Сhaptеr 23: It’s Dеfinitеlу Нis Fifth Younger Sister
“Хiаo Yun has еscaреd!”
Таng Хing hurriеdly ехрlаined, “Reсently, Xiaо Yun hаs beеn snеаking оut оf the rеsidеnсe frequеntlу. Your Нighness said she might bе delivеring messages tо Cоnsort Хiаn and told us nоt to interferе.”
“Shе аlwаys returnеd bеfоrе sunset eаch timе she went оut, but now it’s latе at night, and shе still hasn’t comе bасk!”
Upоn hеaring this, Shangguan Juе’s lips сurlеd into a mоcking smile.
“Shе won’t bе соming baсk.”
Tang Хing: “Huh?”
Shangguаn Juе’s vоice was cold. “Send peорle to find her. Onсе found, kill her direсtlу. No need to report back.”
After saying this, he turned and walked straight toward the main courtyard.
Shangguan Jue pushed open the door to the study and shut himself inside.
The words of Marquis Zhenbei echoed incessantly in his mind.
He knew his own body well.
The feeling of his strength draining away was growing stronger.
He might truly not have much longer to live.
Master Yunxing might be able to save him.
But Master Yunxing was merely a decoy to lure Marquis Zhenbei into the trap. No one knew where he was.
Perhaps this was his fate.
Still, being able to rid the Emperor of the formidable threat that was Marquis Zhenbei left him with no regrets.
Shangguan Jue walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and began writing his will.
“Forgive me, Father and Mother. Your son cannot fulfill his filial duties…”
As he wrote, Shangguan Jue grew increasingly sorrowful, his eyes gradually moistening.
Just then, Tang Xing’s voice sounded from outside the door once more.
“Your Highness, the Emperor and the Fifth Princess have arrived, and they’ve brought a young lady with them!”
Then, he heard a clear, childish voice.
[Big brother, be good~ open the door~ open it quickly~ I want to come in~]
Shangguan Jue, who had been immersed in sorrow:…
It was definitely his fifth younger sister.
Shangguan Jue quickly rubbed his eyes.
After composing himself, he walked to the door.
As soon as he opened it, he saw a pair of large, dark eyes, like black grapes, staring unblinkingly at him.
Seeing Shangguan Jue, Shangguan Sui immediately broke into an incredibly bright smile.
Shangguan Jue was infected by that smile, and his mood instantly lifted.
Then he heard—
[Did my big brother cry? His eyes are all red~]
[Oh~ no wonder it took big brother so long to open the door just now. He was hiding in a dark corner of the study, secretly crying!]
[I never thought my big brother, a grown man of seven feet, could be so sensitive~]
Shangguan Jue:…
Thank goodness you didn’t say it out loud.
But why did he feel like the Emperor was looking at him strangely all of a sudden?
Before he could ponder further, he immediately clasped his hands and bowed.
“Your son greets the Emperor.”
Shangguan Lin waved his hand. “Rise, no need for formalities.”
With that, he took Shangguan Sui’s hand and walked into the study.
Following them inside was a young woman.
The woman wore a white veil over her face, revealing only a pair of cool, beautiful eyes.
Shangguan Jue nodded slightly to the woman in greeting.
“May I ask why the Emperor has come so late at night? Is there something you wish to entrust to me?” Shangguan Jue voiced his confusion.
Shangguan Lin shook his head. “You handled the matter of Marquis Zhenbei very well. This visit is for something else.”
He paused after saying this.
Shangguan Sui naturally took over, her voice clear and pleasant.
“Big brother, we’re here to cure your illness!”
Shangguan Jue raised his eyebrows, his expression one of disbelief.
Cure his illness?
But… wasn’t the poison in his body incurable?Shangguan Sui pulled Feng Aici to her side.
“This is Sister Feng, she’s a miracle doctor! She’s the one who cured my throat!”
Seeing that Shangguan Jue showed no reaction, Shangguan Sui couldn’t help but feel anxious.
[Could it be that my eldest brother doesn’t believe Sister Feng because she looks too young? Please don’t!]
