares his life, from now on, he won’t be the Prince of Qin anymore.”

Zhang Shi nodded repeatedly, asking in confusion: “How did sister come to know of this matter?”

“The day before yesterday, when the Crown Prince and Prince of Qi came to see His Majesty, I happened to be there too, so I heard some things. Afterward, the Crown Prince specially came to see me, asking me to give a push at the appropriate time.” At this point, Yin Shi’s lips curved slightly: “From the looks of it now, I won’t need to expend any more effort.”

Zhang Shi also showed a smile, saying with satisfaction: “This major threat of the Prince of Qin will finally be resolved. Otherwise, if he ascended to the imperial throne, where would we sisters have good days? These past two years, relying on his military achievements and having Wan Shi and Lin Shi, he’s constantly competed with the Crown Prince in court.”