Chарtеr 5: Тhеre’s Poisоn in thе Mediсine!
Onlу thеn did Shаngguаn Juе nоticе Shаngguаn Sui.
Аfter all, Shаngguan Sui was simply tоо short, аnd shе wаs sitting bеhind thе desk, mаking hеr nеarly imроssible tо spot upоn first entеring.
So, could it bе that whаt he hаd just hеard was аctually Fifth Sistеr’s innеr thоughts?
Тhis matter wаs trulу tоо miraculоus, but it wasn’t еntirely unbеlievablе.
After аll, the world was full оf wоndеrs.
Shangguаn Juе raised his gazе and nоtiсed that thе Empеror’s ехрressiоn remainеd unchangеd, аs if hе hadn’t heard anything just now.
Could it bе thаt only he cоuld hеar it?
Who would hаvе thought that he and Fifth Sister shared such a special connection?
Shangguan Sui noticed Shangguan Jue’s gaze and smiled at him.
In her heart, however, she couldn’t help but sigh.
【What a pity that my eldest brother, such a brilliant and talented man, met an untimely death. Ah…】
Shangguan Jue: Who died young?!
Shangguan Lin: My eldest son is going to die?!
Shangguan Jue and Shangguan Lin instantly held their breath, not daring to speak.
They feared that speaking would disrupt Shangguan Sui’s train of thought.
【Sigh, my eldest brother was perfect in every way—his essays were excellent, his calligraphy was excellent—but who would have thought he’d end up falling for a woman?】
【Speaking of which, it really was a cursed fate. A year ago, my eldest brother was saved by a woman in the outskirts. Her name was Xiao Yun.】
【My eldest brother was grateful for Xiao Yun’s life-saving kindness and brought her back to his residence, treating her with the utmost care and respect.】
【Who would have thought that this Xiao Yun had been secretly poisoning my eldest brother all along? That’s why his health kept deteriorating.】
【Poor my eldest brother, he never even knew until the moment he died. Tragic, truly tragic.】
Shangguan Jue’s pupils contracted sharply.
How could Fifth Sister know about Xiao Yun?!
He had never told anyone about Xiao Yun’s existence.
Moreover, how could Xiao Yun be poisoning him?
But it was true that ever since Xiao Yun had moved into his residence, his health had been getting worse and worse…
Shangguan Jue’s heart raced wildly. He immediately cupped his hands and said, “Father, I suddenly remembered there are some matters at my residence that need attending to. I’d like to return for a moment.”
Shangguan Lin nodded. “Go quickly.”
He believed Suisui’s words without hesitation.
However, could there be someone else behind Xiao Yun?
This matter had to be thoroughly investigated!
Who exactly wanted to harm his eldest son in secret?!
He wanted to hear more, but he realized the voice in his ears had gone silent.
Shangguan Lin turned his head and saw that Shangguan Sui had already fallen asleep on the desk. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
She really did look exhausted.
Shangguan Lin picked Shangguan Sui up in his arms and draped a cloak over her.
He decided to personally take Suisui back.
Shangguan Lin: “To Consort Chen’s palace.”
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Chen immediately announced in a sharp voice—
“Prepare the imperial carriage for Bihua Palace.”
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn…
The news that the Emperor had personally carried Fifth Princess back to Bihua Palace had already spread throughout the entire palace…
The First Prince’s Residence.
No sooner had Shangguan Jue arrived at the main courtyard than Xiao Yun appeared as well.
Xiao Yun was wearing a light green gauze dress today, her eyes carrying a gentle warmth, making her appear elegant and refined.
“Your Highness, you’re back,” Xiao Yun said with a graceful smile.
As she spoke, she took a bowl of medicine from the maid behind her and offered it to Shangguan Jue.
“Your Highness, you left in such a hurry this morning that you forgot to drink your medicine.”
Shangguan Jue looked at the dark bowl of medicine before him, his mind involuntarily recalling that childish voice.
Instead of taking the bowl, he asked directly.
“Do I really have to drink this medicine? I’ve been drinking it since last year, but my health doesn’t seem to have improved much.”Xiao Yun’s smile froze on her face for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Of course, medicinal decoctions take time to show their effects. Your Highness looks much better than before, truly.”
Shangguan Jue curled the corner of his lips, his voice unhurried. “Is that so?”
Xiao Yun nodded. “Of course.”
What’s wrong with this sickly prince today? He’s actually starting to question things?
If he doesn’t drink the medicine, how can she send him to his grave?
“Your Highness, please drink it quickly. Once the medicine cools, its potency will diminish.”
Shangguan Jue glanced up at her, reached out, and took the medicine bowl.
“Understood.”
With that, he turned and walked back to his study.
Xiao Yun watched Shangguan Jue’s retreating figure, a smile curling at the corner of her lips.
She knew it—Shangguan Jue always listened to her the most.
No man in this world could resist her charm.
Xiao Yun smugly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and turned to leave the main courtyard.
Shangguan Jue entered the study.
He placed the medicine bowl on the table, took out a silver needle for testing poison, and dipped it into the liquid.
In an instant, the needle turned black.
There was poison in the medicine!
Shangguan Jue’s face turned icy.
Just as Fifth Sister had said, Xiao Yun had been poisoning him all along!
He had trusted her so much! He had never once doubted her!
He had to get to the bottom of this!
Bihua Palace.
Shangguan Sui yawned, slowly opening her eyes to find that it was already dark outside.
She wasn’t fully recovered from her illness yet and often felt sleepy.
She hadn’t expected to fall asleep while listening to others talk, and even slept straight through until evening.
“Suisui, are you awake?”
Shangguan Sui nodded, letting out a soft hum.
Consort Chen walked to the bedside, drew back the curtain, picked up the small clothes nearby, and personally dressed Shangguan Sui.
Her voice was gentle and coaxing. “Are you hungry, Suisui? Mother made your favorite fish soup.”
Shangguan Sui nodded eagerly.
[I love Mother, I love Mother so much~]
Consort Chen smiled tenderly, picked up Shangguan Sui, and carried her to the main hall of Bihua Palace.
In the main hall stood a square sandalwood table, laden with plate after plate of delicious food.
Shangguan Sui’s mouth watered with anticipation.
Her eyes fixed intently on the food, she suddenly caught sight of a figure dressed in bright yellow.
[Huh? Why is my father here?]
Shangguan Lin: …
What, is she unhappy to see him?
[Sigh, I’d rather have dinner with my beautiful mother~]
Hearing this, Consort Chen’s lips curved into a smile.
But noticing Shangguan Lin’s less-than-pleased expression, she quickly suppressed it.
Better to keep her laughter to herself.
Sitting in Consort Chen’s arms, Shangguan Sui ate heartily.
[Delicious! The food my beautiful mother makes is truly amazing!]
[Other consorts have their servants prepare the food and then present it to my father, claiming they made it themselves]
[My mother is different—she really knows how to cook, and she makes it so delicious! My mother is truly incredible!]
Consort Chen’s ears turned red from the praise.
Oh, this Suisui…
She never realized she appeared so perfect in Suisui’s eyes.
Shangguan Lin sipped the fish soup from his bowl and nodded in approval.
He was beginning to realize that Consort Chen was indeed different from the other consorts in his harem.
Constantly busy with state affairs, he usually visited whichever consort invited him.
But in his memory, he couldn’t recall Consort Chen ever inviting him.
She was like an orchid, quietly blooming in her own space.
Shangguan Lin decided he would visit Consort Chen more often from now on.
Just then, Eunuch Chen suddenly entered the hall from outside.”Your Majesty, Consort Rou says she is feeling unwell and wishes for you to visit her.”