Shangguan Jue:…
That’s not it.
Moreover, he had also heard that his fifth sister’s throat ailment was cured by a young woman.
But he never expected that it would be the young lady right before his eyes.
“Eldest Brother, hurry and let Sister Feng examine you,” Shangguan Sui urged.
Shangguan Lin also nodded.
The reason for coming here tonight was specifically out of concern for Jue’er’s health and fear that he might be overthinking things.
The words Marquis Zhenbei had spoken in prison had all been reported to him by the guards.
Even at death’s door, he still couldn’t rest peacefully!
Shangguan Jue nodded slightly toward Feng Aici. “Then I’ll trouble you, Miss Feng.”
“You’re too kind, Your Highness.”
Shangguan Jue slightly rolled up his sleeve, revealing his veined wrist, and placed it on the table in front of him.
Feng Aici reached out to take his pulse.
The other three couldn’t help but hold their breath, watching her expression intently without blinking.
Feng Aici’s long eyelashes lightly lowered, revealing no discernible emotion.
After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes.
“How is it, Sister Feng? Is my eldest brother’s condition serious?” Shangguan Sui asked eagerly.
Feng Aici pursed her lips lightly and said slowly, “It is somewhat serious. The poison in the First Prince’s body has already penetrated deep into his bones…”
The hearts of all three tightened simultaneously.
Shangguan Sui shook her little head.
[Wuwuwu, no way~ my eldest brother~]
“However, it’s not completely incurable. It will just take a long time—perhaps half a year of treatment to fully recover.”
Feng Aici’s gentle voice continued.
Then she raised her eyes to look at Shangguan Jue before her.
“At the same time, Your Highness will also need to undergo medicinal baths for one hour every day. Is that acceptable?”
Shangguan Jue quickly nodded. “Yes, yes.”
The three of them immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
[Yes! I knew Sister Feng would have a way!]
[Sister Feng is simply the best!]
Shangguan Jue couldn’t help but curl his lips into a faint smile.
Tonight truly was the most relaxed and pleasant he had felt in a long time.
The next day.
The news that Marquis Zhenbei’s family had been confiscated and he had been sentenced to execution after autumn for three major crimes shocked the entire court.
Soon, this news also reached the rear palace.
Linqing Hall.
“Your Ladyship, something terrible has happened!”
Upon receiving the news, Hongyu immediately rushed anxiously into the hall.
Hearing this, Consort Xian sneered disdainfully.
“What could be so terrible? Could it be that last night’s assassination attempt failed?”
She said indifferently, “If it failed, then it failed.”
The people under her father’s command were the most reliable; they would never expose them.
What major trouble could possibly arise?
Hongyu gasped for breath, her voice trembling.
“It’s the Marquis… the Marquis has been arrested!”
Consort Xian abruptly stood up from her chair. “What?!”
Hongyu poured out all the news she had just heard.
“The Marquis’s family was confiscated yesterday, and a dragon robe was discovered in his residence…”
“The Marquis has been charged with three major crimes: embezzling military provisions, plotting against a prince, and attempting rebellion.”
“He has been sentenced to execution after autumn, and all his family property has been confiscated…”
Consort Xian felt as though her chest were being constricted, making it hard for her to breathe.
She slumped back into her chair, her eyes unfocused.
“How… how could this have been discovered…”
“Father has always been so discreet in his actions… how could it have been discovered…”
Hongyu wept uncontrollably, gasping for breath.”Your Highness, what should we do now?”
Consort Xian gave a bleak smile.
“What should we do? What else can we do? Wait for death…”
Hongyu widened her eyes. “Your Highness, surely the Emperor wouldn’t be so cruel?”
Consort Xian suddenly raised her voice.
“The Lü family has fallen! Do you think the Emperor will spare me now?”
“He must have suspected me long ago! Killing me is only a matter of time!”
Consort Xian gazed at the empty hall, her beautiful face gradually contorting.
“Even if I die, I’ll drag someone down with me!”
The capital had been quite lively recently.
Walking through streets and alleys, everyone was discussing the same matter—